Puget's Sound: A Narrative of Early Tacoma and the Southern Sound

by Murray Morgan

With the same ability to make personalities and events come alive that characterizes his classic "Skid Road", Murray Morgan here tells the colorful story of southern Puget Sound, where major events of Washington's history took place, and of Tacoma, the area's principal city. Drawing upon the original journals and reports, Morgan tells his story largely in terms of individuals, interweaving portraits of well-known historical figures with those who are more obscure but who have a special significance. Journalist and historian Murray Morgan (1916-2000) was the author of more than twenty books, including "Skid An Informal Portrait of Seattle" and "The Last Wilderness". He worked for "Time" magazine, the "New York Herald Tribune", and CBS News before returning to Washington where he taught at Tacoma Community College and for fifteen years hosted the early morning radio show 'Our Town, Our World.'

Genres: History, Nonfiction, American History

368 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1981

About the author

Murray Cromwell Morgan

Reviews

[Aaron Carpenter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murray Morgan puts the "story" in history. With a wry turn of phrase, tongue often in cheek, and the sense of wonder only a true admirer can possess, Morgan tells us about a city and the people who made it. And that's what distinguishes him from other historians - he tells the story of the people, their backgrounds, their families, their proclivities, their triumphs and tragedies, and the lives that matter. The only downside to a book like this is that Morgan writes for people far more familiar with American history and geography than perhaps the average reader. Maps would have helped. But except for this minor point, this remarkable story about a remarkable city makes one wonder how much else we would find remarkable if only Murray Morgan had been enlisted to tell the stories.

[Janice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murray Morgan does a good job explaining the history of the Puget Sound region, and Tacoma in particular.

[Kati · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think you need to be familiar with the area to find this book fascinating, so my recommendation is contingent on the understanding that you've been to the Tacoma area and have a basic understanding of Washington state history before you dive into this. I really liked Mr. Morgan's writing style. He weaved the stories together well, and I liked that he saved the final chapter to tell his own connection to the city ("One Man's Tacoma") instead of that being the entire and only viewpoint. It took me a while to finish this book only because I was working through it and in the middle the election happened and it was just too difficult to work through the chapter, "The Chinese Must Go" as I saw a simple-minded ignorant blob win the biggest responsibility in the world though his bigotry, misogyny, and hatred. But I was able to pick it up again and remember that the majority of us choose to learn from our painful histories, and that places like Seattle and Tacoma are progressive and have come a long way from the days when they also chose to be afraid of groups of people instead of properly understanding them.

[Mary Keen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Got interested in this after listening to and reading Dorothy Wilhelm's informative book, True Tales of the Puget Sound. Since she's mainly known for humorous speaking and writing, her book was pretty amazing re history of the region, but this book covers more complete history over a larger geographical area.

Many amazing historical photos and drawings of people such as Foss, Whitworth, Annie Wright, and scenes of how it used to be.
This is due at the library now, but i hope to check it out again when i have more time. Not mentioned in the author's description is that a historical bridge in Tacoma is named after him --the Murray Morgan Bridge.

481 pages, including index and photos and illustrations

[Erik Hanberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was fun to read the history of early Tacoma. From settlement to the railroad boom to the Gold Rush (when Seattle had its act together to market to prospectors and Tacoma didn't) and on to the timber industry, the book was a great read. Fun to see all these names that are now streets around town.

Biggest issue: where are the women? Thea Foss is the only prominent woman called out. Otherwise they are silent. I recognize this as a function of records, but there are some interesting women mentioned who could have spoken a lot more.

Product of its time. Still worthwhile for Tacomans.

[Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed the first third up to turn of the century tacoma. Was really only interested in the interface of the two cultures of European and Indiginous people.
That part I found very informative. Definitely in the top ten books for introduction to the history of Puget Sound of Washington State.

[Meepspeeps · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this history and especially appreciated the author’s research to present the Indian and Chinese first person view points during ethnic conflicts. I recommend it to anyone who wants to learn about Tacoma’s ups and downs since whites settled in the area.

[Maddie Tiare]

Time for me to get some reading goal credit for my thesis research!

[Alex Tuck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading local history gave me a fresh perspective on my place in it

[Howard Frisk · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is awesome. I have read many books on the history of Seattle and Tacoma and this is among the most enlightening. I read the original 1979 edition, and as resident of the Puget Sound area, Puget’s Sound: A Narrative of Early Tacoma and the Southern Sound is like stepping into a time machine that lands right in the heart of places I’ve known. Morgan’s writing brings the Tacoma waterfront, the old Fort Nisqually site, and the sprawling Commencement Bay into sharp focus, layering them with tales of Captain Vancouver’s 1792 exploration, the American explorers spying on the British explorers, the Northern Pacific Railroad's iron grip, and the battles between the settlers and Indigenous peoples. Morgan’s gift is in the people he resurrects—the dreamers, drunks, and drifters who carved out this rugged corner of the world. Living here, I’ve always sensed their ghosts in the creak of the docks or the rustle of the evergreens, and he gives them voices that ring true.

One of the more fascinating events in our history is the dispute between Governor Isaac Stevens and Judge Edwards Lander in 1856. The dispute unfolded during the Puget Sound Indian War. Governor Stevens, aiming to suppress perceived settler support for Native American tribes, declared martial law in Pierce County and arrested several settlers suspected of aiding the enemy. He intended to try them for what amounted to as treason. Judge Lander, defending civil authority, issued writs of habeas corpus to release the detainees, challenging Stevens’ actions. In response, Stevens ordered militia to shut down Lander’s court in Steilacoom on May 7, arresting the judge and sparking a constitutional crisis. Lander persisted, reopening court in Olympia and citing Stevens for contempt, only to be arrested again! The standoff nearly escalated to he point of an armed conflict with both Stevens and Lander having armed men defending their positions, until Chief Justice Francis Chenoweth intervened, forcing Stevens to relent. Lander ultimately fined Stevens $50 for contempt. Stevens eventually pardoned himself.

5 stars from me!

[Paula Lyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a history, this book is really unsurpassed. The amount of detail and access to primary sources is noteworthy. As just a read for pleasure, it's got too much detail and could definitely be shorter. Still this is my home too and I know the area and learned at lot.

[Ian · Rating 4 out of 5]

My review on LibraryThing>/a>.

[Steve Van Slyke · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very enjoyable read and good overview of the pioneering days of Puget Sound.

[Mick Flaaen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic. Everyone who calls the Puget Sound home would benefit reading from this wonderful testament to it's amazing history.