The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-12-31
ONEG THE 'MERCIR aRLS. =
Cane to the sound In the Bark
Torrent In 1s64-Asa Mercer Won
Fame by BrfAging Them Here.

Mrs. Sarah Jare Russell, who diei
Wednesday evening at her home. 2i5 Le-
nora stree, from hemorrhage Of the brain,
after a brief illness, was one OF that he
role band of New England women known
TO the pioneers Of Puget sound as the
Mercer girls Of 1854" This little band
ief, New York IL March, 1ss4, In company
with Asa S. Mercer. who opened the tel RI
toriai university in 1851. They went 70 San
Francisco by steamer, from which place
they came to Puget sound On the bark
Torrent There were eleven women in
this party, most Of when were New En-
gland school teachers. Mrs. Russell was
one OF, II not the youngest In the party.
Her maiden name was Sarah Jane Gala
gher. She was born in Lowell, Mass,
May II. 1876. Her parents are dead. her
mother having died only two months ago
at the old homestead IN Lowell.
After Mrs. Russell, then Miss Gallagher.
arrived In Seattle, she became teacher in
the old territorial university. Later she
was in charge Of the school at Port Gam
bic. Ste married Thomas s. Russell. one
OF the hest known Of the Old pioneers Of
Seattle. ri 1865. Mr.. Russell died In 1SS2
Mrs. Russell leaves three children. w. X.
Russell, George F. Russell and Mrs. John
Suthon. Mrs. Suthon and w. X. Russell
are In Seattle. George Russell is on MS
way to Dawson and was last heard Of at
Marsh lake.
In speaking OF Mrs Russell last evening.
Thomas W. Prosch said:
Asa Mercer went East In 1863. While
there the idea came to him that he would
be doing a grand service to Puget sound.
attic would be made happy, by bringing
young ladies. In carrying this idea out.
he got together eleven young women, who
had the courage and were willing to do
what he suggested. They left New York
IN March under the guidance of Mr.. Mer-
cisco. From the latter city they cane
north on the bark Torrent TO Port Gamble.
and from Port Gamble to Seattle on the
o'clock at night on the 18th of May. They
went 10 Delins hotel where. for A few
days. they were the objects of the mingled
community. The day after their arrival
they were taken 10 the university build
ing, where The assemblage was called into
messnf BY N poane ts
man Of the only church then In Seattle.
Mr. Doane made an address of welcome TO
e ess bg Mercer wh alter ws ers
was general introduction. d-shaking
and notwithstanding These young
ladies were. educated and Intelligent. a
ers. and all were qualified to fill almost
any position In society. They soon got
places. where they were. self-sustaining.
principally teaching school.
I'm the course of year about half the
numbered were married. among others
Miss Sarah J.. Gallag her. to Mr. Thomas
S. Russell. in April. 1865. the ceremony be-
ing performed BY Mr.. Doane.
Mrs Russell was one OF the early
teachers of Seattle. Not long ago she
told me how this came about. One day
she met the county school superintendent
on the street He said that it had been
left to him 10 find a suitable person to open
the town school on the following Monday.
After looking the field over he had con-
cluded that she was the suitable person
wanted. In reply she assured him she
certificate. and that compliance with his
wish was. impossible. He asked her a
few questions about the schools she had
attended. the studies she had pursued and
he again hunted her UP. gave. her a GER
tificate and told her she would be expected
10 open the school at 8 o'clock Monday
NOR ming. She was there. at Yesler hall.
now numbered among the prominent citi-
zens OF the state of Washington. OF the
young ladies who came with Mr.. Mercer
at that time several if not a majority.
Josie Pearson. who. while teaching a
school on WILDLY island in August, only
three months after her arrival was taken
sick and died. The last 10 go before Mrs.
Russell was Miss Lizzie Nj. Ordway, q
teacher and ex-schooi superintendent of
kitsap county, who died about two months
ago. In the SOS the men OF Puget sound
outnumbered the women two or three TO
ated goes without question. OF all the
people who have yet come to this country.
none were received with more pleasant
artticipations than this party of A. s.
none have more fully and completely iusti-
fed the welcome given them