75 years ago
July 11, 1942
Jo Ann Nicola of Cosmopolis is only 10 years old but she already has the spirit of sacrifice for the war effort.
Thirty-two years ago, her father, Ray, brought a piece of raw rubber out of the Amazon forest. It became a family keepsake, and through her girlhood Jo Ann often heard the story of how the rubber grew wild in the jungle.
Then she learned of Uncle Sam’s great drive for rubber. She took the keepsake from its resting place, got parental approval and sent it off to Seattle to the scrap heap.
In her own eloquent little girl words: “My daddy brought it home a long time ago, but Uncle Sam needs it now. I hear that they could make a big tire out of it — Anyway it will help (win the war).”
July 12, 1942
Sunday, no newspaper published
50 years ago
July 11, 1967
A railway sign which got in the way of a teenage brawl sustained $100 damages this morning.
A 1955 sedan driven by Joseph Shapansky, 18, of Cosmopolis, struck the sign at 3:40 a.m. today while fleeing a carload of would-be avengers. The mishap took place near a dead end at the west end of State Street in Aberdeen.
The pursuers were friends of two Hoquiam youths who were attacked by seven Aberdeen youths earlier in the evening, police reported.
One of the Hoquiam youths refused to sign a complaint. He told police that he and his friends had spend the night taking care of the attackers one by one.
A patrolman, spotting one of the original attackers in an all-night diner, reported the youth looked like a steam-roller had run over him.
July 12, 1967
• New persons have been hired for all of the Town of Westport jobs which have been boycotted since last week by former employees, and the town is once again running normally, Mayor Byron Cramer said today.
Local residents Glenn Edwards, owner and operator of Glenacres Motel, Bob Woodard and Jim Lyons will work in both the water and sewer departments, wherever needed. A Seattle woman, Leona Love, has been hired as deputy clerk and is scheduled to begin work tomorrow.
• The Aberdeen YMCA’s second and last section of swimming instruction for the year ended June 30, with the closing of Miller Natatorium.
For the first time in the history of Aberdeen YMCA swimming instruction, the Porpoise class of instruction was passed by Weedy Hagen.
25 years ago
July 11, 1992
The Grays Harbor Nationals used big late innings to secure an 18-2 victory over Hoquiam Friday night in the District Three Babe Ruth Tournament in Raymond.
Catcher Steve Timmons led the winners with four hits, including two doubles. Second sacker Jaymee Johnson had three hits and winning pitcher Josh Parbon two.
July 12, 1992
Forest Kelsey of Montesano has been employed at the same location for 65 years.
“I’ve never worked a day in my life, because I’ve never gone to bed without wanting to get up and come back the next morning,” said Kelsey, 87.
The former owner of Whitneys Inc., he now works just a few hours each day, rising early to walk the few blocks to his office. These days he mainly continues service to his previous customers — some in the Seattle, Tacoma and Olympia area — rather than adding new ones.
At 22, Kelsey starting working at Whitney’s service station. In the following years, he worked in the tire department, parts department and as a salesman. He eventually managed each department, as well.
He and his wife, Ruth, became part owners of the dealership and when Mr. Whitney died in 1976, they took over more of the company. They eventually became full owners, but sold to Les Foss and Stormy Glick in 1981 when Ruth’s health began to fail.
“They’ve agreed generously to let me retain my office and care for some of my old customers,” Kelsey said.
With a smile he added, “I’m semi-retired and I do only what I want to do, when I want to.”
Compiled from the archives of The Daily World by Karen Barkstrom
