Skagit River Journal of History & Folklore Subscribers Edition Stories & Photos

Covers from British Columbia to Puget sound. Counties covered: Skagit, Whatcom, Island, San Juan. An evolving history dedicated to the principle of committing random acts of historical kindness Noel V. Bourasaw, editor 810 Central Ave., Sedro-Woolley, Washington, 98284 Home of the Tarheel Stomp Mortimer Cook slept here & named the town Bug

      The Christmas exercises at Edison for 1892 far surpassed those of any previous year. Although the day was cold and a drizzling rain prevailed the greater part of the day, the large tree at the Congregational Church attracted the entire attention of the community until evening.
      Wreaths and festoons of cedar tastefully decorated the auditorium, the windows were darkened, and the tree lightened and festooned with the popcorn so dear to the juvenile heart, whole boxes, packages and bundles danced and swung, handkerchiefs, ties and drapery fluttered and waved and acted as though they were both willing and anxious to be promptly harvested.
      Mr. William Thomas called the meeting to order and stated that the arrangements for having a master of ceremonies were somewhat mixed, but that he would do the best he could under the circumstances. After some music by a quartette, he gave the history of the birth of the Savior, the miraculous circumstances which transpired at the time, the visit and prostration of the shepherds before the child and its mother in the stable at Bethlehem and afterward words of commendation for the children present, and the committee who were in charge of the Christmas exercises gave way to the committee in charge of the tree.
      Mr. Thomas is a very good extemporaneous speaker. The choir was composed of Miss Minerva Butler, soprano; Miss Emma Ewing, contralto; Curtis Butler, tenor; and Levi Hake, basso, who were led by organ. One does not look for any very extra singing in a church. It is generally a go as you please arrangement. While the singers' breath is full they are generally above the key, and as it becomes exhausted they drop anywhere from a foot (musical of course) to a mile below it.
      The letter "R," as fatal to good singing, as it was to Blaine when he ran for president, is dwelt upon until the crazy bones in one's elbows fairly tingle in helpless protest. It was the first time that the Phonograph has ever heard a regular quartette sing in Edison, and it was certainly very good. The chest tones were plainly discernible, the sentences were musically rounded and the "Rs" were eliminated in every instance.
      The timbre of the ladies' voices was a surprise to the Phonograph and the gentlemen were not inferior in any respect. Miss Quickenden is evidently more familiar with the piano than with a small church organ, but did creditable execution nevertheless. It was nearly dark before the tree was fully dismantled and the exercises closed.
      A play, The Confederate Spy, is billed for New Year's Eve. Klahowya.

You can read about our prime sponsors: Read the history websites of our two newest sponsors and supporters: Oliver Hammer Clothes Shop at 817 Metcalf street in downtown Sedro-Woolley, 82 years Bus Jungquist Furniture at 829 Metcalf street in downtown Sedro-Woolley, 36 years Peace and quiet at the Alpine RV Park, just north of Marblemount on Hwy 20 Park your RV or pitch a tent by the Skagit river, just a short driver from Winthrop or Sedro-Woolley College Way Antique Mall, 1601 E. College Way, Mount Vernon, WA 98273, (360) 848-0807 Where you will find wonderful examples of Skagit county's past, seven days a week North Cascade Ford, formerly Vern Sims Ford Ranch, West Ferry street and Crossroads/Highway 20 either on the Sedro-Woolley page or directly at www.northcascadeford.com DelNagro Masonry Brick, block, stone — See our work at the new Hammer Heritage Square See our website www.4bricklayers.com 33 years experience — 15 years as a bonded, licensed contractor in the valley Free estimates, reference, member of Sedro-Woolley Chamber (360) 856-0101

Please sign our guestbook so our readers will know where you found out about us, or share something you know about the Skagit River or your memories or those of your family. Share your reactions or suggestions or comment on our Journal. Thank you for taking time out of your busy day to visit our site.

Sign Our Guestbook View Our Guestbook

Remember, we welcome correction and criticism. Please click on the email slot at the right to report any problems with these pages or to suggest ideas for future stories. This is a completely free site. We fund it by providing an online magazine for paid subscribers. If you are not already a subscriber and you would like to help support our considerable research costs, you can subscribe for just $17.50 per year. As a paid subscriber, you will receive six yearly issues plus many rare treats between times, including scans of photos and documents that illustrate local history, before they are shared with anyone else. You can go here for Subscription details and you can read the preview edition to see examples of our in-depth research. You may also order gift subscriptions for friends, family or clients who are interested in local history or students or military people who are away from home. Or you can email us for more details. Do you have scanned photos to share? Or you can mail us copies. See addresses to right.

Email us at: journal@stumpranchonline.com Use this email for scans and large files Mail copies/documents to street address: Skagit River Journal, 810 Central Ave., Sedro-Woolley, WA, 98284.