The Harbor was still sparsely populated 125 years ago and relied on newspapers and letters to bring foreign news to the new land. As a weekly big-city newspaper, the Aberdeen Herald had stringers who would regularly supply news to the editor from far-flung parts of the county in addition to local items they have gleaned from, the Hoquiam Washingtonian, the Ocosta Pioneer, and the Chehalis County Vidette. Here are some of the items making news in the Aug. 16, 1894 Aberdeen Herald.
FROM OCOSTA
Ocosta is without a mayor. It is not safe for a large town like Ocosta to be without a mayor.
The Ocosta (flour) roller mills is kept running steadily to keep up with orders.
About one hundred campers arrived on Saturday’s train and went to the beach.
The Ocosta Cornet Band discoursed sweet music at Westport Saturday night.
The machinery is nearly all set up in the tub and pail factory, and they will commence running in a few days.
We were somewhat surprised to see the name of one of our able church workers on a petition seeking aid for a man to get here to run a saloon.
Some of the young people of Ocosta have organized a literary club to be known as the “Seaside Literary Society.” They will discuss theosophy, agnosticism, christian science and other humorous subjects.
FROM QUINAULT
Blackberries are very plentiful this year.
The Indians from the reservation are at the lake fishing.
A party of tourists from New York City arrived here last Thursday for a two weeks’ hunting and fishing. They secured the services of R.M. and P.S. Locke, O.L. Higley and C.H. Pealer as guides and packers. May their trip be a successful one.
FROM HOQUIAM
The Milkmaids Convention was a pleasing entertainment and financial success.
The families of George France, M.A. Albright, B.S. Philbrick and John Knapp are camping at Wesport.
Banker Hertges smiles over the arrival of a baby girl at his home, Monday.
Some of our business men will occupy new quarters after September 1.
Professor R.B. Bryan, ex-state superintendent, has been offered the position as principal of the Aberdeen schools. Aberdeen is to be congratulated on having secured the services of so able a an instructor. (Washie)
Thomas Humphries, who undertook to clear out the foreman last Thursday, was brought back from Copalis last Friday by the deputy constable, Walt Pebbles. He had a hearing before Judge Palmer, who fined him $10 and costs, amounting to about $19, which he paid. When a man gets an idea that smashing another in the face is right, he needs watching, as he is probably getting “wheels in the head.” (Washie)
FROM GARRARD CREEK
Messrs. Horton and Johnson are still putting in logs one mile above the mouth of Black River.
W.H. Jeffries has the new school house about completed, and will soon be ready for the inspection of the directors.
A fine crop of hay was gathered by the ranchers around here this summer, the weather being favorable throughout the entire time of harvesting.
MONTESANO VIDETTE
If any one thinks he is assessed too low this year the commissioners will no doubt raise the assessment a reasonable amount, if so requested.
J.D. Bennett, of North River, has a Bartlett pear tree that has bloomed four different times this season, and three different sets of fruit are now growing on the tree.
Mr. Orlando Brewer, who has charge of the skimming station here, says that he receives 5,800 pounds of milk daily, which yields about 100 gallons of cream. On September 1 the price of milk will be advanced from 78 cents to $1.03 per 100 pounds.
Street commissioner instructed to place a strip of 4 x 6 in center of F Street between Heron and the dock to preserve the plank.
OTHER ABERDEEN NEWS
ABERDEEN PROHIBITION CLUB — The Prohibitionists of the town met on Saturday evening and organized the Aberdeen Prohibition Club. A meeting held on Tuesday was addressed by Dr. M.L. Pearson. In his remarks he made the usual arguments in support of a third party, likening the Democratic and Republican parties to two muddy rivers, and the Prohibition party to a clear mountain stream. His answer to the assertion that morals could not be legislated was that the old parties were already legislating immorals by licensing saloons and brothels, but he evidently lost sight at the fact that the legislation is for the better control and not for the creation of the immorals.
The salmon are beginning to run, and some exceptionally fine, juicy steaks have come from the market. The cannery at Cosmopolis will open soon. There has been some talk of using the Tew warehouse here as a cannery the coming season, but nothing definite has been developed.
The salting of salmon will be carried on more extensively in Aberdeen this year than ever before. A. Damitio is making 10 12-barrel tanks for that purpose for a Columbia River party who are coming here for salt fish. In order to make them for the price charged ($12 each) without loss, Mr. Damitio has constructed a machine to cut out the grooves in the staves, which greatly facilitates the work and lessens the expense of producing these tanks.
Yesterday morning about nine o’clock, J. Heyer, the sawyer at the Weatherwax Mill, had a narrow escape from a serious accident. He was just taking off the first cant from a big fir log when the crotch-dog which holds the cant against the log broke, throwing the cant on the pulley just beyond the saw. The fall broke the pulley in many places and also the big leather belt, one end of which struck Mr. Heyer on the right hip, inflicting a severe bruise. Had a piece of the broken wheel struck him on the head a serious or fatal accident might have occurred. Mr. Heyer was able to resume his work at the mill this noon.
Roy Vataja is the son of Finnish immigrants and will be looking for you at the Aberdeen Art Walk this Saturday.
