PRESERVING THE STORIES OF ISSAQUAH
A Memory Book Project of the
Issaquah Historical Society
Paul E. Koss
May 15, 1907
I have lived here since I was five years old.
I came with my parents; father was a coal miner.
Couldn’t think of a better place to go.
One through twelve
I graduated in 1925, played football, basketball and baseball. Mr. Schabert I remember particularly, also, Mr. Jensen who taught shop. Lucy Kangly who taught history and civics. We had no gym so were severely handicapped in sports but won the county championship in baseball in 1923. Professor Clark is well remembered.
Mr. A.C. Evans was my favorite teacher in the 7th grade. He was an exceptional penman.
Many chimneys were damaged.
I played pinochle a lot. I was the lead in our school play “Green Stockings”.
We spent time in the ballpark and didn’t get into trouble so were not punished, as I recall.
We played marbles and I was considered one of the best, along with George Clark; but, there were no million dollar contracts in those days. Prof. Clark did not approve playing for “keeps” but it would not have been fun otherwise.
I remember Andy Wold’s hardware store on the corner of Front and Sunset. It was a “friendly” place. When I went to Fisher’s Meat Market on Front Street with my dad, Mr. Fisher would always give me a wiener.
Paul Benson’s barbershop, some socializing and some talk about sports while waiting for a haircut.
The owner would lend you a tool if necessary and was very helpful.
Mostly at the Grange, before that, at Miles Grocery Store.
After I was married (1936) my wife shopped for groceries there and we rented a frozen food locker.
We ate at home.
My son, Terry, worked at Boehm’s Candies as a candy maker in the late 50’s and we seemed to have many favorites.
I owned the Log Tavern in 1938 or1940 for several years and “hung out” at Charley Clark’s Poolroom in the 30’s.
We bought oil as my wife’s father (A.V. Howe) was one of the trustees and secretary and her brother (Gordon Howe) drove an oil delivery truck.
It was the only drug store so thankful to have it. Later Mr. Stevenson had a drug store. He was very helpful and likable and later became the postmaster.
I was on the City Council when we condemned the property around Lake Tradition to protect the watershed. People were starting to build cabins, etc, around the lake.
I recall Mayor Alexander as a spirited aggressive person but don’t know what she accomplished. There seemed to be conflict between the Mayor and the Council and not much negotiation, as I remember.
I recall it but didn’t care much one way or the other.
I did not have a job for about a year at this time and had no money to save or spend so was very glad to live with my parents and help raise a garden etc. I worked at a tunnel in Landsburg 8 hour shift, 7days a week for $6.00 ad day. I worked in tunnels under Pike Street and Beacon Hill at a time when hardly anybody could find a job. Pay was $5.00 and 8 hours day.
I knew many who went to fight in the war including my three nephews. I worked at Boeing until the war ended.
Boeings mainly. I also operated the Log Tavern for several years.
Many farmer residents came back to see the parade and visit. The taverns were very busy.
The year that my little son was the “King” of the children’s section and rode on a big truck.
When I was a little boy there were horse races down Front Street on the 4tht of July, with baseball game in the afternoon and races for the kids. Salmon days now has hundreds of craft booths, food from everywhere with many different activities. It is a big time affair attended by thousands of people.
It attracted many people. The Ferris Wheel was stuck with me on the top but a wrestling match was going on below so the time passed rather soon.
My favorite hiking trail was to Lake Hancock where I spent several weekends and caught fish.
I fished all the time and caught many trout, the biggest was a six pound Donaldson trout. I lived only one block from the creek and spent many hours fishing in the early fall and the water off color.
I worked half a day at a logging camp near North Bend but quit as it seemed too dangerous; setting chokers.
I remember them well as I worked at the Monohon Mill and the Preston Mill.
I was standing in front of the pool hall when a man pulled up to get the car with the hose. I climbed in the car and had bumpy ride to Monohon. I helped get furniture out of the houses but unfortunately it all burned up and the houses also. Very nice furniture.
Many people come to watch the salmon when they spawn. It has given Issaquah a lot of publicity.
I was hired to hoe corn at 25 cents an hour but it was a hot day and I don’t believe I collected any money nor finished a row.
No
I traveled often to Seattle via Renton and Rainier Ave. I worked there in several tunnels (Pike Street and University District) also attended movies at the old Pantages and Orphium.
Made it much shorter to go to Seattle, also more traffic and development in Issaquah. It changed Issaquah from a small town to a city.
First car was a Chevrolet Landau Sedan; purchased in Renton.
I belonged to the Lions Club and the Eagles and the Sportsman’s Club.
I am the last survivor of the Rod and Gun Club (later the Sportsman’s Club) and I remember when it was built. We had turkey shoots and trap shooting.
I attended a few dances and watched for enemy planes later in the Second World War.
Yes, I did, even played basketball there.
When the First World War broke out the government took over the mine from the Germans. This mind became Pacific Coast Coal. There was a strike and the strike breakers (Scabs) came, then the mine was shut down.
I worked for Harris Coal Mine and the conditions were not good as you had to wear tire knee pads and work on your knees. As my father was putting up a prop a large rock fell and injured him. I did not work much longer.
I saw the Indians and Cowboys also the weekly installment of “Pearl White” which I didn’t want to miss, all for 10 cents.. Later I took my daughter to see “Gone With The Wind” and to her embarrassment fell sound asleep.
I attended the Catholic Church until was about twelve. The memory I have is that it was very cold and the floor very hard to knell upon. However, one Easter at the egg hung I found the Golden Egg in a trash can in a hollow stump.