125 years ago
December 29, 1893
The masquerade ball was one of the grandest affairs ever held in Elma, the large hall being packed to overflowing. Everybody seemed to be pleased and to be having a good time. To say that some of the masks were unique would not begin to express it, and the Montesano crowd seemed to especially enjoy themselves.
***
Quotes from the Personal Gossip column:
“President Hayes was wounded four times during the war and had three horses killed under him”
“Mrs. Robert Louis Stevenson, the wife of the novelist, says that her husband’s greatest failing is falling in love with every character he creates.”
100 years ago
December 27, 1918
George Baker who had to come in Sunday to renew his Vidette subscription because he is busy every week day, says that with shower baths, iron beds, real springs and mattresses, and the best cook in the state, logging at Camp 3 of the Wynooche Timber Co. is almost a luxurious life.
***
Tuesday afternoon late, Dr. F.L. Carr, city health officer, decided that the epidemic on influenza was so far abated that it would be safe again to lift the ban against all public meetings and gatherings.
The notice of the order came in time for the picture show to open up again Christmas eve and the Surrender of the German Fleet was shown on Christmas day, as had been advertised.
It was too late however for the churches to rearrange to have their usual Christmas eve programs and trees. The Methodist church at least is planning to have its program on Sunday night.
75 years ago
December 30, 1943
Sgt. Robert V. Kerr, who very recently landed in England to do his job as tail gunner on a Flying Fortress against the Axis, was one of three lucky airmen who escaped injury recently when his Fortress carrying two and a half tons of bombs crashed in an English village and subsequently exploded.
Only two other crew members, the navigator and the bombardier were uninjured. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. M.M. Kerr and completed final armorer-gunner training at Great Falls, Montana, before shipping across. He has been in the army since March 1942.
50 years ago
December 26, 1968
Presidential inauguration invitations will be sent to the 280 living Medal of Honor recipients throughout the country within the next few days.
The state of Washington boasts 13 such (awardees) and Grays Harbor County Medal recipient Robert Bush of Elma.
Medal of Honor (awardees) have been guests of honor at every inauguration since the group was incorporated in 1948.
***
Practicing the old adage that it is more blessed to give than to receive, three classes of Wheeler grade school children voted to provide a merrier Christmas for the Tacoma Indian Mission Center instead of their annual gift exchange.
Mrs. Ralph Partridge, fifth and sixth grade Wheeler teacher, suggested the Mission to her class. The children spread the word to older brothers and sisters who in turn suggested the idea to their classes. As a result, approximately 100 children at the Mission will be remembered.
The mission was started originally to care for the children of Alaskan Indians confined to the tuberculosis sanitarium of Tacoma. Today, however, the Mission assumes the religious and social responsibility of over 200 predominately Indian children ages 6 through 16.
25 years ago
December 30, 1993
After 84 years of operation, the Portland-based firm of Sprouse-Reitz Inc. will close the doors of its remaining 84 outlets in Washington and Oregon by the end of February, including Montesano’s outlet in the local shopping center which opened Feb. 27, 1969, after the Montesano Furniture Store closed.
This week, local manager John Sargeant said, “One always hopes for something, but now I believe it’s too late for anything to save the stores from the liquidation that is planned to end in late February.” He is the fourth manager of the local outlet and came to Montesano eight and a half years ago. Don Bradshaw, current Montesano fire chief, was the first local store manager.
***
County Coroner John Bebich was very busy during the month of November. During the 30-day period he responded to a total of 34 deaths in the county with 27 of them classified as natural while three were attributed to traffic, two were classified as accidental and one each were listed as suicide and presumptive.
Thirteen of the deaths were located in Aberdeen, while there were five in Hoquiam, three in rural Hoquiam, two each in rural Montesano, McCleary and Cosmopolis, and one each in North River, Pacific Beach, Westport, rural Aberdeen, Elma, Oakville, and one in the Pacific Ocean.
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Montesano Police Department’s “Crime Solvers.”
On Dec. 16, a carpet cleaner and accessories, an iron, and cleaning supplies were reported missing from the area of Marcy and River. On Dec. 19, officers found a large burl-wood clock that may be stolen property. If you have any information about this or any other crime, please call the department. You may remain anonymous.
10 years ago
December 25, 2008
Looking back at his 13 years as county commissioner and anticipating retiring Dec. 31, Bob Beerbower talked about much of his life last Friday at his home off Main Street in Elma.
One reason Beerbower’s been able to serve so long is because he’s had many supporters, including his wife, Karen. On Jan 10, the couple will celebrate 50 years of married life.
Both 1960 graduates of Elma High School, Beerbower and the former Karen Boling were married while they were still in school and have lived in Elma ever since. Together they’ve raised four children, Scott, Kim, Randy and Kris and have nine grandchildren.
Joining in the discussion, Mrs. Beerbower said she knew the minute she saw a young sports-minded McCleary student that he was “the one.”
“He was a blond, curly-headed kid, and that was the one for me.”
At the time of their wedding, both Bob and Karen’s fathers were mayors, Ernie Beerbower of McCleary and Orville Boling of Elma.
***
The Chehalis Valley Historical Museum hosted 543 visitors during the past year.
The Chehalis Valley Historical Society, which operates the museum and staffs it with volunteers every weekend and during special events, reports the visitors came from 56 towns in Washington state; six towns in Oregon, six in California, two in Montana, two in Hawaii, two in British Columbia and one each in Arizona, Michigan, Nevada, Ohio, Texas, Utah and Virginia. In addition there were three visitors who signed the guest book as having come all the way from Sweden.
Compiled from the archives of The Vidette by Karen Barkstrom. She can be reached at kbarkstrom@thedailyworld.com or 360-537-3925
