Seattle's Fugitive Fire Chief Says His Accusers Stole the Evidence
A.B. Hunt, indicted for fraudulent naturalization papers, has disappeared—but allies say he is gathering proof that a stolen Canadian fire-company minute book was smuggled into Seattle to frame him.
A startling explanation of the sudden disappearance of A.B. Hunt, until Monday chief of the Seattle fire department, was given yesterday. Instead of having run away, Hunt's friends say he has gone East to procure evidence with which to turn the tables on those most active in his prosecution. Fire Commissioner John L. Kahaley believes Hunt took the steamer Rosalie for Victoria on Friday night and went on to his old home at Petrolia, Ontario, to obtain evidence supporting charges that have fallen into his hands since he was indicted by the United States grand jury for obtaining fraudulent naturalization papers.
The theory is that the minute book of the Reliable Fire Company of Petrolia was stolen, smuggled into the United States, and turned over to parties prosecuting Hunt in Seattle. An affidavit by Francis Esson and John William Ferguson, respectively first lieutenant and treasurer of the Petrolia company, declares that a minute book covering about 1882 to 1888 was stolen within the past six months and is believed to be in the possession of Gardner Kellogg or Thomas J. Kelly of Seattle. It could be identified by A.B. Hunt, James A. Farr, Charles Van Alstyne, or John J. Nelson of Snohomish, all former members of the company. Thomas J. Kelly, the affidavit says, was also a former member and is now the principal witness against Hunt; his grievance was that Hunt had failed to give him a position.
Kellogg, it is said, admitted that the book was in his safe. A detective and a representative from Canada were authorized to trace the book, and a letter from Griffiths & Shaunessy, barristers at Petrolia, asks for information about who mailed or expressed it to Seattle. Hunt's attorney, Col. James Hamilton Lewis, declined to discuss the case. At fire headquarters, Hunt's private room was found with his personal effects gone and a large packed trunk left behind, indicating that his departure was premeditated. Commissioner Kahaley said Hunt knew he was guilty and had fled to avoid trial.
“Hunt knew that he was guilty of an offense that would put him in prison; he also knew that the evidence was dead against him.”
A public official disappearing amid an indictment, with competing claims of stolen records and political prosecution, reads like a modern scandal playbook. The Hunt affair shows how far back Seattle's arguments over official accountability, evidence and extradition go—and how quickly a local story could become an international one.
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