Ten years have now elapsed since the "Scandinavians on the Pacific" was published, and inasmuch as I now have the opportunity of inserting a few pages, outlining in brief some of the changes that are manifest since the publication of the book, I deem it proper to do so.

"Scandinavians on the Pacific" was my first literary effort. Some of the verses contained in the book were written in a hasty manner, hence found it advisable to rewrite them, coining them into better and more uniform metre, and later they appeared in my book of poems, "Echoes from Dreamland," which may be found in the Seattle Public Library, in the library of the University of Washington, and in the libraries of Eastern universities and colleges.

The opportunity of outlining the interesting changes that have taken place in that period, and being enabled to make the addition a part of the original book, comes to me by the generous suggestion of Mr. F. P. Searle, Manager of the Ballard Office of The Scandinavian American Bank, Ballard Station, Seattle, Washington, as it is Mr. Searle's intention to present the book to all of his Scandinavian customers and friends.

In the year 1899, while completing the history contained in the original part of this book, I could not have conceived of the wonderful changes that have been made throughout the whole Northwest, and more particularly in the City of Seattle. During the time I was writing the book, one of my very pleasant headquarters was The Scandinavian American Bank, then located at the corner of First Avenue and Yesler Way, in the building that is now occupied by the State Bank of Seattle, and it is a source of a great deal of satisfaction to me, that with a few exceptions, all the officers and employees of The Scandinavian American Bank are still with the grand institution, which has developed from a very modest bank of that date, into one of the largest and most successful banking institutions in the State of Washington.

First in my mind is Mr. Andrew Chilberg, to whom I dedicated this book, and mentioned at the time that he was President of the bank, and can still make the statement that he occupies the same honored position; also Mr. James F. Lane, Cashier, and quite a number of the old time employees. Mr. A. H. Soelberg, however, is now connected with the State Bank of Seattle, in the capacity of Vice President and Cashier.

It is not my intention to confine the additional pages wholly to The Scandinavian American Bank; but the associations were so pleasant, that it naturally comes to my mind in a very vivid way, and before I leave the subject entirely, I wish to speak of John Edward Chilberg, who at the time the book was published, was known only as being an energetic business man, in common with a great many others then residing in Seattle. He is now the Vice President of The Scandinavian American Bank, and the most of his success has been to the benefit of Seattle, as it was through his foresight and faith in the future development of this city that he brought about the erection of the first sky scraper, which is the Alaska Building, and the present home of the Scandinavian American Bank, and it was through his energy that such a large proportion of Alaska's resources were obtained for Seattle.

In looking at his picture, as one of the Chilberg family, representing four generations, which is found on page 48, it would indeed be a shrewd judge of appearances that could have foreseen the success that this man has made for himself, and for Seattle.

Without going into details of the many enterprises that he was identified with, which represent some of the finest improvements in Seattle, I will close my autobiographical sketch of Mr. Chilberg, by calling attention to the successful way that he managed the affairs of the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition, as President of that successful Fair, and all Scandinavians residing in this wonderful part of the United States, can feel justifiably proud of the fact that it was a descendant of their race who had so much to do with the wonderful improvements that have been evidence in Seattle during the past ten years, and it is indeed a pleasure for me to place his picture at this day and date along with those of other prominent Scandinavians.

One of the most wonderful changes in Seattle is the gigantic regrade work, which in a short time will so change the topography of the city, that residents who left the city ten years ago, would on their return, have hard work in locating old land marks. I understand that to take the United States as a whole, this city is one of the best advertised cities west of Chicago, and one cannot visit any other city without being made aware that the majority of the people know all about Seattle. Of course these reports must be of recent date, as the "Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition" was the real advertising factor, as it certainly was the most grandly arranged, and most successful fair that it has ever been my privilege to see.

As I look through this book, written so many years ago, I am made aware of the old time citizens who have been called Home, yet feel that all who have not had opportunity to read the early history of the Scandinavians in this part of the country, will derive a great deal of pleasure in being able to refresh their memories, and to those Scandinavians who have recently settled in this part of the country, the book will no doubt be the means of many re-unions of friendship formed in other parts of the world.

In concluding this short sketch, permit me to add "Greetings from Puget Sound," a poem which I wrote some months ago, and which was published on a post card, and copyrighted by The Scenic Library Company.

GREETINGS FROM PUGET SOUND.

ERRATA.

SCANDINAVIANS ON THE PACIFIC,
PUGET SOUND.

BY
THOS. OSTENSON STINE, B. S.
P. O. Box 599, Seattle, Wash.

AN EVENING ON PUGET SOUND.

TO
ANDREW CHILBERG,

Consul for Sweden and Norway and President of the Scandinavian American
Bank of Seattle,

As a Token of Respect for Your Friendship and Your Integrity of Character,

I Dedicate this Volume.

