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1. The Snake in the Parlor: How Two Con Artists Drained an Elderly Man Dry

   In May 1877, John Dowd and his accomplice targeted a respected Seattle citizen with a fake land deal, winning his trust before stealing his watch, cash, and dignity at a local saloon.

   May 17, 1877The Daily IntelligencerCommercial Street, Seattle, King CountyTrue Crime

2. The Confidence Man’s Tears: How a Thief Fooled His Victim and the Court

   In May 1877, Seattle confidence operator Dowd was granted a change of venue after moving his robbery victim to tears with a sob story about his destitute family. The District Attorney’s lenient stance sparked outrage among citizens who feared the law was too soft on crime.

   May 19, 1877The Daily IntelligencerWashington Street, Seattle, King CountyCity Hall · True Crime

3. The Executor Who Tore Down the House

   When a court ordered an executor to account for an estate, he decided to simply remove the buildings from the land entirely to bypass the judge.

   Oct 27, 1903The Evening StatesmanWalla Walla, Walla Walla CountyFollow the Money · Strange But True

4. The Confidence Men of the Steamer Route

   A trio of swindlers fleeing Seattle justice find their match in a wary traveler on the Puget Sound steamship line.

   Mar 9, 1878Puget Sound DispatchMill Street, Seattle, King CountyTrue Crime

5. Railroad Union Delegate Denied Pass

   A local railway mechanic is denied travel to a national summit, highlighting tensions in the American Railway Union.

   Dec 16, 1893The Seattle Post-IntelligencerTacoma, Pierce CountyWork & Pay

6. The Water-Sprinkling Scandal

   A taxpayer calls out city hall for permitting the wealthy to water their lawns for free while the rest of Tacoma pays.

   May 23, 1904The Tacoma TimesTacoma, Pierce CountyCity Hall

7. Vagrants or Working Men? The Battle Over Municipal Justice

   Seattle's police chief accuses a judge of letting 'dangerous characters' roam free, while the court clerk argues for leniency toward the unemployed.

   Nov 1, 1893The Seattle Post-IntelligencerSeattle, King CountyCity Hall

8. Justice Glasgow Sets New Fines for Dance House Girls

   Judge Glasgow increases bail and fines for women working in dance halls and brothels, signaling a harsher crackdown on vice in the city.

   Sep 16, 1893The Seattle Post-IntelligencerSeattle, King CountyCity Hall · Nightlife

9. The City Council's Dog Catching Dilemma

   Seattle's municipal politics get messy as aldermen debate the ethics of canine control and the cost of public service.

   Apr 30, 1893The Seattle Post-IntelligencerSeattle, King CountyCity Hall

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