The Last Pioneer: Seattle’s Oldest Woman Faces the Poorhouse

Mrs. P.D. Maynard, one of the oldest pioneers of Seattle, will be forced to go to the county poor farm unless immediate aid is taken by the charitable people of the city. As it is now, Mrs. Maynard has no roof for her head and is going from house to house, staying first at one place and then in another.

For several years Mrs. Maynard had been rooming in rooms in Coppin's water works on Columbia street, between Ninth Street and Third avenue. A little over a year ago work was commenced in tearing down the building, and she was forced to seek other shelter.

She is now seventy-three years old, and although able to take care of herself in one sense of the word, must have assistance. Being an old woman, a room must be procured on the ground floor. Since leaving Coppin's building she has daily been looking for a suitable place, but, far, has been unable to find one. Mrs. S. Randall has been assisting her brother with Mr. Cox, secretary of the Chamber of Commerce.

For a number past the Masons have looked after Mrs. Maynard's wants, paying her rent and keeping her supplied with provisions. Mrs. Maynard has become furnished, and it is to do her own work. Last year she received over 100 from the order of Knighthood.

It is proposed that a subscription be taken among the people of the city and with the money raised, build Mrs. Maynard a little house or two room hut that she may call her home. The Masons will then say she does not want for anything to eat and wear.

Mrs. Maynard came in the Sound in 1853 with Dr. D. Maynard. In 1854 she was the widow of Mr. Gorrie, who died on the plains on his way to the coast. She continued the journey with Dr. Maynard, and in 1857 the couple were married at Olympia. It was the first wedding on the Sound in which Seattle parties were interested.

Shortly after the event came to Seattle, Dr. Maynard was one of the principal men of the town. His land embraced the land now south of Yesler way up to about Eighteenth avenue on the east, and the hill to the river, including a lot store, which was the first store in Seattle, as the site where now stands the New England Hotel.

His property was centrally located, and as the country became settled, this land increased in value. Dr. Maynard was a man who might have been called extravagant at any time. He died about 1875, his widow was left with very little property. Since his death she has managed alone with the aid of the Masons, who help her on account of her husband as a member of the order.

Mrs. Maynard is now too old to work. She is not strong as she used to be, and although willingly, cannot take care of herself alone. It is a pathetic case and undoubtedly will be taken at once to furnish her with a home, so that it may never be said that one of Seattle's pioneer women had to be sent to a poorhouse.