Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1904-11-04
CHAPTER IX.
Trouble Brewing.

SeadOg owned a large store. 1t was
a sort of commissary where all tie
fishermen were compelled to trade,
either directly or indirectly. Those
employed by Seadog had to trade with
him and the others had to trade with
him also, because he had plated the
town and placed proviso in the deed
to all the lots which he sold to the
effect that the grantee should not deal
in certain m. rchandlse. This Item
covered about everything. Even
spurious, venous and malt liquors we've
prohibited. Still there were nearly
half a d zen saloons in the place, but
Seadog hid contracts by which he re-
ceived, directly or indirectly, the larger
per cent of the profits. He also owned
the local cannery. Cinnamon were
worked in the place. They lived at
mess house where existence on rice
and spoiled fish was easy, and they
worked for Seadog for few cents
day. He had smuggled them overland
across the Canadian boundary and they
believed they were compelled to re-
main in his employ; and they were in
a measure, for Seadog was not known
in the unlawful transaction and could
have handed them ever to the author1-
ties without risk to himself. He
might have sent some OF his hjrelings to
the eminent prison, but he did not
mind this. Men were cheap and
money valuable.
Old Seadog also owned miles of fish
traps. The ragged lines of plling
forming wings and hearts extended Up
and down the bay and to the middle OF
the river from Disappointment to Nc
Gowan s, about dozen miles.
1t is true that a few men had taken
advantage OF their rights under the
law and had secured locations and had
nstlucted traps, but it was necessary
to guard these like treasures If they
were left alone the 'stolms' tore up
the piling and Seadog's traps were con-
structed in frcnt and on the side OF
them so that even the luckless fish
found their way to the tishermens
traps by The sheerest accident.
One by one they had succumbed and
sold to Seadog at his own price, except
the few who preferred to work and
barely live than become the slaves OF
any man.
1t was on the fatal morning upon
which Sankala and Ringwold dared
the storm Old Seadog was up
early, as was his custom. He superin-
tended all of his own business. He
lett nothing of importance to others.
1t was to this fact that he attributed
his success, and he admonished his
sons to follow in his footsteps.
The storm was raging and the man
of wealth did not care to stir abroad
80 early. He grew confidential with
Mrs. Seadog. He did this occasional
ly, but it was only when matters arose
that closely affected his business in
terests. He was by no means faith
full husband to her, as many OF the
fishermen knew, but he had great con-
fidence in her good judgment, and
sought her adivce in the matters that
weighed upon him heavily.
He was still seated at the table.
Daylight had not yet begun to dawn.
The storm was raging. The mist and
rain fell upon the roof with a rasping
The other members of the
had left the dining room. Mrs.
Seadog did hel own dishes. She did
this from choice because she had been
brought up to work.
"Let the work go fol awhile, wife,
and set down." said the husband.
Mrs. Seadog obeyed the request
readily. She knew something was
She had already seen it in
her husband 8 eyes and in his actions.
But what woman does not like to be
taken into the confidence of her hus-
band?
"Do you know, wife, am in more
trouble than trap full of fish, said F
old Seadog when his wife was seated.
81 thought the foolish prejudice
against old Ringwold and Sankala
was something to worry about, but
now the troubles are multiplying like
sun fish.
"Tha title to the townsite is threat
ened. The gill netters are preparing
for devilment and even the government
had secret service man here a few
days ago trying to associate me with
the unlawful importation of the pig
tails who work in my cannery."
al do not under stand all of this, or
even part of it," said the anxious
wife. II thought you had deed to the
property. The llnetters I
thought had recognized your measure
ment of the river, and as to the impor-
tation of the Cinnamon, l supposed the
half-hreed and his SON. law were re-
sponslble for that
"But you can't count on anything
these days" continued the fisherman |
king "When old Lapham made the
deed to his homestead that night just |
before he die d in drunken fit, there |
were several present. But all of them |
are dead from drowning or otherwise,
except one of the witnesses that signed
the instrument. He has got foolish |
religious ideas in his head and is try
ing to make trouble. [ had my book !
keeper give him 500 and send him to
the Sound, and that may quiet him.
But the transaction is beginning to
cost me something. Bumbo, the law