125 years ago

Dec. 16, 1892

Aberdeen

Daniel Downey, of Sand Island, was in town the latter part of last week and proceeded to fill up on fighting whiskey and went in to paint the town a bright red, and met his match in police officer Pearson, who run him in. Next morning he paid $5 and costs into the city funds and went on his way rejoicing.

J.G. Lewis, Prof. T. T. Davis, Lyman Babcock, James Stewart , F.C. Stevens, Jacob Weatherwas, Geo. H. Wyman, Rev. Dr. Lacke and W. B. Mack were passengers on the train Monday morning for Montesano, as witnesses on the libel suit against F. R. Wall. Considerable interest is manifested in the case in the city. …

The ladies of the Episcopal church, opened their Fair on Wednesday evening in the Dabney building on Heron street. The building was handsomely decorated and the goods offered for sale were both cheap and choice and every one present seemed anxious to avail themselves of the opportunity to purchase Christmas presents. The Japanese counters seemed to be the greatest attraction, where the ladies attending were dressed in costume to represent the country from where the goods were supposed to have come from. Mrs. Ernest McDougal and Mrs. Dr. Story of Montesano, were present and assisted the ladies in making the opening a success. Gov. Ferry was present and made the opening address in a neat and pleasant little speech.

100 years ago

Dec. 14, 1917

Governor Ernest Lister will speak in Montesano next Monday evening in the high school auditorium at a big public meeting, opening the Red Cross Christmas Membership Campaign, in which Montesano and its allied territory will endeavor to swell the membership roll of the local red Cross Chapter to 2000 members with dues paid up to December 1918. Other features of the program of the meeting consist of special music and the unveiling of a large service flag for Montesano school boys who are serving in the army and navy. This flag will have more than fifty stars and constitutes an emblem that the city of Montesano my well contemplate with pride. …

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To honor their past instructor, coach and friend, Lieut. E. K. Meredith, the boys of the high school with the assistance of the girls, gave a dance in the gym last Friday night after the basketball games. A large number of people enjoyed dancing until 12:30, everyone of whom said that they had “a real time.” About 11:30 Milo Wilcox, representing the boys as president of the high school council, made a very clever address and presented to Lieut. Meredith a ring that was purchased by popular subscription of high school boys. It was a gold ring with two eagles on the sides and crossed rifles to signify the infantry. It is commonly called a military ring. On the inside are the words: “May God protect you,” his name, “Evan K. Meredith,” and “from M.H.S. boys 1917.” It is improbable that Lieut. Meredith and his family will ever return to Montesano, but the boys will always remember them for their pleasantness and fellowship.

75 years ago

Dec. 17, 1942

Christmas for soldiers and Christmas for boys and girls is the theme of many activities in Montesano this coming week-end. On Saturday, December 19, at 1:30 p.m., a matinee double feature show free to all children under the age of 16 is to be opened at the Monte theatre. The Montesano Chamber of Commerce will be host to the kiddies. Each child is to be given a small American flag as a symbol of this second war Christmas. Parents are asked to have their children at the theatre promptly at 1:30. Small children should be accompanied by parents.

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This week Governor Arthur B. Langlie asked the mayors of all cities to proclaim a request of every citizen to buy at least one gift for a soldier. In Montesano,Mayor Elvin Byles and Defense Council Chairman Joe Schlegel arranged with several patriotic firms and individuals to sponsor a campaign urging every Montesanan to purchase a small gift to be given to soldiers in nearby stations. Gifts are to be deposited at the Montesano Hardware Company’s store on Main street. All gifts should be obtained not later than Monday, December 21st, Schlegel said.

The campaign is state-wide and county-wide. Defense Coordinator Bruce Hood has the job of seeing that all gifts are distributed to troops well before Christmas. Rural defense units are as active in the soldiers’ gift campaign as are those in Montesano and other Grays Harbor county cities.

50 years ago

Dec. 14, 1967

Police Chief Bruce Curtright doesn’t rile easily, but he does when a matter of safety to school youngsters in involved. So he’s mighty hot under the collar this week.

Over the past week end, someone carted off the movable school crossing sign which normally alerts motorists as they approach the dangerous Pioneer curve near Fifth Street.

The eye-catching stanchion – one of two owned by Montesano – depicts a small girl in a red polka-dot dress, supported by a large rubber tire.

“I’m not concerned about the expense of the sign,” the chief said. “That’s not great. But the safety factor is. I’d really like to find out which thoughtless person or persons stole it.”

25 years ago

Dec. 17, 1992

Big League retailing is coming to Aberdeen, courtesy of Wal-Mart, Sam Walton’s legendary five & dime store chain which grew to be the nation’s largest retailer, and the announcement has triggered increased interest in the Grays Harbor market by other developers. The centerpiece of Wal-Mart’s 15-acre site in East Aberdeen is a 5-acre parcel owned by the Port of Grays Harbor. Port Commissioners Tuesday signed a 50-year lease with Wal-Mart on the site, located between the Wishkah Mall and the Grays Harbor Historical Seaport Authority. The company will begin construction early next year on a 116,000 sq. ft. store in hopes of being open before Christmas 1993. In the process of assembling properties for their site, Wal-Mart has acquired rights to more than a dozen buildings which will be removed as part of the development process, dramatically changing the appearance of the entrance to downtown Aberdeen. …

10 years ago

Dec. 13, 2007

Perhaps it was the Grinch who was behind last week’s horrendous storm that canceled the Montesano Festival of Lights for the first time since it began 21 years ago.

If so, it didn’t work – 100 or so people took a hint from the residents of Whoville and celebrated the Christmas season anyway Saturday evening, gathering in Fleet Park to share some Christmas carols, hot chocolate and a warm Yule fire.

Ron Lofgren kept the fire going with pieces of last year’s Yule log. Patty Popowich and her daughter, Nicole Bossard, along with Diane Knowels are credited with getting the ball rolling.

Dave Glenn even brought his big red Music Factory truck from Elma, and he and the Music Factory crew sang lots of favorite Christmas tunes, some accompanied by Glenn on his trademark trumpet.

Bill Collins of Olympia, who grew up in Montesano and whose late father, Chapin Collins, was editor of The Vidette, also made his way to the park, dressed in his highlander garb and bringing his bagpipes, which he plays with the Olympia Highlanders band. He began with a rendition of “Hark, the Herald Angels Sing,” and added a number of other numbers, as well . …