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1. The Swift and Terrible Justice of the Gallows

   A condemned man is rushed to the gallows in just five days, sparking outrage over the speed of the judicial process in Snohomish.

   Oct 6, 1877The Northern StarSnohomish, Snohomish CountyCity Hall · True Crime

2. The Snohomish Exchange Hotel: A Frontier Hub

   Before the city grew into a modern commercial hub, Isaac Cathcart’s Exchange Hotel stood as the cornerstone of early Snohomish hospitality.

   Sep 21, 1878The Northern StarSnohomish, Snohomish CountyGone Forever

3. The Parson’s Secret Ringer

   When a local sexton entered a decrepit, bony carriage horse into a high-stakes town race, nobody expected the old animal to outrun the finest steeds in Snohomish.

   Aug 5, 1876The Northern StarSnohomish, Snohomish CountyStrange But True

4. The Snohomish Afterlife: A Spiritualist Joke

   In an 1878 newspaper, a medium's séance takes a darkly humorous turn when a grieving widow asks her late husband if he is in heaven.

   May 1, 1878The Northern StarSnohomish, Snohomish CountyStrange But True

5. The Dead Man with the Tattoo: A Sailor’s Body Washes Ashore in Snohomish

   Identification of a drowned sailor near Jewett's logging camp reveals a life marked by ink and industry, closing a chapter on the Snohomish River.

   Feb 5, 1876The Northern StarSnohomish, Snohomish CountyTrue Crime

6. The Snohomish 'Lady' and the River Trick

   A local performance in the Snohomish social scene reveals a talent that bridged the gap between labor and artistry, even if the era's framing was narrow.

   Jan 25, 1879The Northern StarSnohomish River, Snohomish, Snohomish CountyFollow the Money

7. The Seattle Fire That Almost Burned the Town

   An incendiary blaze at the old Coffee and Elbow Saloon nearly consumed downtown Seattle in a narrow escape that left hundreds of men standing by with buckets.

   Jun 3, 1876The Northern StarSeattle, King CountyDisasters

8. The Unintended Leap in Snohomish

   A local restaurant owner’s attempt to mimic the athletic feats of his neighbors ends in a public, pants-splitting embarrassment.

   Apr 17, 1878The Northern StarSnohomish, Snohomish CountyStrange But True

9. The Great Lemonade Deception

   A courting couple tries to trick one another in the dark, but a mischievous brother gets the last laugh.

   Sep 16, 1876The Northern StarSnohomish, Snohomish CountyStrange But True

10. The Night of the Knives: Snohomish Councilman and Printer Attacked in Coordinated Assault

    Two men were ambushed on Third Street within hours of each other; one beaten with an iron bar, the other held at knifepoint. The paper warns that 'a general preparation for self-defense' may soon be necessary.

    Jun 10, 1876The Northern StarSnohomish, Snohomish CountyTrue Crime

11. The Lightning Rod Swindler Who Targeted the Courthouse

    A traveling salesman tries to sell protection to a jury foreman, only to discover he’s been pitching his wares to the wrong building.

    Apr 29, 1876The Northern StarSnohomish County Courthouse, SnohomishSnake Oil

12. The Skeleton Bridge: A Warning to Newcomers

    A local correspondent details the perilous state of the Pill Chuck bridge in Snohomish County, describing it as a 'monument of goshend ativeness' that forces travelers to crawl on all fours across a single stringer.

    Jan 20, 1877The Northern StarSnohomish, Snohomish CountyBoom & Bust · Strange But True

13. The First White Family: A Pioneer’s Log-Cabin Legacy

    An excerpt from the diary of a local historian recounts the arrival of Mr. Thompson in Snohomish in 1864, detailing the rugged journey up the river and the humble beginnings of what is now a thriving town.

    Jan 22, 1876The Northern StarSnohomish, Snohomish CountyBoom & Bust · Gone Forever

14. A Correspondent Reports on the Nez Perce Conflict

    Writing from Olympia in 1877, a local correspondent describes Nez Perce leaders’ refusal to relocate and the surprise attack that sparked a war many understood as a defense of home.

    Jul 14, 1877The Northern StarSnohomish, Snohomish CountyExclusion & Resistance

15. The Great Cascade: A Pilgrimage to the Roar of Snoqualmie Falls

    In July 1877, three travelers walked the rugged trail from Snohomish to Fall City, documenting the lush farms, the hospitality of settlers, and the awe-inspiring power of the falls—a testament to the beauty and isolation of early Washington Territory.

    Jul 21, 1877The Northern StarSnohomish, Snohomish CountyStrange But True

16. The Last Voyage of Arthur Phinney: A Fleet of Steamers Bids Farewell to a Pioneer

    In June 1877, the death of Port Ludlow founder Arthur Phinney triggered an unprecedented maritime funeral procession on Puget Sound, uniting rival steamship lines and hundreds of mourners in a tribute to a man who championed labor and community.

    Jun 9, 1877The Northern StarPort Ludlow, Jefferson CountyWork & Pay · Strange But True

17. The River That Swallowed a Steamboat: A Brave Attempt to Reach Snohomish Falls

    Twenty-five passengers and tons of freight battled the treacherous Snoqualmie River on the steamer *Columbia*, only to be stopped by a massive landslide just miles from their destination.

    May 20, 1876The Northern StarSnohomish, Snohomish CountyBoom & Bust · Strange But True

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