The Stranger in the King County Jail
Convicted of robbery during a drunken brawl in 1891, a friendless sailor seeks clemency with the support of the city's power brokers.
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.
Attorney W. W. Stewart went to Olympia yesterday to seek clemency from Gov. McGraw for Patrick Foley, who is serving a term of five years in the state penitentiary under the charge of having assaulted P. N. Peterson, a lodging-house keeper, on December 28, 1890, at the corner of Washington street and Railroad avenue, and robbed him of $23. At the time of the occurrence, Seattle was infested with highwaymen and no man was safe far away from his home unless armed. Under these circumstances, Foley was brought before Justice Von Tobel and from evidence, almost entirely circumstantial, was bound over to the superior court, convicted and sentenced by Judge Humes. Foley's case has caused considerable interest and there are many who do not believe he was guilty, at the worst, of more than assault and battery while drunk. It is understood that a petition, signed by many of the county officials, has been forwarded to Gov. McGraw, asking for the pardon of a man who many believe is innocent.
“At the time of the occurrence, Seattle was infested with highwaymen and no man was safe far away from his home unless armed.”
This case reflects the era's 'tough on crime' panic, where circumstantial evidence and social standing determined the fate of the accused. The contrast between the 'law and order' environment of 1890s Seattle and the current push for criminal justice reform provides a clear historical rhyme.
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