Seattle's Chief Woolery Gives the 'Hard Cases' a Meal and a One-Way Boat

Each evening, on the arrival of steamers from up the Sound, Chief Woolery may be seen on the wharf, spotting the hard cases from Astoria as they arrive in the city. They are allowed time to get a square meal, and then informed by the Chief that a boat will leave at 3:30 and at 7 o'clock the next morning. Some take the hint and leave, while others attempt to argue the point, but their arguments generally prove unavailing. No less than twenty renegades from Astoria have been notified to leave during the present week, and in almost every instance they have gone. Still, in a city as large as Seattle, it is impossible to get rid of all the hard cases; the officers and people should all be ready, at a moment's notice, to put a quietus on any acts of lawlessness that may develop themselves. Citizens should load up their old muskets and shotguns, and be prepared for burglars and housebreakers, and business men should be particularly vigilant in guarding their stores and safes. In the valise of one of these chaps whom the officers had looked up, the Chief found a full set of first-class burglars' tools, together with several ingenious pieces of mechanism for cracking safes not yet completed. In the outfit were giant-powder cartridges and plenty of fuse, so it will be seen that these chaps do not come here for nothing. Vigilance is not only the price of liberty, but also the price of security and safety, so let one and all be on their guard.