From the Files: Man Dies While Driving RV on Freeway (2007); Cougar Enters Muldoon’s Home (1887); Centralia Neon Sign Welcomes (1937);

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Man Dies While Driving RV on Freeway in 2007

During this week in April 2007, a Canadian man died at the wheel of his 31-foot motor home while driving on northbound Interstate 5.

“A motor home that went out of control on northbound Interstate 5 on Tuesday afternoon north of Centralia likely would have run into the oncoming lanes if not for the cable barrier in the median, a state trooper said this morning,” The Chronicle reported.

“The approximately 4 p.m. accident happened when the driver alerted his wife something was wrong. "He said, 'Honey, I need your help,' and slumped over the wheel," Washington State Patrol Sgt. John Buma said this morning.

“Jerry A. Cornilsen, 70, died of an unspecified medical emergency, Buma said.

His wife, who had never driven the 31-foot motor home — which was towing a passenger vehicle behind it — grabbed the wheel, but the motor home struck a sign, and then veered into the median, according to the WSP.

Raissa B. Cornilsen, 68, was taken to Providence Centralia Hospital with left leg and hip pain, according to the investigating trooper. The pair came from Quesnel, British Columbia.

Cougar Enters Muldoon’s Home

125 years ago, in 1887

While Frank Muldoon was away from his home in the Big Bottom area, a cougar tore a board from Muldoon’s door and “helped himself to such eatables as he could find,” The Lewis County Bee reported. “When Frank returned his cougarship polked (sic) his headed out at the hole and growled, as if to say, ‘this is my claim now.’ But Frank happened to have his gun, and put an end to all controversy by putting a ball through the intruder’s head.”

When Axle Broke, Machine Hits Fence

100 years ago, in 1912

Commissioners W.B. Keir and A.E. Sears and City Engineer Stanley Macomber were unhurt, but shaken, after their automobile’s axle broke a mile north of Chehalis and veered into a fence.

“The car was traveling at a speed of 20 miles an hour when the accident occurred, and that all members of the party escaped without a scratch is considered fortunate,” The Centralia Daily Chronicle reported. “Mr. Macomber was on the front seat with the driver and escaped by jumping. The commissioners were on their way to the headwaters of the Newaukum river to bring back the tools used by the engineers last in their preliminary work. The car was badly damaged. Mr. Sears stated after the accident that the first thing he thought of when he saw the fence coming to meet him, was his life insurance policy, the last premium on which he had neglected to pay.”

Centralia Neon Sign Welcomes

75 years ago, in 1937



The Chamber of Commerce board’s policy on the new neon sign included two priorities: “First — The sign is to be used as a token of welcome on behalf of the community when Centralia is host to conventions, meetings and other assemblages,” The Centralia Daily Chronicle wrote. “Second — The sign will be used to disseminate information on industry, resources and community when pertinent to Centralia and its surrounding area”

Adna Again Wins Annual Spelling Bee

50 years ago, in 1962

For the third consecutive year in a row, the Adna spelling team won the Lewis County Grade School Spelling Championship. In the finals held at Morton Grange, the team out spelled Winlock and Boistfort teams.

Team members included Rickey Anderson, fifth grade; Cynthia Hartley, seventh; Sarah Scherer, sixth and Tony Schwartz, eighth. The traveling trophy found its home at Adna because of the three wins.

Borden Enjoys State Dairy Princess Crown

25 years ago, in 1987

Jennifer Borden, 21-year-old daughter of Marcia and Jim Grace and John Borden, Rochester, enjoyed her reign as the Washington State Dairy Princess.

The role of the princess had changed, from a mere figurehead to a high-profile public relations position in newspapers, radio and television.

“I am pleased to see the Dairy Princess program take on a new more challenging look” Borden said. “The more time we spend in the public eye, the more valuable the program becomes to the dairy farmers of Washington. ...

“I have learned a great deal about public relations and advertising — this will be invaluable as I pursue a career in broadcasting, and just as helpful no matter what career any dairy princess might choose.”

Move of Jobs Means Half of a Living Wage

10 years ago, in 2002

A labor union leader from El Salvador gave two public meetings in Centralia, comparing Lewis County's economic condition to that in his Central American nation.

"Manufacturing jobs that once supported a family in the U.S. now pay 59 cents an hour in El Salvador, only half a living wage," said Ricardo Monge, of the Salvadorian Union of Health Care Workers.