75 years ago
May 11, 1944
Now appearing at local theaters: At Warners, “It Happened Tomorrow” with Dick Powell, Linda Darnell and Jack Oakie and the co-feature “Passport to Destiny” with Elsa Lanchester. At Hoquiam Theater, The Dead End Kids in “Mr. Muggs Speaks Out” and Lon Chaney Jr. in “Son of Dracula.” At the Bijou, John Wayne in “Flying Tigers” and Johnny Weissmuller in “Tarzan’s Desert Mystery.” At the D and R, Rita Hayworth and Gene Kelly in “Cover Girl.”
May 12, 1944
Ross Furquay, a veteran of World War I, with three sons in the present conflict, has enlisted in the navy and left Wednesday for “boot” training at Farragut, Idaho. He will become a navy blacksmith. Furquay worked as a timber cruiser for the county treasurer’s office a number of years.
50 years ago
May 11, 1969
Some 100 North Aberdeen youngsters gave up candy bars and soda pop in order that a 5-foot-high wreath could pay their respects at Saturday’s funeral for a man they all knew as Old Bill.
Old Bill was William Chambless, and his home on Young Street was open to youngsters and any day of the week, you could find boys and girls watching Bill’s TV, munching on candy he passed out, and taking home flowers Bill grew in his yard and in his greenhouse.
When Old Bill died, Glen Ross, proprietor of the North Aberdeen Grocery, marked a can “Flowers for Old Bill” and put it on his counter, expecting to net two or three dollars.
“I was amazed by the way kids flocked in to give money,” Ross said. “When I counted, I had $24. I didn’t know there were so many kids in North Aberdeen. They must have thought a lot of him.”
Chambless, a retired commercial fisherman, died Tuesday, digging clams near Pacific Beach.
May 12, 1969
The annual Elma Honor Society banquet was held recently at the Oaksridge Golf Course under the sponsorship of the Elma-McCleary Lions.
This was the sixth year Lions have honored those students whose academic record and good character placed them at the top of their class.
Robert Stephens, longtime member of the Lions Club and high school counselor, was the master of ceremonies.
Dr. Charles McCann, president of Evergreen State College, was the featured speaker of the evening. He said in part he would favor students as partners in government of college, that they should have a voice in the democratic operation of the university, but they should not run the institution.
25 years ago
May 11, 1994
Ralph Burgess, 71, a longtime Grays Harbor restaurateur and builder, died Tuesday of a heart attack.
This morning, Burgess’s son, Rick, remembered his father as a multi-faceted man who enjoyed his family and believed strongly in helping others. “My dad had a big heart,” said Burgess, who owns Sidney’s restaurant in Aberdeen. “I remember him all my life trying to help people out. He fed hundreds of people, and he didn’t ask for publicity.”
May 12, 1994
Guy Donaldson was the anchor to the Hoquiam soccer team’s defense, but Coach Roger Kaiyala shifted him to forward late this season to spark the Grizzlies’ tepid offense.
Kaiyala looked like a genius Wednesday as Donaldson scored a hat trick to lead Hoquiam to its first victory of the season, 3-0, over the Aberdeen Bobcats.
The home club avenged a 2-1 loss to the Bobcats at Aberdeen earlier this season. Both Harbor clubs finished the season with identical 1-13 marks.
Compiled from the archives of The Daily World by Karen Barkstrom
