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Newspaper
Seattle Star
Location
Seattle, Washington, United States of America
Date
May 21, 1912
Page
1
Seattle residents rally around Newton Johns, the Colman dock bootblack who saved ten people from Elliott Bay after a stalled harbor plank failed. Mayor Cotterill praised him, and readers propose a tangible reward such as a downtown stand or a citywide fundraising gift.
Testimony shows Colman Dock failed proper machinery inspections and relied on perfunctory checks by G I Vik. Evidence ties deaths of Mrs E Learned and young Carl Gruder to a gear slip blamed on neglected maintenance and long hours of the dock staff. Jury hears details as coroners and officials question duties at the rebuilt dock.
Matthew Dow a leading Seattle builder known for the Pacific block Colman building and other landmarks died suddenly of heart failure in Prince Rupert last night. Born in Glasgow July 29 1849 he came to the United States at 24 and moved to Seattle in 1889 contributing to the city’s growth through major projects including churches hotels and commercial blocks. He had been in Prince Rupert for three weeks with his family on a quarter million dollar contract.
UPI report from Boston describes the execution of Clarence V. T. Richeson for the murder of Avis Linnell. He faced the chair calmly, aiding officials as straps and electrodes were fitted, smiling as the mask was adjusted, and praying before death at 12:17. The chaplain fainted at the scene, praising Richeson's courage. The body was sent to Lynchburg for burial after an autopsy. Avis Linnell’s mother later forgave Richeson, claiming mental illness and insanity explained his act.
A fragmentary notice reports a fund drive by the Beattie Commercial club for a negro bootblack known as MO, living at Colmandock Sun A considerable sum had been by noon. Frederick & Nelson's diamond loss story appears with eight small diamonds and one large stone. A Newport item notes Reno Wood killed by a sawing accident while telling his wife not to tell her.
In Washington Pennsylvania a 10 year old girl Jace Bed Dow jumped into an abandoned well to save her 3 year old sister Jane who had fallen in. She kept the baby's head above water for 15 minutes until help arrived.
In a vivid scene on a 14th floor weather office, the article chronicles the clockwork routine of "iron men" measuring wind, rain, and barometer readings. They monitor paper cylinders and needles as they feed daily forecasts to Washington, with quips about the dry forecast and the need for umbrellas.
On the Pacific Mail liner China arriving in San Francisco from the Orient a two year old Filipino girl Felicidad, said to be from an almost extinct cannibal tribe, was the center of attention. Mrs Abreu, a Filipino woman, bought her for 20 pesos and has cared for her since. The girl's history had been reported repeatedly during the voyage and drew a crowd at port yesterday.
In New York on May 21 whiskers may trend as 600 barbers walk out over demands for shorter hours and a minimum wage of 11 dollars a week. They expect 3,000 more to join soon in the action.
Letter from Gladys Johnson in King County Jail requests public support for pardon. She explains past marriage revealed during a personal injury suit led to a two year sentence for second degree perjury while husband Johnson served nine months. She appeals to governor to allow reform and upright life.
Showers expected tonight and Wednesday with a moderate southerly breeze. Temperature at noon rises to 53 degrees.
The passage notes that no U.S. senator from Washington has completed two full terms, while Taft will turn 55 in September. It mentions a rare few presidents who served two full consecutive terms and records local trivia about Seattle parks, Leachpark music costs, Wagner's brass band, and Robert Moran as former mayor and Roosevelt delegate to Chicago.
Aviation star Parmelee confirms fastest machines in the country as he arrives in Seattle en route to Vancouver for queen’s birthday celebrations. He cites speeds of 66 to 75 mph with a new craft promising 105 mph and a world record at upcoming meets. Birdgirl participants rise to over thirty as Miss Grace Boucher Myrtle Meyer and Genevieve Buckner join the list ready for next week’s competition.
New York May 21 Col Roosevelt arrived after campaigning in Ohio and said he would predict tomorrow how Ohio goes. He returned to Oyster Bay to await a few days before resuming a campaign swing. La Follette seeks delegates in four districts including Cleveland Columbus and Toledo.
Ohio voters, under fair skies, began polling for Republican and Democratic delegates. Republicans choose 48 delegates with polls opening at 5:30 am and closing at 5:30 pm. Taft Roosevelt and La Follette factions claim momentum, with La Follette targeting at least a dozen delegates and Roosevelt at least 32. Democratic Harmon and Wilson backers anticipate victory as Bryan opposition poses a challenge. Ohio Democrats vote directly.
President Taft slept in Cincinnati after midnight and closed his Ohio fight for delegates. Charles P Taft issued a statement asserting broad assurances that the president will win a large majority or all of Ohio's national convention delegates.
Prince George William eldest son of the Duke of Cumberland and his chamberlain Von Greve died when their automobile overturned near Fripsack Prussia en route to Copenhagen for the late king of Denmark’s funeral. The prince drove as the car failed to heed road repairs and struck a damaged area instantly killing both men. The Duke of Cumberland heads the House of Guelph.
Four Seattle council members voiced strong support for expanding park music this summer. They urged the park board to fund concerts in various parks, proposing two to three performances weekly and citing public demand and crowd appeal as reasons for the expense.
Famous writer Arthur Stringer was killed when an oil stove exploded at his Niagara Falls home. His wife Jo nna Howland and their two month old baby were critically injured as Mrs Stringer prepared milk for the child.
Advertise for your ideal employee in Star WANT ADS tonight and reach a bright, ambitious boy who values merit and reliable work. Teachers, ministers, and local storekeepers will vouch for him, providing trusted references. Over 40,000 paid copies daily.
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