Governor Dedicates Sanitarium
On Oct. 29, 1935, Governor Clarence D. Martin addressed the crowd opening Lewis County’s newly completed tuberculosis sanitarium, the Rock Creek Home, located at McCormick, three miles west of Pe Ell on the Ocean Beach Highway.
The Eastern Star women of Pe Ell held a dinner for 150 people, who came from Bellingham, Centralia, Chehalis, Olympia, Raymond, and Seattle.
“Two county commissioners, Chairman James Tucker, with his fiddle, and Guy Balfour, at the piano, enlivened the occasion, with several numbers,” The Centralia Daily Chronicle wrote. “Commissioner Balfour also rendered vocal numbers.”
The new building, which could house 24 tuberculosis patients, brought the institution’s capacity to 40 patients. The cost of construction was $20,000. The other buildings at Rock Creek were also remodeled.
By caring for its own citizens, the county saved $100 per month. The cost of operating the local institution was $5 per week per patient.
Chain Gang Good for Town
120 years ago, in 1890
The Centralia Daily News was pleased with the results of a recent ordinance.
“It was a grand move on the part of the City Council to revive the Chain Gang Ordinance, notwithstanding the antagonism raised by over sensitive people,” the newspaper wrote. “A few good doses of this kind of ‘Homeopathic’ medicine will do much toward clearing out the bum element.”
In the Centralia Court system, one man had a novel reason for wanting to be released. “One of the persons in the Police Court today said that he was going to Tacoma to ship in an English vessel and leave the ‘bloody country,” the newspaper wrote. “Judge Dysart, fearing he would miss the ship if detained, gave him one-half hour to make a good start.”
‘Kuality Kounts’
100 years ago, in 1910
Staeger Bros, the “The Leading Dealers of Lewis County in Victor Talking Machines,” stated their opinion about one of their products in their advertisement in The Chehalis Bee-Nugget: “Kuality Kounts.”
Sheriff and Bloodhounds Locate Escapee
50 years ago, in 1960
Sgt. William Wiester, of the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office, and his bloodhounds located Glen Orwick, 17, of Oregon, an escapee from the stockade at Fort Lewis.
Orwick was found one mile east of Randle, armed with a hunting knife, dressed in fatigues and wrapped in a blanket. Orwick did not resist arrest and said he had not eaten in five days.
Stabbing Suspect Sought
25 years ago, in 1985
A Rochester man who attacked his wife with a locking blade knife with a 5-inch blade was sought. His wife had lacerations on her head and a deep cut on her right cheek.
‘Pinocchio’ Man Attends Freak Night
10 years ago, in 2000
During Freak Night at the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds, a young man arrived as Pinocchio, complete with glow-in-the-dark strings.
“He said it took three days to build the costume and he’d had to ride to the fairgrounds lying down in the back of a car,” The Chronicle wrote. “Once at Freak Night though, he hadn’t been able to find the costume contest.”
Others dressed as angels, fairies, Austin Powers, Tigger, the Michelin Man and Eve.
Promoters estimated 11,000 young people attended. When the event closed at 5 a.m., a crowd of 200 to 250 were asked by law enforcement to leave.
Animals Costumed for Halloween
Five years ago, in 2005
The annual pet Halloween contest at Pioneer West nursery in Centralia was won by a miniature pinscher dressed as a football. His owner, Katie Corner of Mossyrock, had borrowed her brother’s high school football uniform.
“All my friends say she’s shaped like a football,” said Corner.
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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.
