The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1896-01-17

Isaac DObsOn, veteran millman
and capitalist, whom every one in Sc
attic knows, has been absent from the
city since last September, and so far as
can be learned no one, not even Mrs.
Dobson, knows his exact whereabouts.
The last heard from him, according to
Mrs. Dobson, was in a letter from San
Francisco shortly after his arrival
there, and she has been in a state of sad
suspense eyer since. The letter would
tell the whole tale, and while Mrs Dob
son admits that he told her he would
not return, she declines to otherwise
disclose the contents. She thinks that
Mr. Dobson is in England, and others
have stated the opinion that he is still
in California, within three days call,
but, be that as it may, Mr.. Dobson has
disappeared and his wife regards his
absence with much mystery.
Mrs. Dobson is staying at the home
OF her brotherin-law, J. F. Eshelman,
and she has with her her 9-year-old
son. Mrs. Dobson says she is having
more than her full share of trouble, for
not only has her husband deserted her
but her sister, Mrs Eshelman, was re-
Gently found to be violently insane.
The sisters were greatly attached to
each other.
Isaac Dobson came to Puget sound
fully sixteen years ago, and for the first
few years he was employed as tallyman
for the Port Gamble sawmill. Having
retained his earnings he came to Seat
tie more than ten years ago and built
the old Commercial mill on the site
now occupied by the Western avenue
commission houses. The mill, by the
liberality and popularity of It's owner,
became leading factor in the building
of the Seattle of before the fire, and
Dobson, with his partner, ID. B. Denton,
made money rapidly. The great fire of
June 6, 1889, however, laid the mill
low, hardly leaving more than charred
sawdust to mark the spot, but with
characteristic energy Dobson set about
to triumph over his misfortune bv a
new scheme. He, in the times when
the wholesale and retail business was
done under cover of tents, instead of
rushing his mill into the field again.
surprised his customers by construct
ing row or two of the corrugated iron
stores now In use on Western avenue.
These he rented at good figures, making
dollars where he had made cents be-
fore. He became associated with An
gus Macintosh of the defunct Mer-
chants national bank, but it is not
known that he did so well in this con-
nection. DobsOn also was associated
with Capt. Gilmore, owner of the Ar
llngton hotel, and was the principal
owner of the stone building now called
the Vict oria hotel, formerly the Airing
VIII "iiiOA. hIS. DO)SOn states that
this property was sold for much less
| than what her husband considered as
its value, and she knows of no other
cause for his dependency, for such
was his state of mind when he left
home, according to her observation.
Mr.. Dobson is said to have disposed of
his interest in the Western avenue
property, but still owns much real es
tate, including houses in the vicinity
OF Seventh avenue and Pike street. and
farm on WILDLY island. He was re-
celver for the Washingtonon South
ern railway, and subsequently became
It's manager Just before his departure
ne spent some weeks at Shelton look
Ing alter the interests of the road. He
was then accompanied by Mrs. Dobson.
and she speaks of the visit there as one
OF pleasant recollections to her. There
was an accident on the road bv the
burning of bridge, and two worImen
lost their lives. This worried Mr.. Doh
son, and is thought to have been cause
OF his despo ndency.-Seattle Times.