The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-12-17
ALL SORROW FOR HIM
Genera! Testimony to Henry L.
Yesler's Noble Qualities.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
His Former Embarrassment Due to His
Lfberalfty-Why He Tore Up His
WiIl-The Funeral.


who have known Mr.. Yesler from the time
when Seattle was village. The new corners
share this feeling also, for they have learned of
the old geatleman's public spirit and lovable
disposition from those who were here before
them.
Hardly man or woman who was here In the
early days lacks . story illustrating bis char
acteristica The fact which all these bring ont
most forcibly Is that he had kind. generous
heart and an open hand. In fact his embsr-
1assment some years ago was due to his lavish
generosity in helping his friends and even
strangers to the limit OF his ability. On this
point J. ID. Lowman, his trustee, said yesterday:
His embarrassment was worst from the year
1853 to 1855, and in February or March, 1886, l
was appointed his trustee. His troubles were
due entirely to his liberality and his inability
10 refuse 20 indorss notes for any one who ap-
piled to him. In about year and half after
his affairs were in good order and the pressure
was removed. arranged to reduce the interest
on his debts from 10, II and ID per cent. to 2
per cent, and this relieved him greatly.
He always improved his property. for his
policy was to build for any tenant VINO was re-
eponsibie, and he often did so for those who
were not responsible. He was very indulgent
with his tenants and often allowed them to fall
in arrears, particularly in the early years. Iet
his difficulties never disturbed him. Even in
1885, when he was in the power of fifteen to
twenty people who held judgments against his
property and could have obtained execution at
any time, he Yves perfectly happy and contented
He lived simply, was easily satisfied and never
complained of anything. He Was always active
In any movement for the good OF the town and
did his full share towards it.
Many stories of his kindness OF heart could
be told, but few will suffice. When asked
whether he remem bered anything about him
yesterday, l. A. Nadeau replied with strong en-
phasis:
don't remember anything bad about him.
When came here ten years ago, the people
depended very much on him, tor his eawmill
a 1 a eYpniOymGnt
them. Soon after / came TO the town. man
arrived here who wanted to go into business,
and he took fancy TO the corner which he's
since been cut off to widen Pioneer place. Two
young men had a barber shop there and were
paying Mr.. Yesler $50 a month rent The new
man offered $75 but Mr.. ] eslcr Said: "Wel, I'll
see.' The man afterwards raised his offer to
500. but the old man said:
ssNell, you'll have TO talk to the boys. They've
been pretty good boys. and hate to move EN-. "
Mai. J. r. Hayden recalled facts illustrating
the same point, saying:
When was collector of internal revenue. Mr.
Yesler would go on the bonds of brewers liquor
men and cigar dealers, often when he did not
know anything about them. / spoke to him
Of such obligations he was mourning, and he
said: "well, somebody has got to help the
poor fellows along
Those who knew him in his days of activity
remember him as a good -natured old man, al
ways whiting stick, always ready with a
companions. Whatever public entertainment
was going on. he would be there with his wife,
and none would be mcrrier. He was a great
man to go to dances. and none was complete
without him and Mrs. Yesler. On this point
Samuel l. Crawford said last night:
In the fall OF 1875 the legislative assembly of
the territory came in q body to visit the state
university, and ball was given in honor of the
party at Yesler's hall at the corner OF front and
Cherry streets. My father came as member
from Lewis county aud was assistant CLERK in
the house. Mr.. and Mrs. Yesler practically
acted rs host and hostess, Introducing the peo-
pie. and they danced in nearly every number. 1t
was characteristic OF them TO entertain stSan-
gers. and there were many pleasant parties at
their house. He was very fond of whist. and
was never so happy as when some of his neigh
bors and friends would drop in in the evening
and play social game with him. They were
also great hands to go to dances; in fact, none
were complete without them. About 1877
band OF travelling harpists who played very fine
music came here, and a few of us young men
hired them for . week. We hired Maddock's
hall. At the corner OF Front aud Madison streets,
where the Central Labor Union hall now is, and
had dance every night that week. Mr.. and
Mrs. Yeser were at every one OF those dances
Many practical Jokes were played at his ex.
