1876 Snohomish Court Targets Indigenous Gatherings and Brothels
In March 1876, Judge Lewis charged the first Snohomish County District Court grand jury to address public nuisances, including Indigenous gatherings and brothels, while also holding county officials accountable for fee books.
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.
SATURDAY, MARCH 25, 1876.
District Court of Snohomish County.
Tuesday of this week, the first term of the District Court at Snohomish opened. There was but very little on the docket. Only one civil case came on for trial at this term. The following attorneys from abroad were present: G. N. McConnell, Prosecuting Attorney; James McNaught; D. R. Jenkins; I. M. Hall; Wm. H. White; Thos. Burke and Comr. Innis of Seattle; and G. M. Haller of Port Townsend.
The following gentlemen were empaneled as Grand Jurors: John Rosa, Joseph Getchell, James Town, Chas. Baker, I. L. Fox, J. W. Faye, D. Morgan, Chan. Harriman, Wm. Whitfield, John Pike, P. H. Hancock, John Davis, L. Wilbur, B. Blanchman, Henry Oliver, Robert Barrett.
Judge Lewis gave them the following charge:
"Among the most necessary articles in all communities and among all peoples is that of radical common sense. Men generally are possessed of common sense, but the difficulty is to make it applicable to the ordinary affairs of life. You are here in accordance with the commands of law, duly impaneled and sworn to do and perform the duties of Grand Jurors... apply to the business before you, the plain and simple principles of truth, common sense and right..."
Judge Lewis instructed the jury to investigate specific statutory violations, including:
"V. Cases of any persons who will sell or give to minors intoxicating liquors... Those offenses are defined by section 137 and 138 of the Criminal Act of 1874.
VI. Cases of persons who sell, give, or in any other manner dispose of spirituous liquors, wine, ale, beer or porter, to any Indian... This statute ought to be rigidly enforced, both for the benefit of the Indian and the white.
VII. Cases of Public Nuisances... Among the places disclosed to be nuisances are: Homes of ill fame. Squaw Dance houses. Squaw Brothels. Mad Houses, and Gambling Houses. Prompt and energetic actions on your part will rid your county of these iniquities."
Proceedings of the Court:
Tuesday, 1st Day: Grand Jury charged. Petit Jury sworn, and trial began in civil suit for damages between George Plumb vs. John Richards. Grand Jury found a true bill against Jacob Brem, accused of an assault with intent to kill and murder.
Wednesday, 2nd Day: Jury returned a verdict in case of George Plumb vs. John Richards for $1 damages. Judgment entered for $1 damages, and $1 costs. The cases of Benton, Holmes & Co., vs. Field Buchanan; Benton, Holmes & Co. vs. P. J. Field and Ferguson & Richard vs. Benton, Holmes Co.; Sheriff Stretch were all settled as per stipulation to be filed. The Grand Jury returned a true bill against John Richards accused of assault with intent to inflict a bodily injury.
Thursday, 3rd Day: Trial of the case of Territory of Washington vs. John Richards verdict of guilty of assault and battery. Prayer of plaintiffs' claim no default in case of Foss & Borst vs. Frank Mathews, judgment entered for amount claimed. Grand Jury presented their final report, and after being thanked by the Judge for the way they had performed their duty were discharged. Jury selected in case of Jacob Brem.
Saturday, 4th Day: John Richards sentenced to pay a fine of one hundred dollars. Case tried of Jacob Brem. Verdict of an assault returned by Jury. This disposed of everything on the docket except sentence of Brem, to be given tomorrow and proof to be offered in case of Ferguson vs. Packard vs. Benton, Holmes Co. Petit Jury discharged, after returning verdict against Brem. Jacob Brent [Brem] was sentenced Sat. Mar. 25th 1876, to two months additional imprisonment and to pay a fine of five dollars.
Report of the Grand Jury: Snohomish Co., W.T. We, the committee appointed by the Grand Jury of the Territory of Washington County of Snohomish, March Term A.D. 1876, to examine into the manner how the records of the different Offices are kept by the different officers... We report that the fee books and records are correctly kept in conformity with law. We recommend a blank book for the Probate Judge... and also that the County Commissioners of Snohomish County should also procure measures to the erection of a county jail, as we have no secure place for prisoners.
J. D. Thomas, Committee. John Rosa, Foreman of the Grand Jury.
This 1876 court charge reveals how early Washington territorial law was used not just for public safety, but as a tool of cultural erasure and racial control, specifically targeting 'Squaw Dance houses' and the sale of alcohol to Indigenous people. It also highlights the fragile infrastructure of the time, with jurors noting the lack of a proper county jail—a structural deficit that echoes in modern debates over correctional facilities and funding.
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