The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-11-29

anmn1YAfF&V IsW O lIs psoGe<f So
- 81 seattle awaited themselves Of the
se--.l fsp< laws OF the government 70
-. homes for themselves. but as q
-. nose who cd take donation claims.
s-~nptsons or hoznestsads we're the
I - orosperous There IS one notable ex-
s..<ssr 20 snis ruie--saat OF dr. Dexter
ss~.an- VITO accumulated MS vast for
- ACT By the rise - land values, but o.
~-mercisI and business pursuits.
~ Horton came 10 Seattle In Aprf,
- srou the Willamette valley. IN which
s--<.zo he had arrived tao years pre-
s,sas.y. from across the plains, 10 com
80 wsfa the families OF Rev. Daniel
:nrIsy and Judge Thomas Mercer. Mr.
uertsn and SIR. Mercer came 20 Seattle To-
ssts4r. The latter took Up q claim on
Sxte Unson. where he still resides. and
= former struck out to md employment.
- al not loaf around waiting for sorne
- 10 offer Inn a soft Job. bur took hold
= fhs first thing that offered far rsFnun-
TATTOO for his labor. This proved to be
! lob gTubbsng stnmps for william ~.
SxiI. Il North Seattle. Bell al chat time
,ssse Ii q cabin near the water at the
ssof Of Wal street. and the stugnps were
% tbick In bis door yard II was dfseult 20
zach TIE house IN the evening without
,.anbllng over these charred distractions
D navigation. After Horton had worked
ss<rs 4 few weeks II was different. r.
- been truly said Of Mr.. Horton that,
Ike al the rest Of the pioneers. ne was
rcn only IN wiling hands and a capable
sezd While working al gruohlng stumps
Il Seattle he was looking out for better
opportunity 20 get ahead and this finally
cane 70 h.m by the offer OF steady en-
sssymsnt for the Puget MN Company al
gssrt Gamble. where he remained two or
.sree years. After this he returned TO Sc
s.tIs and assoc ated himself with Arthur
& Denny and David PhiiLps IN the gen
sssl merchandising business on the north
sszt corner OF Commercial and Washing
sen streets and made a steady advance 10
~ present standing and influence 10 this
sasnmunlty. A man OF great physical
f6.llty and fasilsiess HABITS, his Infiuense
has always besn exerted in the direction
II good mo.als-
When the commercial importance OF Sc
assls had reached a point where a bank
Ing Institution was needed. IN 1870. Mr.
Fars0n and Mr.. Phillips founded the great
hansng house OF Dexter Horton & Co.
yr Phillips soon afterward died and Mr.
psnay succeeded 70 his interest In the
bank. which he still retains Soon after
fAtr ming from Port Gamhis TO Seattle
Mr. Horton purchased half a block OF land
from Mr. Boren. and built comfortable
If,ie home for himself and wife. near the
t1rnsr OF Second avenue and Cherry
greet. where the New York block nov
sands. Mr. Horizons property extended
% 10 Third avenue. and that portion Of 4,
now occupied by the Seattle block was
converted into an apple orchard IS years
foslsd on aud business approached nearer
aid nearer the home site. Mr.. Horton
tes sht piece OF property on Third sv-
enne and Seneca street. where ne erected
ks present residence. a few years ago he
concluded the tine had come TO improve
hls Cherry street property, and he did 80
n q manner 10 reflect credit both upon
hmself and upon the city. putting almost
ks entire fortune into two OF the largest
tsd finest buildings IN the state OF wash
iaston. HS was one OF the organizers OF
the y. NJ &. A. IN Seattle. was a trustee
iar the Seattle & waIia waila Railroad
Company, one OF the most active members
ssd principal contributors toward the
haalna and support OF the Methodist
fyp.sstant church. and always found time
from his many bus ness cares 70 speak a
fbof word for Seattle fs Il any wonder.
WITH such founders. that Seattle should
have overcome ali obstacles and kept well
70 the fore front OF the leading cities on
shs raciflc coastf
Hr. ". q. Laf,mer Is another one OF the
ssattle pioneers who neglected stalking
eat claim when land was ia be had Tor
be taking. I met Mr.. istimer yesterday,
md as he vas In a reminiscent neoe.
ktted down on the pages OF my memory
! hat he had 70 say for my Notes by the
Fay'
Il crossed the plains in lisa" said Mr..
'&t,mer. coming from Illinois % the
willamette valley. although nv dessina-
ten wss Puget Sound. ! knew the Dan
nys before they came West. and II was
snesr letters that Induced me 60 come. I