19437. Commercial Bank (Tacoma, WA)

Bank Information

Episode Type
Run β†’ Suspension β†’ Closure
Bank Type
state
Start Date
October 16, 1895
Location
Tacoma, Washington (47.253, -122.444)

Metadata

Model
gpt-5-mini
Short Digest
f51de88d0913a871

Response Measures

None

Description

The Commercial Bank (organized under state law) experienced steady withdrawals after the failure of the Bank of Tacoma and street rumors; a city demand for ~$6,000 precipitated the directors' decision not to open and a receiver was appointed 1895-10-16. Receiver changes followed and the bank went into liquidation. Articles state depositors likely to be paid, but the bank did not reopen and entered receivership/liquidation.

Events (5)

1. October 16, 1895 Receivership
Newspaper Excerpt
S. M. Nolan, one of the directors, was appointed receiver. ... Papers in the receivership case were then prepared, with the object of liquidating.
Source
newspapers
2. October 16, 1895 Run
Cause
Local Banks
Cause Details
Steady withdrawals triggered by the failure of the Bank of Tacoma and related street rumors; persistent withdrawals over prior weeks led to liquidity pressure.
Measures
Officers attempted to realize on securities to raise cash; paid down many depositors prior to closure; separated recent deposits to return about $1,200.
Newspaper Excerpt
Since the failure of the Bank of Tacoma and the persistent street talk ... there has been a steady but quiet withdrawal of funds.
Source
newspapers
3. October 16, 1895 Suspension
Cause
Local Banks
Cause Details
Immediate trigger was city treasurer's demand for ~$6,000 on short notice combined with ongoing withdrawals (run) stemming from local bank failures and rumors; directors decided it was unprofitable to continue and sought receivership.
Newspaper Excerpt
The Commercial bank ... did not open today, Judge Parker, at the request of stockholders, having at 5 a. m. appointed S. M. Nolan ... receiver.
Source
newspapers
4. October 25, 1895 Receivership
Newspaper Excerpt
S. M. Nolan, the recently appointed receiver of the Commercial bank, was today removed and Almon Woodruff appointed instead.
Source
newspapers
5. December 22, 1895 Other
Newspaper Excerpt
Judge Parker today allowed 200 per month salary to Receiver Wadsworth, of the Commercial bank, and $75 to G. A. Leavitt, his attorney.
Source
newspapers

Newspaper Articles (12)

