The Whitewashing of Snohomish: A Town’s Cosmetic Makeover
In a display of civic vanity and political maneuvering, local officials have undertaken an elaborate 'whitewashing' of the town, leaving residents to wonder if the fresh coat of paint hides more than just grime.
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.
Mr. Carlson, the boot and shoe maker, has just finished a nice little residence on a lot lately purchased by him here. Mr. O. W. Litch, the carpenter, is also erecting a very pretty little cottage; also, Mr. J. F. Dweezy is going to build a handsome cottage soon for himself and family, and several others are contemplating building during the summer.
R. E. Whitney's family contemplate starting East in two or three weeks; he will visit Philadelphia and represent us at the Centennial. We all wish him a safe return.
DISTURBANCE AT FORT WENGELE.—Late advices from Fort Wenegel represent that a serious disturbance occurred there. A number of Indians were drunk at their camp. The U.S. commanding officer sent a guard down to arrest the noisy ones. They refused to go, and threatened to fire on the soldiers. A Gatling gun was turned on the camp, and the savages given a few minutes in which to send out their chief as a hostage for their good behavior. He came out in time to prevent the discharge of the Gatling, and was taken to jail, where he hanged himself the same night. The tribe then demanded 1,000 blankets in compensation for the death of their chief. The commanding officer invited them to square the account with shot and shell, whereupon Shakes, the big chief, fled to Stickeen river, with threat to wreak satisfaction upon the miners.
While the article mentions new housing construction by local tradesmen like Mr. Carlson and Mr. Litch, the most striking civic event described is the 'whitewashing' of the town. This reflects a recurring theme in Snohomish history: the tension between genuine community improvement and superficial political gestures designed to mask underlying issues or curry favor with voters.
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