125 years ago
November 24, 1893
The saw mill of Hayes and Hughes, on the Mox Chehalis, was burned last Friday night, presumably the work of incendiaries. The mill had a capacity of from 12,000 to 15,000 feet per day. It was not insured. We understand that the owners will rebuild — the recent employees each agreeing to donate fifteen days’ work toward replacing the structure.
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We are informed that a jam of about 1,500,000 feet of logs has formed at the point on Smith creek where the old, formidable jam of drift was removed several months ago. This jam is about 1.5 miles from the boom and will probably require considerable engineering to remove; however, the Smith creekers are not easily daunted and will soon have it clear.
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The “scrapping” fever seems to have struck Montesano.
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The engineer in charge of the government work on the harbor, states that the channel opposite Cow point has been deepened a foot and a half since the jetty has been built closing the south channel.
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Last Sunday afternoon, Dr. Nevius held services in the rink and gave an interesting lecture on China — as he saw the country on his recent visit.
100 years ago
November 22, 1918
Superintendent T.W. Bibb announces that all the county schools are in session now. When the (influenza) ban was first lifted, some of the teachers were sick, but substitutes were found.
“We hope not to need lengthen the time of the school year to make up the lost time on account of the influenza epidemic,” said Mr. Bibb. “Instead we will probably shorten the school holidays and, if later, it is found necessary, will lengthen the school day a few minutes. We will have the vacations, just make them shorter. Probably we will have just one week Christmas holiday.”
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The teacher at the Alder Grove School has asked each pupil to bring 10 cents so that the school can get games to play on rainy days.
75 years ago
November 25, 1943
Oscar Smith and L.K. (Bill) Freeman of the Smith and Freeman stock farm recently sold one of their Hereford bulls for the highest price any such bull has been sold for on either side of the mountains in Washington, Oregon and Idaho, $4,000.
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Wives of Navy enlisted men, midshipmen and warrant officers may enlist in the WAVES, the office of naval officer procurement announced today, opening the way for many women to join their husbands in the service.
Women whose husbands are commissioned officers in the Navy of the rank of ensign or above are still ineligible, however, although WAVES may marry naval officers after their enlistment. Wives of Army, Marine Corps or Coast guard officers may still join the WAVES.
50 years ago
November 21, 1968
Frank Zeigler had the misfortune of falling through a hay chute to the cement floor Thursday and breaking two ribs. His son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Bossard are here from Coffman Cove, Alaska, to help with the farm work for several months.
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After losing their first game to Ocosta, 6 to 0, the Bulldogs for the first time in over a decade won 5 games in a row. Beating Charles Wright 25-0, Rochester 19-6, Elma 12-7, Valley 29-0 and South Bend 12 to 7.
Season statistics: Bob Stewart in 6 games gained 465 yards to lead in total rushing. In total offense Bugs Davidson led with 688 yards. In receiving Ron Davidson and Rick Burke had 16 receptions each, but Rick had 266 yards and 5 TDs.
25 years ago
November 25, 1993
If You Ask Me, question of the week: “Who do you think was the most ineffective president this country has had?”
Kay Busz, Wishkah Valley, secretary: “Gerald Ford. I can’t think of one single thing that he did for the country or any of the citizens of the U.S.”
Mark Marlow, Wishkah Valley, custodian: “Jimmy Carter. I always felt that he was too wishy-washy, and in the long term, he didn’t really accomplish anything during his term of office.”
Stephanie Mierzwa, Aberdeen, PUD meter reader: “I would say Richard Nixon. It seems to me that he caused more problems and trouble than he did good during his term of office.”
Dave Shaw, Montesano, driver/salesman: “I think that George (H.W.) Bush would qualify. I don’t believe that he really did very much for the people, or the country, for that matter.”
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Sporting a 10 and one record after the Montesano eleven defeated Cedarcrest 39-20 in a quarter final game at Edmonds last weekend, the Bulldogs will journey to Tacoma on Friday to take on Lynden Christian that will decide who appears in the King Dome for the final playoff game of the 1993 season. Ryan Wilson rushed for 138 yards on 14 carries while Pete Muller picked up 111 yards on 21 carries and Dennis Southard carried for 125 yards.
10 years ago
November 20, 2008
The Montesano City Council voted 3-2 to appoint businessman Brian Schumacher to a vacancy on the council over the objections of Mayor Ron Schillinger.
Schumacher was sworn in last Wednesday to replace Albert Collins who resigned to spend more time developing his contracting business.
Schillinger thought they should pick Charlotte Jensen, a family friend and the only female candidate among the four who sought the appointment. Jensen came close to winning appointment last year when Vini Samuel resigned.But the three council members who leaned to Schumacher vigorously defended their choice saying many’s the time the council has wished for more involvement from leaders in the local business community.
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Montesano’s Helen Hepp is a Master Gardener — and if there is such a thing as a “Master Friend,” the retired teacher would be at the head of the class.
On Tuesday, Hepp was presented with the 2008 Margaret Downey Award for service to the community. It’s an award she helped create back in 1996 when she was president of the Friends of the W.H. Abel Memorial Library. It honors individuals like Downey who go above and beyond everyone’s expectations in service to this community.
Hepp served as president of the Friends for 10 years. Every organization she is affiliated with benefits from her picture-taking and the annual scrapbooks she compiles.
Helen retired after 25 years of teaching, but never retired from teaching.
In addition to her work on behalf of the library, she’s a founding member of the Gung Hoe Garden Club, she’s been a Master Gardener since 1998 and is active in a book club of retired teachers.
“As a teacher she has inspired others and continues to do so as she pursues her interests in the library, gardening, photography and life in general,” said Mary Ellen Schilling, a retired Monte teacher who has known Helen for over 40 years.
Compiled from the archives of The Vidette by Karen Barkstrom. She can be reached at kbarkstrom@thedailyworld.com or 360-537-3925.
