On Jan 19, 1919, Chas. Messner was in jail on an assault charge after his wife Ida died in the St. Helens Hospital.
“The death of the unfortunate woman was caused from Addison’s disease, according to the finding of a coroner’s jury that investigated the case; but the jurors also found that development of the fatal ailment was probably hastened by the brutal and inhuman treatment inflicted by her husband,” The Chehalis Bee-Nugget wrote.
“Four children are homeless, Clara, aged 14; Alvin, aged 12; Carl, aged 10; and a baby. They must look in the future to the tender mercy of the charitable for support — unless Messner can be awakened to a sense of duty to them.
“It is the old story of a drunken father and husband, a woman’s patience and forbearance, hunger in the home, and a tragic climax to it all.”
Centralia Predicted to Have 6,000 by 1891
120 years ago, in 1890
Colonel Ellsbury estimated 6,000 souls would live in Centralia before Jan. 1, 1891.
Sweet Writes About Hitler
75 years ago, in 1935
While William Sweet was studying medicine in Germany, he wrote a letter to his father, Dr. Paul W. Sweet, about Adolph Hitler.
“Young Sweet expresses the opinion that Hitler is at least making an excellent attempt to handle his nation’s problems,” The Centralia Chronicle wrote.
“He presented his case for withdrawing Germany from the league of nations in such a way that even a number of violent anti-Nazis with whom I talked supported this move heartily,’ the student wrote.
“He has begun construction of a number of elaborate auto highways with four lanes of traffic in each direction and an embankment between the opposing lanes to prevent head-on collisions; a speed limit of 250 kilometers per hour; electric lighting that marked lights on the autos themselves unnecessary; payment by each auto each time it uses the highway; barring of all other traffic, including motorcycles from use of the roadway, and phones at kilometer intervals for use in case of breakdown or accident. This seems to appeal to the imagination of the people.”
McKinley Stump Gets New Roof
50 years ago, in 1960
In the fall of 1959, the McKinley Stump was moved from the south wide of the Chehalis Depot to Recreation Park, which cleared the way for more off-street parking. Staff under the supervision of Stan Hedwall, Chehalis Park superintendent, constructed new upright poles, new seats, and a new roof for the pagoda.
A cement slab was laid for the stump site, with a 25-foot cement walk from the existing sidewalk.
Merger Works Better Than Expected
25 years ago, in 1985
The combination of the Chehalis and Centralia dispatch centers was working well, according to police and fire officials.
“Everyone’s bent over backwards to make sure the transition was smooth,” said dispatcher Karen Hawkins. Since Nov. 30, the number of calls made on the 911 emergency line was 22 percent. Half of the calls were made using the Centralia police number and 28 percent were for Chehalis police.
Woman Killed by Claw Hammer
10 years ago, in 2000
Clara Dorsey, 71, was found dead at her house at 870 N.W. New York Ave., Chehalis. She had been struck a number of times on the back of her head with a claw hammer. She had been a shut-in. Her roommate was later charged with her murder.
China Creek Needs Fixing
Five years ago, in 2005
In the past, China Creek had been a place for chum salmon, eels, and crawfish. Carl Noyes, retired Centralia fire chief, said it had become so polluted that nothing could live in it.
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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.
