75 years ago
May 14, 1944
Sunday, no newspaper published
May 15, 1944
Death yesterday claimed Luther Byles, 82, resident of the Elma district for the past 80 years, at his home.
In 1863 he came with his parents and his seven brothers and sisters from Grand Mound to Greenwood where the family homesteaded. At the age of 14, he began his education and hiked daily from Greenwood to Elma to attend the first school which was a log building located on the present high school gymnasium site. Later a school was established at Greenwood, and Byles continued his education there until he was 21.
He then worked for the White Star Lumber company until his retirement a number of years ago. He cast his first vote in 1882 when Grays harbor county was still Chehalis county and continued his interest in politics until his death.
50 years ago
May 14, 1969
Hoquiam sophomore Gary Niemi made the jump from JV hurler to varsity moundsman in just three days, and it couldn’t have happened quick enough to suit (Coach) George Asan.
The husky righthander turned back second place Olympia yesterday, 5-1, at Olympia Stadium as the Grizzlies posted their most impressive victory of the fading conference season.
Niemi, who hurled Hoquiam’s JV’s to a 2-0 win over Aberdeen just last Saturday, fanned 6 and allowed just five hits to the hard-socking Capital City nine.
Asan announced that Niemi, who has seen varsity duty in the outfield in addition to his JV mound duties, will get another pitching start this weekend.
May 15, 1969
(Aberdeen) City Councilmen and a few others were treated last night to inspection and rides in Aberdeen’s new 100-foot ladder truck, which arrived driven by Fire Chief Zane Mitchell, Monday night.
“We’re real pleased with the truck,” Mitchell said. “It will be a real help to the fire department,” The city is now using a 1942 Seagrave rig which has a 75-foot ladder. The latter has been sold to the Ocean Shores Fire Department for $7,500.
The truck, an American-LaFrance model which cost the city $65,985, weighs 33,000 pounds, has a 220-inch wheelbase, and is powered by a 336-horsepower six-cylinder engine coupled to an Allison automatic transmission capable of six speeds.
25 years ago
May 14, 1994
Paint what friendship means to you — that’s what students at Stevens Elementary School in Aberdeen were told when they started working with Seattle muralist Jose Orantes this week.
Many drew just what you would expect — happy faces of friends and family.
Stevens Elementary has its host artist because of the grant writing efforts of preschool teacher Cheryl Toothman. Through the Washington State Arts Commission’s Very Special Arts program, Toothman sought money for an artist to come work with her preschool class for two weeks. She received half of the $1,500 cost of the program through state funds and the district paid the rest.
Toothman then got the whole school involved. Every student, no matter what their artistic ability, was invited to come and help with the painting.
May 15, 1994
It’s been nearly 13 years since a major nationwide retail store has opened in Grays Harbor, but that will all change Tuesday morning when the long-awaited Wal-Mart store officially opens its doors at 909 E. Wishkah St.
They actually held a “soft-opening” Saturday to acquaint their sales people with the equipment and merchandise under less hectic circumstances. And while this opening was not publicized, by mid-day thousands of Harborites had made their way through the doors.
“What this means is that Aberdeen Grays Harbor shoppers now have the top four soft-retail stores in the nation with Wal-Mart, Kmart, JC Penney and Sears,” said LeRoy Tipton, Grays Harbor Chamber of Commerce manager.
Compiled from the archives of The Daily World by Karen Barkstrom
