A Vashon Rancher's Bizarre Gift
A post-office clerk finds herself in an awkward position after a regular patron deeds her five acres of his property.
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.
Miss Maggie J. Reese, a stamp clerk of the Tacoma post-office, has been presented by L. O. Landers, a one-legged Vashon Island rancher, with a deed to five acres of his ranch, valued at $3,000. When Landers stumped into the post-office and left the deed he remarked that that was something she would not return to him. The remark was occasioned by the fact that Landers has tendered Miss Reese jewelry and money, but in all cases she has politely returned his gifts. Once he left $200 in gold, which she returned. Later he left an order for a diamond necklace and earrings, which she refused to fill. Landers claims she is the only person who ever spoke a kind word to him. Miss Reese expressed concern that the publicity might result in him shooting at her, noting that she had simply been kind by keeping his mail.
“I have simply been kind to him. I kept his mail for him, and gave it to him when he came to the city.”
This story highlights the thin line between public service and harassment in an era before clear workplace boundaries. It also reflects the isolation of rural settlers, who sometimes fixated on their rare urban connections.
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