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1. The Ghost of the Puyallup Valley

   A traveling account reveals a local man's elaborate deception, as his supposedly dead family is found alive and well at the Puyallup station.

   May 3, 1879The Northern StarPuyallup Station, Puyallup, Pierce CountyScandal

2. The Gendered Crisis of the Washington Asylum

   A brief, callous report from 1878 chronicles an individual suffering a mental health crisis, shedding light on the historical intersection of medical pathologization and gender nonconformity in the Pacific Northwest.

   May 1, 1878The Northern StarSteilacoom, Pierce CountyLGBTQ+ Lives · Snake Oil

3. The Goddess of Slang: A Poetic Flirtation in the Territory

   A whimsical verse from the late 19th century captures the playful, rhyming courtship rituals of Snohomish Territory, offering a glimpse into the lighthearted side of pioneer life.

   Feb 19, 1876The Northern StarSnohomish, Snohomish CountyBoom & Bust · Strange But True

4. The Day She Asked for Our Front Door

   A Snohomish resident’s hilarious and exasperating account of his neighbors’ audacious borrowing habits reveals the thin veneer of civility in close-knit frontier communities.

   Feb 3, 1877The Northern StarSnohomish, Snohomish CountyStrange But True

5. The Tragedy of Booth: A Fatal Mistake with a Revolver

   A young man preparing to move his hogs north from Island County suffered a gruesome accident when he mistook a loaded chamber for an empty one, resulting in a bullet that pierced his heart and shoulder.

   Jun 3, 1876The Northern StarSnohomish, Snohomish County

6. The Tall Tale of Germantown’s New Arrival

   A young newcomer spins wildly imaginative yarns of buried gold and subterranean earthquakes, charming the neighborhood kids and confounding their parents.

   Oct 21, 1876The Northern StarSnohomish, Snohomish CountyStrange But True

7. A Critique of Preachers' Neglect of Practical Reform

   A biting editorial calls out local clergy for focusing on the 'unknown future' while ignoring the immediate sanitary crises, poverty, and vice plaguing the streets of Seattle.

   Aug 19, 1876The Northern StarWaterfront, Seattle, King CountyCity Hall

8. Judge Lewis Seeks Revocation of Snohomish Liquor Licenses

   After a grand jury report, Judge Lewis urged revoking liquor licenses from tavern owners operating brothels and corrupt establishments in Snohomish.

   Sep 8, 1877The Northern StarSnohomish, Snohomish CountyNightlife

9. The Blues of the Black River: A Walk Through Snohomish’s New Frontier

   A local resident takes a stroll through the muddy pastures and new homesteads near the Black River, finding beauty in the 'mounds' of ancient history and the promise of a fresh start for settlers.

   May 6, 1876The Northern StarSnohomish, Snohomish CountyBoom & Bust

10. The Great Snohomish Church Fight: Who Owns the Soul of the County?

    A Presbyterian minister arrives in Snohomish to find a fractured community. With two rival congregations already formed and the Probate Judge playing both sides, can outside help unite the town—or just deepen the divide?

    Jun 24, 1876The Northern StarSnohomish, Snohomish CountyScandal

11. The Great Sheep War: Seattle’s Political Flocks and the Independent Goats

    A satirical letter to the editor uses a bizarre allegory of sheep herds and wild goats to critique Seattle's political parties, corporate wolves, and the emerging independence of women in public life.

    Feb 3, 1877The Northern StarSeattle, King CountyCity Hall

12. The Beggar’s Plea: How an Old Man’s Tears Won a Judge’s Mercy

    In a touching scene at the Snohomish County Courthouse, John Burner, a destitute laborer of 73 years, pleaded guilty to grand larceny not for greed, but because his starving family had no other way to eat.

    Jun 17, 1876The Northern StarSnohomish County Courthouse, SnohomishWork & Pay

13. The Mill That Never Was: A Snohomish Land Deal and a Promise from Washington

    While local men scramble for housing and business lots in the booming town of Snohomish, a mysterious letter from D.C. hints at federal support for a post route to Pullman, just as a major timber contract is awarded locally.

    May 13, 1876The Northern StarSnohomish, Snohomish CountyBoom & Bust

14. The Railroad's Land Grab: How Northern Pacific Hoarded Snohomish’s Future

    A local resident exposes the legal loopholes allowing the railroad to retain millions of acres in Western Washington, arguing that this concentrated ownership is strangling settlement and keeping land prices artificially high.

    Apr 28, 1877The Northern StarSnohomish, Snohomish CountyFollow the Money

15. 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

16. 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

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