The Night of the Knives: Snohomish Councilman and Printer Attacked in Coordinated Assault
Two men were ambushed on Third Street within hours of each other; one beaten with an iron bar, the other held at knifepoint. The paper warns that 'a general preparation for self-defense' may soon be necessary.
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.
Snohomish Robberies—You have to chronicle this week a series of depredations committed upon the persons of several near Citizens on Saturday evening last, which for boldness surpass anything we have heard of in this place for many months. While at about the hour of half past eleven on Saturday night, Mr. J. H. Andrews was returning home from this office, he, upon approaching the corner of Third and Adams streets, was set upon by two ruffians and ordered to throw up his hands. This he did while a short, thick set and bushy-haired individual, with an ugly hunting knife in his hand, filled his pockets. The other, taller and more slightly built stood about ten feet distant with a revolver in his hand. After having satisfied themselves of the total insensibility of all printers, they allowed Mr. Andrews to pursue his way unmolested.
Councilman J. H. Robinson, however, was not so fortunate in his encounter with the worthless wretches. On returning from a meeting of the Common Council, at about the same hour on the same evening, he was met in front of the Baptist Church by two men who likewise invited him to bolt and deliver. This Mr. Robbins refused to do, and was immediately knocked down with some iron instrument and severely injured in the face. His calls for help frightened his assailants who, without waiting for the order of their going, went at once. Mr. Robinson was compelled to keep to his house, on account of his injuries, for several days; however, he is about again now as usual.
At a still later hour, two ship carpenters were returning to Hell Town, on the same evening, experienced a similar sort from these gentry, who were relieved by the sanguineous sum of one dollar for their night's work. There were rumors on the streets during the week of other midnight outrages, which were proved to be without foundation.
However, if these things continue, it will be necessary that the police force be increased and a general preparation for self-defense by our citizens will be the order of the day.
This 1890s account of violent street crime in Snohomish highlights a time when civic authority was perceived as insufficient to protect residents, leading to calls for 'self-defense' rather than just better policing. It mirrors modern anxieties about public safety and the limits of law enforcement in small towns, where residents often feel they must take matters into their own hands when trust in institutions erodes.
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