125 years ago

Feb. 26, 1892

It now looks as though Montesano would be indebted to C.W. Arland for a first-class race course, which that gentleman proposes to build and get in good condition as soon as the weather will permit. The ground will comprise twenty-five acres of land, on the Medcalf prairie adjoining the farm of Richard Arland.

The tract will be enclosed with a tight board fence, a large two-story amphitheatre will be built, and a first-class track will be made. Several thousand dollars, beside the first cost of the land, will be spent on the property. Mr. Arland asks that the sum of $600 be subscribed by our citizens, none of the money to be paid, until the work as above outlined, is completed. F. P. Swinson has the subscription in charge, and is meeting with good success. Hereafter the races of western Washington will doubtless be held in Montesano, and a better place or finer grounds could not be found.

100 years ago

Feb. 23, 1917

That the men and women of large cities enjoy no particular advantages over the people of Montesano when it comes to buying standard first class merchandise is a fact that anyone will be able to prove to their own satisfaction this coming week. All you need to do is look at the displays of merchandise the live, progressive modern merchants of this locality will have in their show windows.

People living in the smaller cities once believed that they could buy more up-to-date merchandise and buy it cheaper of the large dealers than they could from their own home merchants. It is doubtful if that ever was a fact. One thing, however, is certain. It is not true at the present time. If you will compare the merchandise that you will see in the windows “Trade-marked-goods week” with what you see in the windows the next time you are in Seattle or Tacoma you will find that it is exactly the same, and that the prices are exactly the same. Standardized, advertised, quality products are sold at one price the world over.

Isn’t it a fact that every alleged unusual bargain that is offered you is an unknown and unbranded product? It is one that the manufacturer does not think enough of to stand behind. He does not want the buyer to know who made it. The family which buys these products from houses located in foreign cities not only secures an inferior product, but in 99 cases out of each one hundred pays more for it than it is actually worth—more than the same quality product would cost right here in Montesano.

75 years ago

Feb. 26, 1942

A special air raid siren has been installed at the Montesano school and was tested recently with unexpected results.

It was blown late in the afternoon, when students had gone home. But school officers had forgotten that Coach Richard Rowe and his basketball players were practicing in the gym. As soon as they heard the siren, they rushed from the gym into the high school basement and lay down on the floor next to the inner wall, all in strict accordance with instructions.

But no “all clear” signal came to relieve them. After a while they sent a representative to find out what was what. He found out, and basketball practice resumed.

Thus the school officials discovered that the siren is a complete success. First warning is given by bells and then the siren is sounded to distinguish between a fire alarm and an air raid signal.

50 years ago

Feb. 23, 1967

Admittedly, I don’t know much about the woods.

To tell the truth, I couldn’t distinguish between an evergreen or a fir if my life depended on it. A fir may well be an evergreen, for all I know.

I am aware, however, that men live—and die—by the woods. You’re not a resident of Grays Harbor County for very long before you’re well aware of that fact of life.

Just the other day, I learned that one of us—Dave Colton, by name—was injured seriously in the woods. I don’t know Dave Colton personally, but I realize that Grays Harbor Community Hospital in Aberdeen means business when it tells me his condition is “poor.”

It is my feeling that the story of Dave Colton is a story worth telling. Perhaps it is the most important story The Vidette should tell this week—or maybe for quite a few weeks.

Why? Because Dave Colton has earned his livelihood by the woods—and the woods are all-important to the economy of Grays Harbor County. Also, because the victim has a wife, Judy, and two pretty young daughters who deserve our attention.

Judy and the girls have been existing day-to-day since February 13, the day Dave Colton was hurt “up past Quinault.” And hurt he was, for a 20-foot cedar “sucker” struck him as he was busy toppling a hemlock for Mayor Bros.

Colton, age 29, resident of 516 West Pioneer, Montesano, a “faller” by occupation, suffered a fractured head “in a couple places” and a fractured neck as well. He has remained virtually unconscious since the hospital accepted him from the attendants of Lake Quinault ambulance. At best, he has “rambled” a few words to his wife.

Our prayers and hopes go out to Dave Colton—and to Judy—and to the girls. To us, he represents the backbone of our county’s livelihood, even at a time when his back may be broken. We are certain that our prayers are shared by his Montesano High School classmates, vintage 1955.

25 years ago

Feb. 20, 1992

After a big meeting to hear out the community, the Montesano School District will make plans to re-run the $679,000 Operations and Maintenance levy which failed by nine votes earlier this month.

The board set a special meeting for 7:00 p.m. on March 2 at the Simpson Elementary School Library as a time to “put all the issues on the table,” according to board chairman Mike Sweeney. He said everything including the amount of the levy, is negotiable.

The board hoped people who are against the levy would make their reasons known at that meeting or even by unsigned letters if they want to remain anonymous.

If all goes as planned, the new election will be held May 19.

No clear reason has emerged for why the levy failed. People who went to the polls on election day gave the measure an okay, but it failed after absentee votes were tallied last week. The final vote was 816 (59.35%) to 559 (40.65%), just nine votes short of the required 60% majority for a fiscal issue.

10 years ago

Feb. 22, 2007

The numbers are crunched and bond attorneys for the Montesano School District are scheduled to outline the property tax consequences if voters approve a two-part $19.25 million bond issue for school construction scheduled to go before voters in April.

The board meets at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 27, to hear a presentation and is expected to make a final decision on proceeding with an April 24 election.

The board will first convene at 6 p.m. in order to interview finalist Hillary Poler to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Barry Freeman. Poler was the only eligible candidate to apply. The board could decide to appoint her on Tuesday evening so she can take part in the bond discussion.

Proposition 1 asks voters for $16.13 million in order to embark on a series of projects eligible for state matching funds, including rebuilding Simpson School, remodeling Beacon Elementary, and reroofing the junior/senior high school and both gymnasiums.

Proposition 2 asks voters for another $3.12 million to bring the grandstands and gym up to code, install artificial turf on the football field and save the newer buildings at Simpson School by remodeling them a multi-use performing arts and community education center.

Proposition 2 can only pass if Proposition 1 is also approved.