November, 1892 when the Harbor was flooded first with election news and later by torrential rain. The City of Aberdeen encompassed an area from the Wishkah River to Broadway and from the Chehalis River to First Street, where the thick forest began its climb up Broadway Hill and beyond. A narrow trail led to Hoquiam and a horse path began the two-to-three-day trip to Olympia. The easiest way to get anywhere was by boat. What streets there were, were of sawdust and planking with wooden sidewalks raised three-feet above the mud flats, slippery from the rain and making for precarious and unnerving travel for those on foot. Here is a synopsis of Aberdeen news 125 years ago.

HALLOWEEN EVE — The sportive “kid” raised Cain on Halloween eve but it was in the same old way — changing signs, unhinging gates and knocking down woodpiles — ways too firmly fixed in the youngster’s mind as his idea of fun to be hastily given up for anything original. The nearest approach to originality was on the part of the gang that spirited away the school bell from the hill. Another gang no doubt enjoyed the humor of the joke of being locked up in an office over on the east-side in return for an unhinged gate. — Aberdeen Herald, Nov. 3, 1892

A big stick, 90-feet long, was hauled on shore at West’s mill yesterday and is being converted into a main mast for the barkentine Catherine Sudden. — Aberdeen Herald, Nov. 3, 1892

Jack Williamson, who lives up the Wishkah, has bet a milch cow against fifteen dollars that Jesse Gilkey will get more votes for sheriff than C.W. Blackwell. (Gilkey came in third in a three-man race.) — Aberdeen Herald, Nov. 3, 1892

The ladies of the Methodist church will serve a 12 o’clock lunch consisting of soup, baked beans, cold meats, bread, hot coffee, pies, cakes, etc., on election day, Nov. 8, in the IXL building. — Aberdeen Herald, November 3, 1892

If (incumbent Benjamin) Harrison is defeated, Attorney McKinley will do the wheelbarrow act down Heron street to the post office, and there in the presence of the assembled multitude proceed to make a bonfire of his fuzzy hat. (Grover Cleveland defeated Harrison, however there was no follow-up as to whether the wheelbarrow act or fuzzy hat bonfire occurred) — Aberdeen Herald, November 3, 1892

CANCER ARRESTED — A report is going the rounds among the medical exchanges to the effect that a Vienna doctor has declared that the so called incurable and distressing disease known as cancer can be arrested by an injection of one of the coal tar derivatives — methyl violet. — Aberdeen Herald, Nov. 10, 1892

Capt. Reed brought down on the Typhoon today a big crowd from Elma, Montesano and Cosmopolis to attend the big shoe sale in Hoquiam. — Aberdeen Herald, Nov. 10, 1892

Engineer Crandell, who runs the passenger train, cast the first presidential vote ever cast in Ocosta. — Aberdeen Herald, Nov. 17, 1892

Thirty-five children have been born in Aberdeen so far this year. — Aberdeen Herald, Nov. 17, 1892

MONTESANO — A dining room in a hotel — two young men and a biscuit. One young man throws the biscuit, which strikes the other in the face. The one hit says something uncomplimentary of the other, and walks out of the room. The other follows in considerable haste and “runs against a snag” in the shape of the fist of the other fellow. There was some scrambling — chairs were upset, dogs barked, everyone (including the ladies) rushed from the dining room. The pugilists could not get away from each other, and it looked as though one or the other must get hurt. One received a black eye, the other a scratch or two. The biscuit (the cause of all the trouble) was eaten by a dog. — The Chehalis County Vidette, as reported by the Aberdeen Herald, Nov. 17, 1892

MONTESANO — Some of the farmers living along the Chehalis above town, declare that hunters are becoming a nuisance, especially on Sunday. One farmer had a cow badly peppered with shop last Sunday. — The Chehalis County Vidette, as reported by the Aberdeen Herald, Nov. 17, 1892

MONTESANO — The Chinamen to the number of eight, who have from time to time been buried in the city cemetery, were all removed last Saturday, preparatory to shipment to China. A vessel soon to sail from San Francisco will carry the bodies to the celestial kingdom. — The Chehalis County Vidette, as reported by the Aberdeen Herald, Nov. 17, 1892

AMATEUR THEATRICALS — At the Acme Opera House, Aberdeen, Wash., on Saturday, Nov. 26, 1892, the grand domestic comedy drama, entitled “Meg’s Diversion” will be performed by local amateurs. Everyone should see it, as it is pronounced the finest play ever produced in Aberdeen. The box plan opens on Saturday, the 19th at the post office. Prices — downstairs (reserved) 50 cents, upstairs 25 cents. Get your tickets early to avoid disappointment. — Aberdeen Herald, Nov. 17, 1892

HOQUIAM — Eldy Hull and E. Winchell, two small boys from Hoquiam, had the boat in which they were sailing capsize in the bay last week. But for the timely presence of the tug Traveler, both boys would have been drowned. — Aberdeen Herald, Nov. 17, 1892

WEATHER REPORT — It has rained. It is raining. It is going to rain. — Aberdeen Herald, Nov. 24, 1892

It is an ill wind, &c. The oldest inhabitant can never boast again of “The Heaviest Rainfall.” — Aberdeen Herald, Nov. 24, 1892

Frank Miller is responsible for the statement that the Wishkah River rose higher during the heavy rains last week than was ever known before. — Aberdeen Herald, Nov. 24, 1892

And we end on a rather dark note from the editor of the Herald:

EDITORIAL — Give thanks that you are alive. If you are not thankful for that, be thankful that there is some one who is thankful for you. If there is no one, go off and die — or reform. — Aberdeen Herald, Nov. 24, 1892

Roy Vataja is the son of Finnish immigrants and while he would like to visit 1892 Aberdeen, he isn’t so sure he would want to live there.