The Way We Were

In the Sentinel 100, 75, 50 and 25 years ago.

Dec. 21, 1911: In an article in the St. Paul Pioneer Press headed “Alaska Berryland” the Wrangell exhibit of fruit contributed by Mrs. M. Linheart and Mrs. Horgheim, of Wrangell has the distinction of being the “greatest variety shown in the Alaska Exhibit.” The article goes on “The exhibit represents nearly every variety grown in the gardens of the Northern States, most of the wild varieties for the fruit cultivated in the Northern States are wild in Alaska, wild strawberries, wild red raspberries, wild gooseberries, wild currants of three varieties, and wild crabapples, as well as the species usually found wild here.

Dec. 25, 1936: That Wrangell would have a white Christmas became evident early this week much to the delight of the children and those who are enthusiastic about snow sports. The weather, however, is mild. Christmas decorations began to show up two weeks ago and helped immeasurably in spreading the glow of the Christmas season. The first tree appearing was an especially symmetrical one reaching to the ceiling in the Morrow Drug Store. Campbell Brothers followed with attractive decorations indoors and out, and other firms in quick succession displayed trees gay in lights and new decorative effects until practically every business house was decked in holiday attire. Without question the prize window for unique features is that of the American Bakery in which a five-piece symphony orchestra is display by Robert Shonwald, proprietor, who fashioned the seated figures from bakery products. The bodies and heads are of crusty brown loaves with bread crescents arranged for arms and legs, rolls for feet and ingenious “gob” of bread for facial features and button decorations. The orchestra is complete with toy instruments, including a violin for the director.

Dec. 22, 1961: Lumber production increased by approximately 70 percent in the Wrangell area during the year, 1961, now drawing to a close and export figures from the port reached a new high of 47,000,000 board feet of lumber and lumber products, according to figures made available by the Wrangell Lumber company and the Alaska Stevedoring Company. Production at the Wrangell mill will total about 42,000,000 board feet, according to C.R. Neil, plant superintendent, reflecting the major portion of 80,000 tons in lumber products handled over the WLC dock during the year. Twenty-six vessels called in port for lumber, including the Gloria Maru now at the dock, and long shore payroll amounted to more than $350,000, Tormond Bie, of Alaska Stevedoring said. He reported 220 men were employed including turnover figures. Most of these men are not regular mill employees, as the mill has continued to operate this year while vessels are taking lumber, in contrast with earlier years when the operation was getting started, Neil explained. Wrangell Lumber shipments were supplemented during the year by approximately 2,000,000 ft. for the Schnabel Lumber Co. of Haines and the Moose Valley Lumber Company.

Dec. 18, 1986: A move by Councilwomen Donna Galla and Fern Neimeyer to hire a full-time staff attorney for the city had been defeated by a majority of the council. Galla, in making the motion Dec. 9 to replace City Attorney Ed Stahla with a local staff lawyer, said she felt the large sums spent for legal counsel would be better spent in Wrangell. Stahla's law firm is in Sitka. Galla advocated spending the $40,000 now spent for Stahla's retainer each year on hiring a local attorney, keeping the money in Wrangell to circulate through the economy. Councilmen Earl Kloster, Ken Mason and Benn Curtis questioned Galla and Neimeyer, who seconded the motion. The three voted “no” while Neimeyer and Galla cast the positive votes. Mayor Bill Privett was out of town, while Councilman Bob Grant could not attend the meeting because of medical reasons.