Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1898-04-22
A WOMAN SHERIFF.
MISS CLAIRE FERGUSON, SALT
LAKE, A DEPUTY.

J. Bryan'S Name on Her Bond
She Stumped the State for Bry.
an and Was Called the Mascot
of the Party.
Miss Claire Ferguson, OF Salt Lake
City, Utah, occupies, perhaps, the
most novel and dangerous position OF
any young woman in the country
She is Deputy Sheriff of Salt Lake
county, and was appointed to that po'
sition in the regular manner by Sheriff
Lewis, Of the same county. Miss Fer.
guson formerly filled the position OF
stenographer in the SheriffTs Office, but
recognizing her ability and cleverness,
Mr.. Lewis rewarded her by promotion.
From now on she will serve papers
and notify jurors, says the New York
Herald, and it is expected that open
venires henceforth will result in juries
OF much younger men than have us.
ually graced the jury box in the past
Her position is one of responsibility,
and when taking the oath of office
she was compelled to file bond OF
S. 1000, and as she is an ardent Demo.
crat, she takes much pride in the fact
that the name of w. J. Bryan was at.
tached to this document.
Although Miss Ferguson's duties, as
a rule, will not carry her into places
of danger, Deputy Sheriff is sup.
posed to be always ready to go forth
when the Sheriff calls. Therefore,
those things which this daring young
lady may be called upon to do rs a
matter of business would make the av.
erage girl shrink in terror. For in
stance, there is possibility that she
may be appointed Lord High Execu-
toner, and be compelled to otiiciate as
hangman, or hangwoman, as it hap.
pens in this case.
Then again she may have to go out
on the trail of fierce brigands and see
that they are safely escorted to Jail
In this latter capacity she may be
obliged to use rifle or revolver now
and then to compel the lawbreakers to
submit to her will. 1t may also fall
to her lot to take the prisoners out Oh
the highway and keep watch of the
chain gang while they are engaged in
improving the public roads. In fact
the duties of Deputy Sheriff are as
multifarious as they are dangerous
and Miss Ferguson may be sorry some
day that she tackled the situation.
In speaking of her novel position to
a Herald representative the young lady
gives her views of the matter as fol.
lows:
II fully realized what was under
taking when / first made up my mind
to apply for the position. Before
was appointed Deputy Sheriff, acted
as stenographer in the Sheriff's office
and, although the duties were not diff.
ficult to perform, I grew very tired OF
the work and longed for a change
Now l am outdoors in the open all
most of the time, and I never tire oI
the work. There is something new
and interesting every day.
"NOw, yesterday, just to illustrate
this point, l was given subpoena tC
serve on q man who had eluded ever,
known method that had been tried or
him by other members of our office
There was spice in this for me, and
at once resolved to capture or corner
my man. I succeeded in carrying ou,
my plans to the letter, and the sub
poena was served without more delay
/ like to do things out of the ordinary
and perhaps my love for such thing,
is directly responsible for my promo
ton.
"I know, also, that events may come
up at any time which may place m,
in dangerous places, but am willing
to take my chances. Why should
fear more than the men2 The duties
OF the Sherif's Office must be per
formed, and if woman has the proper
amount OF self-reliance and energy
cannot see why she should not be per
fectly able to carry out her orders Al
we'll as a man. / feel that can, ant
l am going to strive during my tern
in Office to perform my duties faith
fully and without shirking the un
pleasant portion of the work"
Miss Ferguson was born and raiset
in the State of Utah and was educatet
at the State anniversary. She ha
taken an active interest in polite
since she was child, and during tn
last campaign stumped the State O
Utah with party OF speakers in tn
interest of Bryan and silver. The.
called her the mascot" of the Demo
cratic party, and it has been frequentl
remarked that she has made NOR
votes than all the speakers put to
gether. Miss Ferguson has alway
wished to study law and may do SO yeI
being naturally gifted orator. Sh
is very fond of outdoor sports, particu
larly riding and driving. and is an er
thusiastic wheelwoman.
Miss Ferguson has had good mus
cal education and is fayorite j
! social circles, being one of the recos