75 years ago

October 4, 1943

Capt. Clark Gable has been awarded the air medal for “exceptionally meritorious achievement while participating in five separate bomber combat missions” over enemy territory, Eighth Air Force headquarters announced today.

His “courage, coolness and skill” during the missions “reflect great credit to him and the armed forces,” the citation said.

The former movie star’s latest raid was against Nantes, France on September 23. He manned a Flying Fortress nose gun during a part of the flight to Nantes and also took motion pictures for training purposes.

October 5, 1943

John B. Benson, 65, pioneer Aberdeen office supply operator, died this afternoon at a local hospital following an extended illness.

Mr. Benson came to Grays Harbor in 1903 and entered the office supply business immediately.

For years his firm has been located in the lower floor of the Turner hotel building on East Wishkah Street.

50 years ago

October 4, 1968

A two-way closed circuit television console and a 40-year-old vault door represent the new and the old that are part of the National Bank of Commerce’s new building in Aberdeen.

Located on what is locally known as “cash corner” (Broadway and Market, near four other financial institutions), the 16,500-square-foot building has double the working space of the old structure.

The round 14-ton vault door has been in use here since 1928. It took one week to move it to the new building, beginning March 13, with bank men doing 24-hour guard duty till the move was complete. It is 6½ feet in diameter and 16 inches thick and is being used on the safe deposit vault. “It’s a beautiful door,” remarked Manager Maurice C. Shumaker. “We wanted to have part of the old bank in our new building.”

October 5, 1968

Another game or two like that, and people may start to believe the Bobcats are for real.

An estimated 2,933 awed witnesses could find no fault with Al Eklund’s “rebuilding” job at Stewart Field last night after the Aberdeen eleven had finished demolishing previously unbeaten Fort Vancouver, 49-0.

Dan Kivi, the 192- pound junior bull of a fullback who’s shown up better every time out, led the parade with 3 TDs. Classmate Greg Astells collected the first two touchdowns of his varsity career.

Then there was sophomore Eddie Smith, painful right foot and all, cuffing 7 straight PAT’s through the goal post and just for diversion throwing his first high school pass — a scoring strike to Greg Lamb (another junior) for 17 yards.

25 years ago

October 4, 1993

A rooftop indoor/outdoor eating area overlooking the Chehalis River is the latest addition to grocer Bob Stewart’s $3.28 million plan for Price Plus in Aberdeen.

Although construction timing is always a moving target, the plan calls for work to begin in November and be completed in April.

October 5, 1993

Good line play and a near 100-yard rushing performance by Jaymee Johnson powered the Aberdeen freshmen to an opening drive TD and a 14-6 triumph over Olympia Monday in Olympia.

Mike Barton scored from 11 yards out and Kevin Shillinger kicked the first of two PATs for a 7-0 first quarter lead. The Bears tallied in the second quarter to make it 7-6 at the half. Seth Heikkila scored from 6 yards out in the third quarter. The Bobcat freshmen team is now 3-0.

Compiled from the archives of The Daily World by Karen Barkstrom.