Gilchrist Refuses Lumber Order
In 1886, a local lumber company had been so busy it turned down some business. “Gilchrist Bros., of Centralia, have more orders for lumber than they can fill,” The Lewis County Bee reported. “They had to refuse an order for 100,000 feet the other day by not being able to fill it in the required time.”
Women Hunt Bear
In 1890, a group of women were picking berries on the road to the coal mines. The women talked about the possibility of seeing bears since one had been sitting on the schoolhouse steps in Chehalis.
“A couple of gentlemen who had been hunting and became weary had lain themselves down behind a log to rest and heard the admonition,” The Centralia Chronicle wrote.
“One of the gents at this juncture let out a roar which would have done credit to a whole flock of bears. Immediately a chorus of feminine shrieks rent the air, and there was a scramble for high timber, where a council of war was held and a bear hunt instituted. The ladies separated to procure weapons and soon returned fully armed and prepared to swipe old Bruin from the haunts of the luscious blackberry. One lady had a pitchfork, another a fine tooth comb; still another held in her tiny hands an old rusty army saber; still another lady appeared upon the scene armed with a broom and dustpan, and suggested that some of the ladies catch the bear by the hind legs while she jammed the broomstick down his throat. All at once the two gents let out a bear-like roar simultaneously and held a coat up on a stick. With ear splitting yells the brave feminine bear hunters fled, leaving their warlike implements and berry buckets to the mercy of the two fiends behind the log.”
Fire Rages Near East Morton
In 1910, a fire in the east end of Lewis County was causing mail disruption.
“A fire is raging between East Morton and Glenavon (five miles north of Morton), and burning expensive fuel — five wagon bridges and one railroad bridge having been burned,” The Chehalis Bee-Nugget wrote. “No second-class mail has reached Morton since July 19. Many acres of timber are destroyed, and sparks were thrown and new fires started 15 miles away. The fire could be heard roaring for miles.”
Funeral Postponed
In 1911, a funeral was delayed so that relatives could be located.
“The funeral of Daniel O’Connor, the well known character who died in a cell at the local police station of acute alcoholism, which was to have been held from the Sticklin undertaking parlors tomorrow afternoon has been postponed for another week by the earnest solicitation of Mrs. George Cosier with whom the deceased man made his home for some time,” The Centralia Weekly Chronicle wrote. “Mrs. Cosier arrived from Salem, Oregon, on Thursday night and it was thought she would be able to throw some light on the identity of the man’s relatives, but aside from a picture of O’Connor’s niece which she had in her possession, she knew nothing of his past life. The loggers of this vicinity with whom the unfortunate man worked, have taken up on a purse to give him a decent funeral, but Mrs. Cosier thinks if she is allowed one more week, she will be able to locate some friend or relative of O’Connor who will claim the body.”
Former Pe Ell Editor Dies
In 1935, Ira F. Surber, 55, former editor of the Pe Ell Tribune, died at the family home in Pe Ell, where he was spending the weekend.
He was currently the editor of the Wahkiakum County Globe, published at Grays River. His wife, Mrs. Hazel Surber, was the postmistress of Pe Ell.
‘Egg’ Picnic Held at Lewis-Clark State Park
In 1936, a picnic was held with the Centralia, Longview and Winlock locals of the Washington Co-operative Egg and Poultry Association. Music was provided by the boys from the state training school.
Horseless Carriage Association Meets in Centralia
In 1961, the Twin Cities hosted the third annual horseless carriage convention, with 60 cars hosted at the Lewis-Clark Hotel, the convention headquarters.
“Misty skies failed to dampen the enthusiasm of Horseless Carriage owners this morning as they put their vintage cars on parade in the Twin Cities,” The Daily Chronicle wrote. “The old chuggers and their drivers are in Centralia to attend the three-day convention of the Northwest Regional Horseless Carriage Association. ...
“Following the queen ceremonies and the parade, the cars embarked to have lunch at Mossyrock and visit the Mayfield dam site.”
Lees Are 100-Year Rotarians and Partners
In 1985, Virgil R. Lee and his son, William R. “Bill” Lee, both of Chehalis, were both in the Chehalis Rotary Club, totaling 100 years of service.
“One of the most important things the Chehalis Rotary has done was obtain the land at the corner of 13th Street and Cascade Avenue from the state and turn it into Recreation Park,” Virgil said. “We built the Chehalis Community Building and the Fred Hess Kitchen and donated the park and buildings to the city of Chehalis.”
Together they owned Virgil R. Lee and Son, Inc., a Chehalis insurance company. Virgil had 61 years in the company, and Bill 40 years.
Rodeo Was Too Rowdy
In 1986, a group of 16 citizens met in the office of County Commission Chairman Harold Cooper to complain about the recently completed rodeo.
“Incidents of drunkenness, minors consuming alcohol and rampant foul language were reported to have taken place at the three-day rodeo held at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds,” The Chronicle reported.
Blimp Visits Airport
In 2001, The Goodyear blimp visited the Chehalis-Centralia Airport. Only six passengers could ride in the tiny cabin of the 205-foot-long balloon.
Family Dairy Closes in 2006
Operating since 1965, the Leprechaun Holstein Dairy, next to the Chehalis River, closed. The Port of Centralia bought the farm and the homes on Galvin Road from Mike Mahoney, his wife Merran and 83-year-old mother Helga.
“We’ve lost the competitive edge of being close to the market,” Mike said. “You can drink milk trucked all the way from Idaho. Twenty years ago, you couldn’t do that.”
“Some people don’t like to see all the farm land disappear, but you have to try and be a little bit practical. In today’s market, farming can’t support the family.”
Mike’s father Mervyn, who died in 2005 at 87, moved the family from California to Lewis County. He was a veterinarian who wanted to own a dairy farm.
