The Iron Rush: Seattle’s Early Fight Against Monopoly

The recent statements by Mr. Paul Schulze, that the owners of the Denny and Oaye iron mines would speedily come to terms and that the English company represented by Mr. Peter Kirk would devote its capital and energy to development in the Cle Elum district, were taken for what they were worth. The owners of the great mines back of Seattle were not to be frightened by any threat to deprive them of their property. Mr. Kirk never had the slightest idea of establishing his works at Cle Elum, and he has had no intention of surrendering his place in regard to the Denny and Oaye properties. The future development of the mineral resources of Washington Territory must occur in the Snoqualmie region, for there are located the only great beds of ore that have yet been discovered in the Pacific Northwest. Mr. Denny is not to be frightened by any threat to deprive him of his property. His title to his mine is perfectly good, and nobody knows it better than himself, unless, indeed, it is Mr. Schulze. If Mr. Denny's title is attacked, he will defend it. The iron mines of Washington Territory are owned by citizens of Seattle and by citizens who are loyal to Seattle. The truth is that a cunning and well-planned attempt has been made to deprive Seattle of the advantages which she has in the ownership of these great mines. That attempt at one time gave Mr. Schulze some hope, but it has failed and failed utterly. Seattle owners were too shrewd to be outwitted and too loyal to be frightened.