Article from The Seattle Post-Intelligencer, October 17, 1895

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Tacoma, Oct. 16.-The Commercial bank, organized under the state law, did not open today, Judge Parker, at the request of stockholders, having at a. m. appointed S. M. Nolan, one of the directors, receiver. This action was brought about by City Treasurer McCauley calling on the bank to pay $6,300, the city's balance on deposit, on short notice, the city needing the money to pay interest in New York. The application was made by Fremont Campbell for the bank, and he was appointed attorney for Receiver Nolan. The latter's bond was fixed at $25,000, with W. J. Coggswell, R. B. Mullen and Judge Frank Allyn as sureties. When the city's demand was made President Frank Allyn called the directors together. They met yesterday at p. m. and were in session nearly all night, deciding early this morning that it would be unprofitable to continue business longer. Papers in the receivership case were then prepared, with the object of liquidating. The bank's liabilities are between $40,000 and $50,000, and the assets over $160,000. The last statement of the Commercial bank, made on May 31, showed: Loans and discounts, $235,369; cash on hand, $24,008; certificates of deposit, $13,461: deposits subject to check, $62,765; undivided profits, $18,710. The bank was organized in December, 1891. Its stockholders include a number of wealthy New York men. The officers and directors of the bank are: President, Frank Allyn; vice president, O. K. Hiscock: cashier, Arthur Bridgman; W. R. Rust and J. H. Price. The city's deposit of $6,000 has been guaranteed by Mr. Rust, who is manager of the Tacoma smelter, and Mr. Hiscock. The money will be promptly paid by these gentiemen. To the Post-Intelligencer correspondent Judge Frank Allyn, president of the closed bank, gave the following statement: "The Commercial bank was organized about four years ago. A little less than three years ago I became its president. The panic of 1893 followed soon after. At that time the bank had, in addition to a large general deposit list, over $110,000 of city funds and $60,000 of county money. We paid the city promptly until its balonce was reduced to about $6,000, and gave the county back every dollar. Since the panic we have paid off our depositors until less than $40,000 remains. We paid this money during a period when the great majority of financial institutions have been unable to reduce their liabilities in any such proportions. Since the failure of the Bank of Tacoma and the persistent street talk incident to it there has been a steady but quiet withdrawal of funds. We have realized for two weeks past that a steady run was on, either incident to the late failure or from other causes which we have been unable to locate. In the meantime every effort has been made to realize on our securities, which are ample, if they could be cashed, to pay depositors four times over. At a late hour Monday night we were notified by the city that its balance of $6,000 would be checked out the next morning. Of course we had not anticipated this, although we were making every effort to realize on securities. We confidently expected, until a late hour last night. that we would succeed in cashing certain securities, enabling us to pay the city and any one who wanted their money. At a meeting of the directors last night, we decided that, as our anticipations had not been realized, there was no other course left open. in justice to our stockholders and creditors. than to go into liquidation, inasmuch as the city was insisting on the immediate payment of its account. This was done by the appointment of Mr. S. M. Nolan as receiver. In three months we will be able to pay off all our creditors and have a handsome surplus for the stockholders."


Article from The Daily Morning Astorian, October 17, 1895

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BANK FAILS. The Commercial Bank of Tucoma in the Hands of a Receiver. Taleoma, Oct. 16.-The Commerical Bank, organized under the state law, did not open today, Judge Parker, at (the request of the stockholders having at 5 a. m. appointed S. M. NoJan, one of the directors, receiver. This action was brought about by City Treasurer McCamley calling on the bank to pay $6,300 the city's balance on deposit, on short notice, the city needing the money to pay interest in New York. Als soon as this situation presented itself President Frank Allyn called the directons together. They met yeararday at 5 p. m. and were in session most all night, deciding early this morning that it would be unprofitable to continue business longer. The bank's liabilities are between $30,000 land $40.000 and assets over $160,000. President ANyn says all depositeors will be paid in full within a short time. The bank was organized in December, 1891. Its stockholders include a number of weal/thy New York men. The capital stock was $200,000.


Article from The San Francisco Call, October 17, 1895

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REAPING THE WHIRLWIND, The Tacoma Commercial Bank Compelled to Close Its Doors. Municipal Disaster Caused by the Crooked Work of an ExCity Treasurer. TACOMA, WASH., Oct. 16.-The Commercial Bank was compelled to close its doors this morning. Its officers are: President, Frank Allyn; vice-president, W. R. Rust; cashier, A. Bridgman. The cause is attributed to the demand made by City Treasurer McCauley for $6000, with which he was to pay interest on city bonds. The trouble arises over the holding by the bank of bogus warrants, which have been declared by the city as illegal, but the accounts of Treasurer McCauley, who took the office after George W. Boggs, show that the city had a deposit at the bank. Boggs' criminal operations have put the city in a terrible hole, and the penitentiary has yawned for him repeatedly. He is now in California. S. M. Nolan, one of the directors, has been appointed receiver. President Allyn is prostrated and feels the disaster keenly. The total liabilities of the bank do not exceed $40,000. The demand was made against the Columbia Bank, but they also failed to comply to the City Treasurer's request, and they will close their doors in the morning. If the city has apparently on hand in the banks a large sum of money it is because a corrupt City Treasurer deposited therein warrants that had been paid with city funds. If it has large sums of interest due it is because by fraud and villainy it has been saddled with an immense bonded debt, and now the city is reaping the whirlwind.


