World Gone By: In 1995, Hoquiam Licensing Agency moves to Aberdeen

From the archives of The Daily World

75 years ago

March 3, 1945

First Lt. Ralph W. Bayer, Aberdeen resident until his enlistment in the air corps nearly three years ago, has been reported missing in action since Jan. 10, according to word received from the war department by his wife.

A navigator on a B-17, Bayer has been stationed in England since last July. He was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received on his third mission over enemy territory and later the air medal and several clusters.

Bayer attended Aberdeen grade schools and was graduated from Weatherwax high school and Grays Harbor Junior College.

March 4, 1945

Sunday, no newspaper published

50 years ago

March 3, 1970

Mrs. Hugo Kaiyala was revealed to be the recipient of this year’s annual Golden Acorn Award given by the South Aberdeen Parent-Teacher Association in a “This is Your Life” presentation at the association’s last meeting.

Although she no longer has children in elementary school, Mrs. Kaiyala has assisted with many school projects and field trips, in a active member of the South Aberdeen PTA, is vice president of the City Council PTA and president of the YMCA auxiliary and has been very active in scouting, Campfire Girls and other community activities.

March 4, 1970

• Expensive heart surgery is a matter of life or death for a young Elma woman.

Carolyn Ruckman, 20, must undergo surgery soon to correct a heart ailment. The young woman who lives in Whites, is an Elma High School graduate.

Mrs. Major Joines and other friends and neighbors of the family are spearheading a drive to raise money for the open heart surgery. About $500 has been donated so far.

• Best-selling records of the week based on The Cash Box Magazine’s national survey include “Bridge Over Troubled Water” by Simon & Garfunkel; “Hey There Lonely Girl” by Eddie Holman; “Rainy Night in Georgia” by Brook Benton; “Psychedelic Shack” by the Temptations; “Thank You” by Sly & the Family Stone and “Travelin’ Band” by Creedence Clearwater Revival.

25 years ago

March 3, 1995

Wishkah’s Loggerettes got their game back in focus Thursday and it took them to heights they’d never reached before.

“Focus” was coach Rick McDougall’s one-word summary of a 56-43 victory over St. John-Endicott in the quarterfinal round of the state Class B girls’ basketball tournament Thursday at Spokane Falls Community College.

“Focus. And Sissel Pierce. And Amber Matthews. And you’d better add Crystal Teague, too,” McDougall added.

The fact is, the top six players all had a big piece of what has to be the biggest win in Loggerette history. It put them in the semifinals, somewhere no Wishkah team has ever been before.

March 4, 1995

• Friday was open house at the new Hoquiam Licensing Agency, perhaps the only establishment with a Hoquiam name. The new facility, owned by Katheen deCourcy Hoder, recently moved from Hoquiam where it had been for 56 years. Employees include Patty Spears, Brenda Pettis and Angie Hoder.

• Some people believe he was a quiet, misunderstood outdoorsman who just wanted to be left alone. Others say he was a cold-blooded murderer.

Either way, John Tornow, referred to in folklore as the “Wildman of the Wynooche,” remains a legend in the Pacific Northwest. Misunderstood, yes. But whether he was a murderer is still hotly debated.

Four years, a group of authors has been trying to answer that question. A panel of these writers will present their findings and opinions on Tornow’s story at a forum March 9 at Matlock’s Mary M. Knight High School.

Panelists will include Ron Fowler and Ken Ristine of the Seattle area, Charles Gerlach of Olympia and Bill Lindstrom, the Daily World city editor.

Tornow has been hunted for 19 months in an area that stretched from the Satsop valley to the lower Olympic National Forests for shooting his two nephews, two deputies, a game warden and a well-known photographer.

Compiled from the archives of The Daily World by Karen Barkstrom