Sons of the Profits
by William Speidel
Overview
Wikipedia.com
Bill Speidel was a columnist for The Seattle Times who wrote Sons of the Profits, a book about the people who settled and built Seattle, Washington.
Bill Speidel giving an address at the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park dedication in June 1979Speidel is also credited with being one of the leaders of the movement to preserve and restore Pioneer Square, one of Seattle's oldest neighborhoods. By the 1960s, this area was run down and in disrepair, in danger of being demolished and rebuilt. Through the efforts of many people, Pioneer Square is once again a bustling center of activity and tourism with dozens of original buildings that have been restored to their original lustre.
In 1964 Speidel received and printed a letter from a reader asking about the underground areas of Pioneer Square. He replied via the paper that he did not know much about it, but that he would research it and get back to her. Once he did the research, he printed a response telling her to meet him at 3 p.m. the next Saturday in Pioneer Square, and he would take her on a tour of the underground and what he had found.
The reader did show up, along with over 300 other people. Bill quickly took up a collection of $1 from each of the visitors and proceeded on the first tour of the Seattle Underground.
My thoughts
Never judge a book by its cover. Trust me, this one is a much better read than the cover art indicates!
I had wanted to go on the Underground Tour in Seattle for a couple of years -- little did I know how entertaining the pre-tour presentation would be! I laughed till I cried!
The tour was started by William Speidel quite by accident, as the Wikipedia description above states. The research into the early years of Seattle, which is what this book is about, is quite the opposite. William Speidel uses his sarcastic humor to tell the story of the establishment of Seattle. It's lively. It's sad. It's surprising. It's hilarious!
And it's boring.
The oddest thing happened as I read this book. I reached page 132 and I'd had enough. The writing style was all the same, the stories were all alike, the humor had been played out long enough. I'd had enough.
Maybe someday I'll pick it up where I left off and have fun with it again, but for now it's going back on the shelf.
Note to Pat: Thanks for reminding me about this book! I wouldn't have bought it if not for your endorsement. You're right -- it's funny!
Favorite Passage
Henry came west in 1850 from Massillon, Ohio. He began his carreer in Seattle by skinning Carson Boren and David S. Maynard out of their eye-teeth. He never willingly paid his just debts. He cheated his friends until he had none. He utilized public office for private gain. He drove more wealth out of King County than he ever brought in. The City of Seattle made him a millionaire, yet he sued it ... fought it ... plundered it ... and on two occasions he brought it to the brink of bankruptcy.
Outside of that I suppose he was a real nice fella.
