wasmhi2008_54.xml Guide to the Robert Roblee Collection of William N. Bell Family Materials circa 1850s-1910 Roblee (Robert) Collection Collection of William N. Bell Family Materials Finding aid prepared by Jody Hendrickson Museum of History & Industry © 2010
5933 6th Avenue South Seattle, WA 98108 Phone: 206-324-1126 URL: http://www.mohai.org
Finding aid encoded by Jody Hendrickson 2010 Finding aid written in English. Finding aid based on DACS ( Describing Archives: A Content Standard). Museum of History & Industry, Sophie Frye Bass Library
5933 6th Avenue South Seattle, WA 98108 Phone: 206-324-1126 URL: http://www.mohai.org
2008.54 Roblee, Robert Robert Roblee Collection of William N. Bell family materials circa 1850s-1910 1870-1897 2.13 cubic feet 5 boxes Legal and business documents, correspondence and ephemera related to Seattle pioneer family, plus photographs of early Seattle 3a.4.6-7 (Boxes 1-4) 1a.4.20 (Box 5-oversize) VIII.a.7 (oversized map) Collection materials are in English.

Legal and business documents, correspondence and ephemera related to the Seattle pioneer Bell family, plus photographs of early Seattle. The collection includes photographs of early Seattle; a number of land deeds and plat maps, particularly pertaining to lands owned by the Bell, Denny and Boren families, including the original plat of Belltown, and the land deed transferring property from Carson Boren to William Bell for the residence on the site of the Hoge Building. The collection also includes tax statements and receipts and other legal documents; ephemera, including a number of calling cards and invitations collected by the Bell family; materials on the Bellevue Hotel (built by William Bell in 1890) and on President Harrison's visit to Seattle in 1891; and a biography of William N. Bell and a family genealogy, written by Bell's daughter Mary Virginia Bell Hall.

William Nathaniel Bell (1817-1887) and his wife, Sarah Ann (Peter) Bell (1819-1856) arrived at Alki Beach in present-day West Seattle with the Denny party and other pioneers on the schooner Exact in 1851. The Bells, settling north of the future downtown area in what would become known as "Belltown," helped to establish the new "Town of Seattle."

Sarah Ann Bell was seriously ill when Indians attacked Seattle on January 26, 1856 in the "Battle of Seattle." Bell decided to move his ailing wife and his children to California. Though Sarah died in California that same year, Bell did not return to Seattle until 1870. He sold some of his now-valuable real estate, built the Bellevue Hotel at the corner of First Avenue and Battery Street, and engaged in other businesses, including developing Belltown, where his son Austin Bell had lived for years. Virginia and Olive streets are named for two of Bell's daughters, and Stewart Street honors Olive's husband, Joseph H. Stewart.

The Bells had seven children: Martha Ann Bell (1840-1848); Laura Kriziah Bell Coffman (1842-1887); Susan Francis Bell (1844-1845): Olive Julia Bell Stewart (born 1846 and married to Joseph Stewart); Mary Virginia Bell Hall (born 1847 and married to George Hall); Albina Lavisa Bell (died in infancy in 1857); and Austin Armenius Bell (1854-1889).

Arranged in 9 series:

Biographical material Photographs Maps and drawings Legal and business documents Certificates Mary Virginia Bell Hall correspondence Bellevue Hotel President Benjamin Harrison's trip to Seattle Ephemera

View selections from the collection in digital format by clicking on the camera icons in the inventory below.

The collection is open to the public by appointment.

The Museum of History & Industry is the owner of the materials in the Sophie Frye Bass Library and makes available reproductions for research, publication, and other uses. Written permission must be obtained from MOHAI before any reproduction use. The museum does not necessarily hold copyright to all of the materials in the collections. In some cases, permission for use may require seeking additional authorization from the copyright owners.

Robert Roblee Collection of William N. Bell family materials, Museum of History & Industry, Seattle

Collection was originally from Virginia Bell Hall.

Donor: Robert Roblee, October 2008

Processed in 2008.

A folder of biographical materials was found in 2014 and added to Box 4. The folder include lineages of the Bell family, and photocopies of Abstracts of Title, clippings and other materials.

These materials are part of a donation that also included a number of artifacts. These artifacts are cataloged and stored separately by MOHAI's Collections Department. A complete inventory of the collection artifacts is also available in the Library.

This collection is indexed under the following headings in the online catalog. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons, or places should search the catalog using these headings.

Bell, William N. (William Nathaniel), 1817-1887 Hall, Mary Virginia Bell, b.1847 Stewart, Olive Bell, b. 1846 Bell, Austin A., 1854-1889 United States--Washington (State)--Seattle Belltown (Seattle, Wash.) Pioneers-Washington (State)--Seattle Plat maps--Washington (State)--Seattle Deeds--Washington (State)--Seattle Photographs Seattle Pioneers

The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.

