W. D. Wood Explained

William D. Wood
Office:23rd Mayor of Seattle
Term Start:April 6, 1896
Term End:October 18, 1897
Predecessor:Frank D. Black
Successor:Thomas J. Humes
Birth Date: 1858
Party:Republican

W. D. Woods (1858–1917)[1] was the 23rd mayor of Seattle, appointed to fill the vacancy of Frank D. Black. He first announced his resignation[1] to participate in the Klondike Gold Rush before asking for a leave of absence,[2] which the Seattle city council denied.[3] He subsequently forfeited his seat on October 18, 1897.[4]

Biography

Before becoming Mayor, Wood was a lawyer and real-estate speculator who developed property around Green Lake.[5] On April 6, 1896, Mayor Black submitted his resignation to the city council citing illness and a dislike for the job.[6] Black recommended Wood for the seat, and Wood was appointed after a city council vote.[6] [7]

In July 1897, Wood traveled to San Francisco to speak at the International Christian Endeavor Convention.[5] [8] While he was at the convention, a steamboat returning from the Klondike showed up with "a ton of gold."[5] Wood would state his resignation while still in California, but his resignation was not officially submitted to the council.[9]

When Wood returned to Seattle in mid-August and submitted a leave of absence for at least ninety days, which was denied by the council the following day.[2] He would still go on his trip to the Klondike, and the council stated he would forfeit his seat on October 18 if he did not return, which he did not.[3] [4] After 65 votes, the council appointed Thomas J. Humes to fill the vacancy on November 19, 1897.[10]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Wilma . Dave . City Council appoints William D. Wood as Mayor of the City of Seattle on April 6, 1896. . History Links . 29 September 2024 . November 16, 2000.
  2. News: Wood will not resign, Mayor will simply ask for a leave of absence . subscription . 29 September 2024 . The Seattle Daily Times . newsbank.com . August 17, 1897.
  3. News: Denied the Request. Wood not granted leave of absence . subscription . 29 September 2024 . The Seattle Daily Times . newsbank.com . August 18, 1897.
  4. News: Council in a panic. Thought Wood's resignation was on the tapis . subscription . 29 September 2024 . The Seattle Daily Times . newsbank.com . October 6, 1897 . "Mayor Wood's office will be forfeited a week from next Monday-October 18- should he fail to return to the city prior to that time.".
  5. News: Anderson . Ross . City's 50 mayors range from leaders to losers . 29 September 2024 . The Seattle Times . September 16, 2001.
  6. Web site: Dougherty . Phil . Voters elect Frank D. Black mayor of Seattle on March 3, 1896. . History Link . 29 September 2024 . April 20, 2020.
  7. News: Town's New Mayor . subscription . 29 September 2024 . The Seattle Daily Times . newsbank.com . April 7, 1896.
  8. News: Mayor Wood will travel. Leaves today for California . subscription . 29 September 2024 . The Seattle Daily Times . newsbank.com . July 6, 1897.
  9. News: Who will be Mayor? . subscription . 29 September 2024 . The Seattle Daily Times . newsbank.com . August 3, 1897 . City Comptroller Parry has not received Mayor Wood's resignation as yet and it is probable that the Mayor will not hand it in until he returns from San Francisco..
  10. Web site: Wilma . David . City Council appoints Thomas J. Humes as Mayor of Seattle on November 19, 1897. . History Link . 29 September 2024 . November 16, 2000.

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