The Sheriff's Impoundment Auction
A stray horse and a bell-wearing sheep are slated for public auction on Washington Street, as the city cracks down on roaming livestock.
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.
To Whom It May Concern: On the 14th day of April, 1885, in pursuance of section 1 of Ordinance No. 206 of the city of Seattle, I arrested and impounded one Roan Horse, age about six years, black legs, branded on left hip with anchor. Also, one White Sheep, right ear cropped and wearing bell. The owners of the above mentioned animals are to me unknown. If not sooner redeemed by the owners thereof, I will, on the 21st day of April, 1885, at the hour of 10 o'clock a.m., in front of the office of Justice George C. Lyon, on Washington Street, in said city, sell the above described animals at public auction, to the highest bidder for cash, to pay the expenses of said arrest, impounding and sale. J. H. Woolery, Chief of Police city of Seattle.
“The owners of the above mentioned animals are to me unknown.”
Today's municipal code enforcement often targets vehicles and unauthorized encampments, but in 1885, the 'nuisance' in Seattle streets was literal livestock. The ordinance cited reflects a town transitioning from a rugged frontier outpost to an organized city where public space was no longer common pasture.
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