125 years ago

Jan. 1, 1892

Monday night, or perhaps more properly, Tuesday morning, the storm predicted by the U.S. Signal Service, arrived here in full force. It was much more severe than that of a year ago, although it did less damage in Montesano; in the lower towns however the damage was much heavier.

In Montesano

The deck of the roof on the new portion of the school building was blown off and the chimney demolished. Will Knight’s house in the Academy addition, occupied by the Hull brothers, was blown off its foundation, not, however until after the occupants had taken refuge in M. Waples house. M. Z. Goodell’s barn was blown down, but the span of horses and his cow, which were all in the building, escaped injury. The cow was found in a neighbor’s shed in the morning and the horses were still tied to the manger, the barn having been lifted clear over them. Fences and signs were scattered around rather carelessly, and O. D. Ayer’s store front had one of the large panes of glass smashed by a sign which had broken loose and struck it. C. O. Brown’s business building, corner of River and East Broad streets, was racked somewhat and thrown a little out of plumb. The tents in which were the engineer force of the N. P. were badly torn and the crew had to vacate them and move into a house. The railroad was completely blocked with timber, the freight being unable to go out and the passenger not coming in until about five o’clock in the evening. There was about fifty trees across the road between here and Elma and the track was badly torn up in places.

100 years ago

Dec. 29, 1916

The North River “night rider” cases, which have been fought in the courts of Pacific county and the federal court at Tacoma for the last two years, have at last been settled. The defendants, 12 in number, were acquitted before the federal court last week, as they should have been, and it is hoped that the persecution of good citizens to secure revenge for a disgruntled claim jumper is at an end.

75 years ago

Jan. 1, 1942

Evacuation plans made for Harbor

Evacuation of all of Grays Harbor county within four or five hours, after being warned by the military authorities, may become necessary, according to the findings of a committee of city and county evacuation chairmen and coordinators Tuesday.

U. S. army officials requested immediate plans from all units to be submitted to them Wednesday for final approval so that every possible precaution may be taken to avoid congestion of highways. Lloyd Foss represented Montesano, J. Herbert Johnson the county, and Coordinator K. C. Kerstetter outlined final plans covering the whole area.

Must Be Ready

In preparation for such an emergency, which would be announced by the army, the following procedure has been outlined:

All families throughout the county are warned to see immediately that their cars are filled with gasoline, oil and water, and that sufficient food and water and blankets be placed for immediate departure, Kerstetter said. Those living at the north and south beach areas would be asked to move immediately, upon request of the military authorities, without further notice so that they may get well started and on their way before the general exodus from the metropolitan areas would start.

Civilians from areas north of the Olympia highway are urged to make plans to reach the right hand side of the highway going east as soon as possible because the north side of the road may be blocked by west traffic which will consist entirely of military forces moving toward the coast.

Use Chehalis Cut Off

All east bound traffic would be turned south at the Chehalis route junction, just east of Elma, and evacuees would be required to head for the eastern part of the state via Vancouver, Goldendale and Yakima. Provisions are being made to receive and care for evacuees in eastern Washington, according to present arrangements.

All civilians are urged to make their plans now so they they could depart within the shortest possible time after receiving the invasion warning.

50 years ago

Dec. 29, 1966

Police corral four teen suspects in gift and bulb stealing caper

The promised police crackdown on juvenile offenders spoiling the Christmas spirit in Montesano came Tuesday as four teenage boys were apprehended. As The Vidette went to press Wednesday night, another quartet was being rounded up.

Police Chief Bruce Curtright said all eight will be turned over to juvenile authorities for disciplinary action, and there probably will be additional pick-ups. “If only they would realize that their violations don’t pay, everybody would be so much better off,” he commented. “Instead of hindering the police, if they would only help us.”

Curtright reported that two of the first four youths are Montesanans, ages 15 and 17, and the other two, 14 and 16, come from Aberdeen. The four being sought late Wednesday are all Monte boys.

The teenagers taken into custody Tuesday are charged with prowling seven cars in Monte and making off with an assortment of Yule gifts, including bowling balls, ski jackets, eyeglasses, gloves, a purse and liquor. They also have admitted stealing a number of Christmas lights and decorations and breaking them.

Curtright said three of the boys have no record of previous police difficulties. The youngest Aberdeen youth, however, has admitted prowling at least 100 vehicles in that city in recent months, the chief said.

According to Curtright, the Monte boys told their parents they would be visiting friends in Aberdeen and the Aberdeen boys told their parents they would be here. Then, all four remained out for a full night.

The quartet scheduled for apprehending Wednesday reportedly will be charged with demolishing many Monte street lights, most of them in the northeast section of town.

25 years ago

Dec. 26, 1991

Montesano’s downtown parking solution has been extended for another year, according to parking point man Stephen Redman.

The Montesano Chamber of Commerce has signed another year’s lease with Paul Willis, owner of the downtown parking lot. When the free parking arrangement was begun about a year ago, pressure on the downtown core’s congested parking lots eased considerably.

The chamber is splitting the cost of the $12,000 annual lease with the city. The 1992 city budget provides for its $6,000 allocation, while a coalition of chamber members make up the other half.

Redman said he has yet to hear a negative word about the results of the public-private project. He said the mayor, police chief and many city council members have been pleased by the results.

Even so, “It’s been a challenge to keep the chamber coalition together,” said Redman, who solicited Monte’s business community to keep the arrangement going.

About 16 business participants will contribute $20 per month to the arrangement, while another eight or so have agreed to put in $10. Three businesses which participated during 1991 have decided against continuing in 1992.

Redman said the chamber board unanimously agreed to sign the agreement even though they were about $1,000 short of making up their half of the lease. If worse comes to worst, he said, the chamber will make up the difference from its operating budget.

But in 1993, Redman said he plans to propose adding the cost for the leas into memberships dues. That could bring the price per business down to between $30 and $50 per year, “which is a whole lot cheaper than $240,” he noted.

10 years ago

Dec. 28, 2006

Bigger is better when it comes to recycling, city and county officials say. At least when it comes to the size of one’s recycling bin.

All of Grays Harbor will begin switching to a new, curbside recycling program after the first of the year. The bigger, wheeled cans” are designed for “mixed” recyclables, which means the end of the three-bin system.

Residents can expect to pay at least $1.73 more per month for the new service. In theory, a bigger recycling bin for all of a family’s recycling could result in less raw garbage. That means some residents may find they’re paying more for recycling but can save by downsizing the size of the garbage can they put out each week. Or, there’s more savings to be found by signing up for bi-weekly service, Delroy Cox, manager for LeMay on Grays Harbor, as told city and county officials.

Now that the program has been approved by all government entities on Grays Harbor, residents can expect to see more details in the coming weeks as to how and when it will be implemented.