May 17th 1935
Ninety years ago today, May 17th, 1935, the
Michigan and Wisconsin contingents of the Matanuska Colony Project were in
Seattle. Tomorrow they would sail for
Alaska.
Cover of program St Mihiel
Leroy and Gretchen Hamann of Wisconsin saved their welcome booklet, program of events, and ribbon badges from Seattle. Photo courtesy of their grandson Dennis Hamann.
Photo of ribbons
Evelyn Stebbins of Michigan wrote home:
“Before we left the train they gave us blue silk tags that are the key to the city. We present those & we can ride on anything, anywhere in the city, free. – boy, will we see Seattle!”
Ribbons from the Hamann family collection, photo courtesy of Dennis Hamann.
Quote from Stebbins letter collection held by the Palmer Historical Society, May 16th 1935.
Schaleben clip about ribbons, Klondike pioneers/photo of Conners ribbons
Arville Schaleben reported “’Matanuska Pioneer’ ribbons are magic.
Clipping from Arville Schaleben “Officials Beam, Crowds Cheer State Pioneers,” Milwaukee Journal, May 17th 1935.
The Conners family also saved a Seattle ribbon, as well as a “WISCONSIN TO ALASKA” ribbon from the train ride, on display at the Palmer Museum.
Stebbins letter on hotel stationery
Evelyn Stebbins wrote:
“They took us to this hotel & is it ever a keen one! I thought we’d get cheap rooms, but they’re certainly nice ones. We have a big room with a private, tiled bathroom. In our room is this dandy desk I’m writing on, with stationery, pen & ink in it, a big over-stuffed easy chair, little table by our bed, dresser with a large mirror & bench, clothes closet with hangers & laundry bag.”
From the Stebbins letters held by the Palmer Historical Society, May 16th 1935
Program page 1
Seattle program of events from the Hamann family collection, photo courtesy of Dennis Hamann.
Margaret Miller of Wisconsin remembered:
“We were guests of the Seattle Chamber of Commerce and were fed at the government relief station, where the ‘homeless and destitute’ were fed. There was quite a bit of laughing over that. Everywhere we went, we were the objects of stares – we certainly found out how it felt to be in the zoo.”
Excerpt from “A Creek, a Hill, and a Forty – Margaret Miller’s Story” (2024) by Ray Bonnell
Program page 2
Seattle program from the Hamann family collection.
Four days later aboard the St Mihiel, Evelyn Stebbins wrote home again:
May Tues – May 21st
Dearest Mum & Dad & family –
This darned ship is rocking & it’s not easy to write. Let’s see – I didn’t tell u all we did in Seattle yet. It rained so we didn’t go to Woodland Park for the picnic, but we went the next day when it was nice. It’s a keen park & there were loads of pretty flowers & green trees & grass. We’d get up early – every night De Wayne called up the office & they’d telephone us in the morning – ring the telephone till we woke up and told ‘em ok. How’s that for service? Gee, I hated t’leave our room. We had one of the best in the hotel – probably because they were short of rooms – ‘cus lots of others had rooms without a private bath & telephone. De Wayne & I went to the Pound in Seattle & got a dog – a young airedale – Nibbs. Y’should see him – he could be homelier, tho.”
Palmer Daily May 17th
Meanwhile back in tent city Palmer, plans were underway for a meeting hall and a baseball game.
Page from the “Palmer Daily” by B.J. Bingle, May 17th, 1935. Copies of a few mid-May issues of the “Palmer Daily” are held by PMHA and PHS.