Article from The Seattle Post-Intelligencer, October 18, 1895

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City Asks for a Receiver for the German-American. RESULT OF WARRANT DISPUTE. The Bank Claims That the City Has Overdrawn Its Account. Columbia National Stockholders to Be Assessed Again-All the County Money Is in the Courthouse Vaults -The First National Bank of Puyallup to Liquidate. Tacoma, Oct. 17.-Special.-City Attorney Wickersham and City Treasurer MeCauley today applied to the superior court for the appointment of a receiver of the German-American Safe Deposit and Savings bank. The application was made before Judge Pritchard, on the ground that the institution is insolvent, its refusa! to honor the city treasurer's check for $58.369, the amount claimed to be on deposit, being cited as evidence. Immediately after the case came up the city attorney moved that the case be transferred to Judge Parker's court, it being shown that Judge Pritchard is a stockholder in the Columbia National bank. The court said he was not interested in the savings bank and saw no reason why he should not try the case. After consulting with the attorneys and Judge Parker, Judge Fritchard granted the motion to transfer the case without prejudice, the bank taking an exception. When the matter came before Judge Parker, the court postponed the hearing till tomorrow, saying tnat there was no showing of an emergency and that a full hearing should be had when an appointment of a receiver for a bank is asked. This action on the city's part is the result of a suit brought on Tuesday by the German-American bank, whereby it seeks to settle its account with the city. The bank alleges that ex-City Treasurer Boggs deposited in the bank $80,369 of city warrants between April, 1892. and April, 1894, the city receiving credit for so much cash. Since taking office in April, 1894, Treasurer McCauley has drawn out $22.000 in cash, leaving the balance $58,369. The city has found that under recent decisions the warrants thus placed in the bank are not strictly legal, being issued in excess of the constitutional limit of indebtedness, though they will be ultimately validated. The bank alleges that since the city claims the warrants to be illegal it should not ask the bank to pay the credit so secured in cash, and asks the court to allow the warrants to be set off against the city's credit. If this contention is allowed, the city will owe the bank the $22,000 already drawn out in cash, and it asks for such a judgment. These allegations were again set up today in answer to the city's request for a receiver. The bank denies the allegation of insolvency. Receiver Nolan of the Commercial bank. today asked for an order authorizing him to return to depositors about $1,200 which was deposited Tuesday, the last day the bank remained open. which deposits were kept separate from the other assets. The failure of the Commercial bank and application for a receiver for the German. American bank in nowise affected the other banks of the city. The officers of the German-American bank say they feel confident of winning their suit and continuing in business. The Columbia National bank is preparing to make an assessment on its stockholders, who have already sent over $45.000 here to meet business demands since the council began its agitation regarding city deposits. The assessment will not be completed until certain papers are signed by Controller James H. Eckles, now en route to Washington City from Europe. Every dollar of county money Fas been withdrawn from the Tacoma banks, and is in the county treasurer's vaults.


Article from The Seattle Post-Intelligencer, October 18, 1895

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FOR REFORM IN TACOMA. The Citizens Have Organized a Taxpayers' League. Tacoma, Oct. 17.-Special.-Tacoma / has a brand new Taxpayers' League. Today a call for the formation of a league was circulated and signed by a large number of substantial citizens and business men, among whom were: Col. Chauncey W. Griggs, Chester Thorne, Truman W. Enos, Samuel Wilkeson, George B. Kandle, T. B. Wallace, C. P. Masterson, C. H. Hyde, C. S. Barlow Frederick Mottet, Fred Watson. G. H. Walker. A. K. Hiscock, O. J. H. Swift. George Browne. Philip Tillinghast, George L. Holmes, S. A. Gibbs and others. The objects of the league Include the securing and promoting of economical and efficient government in city and county affairs. The call for the formation of the league and its objects have been made known to the city and county officials. Among the reforms which the league proposes to work is the adoption of a new and simplified city charter. the validation of the $525,000 of outstanding city warrants issued under the Boggs regime, the validation of the school debt now being incurred and the improvement of the city water supply. Regarding charter amendments, the league favors a council of eleven members, one from each of the eight wards and three elected at large. The entire separation of the executive and legislative branches of the city government is recommended. The league proposes to employ competent persons to examine into the present form of county government, with a view to its simplification. Coming so soon after the crisis in city finances, precipitated by the suspension of the Commercial Bank, the formation of the league is taken as an indication that the men who pay the taxes in Tacoma and Pierce county have decided to take a vigorous hand in the management of public affairs. The league evidently means business and will doubtless be vigilantly on watch when the municipal campaign opens next spring.


