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| Year | Stories |
|---|---|
| 1882 | 1 |
| 1883 | 5 |
| 1884 | 1 |
| 1885 | 8 |
| 1886 | 5 |
| 1887 | 4 |
24 stories matching generous
- Miners' Solidarity in the Aftermath of the Nanaimo Disaster
When disaster struck a British Columbia coal town, Seattle's working class miners—many of whom faced daily peril—stepped up to provide aid for the widows and orphans left behind.
- When the Mill Went Dry: How a Railroad’s Pipes Put 57 Seattle Men Back to Work
Stetson & Post’s mill went dry, idling 57 workers—until a water company and a railroad improvised a pipe connection to get the saws running again.
- The Passing of a Pioneer Merchant
James Crawford, who helped build Seattle's mercantile reputation, dies at age 46 after a struggle with consumption.
- A Community's Gift to a Stricken Laborer
When a worker was left destitute and suffering from inflammatory rheumatism, local merchants and friends in Seattle rallied to set him up in his own business.
- The 'Mrs. Maber' Scam: A Community Charity Betrayed
A woman who conned the Ladies’ Relief Society and private citizens out of rent and groceries is publicly outed by the organization after she repeatedly skipped job opportunities.
- A Bainbridge Island Wedding Celebration
A festive community gathering marks the marriage of a local logger and a pioneer family's daughter at Eagle Harbor.
- The Great Clam Bake of 1885
A Seattle party crosses the Sound to Port Blakely, where local Indigenous hosts treat the visitors to a massive, traditional clam bake that captures the awe and appetite of the pioneer era.
- A Grand Jury’s Gift of Milk
Seattle’s Children’s Home receives a life-changing donation from the civic body overseeing the county’s legal affairs.
- The Struggle for Osceola's Road
A letter from an early settler argues that connecting the remote Osceola precinct to Seattle is vital to the county's economic future.
- The Seattle Oratorio Society’s Plea for Professionalism
A stern warning to amateur musicians: without discipline and rehearsal, the choir risks turning their public performance into a local scandal.
- The Rogue of Seattle
A serial con artist who targeted the generous, leaving friends to pay his debts.
- The Price of the 'Boom' in 1885 Seattle
While the city rode a wave of prosperity, locals were already feeling the strain of rapid expansion, speculation, and the 'dull times' that inevitably follow a growth spurt.
- A Wedding Night Tragedy on Front Street
A festive family gathering in early Seattle turned into a scene of grief after a father’s sudden medical emergency overshadowed his daughter's marriage.
- The Forgotten Dream of an Open Seattle Library
In 1885, Seattle residents could access the University's library for just one dollar a quarter, a radical experiment in civic education that the local press urged to become a permanent foundation for the city's future.
- The Unjust Public Shaming of J.E. Spafford
After the death of his wife, a Seattle laborer fights back against local gossip and accusations of neglect in a poignant appeal to the press.
- The Soaring Value of Seattle Dirt
A look at the rapid rise of local property values, as pioneer church lots worth a dollar reach thousands in gold.
- A Local Merchant Passes
A beloved Seattle businessman and lodge member dies of typhoid fever, leaving a grieving family.
- The Great Divide: The Fight for a Mountain Rail Link
As the population of Western Washington booms in 1882, Seattle residents grow tired of paying for infrastructure projects while Eastern Washington neighbors demand the work for free.
- The Railroad’s Grip on Washington Territory Politics
A fiery open letter from 1885 accuses a party official of selling out the public interest to railroad companies, sparking a scandal over land rights and free travel bribes.
- The Pirates of the Pacific: When Salvage Means Plunder
A biting critique from 1886 argues that maritime 'salvage' laws in the Pacific Northwest have transformed honest sailors into modern-day pirates who hold ships hostage for ransom.
- The Tragedy at the Soap Factory
A local businessman meets a horrific end after falling into a vat of boiling grease.
- The Governor’s Secret Gift to Seattle’s Newsboys
A surprise act of philanthropy transformed the cold winter of 1887 for Seattle’s most vulnerable young workers.
- The Wreck of the Lily Grace
After surviving a harrowing gale and the total loss of his ship near Cape Flattery, a sea captain washes up in Seattle to recount a battle against the elements.
- The Territory Owns the University. So Why Is Seattle Paying for It?
An exasperated editorial makes the case that the Territorial University — the ancestor of today's UW — belongs to all of Washington, yet the Legislature has adjourned without voting it a dollar, leaving Seattle's private citizens to keep the doors open.