Old Centralia Home Burns in 1962
On March 31, 1962, the headline for The Daily Chronicle read “Only Ashes Remain.”
One of the oldest residences in Centralia was destroyed as a result of a chimney fire. More than 400 people gathered to watch Mr. and Mrs. F.G. Fortier’s house at 1020 Alder St., Centralia, go up in flames. Neighbors and people passing by the home removed the ground-floor furnishings. Everything on the top floor was lost.
The residence was just out of the Centralia city limits.
“State law prohibits city fire equipment from going outside its tax-supported area to combat fires,” The Daily Chronicle reported. “The Fortiers were not subscribers to Fords Prairie fire department protection.”
It was built around 1880. The house had been remodeled several times.The Fortiers had purchased the house in 1934 when they moved from North Dakota.
Bad Whiskey Causes Problem
125 years ago, in 1887
Sheriff Claughton came into town with Jim Broulie, a man who was half Native American. Broulie was “ornamented with handcuffs,” The Lewis County Bee reported.
“It seems that Jim had threatened killing a man and the sheriff was sent to take care of the Indian,” the newspaper wrote. “Jim was born in the Rogue River country and was brought as a slave by Mr. Brouliett, a Canadian, who brought him to Cowlitz Prairie and liberated Jim.
“Jim does not seem to be a bad man except when full of bad whiskey.”
Bids Called for Chehalis Depot
100 years ago, in 1912
Specifications and plans for building the new Chehalis passenger depot were received by C.P. Felton, Northern Pacific agent in Chehalis. Bids were open until April 10.
“The new depot will be constructed of cement, brick and stone, the roof to be of slate,” The Centralia Daily Chronicle wrote. “It will be 260 feet in length and will be modern in every detail. Following the suggestion of Mayor Thompson in Centralia some time ago, a similar parking strip has been proposed in Chehalis, the strip to face the depot.”
Buy Yeager’s Covered Wagon Bread for 10 Cents
75 years ago, in 1937
Yeager’s Baker, 515 1/2 N. Tower Ave., Centralia, offered its special Covered Wagon bread.
“Yeager’s original Specialty Bread--the loaf that is always accepted with glee at any dinner table,” the advertisement read in The Centralia Daily Chronicle. “Made from an old-fashioned recipe ... which calls for the use of potatoes. If you’ve never tried this loaf--try it--you’ll love it.
“You can help to make Better Centralia Payrolls by purchasing local manufactured products.”
Three Killed on Morton Highway
25 years ago, in 1987
Three people died on the Morton-Elbe Highway, north of Morton, when a collision occurred with a logging truck at 5:30 a.m.
Annual Stan Hedwall Egg Hunt Successful
10 years ago, in 2002
The 37-year-old egg hunt at Stan Hedwall Park sponsored by the Chehalis Lions Club included 4,000 eggs donated by the Rib Eye Restaurant.
“Thirty years ago I did this egg hunt,” said Dawn George, 33, of Morton who had brought her 19-month-old Austin George to the 10-minute event.
“Fellow Lion and former club president Jim Hubenthal has been coloring and hiding Easter eggs since the first year of this particular hunt,” The Chronicle reported. “His father, a Lions Cub member in the Chelan County town of Cashmere, headed up an annual egg hunt there, Hubenthal shared.
“When Hubenthal joined the Chehalis Lions Club 37 years ago, he initiated the egg hunts in Chehalis. It was smaller undertaking back then.”
“We started with about 200 eggs at the high school and a little band of kids.”
The event moved to the city park at 13th street, and then moved to Stan Hedwall Park which had much more space.
Pair Earns All-State Honors
Five years ago, in 2007
Mossyrock’s Lexi Belcher won the All-State Player of the Year for the girls 2B ranks. She guided Mossyrock High School to the state girls 2B championship.
Ryan Votaw, Toledo standout, was named the 1A boys All-State Player of the Year. Toledo placed second in state.
“That’s really exciting,” said Belcher when she learned of her award. “... I didn’t know I would get this. I didn’t feel like I had my best tournament, but I had a good year overall.”
“I am?” Votaw responded when informed of his top award. “It’s always a dream to make it to state as a senior and have a good tournament.”
Morton’s Travis Merriman won All-State first-team honors.
W.F. West’s Brandon Abbot, Napavine junior Courtney May and Toledo’s Rachel Wallace earned honorable mention.
