This 1948 photo includes Lacey Burchett, a 50-year Grange member who played violin for Grange dances as long as his son, Tom, can remember ÑÊfrom the 1920s to 1970. He's shown here performing at the Long Yew Grange No. 886 in Toledo. On drums is Gene Swigert, Burchett is on violIn, Bob Morgan, vocalist, and Etta Swigert on piano. The banjo and guitar players are not identified. These Aces of Rhythm band members played on KELA radio on Saturday nights, then went on to perform at Grange dances. Burchett was a member of the Alpha Grange at the far end of Centralia-Alpha Road. This photo is from volume 1 of "Our Hometowns: A historical photo album of Greater Lewis County," and can be purchased at The Chronicle, Book 'n' Brush, and the Lewis County Historical Museum.
On Nov. 12, 1936, The Centralia Daily Chronicle reported the death of Mr. Johnson, husband of Emma R. Johnson, Chehalis, who was killed by a bus while going home from the grocery store.
“Struck by a North Coast stage, W.E. Johnson, 74, was instantly killed here shortly before 6 p.m. Tuesday as he crossed Market street between 7th and 8th streets,” the newspaper reported.
“Witnesses said Johnson left the store for his home on 1217 Washington avenue looked north before running across the street but failed to look south and darted into the bus’ headlights.”
Judge Maker Does His Job!
125 years ago, in 1886
Judge Maker put aside any friendship so he could do his duty in his court.
“There were two cases of selling intoxicating liquors on election day at Napavine,” The Lewis County Bee wrote. “Jo Patek was bound over in $175 bond for his appearance before the grand jury in February and C.C. Faurot was bound over in $100 bond for appearance before the same jury. It seems from the evidence that the judge could not have done otherwise. Mr. F. formerly lived in Chehalis and was highly respected by all who knew him. Judge Maker knew him as a gentleman and a friend but in this case he layed aside the social tie and did his duty as an officer of the law. Let the law be enforced and let it sinch whom it may.”
Nugget Is First in Field
100 years ago, in 1911
The Chehalis Bee-Nugget was proud of its coverage of the fire disaster.
“The Daily Nugget was the only paper in this section which printed the details of the disastrous Imperial Powder Company fire Wednesday afternoon, and to take care of the anxious people on the streets and in the city, we printed a large number of extra copies,” the newspaper wrote. “Thursday morning the Daily Nugget issued a special extra number, giving the entire story early in the morning. That afternoon again we gave the very latest regarding the appalling disaster. Our weekly edition was in the mail Wednesday afternoon early, and in order to let our many weekly readers have the details of the story, accurately told, we issued a special edition of the daily that morning which was mailed to all of our weekly subscribers, thus giving them also the entire story, and giving them the daily as well as the weekly.
“The management of this paper is determined to give the people the very latest, most reliable and authentic news service, and our attempts to do so were much appreciated, if we may judge from the expressions of approval given us by a number.
“Several hundred copies of the early morning edition of the Daily Nugget were eagerly bought in Centralia by people of that city who were eager to get the details of the disaster.”
Mayfield Hydro Plan Began in 1926
50 years ago, in 1961
James Rich, born at Mayfield 65 years before, recalled that the dam being built at Mayfield had its beginnings 35 years before. He had a copy of the Aug. 19, 1926, edition of The Mayfield Record. The newspaper reported the original project included a series of four dams in the Cowlitz Basin. The three upper dams would be for storage, with Mayfield for generating electricity.
His father, John, sold their farm in 1926 for the building of the Mayfield Dam, and moved the family to Chehalis, to Madsen’s Corner.
Sheriff-Elect Chooses Top Aides
25 years ago, in 1986
Lewis County Sheriff-elect Bill Logan chose Centralia Sgt. Robert Berg, 35, for his undersheriff; Thurston County deputy sheriff Sgt. John R. Flinner, 50, chief criminal deputy,; Jeanne D’Amato, 39, chief civil deputy; and Richard Kiekbusch, 41, to continue as jail administrator.
Winlock Theme Park Idea Is Dead
10 years ago, in 2001
The Southwest Washington Public Development Authority reported its negotiations with a Spanish development company to build a theme park at Winlock were dead.
The Civic Project Management group was known for its top-quality projects in Spain. Their plan in Lewis County included a 250-acre aviation-aeronautical theme park, and 140,000-square-foot exposition center, along with two hotels, one with 850 rooms and another with 350 rooms.
“We don’t know why they lost interest,” said PDA Chairman Charles Boyd of the cessation of the negotiations.
Officer Texted While Performing Surveillance
Five years ago, in 2006
During a controlled drug buy, a Centralia police officer was text messaging with former Lewis County Central Services Director Patti Prouty.
Investigators reviewed Prouty’s messaging with the officer and found in late 2005 and early 2006, the two had exchanged hundreds of personal text messages.
The officer, with 17 years of service, resigned. Prouty was fired by the county commissioners.
