Fourth of July at Fort Simcoe
A report on an orderly, celebratory Fourth of July gathering of Indian families and local white residents at Fort Simcoe.
The Fourth of July was celebrated in style at Fort Simcoe. The parade, under the direction of Joe Stwire (White Swan), was a success, showcasing impressive Indian horsemanship. After the parade, the crowd assembled in a lovely grove for patriotic songs and speeches from Captain Thomas Priestley, White Swan, Rev. Thomas Pearne, and others. The celebration included a bountiful dinner. The order was excellent; there was not a fight or a drunken man to be seen. The Indians remained a few days afterward at Stwireville engaged in horse racing and traditional sports, and on Saturday, White Swan gave a dinner for hundreds of his people, representing six generations of his family. The occasion was enjoyed by a number of whites from Yakima and Goldendale.
“There was not a fight or a drunken man to be seen.”
This account captures a rare, complex moment of cross-cultural gathering at a time of extreme tension following the reservation period. It highlights the agency of figures like White Swan in maintaining community identity in the face of ongoing federal pressure.
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