100 years ago (1917) young local resident Edward S. Christiansen, a resourceful young techie of his day, was discovered eavesdropping on official radio messages using a wireless [radio].   This was near the end of World War I and the military was understandably concerned.

Officials from the Puget Sound Navy shipyard sent the Snohomish County Sheriff to Camano Island to investigate.  They found Edward’s wireless radio set and antenna in a tree near Triangle Cove.  Read the article below for more details.

Edward lived to the age of 92 as a farmer, plumber and mechanic on Camano Island.  He left school after the 6th grade. He apparently never married and lived his whole life on Camano Island. His name was actually spelled “Christiansen” according to records.  He was born in September 1897 in Ballard, WA and died April 1989 on Camano Island.

And if anyone has anything to add to this please contact SAHS.  

Seattle Times article retrieved using Seattle Public Library cardholder access to the Historical Seattle Times Database – sincere thanks to SPL.org for this service!