Article from Capital Journal, October 18, 1895

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Will Go Out of Business With a Receiver. A BIG DEMAND FOR CITY MONEY. For Months There Have Been Steady Withdrawals. tacoma, Oct. 18.-The Commercial bank, organized under the state law, did not open Thursday, Judge Parker, at the request of +tockholders, having at 5a. m. appointed 5. M. Nolan, one the directors, receiver. This action was brought about by City Treasurer Met Cauley calling on the bank to pay $6, t 300, the city's balance on deposit, on t short notice, the city needing the money to pay interest in New York. The application was made by Fremont a Campbell for the bank, and he was P appointed attorney for Deceiver Nolan. The latter's bond was fixed at $25,000, with W. J. Coggswell, R. B. Mullen a and Judge Frank Allyn as sureties. ti When the city's demand was made que te President Frank Allyn called the dirfr ectors together. They met and were in fu session nearly all night, deciding early pt this morning that it would be unprofitov able to continue business longer, th in the receivership case were of ti then Papers prepared, with the object are m liquidating. The bank's liabilities the ti between $40,000 and $50,000. and cb over $160,000. The last statep asserts ment of the Commercial bank, made pi May 31. showed: Loans and disfo counts, on $235,369; cash on hand, $24,008; la certificates of deposit, $13,461; deposits subject to check, $62,765; undivided profits, $18,710. The bank was organth in December, 1891. Its stockla holders ized include a number wealthy New iti York men. The officers and directors Alfor the bank are. President, Frank co of vice-president, O. K. Hiscodk; R. cashier, lyn; Arthur Bridgman; W. Rust and J. H. Price. fo bu The city's deposit of $6,000 has b een th guaranteed by Mr. Rust. "The Commercial bank was organ- less tin B about four years ago. A. little its ized three years ago I became than president. The panic of 1893 followed had, after. At that time the bank sh soon addition to a large general deposit and eit in over $11,000 of city funds the an list, of county money. We paid was art $60,000 promptly until its balance the Tu reduced city to about $6,000, and gave the ne back every dollar. Since De county nic we have paid off our depositors We Up p less than $40,000 remains. when da until this money during a period instituan paid great majority of financial their W the have been unable to reduce Ge liabilities tions in any such proportions. of Taan the failure of the Bank talk str there Since coma and the persistent has been street a steady chi sys and gre abt depositors steady meantime ample, the realize have incident but which late quiet realized we run if on failure to they are every four was it withdrawal our for unable night could times on, or effort securities, two either from be we to over. weeks has cashed, locate. of were other been incident which funds. past At notified made to In a causes that were late pay the We to to a the ver hour Monday eity that its balance of morn- $6,000 dis wh by the be checked out the next anticipated would Of course, we had not every ing. although we were making We conDR this, to realize on securities. hour seri nev effort expected, until & succeed late in two able fidently night, that we would us eve last certain securities, enabling who cashing the city and any one of to pay their money. Ata meeting decided was the we been that, as our no other had course not left and


