125 years ago
Jan. 4, 1895
The boys were evidently celebrating the close of the old year and the ushering in of the new Monday night, judging from the noise they made. The ringing of bells, shooting and yelling made night hideous for a time. We shall not look for anything more like it for a year at least — and if the boys take the same view of it, nobody will find much fault.
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A number of young friends were entertained by Miss Naomi Byles Wednesday evening, at the home of her parents.
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Mrs. F.M. Wilson and son Tom started yesterday morning for southern California, in the hope that a change of climate will prove beneficial to the latter’s health. They will probably be absent some time.
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Miss Olga and Minnie Davies gave a watch party at their home New Year’s Eve to a number of their friends, at which an elegant lunch was served. They played all the latest games, and had an elegant musical program. All who attended reported a most enjoyable time.
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Quite a party of friends were entertained Monday evening by Mr. And Mrs. C.H. Rychard. They tarried until little Miss 1895 was announced.
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As usual, pleasure was afforded those who appreciated the healthful outdoor exercise of skating, for several days last week. Everyone who could get hold of a pair of skates, by either fair play or foul, hied away to the ponds east of town. The skating was not extra fine but was good enough for some solid enjoyment; those who got wet feet and bruised shins classed these things in as a part of the fun.
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J.M. Quimby and son Frank went over to Simpson’s logging camp Wednesday.
100 years ago
Jan. 2, 1920
S.W. Pickering & Sons have bought the old Montesano hotel property, corner of Main and Pioneer, and expect to build a two or three story business structure. This is the most important real estate deal made in Montesano in years, and may be the starter of several business structures to go up in 1920.
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Donn J. Wyllys has purchased the Roy Mead cottage on Pioneer and Fourth streets. This is the home built by M.A. Garlock when he was principal of the Montesano schools and is one of the most attractive cottages in the city.
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Cobe Wartman was spending his Christmas vacation here visiting his parents, Dr. and Mrs. G.H. Wartman. He has been in Portland attending a dental college.
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Mrs. E.H. Murphie is entertaining at her home this week her daughter, Mrs. J.A. McDonald of Yakima.
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Gaston Moch treated a few of his friends to a theater party Tuesday night in Aberdeen at the Grand theater. The play was Chauncey Alcott in “Machusla.” Those who were lucky enough to be counted among “those present” were Mr. and Mrs. Robert Morse, and Mrs. B.V. Law, Miss Emily Rogers, Leonard Preston, Clyde Beaver and Gaston Moch.
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Mr. and Mrs. Angus Campbell spent the Christmas vacation with friends in Portland.
75 years ago
Jan. 4, 1945
Montesano Boy Scout Troop 17 will admit six new members to their organization on Sunday, January 7.
The new scouts: Kenneth Adamson, William Brumfield, Donald Jones, Earl Kiel, Clem McCollum and Clark McNutt, will be admitted to the troop through a special “Tenderfoot Investiture” ceremony to be put on by Troop 13 of Aberdeen. Council executives Arnold Green and Lee Meyers will present its 1945 charter to the troop.
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The city of Montesano changed mayors this past Tuesday evening when Mayor Elvin W. Blyes turned his gavel over to Mayor-elect Edward Engen. Mrs. Margaret Baker Dibbern at the same time relinquished her clerk’s chair to City Clerk-elect Bertha Satterstrom.
Otherwise there was little change in the city government because all of the councilmen named during the November elections had been incumbents.
One chair among the councilmen was vacant, that of B. Harry Pickering, who passed away a week ago last Sunday evening. His successor will probably be announced and chosen by the city council at its next meeting, which will take place next Tuesday, Jan. 23.
No new appointments were announced. Mayor Engen stated in his first open meeting to the council that, for the time being at least, all city employees would be reappointed pending further developments.
After the council meeting, a party was given in the Legion room honoring the ex-mayor, Blyes, and the ex-city clerk, Baker Dibbern.
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Next week, the Legislature convenes. Then for the next sixty days, the people of the state will be watching with more or less uneasiness as to just what is going to happen to them and the tax problems.
For some reason, members of the Legislature, as well as public officials, can never get it through their heads, apparently, that when the federal government offers money on any kind of a matching-of-funds program, the state sacrifices control over its own affairs and the people of the state dig up the money anyway. The government has no revenues except taxes of all kinds. When federal funds are offered, in the long run the people pay more than they would if it were strictly a local revenue-raising program.
This is why so many are anxiously watching Olympia this year to see what the Legislature is going to do when the government steps in and offers the commonwealth a few million dollars for this and for that, on condition that funds are matched by the state and it agrees to permit the government, through one of its numerous bureaus, to step in and say how the money shall be spent, entirely overlooking the fact that fifty percent or more is provided by the state in the way of state taxes.
50 years ago
Jan. 1, 1970
If all goes well, next week Montesano will get another restaurant in the form of a snack bar to be known as The Shake Shop. The new business plans to open its doors Monday, January 5. Owned by local businessman Paul Willis, the new establishment will be managed by Larry Hurst and Luetta Osberg. Hours will be varied through the week, and the proposed menu has been designed to “please the palate of those eight to eighty,” according to Willis.
The new restaurant will mark a first step in this line for Willis, who for several years has owned an operated Harbor Office Supply next door to the new snack shop. He will continue this operation.
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Emergency transfers of cash from current expenses was the first item on the agenda Monday as the county commissioners met for the last session of 1969. A total of five such requests were approved.
The auditor’s office received approval for the transfer of $4,000 to maintenance and operation; $1,500 for election costs; and a total of $4,500 for advanced expenditures. This amount will later be reimbursed to the county by the state. Approval was also given for the transfer of $2,500 to the Regional Planning Commission, and $80 for salaries and wages in the county building inspector’s office.
