Today in Lewis County History: Parachutist Made Jump From Balloon; Jones Has Aching Head; Census Appeal Working; Child Saves Nun

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Parachutist Made Jump From Balloon

In 1910 Frank Miller was pleased with the public in Chehalis coming to see his free attractions, including his hot-air balloon stunt. When the balloon went up, a man jumped with his parachute to make a safe landing.

 

Jones Has Aching Head

In 1935 Mr. Jones, of Centralia, was glad to find a place to rest his throbbing temples. “Bruce Jones, 54, was glad to find a place to lay his aching head in the police station last night,” The Centralia Daily Chronicle wrote. “He told officers it was one of the biggest aches any head ever had. “Jones, booked as drunk, was found prostate behind a signboard on Main Street late in the evening after police had received word that youngsters playing in the neighborhood had found the man.

Taken to the station, Jones said he had been picked up on the highway by two young men in a car. They gave him several drinks and he passed out, he said. The next thing he knew he was being thrown out of the car and dragged behind the signboard.

 

Census Appeal Working

In 1960 special appeals were made to encourage local residents to complete their census forms. “Mayor Vern Cain (Centralia) disclosed Tuesday afternoon the special telephone report arrangements resulted in at least 100 families being counted in the census who might otherwise have been overlooked,” The Daily Chronicle wrote.

“We figure those 100 families represent about $3,600 in state tax returns to Centralia each year,” the mayor said.



 

Panco Is Finalist

In 1985 Bud Panco, chief of Packwood’s volunteer fire department, was one of six nominees for the “Volunteer of the Year” award from United Way of Lewis County. He was the last living charter member of the department. He became chief in 1967, drew up the plans for the fire hall building, and was an emergency medical technician.

“If you have a heart attack, he’s the one you want to be there.” said Phil Stewart, assistant fire chief. He worked as a forklift driver for Pacific Lumber Sales. He helped build the Presbyterian Church and the town park. He was also a ham radio operator.

 

Child Saves Nun

In 2000 Jacob Johnson, third-grader at R.E. Bennett Elementary School and son of Michelle DiDomenico, helped 88-year-old sister Perpetua Haughian who had fallen while walking down a steep driveway. The week before, Johnson and his mother had taken Red Cross’ basic first aid training. “Wow, you really were paying attention,” DiDomenico said to her son.

 

Escapee Goes Back to Jail Quietly

On April 23, 2005, The Chronicle reported an escapee from Centralia Police custody. Michael Nye, 38, was cuffed as he waited to be taken to jail for alleged check forgery at 10 a.m. He got up, walked down a hallway, unlatched a dead bolt and stepped on a sidewalk on South Pearl Street. He walked to the Twelve Step Club where he asked when the next Alcoholics Anonymous meeting would be held. He was told noon and Nye said he would wait. The police came to the club asking for a hand-cuffed man. The man behind the counter, Robert Starks, had not seen the handcuffs because of Nye’s long sleeves, so he didn’t tell the police Nye was there. “He goes, ‘that must be me,’” Sparks said, holding up his crossed wrists to illustrate. “He wasn’t rude or anything. He was nice. He said, ‘you’re gonna be mean and call the cops?’” Nye walked out the front door toward the Coast-to-Coast store, where he was arrested by officers.