The Tyee Saloon Brawl
A disagreement over business in a Seattle tavern erupts into a violent fight involving a revolver and human teeth.
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.
As a result of a disagreement over business affairs, James Noel and John R. Gilfillen, proprietors of the Tyee saloon at the corner of Yesler Avenue and South Third Street, engaged in a fierce fight yesterday morning about 11 o'clock. Gilfillen chewed a chunk of flesh out of Noel's left cheek and almost bit the forefinger of his left hand off. In return, Noel whacked Gilfillen on the head with a revolver, inflicting a bloody but not dangerous wound. During the row, Gilfillen's right shoulder was broken by falling against an iron rail in front of the bar. Noel and Gilfillen have been in business about a year. The former is a short, thick-set man aged 52 years, while the latter is a big, robust man in the prime of life, who has the reputation of being quarrelsome when under the influence of liquor. The convivial habits of Gilfillen caused trouble between the partners, and Noel wanted Gilfillen to get out of the business or stop drinking. Their relations continued unsatisfactory until a few days ago, when Gilfillen decided to sell out. Noel later went to Justice Humphrey's courtroom and swore out a warrant charging his partner with threatening his life.
“Gilfillen chewed a chunk of flesh out of Noel's left cheek and almost bit the forefinger of his left hand off.”
This violent partner dispute occurred near the intersection of Yesler and 3rd, a historic spot in Pioneer Square. While the saloon is long gone, the neighborhood remains a hub for the city's nightlife and social tensions, reflecting the enduring volatility of Seattle's business district.
From readers
No comments yet. If you know something about this story — a correction, a family memory, a source — it belongs here.