Article from The Seattle Post-Intelligencer, October 24, 1895

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MIGHT BE WORSE OFF. City of Tacoma Hasn't Lost Any Money Recently. THE BOGGS WARRANTS ARE PAID the Banks Win Their Suit and Return the Warrants the City Will Burn Them. Tacoma, Oct. 22-Special.-Popular feeling. which has been running high during a week past, caused by the disciosures in the Bank of Tacoma case, the failure of the Commercial bank and the suits against the city brought by the Columbia National and German-American banks, is beginning to subside, and the talk upon the streets has been considerably modified. The clear head and sober judgment among the substantial citizens and tax payers is being asserted and the assertion is being made that the municipality is not so badly off as has seemed and as has been made to appear. During the excitement of the past few days popular rumor has been kept busy circulating all kinds of stories, and the main facts regarding the city's condition seem to have been lost sight of. The statement has been frequently made in the newspapers that the city treasury has been looted to the extent of $400,000. and that the water extension fund of $530,000 has been dissipated and wholly lost. Sober minded citizens are beginning to realize now how seriously these statements injure the city's financial standing, far more, It is claixied, than the circumstances warrant. Said a well-known city official today: "The city has not been hurt as hadly as people say. We are no worse off than we were eighteen months ago, when Boggs went out of office. The mischief was done then, and we are just learning of it now. If, as the courts have held, the $370,000 of Boggs warrants, for which the last city treasurer gave public coin, were paid and redeemed at that time by the transaction, then the city can never be made to pay them again. In other words. the treasurer unlawfully redeemed general fund warrants out of the order of their issuance. To say that the city has lost nearly $400,000 by the failure of the Bank of Tacoma and the refusal of the Columbia National and German-American to honor the city's checks, when it is known that Boggs deposited the illegal warrants with these banks and that the city's credit did not represent cash, is absurd on its face, and wholly untrue. To be sure, $212,000 of the water extension fund has been invested in outstanding warrants, but the city has saved the difference between the 5 per cent. Interest on the bonds and the 10 per eent. which the warrants drew." Acting on the suggestion conveyed in the above, the Post-Intelligencer correspondent interviewed a number of prominent attorneys, who have no interest in the litigation pending in the courts and whose knowledge of the law entitles their views to the highest respect. Said one: "A city warrant is not like A negotiable note. It is subject to defense in the hands of any person who acquires it, even for value, and without notice. A warrant must stand upon its merit, and is at all times subject to any defense that may ex1st against it. The city can be compelled to pay only valid warrants, and if It can be shown, as has been claimed, that there are records of the warrants bought by Treasurer Boggs, then I see no reason why the city should lose anything by what are known as the Boggs warrants. It appears to me that a proper settlement would be to allow the banks to return what they received from the city, or to charge the city's balance with the amount of valueless paper they can show they received." Matters at the city hall are unchanged. City Treasurer McCauley is rustling for his new bondsmen, and has until a week from Saturday to obtain them. Mr. MoCauley's friends claim that the finance committee has done much to damage his case in advance by preparing and publicly submitting their report to the council last Saturday, in which severe charges are made against the treasurer. They say that in the face of the report It will be wellnigh Impossible for Mr. McCauley to give


Article from Washington Standard, October 25, 1895

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THE suspension of the Commercial Bank, at Tacoma, last week, was not much of a failure, from President Allyn's statement that every depositor will be paid in full, just as soon as the preliminaries can be arranged.


Article from The Dalles Daily Chronicle, October 26, 1895

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A Change in Receivers. TACOMA, Oct. 25.-S. M. Nolan, the recently appointed receiver of the Commercial bank, was today removed and Almon Woodruff appointed instead. Nolan was an interested party, being a stockholder and director.


