The Royal Society of Good Fellows Throws a Party
Athletic contests, fireworks, and a topical song about 'Ta-ra-boom-de-ay' mark a lively celebration in the mining town of Gilman.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
The Royal Society of Good Fellows decided to have a good celebration on the Fourth of July in Gilman, and under their management, the day was packed with activities. Sports took place on the grounds of the Seattle Coal and Iron Company, followed by a concert in the evening. A free supper for 100 persons was served at the S.C.I. Company's boarding house, followed by fireworks and a dance that lasted until 4 a.m. The sports were well-contested, with the flag race for girls and the sack race providing much amusement. The evening concert was particularly well-received, featuring Dr. Harrell's character impersonation of Miss Lottie Collins, singing 'Ta-ra-boom-de-ay.'
“The sports, concert, supper and dance were crowded to the utmost, and at the most conservative estimate 400 persons were present.”
Gilman, once a bustling company town built on coal, eventually became the town of Issaquah. While the S.C.I. Company boarding house is long gone, the community spirit of the Fourth of July celebrations persists in Issaquah's modern festival culture.
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