The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-09-09
M EN- WHO IAV E DIR E CITE d

opportunity to see an ocean-going ves-
sci. However. the boat was frall
craft and had been pronounced unsea-
worthy. She was a sde-wheeler and prob
ably 1875 feet long Prior to that time
the only steamer on Puget sound was the
Beaver. owned by the Hudson Bay Com
pany and engaged exclusively in the
trade OF that company. 1t Is therefore
not TO be wondered at that people all
along the Sound gathered along the shore
line to watch the newcomer churn the
waters TO foam as she giided from port
to port, landing her scant list OF passen-
gers. mostly immigrants. some of whom
are now well-known pioneers. and land
ing her smaIl-sixed sacks of mail. The
Fairy was at once commissioned into the
mail service and put on the route from
Olympia. leaving every Monday and We'd
nesday for steilacoom, and once a week
on Friday for Alki and Seattle
While the Fairy did a greater portion
OF the passenger travel between these
points, n great majority OF the people
travelled up and down the Sound In canoes.
skins. scows and small craft The larg-
est and most popular boat, however, was
the sloop Sarah Stone. commanded by
Capt slater So much for the Inaugural
tion and early launching OF the mail SER
vice at Seattle
OF Scattle's second postmaster. Dr. w
J. Wright little IL known beyond the
brief record LETT by Mr. Denny. After
hts departure from here II Is generally
supposed he went 90 san Francisco. hut
he was never heard OF again. So far as
known by pioneers. not even a photo
graph Is left q record the days when
he served the local matt
when Mr.. Denny declined his appoint.
ment, after The fllght Of pr. Wright in
1854, then began = search for postmaster
timber. Several persons Ia whom II was
offered by the local political spirits de-
clincd. few months prior 20 DR.
wrights disappearance Charles Plum
mer came here and opened large gem
eral store. Iio Was OF a genial disp0si-
ton ard made friends quickly. Late
In the summer Of that same year he was
importuncd 70 take the postossce and
accepted. his appointment dating from
the fan 81 iSsA AZ thar time the ofhce
VAS IN the Maynard building. south 81
YeslcE way. and nesF the present site
81 the New England hotel That spot
was then about the center Of the town
Piummer on assuming office. moved
the ofnce % his store near tho present
corner 81 First avenue south ana wash
iug;on street. and for eight years he was
an efaeient postmaster OF the long list
81 fourteen postmasters who have served
IN Seattle. bat the three FIRST mentioned
have PASSED 20 the great beyond. The
eleven following mir, Piammer are stu
living and are all pioneer residents Of
this city
About lSaa samuel r. Coamhs came 70
the territory aud settled At Fort Madi-
son. At the outbreak Of the var he or
CANNED a local militia company which
did effective service, for which show q
patriotism he WAS elected county auditor.
and later in iSSs- postmaster 10 succeed
Mr. Ptuunler. Mr. Coomhs served uHtlI
1854. when he Was routed out b. Gardner
KenoEg. now chief % the Seattle ERE
aepartnent. and az that time head q
the town volunteer nrs department and
an All-arouna substantial eltixen. MI.
kellogg served In his federal position
for SIX years and then gave Way % Will
tam IL. Gillian Coombs and kellogg
had the postofhce during their iDcum-
bency at or near the site where now
stands the Mutual Life hullding. Dur
ing the eight years Il vas moved twice
for q short distance. at last oeeupylnS .