Article from The Seattle Post-Intelligencer, October 27, 1895

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Rush of Tacomans for the Col. umbia National Place. THE COMPTROLLER BESIEGED. Thomas Riggs, One of the Candidates, Has an Eastern Pull. A New Receiver Appointed for the Commercial Bank-A Tacoma Bank That Was Designated as a City Des pository Declines the Honor. Washington City, Oct. 26.-Special.-The closing of the doors of the Columbia National bank of Tacoma, upon order of the comptroller of the currency, was the signal for a rush of applicants for the ree celvership. Seven telegrams were ree ceived the same night before the comp+ troller went to bed, and by next morning the number had been increased to difteen. Each telegram is a personal application for the receivership, and in each case it is stated that a letter will follow. As yet it is too early to know who, of all the ape plicants, is most highly indorsed by the other residents of Tacoma. One of the would-be receivers is Thomas Riggs, for. merly of this city, son of a well-known banker here. His father's friends have already called upon the comptroller on his behalf. Stuart Rice, who is already receiver of one bank in Tacoma, realizes that his present trust is drawing to a close, and would like to have It renewed. Consequently he was among the first ape plicants. The Associated Press carried the news of the closing of the bank all over the country, and immediately a response came from George R Burnett, of St. Louis, who he would like very much to of Tacoma, and a says resident thinks he become could make it convenient to accept the receiver. ship. Other applicants. all from Tacoma, are Fred Watson, W. C. Hakey, James J. Anderson. F. M. Wade, Richard A. Kel. ner. S. P. Balkwill, William W. Archer, Charles Richardson. George S. Brown and W. A. Sternberg. The litter is a brother of Surgeon General Sternberg, of the United States army. Tacoma, Oct. 26.-Special.-There is speculation here over the coming by the Columbia appointment much receiver for Comptroller National Eckles bank. of . The applicants for the job are numerous and active. Stuart Rice, receiver of the National, who was two ago and who about Washington years has appointed nearly be+ completed his task, is looked upon as ing a very formidable candidate. Frederick Watson, who ran Receiver Philip Anderson a hot race for the receivership of the Tacoma National, is likely to stand a good show, as his credentials and the testimonials of his friends have been in the comptroller's hands for some months. George S. Brown, formerly of Everett, is an applicant. Bank Examiner Charles Clary today re. telegram from Comptroller Eck. him to consult in to the les, inghast celved instructing a regard legal Tillinghast matters Philip Till. was relating to the bank. Mr. formerly the Democratic national committeeman from Idaho, and It is believed he will he made attorney for the receiver of the Columbia National, whoever he may be. Tacoma, Oct. 26. Special.,-Judge Parker decided the motion for the removal of S. M. Nolan as receiver of the Commercial Bank yesterday, holding that Mr. Nolan was ineligible to hold the office for the reason that he was a stockholder and director in the bank, and also a creditor, and that a corporation in which he was actively Interested was a creditor of the bank. This, Judge Parker held, under the statute, disqualified him. Almon Wood. worth was then named as receiver, and his bond fixed at the same amount as Mr. Nolan gave.


Article from The Seattle Post-Intelligencer, December 22, 1895

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Brief Tacoma News. Tacoma. Dec. 21.-Special.-The last performance of "King Lear" was given tonight at the Ninth street theater by W. J. Fife and company The performance was more successful than any of the previous ones, being without a hitch Mr. Fife's success was pronounced and he was given several curtain calls. Judge Parker today allowed 200 per month salary to Receiver Wadsworth, of the Commercial bank, and $75 to G. A. Leavitt, his attorney.


