Editor's note: The West Seattle Herald has been covering news here for nearly a century. Robinson Newspapers (who run the West Seattle Herald) have a massive news archive of Herald coverage dating back to 1928. What follows are crime reports and public safety issues from 1928. Although reporters’ names were not included with stories at that time, their original words remain intact. As more historical crime reports are compiled there will be more installments of West Seattle All Time Crimes.

Aug. 30, 1928
Geo. Ryan Back From Big Trip
Rough Roads Disabled Car and Hurt Mrs. Ryan
“A good time was had by all – with some qualifications,” declares George Ryan, genial Commercial Club secretary who returned last Thursday from a three weeks’ auto trip to Cripple Creek, Colorado with Mrs. Ryan and their two children.

While the party had a generally enjoyable time, they struck some roads that were so rough they disabled the car and blackened Mrs. Ryan’s eyes and cut her head when she struck the roof of the car.

The Dodge car was disabled when the bumps broke the gas line connection at night on the desert road between Wallace, Idaho and Butte, Montana. All the gas leaked out and the family had visions of spending the night miles from civilization when luck brought a lone care along the road with a former Dodge service man driving it. He happened to have the tools to make a new connection and loaned George two gallons of gas with the result that the party reached Butte that night.

Editor's Note: Some things never change, like the problem with speeding on California Ave. "Will you slow down please!" is a Herald article from 2010 about this very issue from 1928.
Oct. 11, 1928
School Boy and Old Man Injured
Two Accidents Occur Within Week on California Avenue
Two serious accidents occurring on California Avenue within a block of each other and inside of week makes it necessary to repeat the incessant warning to motorists to be more careful. Especially is this true when passing schools, where the last accident took place.

October 11, 1928
Sen. Jones Tells of Liquor Issue
Makes Interesting Address at Granada Theater
Senator Wesley L. Jones, speaking before the Community Men’s Bible Class last Sunday morning at the Granada Theater, brought politics into his address just enough to establish how prohibition became an issue in the present campaign and who was responsible for bringing it into the contest.

Then by presenting a series of facts, he tore down the arguments of states rights, Canadian and other forms, of controlling the liquor business, etc, proving that no remedy along such lines was possible.

Senator Jones quoted statistics to show the general improvement since the days of the open saloon, as it affected the home, prosperity of nation and individual, our advancement in school attendance and our ways of living, especially the labor-saving devices which now come to the home and with which no other nation on earth is blessed.

Dec. 6, 1928
Warning for W.S. Residents
This is the time of the year that is “Open Season” for all kinds of door-to-door salesmen and peddlers. We suggest that before any orders are signed or money paid out, a local address of the salesman be verified or that you telephone the Herald, West 0300, or West Seattle Commercial Club, West 6900. West Seattle has responsible merchants in practically every line of trade who are ready to stand back of their good and guarantee satisfaction in every sale made. Their business is established here for your convenience and you are assured of personal service and attention.

Dec. 20, 1928
Motorman Drops Dead From Shock
Driving a municipal railway street car, December 10, Ole Hellum, motorman, 60 years old, living with his family at 5540 20th Avenue South, saw a woman suddenly step in front of the car. She dodged back, but the shock was too much for the motorman. “Take the controller,” he said to the inspector who happened to be riding with him, and fell to the floor, dead. Something had snapped in his brain.

If you missed Part 1 of 1928 All Time Crimes, the link is here.