Biographical material 2008.54.101 3/15 Typescript biography of William N. Bell and family genealogy, written by daughter Virginia Bell Hall 1916 January 4 pages 4/4 Lineage documents, family trees, and clippings undated Photographs circa 1880-1920 37 photographs

Most of the photographs are mounted on cards (5" x 8.5").

2008.54.1 1/1 California View Co. , San Francisco Albumen cabinet card of Colton and Crocker mansions on California Street, San Francisco circa 1880 5" x 8"

2008.54.2 1/2 Silva's International Gallery , San Francisco Albumen cabinet card of Mary A. (Mrs. Arthur A.) Denny circa 1870s 2008.54.3 1/3 Woman, probably Emily Inez Denny circa 1890 oval, 4" x 3" 2008.54.4 1/4 George Moore , Seattle, W.T. Carte-de-visite of George W. Hall circa late 1800s 2008.54.5 1/5 Carte-de-visite of Nora Denny 1869 July 23 2.5" x 4"

Nora Denny was Arthur and Mary Denny's daughter

2008.54.6 1/6 Photogravure of Emily Inez Denny circa early 1900s 2008.54.7 1/7 New York and Dore , San Francisco Cabinet card of unidentified man undated 2008.54.8-9 1/8 Margaret Lenora Denny residence on Boren Avenue, Seattle undated

Mary (Mrs. Arthur A) Denny moved in with her daughter Lenora after her husband died. One of the images shows three women in front of the residence.

 2008.54.10 1/9 Unidentified woman circa 1920 2008.54.11 1/10 Morse , San Francisco Olive Bell Stewart, William Bell's daughter undated 2008.54.12 1/11 M.P. Rice , Washington D.C. Signed cabinet card of Arthur A. Denny circa 1860s

Taken when Denny served in the legislature.

2008.54.13 1/12 Judkins , Seattle, W.T. Cabinet card of a Catholic school circa 1888 2008.54.14 1/13 Unmounted cabinet size photograph of Margaret Lenora Denny home on Boren Avenue undated 2008.54.15 1/14 Judkins , Seattle, W.T. Stereocard of family at Gordon Creek, Yale, British Columbia circa late 1880s 2008.54.16 1/15 Judkins , Seattle, W.T. View from First Hill toward Elliott Bay before Seattle fire circa 1880s

Showing Central School, tower of Sisters of Providence Hospital, James McNaught home, Denny Hill after having been clear-cut logged; old Territorial University on Denny's Knoll, and Madison Street before the trolley line was built.

 2008.54.17 1/16 Judkins , Seattle, W.T. View of city from roof of Central School looking north, with 7th Avenue on right, Queen Anne Hill, and Lake Union and Western Mill in distance circa 1880s 2008.54.18 1/17 David Denny's Western Mill Company at the south end of Lake Union, looking southeast, Seattle circa 1888 2008.54.19 1/18 Judkins , Seattle, W.T. View from Denny Hill down 3rd Avenue at intersection of Pike Street circa 1887

Showing Arthur Denny's home at 1st and Union; Territorial University on knoll with circle of trees; Young Naturalist's Club (founded 1885, predecessor to Burke Museum); Providence Hospital; Beacon Hill; tide lands near Yesler Wharf stretching to Beacon Hill; tracks of Seattle and Walla Walla Railroad.

2008.54.20-21 1/19 Judkins , Seattle, W.T. Two photographs comprising a panorama view from Denny Hill from 3rd Avenue circa 1887

Includes buildings identified in .19 as well as Holy Names Academy; both McNaught homes; King Street Coal Wharf; Yesler's Wharf with logging mill; tide flats; 2nd Avenue with horse car tracks; Brown's pavilion; and the first home of Plymouth Congregational Church.

 2008.54.22-23 1/20 Judkins , Seattle, W.T. Two photographs comprising a panorama of King Street Coal Works, showing wharves, sailing ships and Ballast Island circa 1880s 2008.54.24 1/21 Judkins , Seattle, W.T. Men in front of huge logs on rails to Stetson & Post Lumber Mill, Beacon Hill and Holy Names Academy in distance circa 1880s 2008.54.25 1/22 Judkins , Seattle, W.T. View of Seattle from King Street Coal Works trestle circa 1880s

Showing (left to right): McNaught mansions, Providence Hospital, Central School, and Coppin's Water Works. Also shows the Felker House, first clapboard house in Seattle, built around 1854-1855, Our Lady of Good Health Catholic Church at 3rd and Washington Streets, the old County Building, Yesler Mansion, and the Arlington House Hotel.

