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| Year | Stories |
|---|---|
| 1882 | 1 |
| 1883 | 3 |
| 1884 | 4 |
| 1885 | 4 |
| 1886 | 6 |
| 1887 | 1 |
19 stories matching hook
- The Blundering Firefighters of Pioneer Square
A satirical look at a day when a local livery stable fire turned into a slapstick comedy of errors for Seattle's volunteer hook and ladder company.
- The Great Volunteer Fire Brigade Excursion to Black Diamond
A day of sports, baseball, and fraternal pride as Seattle's volunteer firefighters and their families took the train to Black Diamond for their third annual picnic.
- Fire Sweeps Through Opium Den and Saloon District
A negligent stove in a Washington Street opium den sparks a conflagration that consumes seven buildings in the heart of Seattle.
- A Bloody Row on the Quincy Wharf
A waterfront altercation between two men, Wiley and a ship's crew member, leaves the docks bloodied before authorities intervene.
- The City's Ladder Was Too Short
When the volunteer fire company staged a demonstration at Frye's Opera House, the Mayor found the equipment wanting—and the resulting public spat was published in full.
- Spontaneous Combustion Narrowly Misses Seattle Disaster
A late-night fire at a dry goods store was quelled just in time, highlighting the hidden dangers of combustible materials in the wooden city.
- A Night for the City's Bravest
Mayor Harwood presents silver trumpets to Seattle’s volunteer firemen in a night of ceremony and celebration.
- Seattle Firefighters Demand Better Equipment
Local fire delegates warn that current equipment cannot reach the city's growing buildings during an emergency.
- The Price of Fire Safety in a Growing City
A look back at Seattle's seven-year evolution from a fire-prone settlement to a city investing heavily in steam engines and professional gear.
- The Quest for a Professional Fire Department
Seattle fire companies unite to demand a municipal department after years of disjointed volunteer service.
- The Shadow of the Railroad Lobby
A scathing editorial from 1885 warns of the corrupt influence of railroad corporations over the Washington Territorial Legislature.
- The Fire That Saved Us: A Call for a Second Steamer
A Seattle resident writes to the Post-Intelligencer arguing that the recent downtown blaze proves the city’s single fire engine is no longer enough—and demands an immediate duplicate.
- A Young Life Lost in the Yakima River
While attempting to drive horses across a dangerous crossing, an eighteen-year-old laborer is swept away in the swift currents.
- The Alarm Bells of North Seattle
A look at the logistical challenges of firefighting in 1885 Seattle, where volunteer companies managed city safety via university and church bells.
- The New Life of a Seattle Street Kid
Once a fixture of the police courts, a young boy explains why he is trading in petty mischief for an honest job at the bowling alley.
- The Dogfish Gold Rush on San Juan Island
Before tourism, local entrepreneurs on San Juan Island sought their fortune in the 'stinking' but profitable trade of extracting oil from thousands of dogfish caught in the sound.
- The Old Union Flag
A group of Seattle schoolboys preparing for a dance discovered a historic, weather-beaten Union flag—triggering a local effort to preserve the banner that once flew over the Civil War-era Union League.
- A Miraculous Escape for Seattle
A waterfront fire threatens to consume the business district, but the volunteer fire department saves the day.
- The Great Pig Entrapment of 1886
A pig's quest for kitchen scraps leads to a neighborhood-wide ordeal in downtown Seattle, involving the Fire Department and a very persistent squeal.