Elleda Wilson: Fond memories
Jun. 30—A little Fourth of July nostalgia: A story by Eleanor Barrows Bower, written for the summer 1968 edition of The Sou'wester magazine:
"Growing up in Chinook (Washington) ... the most anticipated event of the year was the Fourth of July Liberty Wagon! Then Festus Plumb's hay rack wagon was converted into a two-tiered platform. His gray stallions, with red, white and blue ribbons braided into their tails, drew the wagon.
"Beginning at lower Frogtown (so called because of the croaking of frogs in the early springtime) the wagon drove slowly through town. The sides of the wagon were draped with red, white and blue bunting. A Goddess of Liberty and a costumed Uncle Sam stood on the wagon, waving to the onlookers.
"As the wagon stopped at each child's home (... Chinook had only one street), the children were lifted onto the wagon. As it went the entire length of the town, each child waved and carried a small flag. The wagon trip ended at the grove back of the schoolhouse, where a picnic was held ...
"... This way of life is no more, but it has left a wealth of fond memories."