 2008.54.26 1/23 Sidewheel steamer Olympian at Columbia and Puget Sound Railroad Company dock circa 1880s 2008.54.27 1/24 King Street Coal Works docks, showing Northern Pacific rail cars on tracks circa 1880s

Visible in distance: Occidental Hotel, New England Hotel, Squire's Opera House, Central School and Coppin's Water Works

 2008.54.28 1/25 Columbia & Puget Sound Railroad dock with steamers at dock, including sidewheeler steamer Mexico circa 1880s

Visible in distance: Central School, Territorial University, McNaught mansion and Frye Opera House

2008.54.29 1/26 Columbia & Puget Sound Railroad dock and Yesler's wharf and mill pond, Denny Hill on left circa 1880s 2008.54.30 1/27 Judkins , Seattle Columbia & Puget Sound Railroad dock with view of city behind circa 1880s

Visible in distance: Yesler-Leary building, Occidental Hotel, Central School, Yesler Mansion, Baptist Church, Coppin's waterworks and Columbia, James and Cherry Streets

2008.54.31 1/28 Seattle waterfront at Columbia and Madison, with sailboats and Frye's Opera House in background circa 1886

Also visible: Central School, Stetson-Post Building at 2nd and Marion, First Presbyterian Church, Territorial University and Washington Boat Works

 2008.54.32 1/29 Judkins , Seattle McNaught mansion at 4th Avenue and Spring Street circa 1885 2008.54.33 1/30 Judkins , Seattle Yesler-Leary building at First Avenue and Yesler Way circa 1885 2008.54.34 1/31 Judkins , Seattle Holy Names Academy at 7th Avenue and Jackson Street circa 1885 2008.54.35-37 4/1 New Washington Hotel photographs 1913 3 photographs

Three photographs, one with the menu for January 28, 1913 printed on verso, from the New Washington Hotel. Photographs depict the Boulevard along Lake Washington, a view of a fisherman "Fishing in the Skykomish," and a dirt road "Washington Forest on the Road to Mount Rainier." All on printed on front with "Copyright 1910. The New Washington Hotel, Seattle, U.S.A."

 Maps and drawings 1871-1892 2008.54.38 4/2 "Plat of an addition to the Town of Seattle" 1875 March 18

Photocopy of original

Photocopy of re-recording of original map of portion of Seattle laid out on claims of Carson Boren, Arthur Denny, and Henry Yesler, showing area bounded by Seneca and Jefferson Streets and Front Street and Tenth Avenue. Includes donation made by C.D. Boren for the Puget Sound University, between Columbia and Seneca and Sixth and Tenth; due to lack of funds, however, this institution was never built and the land reverted to Boren.

 2008.54.39 4/2 Plat of Bell and Denny claim 1875 March 18

Photocopy of re-recording of original map, which was signed by Probate Judge Thomas Mercer and dated August 16, 1858. Shows a portion of the Seattle laid out on the land claims of William Bell and Arthur A. Denny, from Broad to Battery Streets and Third Street and Front Street.

 4/2 2008.54.40 "A Plat of the First Addition" laid off by William N. Bell and Arthur A. Denny 1875 February 28

Photocopy of re-recording of original map, original signed by Probate Judge David Denny and dated July 9, 1870. Shows L-shaped area bounded by Fourth Street and Bell on the outside, and Third Street and Battery on the inside.

 2008.54.41 4/2 "A Plat of the Second Addition" laid off by William N. Bell and Arthur A. Denny 1871 November 20

Photocopy of re-recording of original map, original signed by A.A. Denny and dated July 9, 1870. Shows area bounded by Broadway and Bell Streets, and Fourth and Sixth Streets.

 2008.42 4/2 "Plat of an Addition to the Town of Seattle, Washington Territory, laid off by the heirs of Sarah A. Bell (deceased)" 1875 April 30

Photocopy of re-recording of original map, original dated April 8, 1872. Shows property bounded by Eighth and Fourth Streets and Pine and Lenora Streets.

 "Plat of the Second Addition, City of Seattle, As Laid Off by the Heirs of Sarah A. Bell (deceased)" 1875 December S.C. Harris 1 photocopy of original plat map 2 hand drawn versions of map 14.75 x 23.5 inches

2 versions of plat map of Bell property; one is hand-drawn and colored, the other seems to be earlier and is in ink, with a manuscript deed on verso; this second version is in poor condition, rolled and in multiple pieces.

4/2 2008.54.43 Photocopy 1875 December

Photocopy of map showing original plat of Belltown, a portion of donation claims of William N. Bell and Arthur A. Denny, bounded by Bell and Pike Streets (including Pine, Olive, Howell, Stewart, Virginia and Lenora Streets), and 4th and 14th Streets.

