WHY CAN’T PEOPLE work out their differences? Why do things turn towards hostility so easily?
Wait! Were you thinking I was talking about the streets of Seattle? Or politics? No. I am referring to the streets of Port Angeles in 1893.
The events in question were set in motion by a young woman. Newspapers described her as having an “unsavory character.” In Dec. 1892 this young woman started receiving medical treatment from Dr. Isac Reece Herrick. She paid Dr. Herrick $55 for her treatment. Dr. Herrick had his suspicions regarding the money. But, he was assured the money was earned honestly.
It is easy to think that $55 is nothing. $55 in 1893 is equivalent to $1,850 today. At some point in 1893 Dr. Herrick made a trip to the Seattle area. He was still suspicious about the source of the money. He confided his suspicions with friends, and his willingness to refund the money if his suspicions proved true.
Herrick was born around 1858 in Bowling Green, Ky. He was a physician and surgeon.
When Dr. Herrick returned from Seattle he learned of a warrant for his arrest. City Marshal P. A. Meager directed Police Judge S. P. Carusi to issue the warrant. Judge Samuel Polando Carusi was born on Dec. 9, 1842, in Alexandria, Virginia. He was elected Police Judge in 1891.
An investigation had found that the young woman had stolen the $55 from her father. The authorities believed Dr. Herrick was fully aware of the nature of the $55 and was guilty of receiving stolen money.
Events took some complicated turns. When Marshal Meager requested the warrant Judge Carusi asked him to delay action for a few days. Carusi then contacted Marion Blackwood. Marion L. Blackwood was part of the pioneer Aldwell family and had been previously married to M. D. Blackwood. She was a widow. Marion and Dr. Herrick were very close friends.
Carusi explained the facts to Marion. It is odd, even for 1893, that the judge would seek out the girlfriend rather than wait to deal directly with the Doctor.
Marion unselfishly wanted to help the doctor out of this situation. Marion had a nice solitaire diamond ring and it was offered as collateral to help Dr. Herrick. Carusi secured a loan from C. P. Brown of the First National Bank. C. P. Brown did not know the jewel came from Marion. He thought it belonged to Carusi. This was likely due to her gender and fears around her ability to repay a loan.
Dr. Herrick sincerely appreciated Marion’s kindness. He solemnly promised to repay the loan and redeem the ring.
As we say, “Life happens.” Dr. Herrick had raised enough money on several occasions. But adverse circumstances cropped up to thwart repayment. The real fight was just beginning.
Judge Carusi was convinced that Dr. Herrick was procrastinating and was quite indifferent about the loan. Judge Carusi sent several letters to Dr. Herrick severely criticizing him for what Carusi believed was negligence. Judge Carusi demanded Dr. Herrick take care of it immediately.
At this time Dr. Herrick and Marion Blackwood became engaged to be married. Judge Carusi inflamed matters by trying to intervene in the upcoming marriage. Judge Carusi decided it was necessary to speak to Marion directly. He was uncomplimentary about Dr. Herrick and spoke in damaging terms about the Doctor’s past career. It is unknown today what those issues were.
Marion would have nothing to do with it. She was still devoted to the Doctor. On August 24, 1893, the couple were married.
Mrs. Herrick and Mrs. Carusi were friends. But the disputes between their husbands had strained their relationship.
Judge Carusi would not let matters lie. On Sept. 4, 1893, Mrs. Herrick (the former Marion Blackwood) received a note from Carusi. The note read, “Mrs. S. P. Carusi regrets that circumstances have arisen which render it imperative to return all existing evidences of former friendship between Mrs. Herrick and herself.” In other words, every tie of friendship was broken.
It is not hard to see that this fanned the flame of hatred the existed between Carusi and Herrick. The situation was about to become violent.
On Sept. 5, 1893, Herrick and Carusi met on the northwest corner of Front and Laurel Streets. Their actions and words were heated. Then Dr. Herrick struck Carusi on the head with a nine-inch cast iron wrench. It was a serious blow causing a 2½-inch cut.
Another man, S. D. Maxwell, who was standing near, grabbed Herrick to restrain him from further acts of violence. Maxwell was standing between Herrick and Carusi. Carusi was still dazed but he pulled out his Smith & Wesson 38-caliber handgun and reached over Maxwell shooting Herrick.
The bullet passed through Herrick’s right lung, hitting the liver and kidneys. Herrick, realizing the seriousness of it, turned to Carusi and said, “Look, what you have done!” Herrick walked into a neighboring saloon and slumped down into a chair. Herrick was carried to another doctor’s office and several doctors helped to alleviate the suffering. Dr. Herrick died late that evening.
A coroner’s jury met the following day to examine the case. They found that Dr. Herrick had directed great provocation at Judge Carusi and that the shooting was in self defense. That was not the end of it.
On Sept. 19th the court examined the evidence surrounding the shooting. Carusi’s attorney argued that Carusi was “dazed, bewildered, and irresponsible” after repeated blows to the head. Carusi’s attorney filed a motion for the discharge of Carusi saying the evidence clearly exonerates Carusi. The motion was granted, and Carusi was released.
On Sept. 21st another arrest warrant was issued. Dr. Herrick’s brother-in-law, Thomas T. Aldwell, swore out a complaint before Justice Alfred Ware, the Justice of the Peace in Sequim. Carusi posted another $1,000 bond. On September 28th the case was dismissed since the arrest was made by private citizens and not by the county.
On Dec. 14, 1893, Judge Carusi was again charged with first-degree murder. He pled not guilty and posted a $1,000 bond. The trial began on Jan. 3, 1894. The jury acquitted Carusi on January 8th.
Samuel Carusi continued to work as an attorney. He became the Chief Clerk for the Washington State House of Representatives during the 1897 Legislative Session.
Samuel Carusi suffered a stroke on March 8, 1908 and died in Port Angeles on March 27, 1908. His body is buried at Ocean View Cemetery.
If I have learned anything from this event, it is that historians would have little to write about if people would be reasonable and sensible.
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John McNutt is a descendant of Clallam County pioneers and treasurer of the North Olympic History Center Board of Directors. He can be reached at woodrowsilly@gmail.com.
John’s Clallam history column appears the first Saturday of every month.
