No matter how scary and dangerous some people think downtown Aberdeen has become, it doesn’t even come close to the amount of violent crime that existed a hundred years ago. Death, whether by guns, knives or accidents, far outstrips anything that is happening today. Here are some tales of saloon-y criminality.

FIGHT ENDS IN ARREST — Montesano – Because Joe Cameron refused to pay five cents, the price of a glass of beer, after partaking of a drink in Harry White’s place here today, White proceeded to eject Cameron from the premises. The affair ended in the arrest of White, who will receive a hearing at a later date. — Aberdeen Daily World, August 15, 1910

ANDREW JOHNSON ARRESTED FOR ALLEGED ATTEMPT AT MURDER – Andrew Johnson, a sailor, was arrested late last night in the Klondyke Saloon on F Street, charged with assault with intent to kill John Lethovius. Following his arrest, Johnson was immediately taken to Montesano for safe keeping, information being filed direct in superior court.

But little of the affair is known to the police officers, as several witnesses are now undergoing examination.

According to a statement made this morning by Lethovius, the men became engaged in an argument while drinking at a saloon on F Street. During the argument, Johnson struck him in the mouth. Wishing to evade trouble, he left the place and visited the Klondyke Saloon. A few minutes after he entered the place, Johnson came in and the argument was renewed. Levothius says he was trying to get away when Johnson pulled out his pocket knife and lunged at him. The blade entered Lethovius’ left side and penetrated the flesh about one inch, just above the heart.

Officers, hearing the noise, entered the saloon and placed Johnson under arrest. Lethovius was not seriously injured in the melee and it is understood he is desirous of dropping the charge. — Aberdeen Daily World, June 18, 1912

STABBED IN SALOON ROW — With one long knife cut and several smaller wounds in his back, made by the same instrument, none of them dangerous, and with his coat and vest slashed, Gust Idejan was taken to a local hospital early this morning. The stabbing was the result of a drunken quarrel in the Harbor Saloon and Jack Lund and Oscar Wise are in jail charged with the crime. Several men who were in the saloon at the time were taken to the station and ordered to appear as witnesses. — Aberdeen Daily World, January 10, 1914

STOLE LIQUOR, IS CHARGE — Held as witnesses to appear against John Fitzgerald, arrested yesterday by Officer Joe Searles, charged with breaking into the Club Saloon on F Street and stealing several bottles of liquor together with two boxes of cigars, John Engelmark and Teddy Olson are in the city jail awaiting hearing of the case which will probably be had before Judge F.K. Drake either this afternoon or tomorrow. According to the police, good proof has been secured against Fitzgerald as both witnesses have confessed to purchasing liquor from him, and the goods answered the description of the stolen articles. — Aberdeen Daily World, August 20, 1912

BOLD BURGLARS STEAL GAS METER FROM SALOON — Entering the side door of the Alaska Saloon, 317 South G Street, during the early hours this morning, burglars successfully escaped the vigilance of the police and when they left the establishment, N.A. Odalovich, proprietor, was minus a gas meter, one small caliber revolver and a small bottle of wine.

When the saloon closed last night, several articles of value were left in the bar room, and therefore the vandals’ particular selection of practically valueless things, somewhat puzzle the police. No attempt was made to open the safe or tamper with the cash register. — Aberdeen Daily World, January 20, 1912

MAN KICKED WHILE DOWN BETTER — W.P. Parker, the old Englishman kicked while down on the street in front of the Heffron bar yesterday by Martin LeRoy, a traveling salesman, rested easily at St. Joseph’s Hospital last night. LeRoy is still in jail pending placing of charges against him. — Aberdeen Daily World, October 17, 1913

ITALIAN TRIED IN COURT — Tony Forjona is having a hearing before Judge Phillips in police court this afternoon on a charge of attempting to kill S. Jacobsen of the Newport Saloon. Forjona is an Italian and Jacobsen says he ejected him from the saloon because he was begging. Forjona then went away and returned with a rifle, which he attempted to use, but the weapon was taken away from him by a bystander. Forjona alleges that he was struck in the face by Jacobsen without provocation and that he simply acted in self-defense. — Aberdeen Daily World, October 29, 1910

(Note: This next story, it should be noted, involves a porter, also called a “swamper,” a job usually held by chronic alcoholics and opiate addicts who would clean the saloon, and in return get some food, a place to sleep, and the dregs left in beer mugs.)

FORMER SAILOR FALLS DEAD ON BARROOM FLOOR — August Shultz, a German sailor, who during the last three months has been engaged as porter for the Sailors’ Union in the old Grand building on Heron and F Streets, was stricken with heart failure while in the Loop Saloon shortly after 11 o’clock last night, and died before medical aid could be summoned.

Schultz’ death is attributed to alcoholism. During the day yesterday, he frequented a number of saloons on F Street. In the afternoon, according to the proprietor and bartender of the Loop Saloon, he entered the place and asked for a drink. He was refused the drink, being told that he had enough. Last night in the company of sailors, he again entered the bar, and was again refused whiskey. Angered by the action of the bartender, Schultz was about to leave the place when he fell to the floor.

As Schultz struck the big open music box near the bar, the instrument began to play. Several patrons of the place who were standing at the bar, humorously remarked that Schultz was too drunk to listen to his favorite tune.

“I saw Schultz fall, but was sure he did not strike his head the box,” said John Leonard, the bartender. “He was lying on the floor, and I placed his back against the wall. At that time he was breathing heavily, and I opened his shirt. I thought at first he night be hurt. His breathing became normal again and I left him to wait on some customers. A few minutes later, someone remarked that his face was white. I went to him again, and found him dead.”

As soon as it was discovered that Schultz was dead, the police station was notified. Coroner Hunter reached Aberdeen on the 12 o’clock car, and after a consultation with those who were in the saloon when Schultz died, the body was removed to the Whiteside Undertaking Parlors.

But little is known of Schultz, further than that he had followed deep sea life before coming to Aberdeen. He was a member of the sailors’ union, which organization will look after his burial and funeral services. An effort is now being made to find if he has any relatives. — Aberdeen Daily World, September 14, 1912

Roy Vataja, the son of Finnish immigrants, thinks he may have been a swamper in the Loop Saloon in a previous life.