VIII.a.7 2008.54.44 Hand-drawn and colored map 1875 December

Hand drawn and colored plat map including names of members of Bell family for each property

 4/2 2008.54.45 Hand-drawn map 1875 December

This version of the map seems to have been made earlier and is in ink, with a manuscript deed on verso. This second version is in poor condition and unavailable for use.

2008.54.46 4/2 "Plat of the Third Addition to that part of the City of Seattle, W.T. heretofore laid by A.A. Denny and William N. Bell, and situated on the Donation Claim of William N. Bell and lying between Front and Fourth Sts. and south of Bell Street" 1876 October 26

Photocopy of original. Original signed by William Bell

 2008.54.47 4/2 "Plat of the 4th Addition to the City of Seattle as laid of by Wm. N. Bell" 1881 December 31 1 blueprint

Showing a portion of Bell's donation claim, a triangle of property circumscribed by Elliott Bay, Depot Street (now Denny Way) and Lake Avenue

 2008.54.48 4/2 "Proposed plan of improvement for Salmon Bay Harbor" 1892 November

Copy of drawing showing Puget Sound, Ballard, warehouses and grain elevators.

 Legal and business documents 1858-1894 Surveyor's notes 2/1 2008.54.49 "Copy of Field Notes of W.A. Bell's Donation Land Claim in Township 25 N. Ranges 3 & 4 East," signed by W.M. Micken, Surveyor General of Washington Territory 1881

Copy of notes from a survey of Bell's property conducted on January 26, 1861

 2/1 2008.54.50 "Notes of Survey of Exterior Lines of Corners" of property for Seattle Lodge No. 7 I.O.O.F., handwritten by surveyor Philip G. Eastwick, with small hand-drawn map showing location of the property, with wagon road and Smith Cove drawn in. 1879 April 4 Warranty deeds 2008.54.51 5 Carson Boren manuscript deed for sale of a block of land to William N. Bell, signed by Boren, notary public Charles Plummer and witness Edmund Carr. 1858 April 16

Framed.

Deed is on thin blue paper, measuring 10.5 x 16.25 inches. The deed is for a block of property at the corner of 2nd Avenue and Cherry Street sold for $360.

2008.54.52 2/2 William Hedges deed to George M. Hall and J.H. Dicker, signed by Hedges (with an x), James McNaught, and John T. McGilvra 1870 March 12 2008.54.53 2/2 William B. Bell deed to A.A. Denny, signed by William and Isabella Bell, John J. McGilvra and James McNaught 1870 June 7 2008.54.54 2/2 William B. Bell deed to A.A. Denny, signed by William and Isabella Bell, John J. McGilvra and James McNaught (different property from above) 1870 June 7 2008.54.55 2/2 Arthur A. and Mary A. Denny deed to William N. Bell, signed by Arthur and Mary Denny, David Denny, L.G. Boren and G.A. Kellogg 1872 February 29 2008.54.56 2/2 Arthur A. and Mary A. Denny deed to William N. Bell, signed by Arthur and Mary Denny, David Denny, L.G. Boren (different property from above) 1872 February 29 2008.54.57 2/2 William Bell deed to George W. Hall, signed by William N. Bell, Mrs. V. Bell and David T. Denny 1872 March 28 2008.54.58 2/2 William Bell deed to Tracy S. Harris signed by William Bell, John Leary and Irving Ballard 1872 April 9 2008.54.59 2/2 George W. and Mary V. Hall, William Bell, Austin Bell, Laura Coffman and Olive and Joseph Stewart deed to Dexter Horton and Arthur A. Denny, signed by David Denny, probate judge. George and Mary Hall and William Bell 1972 December 24 2008.54.60 2/2 Arthur A. and Mary A. Denny deed to William N. Bell, signed by Arthur and Mary Denny, R.H. Denny and G.H. Kellogg 1873 January 8 2008.54.61 2/2 George W. and Mary V. Hall and William Bell (as attorney for Olive Stewart and Laura Coffman, and guardian of Austin Bell) deed to William Bell, signed by the Halls and Bell 1873 February 27 2008.54.62 2/2 George W. and Mary V. Hall and William Bell (as attorney for Olive Stewart and Laura Coffman), and William and Lucy Bell deed to Austin Bell, minor heir (under guardianship of William Bell) 1873 February 27 2008.54.63 2/2 Certificate of Purchase for Lots 7 and 8 in Block 26, Bell's addition purchased by William N. Bell for $6.96, signed and sealed by S. Harris, King County Treasurer, Washington Territory 1874 July 27 2008.54.64 2/2 Carson Boren sale of land to William Bell, singed by Boren, Roswell Scott and M.W. Booth 1875 March 22 2008.54.65 2/2 William Bell manuscript deed to W.G. Curtis, written and signed by Bell 1877 June 20 2008.54.66 2/2 William Bell manuscript deed to P.J. Quealy, signed by Bell 1878 August 5 2008.54.67 2/2 Olive J. and Joseph A. Stewart deed to Austin Bell, signed by William Bell, Attorney A. MacIntosh and William H. Reeves 1879 October 23 2008.54.68 2/2 Arthur A. and Mary A. Denny deed to William N. Bell, signed by Arthur and Mary Denny, R.H. Denny and Roswell Scott 1880 April 39 2008.54.69 2/2 Arthur A. and Mary A. Denny deed to William N. Bell, signed by Arthur and Mary Denny, Roswell Scott and B.F. Briggs 1881 December 23 2008.54.70 2/2 Arthur A. and Mary A. Denny deed to Mary V. Hall, signed by Arthur and Mary Denny, Charles Denny, Roswell Scott and J.C. Harris, auditor 1882 February 3 2008.54.71 2/2 George W. and Mary V. Hall deed to Alfred Gorton signed by George and Mary Hall, John J. McGilvra and J.K. Rothwell, Jr. 1884 May 3 2008.54.72 2/2 Arthur A. and Mary A. Denny deed to David T. Denny and Austin A. Bell, signed by Arthur and Mary Denny, C.L. Denny, R.M. Hopkins and Lyman Wood, auditor 1887 October 22 2008.54.73 2/2 George W. Hall lease to Russell & McKay, signed by George and Mary Hall, Perkins Russell and Robert S. MacKay 1878 September 8 2008.54.74 2/2 Arthur A. and Mary A. Denny quit claim deed to Mary V. Hall, signed by Arthur and Mary Denny, M.L. Denny and Lee DeVries, notary public 1892 March 11 2008.54.75 2/2 Olive J. Stewart (widow), William and Jessie Coffman, Alice and Charles Allmond, Annie L and Edward H. Reynolds, Mamie O. and L.R. Dawson, and Walter Coffman deed to Mary V. Hall 1893 2008.54.76 2/2 Walter and Jessie Cooffman, sale of land to Mary V. Hall, singed by Mr. and Mrs. Coffman and two witnesses 1894 April 14 Statements and receipts 2008.54.77 2/3 Property tax statements and receipts circa 1880-1895 approximately 38 items

