The Hometown Defense of John H. McGraw
Facing a smear campaign from political rivals in Tacoma, the future Washington governor calls on his former neighbors in Danforth, Maine, to vouch for his character.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
At a meeting of the former neighbors of John H. McGraw in Danforth, Maine, on October 21, 1892, residents adopted resolutions declaring that statements published in Washington state alleging McGraw left Maine in dishonor are untrue. The signatories, including over thirty lifelong acquaintances, affirmed that McGraw was, as boy and man, of good moral character, honest, and upright. Seattle residents, including pioneer J. M. Frink, corroborated this, defending McGraw’s tenure as proprietor of the American House and his service as sheriff, dismissing claims of gambling and corruption as partisan fabrications designed to malign both McGraw and the city of Seattle.
“I have known John H. McGraw since he first came to Seattle sixteen years ago... I have had intimate business relations with him and have watched with admiration his steady advance in social, political and business life.”
In 1892, Seattle was locked in a bitter regional rivalry with Tacoma, a struggle that often descended into vitriolic press wars. The defense of John H. McGraw mirrors the modern reliance on reputation management and civic boosterism as Seattle continues to navigate intense political polarization.
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