Article from Washington Standard, January 3, 1896

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STATE NEWS. Mrs. Vradenburg. of Puyallp valley, dn let had seq The disbursements of the city of Ta-19$ 01 Deceather Joj FRIGHT 01 receipts the pun '92 110 Hanson Bros. have recently driven 1,000,000 feet of logs out of the Big creek, on the upper Humptulips, in Chehalis county. Judge Parker has allowed $200 per month to Receiver Wadsworth, of the Commercial bank, of Tacoma, and attorney. 8!!! 01 92$ The second annual exhibition of the Tacoma Poultry Association began in that city last Tuesday. The entries number 800 towls, including pet stock. Judge Mount, of Lincoln county, has refused to direct DeRackin to deliver up the keys and possession of the office to the appointee, Frank Garber. 009'70 18 pexy s! puoq leadde The Charles E. Hanson, a prominent uos JO usw business Sunos of Henry Hanson, an old settler, died at that place on New Year's day of cerebro-spinal meningitis, aged 25 years. Recent storms have undermined the old Laidlaw mill, which stood on piling in South bay, near Ocosta, and the whole plant, including valuable machinery, is fast disappearing in the water. The case in the United States court involving the right of citizens to locate and hold mineral claims on the Colville Indian reservation has been taken under advertisement by Judge Hanford. E. P. Brinnon, ex-county commissioner, a leading Democratic politician and pioneer of Jefferson county of 1853, died at his home at the town of Brinnon, in Jefferson county, on Sunday night. He was a victim of lung trouble. John Sodarbarg, a young Swede, was arrested on complaint of the proprietor of aC street saloon, at Tacoma, Monday, charged with attempting to pass counterfeit money. Upon being searched at the city jail three bogus half dollar pieces were found in his pockets. What the country needs in the way of legislation to prevent deficit in the national revenues. is an income tax bill. When it is perfected and passed the Supreme Court of the United States should receive shot-gun notice that the measure is constitutional and by on !! The Parberry family have moved to Whatcom from Blakeley Island to reside. The youngest son, Irving, is the boy who was concerned with murderer Straub'in the killing of Leone Lanterman last August, and for which Straub is now under sentence of death. He is confined in the Whatcom county !!!!! The South Tacoma car shops are at 001 JO 101 puoces 8 constitution WORK cars for the present year, having recently finished 100 fine freighters. The present lot is composed of 25 box cars, 50 flat cars and 25 large coal JO 18101 8 male II!M they Ρ€ΠΈΠ² Cars. 700 turned out since the works were established. Bishop Junger, of the Catholic church, one of the oldest pioneers of the country died at Vancouver, last week. Deceased was born in Germany, coming to the United States 04 came eH jo years 83 when the Northwest as missionary priest in 1862, and was elevated to the 1876. u! bish Interest on Spokane county's bond'prud aq II!M the pe may be the outcome of the mandamus proceeding against Treasurer Mudgett. The sinking fund commission of the city of Spokane and some of the citizens the And 01 arreade have city the jo interest and to take as security the coupons duly registered as not paid for want of funds. Christmas night the home of Capt. A. W. Reinhoel, near Center, in Jefferson county, was destroyed by fire, while the family was attending Christmas-tree exercises a few miles away. Furniture and all went up in the flames, the loss being about $850. with no insurance, and the family is left practically destitute. A fund is being raised for their assistance. Nelson Bennett has sold his interest in the Ledger to syndicate, composed of C. A. Snowden, who for four years past has been its editor and manager, and his friends. The transfer of the property was made on the 1st inst. The new owners announce their intention to improve the paper in every way, as rapidly as the progress and development of the country will permit. As heretofore, the paper will be Republican. Last Wednesday the westbound freight on the O. R. & N. ran into a drift about 200 yards beyond Walters siding, near Garfield, and all the train, except one car and the caboose-11 cars and a tender-was derailed. Six or eight of the wrecked cars were loaded with ore, the others with merchandise. Seven cars were thrown clear of the track and more or less demolished, the other four only being off the rails. The Islander claims to have it on good authority that the Lumni island, Bellingham bay, Lopez island, Orcas island and San Juan fishing companies. at New Whatcom are formed and incorporated for the purpose of obtaining possession of all the best fish-trap locations in that portion of Puget control 01 them eleable 01 BB 08 'punos the big portion of the salmon run each year and take the fish to the Fraser river canneries. There should be the says 'asop B your 07 sutidole etuos