The Steamer That Never Came: Steilacoom's Broken Promise of a Pleasure Trip

Much disappointment was occasioned to the good people of our town and county by the failure, on Thursday, of the steamer Excelsior to make her trip on an excursion to Olympia and back. Handbills were printed and circulated on Monday evening and Tuesday, announcing the excursion, and a hundred or more persons, in anticipation of the promised pleasure, had prepared to put aside the usual duties of that day, in order to avail themselves of so favorable an opportunity to visit their friends of our sister town. The appointed hour came, however, but brought no steamer with it. Patiently the anxious crowd waited, until their hopes disappeared with the rapidly waning day, when a feeling of indignation took the place of expectancy. This feeling was fast working itself up to fever heat, when, about nightfall, the delinquent finally made her appearance, moving in gallant style, with flags and streamers flying, from Olympia to Steilacoom. Her promenade deck was covered with gaily dressed ladies and gentlemen, indulging in pleasing hopes of seeing their friends; but, on landing, [they found the day lost]. Then followed explanations, which proved nothing but unsatisfactory; finally good feeling [returned], and the evening was continued by getting up a hall, at which the people of both towns tripped the light fantastic toe until the late hour of the night.