More Seaton Sesquicentennial

Mike, Ivan Ewing, and twin Mark

There were rows of old tractors lined against both sides of Main street, and some people selling what looked like yard-sale stuff. What was somewhat amazing was the lack of food vendors. Evidently there was a breakfast but nothing offered for mid-day, and the cafe was closed.

The parade was manned by the tractors, a few old cars, various little people and their dogs, two fire trucks, two politicians, and one horse. In one of the old cars were the two oldest (most seasoned) Seaton residents, Ruth Harlan and Cap Fair. Saw Dave Olson, Ida Steepleton, and here is a picture of Mark and I with Ivan Ewing who was a fellow conspirator when we were younger and living in Seaton.

One of the stories we told was one time we came across some road kill down by the school. We found a Seaton Bank check, made out to "Sponge", aka John Seaton, owner of the bank who "soaked" up money, and hoisted the badger, with check in paw, up the bank flagpole. Guess it was an interesting thing the nest day when Gary Greer, bank worker, brought the badger down. No word on if the check was cashed.

The second story involved Ivan, Mark and I having obtained some great M-80 firecrackers. Now, back in those days, a single M-80 was something like a fifth of a stick of dynamite. Anyway, that's what we thought. Ben Board was building a house right next to us and didn't particularly like kids, so we fashioned time-release detonations. Late one summer night we put cigarettes minus the filter to the fuse of these babies and put them on some eaves and guttering of the house. I believe we did 4. Once lit we had approximately 6-7 minutes before they went off, plenty of time for Mark and I to get in bed, and Ivan went up to the school to see the show. As Ivan related, he waited and finally saw a couple of flashes then the loud booms. Mark and I lay as quiet as possible in bed with the covers over our heads. Then silence. A couple of dogs barking, but no more booms, until a bit later and then again, Boom-Boom! We heard Herb ( our dad, jump out of bed go down the hallway, and then return, opens our bedroom door, slowly closes it and we heard him telling mom, "Thank God its not our boys."