Property tax and other receipts for William Bell's properties, to William Bell, Mary and George Hall or Austin Bell; also includes receipt for rent collected for Bell, and receipts for insurance on buildings owned by Bell.

 2008.54.78 2/4 Receipts for goods and services purchased byWilliam N. Bell 1878-1885 20 items

Receipts to various early Seattle vendors for goods or services all made out to William N. Bell. Businesses include several for Schwabacher Brothers & Co., Hans Nelson, teamster for hauling, Edgar Bryan, Belltown Cash Store for groceries, Charles Baker, cash grocer, Stetson & Post for lumber and other building materials, Oregon Improvement Company and F.M. Thomas.

 2008.54.79 2/5 Receipts-William N. Bell 1881-1887 26 items

Largely receipts for payments made by William N. Bell, or Austin Bell for William Bell, for wages, services and other expenses. Also includes a receipt for rents collected for Bell by Thomas Wood on Bell's various properties, and an October 16, 1880 memorandum from A.A. Denny noting the transfer of 67 shares of stock in the Seattle and Walla Walla Railroad to Denny from William N. Bell.

 2008.54.80 3/1 Receipts-George Hall 1888-1893 15 items

Receipts to various vendors, also deposit slips and cancelled checks from Dexter Horton & Co. Bankers, all signed or made out to George Hall.

 Miscellaneous legal and business papers 2008.54.81 2/6 "Petition for Distribution of Real Estate, Heirs and Surviving husband of Sarah Ann Bell, deceased" 1873 January 15

Manuscript document to Waldo York, probate court judge of King County, petitioning for the distribution of Sarah Bell's Seattle properties among her children and husband, signed by William N. Bell, George Hall and Mary V. Hall.

 2008.54.82 2/6 "Guardianship of Austin A. Bell" 1870 July 27

Manuscript letter signed by David T. Denny, King County Probate Court Judge, appointing William N. Bell guardianship of "the person and property" of his son Austin A. Bell.

 2008.54.83 2/6 Letter from State of Washington Commissioner of Public Lands offering for sale to Mary Hall tide lands at foot of Vine Street along Railroad Avenue undated 3 pages 2008.54.84 2/6 Deed with Seattle Lodge silver stamp and seal of Washington Territory Notary Public, certifying that William Bell has purchased a cemetery plot at the Odd Fellows cemetery 1881 May Certificates 2008.54.85 3/2 Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Seattle lodge, "visiting" certificate issued toWilliam N. Bell recommending admission in other Odd Fellow lodges 1882 April 1

Writing on verso notes that Bell visited lodges in Peoria and Lebanon, Illinois in May 1882.

