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| Year | Stories |
|---|---|
| 1888 | 2 |
| 1891 | 1 |
| 1892 | 5 |
| 1893 | 6 |
| 1895 | 2 |
16 stories matching ritchi
- The Courthouse Architect, the Commissioners, and a $458 Bill Nobody Wants to Pay
The man who designed Thurston County's new courthouse demands the rest of his fee; the commissioners say he broke his contract and has been paid enough.
- Fatal Blasting Accident Near the South School
A laborer, recently arrived in Seattle, is killed instantly while attempting to clear a stubborn charge at a construction site.
- Washington’s World’s Fair Standoff
A bitter, months-long deadlock between state commissioners and Chicago architects ends in the victory of a 'uniquely Washington' log cabin design over a 'commonplace' courthouse style.
- Spokane County Commissioners Fire Courthouse Superintendent, Demand Architect's Resignation
A dispute over incompetency and neglect of duty leads to a shake-up in the construction of the Spokane County courthouse.
- The Almshouse Graft Scandal
A grand jury report ignores blatant evidence of corruption in the construction of the county almshouse, sparking outrage among taxpayers.
- Post-Election Wheelbarrow Rides and Wharf-Side Pranks
Seattle workers settle political debts with public spectacles and humiliating bets after the 1892 election.
- The Courthouse Feud: Superintendent Resigns and Foremen Are Ordered Off the Job
Thurston County commissioners accept W. A. Rogers’s resignation as courthouse superintendent, citing “strained relations” among contractors, architect and foremen, then appoint R. O. Owen to finish the job.
- The School Board's Hidden Books
A citizen's attempt to audit the Seattle Board of Education sparks a tense confrontation over transparency and the fear of a local 'poorhouse scandal.'
- The Struggle for Dignity at the County Farm
King County breaks ground on a modern, fireproof hospital to replace a crowded, dangerous almshouse described as a 'tinder box'.
- The Unauthorized County Hospital Scandal
Taxpayers sue King County officials for constructing a hospital on the county farm without voter approval or budget authority.
- The County Courthouse Construction Scandal
A superintendent is forced out after refusing to accept substandard materials for the new county building.
- The Great Front Street Fraud: City Council Exposes Fake Petition for Cable Car
In a stunning display of civic integrity, Seattle’s Common Council unmasks a fraudulent petition designed to grant a monopoly cable car franchise, revealing that applicants forged signatures and misrepresented property frontage.
- Armed Posse Kills Store Robber at Palmer
A bold attempt to hold up a merchant in Palmer resulted in a violent confrontation where local citizens tracked and shot the masked intruders.
- The Pastor, the Missing Husband, and the Seattle Libel Trial
A church feud goes to court as Rev. M. H. Nichols is tried for circulating scandalous charges against Dr. T. B. Ford—whose testimony reveals a broken engagement, a vanished first husband, and a dramatic courtroom kiss.
- The Chamber of Commerce’s Grand Gesture: Seattle’s Business Elite Rally Behind Senator Squire
Over 500 merchants, officials, and their ladies board the steamer Bailey Gate for a two-day excursion to Olympia, aiming to sway the state senate with a show of unified commercial support.
- A Fireproof Infirmary for the Poor
After city officials refused to participate in a joint facility, the county moves forward with plans for a specialized, fireproof hospital at the poor farm.