On Monday, Dec. 25, 1911, as the festivities of the season were being celebrated throughout the Harbor, it was a great day to be a subscriber to the Aberdeen Herald. The paper was packed with various and sundry stories, both great and small, of interest to readers throughout Grays Harbor. Here are 14 stories from that newspaper, 106 years ago, that reflect events of the time.

Tornow is still hidden in woods — Montesano, Dec. 23 — The hunt for John Tornow, wanted for the murder of the two Bauer boys early last September, still goes on, but with very little prospect of his immediate capture.

Ever since the crime was committed Sheriff Payette has had deputies in the field or been out himself. Sometimes traces would be found, only to be lost again in the vast wilderness in which Tornow seems to be perfectly at home.

During the recent snow, traces of him were found in a trail leading through the snow. The tracks were followed to the river, where they entered the water.

Two deputies are still in the field. In the fastness of the Olympics they have built a cabin and are stocked with food and are prepared to keep vigil through the long winter months.

There is hardly a doubt in the world but that Tornow knows they are there, and as he is one of the keenest woodsmen in the state, it is possible that he is playing a waiting game.

Ryan is found dead in shack – Lying in a pool of clotted blood, the dead body of John Ryan, former sparring partner of John L. Sullivan and Jake Kilrain, was found dead in a shack at Cosmopolis Saturday morning. An autopsy performed by Coroner R.F. Hunter developed that death was due to concussion of the brain, the result of a blow or fall.

Ryan, who has been acting as a swamper for a saloon in Cosmopolis, was last seen alive Thursday evening when he was drinking heavily. It is said that he became obnoxious in a saloon and was ejected by the bartender. Bystanders, who saw Ryan thrown from the saloon, say he came out of the door like a bullet out of a gun, and striking on his head, lay stunned on the sidewalk. He was seen later making his way to his home, and when he failed to put in an appearance Saturday, friends went to his home and found him dead.

The body was brought to this city and is at Whiteside’s undertaking establishment, pending orders from Coroner Hunter.

Ryan, in his halcyon days, was one of the most scientific men in the prize ring. It was Ryan who trained the mighty Sullivan for many of his famous battles, giving the Champion of Champions all the best of care, and the knowledge of his science, which made him invincible in the squared ring. Ryan was a national character, being known for his kind-heartedness and generous deeds. His money came easy and went easy, and his death is one of the ironies of fate.

Well-known woman character loses $13,000 — Louise Louir, well-known police character, who was sent out of Aberdeen during the term of F.R. Archer as chief of police, is reported to have been swindled out of $13,000 at Spokane a few days ago. The woman with a fat bank roll, fell in with smooth chaps, and she was induced to place her wad on a horse race, which did not turn out to her liking and she lost both her money and her supposed friends.

Man is drowned — The body of a laborer named Brown who drowned in the Chehalis River last night, was found near the O.W.R. and N. company bridge this morning. Only the hand, sticking above the water, was first seen. Brown is supposed to have fallen from the bridge last night while in an intoxicated condition.

Gas stove ruination of many fine coats — After a gas stove at the police station had ruined more than four rain and overcoats, as well as two walking coats, Chief of Police Templeman finally decided to get a screen to protect others from loss. The stove has been used more or less as a stool in the Chief’s office and the other evening Detective Church sauntered into the station and finding all the chairs taken, sat on the stove. He got up again and friends were compelled to come to his assistance as his coat was badly burned. Then Detective Llewellyn pulled off the stunt and ruined his new rain coat. Next was Deputy Sheriff Royce and he proved a victim, then came Captain of Police Tribbetts and the screen was bought and the little stove is “jailed” for disorderly conduct.

Wrecked their room — W. Rose and E. Blew, who wrecked a room in the Mecca Lodging house will spend their Christmas in jail unless friends come to the rescue with bail. The men, after purchasing holiday gifts, imbibed too freely and engaged a room, which they proceeded to turn into a rough house, their arrest following.

White slaver taken — Anna Goldstein, keeper of a resort in the restricted district, was arrested Thursday evening and taken to Seattle on the evening train, on a charge of being engaged in the white slave traffic. The federal authorities spent several days in Aberdeen working on the case and have evidence to the fact that the Goldstein woman furnished the funds for Blanche Smith to come from New York to enter a house of ill-fame in this city.

The laws make it a felony to import women from one state to another for immoral purposes and if the case against the Goldstein woman can be proved, she will be given a jail sentence and fine, or if not she will likely be deported.

Vandals at work — Hoquiam, Dec. 23 — An act of rankest vandalism, was the cutting and mutilating of a large holly bush in the yard of C.O. Brown in East Hoquiam last night. Someone literally stripped the large tree of its leaves, leaving a ruined trunk.

Gale sweeps Harbor — A terrific southwest gale with a velocity of 50 miles an hour, swept Grays Harbor Friday, it being the second gale of a like nature this season. No damage was reported, except a few torn awnings.

Horse killed in collision with car — A collision between car No. 7, of the Grays Harbor Railway & Light Company, and a team owned by the Aberdeen Soda Works, driven by Robert Philbrick, resulted in the death of one horse and injury to the other, Saturday afternoon. The collision occurred near the First Street crossing. Philbrick allowed the lines to hang loose and when he saw the danger, got them confused and is said to have pulled his team in the path of the car.

Anderson has a change of heart — Frank Anderson, who was badly cut about the head and hands by A.O. Eastman, as the result of a row, when Anderson kissed Eastman’s wife, has had a change of heart and will not prosecute his assailant. Eastman, becoming angered at the attention shown his wife, flew into a rage, and grabbing a large butcher knife began slashing right and left. Anderson receiving a long slash across the face. Bystanders grappled with Eastman, who threw the knife to the floor. Anderson was covered with blood when brought to the police station, and was sent immediately to the hospital for repairs.

Cold storage turkeys refused — Because a carload of cold storage turkeys were shipped to Grays Harbor, were returned and the shippers informed that nothing but freshly killed birds would be accepted, Aberdeen and Hoquiam faced a turkey famine during the past three days. Practically every market sold out its limited supply early Saturday evening. The shortage of turkeys enabled the markets to do a big business selling chickens and geese.

Sweeper is success — W.C. Pascoe has returned from Tacoma, where he interested the authorities of that city in his patent street sweeper to the extent that a trial machine has been ordered. In his demonstration, Mr. Pascoe showed where his machine would effect a saving of $21 a day, and he has arranged for its manufacture by the West Coast Wagon Company.

M’gillis says “no gifts” — Edward L. McGillis, set a new precedent in the City Water office this year, when he notified his employees by letter that he desired no gifts from them. The letter is self-explanatory:

“To the Water Department: — There will be no Christmas presents for the bosses in the water department. Spread your generosity over the year. Make your work efficient and pleasant for your neighbors and the bosses will be well content.”

Edw. L. M’Gillis, Supt. Public Works”

Roy Vataja is the son of Finnish immigrants who, with three young daughters in tow, came to live in Aberdeen in 1959. Five years later, Roy appeared on the scene sporting a rampant head of hair and a keen interest in the history of our fair city which he will continue to spew forth in 2018. Festive Felicitations to one and all!