 2008.54.86 3/2 Certificates of Election for George W. Hall's election as councilman of the Common Council of the City of Seattle 1885 July 26 1889 July 28 2 certificates Mary Virginia Bell Hall correspondence 2008.54.88.1-4 3/4 Postcards undated

4 postcards addressed to Virginia Bell Hall, from friends. Cards depict Manila, Venice, Hong Kong and the Denny monument at Alki.

 2008.54.88.5 3/4 Letter addressed to Virginia Bell Hall from Lillie Millar, on black bordered stationery, addressed "My Dear Friend Jennie" undated 2008.54.88.6 3/4 Letter from First National Bank of Stamford, Connecticut, regarding duplicate of check destroyed in San Francisco fire 1906 November 16 2008.54.88.7 3/4 Letter to Mary V. Bell accompanying gift 1878 May 18 Bellevue Hotel

The Bellevue Hotel was built by William N. Bell at the corner of Front and Battery Streets in Seattle, and finished in 1890.

 2008.54.89.1 2/7 Illustrated card advertising the Bellevue Hotel undated 2008.54.89.2 2/7 Typewritten inventory of property in the Bellevue Hotel undated 15 pages

Details all furniture, carpeting, drapery, stoves, chamber pots, beds, etc. in each of the hotel's 95 rooms, offices hallways, bar room, linen room, and uninventoried furniture.

 2008.54.89.3 2/7 "Statement of cost of Hotel built by W. S. Hoffan for W. N. Bell" undated

Handwritten statement of the cost of building the Bellevue Hotel, listing lumber, windows, lettering, paints, tin work, hardware, plumbing, roofing, etc. The total cost for the elaborate 95 room hotel was $30,230, 084.

 President Benjamin Harrison's visit to Seattle 1891 May 6 2008.54.90.1-2 3/5 Letters from Seattle Mayor Harry White appointing Mary V. and George W. Hall to the reception committee for Harrison's visit 1891 May 1 2 letters 2008.54.90.3-4 3/5 Letters from Douglas Young, on Mayor's office stationery 1891 April 21 2 letters in one envelope

One letter requesting Hall's Committee to receive visiting Municipal officials, the other listing members of Committee chaired by Hall, and appointed to raise money to defray expenses of reception of the Presidential party.

 2008.54.90.5 3/5 Menu and two round trip tickets for presidential reception on board steamer City of Seattle between Tacoma and Seattle 1891 May 2008.54.90.6 3/5 Invitation to accompany City Council on steamer Willamette, to escort Presidential party to Seattle harbor. 1891 May 2 2008.54.90.7-8 3/5 Souvenir Program for President Harrison's reception, with 2 copies of program, on paper and on silk, in leather covers embossed with "Mrs. G.W. Hall" 1891 May

Guests include President and Mrs. Harrison, Postmaster General and Mrs. Wanamaker, other federal officials, and Seattle party including Mayor White, Council President George Hall, Messrs. Brainerd, Greene, A.A. Denny, Holman, E.L. Terry and others

 Ephemera Wedding invitations and announcements

Dates refer to wedding dates. Many of the items are in envelopes addressed to Mr. and Mrs. George Hall

 2008.54.91.1 3/6 Charles L. Denny and Viretta Chambers, Olympia, Washington 1887 June 15

Printed card in original envelope

 2008.54.91.2 3/6 Mr. and Mrs. R.H. Denny (Alice M. Kellogg) 1877

Announcement in original envelope, addressed to Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Hall.

 2008.54.91.3 3/6 Mr. and Mrs. G.B. Reynolds (Mary Meydenbauer) circa 1880s

Announcement in original envelope

 2008.54.91.4 3/6 Mr. and Mrs. J.N. Wallingford, invitation to marriage of their daughter Emma I. to William D. Wood, Napa, California 1883 June 27

Printed invitation sent to Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Hall.

 2008.54.91.5 3/6 Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Burke (Carrie L. McGilvra) announcement 1879

Addressed to Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Hall

 2008.54.91.6 3/6 Mrs. Virginia Bell Hall, announcement of wedding of daughter Olive Virginia to Lyman Talcott D. Banks, Seattle, with reception at Wing Point, Eagle Harbor 1912 April 5

In original envelope

 2008.54.91.7 3/6 Mr. and Mrs. George R. Finn 1879 November 26

Printed invitation sent to Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Hall.

 2008.54.91.8 3/6 E.H. Reynolds and Annie L. Coffman 1888 January 5

Trifold with 2 small envelopes containing names of bride and groom, separated at one fold, in original envelope.

 3/6 2008.54.91.9 Henry W. Miller and Lillian G. Potvin 1890 October 15

Card with invitation sent to Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Hall.

