The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-03-21
SHOW PRINTING.


How 10 wns Done For tine First q. 8.
Dragons in 1855.
waala Wall Union
In ls5s the FIRST United States Dragons
were stationed at Fort Walia Wa1la, then
situated on the site now occupied by the
staver A Walker building on East Main
street The larger portion Of the men COM
posing the dragons were young men from
the Eastern states, and from thickly settled
European countries, used to numerous
modes OF amusement. and 81 . los. how TO
pleasantly pas the away the greater part Of
their time when at the post.
AT the suggestion Of some levcl-headed
Individual. stock theatrical company was
organized . theatre erected, and troupe
OF light dramatic propensities At once took
active steps toward producing such plays
~ Paddy, the Piper" Handy Andy"
and the like. About this time the troops
were removed to the present location Of
Fort Waiia Walla, and g troop, First Ora
goons, built theaier of large proportions
about where the post bakery now stands.
Among the soldiers Was young German,
a scene painter by trade. His services were
offered to adorn the drop curtains and
wings OF the stage, and when finished the
Pacific coast. The dramatic company gave
frequent entertainments. well attended by
all, the officers and their wives occupying
the gallery, which was reserved exclusively
for them. The time between the play
proper and the farce which usually followed
was made pleasant by solos from Miss
Maxon, . daughter Of stephen Maxon. of
Maxon sehooihouse fame. she receiving $40
for each nights appearance.
As no theater is complete without play
bills. posters, ETC., and ~ no printing es-
Enlistment was within 500 miles Of Fort
Walla Walla, the leaders OF this histrionic
enterprise were left TO their own resources
to obtain printing material. When the
want became know. young man Michael
McBride--afterwards q weii-to-do farmer
here. who had had considerable experience
in eastern printing Offices, concluded that
he could make press. type, ink, etc. Sc
curing the services Of Nike Kinney, who
was afterward . policeman for several
years, Mcbride started out 20 put his ideas
in shape.
Obtaining piece OF heavy, hard wood,
1sx24 inches, he put Kinney at work
planning IL down for the bed Of the press.
Mike afterward stated that he was four
days In getting the piece OF wood In proper
condition to suit Mcbride. With the aid
of the company farrer. Elijah Birch. who
did the ironwork on the novel machine,
Mcbride and Kinney turned out fair
specimen of the Washington "man-killer"
hand-power press. So far. SO good. The
press was ready. but no type was obtain
able. As hard oak could be gotten at the
qusrtermaster' department., Mcbride
started 10 work 10 make wood type Of va
rious dimensions by the aid OF chiseL
Success crowned his efforts. and he pro-
duecd fair-looking half-sheet poster, an
nouncing when the troupe would appear,
and in what plays. The press was used al
most exclusively for show printing, and
was one OF the first IN the Northwest, and
surely the most unique printing machine
ever on the coast
When Mcbride left the army he took up
his home on farm on upper Mill creek,
taking his press with him. IL was never
put in use. however, as all-iron presses
usurped ITS field and few years ago part
Of IL vas used by MrBride in fixing head
er machine. The remainder OF this almost
forgotten press is now on the Mcbride farm
rapidly decaying with age. Mcbride died
a few years ago, while the partner OF his
novel scheme. kinney.is now in business
in Walia Waiia.