The Senator’s Seattle Sojourn: Fairbanks Tours the City Before Heading North
Vice President-elect Charles W. Fairbanks and his entourage spent a whirlwind day in Seattle, touring the Great Northern terminal, Lake Washington, and receiving a civic welcome before departing for Alaska.
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.
Senator and Party See Sights.
Senator Fairbanks arrived in Seattle this morning from Tacoma by afternoon train, President S. O. Travera at the charmingly appointed station and Dr. Nesbit, the Alaska physician, and members of the city council met the party at the Union Station hotel, where they will make their headquarters while in the city.
Senator Fairbanks and his party made the rounds of the city council for a cruise around Puget Bay this morning. The party was on the steamer 'San Juan' at 10 o'clock.
The Great Northern terminal works at Smith's Cove were first visited, and then the boat steamed out in the bay, where an exhibition of high water drowning was given the crew. The boat circled around the revenue cutter McCulloch, which is to take the senator's party north, and then back to the dock.
Senator Fairbanks is highly pleased with Seattle. On arriving at the wharf, the Senator spent several minutes among a boatload of Indiana natives, and he allowed great interest in their business movements.
The following were in the party: Senator Fairbanks, Robert Evans, CIO Dawes, Mayor Han V. N. Miller, H. B. Jackson, Councilmen James, Navin, Crawford, Taylor, Engineer Thompson, City Treasurer Prillenberg of the council, C. Millard, superintendent of the Seattle Telephone company, J. H. McDonald, and Charles Andrews, utility and assessor for King County.
The party had luncheon at the Hotel Grand. Senator Fairbanks was shown the thistles made against him by Jackson and he said 'I am greatly surprised at any such action. I suppose that the introduction of reindeer in Alaska was very successful. I intend to become thoroughly informed on all questions regarding Alaska on this trip, and as I have stated several times before, am here to acquire a knowledge of Alaska. When I return from the north I will be able to give you some information.'
This afternoon a trip was taken over the Seattle International to Union Bay, where they boarded the steamer 'A. T. Ross' and went for a spin around Lake Washington, returning to the city by cable-car.
This evening a reception will be given at the residence of Mrs. W. I. Tribble.
Tomorrow the party will be taken to points near the city, including a run to Fort Lawton.
In the evening the party will dine at the Rainier Hotel by the Alaska Commercial Society.
This account captures Seattle's rapid ascent from a regional hub to a national political player in 1904. The visit of Charles W. Fairbanks (who would become Vice President under Theodore Roosevelt) highlights how local infrastructure projects, like the Great Northern terminal and Lake Washington improvements, were key selling points for attracting federal attention and investment. It mirrors modern efforts where civic leaders showcase urban development to secure state or federal funding.
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