Author Archives: RLMartin

Washington Blue Laws not What They Seem?

I came across this article when I was doing research for a short story about anti-Chinese sentiment. It used to be illegal to sell most goods and perform most services on Sundays in Washington. Seems obviously an imposition of religion on others. However, its original intent may have been to protect workers and give themContinueContinue reading “Washington Blue Laws not What They Seem?”

Black Dialectic Comedian in Tacoma, 1885

I came across this interesting tidbit in the Tacoma Daily Ledger from September 30, 1885. “Johnny Carter, the great colored comedian, gave one of his amusing entertainments to an appreciative audience last night at Germania hall, and will give his farewell entertainment to-night, at the same hall, with an entire change of programme. He isContinueContinue reading “Black Dialectic Comedian in Tacoma, 1885”

The Chinese Must Go!

The Daily Ledger, Tacoma, Washington Territory, Wednesday, September 30, 1885 The Chinese Must Go The Preamble and Resolutions Adopted by the Puget Sound Anti-Chinese Congress. On Monday evening last, at Seattle, W.T., the following preamble and resolutions were adopted by the delegates from various cities and towns on Puget Sound, who had convened to formulateContinueContinue reading “The Chinese Must Go!”

Zander’s Island Resources

Human TraffickingFor information about human trafficking in the Pacific, here’s a great novel! Kidnapped from the Caribbean, by Todd Duff. “Based on true stories of modern-day piracy, human trafficking, smuggling, and the drug trade involving the theft of charter vessels and private yachts in the Caribbean and Central America, Kidnapped from the Caribbean is aContinueContinue reading “Zander’s Island Resources”

Zander's Island Resources

Human TraffickingFor information about human trafficking in the Pacific, here’s a great novel! Kidnapped from the Caribbean, by Todd Duff. “Based on true stories of modern-day piracy, human trafficking, smuggling, and the drug trade involving the theft of charter vessels and private yachts in the Caribbean and Central America, Kidnapped from the Caribbean is aContinueContinue reading “Zander's Island Resources”

Tacoma Chinese Expulsion References

I’m starting a new novel about a love story between a white woman and a Chinese man in Tacoma in 1883-1885, leading up to the expulsion of the Chinese from Tacoma in November 1885. To prepare, I’m reading a lot of articles from the Tacoma Daily Ledger from those early years of Tacoma. I planContinueContinue reading “Tacoma Chinese Expulsion References”

No Taste for the Corruptible

No Taste for the CorruptibleI often used to wonder how the genealogy of Jesus really made any difference because it traces his lineage through Joseph who, as we know, had nothing to do with the conception of Jesus. Mary was a virgin. She was impregnated by the Holy Spirit not by Joseph. Someone once explainedContinueContinue reading “No Taste for the Corruptible”

Children’s Poems

Busy Mr. Thelby “Tell me,” said old Mister Thelby. “Tell me Walter Hugh, Why are you so blue?” “Cause I’m bored and it’s cold, and there’s nothing here to do.” “Cause you’re bored and it’s cold? Why, then there’s a million things to do.” “Blah,” said Walter. “I’m certain that’s not true?” “Maybe not forContinueContinue reading “Children’s Poems”