On March 19, 1970, Governor Dan Evans handed a plaque to Alberta May Streeper who lived in the Enumclaw-Buckley area. Mrs. Streeper was honored as Merit, or runner-up Mother of the year by the Washington State Chapter of the American Mothers Committee. The Mother of the Year award was established in 1935 by the American Mothers Committee of the Golden Rule Foundation. The recognition was made to provide inspiration for a mother’s unconditional love, inner strength, and courage. Mother’s Day was first established by West Virginia in 1910, and other states soon followed. It was officially designated as the second Sunday in May by the U.S. Congress in 1914.
When this photo was taken, Mrs. Streeper was 72 years old. At the time of her death in 1991, Alberta May Streeper was survived by four sons, 20 grandchildren, and 48 great-grandchildren. Dan Evans served three terms as Washington’s governor from 1965 through 1977, and one term as U.S. Senator. Evans is the longest-serving governor in Washington state history. There’s a local angle to a little-known fact about Dan Evans, still living at age 97. The Kummer Bridge which carries Highway 169 over the Green River between Black Diamond and Enumclaw is officially named the Dan Evans Bridge.
Photo # AR2-9-10-19700319A comes courtesy of the Washington State Archives, and is part of a collection of 808 publicity shots taken by the State Patrol photographer for the Office of the Governor during the terms of Arthur Langlie, Albert Rosellini, and Daniel J. Evans.
When Coal Was King: This date marks the 15th anniversary of the first appearance of this column on May 1, 2007. While the series’ primary focus is local coal mining, its aim is to tell history through words and pictures, while highlighting tiny details and larger narratives. There are numerous people and organizations who have contributed photos and descriptions to enrich the perspectives presented.
However, one person stands head and shoulders above all others. This column would never have been as expansive or coherent if not for the contributions of JoAnne Matsumura, a researcher, collector, and master historian who lives in Issaquah. Thank you, JoAnne for all that you’ve done and continue to do to enrich our understanding of local history. You are the godmother of When Coal Was King, and to you I dedicate this column.
