Seattle’s First Home Guards Organize
Following a period of local instability, Seattle’s prominent citizens formally established a territorial militia to 'protect property' and ensure the rule of law.
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.
Since the recent active service of the Seattle Home Guards, there has been a strong desire on the part of its members, as well as on the part of all lovers of law in this community, to have the Territorial militia reinforced by the backbone and loyalty recently found to exist in the Guards, and at the same time to place in their hands all the advantages of equipment and thorough discipline. For the advancement of these objects, a number of those who will compose the drill company of the Home Guards met last night at the law offices of McNaught, Ferry, McNaught & Mitchell and organized. C. H. Hanford was chosen temporary chairman of the meeting. A complete draft of a constitution and by-laws was adopted, providing in detail for all the requirements of a thorough military organization. The election of officers was then held: E. M. Carr was elected Captain, W. T. Sharpe as First Lieutenant, and Joseph F. McNaught as Second Lieutenant. It was the unanimous opinion of the company that it was not only desirable but important that the Home Guards be at once fully uniformed. The members of the company consider, as all reflecting citizens do, that such a contribution from the city's businessmen and property owners would be a very reasonable acknowledgment for the service already rendered by the Home Guards in the maintenance of law and protection of property, and a safe and profitable investment in protection hereafter.
“The members of the company consider, as all reflecting citizens do, that such a contribution would be a very reasonable acknowledgment for the service already rendered by the Home Guards in the maintenance of law and protection of property.”
This 1886 organizational meeting reflects a recurring pattern in Seattle history: the formation of private, property-focused security forces during moments of civic anxiety. The language regarding the 'protection of property' echoes the ongoing modern debates about the role of civic policing versus private security in downtown business districts.
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