Thos. O. Stine.

PREFACE.

On solicitation of prominent Scandinavian-Americans, a year ago, I undertook to write a volume or two, entitled, "Scandinavians on the Pacific." At the launching of this idea an untold number rallied around me with sweet tongues, but many who pretended to furnish historical data fabricated delusive smiles of impertinent selfishness. Others, however, have been frank in ushering kind assistance. The author is indebted to the following gentlemen for willing advice and information: John Blaauw, Editor of Tacoma Tidende, Tacoma; George Bech, Author of "Hæng Ham," etc., Seattle; Rev. T. J. Moen, Fairhaven, and N. P. Leque, Stanwood.

CONTENTS.

ILLUSTRATIONS.

INTRODUCTION.

The author does not aim to lift the Scandinavians into an air of ungained merit, he does not aim to clothe them with undeserved encomium, but seeks to paint their dues in a straightforward way, thoughtless of sailing the sea of hyperbole, or entering any strait of unearned exploit.

In order, however, to give the reader a clear conception of the spirit, the intrepidity, the characteristic worth of the northern peoples, my pen cannot refrain from plowing into the annals of the past. History is plain and authentic on the subject, and the same chivalric blood ebbs through the veins of the Vikings today as of yore. They have shared and do share the burdens of adventure, discovery and colonization. They have nurtured their sons and daughters with patriotic zeal, and unfurled to their love the folds of freedom. They have braved the foam-crest waves minus compass and sympathy—stars of night and sun of day guided them over the traceless billows. Their dauntless sails have wafted in sun and storm from shore to shore and woven together distant climes.

From the dawn of navigation and soldiery the Scandinavians have evinced skill and dexterity, filled with a whim to roam, see and conquer. They were, perhaps, sometimes rough in their daring expeditions, but always actuated with a will to plant the scepter of liberty and to raise the standard of civilization.

In 860 the valorous Naddodd discovered Iceland, and fourteen years later a republic form of government was established, which flourished four centuries. In 984 Erik The Red discovered Greenland, and in the name of his native country, Norway, took possession of the frozen territory, and unfolded to the breeze the banner of liberty.

"To the West! To the West!" thought Leif Erikson, son of Erik The Red, "spite waves and breakers," and in the year 1000 pointed the bow of his bark for the shore of America, landed at Helluland, now known as Newfoundland. He reconnoitered the coast as far south as Massachusetts, and christened the New World, Vinland.

Not here do the Vikings stop. In 1002 Thorwald Erikson set sail for Vinland, spent three years exploring the green-clad banks of New England with zealous desire to unveil to his countrymen the characteristic features of the new possession. In a collision with the Skrællings (Indians) his precious life was blown out, the first European to succumb to the arrows of the red race.

Not here do their voyages for the New World cease. The sagas plainly picture their pilgrimages across the howling waste for Vinland in 1005, 1007, 1011, 1121, 1347.

True, the Scandinavians have been heroes on sea, but no less so on land. King Gustavus Adolphus, of Sweden, poured his life blood on the battlefield of Lutzen, not for military glory, but to liberate millions of innocent souls from the fire of tyranny, the poisonous hands of the chief of superstition, the narrow-minded Philip II., of Spain. He was not only a military genius but the father of his people, a benefactor of humanity.

In 1638 a company of Swedes colonized in the New World, who made the hills and forests of Delaware ring with the music of their picks and axes. As years rolled by emigration started from Sweden, Norway and Denmark. The wilderness of America was their object, the building of homes their love. They braved the interior, fought the lion and the bear, conquered the frowning forests and subdued the spreading prairies. First huts of logs and sods, then quaint dwellings rose to mark their energy. Fields and gardens smiled, school-houses reared the air, and happy lads and lasses pranced their way to school to drink freely from the fountain of knowledge. Home, sweet home echoed from rocks and trees. The frontier was their chance, and thither they steered their lots. They knew how to swing the axe and use the hoe, climb mountains and make themselves contented in the most hazardous exposure.

What to them the soft pillow? when a stone was near at hand. They slept under the blue sky and drank health from the floating clouds. A home for my son and daughter, or my sweetheart, gave them fresh courage. Not only a home, but a pleasant home in a congenial clime, where the heaven smiles serenely, where the rose-bud bursts and thrives the year round. Thunder and cyclones had shaken their tranquility. More peaceful air, tired of the friction and disagreement in the upper regions, and fire that seems eager to eat the whole firmament. Away from the boisterous thunderbolts which make it a business to blast and burn every cloud. "To the West! Sweet Westland!" rolled in their souls, where the air is pure, where the birds sing, where the scenery is grand.