The Scandal at Yesler’s Wharf
A political candidate attempts to clear his name after being accused of bribing a man to bury a criminal indictment.
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.
SEATTLE, Oct. 30th, 1876. To the public: It is a notorious fact that when a man is a candidate for an office, he becomes at once the objective point for all the falsehoods and calumny that any malicious and ill-disposed person may work to circulate against him. And especially has this been the case in my own particular instance. At first, I was charged with defrauding my partner. That story was soon flatly denied by my partner, Mr. Thorndike, in a card published in the city papers. Then I was a defaulter in a large amount to the county while holding the office of County Auditor. This was also most effectually disposed of by the report of the special committee appointed by the Grand Jury to investigate those charges. And now comes Fred Dyer and makes affidavit that in consideration of his supporting me, I pledged myself to suppress the indictment found against him last term of the District Court. I never had a conversation with Dyer wherein the word indictment was had or referred to. I have not seen the indictment since the last day of the court. I did not take it, nor have I any knowledge of who did. I never directly or indirectly asked Dyer for his support, and I do not want the public to think that I am such a consummate fool as to approach Fred Dyer with any such proposition. I have made an affidavit denying every allegation in his affidavit, and I will cheerfully take my oath of the truth of all these matters before any person of repute.
“It is a notorious fact that when a man is a candidate for an office, he becomes at once the objective point for all the falsehoods and calumny that any malicious and ill-disposed person may work to circulate against him.”
Local political smears in 1876 Seattle—complete with affidavits and claims of 'fake news' regarding missing court documents—highlight the timeless nature of civic distrust. This candidate’s desperate plea for public faith mirrors the modern struggle of maintaining reputation against unverified allegations in an era of heightened political polarization.
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