1900 Issaquah In The Eyes of a Juvenile

The text is from materials contained in the files of the Issaquah Historical Society. The name of the author and date the recollections were recorded is unknown. It would appear as if they were the recollections of an early owner of the Issaquah Independent Newspaper.

The Issaquah Independent was started in the Bogdan Building across the street from the home of Dr. Gibson. Our building had no electric lights. The other doctor in town was Dr. Corson, who was paid by the Gilman coal mine. Title of the company was very long (wish I could remember it). The biggest store in town was owned by the coal company. Employees were supposed to buy there, with coupon books. Laborers were paid $1.35 an hour: miners earned a little bit more.

On the other hand, ham and bacon cost 12 1/2 cents a pound. We rented a residence from Mr. Berger for $ 5 per month.

Our typesetter, Gillis, lived at Bellevue Hotel, almost the only one in town. After the death of her husband Mrs. Francis, the owner, married Mr. Cooper, a tavern keeper: also the owner of the only water system in town.

The postmaster was Mr. Hunter (dry goods). Later on post office was moved to John Gibson's drug store.

The only barber in town was Mr. Garner, a relative of the future Vice-President under Roosevelt, Jack Garner.

Our only policeman was Joseph Mason. Later on Mason became high official in Seattle police department: that enabled him to hire many Issaquah natives, first William Donlan and Edwin T. Hunt among others.

When Gillis left our shop and town he gave me his most prized possession: a printed card which said: "The bearer is special reporter for Seattle Daily Star; hear ye him." Alas this didn't help me; my weekly had no telephone; most of the stores had no telephone.

Nick Burke's store had the best heating stove on cold days; men sat around the stove. Within easy reach were barrels without covers; these contained crackers, pickles and cheese. Sometimes you had to remove the cat first.

We had sympathy for the station master; who lived in the depot. Day and night he had to telegraph, sell tickets, receive and deliver freight, etc. The platform was covered with empty oil barrels which were returning to Seattle for refilling. The wooden barrels made excellent bonfires. Mischievous boys carried a few away on dark nights. A few steps away lay McCluskey meadow where the barrels could be burned with glee. Oh yes, the station master was Mr. Sylvester. Roused out of bed he would stand on depot platform and fire a revolver into the meadow. He took care to fire high; the boys were not injured but they fled. Later on Sylvester opened Issaquah's first bank.

Many families wrote to Cooper & Levy, Seattle (at First and Yesler) for their groceries. An interesting story is how Cooper & Levy became rich; then later on had to close their retail business.

Many country dances in the Upper Squak. Martin Bogdan had best apple orchard in the valley; he was also violin teacher; among his pupils were Joe and Martin Gleason and many others. Further on was fiddler Hogan, who played for many dances.

Mr. Legg used to honor Burke's store with his poems, recited aloud. The miner, turned poet, had one favorite which began as follows: