In this installment of A Look Back in Time, the Friday, Dec. 20, 1935, edition of The Chronicle featured a story about Tenino resident Hazel Howe, daughter of Tenino Pioneer Wilson “Doc” Howe, after Hazel was nominated by U.S. Rep. Martin F. Smith to be the Stone City’s official new postmaster.
Former Bucoda resident Walter Robinson, a U.S. Navy sailor on the Wind Class icebreaker ship USS Glacier, had just left New Zealand bound for the South Pole as a part of Navy Rear Admiral Richard Byrd’s famous Operation Deep Freeze expedition, according to the Tuesday, Dec. 20, 1955, edition of The Chronicle.
And in the Monday, Dec. 20, 1965, edition of The Chronicle, it was reported that a pair of 15-year-old Centralia boys were held in custody over the weekend after they got caught shooting out headlights of cars and windows in houses.
A Look Back in Time is compiled using Chronicle archives stored at the Lewis County Historical Museum — located at 599 NW Front St. in Chehalis — along with digital archives on newspapers.com.
Friday, Dec. 20, 1935
• Tenino resident Hazel Howe, the daughter of a “Tenino pioneer,” had been recommended to be officially appointed as the postmaster at the U.S. Post Office in the Stone City, The Chronicle reported. “Miss Hazel H. Howe, for the last five months acting postmaster at Tenino and who had served for some years as assistant to her father, the late Wilson (Doc) Howe, has been recommended to the post office department by (U.S.) Congressman Martin F. Smith for appointment as postmaster for a term of four years.” Howe was one of two applicants who had been recommended for the position by the U.S. Civil Service Commission, and her appointment was due to be sent to the president for approval and the U.S. Senate for confirmation. “The appointment of Miss Howe was widely endorsed by patrons of the Tenino post office and by a majority of the officers and members of the democratic organization in Tenino, as well as by precinct committeemen.”
• One of four suspects wanted in connection with a failed train mail robbery between Centralia and Bucoda on Dec. 29, 1934, had been arrested on unconnected charges in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, The Chronicle reported. “The man in custody is Elliott Michener, 29, who is accused of passing worthless checks in the Wisconsin city. The attempted train robbery, participated in by four men, was well planned, but the holdups were frustrated by the fact that their efforts were directed against the first section of the southbound train, while the second section was carrying the mail.”
• With Christmas approaching, The Chronicle had a suggestion for those struggling to decide what to get their loved ones for the holiday. “The age-old problem is back with us again. What will we give for Christmas? And here’s a suggestion that many discriminating people used last year, and which appears to be even more popular this season — give grocery gifts.” Some ideas included crunchy candy, nuts, cookies, canned chicken, fruit cake, stuffed olives and other delicacies. “But let’s not forget the less fortunate families at Christmas time. Times may be getting better, and all that, but there are still a lot of families who are in need. To these families we should give a bountiful basket filled with both sense and sentiment. For instance, for a basket valued at about $2.50, you could put in two or three packages of breakfast cereal, three cans of soup, four cans of evaporated milk, coffee, two cans of salmon, dry beans, crackers and tea. Then apples, celery, raisins and cranberries. And to top it off, pack it tight with the joy of giving by including assorted nuts, candies, oranges and mincemeat!”
• A “modern” five-room home with a garage and fruit trees on two lots of land located at 1102 N. Tower Ave. in Centralia was listed for sale in The Chronicle’s classifieds for $1,000.
Thursday, Dec. 20, 1945
• A recent influenza outbreak had forced the closure of more schools in the county after all Chehalis schools were closed two days prior, The Chronicle reported. “Two more schools in Lewis County have been ordered closed because of excessive absences due to an epidemic of influenza that is sweeping the district, according to Dr. Sam Sparhawk, county health officer … The latest districts covered in the closure order were Mossyrock, where attendance dropped to 75% of total enrollment, and in Onalaska, where attendance was only 65% of total enrollment. The closure orders were effective Wednesday morning. Dr. Sparhawk reiterated his request that all children be kept away from places where groups of people gather. He pointed out the only way to stop the epidemic and protect children from infection from those who are suffering from influenza is to keep them away.”
• Bonneville Power Administration statisticians had begun a survey of electricity sales and the rate structure of Centralia City Light, which had instituted a rate reduction schedule the previous January, The Chronicle reported. “The Bonneville statisticians are Harold Potts and J.W. Pentney, both of Portland, of the administration’s rates and statistics division. In 1940, Bonneville workers made a survey of the city’s power setup, but it was not nearly so extensive as the present one is to be. The service was offered by Bonneville at no cost to the city. (Centralia) Mayor Ray W. Sprague said the work of the rate specialists will be especially valuable in determining just how satisfactory the general rate reduction schedule is that went into effect last January, and, in addition, the statistics will do much to indicate the trend of power sales for the future.”
• A seven-room “modern home, newly decorated,” with an orchard, hen house and barn on 13 acres of land “only four miles from Centralia” was listed for sale in The Chronicle’s classifieds for $5,000.
Tuesday, Dec. 20, 1955
• U.S. Navy sailor and former Bucoda resident Walter Robinson recently left New Zealand aboard the Wind Class icebreaker ship USS Glacier as a part of Navy Rear Admiral Richard Byrd’s famous Operation Deep Freeze Antarctic expedition, according to his parents, The Chronicle reported. “Robinson has just completed a three-year tour of duty with the American Embassy at Djakarta, Indonesia. He graduated from Centralia High School in 1942.” Operation Deep Freeze was a rare, multi-national effort during the Cold War which saw the U.S. partner with its Communist adversary, the U.S.S.R., to carry out hydrographic, meteorologic and oceanic research at both the North Pole and South Pole. Aside from advancing both Arctic and Antarctic research, Operation Deep Freeze also fostered many conspiracy theories, including the operation being a cover to seize an alleged secret German Nazi World War II base on the Antarctic, or potential UFO technology.
