Women Hunt Bear
During this week in July 1890, a group of women were picking berries on the road to the coal mines. The women talked about the possibility of seeing bears since one had been sitting on the schoolhouse steps in Chehalis.
“A couple of gentlemen who had been hunting and became weary had lain themselves down behind a log to rest and heard the admonition,” The Centralia Chronicle wrote.
“One of the gents at this juncture let out a roar which would have done credit to a whole flock of bears. Immediately a chorus of feminine shrieks rent the air, and there was a scramble for high timber, where a council of war was held and a bear hunt instituted. The ladies separated to procure weapons and soon returned fully armed and prepared to swipe old Bruin from the haunts of the luscious blackberry. One lady had a pitchfork, another a fine toothcomb; still another held in her tiny hands an old rusty army saber. ... Still another lady appeared upon the scene armed with a broom and dustpan, and suggested that some of the ladies catch the bear by the hind legs while she jammed the broomstick down his throat. All at once the two gents let out a bear-like roar simultaneously and held a coat up on a stick. With ear splitting yells the brave feminine bear hunters fled, leaving their warlike implements and berry buckets to the mercy of the two fiends behind the log.”
Fire Rages Near East Morton
100 years ago, in 1910
A fire in the east end of Lewis County was causing mail disruption.
“A fire is raging between East Morton and Glenavon (five miles north of Morton), and burning expensive fuel — five wagon bridges and one railroad bridge having been burned,” The Chehalis Bee-Nugget wrote. “No second-class mail has reached Morton since July 19. Many acres of timber are destroyed, and sparks were thrown and new fires started 15 miles away. The fire could be heard roaring for miles.”
Former Pe Ell Editor Dies
75 years ago, in 1935
Ira F. Surber, 55, former editor of the Pe Ell Tribune, died at the family home in Pe Ell, where he was spending the weekend.
He was currently the editor of the Wahkiakum County Globe, published at Grays River. His wife, Mrs. Hazel Surber, was the postmistress of Pe Ell.
Bucoda Hosts 2,000
50 years ago, in 1960
Bucoda’s Volunteer Park was jammed with 2,000 persons for the annual Bucoda-Tenino-Tono-Mendota picnic. Bucoda Mayor Dallas Unwin and Tenino Mayor E. Peterson addressed the crowd.
Lees Are 100-Year
Rotarians and Partners
25 years ago, in 1985
Virgil R. Lee and his son, William R. “Bill” Lee, both of Chehalis, were both in the Chehalis Rotary Club, totaling 100 years of service.
“One of the most important things the Chehalis Rotary has done was obtain the land at the corner of 13th Street and Cascade Avenue from the state and turn it into Recreation Park,” Virgil said. “We built the Chehalis Community Building and the Fred Hess Kitchen and donated the park and buildings to the city of Chehalis.”
Together they owned Virgil R. Lee and Son, Inc., a Chehalis insurance company. Virgil had 61 years in the company, and Bill 40 years.
Chehalis Blasters
Win Fourth in Nation
10 years ago, in 2000
The Chehalis Blasters won fourth in the nation in the USSSA 15-Under World Series in Winter Haven, Fla.
Officer Shoots Driver
Five years ago, in 2005
One of Pe Ell’s deputy marshals shot a driver who didn’t halt his car which was rapidly approaching the deputy. The driver had a rifle leaning on the front seat of his car.
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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.