 2008.54.91.10 3/6 Frank Hanford and Anna Evelyn Wait, Canby, Oregon 1886 October 20

With reception card for Seattle, W.T. In original envelope.

 2008.54.91.11 3/6 Mrs. Mary V. MacDonald, wedding reception invitation for her daughter Theresa 1877 January 9

Addressed to Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Hall.

 2008.54.91.12 3/6 T.R. Pumphrey and Daisy Holman 1888 January 24

In envelope with calling card, addressed to Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Hall.

 2008.54.91.13 3/6 A.B. Stewart and May E. Martin 1884 January 29

In envelope with calling card, addressed to Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Hall.

 2008.54.91.14 3/6 Mr. and Mrs. Henry K. Hall, invitation to marriage of their daughter Nellie to Fred E. Sander 1883 January 25 2008.54.91.15 3/6 Mrs. L.R. Johns, invitation to marriage of daughter, Seattle, W.T. 1875 August 9 2008.54.91.16 3/6 Mr. and Mrs. Arthur B. Merrill (Fannie Low) circa 1880s

Envelope addressed to Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Hall.

 2008.54.91.17 3/6 Mr. and Mrs. Samuel H. Willey, Jr. (Lottie Harmon), Seattle, W.T, 1883 November 19

Cards in envelope.

 2008.54.91.18 3/6 L.S. McLure and Ella Tibbits, Trinity Church, Seattle, W.T. 1880 July 15

With calling cards and reception notice in envelope.

 Death announcements 2008.54.92.1 3/7 Memorial service program for Dr. Thomas T. Minor, G. Morris Haller and E. Louis Cox, drowned December 2, 1889 off Whidbey Island 1889 2008.54.92.2 3/7 Ruth F. Kellam, died January 8, 1908, funeral on January 10 1908 Calling cards and invitations Calling cards 13 calling cards 2008.54.93.1 3/8 Virginia Bell Hall undated 2008.54.93.2 3/8 Mr. & Mrs. R.R. Bell and Miss Eva L. Davis, calling cards in envelope addressed to Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Hall undated 2008.54.93.3 3/8 J. Crawford, John Leary, M.A. Kelly, G. Renciu (?), signed calling card undated 2008.54.93.4 3/8 Miss Lenora M. Denny undated 3 copies 2008.54.93.5 3/8 Mrs. O.O. Denny undated 2008.54.93.6 3/8 Charles Frasch, small calling card in envelope 1882 2008.54.93.7 3/8 Mrs. Helen M. Hunt, signed in ink undated 2008.54.93.8 3/8 Mrs. Samuel Kenney, black border widow's calling card undated 2008.54.93.9 3/8 Mrs. William Nye Redfield, printed with name and address "802 Twelfth St." and "Thursday" undated 2008.54.93.10 3/8 Mrs. Chas. Prosch, printed with name and address "611 Ninth Street" undated 2008.54.93.11 3/8 Mrs. Thos. W. Prosch, signed in ink "Miss Prosch" undated 2008.54.93.12 3/8 W.H. Pumphrey 1880 2008.54.93.13 3/8 Mr. and Mrs. Louis Sohns and Ida J. Plummer, calling cards in envelope, Sohn's card printed with "Seattle, W.T." undated New Year's calling cards

Calling card featuring New Year's greeting in graphics and/or type

 2008.54.94.1 3/9 Handwritten calling card of Brookes, Bryant, Jennings 1881 2008.54.94.2 3/9 S.L Crawford; "Intelligencer" printed in lower right corner of card 1881 2008.54.94.3 3/9 G. Davies 1882 2008.54.94.4 3/9 Mrs. Mary Ann Denny and Miss Margaret Lenora Denny, Christmas and New Year card with Denny coat of arms printed on card 1910

With original envelope addressed the Mrs. Virginia Hall in San Francisco

 2008.54.94.5 3/9 Chas. Evans, Alonzo [illeg.], Van Wyckoff, Nicholas S. Snyder handwritten on card 1880s 2008.54.94.6 3/9 Charles Frasch and William L. Lindsley, trifold card circa 1875 2008.54.94.7 3/9 Charles Frasch and William L. Lindsley circa 1882 2008.54.94.8 3/9 Harry Lott and Thomas Pearce 1880s 2008.54.94.9 3/9 Z.C. Miles 1880s 2008.54.94.10 3/9 Chas. Prosch written in pencil on card undated 2008.54.94.11 3/9 T.R. Pumphrey undated Chromolithograph card 2008.54.94.12 3/9 W.H. Pumphrey, U.M.. Rasin, L.S. McLure 1880 2008.54.94.13 3/9 H.G. Struve, E.L. Smith, W.H. Belton 1883 2008.54.94.14 3/9 Ed. L. Terry and Nicholas S. Snyder printed on card, Geo. L. Hill, J.O. Harris handwritten on card 1880s 2008.54.94.15 3/9 J.D. Van Buren 1880s 2008.54.94.16 3/9 Joint New Year's cards from Henry Yesler, Bailey Gatzert and Moses R. Maddocks 1880-1883 4 cards

These three good friends sent out joint, humorous and highly decorated New Year's card every year for at least nineteen years.

