The Strange Disappearance of George Clark
A local merchant vanishes from Steilacoom, leaving behind $5,000 in debts and unpaid laborers.
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.
It is presumed that one George Clark, dealer, who for many years past has taken his supplies from merchants of this place, has left for parts unknown, having debts behind to the amount of about $5,000. Some of the laborers engaged by him placed a lien on his rafts of logs and on arrival at a mill down the Sound, sold out at 73 cents on the dollar.
“It is presumed that one George Clark... has left for parts unknown; having debts behind to the amount of about $5,000.”
Financial flight and wage theft remain constant risks in the labor market. The 1876 incident echoes contemporary concerns about business owners abandoning operations and leaving employees with little recourse.
From readers
No comments yet. If you know something about this story — a correction, a family memory, a source — it belongs here.