, 1892-09-08
GRAINGER'S RELICS.
The Historic Land Mark Razed to
the Ground.
The First Piano to Enter the North
west---It Came with an Early
missionary ExPedItiOn--The To-
tenn StIck--The Old Structure.


With the demolishment of the old Grain
ger barn, one of the historic land marks Of
early days disappears. 1t will be replaced
by brick structure, ninety feet square,
divided into four we'll lighted store rooms.
The foundations and walls will be so built
that an additional story may be added,
when business warrants.
The greatest wonder is that the old build
ing was not long ago destroyed by the
ravages Of fire. 1t afforded comfortable
sleeping place for careless tramps. One
attempt was made, by saturating lot of
waste with can of coal oil, but the incen-
diaries were foiled.
Mr. Granger liked his old building. He
was social light In early days, and in
deed, it is doubtful if there are any walls
in Olympia which have surrounded so
many gay scenes as those which have
taken place in the upper portion of the
old barn. 1t has seen the day when it en-
joyed the monopoly of Olympia's gay
society, and when il boasted of all the
dances and leading social events. But,
with the advance of progress, it gave way
to skating rink, a gymnasium and a
general sporting resort. 1t contained one
of the best dance floors ever laid, and coY-
cred an immense space. In one corner was
the gallery and musicians room, and
amongst the debris could have been seen
today the last relic of those familiar scenes
which have many times gladdened the
heart of every old settler. It is nothing
more nor less than the old piano, which
has been pounded many and many a
night, while young men and maidens, now
gray with years, skipped over the dancing
ing floor, This relic is priced by Mr..
Granger as one of the first pianos to enter
the northwest. 1t was brought to Oregon
with missionary expedition in the neigh
borhoOd of 1885, but about all that remains
of it now is the case and wires. Destruc-
tive beggars have mutilated the KEYS and
ivory. The instrument is of walnut, after
the design of rolling top desk, and con-
tanned five octaves. The name of the
maker cannot be ascertained.
Another old relic, which money cannot
buy, attracted the attention of hundreds
of people while the walls of the old build
ing were being demolished. 1t was a totem
stick after the image of a woman, and
stood about twelve feet high. This stick
or column, as it properly is, was a support
in one of the Indian huts on Queen Char
lotte Island, one of the British possessions.
Mr.. Granger secured it several years ago,
and has many times refused large sums Of
money for it. In addition to this, he has
probably the largest Indian collection that
can be found in this vicinity, and will, as
soon as his building operations are COM
pleted, devote his time to getting his ex-
hibit in shape.
When the old barn was first built 33
years ago, the neighborhood of Main and
Sixth street was nothing but a wooded
wilderness. In 1871 he enlarged the barn
by building the front wing. This building
contained more lumber than almost any
two buildings in Olympia. Some of the
boards and jOists were AZ feet long and are
vet in a perfect state of preservation. It
required 5000 shingles to cover the roof
and these were the first sawed shingles in
Washington Territory.