The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-08-09
FOR SHERIFF..
James H. Woolerx.

James Fl. Woolery only barely missed renomi-
nation by reclamation for the Office of sheriff
his work during the past two years having es-
tabished his reputation all over the county as
an indefatigable and capable official. Although
only - years of age he is a Washington pioneer
and is a member of the Pioneers Association.
He was born in 1851 at st. Louis. his father be-
ing a kentuckian. In 1858 the family came
across the plains in q prairie schooner drawn
by an OK team. They settled on a homestead
claim of $40 acres near Fort Steilacoom. At the
breaking out of the Indian war Adam Benson,
who is still living i'll Pierce county, warned
them to flee for their lives. Mr. Benson had
followed the example Of many of the early set
tiers and had married an Indian woman.
Through her he received early tidings of the in
tended outbreak-tidings which he used for the
benefit of his fellow whites. The Wooerys
obeyed the warning and hurried to the fort, but
before they were out OF sight of their house 1t
was sacked and set OF fire.
For period Of five years during and after the
War the elder Woolery was in the employ of the
government at Fort StelacOom. At this time
the family lived at Steilacoora, and young Wool
cry attended school there Later he carried the
first overland mail from Steilacoom to Seattle,
over sixty five miles of hard road, the old mill
tary road. The trip was made on horseback in
a single day, with two changes of horses. The
ride from Steiacoom to Seattle occupied one
day, and the return the next. This round was
made once or twice a week by young WOolery
while he was still in his teens.
From Steilacoom the family moved back to
their claim, and James II. WoO.ery went to
Olympia to attend the school of l. p. Yemen,
who is still teaching there.
At the close of his school days at Olympia Mr.
WOolery helped build the Tacoma mill, and
after its completion he worked there for some
time as tallyman. Following this he worked in
Williamson & Diapers logging camp at Free
employed in logging camp across the bay for
Mr.. Mitchell, and also in several camps down
the Sound.
Having accumulated little money, young
Wooery. who felt desire for better educa-
ton, attended the Territorial university here
for some time. During that period his career
was nearly brought to a close by a very severe
attack of typhoid fever. When he recovered he
went on the steam tug Biakcley at Port Blake
ley as a deck hand. For three years he worked
under Captain Jack Cosgrove, commonly known
as Humboldt Jack" At the end of the three
years he had risen to be mate. Then, having OBJ
tanned masters certificate, he was made cap
tain of the steamer Cello, owned by Captain E.
L. Marshall, of Freeport. With this boat he did
a towing and jobbing business, and then was
made master of the steamer Addie, owned by
Captain J. c. Britain, of this city.
Mr.. WOolerys first experience in the sheriff's
office was in 1889, when /. V. WyckOf who, for
nearly nineteen years, was sheriff of the county,
appointed him deputy. For nearly two years
Mr.. Woolery served in this position, handling
many hard criminals. At sheriff Wyckoffs
death John II. McGraw, who was then the Seat
tie city marshal, was chosen sheriff at a special
election. Mr. Woolery was appointed by the
city council TO serve Mr.. McGraw's uuexpired
term in the marshals Office. By change in the
city charter the marshal was made the chief of
police and the office was elective. Mr.. Woolery
was chosen chief at the same time that II. e.
Struve was elected mayor. ana he was re elected
three successive terms, serving the last while H.
L. Yesler was mayor.
For year following his work az chief of po-
lice he ran the steamer Fleetwood between here
and Olympia, making the round trip daily.
After this he received the appointment of city
detective under Mayor Robert Moran While
serving in this office he again showed great
proficiency. He traced to Pueblo. Col, and
captured there Thomas Goodwin, the man who
made the famous assault upon G. II. Preston.
For this he received $1,000 reward. He also
chased into British Columbia man who had
robbed Denver bank of $4,000 For recover
ing most of the money he received $500 reward.
He captured many criminals of more or less
note, and it is a remarkable fact that he never
lost man.
He was afterward appointed deputy sheriff
and served so satisfactorily that at the last
election he was elected TO the head of the de-
partment During his term of Office he has
made many clever captures of criminals, nota
bly, that OF the Mercer island murderers re-
Gently. He is a man of undaunted courage and
tireless energy
NJ. Woolery has been married seven years.
He is member of the order of Odd Fellows
Olive Branch No. 4, and charter member OF
Harmony Lodge, No. S, of the Knights of
py,hias.