Northwest enterprise. [volume] (Anacortes, Wash. Ter.) 1882-1887, 1882-07-08
THE FOURTH.
How 1t Was Observed at LacOnner,
Edison, and Other Places.

The people of Whatcom and San Juan
counties have certainly just cause to be
proud of the manner ip which the ma
tional anniversary was observed by them
on Tuesday last. There was very gems
eral turnout, and every available craft,
from stern wheel steamer to a Siwash
dug out, was pressed into service to ac-
commodate the crowd. At Laconner,
Edison, East Sound, Ferndale and Mount
Vernon, the principal points OF attraction
in this section, there were large gather
ings, while quite number went to Seattle.
AT LACoNNER
There was a large attendance from all
parts of the county. The steamer We'll
come took over large delegation from
Fidalgo, Guemes. and adjacent islands,
arriving about o'clock Monday evening
The town presented a gala appeaian
AL the principal business houses being
tasteiuly decorated with bunting, ever
greens, etc. The programme presented
was varied and attractive. AT sunrise
ON the 4th an anvil salute was fired The
procession of the Muldoons or Horribles
took place at 10 A. NJ. They were mot
ley crew, indeed, and were the cause of
much merriment. Some were attired IN
huge hats and abbreviated coats; others
again were got up as miniature Falstaf,s,
and strutted along laboriously with huge
paunches; there were red-eyed monsters
and green-eycd monstrosities, and their
antics and capers as they marched along,
were laughable to see. After this the CIT
liens repaired to the hall and formed in
line, aud preceded by the A. o. U. w.
lo lg', marched TO the park, where the
literary exercises took place. After some
preliminary remarks. james Powers, Presi-
dent OF the Day, introduced j. A. Gill
land, who read the Declaration of Indie.
pendence. The Grafton was delivered by
w. Il. Stoll, was mastery effort,
and unusually interesting, owing to
the entire absence of the stale platitudes
and spread eagle bosh generally indulged
III on such occasions. After the exercises
at the park were concluded, there was a
grand ru,h for the wharf. to witt the
boat and tub races. The latter was of
course the most amusing of the two.
Chenoweth and Stroble were the contest
ants, and the race was won easily by the
former. The boat race was won by Ed.
Stacy. There WAS also horse race at
The race track, about IA quarter OF a mile
from iewn, between jas. Harrison's and
Jake Myers horses, for a purse of $75,
which was won by the latter. The days
festivities terminated with grand ball in
the evening. The commodious hall was
filed TO repletion, and dancing was kept
up until sunrise. All things considered,
the celebration at Laconner was eminently
sue cessful, and nothing occurred to mar
the general pleasure.
AT EDISON.
The celebration at this place was all
that could be desired, and one that will
many TINT visited this delightful little
place, and was highly satisfactory to those
that took an active part IN the manages
mcnt. Owing to an erroneous report
having been circulated that the steamer
Chehalis would bring up number of
questionable characters from Seattle,
which by the way had no foundation as
to fact, and was undoubtedly instigated
by some malicious persons, not as many
people as were expected from abroad.
visited that place. The Chehalis, as per
advertisement, left Whatcom Tuesday
morning with "a gay party OF plcnicers on
board, and arrived at Edison about six
O'Clock. From this time on till nine or
ten O'clock small boats of all sizes and
colors kept continually coming in, and by
ten Edison presented the appearance of
a young city, as regards population.
Nd
ated with the stars and stripes, and
everything presented gay and attractive
appearance. A beautiful little grove
located Just east OF Frank Gilkey's place
had been selected as the place to hold
the exercises, and no more handsome
spot could have possibly been secured.
Seats had been conveniently arranged and
II speakers stand erected in front, the
trees so thick over head as to afford a
| dense shade, even Mt mid>day. Hon. w.
I'll. White, of Seattle, well known to this
part of the Sound, delivered the grafton.
He spoke in plain forcibIe manner, that
at once made him attentive listeners, and
all expressed themselves rs well pleased
with the Grafton from beginning to end.
The reading OF the Declaration of indie
pendence by f. Hammond, was worthy of
mention, rs well AS the short speech by
Capt. A. j. Edwards. President of the
Day. Following these exercises was the
grand picnic dinner, upon the same
ground. The manner in which every one
partoolS of the bounteous repast spread
| out under the trees, was evidence that all
| cnjoved it. The foot racing that follow
ell, was witne 'sed with much interest, and
tie small sums of money staked on their