The U.S. Seizes Fifty Pounds of Opium
Federal authorities move to forfeit a large cache of prepared opium found concealed in a Seattle residence.
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.
In the District Court held at Seattle, United States of America v. Fifty pounds of prepared opium. Whereas, John A. Hanford, Attorney for Washington Territory, filed an information in the above District Court, alleging that on the 17th day of February, 1885, at the city of Seattle, in King County, Washington Territory, the said opium was found in a house, and that the Collector had the same in his custody as being forfeited to the United States for that the said goods, being subject to duties under the statutes of the United States, were found concealed in a certain house, the duties not having been paid, against the law. All persons claiming any lawful interest in the goods, wares, and merchandise are directed to appear in court on the 10th day of March, 1885, to show cause why the same should not be condemned and forfeited to the United States.
“The said opium was found concealed in a certain house... the duties not having been paid, against the law.”
This is a snapshot of early federal drug enforcement in the Pacific Northwest. It documents the government's attempt to crack down on the trade of illicit goods during the 1880s, an era when Seattle's port was increasingly scrutinized for smuggling activities.
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