Pe Ell Votes to Be Dry
Alcohol lost this week in November 1909, when Pe Ell voters decided their town should be dry.
The headline in The Chehalis Bee-Nugget read, “58 Votes for Saloons; 78 Against.
“Pe Ell has always been considered a stronghold of the liquor interests, because of the fact that there are so many foreigners there. A short-time ago Toledo voted on local potion, and voted wet. Toledo has usually been considered a precinct the drys would likely carry.
“Several reasons contributed to the establishing of Pe Ell as a dry town, chief of which is the fact that the saloon business at Pe Ell has in the past been conducted in a manner that was far from law-abiding. The rights of the people in the interests of law and order have been considerably overridden by the saloons and their allied forces. Another fact that helped Pe Ell go dry was that at the election Tuesday the educational qualifications of voters were brought into action, and the result was that a number of foreigners who can hardly read or write their names were not allowed to vote. In the majority of cases the disqualified ones favored keeping the saloons in the city.
“The Enterprise of that city has consistently and uncompromisingly fought the saloons since local option came in.”
Mr. Burns Sent to Pen
120 years ago, in 1889
Bobbie Burns was sent to Walla Walla Penitentiary for gambling.
“He admitted beating a Finlander out of $100,” The Centralia Chronicle wrote. “He told the Finlander, who was a stranger, to get out of town. This the man did but returned and caused Burns’ arrest. Burns was arrested in Portland and taken to Chehalis.”
Phone 229 for ‘Superfine’
5 years ago, in 1934
The Centralia Dairy Co., 614 N. Tower Ave., sold “Superfine” dairy products. For regular delivery of milk, cream, cheese, buttermilk, cottage cheese and butter, the consumer could phone 229.
Their products made “good food taste better,” The Chronicle wrote. “And that’s why Miss Ross selected ‘Superfine’ exclusively for her cooking school this week — she cannot afford to have any failures … neither can you. A local institution for local people.”
Corps Needs Local Flood Control Sponsor
50 years ago, in 1959
The Corps of Engineers wanted to spend $140,000 to solve the flood threat on the Cowlitz River near Randle. However, a local sponsor was needed. Several property owners opposed the project. Other property owners wanted to form a flood control district. Lewis County could sponsor the project but was concerned that if damages occurred because of flooding, the county would be responsible.
Police Seek Clues to Tear Gas at Stadium
25 years ago, in 1984
Police were investigating the release of noxious gas during a playoff football game at Centralia High School stadium between Montesano and Steilacoom. Hundreds of people had been evacuated and several treated for mild respiratory distress.
The second half of the game was played the following day.
CCTV Signs Off
10 years ago, in 1999
Centralia City Council voted not to renegotiate the contract with CCTV, which produced the city council meetings on the air.
The city locked the building which housed the channel shortly after a marathon on-air session was held lamenting the council’s decision.
Fraud Scheme Includes Chehalis Mailboxes
Five years ago, in 2004
Stanley C. Green, 42, a former Air National Guard member from Western Washington, was jailed for collecting unemployment checks at mailboxes in Chehalis, Yakima, and Bellingham.
Using Washington State Employment Security’s telephone claims system, he cashed over $120,000 by stealing the identities of military personnel.
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.
