A Midnight Ditch Plugging in the Snoqualmie Valley

The stoppage of water in the Tolt ditch, and the appearance in the Post-Intelligencer of a letter from Henry Sargent, led to a full and careful inquiry by the Post-Intelligencer correspondent at that place. The correspondent obtained the following facts, which can be substantiated by a number of responsible persons:

First—The waterway was established and became a permanent course before Mr. O'Leary came into possession of the property through which it flows for about fifteen rods.

Second—The waterway has since been improved by deepening and boxing, with the good will and consent of Mr. O'Leary.

Third—About a year ago Mr. O'Leary was seen by several persons to remove planks from the top of the boxing and fill up the waterway; immediately afterward he stated that he had done so on account of certain evidence given against him in a suit then pending.

Fourth—On the present occasion Mr. Sargent only claims to have leveled down or filled in banks thrown up on either side of the ditch, but claims he did not obstruct the flow of water.

Fifth—At least four persons are prepared to testify that the ditch was tampered with during the night and the water obstructed.

Sixth—It was not possible that the flow could have been shut off by Mr. Sargent, as his work was done early in the day and there was no sign of back flow up to 10 o'clock; half an hour would be ample time to cause the water to flow back and run across the meadow of the neighbors.

This may be news to Mr. Sargent when he states that O'Leary has had nothing to do with the land for several years. However, it is generally believed now that the ditch was filled during the night by O'Leary's orders, if not by himself personally.