The Real Estate Swindler of the Haller Block
A local developer is arrested for allegedly using a doctored title abstract to secure a fraudulent mortgage, a scheme that left investors exposed and property records in doubt.
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.
Angus McAulay, a real estate man with rooms in the Haller block, was arrested yesterday on a warrant sworn out by Joshua M. Wiestling, charging that he obtained $1,100 on false pretenses. Mr. Wiestling and his son, Frank, had loaned money on city property in the interest of Eastern investors. McAulay initiated negotiations for a loan on property in Dean's Addition to Seattle, claiming it was owned by his brother, John F. McAulay, for whom he held power of attorney. McAulay produced an abstract which purportedly showed the property was unencumbered, prompting the Wiestlings to provide the loan. Later, it was discovered that a previous mortgage in favor of the Lombard Investment Company existed, which had been removed from the abstract. Investigation revealed that this was not the first time McAulay had borrowed money on property using altered records. In an attempt to settle, McAulay offered land in Southern Oregon, but the Wiestlings, fearing further deception, secured a warrant for his arrest. McAulay was also recently accused of an attempted assault by the wife of a private detective, an incident that added to the cloud of suspicion surrounding his business dealings.
“Frank Wiestling told him that he had lied so much that he did not dare take his word on anything.”
This 1894 case of abstract tampering highlights the volatility of Seattle’s early real estate market, where rapid growth often outpaced the verification of property titles. It serves as an early example of the 'booster' culture that could easily slide into fraud, a recurring tension in a city built on constant speculation.
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