75 years ago
September 16, 1944
Lieutenant Marvin “Bud” Ward of the U.S. army air force checks in via airmail from a Southwest Pacific war theater where he has been stationed many months. His letter is buoyant and undoubtedly reflects the high morale prevailing in the area, which should interest his many friends, particularly fellow members of the Spokane Athletic Round Table and Grays Harbor, his old stomping grounds.
Excerpt from his letter: “Bob Hope, what a terrific guy — played nine shows in three days. Every regular show was attended by tremendous crowds. Besides his four scheduled shows he visited five hospitals of boys right from the front. He played one show up farther long the line where all they’d had to do was turn up the public address to entertain a few thousand (of the enemy).
“Geroge Halas, owner of the Chicago Bears is a commander here and handled the arrangements for the navy shows. My corporal, Chet Robertson, Tennessee, ‘38, ‘39 and ‘40, Orange, Rose and Sugar Bowls, is practically signed by the Chicago Bears.”
50 years ago
September 16, 1969
Purchase of a 40-acre tract of undeveloped land west of Broadway Heights — for eventual use as an elementary school site — was approved by the Aberdeen School Board last night.
Sale price approved was $31,000. Purchase will be made from the heirs of the Mable Hopkins estate.
Don McCaw of McCaw and Co. said the parcel is located about 300 feet directly west of Graves Avenue and is “one of the more level pieces of land up there.”
Site was chosen for use in the future time depending on when the area is opened up for residential development and a city street pushed into it.
25 years ago
September 16, 1994
For all the controversy, Thursday’s public forum on the proposed prison was a model of decorum.
Tami Garrow of Hoquiam spoke passionately in favor of a local correctional facility while Fred Loertscher of Montesano said the deck was stacked against a genuine debate. But the last public meeting before Tuesday’s advisory vote was remarkably calm.
A panel of specialists spent nearly three hours explaining the effects prisons have had on other communities. An audience of about 90 people at the Rotary Log Pavilion appeared evenly divided between supporters and destractors.
Compiled from the archives of The Daily World by Karen Barkstrom
