1890 — Chehalis Is Not ‘Metropolitan’ Enough for Bucoda Man
The Centralia Weekly News had received some comments about Chehalis from a Bucoda man.
“Chehalis, according to a Bucoda man, is not very ‘metropolitan,’” the newspaper wrote. “He told a News reporter this morning that if a double-barreled shotgun should go off on Main street, it would not hit a man, woman or child.”
1907 — Weyerhaeuser Takes Over Veness Mills in Winlock
Weyerhaeuser and Sen. J.A. Veness reached an agreement on the sale of the Veness sawmills and timber holdings, including the senator's holdings and that of F. E. Veness. The deal was for $930,000 cash and included 350 million feet of timber.
It was rumored the plants would be dismantled and everything moved to South Bend.
"This will be a serious blow to the town of Winlock, and it is hoped that the company will reconsider this plan," The Chehalis Bee-Nugget wrote.
1930 — Harvesting Crops for the Hungry
Members of the Centralia Welfare Committee were preparing for the upcoming winter by harvesting crops that had been grown to help feed the hungry.
Three gardens had been established to grow potatoes and other root crops: three acres on West Main Street; four acres behind the Washington Lawn Cemetery; and 12 acres on the L.A. Stahl farm on Galvin Road.
"These crops will provide a substantial supply of provision for distribution this winter," The Daily Chronicle noted.
1932 — New Post Office to Cost $110,000
Centralia's new post office was estimated to cost $110,000. Two other areas that expected new buildings — Aberdeen and Wenatchee — were eliminated from the new building list.
1956 — Hot Day, Cold Lemonade and 64 Years of Love
Jim and Drucilla Alexander, "Chehalis' No. 1 pioneer couple," celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary with energy, vitality and a trip to Spokane. The two had gone to school together in Chehalis but it took a hot day and cold lemonade in Napavine to push them together. They were married Sept. 20, 1892. Jim never had an attraction to banking, but he agreed to join his brother John at Security State Bank -- John as president; Jim as vice president. The two men still owned the bank in 1956. Jim was 90.’
1960 — Residents Protest Shooting
Waunch Prairie residents went before the Lewis County Commission to protest night shooting at a neighbor’s home.
“Mr. and Mrs. Oliver Trueblood told county heads they are afraid to go outside their home for fear of being struck by stray bullets,” The Daily Chronicle wrote. “They said Don Edwards’ property, adjacent to their home, is used as a target range for 10 to 12 men at times, all busy shooting and making ‘like an around-the-year July Fourth celebration.”
“Neighbors of the Edwards declared all types of firearms are used, including shotguns, pistols, high powered rifles and revolvers. Home-made bombs have also been set off.”
The commission said they would look into the matter and may adopt a nuisance ordinance to eliminate the issue.
1982 — Potatoes Donated for the Poor
Immanuel Lutheran Church donated 7½ tons of potatoes, worth approximately $2,400, to the Salvation Army Food Bank and the Lewis County Food Bank.
In the spring, Kenny Johnson had suggested to his church's men's group they grow potatoes for the poor on his property.
2005 — Chehalis Tribe Dedicates Chehalis Park
The Chehalis Tribe Youth Dance Group performed powwow dances at the Robert E. Lintott-Alexander Park a month after the park was formally rededicated.
A Shabubush (“storytellers” in the Skokomish language) musical group, which included several Chehalis Indians, performed songs celebrating “the heart of the people who make the land feel appreciated.”
“We’re singing with honor, honoring this land,” said Delbert Miller, a Skokomish Indian and member of the group.