• A state witness in a case against Chehalis resident Horatio White who was facing four charges of state liquor violations, admitted in court he himself had been convicted of perjury in Washington state back in 1948, The Chronicle reported. “The witness was Ernest A. Anderson, state liquor control board investigator, who testified before Judge J.A. Vanderstoep with Margaret Smith, also an investigator, (about) how they bought liquor by the drink and bottle from White last August. White pleaded innocent to four counts, being one of 10 Lewis County people rounded up last Aug. 27 by state and county officers for liquor violations. White is charged with possession and intent to sell liquor, of sale by the bottle and by the drink, and a second count of by the drink and added by the state now is an allegation of prior conviction in superior court. In 1940, White was found guilty in superior court on a liquor violation and given a $1,000 fine, suspended on the condition he not engage in the practice again.”
• “One of Centralia’s better built” two-bedroom homes with a modern kitchen, wall-to-wall carpet and a newly tiled bath at the intersection of Second and E streets was listed for sale in The Chronicle’s classifieds for $9,900. A three-room furnished home in Centralia was listed for rent for $40 a month.
Monday, Dec. 20, 1965
• A pair of 15-year-old Centralia boys were being held in the Lewis County Jail’s juvenile quarters over the weekend after being arrested by both Lewis County Sheriff’s Office deputies and Centralia Police Department officers for destruction of private property. “Officers said the youths shot out headlights in automobiles and windows in homes. The boys were to be released Monday.”
• Lewis County Auditor’s Office staff were preparing for a special election which included levy ballot measures for 12 out of the 14 school districts in the county, The Chronicle reported. “County Auditor Robert Venemon said only the small Evaline and Vader districts have not made notification for special levy elections next year. Lewis County school patrons will be asked to approve tax levies for $737,562 to supplement regular maintenance and operation funds. The support programs of the districts have been hard hit by 1965 state legislation that changed state fund apportionment and cost them other funds. In addition, Centralia School District patrons will be asked to approve a $600,000 levy to create a building fund for the construction of a new high school … The polls will be open Feb. 1 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.”
• Onalaska School District students were preparing to give their annual Christmas on Wednesday in the high school’s gymnasium, The Chronicle reported. “Entertainment is to include various vocal and instrumental groups from the school, as well as the band and chorus of the high school. The program is under the direction of Darryl and Ruth Mooney. School leaders said the entire community is invited. There is no admission charge.”
• An “almost new” three-bedroom home with hardwood floors, outbuildings and a guest cabin on six acres of land in Curtis was listed for sale in The Chronicle’s classifieds for the “best bid over $15,000.” A two-bedroom duplex with a garage and water and garbage service included in Chehalis was listed for rent for $65 a month.
Saturday, Dec. 20, 1975
• Seventeen Lewis County families forced out of their homes by early December flooding had received around $2,000 in merchant orders from the American Red Cross, The Chronicle reported. “They have used vouchers to buy food, clothing, temporary lodging, bedding and other necessities. Mary Lou Strasser of the Chehalis chapter of the Red Cross told The Chronicle her organization has also issued merchant orders for families to use as a down payment or for repair of ranges, refrigerators, washers and beds. Local merchants have accepted the vouchers which they can redeem, for money, from the Red Cross. Strasser indicated merchants have also tailored payment plans to help the needy families. Strasser said, ‘The merchants have been excellent. They feel this is a way they can help.’ Norm Sather, a Morton merchant, told The Chronicle three families have purchased appliances at his store with merchant orders.”
• Students at the White Pass High School were preparing to end their canned food drive on Tuesday, The Chronicle reported. “The high school held a blanket toss at a pep assembly Friday to raise money for the purchase of turkeys for donation to needy families in the area, along with the canned foods. Goods will be sent out in Christmas blankets, with extras donated to a local food and clothing bank.”
• Traffic on the White Pass Highway was blocked in one lane on Thursday after a truck driver lost control on an icy bend on the highway, The Chronicle reported. “The state patrol reports the westbound vehicle, driven by Elmer B. McIntosh, 25, Selah, slid into a rock wall, skidded along the wall and came to rest across the road, blocking the eastbound lane. McIntosh was not injured. The truck and trailer had to be towed away and damage was estimated at $6,000. Lewis County Sheriff’s deputies assisted patrolmen at the scene.”
• Various occurrences of theft were being reported across Lewis County, including approximately $107 worth of cassette tapes stolen from Onalaska resident David Hall’s car while it was parked at Onalaska High School. “Vic Griel, Galaxy Road, Chehalis, reported to deputies Thursday that about 350 Christmas trees were missing from his tree farm. The trees had been cut and were ready for shipment. The apparent theft occurred several days ago, deputies said. The U.S. Forest Service at Randle reported Thursday that gasoline is being stolen from its trucks while they’re parked.”
• A three-bedroom home with carpet, appliances and a two car garage on three-quarters of an acre of land in a “well secluded setting” at the “mouth of Hanaford Valley” was listed for sale in The Chronicle’s classifieds for $34,950. A furnished three-bedroom home in Oakville was listed for rent for $200 a month.
