125 years ago

February 9, 1894

It has been some time since we have seen anything in the paper about Markham. It is not because the correspondent is dead, but he has been trying the bear’s plan of crawling into the ground and wait until the democratic days have passed.

***

The people of Artic and vicinity have shown their interest in road making by opening up the road between Artic and Little North River and Cosmopolis. When the bridge is built across the river we can drive to Cosmopolis with a wagon and back in one day.

***

It seems funny that just at this time, when everybody is talking hard times, that twins will insist on making their appearance.

The latest event of this kind occurred last Friday night at the home of J.R. Birdwell, of the Wynooche, a little son and daughter arriving to make thinks lively. All are doing finely, and the father is as well as could be expected.

100 years ago

February 7, 1919

Albert Crist has written his folks that he is now in Germany with the Army of Occupation.

Albert says that the farther into Germany they go the thicker and wilder the cooties grow. He is well and enjoying the visit to the conquered land.

***

L.J. Bayes and wife from Denver, Colorado, are new comers in Montesano. Mr. Bayes has been given a chair in O.E. Kearn’s barber shop.

***

Andrew Gleeson, who arrived home last week from Camp Lewis has been mustered out and resumed his old position in the grocery department of Veysey Brothers store.

75 years ago

February 10, 1944

Gray’s Harbor county’s record breaking low temperatures of degrees below zero, which up to 1941 broke all previous records, was balmy compared with subzero temperatures recorded the year around at Lawrence, Massachusetts, in the Arctic room of the U.S. Army Quartermaster Corps, created to test cold weather clothing for Uncle Same’s doughboys.

Each soldier volunteering for the tests remains for hours at a time in the Arctic room, exposed to temperatures varying from 40 to 60 degrees below zero. Temperatures at eight points on his body, beneath the clothing being tested are electronically recorded.

Data accumulated there on the reaction of the human body to long periods of intense cold, and on the warmth-giving qualities of different kinds of clothing and fabrics, have enabled the Quartermaster Corps to make available the improved types of Arctic protection being used by our armed forces.

50 years ago

February 6, 1969

E.E. Pederson, president of Consolidated Dairy Products Co., has named Clarence Hammock as manager of the company’s southern division branch, consisting of Lewis, Pacific, Grays Harbor and Thurston counties.

Hammock also will continue his responsibilities as sales manager of the Chehalis-Olympia-Aberdeen distribution areas.

***

For the second time in four years, the Montesano wrestling squad gained the title of Champions of the Central League of Southwest Washington.

First year coach Larry Brown started with only seven lettermen and a lot of inexperience, but he molded these young men into one of the finest all-around teams in quite a few years, waving the men in every weight class, and each man doing his part to bring Monte the championship.

Junior Mike Matthews was the only Bulldog to go undefeated with a record of 8 and 0. Bob Leslie, one of the four seniors on the squad and the only four-year lettermen, had a outstanding record of 9 and 1. Another senior, Greg Willis had a great season with a 8 and 3 record. First year man senior Steve Bowen, wrestling in unlimited, was the most improved wrestler and gained respect from the rest of the team. Steve’s record was 6 and 2.

***

National Beauty Salon Week is Feb. 9-15. To celebrate, Sis Beauty Shop on Old Olympic Highway in Montesano is offering $5.50 for a cut, shampoo and set.

Cut ’N’ Curl at 412 S. Fleet St. in Montesano is advertising permanent waves for $7.95.

25 years ago

February 10, 1994

Most recently known as the Cottage Apartments, the old house at 131 First St. S. was razed last week by employees of Vessey and sons. Originally constructed in 1895 or ’96, probably by Carl and Emma Retzlaff, the three bedroom home was sold to Gordon Simmons in 1910. Additional space to the house was constructed in the late teens or early ’20s and eventually the building became a room house that Mrs. Simmons operated. Gordon Simmons operated a livery and stable across the street from the residence.

***

Again time is near for the annual popular Pancake Day at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Montesano.

A half century ago, the ladies of the church held their first Shrove Tuesday Pancake Day, and this year on Feb. 15, pancakes will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. in Calder Hall. Fruit and meat have been added to the menu. All ladies of the church will assist. A silver donation is suggested.

***

There is excitement brewing at Satsop School this week. The students are all getting ready for Valentine’s Day. There will be the usual card exchange, but that’s not all. Each student has drawn the name of a “Special Valentine”. This person will be given some sort of a card or gift that was made by the giver. Also on Valentine’s Day, the third through sixth grade girls will make lunches that will be sold to the boys at a box luncheon. The proceeds from this will be used for the field trip fund.

10 years ago

February 5, 2009

Chuck Boyer, who taught at Elma High School for more than three decades, retired rather suddenly a couple of weeks ago. He had other things to do, places to go, people to teach.

Boyer, 59, who taught English and other subjects at the school for 31½ years, is now teaching English in Japan on a two-year U.S. Department of Defense contract. Most of his 11th and 12th grade students are children of military personnel attending the Mile C. Kinnick High School on the U.S. Naval Base in Yokosuka.

Boyer is an Elma native and 1968 Elma High School graduate.

***

Seventies teen idol David Cassidy is on track to make hearts throb at the 2009 Grays Harbor County Fair.

Star of the Partridge Family television show, Cassidy made young women swoon with his hit songs “I woke up in love this morning” and “I think I love you.”

Though he performs to sold-out crowds around the world, he doesn’t usually perform at county fairs, said Rod Easton, fair event coordinator.

“We’re flying him in from Atlantic City and flying him right back.” His contract calls for Cassidy to be paid $25,000 for his performance. Easton said he expects a good crowd for the concert.

Compiled from the archives of The Vidette by Karen Barkstrom. She can be reached at kbarkstrom@thedailyworld.com or at 360-537-3925.