Читать книгу Spooked in Seattle - Ross Allison - Страница 21

Today, on the corner of First and Jackson stands the last of the Schwabacher Hardware buildings, which replaced the Felker House that burned down in the Great Seattle Fire of 1889, built in 1905 and designed by Bebb and Mendel of the Frye Hotel fame. It seems Mother Damnable hasn’t let go of her property just yet. Folks in the building have reported hearing curse words whispered into their ears. When they turn to see who’s responsible for the profanity, they are surprised to see no one around. In fact, some of these whispered vulgarites were not understood until later translated. Others have seen the frail woman wandering the grounds, while some have had small rocks thrown at them from out of nowhere. So outsiders beware if you venture too close to her property, you may have to battle the wrath of Mother Damnable.

See also: Battle of Seattle in this section

MERCHANTS CAFE

109 Yesler Way

Constructed in 1890, the Merchants Café still has its rustic look. Designed by W. E. Boone (a direct descendent of Daniel Boone), this café is one of the oldest restaurants in Seattle. It started as a saloon when it opened its doors and served five-cent beers to miners waiting their turns at the upstairs brothel. During Prohibition the café survived by converting to a restaurant, while other saloons and taverns closed down.

At times the employees would experience the water turning on and off without assistance. Doors would open and close on their own, glasses would break and objects would move. One night, a bartender had everything shut down and turned to see a woman sitting at the end of the bar. He called out to her and told her the bar was closed and she needed to leave. She just turned to him and smiled. He then thought he was going to have to personally escort her out, but as he approached her, she just vanished before his eyes.

Its top floors were set up as office space; it wasn’t until the 1920s when it was used as the Merchants Hotel. In service until the 1930s, the former hotel is now an apartment building. A few employees of the café have lived upstairs and have had unseen visitors. One young female employee was staying on the third floor, and she would sometimes feel someone crawl in bed with her and place unseen hands on her stomach as if to hold her down. Another employee saw a man in a top hat walk by his bathroom door as he was brushing his teeth.