75 years ago
July 19, 1943
• A request for women cannery workers to register immediately for tuna packing was issued this morning by Gus Strand of Strand Fisheries after delivery of a 500-pound catch.
Strand said from 50 to 60 women will be needed during the tuna run which is now it its early stages.
• Royal Brougham, Seattle sports writer, lists Vean Gregg, the Hoquiam cigar store man, No. 1 among the “Big Six” hurlers who wore a Seattle Rainier uniform.
Of Gregg, Brougham said: “One of the great left-handers of all times. Sylvanus was still a sensation in his declining years, leading the coast league during his two-year sojourn.” Gregg finished his baseball playing days with the Hoquiam Loggers in the old Timber league.
July 20, 1943
Night bombing missions over Munda, Bougainville island and surrounding fought-for terrain became fairly routine to Leland Spargo, naval aviation radioman first class, who bears three major engagement stars to his credit.
With a navy PBY crew in South Pacific waters, he has seen action at Pearl Harbor, Midway and the Solomons. Being home to visit with his family for a short interlude is the realization of his, and every many’s dream in a bomber squadron, Spargo said.
“The biggest morale builder in the crew is talking about what we’ll do when we get leave,” he asserted.
50 years ago
July 19, 1968
James Earl Ray, handcuffed and wearing what appeared to be a bullet-proof vest, was whisked into the Shelby County jail before dawn today to await trial on a charge of murdering Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
He was placed in his cell 46 minutes after he arrived at the nearby Memphis Naval Air Station aboard a U.S. Air Force Boeing jet transport from London.
There was speculation that Ray may be tried in a basement courtroom at the jail-courthouse building so that he would never have to leave the jail.
July 20, 1968
In the front yard of Mrs. Blanche Willey’s home at Moclips, sits this large shoe which is over six feet long and four feet high.
Mrs. Willey purchased it at the antique department of the Salvation Army store in Seattle in 1948.
The shoe is painted black with red steps going up to it and has the old woman with the stick standing in the doorway.
Replicas of children are scampering all over the shoe.
Mrs Willey said, “At the time I bought it, I was told that it was the only one made.”
25 years ago
July 19, 1993
The trio of Family Fun Festivals in Aberdeen, Hoquiam and Cosmopolis was a grand slam success that should be repeated, organizers say.
“It went perfect,” said Lillian Luark, chairman of the Cosmopolis festival. “World City Days” was the clean-up hitter on Sunday and many said the smallest city put on the best show.
“I think having the three festivals like this is really beneficial to all three cities,” Luark said.
“I think it’s a go again,” said Lynn Micheau, co-chair of Aberdeen’s SPLASH festival. “We’re ready to meet and begin planning for next year.”
July 20, 1993
A 43-unit, $2.3 million hotel complex along the waterfront at Raymond may be open by next summer.
Mayor Leon Lead reports the city is on the threshold of selling about three acres of land to two brothers who want to build a two-story, Victorian-style complex at the end of Third Street.
The developers, former Raymond area residents Bob and Rand Klemp, will demolish the former Pacific Wholesale building now sitting vacant on the lot.
