The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-10-24
GULLIBLE GEORGE WASHINGTON.
A Rich Centra1ian Pays 81 800 for .
Useless Quit Claim Deed.

CENTRALIA. Oct. 23.E Especial. Fridays
Centralia Chronicle contains an affidavit
by George Washington which calls atten-
ton to another side of the character of
the aged Centralia African, who is
undoubtedly the wealthiest man in
Lewis county. He has been written
up" many times, but the ignor-
ance and suspicion which are features of
his character have been kindly CLOSED
over by the correspondents OF boom mag
aznes. When the so-called boom struck
Western Washington IL found George
Washington the owner of 6i0 acres, do
nation claim, which now includes the
greater portion of this city. lie lad
owned the land since 1858, and had TO
rustic" during most of that time to pay
his taxes. The rapid growth of Centralia
made heavy capitalist of the poor
rancher He was thrifty with his money,
saving practically the proceeds of his nu-
merous sales. 1t was only year or two
ago he was seized with the idea that the
bank in which he kept his money was not
safe So he drew his deposit, amounting
to $4,000, insisting on gold coin, and
lugged it home. A friend told him
before he reached his residence that he
would be robbed. and induced him to
carry it back to the other bank. For
greater safety he has kept his bank ac-
count in three cities-Portland, Centralia
and Chehalis.
Some time since abstract men were sur
prised TO notice quit claim deed that COW
cred most of Centralia on file to George
Washington from DIR. and Mrs. Willard, OF
Seattle, the latter being a granddaughter
of the original donee. How ii came there
Washington's affidavit explains, as fol-
lows:
Mr. G. T. swasey aud --- Crawford eame to
my house on the evening OF September IS. 1872.
when Mr.. swasey said he had secret worth
thousauds Of dollars to me, and which he would
tell me II would agree 10 employ him as my
attoruey,iu the litigation that would result from
the secret. / agreed to employ him, and signed
an agreement To thst effect, which no had
brought with him 20 my house prepared. He
opened she secret to Iae by stating that letter
had just been recsived from attorney at ~.
Paul in reply TO an application of Dr Ninkler
for loan, saying that DC did not wish to make
any loans Ia Lentralia. This letter Mr.. Swasey
sad, was followed by letter 10 hin from the
same attorney to the effect that this attorney
had found out that George Washington was
owner If the centralia ,and, and he was afraid his
title Was not good. Ar. swasey said bs had also
looked up the tllla and found that had received
my deed before the patent was issued from tho
United StAte., end according to law passed Sep
tenn bar, lsJJ; had no title under heaven to ths
land. Mr. swassy said that IS ar honest man,
and as a friend oi N ne, he thought 1t his duty
to come and tell me aJou. the defect in my title,
as he said Dr. Minkler had wanted 10 fnd tne
heirs and get quit claim from them and push
Inc Tor what could be msde 0ut af me. He si-
yised me 70 keep stii and SPEAK to no one about
the matter, Tor fear some one would telegraph
the heirs aud offer them 1850 or 1850 for their
inlerest Mr 5wasey advised me 10 get quit
claim deed from the bsirs, and also said the
property would lave TO bs proDassd believing