Handwritten on verso of image: Watson C. Squire, Territorial Governor, 1884-1887. PH Coll 1230.2

Watson Carvosso Squire (1838-1926) was born in Cape Vincent, New York. He graduated from Wesleyan University and the Cleveland Law School. He joined the army during the Civil War, then came to Seattle in 1879 and bought a dairy farm. Squire was our 12th territorial governor from 1884 to 1887. On February 7, 1886, a throng of workers rounded up virtually every Chinese person in Seattle and herded them to the Ocean Dock at the foot of Main Street for passage out of town on a waiting steamer. The mob and its frightened charges were met at the pier by police and a contingent of the volunteer Home Guard. A stalemate ensued when territorial governor Watson Squire prevented the ship from leaving. Governor Squire and President Grover Cleveland declared martial law the next day as tensions remained high.

• Subjects (LCTGM): Governors--Washington (State)
• Subjects (LCSH): Squire, Watson C. (Watson Carvosso), 1838-1926