On Aug. 26, 1935, a young Civilian Conservation Corps worker lost his life.
“William C. Maxwell, 18, of Chicago, a CCC worker, was almost instantly killed about noon today when he was struck by a falling snag after fighting a forest fire between Vader and Winlock, the southern part of the county,” The Centralia Daily Chronicle wrote. “The accident occurred as Maxwell started to leave the fire area with a crew that was going off shift. An ambulance was summoned from the CCC camp at the Lewis and Clark state park, where the youth had been stationed since enlisting July 18, but he died before he could be taken to the hospital.
“All available men from the camp were rushed to the fire area yesterday and have been waging a desperate fight to halt the advance of the fire, which at noon today had swept to within a mile of Vader. A number of farm homes were threatened with destruction, but were saved after a hard fight.”
Ball Was a ‘Recherché’ Affair
120 years ago, in 1890
The Centralia Weekly News reviewed the recent ball at Pickett Hall.
“The ball last night at The Pickett was a very recherché (elegant) affair, and passed off pleasantly,” the newspaper reported. “About seventy-five couples were present and the hours passed swiftly away. The music was good and the supper excellent. The host made everyone feel so thoroughly at home that he must have been a very melancholy man, indeed, who did not enjoy himself at ‘Pickett’s birthday ball.’ At the conclusion of the supper, the colonel made a neat little speech, thanking the guests for their appreciation of his efforts to give them a first-class evening’s enjoyment.”
Winlock Is Growing
100 years ago, in 1910
The Chehalis Bee-Nugget printed a column Winlock News had written about Winlock growing double the regular rate of 5 percent.
“Winlock has doubled that increase on an average each year, and by a legitimate, sound growth — no inflation,” the article began. “No special effort has been made to boom Winlock, but people coming to Winlock on a visit or homeseeking have written friends concerning the wonderful opportunities to be had here; each visitor, loud in praises of Winlock and vicinity, is a mighty good and convincing argument that the community has something extraordinary to offer the homeseeker and investor.”
Fair Escapes Being Soaked
50 years ago, in 1960
The Southwest Washington Fair was normally scheduled the fourth week of August. The 1960 fair was staged a week earlier, which avoided heavy rains. Fair Manager Tony Wildhaber said the fair could have lost $30,000 if it had been held on its regular schedule.
“Grounds have been sodden, puddle-filled since early week, and one house trailer exhibitor had to be get a wrecker to tow out his trailers,” The Daily Chronicle wrote.
The poor drainage had been a factor in the fair’s consideration of moving from its present site.
Bust Nets $3.1 Million Pot Plantation
25 years ago, in 1985
The largest pot bust in Lewis County, $3.1 million dollars of marijuana plants, was made west of Onalaska, at the end of Remy Lane, off of the Onalaska-Morton Highway.
East County Gets Bad News
10 years ago, in 2000
With the decreased property values on three local lumber mills, East Lewis County districts for school, cemetery, fire and hospital were informed they would receive less tax money for their budgets.
Chappell Retires After 50 Years
Five years ago, in 2005
Ron Chappell, 73, retired after 50 years working for the federal government, 46 of them for the Centralia Post Office. He spent four years in the Navy.
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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.
