Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1907-01-11
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KhipN N8h\.tG, IANliEi II. 1907.
O.d-Tnne Memories.

O.d-Tnne Memories.
Nu tie ti'>l pacr We give one 81 n
number of pioneer sketches placed IN
or l.ssr s>lou by !. II. W. T!llson,
Who nearly t..ty years ago operated a
Cur aud notion stand in part OF
what i now the ot!ice-room of the
New England Hotel, kept by John
G.cau!Am. Il may seem to be some
what unusual Tor prominent office
holder, and citizens t. have engaged in
such toistcrous proceedings, as are
therein portrayed, but it must be borne
in mind that customs then were vastly
different from what they are now.
Then orr community was, socially,
one large family, and it waa no sin TO
lartakc i'll limited degree, OF intoxi-
Cants; nor was 1t considered out Of
place to hu,I conyivial gatherings
wherein good naturcd rollicking was
III ttfift-tf ttafe custom te
Place vine, or even stronger drinks, Oh
the table, when New Year day call.
We're always observed. In fact, it may
he said, that still further back, the
pivot OF the social wheel, go far at least
as men were concerned, revolved about
Westbrook's or Miles saloons, where
"t""-bit' drinks were dispensed every
day in the year, and bought by every
whale or mDnow in the social swim.
1t was then that the Legislative enact
ments were formulated at the Goph-
or Hole" an old building that stood
Just in the rear of the old Pacific
House whose site only remains, Just
about where Bonner's Dye Works now
are, on Third street. 1t was here that
the Snoqnalmie appropriation bills"
were sandwiched with the University
Land gratis, and divorce laws, from
one to halfdozen of which were
passed at each session, and helped ma.
terially to unite sentiment on the ap.
preparation bills which we're perennial
in their nature, the Legislature meet
ing every year. The Gopher Hole was
noted for its wide.west methods OF dis.
pensing hospitality.
A Governor that did not adapt him.
self readily to these frontier conditions
very soon ascertained that q slight
bending Of ideas had TO made TO con-
ciliate popular sentiment, and even the
learned and, at times dignified and &C..
we're Judges, found it would be better
to drift with the tide socially than stem
the current, which they readily did
and became at once par excellence com.
mendable and worthy citizens. So
there was nothing at all unusual in
the comedy enacted by the mock court,
as described by Mr.. Tillson.
Then again, it must be borne in
mind that the pioneers had no visits
in those days from minstrel or dra.
matte companies, or of noted speakers,
and their methods for diversion were
OF their own planning and the most
primitive sort. The people seemed to
realize, however, that
"All work and no play
Made Jack dull boy
and determined that he should not
lose bis edge if by any means good
sharpener could be kept in service.
So q wide latitude was at all times
given, although no people could have
been quicker to call a halt if what
might be regarded as reasonable lin.
its were exceeded. While much they
did would not be sanctioned at this
day, we doubt very much whether the
community now possesses larger de.
gree OF honesty, liberalisy. geniality,
goodwill, chivalry, patriotism and
sterling virtue in all the varied duties
OF social life, than did the pioneers
who at times took day or q night off,
to relieve that accumulation of vigor
which in times OF War sometimes re-.
suits 10 heroic deeds and when Peace
moderates human impulses in famous
achievements.
The piooeers-God bless the few
that remain! they have at least left
their footprints on the sands of time.
There were few-very few-black sheep
among them, and they did not tarry
long in an unwelcome field, as they
soon found our village to be.