Seattle Morning Journal In Ashes Vol. 2 No. 253 June 7, 1889
Seattle: Journal Publishing Co., 1889. First Edition. Single leaf. 11 x 18 in. P. 1, printed recto only. Age toned, single mellowed horizontal crease, five-inch vertical closed tear from the top edge with aged cello tape repair verso, small edge chips. Good. Item #11467 While the competing, but long-established, Post-Intelligencer on the same day incorrectly attributed the origin of the fire to an overturned glue pot in McGaugh's sign shop, the Journal reports here "It is learned that the fire started in the carpenter shop under the sign works. A workman was melting glue with a gasoline lamp and the lamp exploded." This report has withstood historical scrutiny but has gone unrecognized. Seattle's commercial Daily Trade Journal was started in 1888 but within a year had changed owners, dropped "Trade" from its name and expanded focus to include daily local events. The Seattle Directory for 1889 lists the editor as E. W. S. Tingle. While the self-described Democratic-leaning paper survived the Great Fire, the paper was only printed into the mid-1890s.(Meany, Newspapers of Washington Territory, 48-49.). A very scarce item of Seattleana. Now housed in a clear archival sleeve with acid-free backing.
Single-page issue of the short-lived Seattle Morning Journal published the day after the fire, leading with the headline: "IN ASHES, Seattle Sorely Visited by Fearful Fire." With their headquarters destroyed, the Journal staff had temporarily moved into the printing office of Benjamin Baker Dearborn.
Price: $850.00