The Rise And Decline Of The Ol^mpia Oyster 



most populated points in Eastern Washington, supplied 

 themselves with a goodly quantity of oysters and the 

 battle was on. Their arguments why the Capital should 

 remain in Olympia were many and forcefully stated, but 

 the clinching argum^ent was the oyster dinner following 

 the meeting. They created a warmth and friendly spirit 

 and the oysters were so well liked that much publicity 

 was given, not only to the merit of the arguments, but to 

 the merit of the oysters. 



I was told that the oyster dinners were closed by 

 recital of this little jingle: 



Said one oyster to another 



In a tone of pure delight 



I will meet you in the kitchen 



And we'll both get stewed tonight. 



Olympia won the election, and the oyster dinners 

 were given the credit. From that time on, the oysters 

 were known as "Olympia Oysters." 



Doubtless the fact that Olympia was the closest city 

 to the heart or center of this new industry and the cen- 

 tral shipping point, also had something to do with adop- 

 tion of that name. At that time Olympia Oyster beds 

 covered that area nov/ known as Capital Lake, claimed in 

 Territorial days by the Chinese, and also the area on both 

 sides of the Bay, extending North to Priest Point Park, 

 formerly claimed by the Indians. For sanitary reasons 

 these beds soon had to be abandoned and the use of the 

 oysters for food was prohibited. On the west side, across 

 from the present Capital buildings, there was a favorite 

 spot where "Gloomy Gus" the tramp had his favorite 



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