This 1898 photo is of work being done at the Northern Pacific Rock Quarry, which was once located a half mile west of Oakville. That quarry no longer operates, but another rock quarry is located on the east side of where Northern Pacific once operated. Charles Alfredson is shown standing in the background holding a pole. He was probably using the pole to tamp dynamite into holes, which when detonated, loosened rocks. Charles married Hadda Elg, who traveled from Sweden by boat and across the country by train in 1892 to marry him. The couple had six children who mostly remained in Grays Harbor County.
During this week in February 1912, company officials of the Hercules Quarries in Tenino announced that 1,000,000 tons of rock would be blasted on Feb. 17, by a single charge of two and one-half carloads of black powder.
"A banquet will be given by the officers of the company immediately following the blast to visiting state and federal officials and newspapermen," The Centralia Weekly Chronicle wrote. "The blast will be the biggest event in the history of Tenino, and that city is preparing to entertain several thousand visitors on that day.
"A network of 1400 feet of tunnel has been driven into a mountain of stone 500 feet long and 200 feet wide and 70 feet deep. The resistance offered by the great amount of rock will be a terrific one and the jar and sound of the explosion will be heard for miles around Tenino. Every precaution against accident has been taken by the managers of the blast, and they report that there will be no possible chance for an accident. Several moving picture concerns have applied for picture rights for the blast. As the pictures will be shown throughout the world, they should prove a big advertisement for the stone industry of Southwest Washington."
Double Runaway Occurs in the Snow
125 years ago, in 1887
A double runaway occurred on Pitts Hill.
"E.Harris with Mr. Robert Mauermann and children were driving quietly down the hill when their sleigh upset precipitating its occupants into the snow," The Lewis County Bee reported. "The horses ran on down the hill jumping into the sleigh, Charley and Willie Joy jumped from the sleigh but not in time to escape slight bruises. The weight of the horses broke the sleigh lose from Joy's team and instead of a two horse runway it was a four. Mr. Harris' sleigh will serve to furnish kindling wood for Dr. Conroy during the cold weather. Mr. Joy's team stopped a short distance further down."
Attempt Made to Free Becker of Centralia Tragedy Conviction
75 years ago, in 1937
Ray Becker, participant in the 1919 Centralia Armistice Day riot and in prison at Walla Walla, was visited by a committee who wanted to gain his release.
In the party was Harold Pritchett of Vancouver, B.C., president of the federation of woodworkers; E.B. Weber of Portland, executive secretary of the same group; Mrs. Julia G. Bertram of Portland, secretary of the ‘free Ray Becker' committee, and Mrs. Becker," The Centralia Daily Chronicle reported.
"Becker is the sole survivor in prison of the eight I.W.W. tried at Montesano and convicted after the riot. He has declined a parole, demanding full pardon.
"According to the group here yesterday, Becker's attorney, Roy Hewitt of Salem, Ore., is preparing a new petition for a writ of habeas corpus containing affidavits from 11 of the 12 jurymen at his trial.
Miss Bertram said that Senators McNary of Oregon and Bone of Washington, and Representative Knute Hill of Washington and Pierce and Honeyman of Oregon are supporting a move for a LaFollette committee investigation." (Committee on Education and Labor, Subcommittee Investigating Violations of Free Speech and the Rights of Labor)
Reliance Food Center Is Sorry
50 years ago, in 1962
"We are sorry" was the beginning statement in the advertisement for the Reliance Food Centers in Centralia in The Daily Chronicle. "You were swell, we had a wonderful anniversary and are real sorry we can out of almost every advertised item. To show our appreciation, we are running some of them again. ... We know there are bigger and fancier stores in town, but Reliance Food Centers will serve you with brands you know, sizes you want, and prices you like!"
Rainey Acts in ‘Amerika'
25 years ago, in 1987
Ford Rainey, Centralia High School and Centralia College graduate in 1930, acted in the "Amerika" television miniseries.
"Rainey's acting career started when he was a Centralia High School student, appearing in a play directed by the late Margaret Corbet, the first dean of Centralia College," The Daily Chronicle reported. "After graduation from Centralia College, where he was student body president, Rainey went on to Cornish School of the Arts in Seattle. Repertory theater work in Seattle and New York followed, and his first motion picture appearance was in 1948 with James Cagney."
Rainey was the recipient of the 1982 Centralia College's Distinguished Alumnus Award.
Gregoire Comes to Chehalis
10 years ago, in 2002
Washington Attorney General Christine Gregoire gave the keynote address at the Law Enforcement Reserve Academy graduation ceremony in the Chehalis Middle School Commons.
Westminster Dog Winner from Napavine
Five years ago, in 2007
Forrest, a 2-year-old standard Manchester Terrier raised in Napavine, won the breed competition at the Westminster Kennel Club annual competition in New York.
Providence Centralia Hospital Assistant Administrator Jeanell Rasmussen and her son Raymond raised the dog, whose registered name was Champion Kadenz A Different Rhythm.