pense, which he enjoyed as much any one,
and one of them is connected with his love of
dancing. In 1878 or 1874, at a masq uerade ball,
A. w. Piper, the confeetoner, appeared dis
guised as Mr.. Yesler SO hfe-like that the orr
Ginal anu tue CouutefIelt cOulu NOT nave been
distinguished apart He wore a rusty old suit
of clothes aud was whiting a stick with big
tackknife. In the midst of the fun over this
Joke Mr.. Yesler himself peeped in, and seeing
his double, retired and hung pacard on his
back inscribed, "This is the only original
Yesier"
/. was only in the last two year. that his
love OF dancing left him. for he danced at the
Woman's Relief Corps ball, in the winter of 1890,
when he was Sd wears old
In the early days he used to act both "a man.
ager OF his sawmill, which stood on the Ycsler
wharf, and as wharfnger at the wharf. In those
days there were only two or three boats a week
and Us soon as he heard the whistle at night Mr.
Yesler, who then lived at the corner of James
street and Pioneer place, where the Pioneer
block now stands. would light his lantern, for
there were no street lights, and 20 down to the
wharf. He made the lines fast, helped 10 slide
out the gang plank and. II there were any pas
sensers lighted them up town with his Ian tern.
He continued to do this service until 1870. when
he turned the wharf over to George Foster
Mr. 6. /. Crawford relates the following in
tcresting incidents OF his career:
In 1875 q law WAS passed BY the legislature
entitled IAN nc: TO aid in the construction of a
wagon road through the snoqualmie pass. to
connect Eastern and Western Washington n
provided for the disiriou bv lottery of A
quantity OF Seattle property, owned primes pslly
by Mr.. Yesler He Then owed about $50 0oo and
n 1
He wanted TO cut 1t down, and for this purpose
got up the lottery. The grand pr ge was Yesier' a
mill and the wharf on which il stood in.
ciuding all below Post street The wharf alone
hiss since been sold for sl7S.G0n and the propertv
Is altogether worth ut least $3.50 Osa The tickets
were printed by q r. Baeley, and few were
totd but the law " - declared demonstrations
by judge Lewis. and the lottery WAS stopped
Mr.. Nesler vas y provefbisl whittier. shortly
alter the steamer Oiyinpian came TO the Sound.
she ran into the Ocean dock III log one niyht
and tore os a srge section OF her upper works,
the plankipg o. which WAS white pine. | was
on the scene shortly after the wreck. and gath
cred mp - much OF the shattered plauking az I
could carry. and took II M 10 Mr.. Yesler's old
house. lie Gus II up into lengths OF about
twelve inches, ana Oiled of the closets
with IL II was nice whiting wood with a
straight grain. and kept him supplied for three
or four years. He would never so out without
one or two of those sticks in his pocket and
whenever he stopped to talk to any person on
the street, he took 20 whiting with big
knife like a pruning knife.
shortly after the great fire OF 1850, when the
city bad decided Ia condemn the corner of
Front street aud Nesler avenue on which tina
Yesler-iesry block had stood ana the new Yes
Ter block now stands. and before any steps had
been taken 20 provide compensation for such
condemnation and " hen it looked as though n o
provisiouwa vas To be male for any payment, Mr.
Yssler felt very much sggricvsa. believing that
IL bis property were so taken. great Injustice
would be done him While IN ths; state Of
mind he stopped me one day in tron, of the
BOSTON block and. after little conversation IN
reference TO the condemnation Of his property
he said
..ssu,. l want TO show you something which
no human bsing except myself has ever seen"
He then drew from his inside coat pocs ct four
pages OF foolscap paper written IN his own
hand on both sides. IL had the appearance of