Saloon Watchman Fired After 'Alcoholic Exuberance'
A newly hired watchman and his companion turn an Old Standard saloon into their personal party space, leading to an arrest.
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.
George Lockwood and Albert Smith were arrested at an early hour this morning and locked up on a charge of suspicion. Officer Brady, who made the arrest, learned that two men had been seen crawling into the Old Standard saloon through a window and proceeded to investigate. He found Lockwood, who had been employed yesterday as night watchman for the saloon, and his companion on the top floor, surrounded by numerous bottles and in a state of alcoholic exuberance. The men were released this morning and Lockwood was given an opportunity by the saloon people to look for another position.
“He found Lockwood... surrounded by numerous bottles, and in a state of alcoholic exuberance.”
The 'Old Standard' saloon reflects the era's robust, often chaotic nightlife that defined early Tacoma's social life before the city went dry. The story serves as a reminder of the rough-and-tumble reality of employment and property security in the city's pre-prohibition commercial districts.
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