Today in History: R.E. Bennett Dies in 1936

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    On Jan. 29, 1936, R.E. Bennett, superintendent of Chehalis schools, died suddenly of a heart attack in his office. He had been home for lunch, stopped at the junior high school to survey the construction of the new gym and just returned to his office when he fell over dead.

    “Mr. Bennett, whose death was a sudden shock to the entire community, was 60 years of age,” The Centralia Daily Chronicle wrote. “He had resided in Lewis county for 32 years and was continuously connected with the schools. He served as county superintendent of schools for two terms. He became principal of the Chehalis high school in 1921 and in 1925 was promoted to superintendent of schools.”

    In addition to his widow Tina, Bennett was survived by a daughter, Mrs. Harry Truman of Spirit Lake.

Washington Builds

Hotel Near River

120 years ago, in 1891

    The founder of Centralia built a hotel near the Chehalis River.

    “The new hotel built by George Washington and situated at the west end of Mellen street, near the bridge across the Chehalis river, was opened today,” The Centralia Weekly News wrote. “The new hotel is quite a large structure, containing twenty-nine rooms. It is intended to accommodate the employees of the mills and factories located in the southwest part of the city, and must prove a great convenience.”

Get Your Number

in the Directory!

100 years ago, in 1911

    The Chehalis Bee-Nugget encouraged citizens to get their number in the new directory.

    “This is the last call for the new telephone directory and the man who does not get in now has no ‘holler’ coming if he doesn’t get his advertisement in, or if his name or telephone number is not given correctly,” the newspaper wrote.

    “If an advertisement is wanted call up the Bee-Nugget and your wants will be attended to.

    “There have been so many additions coming in at the telephone office, so many new phones are being added, that the issuing of the book has been delayed but the forms will positively close without further notice and the new directory will go to press next week.”

Pioneer James Dies

50 years ago, in 1961

    John Heal James, Grand Mound pioneer, died in a Centralia hospital.



    “Mr. James was a grandson of Samuel and Maria James, first white settlers at Grand Mound,” The Daily Chronicle wrote. “The James family came west from Wisconsin in 1852. He was born Nov. 23, 1875, and attended school on the prairie.

    “For years he farmed at what is now Jamestown. From about 1920 until his retirement in 1940 he was a mail carrier on route 1, Centralia.”

‘Pie-in-the-Face’

Night Held at Eagles

25 years ago, in 1986

    “Pie-in-the-Face” Night was held at the Centralia Eagles. On the next night, Jr. Cadillac was playing, with attendees paying a $3 cover charge.

Face-Lift Given to Historic Sign

10 years ago, in 2001

    The 57-year-old sign at Benny’s Florist and Greenhouse in Chehalis was restored by Cara Dean, owner of Benny’s for the last two years. She purchased the store from Al Benny.

    The building was built in the 1920s, and the sign had been on the building for 57 years.

Homeless Hard to Find

Five years ago, in 2006

    During the annual Lewis County homeless count, individuals were difficult to locate. Many previous locations of the homeless were vacant. The recent rainy weather was thought to have driven people from Lewis County to Longview, Seattle and Tacoma.

    Dave Black, ombudsman for mental health services, said a bridge in central Centralia yielded no homeless. The year before he found a large number of residents with an elaborate kitchen and storage area. This year Black found flooded-out clothing, personal items and blankets.

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    From the Files of The Chronicle is compiled by Edna Fund, a Centralian who describes herself as a “history sleuth.” She can be contacted at Dutch@localaccess.com or at 269-7515.