A merry-go-round of news from 1899

Nothing New By Roy Vataja

August 5, 2019 5:30 pm
Members of the Westport Life Saving Station man the lifeboat “Grays Harbor” in a training exercise. Forerunners to the Coast Guard, the lifesaving station was established here following the construction of the Westport Lighthouse in 1898 In 1914, the first motorized lifeboats arrived and the rowboats were put to pasture. (Roy Vataja Collection)
Members of the Westport Life Saving Station man the lifeboat “Grays Harbor” in a training exercise. Forerunners to the Coast Guard, the lifesaving station was established here following the construction of the Westport Lighthouse in 1898 In 1914, the first motorized lifeboats arrived and the rowboats were put to pasture. (Roy Vataja Collection)

The warm summer months on the Harbor bring joy to those who yearn for solace from the rains that pound us the other nine months of the year. For others it brings the doldrums of heat and humidity that makes sleeping difficult as they yearn for the return of gray skies and brisk winds. No matter what your personal take is on balmy weather, the reporters for the Aberdeen Herald were on the job in the summer of 1899, ferreting out stories of local interest.

J.H. Dilberger’s merry-go-round will arrive in Aberdeen from Olympia next Monday. According to the Olympia press, this amusement became quite a fashionable fad in the capital city. — Aberdeen Herald, August 3, 1899

DILBERGER’S MERRY-GO-ROUND — The best merry-go-round on the Pacific Coast is located on the corner of Wishakh and G Streets.

The ladies of Aberdeen are especially invited to ride on the best. Dilberger says he does not take the people of Aberdeen for cheap guys, so he does not give free rides, but gives them good value for their nickels. He believes the people of Aberdeen are willing to pay a nickel to ride on a first class riding gallery. A fine Elgin watch will be given to the most popular young lady in Aberdeen, those riding to decide by a vote who gets the watch. The best watch and the best merry-go-round. – Aberdeen Herald, August 10, 1899

Dilberger’s merry-go-round closed in Aberdeen on Sunday night, when a gold watch was given to the lady receiving the highest number of votes, as being the most popular young lady in town. Miss Winnie Coyle carried off the prize by more than 4,000 votes over her nearest competitor, Miss Laura Hansen, who being second, received a gold bracelet. Mr. Dilberger moved his swing to Hoquiam Monday, where the popularity of this merry-go-round is said to continue unabated. – Aberdeen Herald, August 24, 1899

Work has been commenced on the new plant for the Aberdeen Electric Co., near Wilson Bros. sawmill. Creech Bros have the contract for the erection of the building. — Aberdeen Herald, July 27, 1899

Carrie Bruce, one of the demi monde, was arrested Saturday charged with being an inmate of a house of ill fame. She was rather indignant at the arrest and was inclined to resist. After a few futile efforts to swat Marshal Graham she was led before Judge Arnold, who fined her $10 and costs, which was paid after a brief sojourn in the cooler. — Aberdeen Herald, July 27, 1899

Frank and Fred Becker returned from Klondike last Friday after an absence of nearly two years in the frozen north. They closed out their interests there and are among the few gold seekers in that region who have come out ahead of the game. Those interested with Frank, who went north with the first rush, received their money back with 1200 per cent interest on the investment. The lucky investors were: Col. J.W. Toklas, George A. Black, Fred Becker, and A.J. Kroenert. — Aberdeen Herald, July 27, 1899

The fire department was called out at 1:20 p.m. Sunday by a fire in a small cottage next to the Baptist Church, on Market Street, occupied by Chas. Comstock. The fire originated between the ceiling and roof, where a stove pipe did duty for a chimney. It was extinguished with the Babcock machines without turning the water on, and the damage was trifling. The firemen had scarcely left the hose house after this fire, when they were called back to take the apparatus and put out a fire in the street and sidewalk near the North Aberdeen Bridge. — Aberdeen Herald, July 27, 1899

The steamer Hattie Belle gave a moonlight excursion to Grays Harbor City last night. A clam bake and dance was enjoyed by the party in attendance. — Aberdeen Herald, July 27, 1899

The Modern Restaurant, on Heron Street between F and G, fills a long-felt want in Aberdeen. A strictly first-class restaurant at moderate prices. Call and try it. — Aberdeen Herald, July 27, 1899

Physicians are the friends of the family. Harper Whiskey is the friend of the Physicians. A most valuable assistant and one to be trusted. Sold by L.W. Walker. — Advertisement – Aberdeen Herald, July 27, 1899

Why bother with cooking Sunday dinner when the Modern Restaurant serves an excellent chicken dinner every Sunday for 25 cent? Private dining rooms. South side Heron Street between F and G. — Aberdeen Herald, July 27, 1899

The South Aberdeen Dairy is prepared to supply its patrons with pure Jersey milk, and would like to supply you. See W.J. Hamilton about it. – Advertisement – Aberdeen Herald, July 27, 1899

The Aberdeen and Hoquiam baseball nines crossed bats again at Westport last Sunday, the Aberdeen team winning by a score of 16 to 7 in a game of seven innings. Ben. Willey and Jas. Bowes were battery for the Aberdeen, and Wm Jordan and J.E. Lyons for the Hoquiams. Fred Hodges acted umpire, and his impartial rulings were in striking contrast with those of the umpire at the former game. – Aberdeen Herald, July 27, 1899

The milk wagon of the West Aberdeen Dairy broke down at the corner of Market and G Streets yesterday morning, causing the horse to run away. With the exception of a slight cut over the eye of Driver Patterson, no damage was done. – Aberdeen Herald, August 3, 1899

The Westport lifesaving crew was called out last Friday night by the sight of a small sailboat in the breakers. Almost everyone in the village, including hotel guests and campers, turned out in the launching of the boat, and two women used themselves up in their exertions, one bursting a small blood vessel. A shift of wind saved the small boat before the lifeboat reached it. It was manned by Indians who took the jetty for a dock, and got into the breakers before they realized their danger. – Aberdeen Herald, August 3, 1899

Roy Vataja is the son of Finnish immigrants and while he appreciates an annual drying out period, once it gets past 75-degrees F., he is ready for the return of a cool, cleansing rain.