"Dirty Dan" Harris - Meets the Press


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November 9, 1883: It is rumored that Dan Harris, of Fairhaven, had $500 stolen from him last week. But that would not lower Dan's pile much. We are informed later that Mr. James Weed, of the Fairhaven Hotel, has sued Dan for $10,000 for saying that he stole the money. It is to be regretted that such troubles disturb the peace and harmony of our neighbors. 26

December 21, 1883: James Weed, formerly of the Fair-haven Hotel, is now proprietor of the Bay View Restaurant, at Bellingham and is keeping a first rate, clean place. 27

December 21, 1853: Every good citizen recognizes the urgent need of a cemetery somewhere on the Bay. The people of the county feel justly indignant at the manner in which Dan Harris has appropriated the lands bought from him for graveyard purposes. Few men would do such a thing. 28

December 21, 1853: Complaint comes to this office from Fairhaven that Dan Harris charges such outrageous prices for wharfage at Fairhaven that goods have to be unloaded at Bellingham wharf and taken by small boats to Fairhaven. Dan's disagreeable course of late has just about depopulated Fairhaven. 29

January 11, 1884: Dan Harris is putting forth every effort to stop the Knox mill at Fairhaven. Dan is a mossback of the genuine stripe and regrets to see his neighborhood peopled with civilized folks who wear clean clothes. 30
(Note G)

February 15, 1884: The effects of the settlement are already being felt. Dan Harris has a shiny plug hat and will change his shirt when the roses come. 31

March 21, 1884: Dan Harris has bought a safe. 32

April 18, 1884: President Harris is grading around his hotel in our southern suburb sometimes called Fairhaven and says he has rented it to Mr. Foster, of Yamhill, furnished. It will be open by the first of May. 33

May 2, 1884: Dan Harris will open his Fairhaven Hotel, having obtained furniture and help from Seattle. 34

June 6, 1884: The ball and supper given at the Fairhaven Hotel, last Tuesday evening at the opening of the house by Mr. and Mrs. Charles Miller were enjoyable and successful. Dan Harris has furnished the hotel throughout in elegant style--lace curtains, walnut furniture, piano,carpets and other appointments in keepng. The opening of this fine hotel at Fairhaven will give the beautiful cove in which it is located a more business-like appearance. 35 (Note H)

November 14, 1884: Dan. Harris of Fairhaven has unfurled to the Cleveland breeze the largest flag on the Pacific Coast. It is fifty feet in length, properly proportioned, made of heavier material than usual. It weighs nearly fifty pounds and cost $116 in San Francisco. It is so large that it will have to be suspended between two flag staffs at least 125 fee high in order to appear well, but Dan don't care for expenses. Dan says that the Democrats have not had a chance to rejoice over Presidential success for a quarter of a century, and now that Cleveland is elected he proposes to fly the largest flag on the Pacific Coast. 36

Dec. 5, 1884: Dan Harris of Fairhaven is again in trouble--this time a woman figured in the case. Dan is haunted with the idea that everybody is endeavoring to steal his property, and accuses people right and left. On Monday he had Mrs. Kline of Bellingham arrested for stealing a few trifling articles. The case was tried before Justice Lindsay on Monday, Judge Roth appearing for the woman, and the case was dismissed at the cost of the cranky old bachelor. 37

May 5, 1885: Last Friday night a ball was given at the residence of Dan Harris, Fairhaven. Many of Whatcom's young folks attended and report a pleasant time. Dan Harris soon expects to leave for Washington to lobby a bill through Congress appropriating money enough to build a dry dock at Fairhaven. 38

Sep. 4, 1885: Dan Harris is trying to start the Fairhaven saw mill. A practical, enterprising lumberman would do well to buy and start one of the three Bellingham Bay mills now idle. 39

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