The Unraveling of the Fisher Breach-of-Promise Suit
A sensational trial in Judge Osborn’s court exposes the complicated past of a woman suing for breach of promise, as both parties air their grievances publicly.
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.
The breach of promise suit of Mary H. Smith against R. H. Fisher occupied all of Tuesday in Judge Osborn's court. The plaintiff was put through a rigorous cross-examination regarding her past and character, which proved very damaging. She was a variety actress and 'box rustler' at the time she met Fisher, and they had agreed to live together. Witnesses were put on the stand to show that Fisher had introduced the woman as his wife and had assumed different names. Fisher's story was that the plaintiff was of unchaste character when he met her and that she agreed to live as his mistress, but to prevent public scandal, he introduced her as his wife on several occasions. He succeeded by his testimony in thoroughly wasting the woman's reputation.
“She was a variety actress and 'box rustler' at the time she met Fisher.”
The term 'box rustler' referred to women employed by variety theaters to encourage patrons to buy drinks in private boxes—a job often associated with the seedy side of Seattle nightlife. The trial records provide a rare, albeit hostile, glimpse into the precarious lives of women working in these venues in the 1890s.
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