During this week in October 1909, The Chehalis Bee-Nugget was confident that celery would be a key crop in Lewis County in the future.
“Some day celery growing will be an important local industry, when a little study and investigation have taught the grower how to get the product on the market, with the right color,” the newspaper wrote.
“There are large profits in growing celery, and most of the celery used in the northwest is imported from other places. The local markets will be glad to handle the local grown celery, especially since it can be raised of such superior quality. A little study on the part of those interested in the culture of celery should add considerable to the produce of the farm and resulting profits.”
Aug. Greyerson, rancher on the Newaukum, brought in a “fine specimen” to the newspaper office.
Herren Likes New Position
120 years ago, in 1889
H.C. Herren came to The Centralia News to talk with the editor.
“The junior representative of Lewis county was quite jubilant over his new position, but not much disposed to talk politics on senatorial candidates,” the newspaper wrote. “Mr. Herren is thinking of abandoning his law practice at Winlock and devoting himself to more genial employment in politics.”
Boys Earn Trip to Nationals at Kansas City
75 years ago, in 1934
Russell Webster of Centralia and Edmund Schwarz of Chehalis were chosen to represent Washington at the national competition of livestock judging in Kansas City. There were 255 boys in the contest and 85 teams.
“The long road to Kansas City was open to two farm boys from Centralia and Chehalis today following their successes in the two-day stock judging content conducted by the Future Farmers of American at the Pacific International Livestock exposition in Portland,” The Chronicle wrote.
The Centralia team placed second in beef judging, second in Jersey and seventh in swine. The team was composed of Webster, Fred Hilpert and Jim Wakefield.
Walls Are Up at St. Joseph Catholic Church
50 years ago, in 1959
The construction of the $250,000 St. Joseph Catholic Church in Chehalis had begun with the walls up on Cascade Avenue, between Sixth and Seventh streets.
Granges Celebrate 80 Years
25 years ago, in 1984
Five local Granges celebrated their 80th anniversary. The oldest Grange, Ethel, was organized Feb. 16, 1904, with Lewis Extine as the master. Silver Creek, Forest, Alpha, and Hope Granges organized during the next 30 days. By 1912, there were 12 Granges.
In 1984, there were two Washington State Grange deputy masters in the county — Oscar Wedam, Silver Creek, and Lorraine Detering, Adna.
Laugh Ambassador Overcomes Hard Life
10 years ago, in 1999
Debbie Wooten, Laugh Ambassador for the Underclass, entertained in Corbet Hall at Centralia College.
“Born with the extremely debilitating birth defect of spina bifida, Wooten was raised by alcoholic parents in terrible conditions on the south side of Chicago,” The Chronicle reported. “At 5 months, Wooten developed polio. One bright spot in her youth was shaking the hand of Martin Luther King Jr. when she was 7.
“Today, after five children and two marriages, one that ended because of her abusive spouse, the other in suicide, Wooten has found stability and a career she loves.”
Vapors Blow Into Parking Lot
Five years ago, in 2004
During routine training of the combined SWAT team of the Chehalis Police Department and the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office, some of the CS gas — used to temporarily disable a suspect — drifted into the parking lot of Shop’n Kart on North National Avenue, causing complaints of burning eyes and throats of people in the parking lot.
From the Files of The Chronicle is compiled by Edna Fund, a Centralian who describes herself as a “history sleuth.” She can be contacted at Dutch@localaccess.com or at 269-7515.
