The Strange Attempt to 'Disincorporate' Sehome
Citizens and property owners are in an uproar over mysterious, potentially illegal efforts to redraw city boundaries and effectively end the existence of Sehome as a municipality.
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.
There is a high old time over at Sehome and Whatcom about incorporation, 'disincorporation,' and other matters of that kind. The Sehome Gazette reports that M. H. V. Thompson, the agent of the Fairhaven Land company, does not understand exactly what the scheme is, and many others who signed the petition are in the same condition. Mr. Reginald Jones, of Sehome, stated in the Gazette that he signed the petition without knowing what he was doing. He also declares that in all probability, not more than one person in ten who signed the petition knew the proposed city's boundaries. The Gazette says the petition asks for the formation of a city combining the present limits of Whatcom, Sehome, and Bellingham, with outlying lands. Sehome has also been talking about 'disincorporating,' with local lawyers still questioning the legal basis for such a move. It seems Sehome is endeavoring to commit municipal suicide, and it is in order for her city council to pass an ordinance declaring the city dead.
“The fact seems to be that Sehome is endeavoring to commit municipal suicide.”
This reflects the volatile period of consolidation for the towns that would eventually become Bellingham. The 'municipal suicide' and boundary confusion underscore how contentious the early planning and governance of Whatcom County cities truly were.
From readers
No comments yet. If you know something about this story — a correction, a family memory, a source — it belongs here.