Editor's note: The West Seattle Herald has been covering news here for nearly a century. Robinson Newspapers (which publishes the West Seattle Herald) have a massive news archive of Herald coverage dating back to 1928. What follows are crime reports and public safety issues from 1930. Although reporters’ names were not included with stories at that time, their original words remain intact. As more historical crime reports are compiled there will be more installments of West Seattle All Time Crimes.

Feb. 20, 1930
Nearly Loses Hand
G.F. Smith of the Gourlay-Backstock Lumber Co., has been carrying around a hand that looks as if it had gone through a meat grinder. Part of it did go through a joiner and only luck prevented him from losing the hand. It is now healing nicely.

April 17, 1930
Imposter Visiting Homes Say Fixit
The Fixit Shop, 4531 California Ave., complains that an imposter is making the rounds of West Seattle homes, soliciting lawn mower sharpening on the representation that he is from the shop.

The work is unsatisfactory, charges the local repair man, and as a result, he gets the blame. His shop employs no solicitors, says “Mr. Fixit” and any person claiming he is from this shop is a fraud.

June 5, 1930
Bad Check Crook Taken by Police
Spring Hill Fuel “customer” has novel stunt
Suspicion on the part of the Spring Hill Fuel Co. that was a phone order for a load of wood was not the kind of business they wanted and resulted in an ex-convict being arrested last Saturday and the fuel concern saving themselves some hard-earned cash.

The man called up the firm and ordered a load of wood delivered to an address on 38th S.W. He said that he would pay for the wood when delivered, but that all he had was a large check and he asked if the driver could bring the change with him.

Something about the order did not ring true to J.S. Whiting and so John Jacobsen, senior partner of the firm, made a scouting trip up to the house in question. It was apparently vacant.

The police were notified and a plain clothes man accompanied the driver to the address. On approaching the house, the driver was met by the “customer” who directed him where to dump the wood. The suspected man then proffered the check in payment and was requested to endorse it.

At this juncture, the plain clothes man entered the picture and did a little adroit questioning. The statement that the “customer” lived in the house was quickly proven false when a look inside showed the place to be vacant. An inspection of his pockets showed that he had 14 other checks ready to use on other “purchases” and it ended by the suspect being led away in handcuffs while the Fuel company took back its load of wood.

The police later learned that the arrested man was an ex-convict with numerous similar offenses chalked up against him.

June 19, 1930
Local Fishermen Have Excitement
Archie Phelps and Ernie Hahn drift all night
The big blow which came up so suddenly last Sunday afternoon created a bit of excitement for two local anglers, Archie Phelps and Ernie Hahn, who were doing their usual Sunday stunt up near Whidbey Island.

Fleeing before the storm, the two men in a 20-foot launch came across a smaller craft with four passengers who were in danger of swamping and drowning. Taking these four aboard, they started for Everett when one of the passengers accidentally knocked a wire loose and the engine stopped.

Unable to get the motor started again, the party of six drifted all night, finally landing on Camano Island Monday morning at 7:00. Repairs were made and they journeyed to their mooring place and returned to Seattle Monday night. Meanwhile, an airplane and coast guard boat spent the day searching the waters between Whidby and Camano Islands for the party.

July 3, 1930
Bad Check Artist Caught by Merchants
Because of A.P. Layman, manager of a local J.C. Penney store did some fast thinking last week a man who is said to have passed innumerable bad checks and to also be wanted for robbery is in jail and the Penney Co. is ahead several hundred dollars.

The man entered the store and after making some purchases tendered Mr. Layman a check. Something in his nervous behavior made Mr. Layman suspicious and he excused himself and went next door to phone the bank and make sure that there was money behind the check. No sooner had he gone out the door than the man fled – which was exactly what Mr. Layman expected him to do.

The forger made the mistake of heading down toward the police station and when the merchant followed him, it was a simple matter to call a policeman out of the station and have him arrested.

To see part one of West Seattle All Time Crimes – 1930, please click here.