On Aug. 31, 1985, Centralia Police Chief Jay Winter ended his career with the city citing a philosophical difference between the city commission style of government.
“It doesn’t allow me to be an administrator who works in cooperation with other city officials and administrators toward a team approach,” Winter said. “We are a bunch of separate departments trying to operate the city without an overall plan. But we are not operating as effectively for our community as we could be.
“If you’re going to hire or appoint a person to an administrative position, he should have the expertise to make decisions necessary for the day-to-day operation of that department.
“I really am content with my decision. I’m going to miss law enforcement eventually. You can’t put 15 years into it — heart, body and soul — and not miss it sometime.”
Burke Starts as Lion, Becomes Kitten
120 years ago, in 1890
John Burke, full of liquor, announced “he could eat a lion with a couple of mules thrown in,” The Centralia Weekly News reported. After being arrested and jailed overnight he went in front of Judge Dysart.
“This morning Burke was as docile as a kitten and protested that he had done nothing wrong,” the newspaper continued. “Judge Dysart thought different and assessed him $5, which the lion eater did not have, so he was taken back to jail, where he will languish on three meals a day for some time.”
Petit and Sticklin Blaze Auto Trail
100 years ago, in 1910
Dr. H.L. Petit and C.L. Sticklin went for a ride in the doctor’s automobile.
“They went from Agate (seven miles north of Napavine) to Alpha over the mountains in Doctor Petit’s Maxwell, over a road which had never been traveled by a car,” The Chehalis Bee-Nugget wrote. “Properly speaking, it was more of a mountain trail than a road. While going over they met a man who had never seen an auto before, and they gave him a short ride. He was pretty badly scared, and was glad to get out.”
Funds Raised for CCC Band
75 years ago, in 1935
The Lewis-Clark Civilian Conservation Corps raised funds to buy instruments for a camp band. There were 18 men out of 200 at the camp who were experienced musicians.
Those supporting the effort were Jerry Gunther, president of the junior chamber of commerce; Marion Saindon, president of the Rotary club; J.H. Johnson, president of the Kiwanis club; George Walker, secretary of the chamber; and Dan Bush, president of the chamber.
Studeman Is Tenino Labor Day Queen
50 years ago, in 1960
Elaine Studeman, daughter of Mrs. Mary Studeman, Bucoda, was selected as queen for the upcoming Labor Day celebration at Tenino. Other candidates were Linnea Wicklund of Offut Lake and Sandy Vogt of Tenino.
Sawmill Made From ‘Junk’
10 years ago, in 2000
Larry Larmon, Chehalis, owned Sunrise Lumber, located along Jackson Highway north of Toledo. His built his own band mill and did mill work on his own.
“The saw was built from scrounged parts, many from S.C. Schantz,” Larmon said. “Some parts came from a hospital bed.
“It is made from what many misinformed people call ‘junk.’ I would defy any one who could look at a saw that can cut within two-thousands of an inch variation in a board and call it junk.”
McNutt Protests With Sheehan
Five years ago, in 2005
Onalaskan Lela McNutt, 61, protested with California mother Cindy Sheehan outside of President Bush’s Texas ranch. McNutt was also a peace activity during the Vietnam War.
McNutt said she slept in a ditch for her first week in Texas.
“It really reminds me of Woodstock, except more serious,” McNutt said.
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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.
