The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-12-29
HARRY WATSON SKIPS
Well-Known Caterer Leaves
Creditors in the Lurch.
HE GOES TO BRITISH coLuMsIa.
He Sold steaks IN the Open Air After
the Great Ffre-Pa ron OF ASolph
Krus-wnl Now Hunt Seals.

Harry Watson, the caterer. whose steaksl
and chops az one time We're famous frornl
Seattle TO San Diego. has Jumped they
town" leaving his affairs in a tangled con-
ditson. His disappearance dates froml
THURSDAY. and was so unexpected that forI
q time he was thought 10 have committed
suicide by Jumping into the harbOr fromj
yesIer dock. but al doubt on that scoreI
was cleared Up yesterday by the arrival
In the city OF three letters from him. writ
ten al the California hotel, Victoria. In
one Of them he says:
No doubt you VIII be pleased to hear
from me. did not leave Seattle 70 get
away from my debts, as the place Is al
most worth what owe. II I had stayed
longer II would have been only worse for
you and myself.
mo one knows the real reason I left
The notes u F. r. Co, SO I viii pay back
to you out OF my first wages unless the
place should be sold for more than l owe
on II
II expect 70 go on sealing schooner for
eight or nine months. When I get hack I
viii have quite a stake. I only had so
when LEFT. and let my wife have part OF
that Hoping you win not think me
bigger fool than what l know am. re-
main yours respectfully.
HARRY WATSON"
AT the time OF his departure Watson was
conducting the Quaker Dairy oyster and
coffee house. on Cherry street, between
First and Second avenues. place that has
been well patroniZed. the ustomers includ-
ing old acquaintanCes who had known the
manager In his best days. His business IS
said to have been fairly profitable, and no
explanation is offered for his disappear
ance save that be had been gambling
~ -sNzres
are several creditors interested in wat
sons affairs. chief among whom is Frank
Jobst, commission merchant at SIS West
street, who IS said to own the entire stock
and furnishings in the Quaker Dairy res
taurant, which he started in order TO give
Watson an opportunity 20 keep his head
above water No statement has been made
OF Watson's affairs. but IL is understood
that he has nothing whatever. and that his
debts run into several hundreds OF dollars
A Once Successful Caterer.
Watson was a man who was highly sue
cessful when every one else prospeFed. and
his record during the good times in Seattle
was that OF a money-maker. For some
time he conducted the Delmonico restau-
rant. which was located on the east side
OF what is now First avenue. at about the
point on which the Griffith block stands. a
short distance above Madison street. His
y.
its owner had established his reputation
all over the Coast. for travellers on reach
ing Seattle almost invariably hunted up
the Delmonico. Watson's business had
grown 20 enormous proportions during the
DAYS preceding June G. 1889, the date Of the
great Seattle fire, which started only a
few doors away from his place. and soon
converted his establishment. along with
thousands OF others, into nothing but
blackened ruins.
His Open Air Restaurant.
But Watson showed true grit, and on the
morning following the disaster he started
anew. choosing a location at the point
where the Epler building now stands. on
Second avenue. near Columbia street
There had escaped from the ruin wrought
by the confiagration a number OF large
chimneys. and one Of these the restaurant
man utilized in fitting up new establish
ment. He secured 4 range, and for a table
hunted up a large dry goods box, sur
rounded with planks. set on blocks. There
was no covering for this restaurant" but
the sky; but such was Watsons skill and
reputation that people. little needing the
dust and ashes that few everywhere.
hocked IN that vicinity and stood in line
waiting for an opportunity TO eat steaks
cooked by Watson himself, at 81 apiece
and ham ard eggs at 20 cents a plate. The
cess. and II marked the height OF Watson's
career.
Not long after this time. Watson estah-
lishsd anew the Delmonico ct the Second
avenue place. but sfterward sold out. Themes
he went into business on Marion street
between Front and Second, IN the store
in the rear Of Harms &. Dickman's. con-
tlnulng for several months. He next went
20 Main street, at the rear end of the New
England hotel. ard did pretty we'll until
the hard times came. From here he moved
10 a place or Occidental avenue, near
YesIer way, and finally went into the
Quaker Dairy, on Cherry street.
Had KING for n Bscker.
Watson has had numerous hackers IN
his unsuccessful ventures, and one Of
them was Adolph Krug the doodle city
treasurer: and among Krugs papers when
the defalcation became known were found
thirtv-two notes for $40 each, signed by
Watson and his wife Krug made an offer
70 the city 70 feed the city prisoners from
Wats0n's restaurant I'm partial liquidation
Of the debt. end the council accepted the
Offer The matter created some amuse-
ment and an attempt was recently made
to create q scandal over Il.
Watz7r's wife ard family % three child
rem rye on Madison street near the bridge,
s,,a. 90 r+ ~ White fiv hall