The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-03-15
JAMES WEIGH DEAD.
The Police Commissioner Car
ried off by Pneumonia.
A PIONEER or OLD SEATTLE.
He Was Noted as a Coal Miner and
Owner. and Joined In the Rush
To Cariboo An Upright Man.

James Welch. the recently appointed po-
lice commissioner and one of the best
known of the old and wealthy pioneers
died of pneumonia at his new and elegant
nome, los Sixth street. yesterday after
noon, after brief Illness
A week ago last Tuesday he was down
town and caught cold which settled on
his lungs and compelled him TO remain
within doors the following day The cold
unexpectedly obtained a strong hold on
him and compelled him to take to his bed
pneumonia developed and he became a
very sick man. Last Tuesday he had be-
come dangerously Ill and on the following
DAY the attending physician felt that his
life was In danger. Despite constant
medical treatment and nursing the patient
grew rapidly worse and passed away yes
terday afternoon at 3:25 O'Clock
The death of MIR Welch removes an
oIher of the old timers who were known
by hundreds of people In the city and all
or the old miners of Renton Newcastle
and the Cariboo mining districts He was
born u years ago in county Mayo Ire
land, and when lad or IS crossed the
seas to try his fortune in America Being
naturally of a seif-reltant spirit honest
OF purpose and keen as a razor ne had
utue trouble In providing for himself He
first went to Pittston. Pa, and followed
The life of a coal miner. In this work he
became expert, in fact developed into one
Of the hest judges OF coal lands and min
ing matters.
u was about 1855 that he crossed the
country and landed In the little town of
Seattle. Later he went TO the Cariboo
mining district and tried his hand at dig
ging for the sparkling yellow Two years
or such life was enough and he returned
10 Seattle to make IL his horne Then he
became prominent In this section through
q ha.kE asE .
mines at Renton and also the Newcastle
coal mines, Of which he was supertntensi.
ems for some time During the seventies
ne was a member of the local police force
and during the time William Murphy, re-
Gently deceased. was chief Welch was
captain. He used TO carry a cane and 81,
the peace dtsturherS had a Wholesome
drcad OF that cane
Aoout SIX years ago he retired from ac-
tive life and contented himself with living
on the income from his large interests I'm
the eiiy ard vicinity. Recently he enut-
pieted n bne residence fitted with all mod
ern appliances for comfort. Not moro
IMAM three months ago were the interior
decorations finished and Mr. and Mrs
Neieh installed in their new home
"nen tue term Of Police Commissioner
theaSty expired the speculation az - hts
successor vas ended by the appointment
Of Mr Welch. At the last meeting of the
commission MT- NeiCh was there anna y.
entity strong and hearty He Will be re,
nesnhered as being much a.sgussed with
the trivial charges Iiiei agatns: Detective
FhihFick. AND spoke hts mind very
ciaa riy
Mr. Welch once said tina, he supposed
! he might BE worth s!SAJae at pinch. hat
| I; is probable that In good times his as.
/ tate would exceed those figures In aa.
clifton 20 the valuable property where ht
( lived. he owned. or rather had owned ~
/ acres. part OF which Is now In the town.
I size ef Ballard. RE sold part Of this land
I bat retained large acreage ana also
/ many lotz within the town proper. He
I eaS two lots at the corner OF Front and
T Virginia streets IN North Seattle FOR
( which he refused sfa9H IN cash five wears
I age Two lots At the corner OF West and
I Cedar streets are also a part % his estate
/ and another los near the corner Of Ninth
| sna Jefferson streets- He also has nroT.
sTfy on Pike street and IN South SEATTLE
Z tie leaves ~ige and no children Thomas
I Miles, % tbs city. was hts cousin
ARA ngersents for tie funeral services
! have not yet been made. hut I. has al.
/ ready been 5ectfe3 that there will be q
+ fsogncs eSrart 30 the grave In honor OF the
/ commissioner
Mr., Welgh vas az honest, upright eft.
/ fssG. LOYAL % h,s friends and nor5rssl by
ali Who knsm him