During this week in December 1908, O.K. Palmer, formerly of Tennessee, was renovating the plant of the Chehalis Fir Gutter Company which he recently purchased. He organized the Palmer Lumber and Manufacturing Company. He planned to build a dry kiln and to add new machinery to the factory.
He plans to go after eastern business in a systematic, thorough way, and there is no doubt but that with the connections he has already made and the previous advertising that Chehalis made porch columns, gutters, etc., have had in the east, he will develop a business that will mean shipment of many (railroad) cars monthly, The Chehalis Bee-Nugget wrote.
Palmer purchased a home on Pennsylvania Avenue which was described as comfortable.
Butterworth is Semi-Banker
120 years ago, in 1888
E.R. Butterworth, a furniture dealer and notary public, had come from Kansas six years before. He was a skilled attorney.
He has also been very useful to the community as a semi-banker, saving the business men a great deal of trouble and inconvenience, though with no returns to himself, except in the gratitude of an inconvenienced public, The Centralia News said. No one is more thankful that we are to have a bank, than he.
Butterworth had been encouraged to run for office, but he said he could better serve Centralia as a private citizen.
He built a house on Walnut Street which many thought was the prettiest in town.
He brought in the first stock of undertaking goods and furniture to Lewis County.
Hoopla coming to St. Helens
75 years ago, in 1933
The movie Hoopla, with Clara Bow, was coming to the St. Helens Theatre in Chehalis.
She dances like a flame and loves like chained lightning, the advertisement read.
Notice of Raises
50 years ago, in 1958
R.W. Pomeroy, business manager of the Centralia Building Trades, announced the wages of union carpenters were increasing 19 cents per hour, and laborers, 15 cents, effective Jan. 1, 1959.
Park Agency Celebrates 10-Year Birthday
25 years ago, in 1983
The Lewis County Parks and Recreation Department began in 1973, with only one park, Mayfield Lake. In the 1970s, senior citizen programs grew.
Between 1974-1978, land was donated for Back Memorial and Glenoma county parks. Land for Schaefer County Park was purchased, and work was completed on Rose County Park. A beach on Mineral Lake was also opened.
All facilities were built with local citizens donating materials or labor.
Huckleberry Books Announce Closing
10 years ago, in 1998
Bill Moeller, 70, announced his Centralia bookstore, Huckleberry Books, would be closing on Jan 23.
One twinge you always get as a used book dealer is selling the books you intended to read yourself, Moeller said, as he reminisced about his bookselling years.
After closing his store, Moeller planned to restore a boat and build an ultralight. He also was a Centralia city councilor.
Bearcats Victorious at Pacific Coast Championship
Five years ago, in 2003
John Taylor, W.F. West wrestling coach, was pleased with his team at the Pacific Coast Championship wrestling tournament, which included 35 high school teams from Washington, Oregon, and California.
The Bearcats had four top-eight finishers. Robert Foy was the top placer, going 5-1 in tournament action. He lost to the top-ranked 119 pounder in the state.
This was the fifth year of this tournament, and its the first time a Washington team has won it, Taylor said. There were a lot of 4A and top 3A teams in the field. The quality down there was just amazing, with state-caliber wrestlers in every weight class. We had a chance to see how we match up, and to watch what the studs do when they wrestle.
