On February 22, 1872, a letter from an irate citizen appears in the The Weekly Intelligencer concerning "depredations of a gang of worthless boys" who, "not content with making day and night hideous with their noise," commit "wanton depredations upon the property of our citizens."
Following is the text of the letter:
HOODLUMS
Seattle, Feb. 22d, 1872
ED. INTELLIGENCER,Please call the attention of our city authorities to the depredations of a gang of worthless boys who, not content with making day and night hideous with their noise, are constantly committing wanton depredations upon the property of our citizens by breaking windows and fences, and cutting or otherwise mutilating shade trees. Some go so far as to commit petit larceny in a manner which, for skillfulness and cunning, would reflect professional credit upon the "hoodlums" of San Francisco, while others, skulking behind trees and fences, assail passers by with sticks, stones and other convenient missiles.
The sufferers consider this state of things about "played out," and if not attended to by their parents some of the juvenile offenders will, ere long, grace our police court and enjoy the comforts of the city prison.
[Not signed]
