The Governor’s Secret Gift to Seattle’s Newsboys
A surprise act of philanthropy transformed the cold winter of 1887 for Seattle’s most vulnerable young workers.
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.
Between 400 and 500 newsboys appeared on the streets of Seattle this evening in new suits of clothing, a gift of Governor Russell A. Alger. This wholesale giving by the Governor was part of a generous plot conceived by him some time ago, and kept from the knowledge of the boys until a few days ago, when it was necessary that they should have their measures taken. The Governor’s generosity in this instance cost him several thousand dollars, but he was well paid for it tonight by the happy looks of the boys.
On Thanksgiving Day, the Governor came out of his office in the Telegraph Block, and calling to him a little newsboy said: 'Go fetch all the boys you can. I have a quarter for every one.' Soon as the youngster recovered from his astonishment he ran like mad down the street, shouting to every boy in sight, and in ten minutes' time there was a howling mob about the tall, dignified form of the chief magistrate. The eagerness with which the boys grabbed their quarters, the enthusiasm with which the distribution was received, and the cheers which made Griswold street ring from the river to the high school, made the Governor’s eyes twinkle with pleasure as he stalked back to his office a patriot.
It was then that he conceived the idea of doing something more substantial for the lads. He took into his secret the newspapers of the town and two of the leading clothiers. They entered into the spirit of the plan with commendable interest. The tailors were trusted to furnish good, durable suits in an expeditious and convenient manner for the small army who were to be the recipients of the Governor’s bounty. It was arranged to have each boy’s suit at his home last night, such a night as that has not been known in many of their homes for years. There was no sleep for many of the boys, who got out their clothes as soon as the package was received, tried them on, and wanted to go to bed in them. It was really a great sight this evening to see the warmly clad, stylish-looking little fellows.
“There was no sleep for many of the boys, who got out their clothes as soon as the package was received, tried them on, and wanted to go to bed in them.”
While historic accounts of 'wealthy benefactors' often served to burnish political reputations, the struggle of Seattle's newsboys—youths living in poverty and navigating the harsh downtown streets—remains a stark reminder of the city's long history of precarious youth labor and the reliance on private charity to fill the gaps left by civic infrastructure.
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