City of Seattle Records

695 COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEATTLE Oct 2 1885 the appointment of special Policeman and defining their Powers and Duties and Fixing their Compensation which, after due consideration is adopted by the following vote: In favor of said Ordinance Calligan, Furth, Hall, Harrington Lake, McDonald, Keenen and Young. Against None. An Ordinance is submitted entitled "A special Ordinance appropirating money to pay audited bills" which, after dau consideration is adopted by the following vote:In favor of said Ordinance Calligan, Furth, Hall, Harrington, Keenen, Lake, McDonald and Young. Against None. Ordered that the council adjourns Attest W R Forrest clerk H L Yesler mayor Oct 16 1885 Be it remembered that on this 16th day of October A D 1885 the Common Council of the City of Seattle meets in its Council Chamber pursuant to law the following officers are present to wit: His Hon the Mayor Henry L Yesler and Councilmen , R H Calligan, J Furth, G W Hall, W A Harrington John Keenen, T W Lake, Chas McDonald, J J Post and G W Young. Whereupon the following proceedings were had to wit: Petitions and Communications Petition of J Bersch et al for opening Sixth Street between Mill and Terrace Streets. Referred to St Com. Petition of Powers and Meyers to dismiss suit of City against thereupon pament of all costs. Referred to Judiciary Comtee Petitionof C B Bagley for opening roadway in Mercers Second Eden Addition Referred to Street Committee. Petition of P Wickstrom et al for permission to establish a Steam Laundry under the Wisconsin House of Mill St, On motion the petition is granted

Tp theHon. the Mayor and Common Council of the City of Seattle Your Committee on Fire and Water offers the following recommendations for the improvement of the Fire Department 1st That an engine house be built for the accommodation of the Chemical Engine and its Company on the piece of ground at the intersection of Broadway, Eleventh and Terrace Streets which was donated to the City for Fire department uses by the heirs of the Terry estate. 2nd That permanent locations for the other Companies provided for in the nes department be selected, suitable lots purchased plans and specifications secrued, and the houses necessary be built at as early a date as possible 3rd That two heaters be purchased for the Ahren's

To the Hon Mayor and the Common Council of the City of Seattle Gentlemen; Your petitioner represents; That he is the owner of Lots 5 and 8 in Block 36 of Boren's Addition tha said Lots are at the North-east corner of Fifth and Terrace Streets; that the original grade as established by law at the East Line of Fifth Street and Terrace Street was about 121 feet above datum; that petitioner built houses with reference to grade as first extabliahed; that petitioner nowhere gives notice that unless the work of grading at the intersection of Fifth and Terrace Streets is completed in acordance with the grade first established this petitioner will demand full compensation for the loss and damage he sustains by reason of such change in the grade; that petitioner has heretofore protested against all atttempts to change the grade in said Streets of near said property, and does now hereby enter his protest against the present work of grading done in violation of the Ordinance of the City of Seattle; that petitioner will be put to great expense in moving back said houses and in erecting bulk heads to protect his property, all because of the change of grade as alleged herein; Petitioner therefore demands that the grading of said Streets be done in pursuance of the ordinance which first established said grade at about 121 feet above datum, and further alleges that that all work on grading done in pursuance of subsequent Ordinances is in violation of law and petitioner's right. Therefore, petitioner prays that said work of grading be done in compliance with Ordinance No ___ and other Ordininces which first established said grade at about 121 feet above datum. Respectfully John Graf

To the honorable, the Mayor and theCommnCouncilof the City ofSeattle:-- Gentlemen;: The undersigned, John Graf respectfully says; that he is the owner of Lots 5 and eight in Block 36 of Boren's Addition to the City of Seattle, being the North-east corner of 5th and Terrace Streets; that said Lots are all the property he has and from which he has been supporting himself and family and been paying taxes, and that upon said lots were valuable buildings, towit: The Terrace House", one large dwelling house in rear thereof, and six smaller buildingsl that said buildings yeilded a rental of $350. permonth; that the City of Seattle caused said Terrave Street to be graded and for many years had been attempting to grade 5th Street between Jefferson Street and Yesler Ave; that said 5th Street was cut 12 feet below the Eastwick Grade legally established by the city, the undersigned having built four houses on said lots in conformity with said First grade; that said City caused said Terrace Street to be graded much below said Eastwick Grade and by so doing removed the lateral support from said lots and other property; that every since October 28th about the time said Terrace Street was completed, the greater portion of the property of the undersigned has gradually slid down into said 5th Street; and that three of said buildings on the said lots have been wholly wrecked, including "Terrace House" which had just been completed at an expense of $3000.00 That petitioner has suffered loss on said lots amounting to at least $6000.00 and that the loss by reason bo said slide to the lots is at least $4000.00 making a total loss to said buildings

and lots of at least $1000.00 That all of said slide and the damages caused by reason of said slide are directly the result of the carelesness and negligence of the City of Seattle in causing Terrace Street grading in an improper manner, and in causing said 5th Street to be dug down 12 feet below the proper grade; and also that the City of Seattle is negligently grading said Terrace Street prevented the springs and hidden water sources from flowing in the usual channel, thus produced the land slide.to the great loss and damage herein indicated; that the undersigned had been deprived of homes and means of support by reason of said slide and now requests that said City of Seattle do partially repair damages caused by negligent grading of said streets.; Petitioner Further says that he deems it absolutely necessary that five or six feet of earth should be replaced in said fifth street, so that the slide may be checked; Petitioner asks that the City enable him to replace said buildings in payment in lieu for damages to which he is justly entitled and that your Honorable Body cause the whole of said matter to be investigated and render such assistance to petitioner as may be just. Yours Very Truly John Graf then