 Invitations 2008.54.95.1 3/10 "At home" invitation from Mr. and Mrs. James McNaught for their "Tin Wedding" anniversary 1881 November 29 2008.54.95.2 3/10 Old Folks' Hop at Squire's Opera House, Seattle 1880 January 20th

Invitation addressed to G.W. Hall Esq., in original envelope

 2008.54.95.3 3/10 "Receive friends" invitation from Mr. and Mrs. H.L. Yesler circa 1880

In original envelope addressed to "Mr. Geo. W. Hall & wife"

 2008.54.95.4 3/10 "At home" invitation from Mrs. G.W. Boardman and Miss Boardman, 14th and Seneca 1892 February 19

Handwritten invitation in original envelope addressed to Mayor and Mrs. Hall

 2008.54.95.5 3/10 "Receive friends" invitation from Mr. and Mrs. F.H. Whitworth, corner 4th and Seneca Streets 1881 April 28 Miscellaneous ephemera 2008.54.97.1 3/12 Pass for George Hall for "all ports till further orders," by order of Col. J.C. Haines and W.T. Sharpe

This is possibly related to the aftermath of the Great Seattle Fire in 1889, when the city was guarded by the military, under the command of Colonel Haines.

 2008.54.97.2-10 3/12 Envelopes 1880s 9 envelopes

Postmarked, stamped empty envelopes addressed the Mr. and/or Mrs. Geo. W. Hall or William N. Bell in Seattle.

 2008.54.100 4/3 Clippings 4/3 The Argus, vol. 6, no. 46 1899 December 28 44 pages

Numerous photographs, drawings and portraits of Seattle people, places and historical figures.

 4/3 The Argus, vol. 8, no. 46 1901 December 21 44 pages

Many photographs, including page of Curtis photos of Seattle Indian's and a bird's-eye view of Seattle

 4/3 Bell's Centennial Advertiser, published by Austin Bell 1876 July 4 4 pages

Front page includes a history of Seattle

 4/3 New York Daily Graphic, pages 489-492 1888 May 4

Includes illustrated feature on Seattle, including description and history.

4/3 New York Herald reprint of April 15, 1865 issue of assassination of Abraham Lincoln 1901 September 18 4/3 North Seattle Advocate, vol.1 no. 17 1888 October 1

Seattle first suburban newspaper(?)

 4/3 Seattle Daily Chronicle, vol. 8, no. 103 1885 August 8

Feature article on death of Ulysses S. Grant

 4/3 Seattle Post-Intelligencer circa 1900 1888 October 4 1889 April 10 1890 November 9 4 items 4/3 University of Washington Daily, vol. 20, no. 66, showing front page photo of Mary Ann (Mrs. A.A.) Denny with her death announcement 1911 January 4 4/3 The Weekly Intelligencer, Seattle 1872 February 26 1874 November 28 2 items 4/3 The West Shore, vol. 10, no. 6 1884 June

Includes many advertisements, several woodcuts of Seattle scenes, homes, businesses, and hotels (including Bell's Hotel).

 4/3 Daily Intelligencer 1877 March 2 4/3 The Intelligencer 1874 November 28 4/3 Seattle Daily Times 1888 October 2 4/3 Seattle Times "Now & Then" feature by Paul Dorpat--"House with a Past" 2007 January 28

Article about a house on the corner of Second and Columbia, probably built by William Bell, who owned that property.

 Programs 3/11 2008.54.96.1 Souvenir program for Camille starring Agnes Lane at Cordray's New Theater, Seattle 1891 March 23 2008.54.96.2 3/11 The Critic, official program for the Seattle Opera House 1890 November 7-8

Program contains many advertisements for Territorial period businesses. Program is for performances of Lucia Di Lammermoor, Il Trovatore, and La Traviata.

 Books 2008.54.98 3/13 The Seattle Spirit by L. Byrd Mock, Seattle 1911

Book is inscribed to Virginia Bell Hall from Mary L. Denny. 136 pages, including 2 folding maps and several photographs.

 2008.54.99 3/14 Hoge Building Flashes 1926 May

5-page bi-monthly booklet intended for the tenants of the Hoge building, includes a history of the Hoge Building, built in 1911 on property originally owned by Carson Boren at the corner of Second Avenue and Cherry Street.