The Battle Over the Sarah B. Yesler Tract
A prominent local figure moves to stop the unauthorized harvesting of timber on his land.
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.
J. D. Lowman yesterday caused the arrest of four persons on charges connected with the unlawful cutting and removing of wood from the Sarah B. Yesler tract of land within the city. The land in question is located between the Walla Walla addition and Madrona Park, and extends from Division Street on the north to Yesler Avenue on the south. For about two years, Mr. Lowman claims that different parties without authority have been cutting and carrying it away, ignoring posted warnings. Warrants were issued for C. Lynch and F. J. Balber for cutting wood, and for John Scott and O. E. Hall for removing it. The prisoners were released on their own recognizance to appear later in court.
“For about two years Mr. Lowman claims that different parties without authority of any kind have been cutting and carrying it away.”
This dispute illustrates the high stakes of land ownership and timber value during Seattle's early growth. The struggle to protect private property in developing neighborhoods like Madrona remains a central tension in the city's ongoing land-use conflicts.
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