150 Years 1872-1886 The Dalles THE DECADES OF HISTORY PART TWO OF THE DALLES CHRONICLE'S TEN-PART SERIES. March 30, 2007 page 3 FOURTH OF JULY AT 8 MILE THE FOURTH AT EIGHT MILE - The good people of Eight Mile and vicinity met together on the morning of the Fourth on the farm of Mr. Patterson, where a beautiful arbor had been constructed in a grove of trees adjacent to the clear running stream. On our arrival we found quite a large gathering, numbering something over two hundred, men women and children, who were seated about, seemingly having a good time. The hour for the commencement of the ceremonies having arrived, Captain John Darrah, acting as President, called the meeting to order. The exercises were opened with prayer by the Rev. Mr. Hill; then singing by the choir; then reading of the Declaration of Independence, by Mr. Hall, and then the oration by the Rev. Mr. Condon. All was gotton [sic] through with nicely and apparently to the satisfaction of all. Mr. Condon took for his theme "The American Flag," and handled his subject in a masterly manner. After the oration, came the dinner that had been prepared by the good wives and daughters of the surrounding county.- Everybody was invited to walk up and help themselves; which they did to their entire satisfaction. Directly after dinner there was a sack race, which made considerable sport for the youngsters. After enjoying another hour in social conversation, we "jumped into the wagon" and in company with several ladies and children and the Rev. Thomas Condon, we were driven by our old friend, Mr. Jacob Broadwell, to town, where we arrived all safe and much pleased with the manner in which we had spent our Fourth of July, 1873. July 12, 1873 Incoming and Outgoing messages protected by Trend Micro PC-cillin program