Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1876-07-08
THE CELEBRATION AT SEATTLE.

AM n
1t is estimated that about five thousand
persons participated in the recent celebration
at Seattle, every town and hamlet on the
Sound furnishing its quota to increase the
thrOng. Seventeen steamers arrived on and
before the 4th, each laden with human
freight, with flags and streamers flying, which
were received with music, cheers and tho
booming of cannon. The city was gaily
decorated with evergreens, notices and
hundreds of flags. A large pavilion had been
erected ON the square fronting the Occiden-
tai Hotel, in which the ball took place at the
close of the days festivities. The limited
space at our command, of course, precludes
anything like an extended report of the exer-
cises, and brief summary must suffice. AT
10 O'Clock the regatta took place between
about 30 contestants. The course for the
yachts was "a miles. Four boats were en-
tered, ana the race was won by the II. L.
Tibbals The contest between the sloops
over the same course was won by the Har-
vest Queen, with five contestants, the Alba
tross, owned by Mr.. Budlong of this place,
coming in second. In the race for sail-boats,
the Centennial, another of Mr.. Budlong's
fleet, took the second prize. The distance
for the boats was 8 miles
Tie procession was not formed until .
O'clock. 1t was about half mile in lelgth,
and comprized the Pioneers of the Territory,
of which there was fine representation of
the sturdy ycOmany who had braved the
perils OF frontier life, the officers of the day,
invited guests, the municipal officers, Liberty
cars representing the original colonies and
the present Union, civic socie.ies-the Ma
sons and Forcsters making an exceedingly
creditable display-and citizens in carriages
and on foot. Two brass bands discourscd pa
casionally relieved by the inspiriting notes of
the bag pipe, manipulated by native High
lander, of the Order of Foresters, dressed in
full costume. The literary exercises took
place on the University grounds, every avail
able space within hundreds of feet of the
speakers stand being occupied by interested
auditors while many thronged the bclfry
and windows of the buildings to obtain a
favorable position for witnessing this princi-
pal feature of the day. Orations were de-
livered hy Messrs. w. II. White and C.. Han
ford, both of whom acquitted themselves
very creditably. An original poem, by a
gentleman of Seattle, was likewise the subject
of much favorable comment
Tn 11o 4ho I1
ball, and in point of numbers it certainly cx.
celled all former gatherings of that nature in
the Territory. Over 300 couples participated,
and at times over 1000 persons were on the
(loor, while in Yesler's hall from 10 to 80
couples likewise engaged in tripping the
light fantastic" The grand ball was free O
everybody, while at the other normal price
of admission was charged. 1t was not, how
ever, the outgrowth of shoddy, as might be
supposed, but simply inaugurated to relieve
cnt.
Notwithstanding Seattle has enjoyed for
some time past the unenviable reputation o.
possessing large rowdy element, We oh
served no indication of it on this occasion
We did not see single drunken pers dur
ing the whole day, and the evening was quite
as free from any manifestation of rowdyisnl
or disorder. This might have been to some
extent owing to the excellent police regula
tons recently adopted, and tho extra force in
reserve for any emergency on this occasion.
The return of the Olympia party by the
Aida, on the 9Th, was quite as enjoyable to q
student of human nature. The boat was
fairly thronged with very sleepy, but still
very cheerful and happy people, and the
positions assumed by somnollcnt individuals
afforded ncver-failing means of amusement
to the more widc-awake passengers, who in
turn became butts for those who had
awakened refreshed by their snOoze. The
latitude allowed on such occasions, was fully
assumed by the lads and lasses, and while
some might smile at the sight of a fair
head leaning lovingly on the stalwart shout
dcrs Of some happy gallant, all vowed they'd
never tell, and the suppressed filters in no
wise disturbed the unconscious slecpers.
The party all took dinner at Tacoma, when
delay of one hour occurred. They arrived
at home about 6 o'clock, without the oc-
currence of a single unpleasant circumstance
to mar the joyous occasion.
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