The Way We Were

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

Feb. 29, 1912: William Neill returned on the Jefferson from the Sound where he had been on business regarding the new river boat to ply on the Stikine. Plans for the new boat were drawn up by L. E. Geary and company of Seattle, noted designers of speed boats. The Telegraph II will be a twin screw, funnel stern, shallow draft boat, 64 by 14 feet and will be powered with two 32 horsepower, 4 cylinder N&S motors to drive her against the current of the Stikine. Work on the hull started Monday. They expect to have the boat ready for work as soon as the ice leaves the river in the spring.

Feb. 26, 1937: Mrs. Mary Shakes, widow of Chief Shakes, the last chief of the Tlingit Indians at Wrangell died Feb. 21 in Bishop Rowe Hospital. She was a member of the Kadashan family, a cousin of the Kadashan, who was an outstanding leader among the Wrangell Indians. Mrs. Shakes lived through many colorful years in Wrangell. She saw the passing of Alaska to the United States, the coming for the Americans, and the building of the fort with United States troops stationed here and a little later the arrival of missionaries, establishment of schools, and churches and development of the fisheries which changed the economic life of the Indians; a panorama of experiences for over eighty years. After her marriage, the old Chief Shakes died and for a time his place in the tribe was not filled, then the sub chiefs agreed upon her husband to succeed to the chieftainship, although it was unusual to select such a young man for leadership. The new Chief Shakes rebuilt the communal house on Shakes Island, the point of land jutting into the inner harbor which is an island only at low tide. After his death 22 years ago, the widow used this house as a museum and for a means of livelihood charged admission to summer tourists. She sold the island, except for a small strip two years ago.

Feb. 23, 1962: After challenging the right of the Wrangell High Wolves to compete in the Southeast Alaska High School basketball tournament, to be held in Sitka March 1-3, the Skagway High School hoopsters arrived here to play a three game series with the wolves. The winner of two games out of three will determine which team will go to Sitka. The visiting team has won several games during the year, including two victories over Haines which earlier in the year defeated Wrangell. Jack Engdal, Dick Angerman and Leon Aysen will be making their last appearance on the local court this week as members of the Wrangell High School basketball team.

Feb. 26, 1987: Wrangell men who fancy themselves chili cooks should brush up their skills for March 14 when the Spruce Up Wrangell Project and Women's Civic Club sponsor a Chili Cook-Off. Contests also will be held on that date for the best cornbread, jams and jellies, organizers said. Entries for cornbread, jams and jellies will be accepted from men or women while the chili contest is aimed at men only, they said. The event will be a part of the festivities planned to surround the March 14 Cabin Fever Daze Sale sponsored by Wrangell merchants. Organizers of the Chili Cook-Off said the goal of the fund-raiser was to help cover expenses for the annual Clean Up Day in May. Front Street merchants normally are asked to donate for the Clean Up Day prizes, and Spruce Up Wrangell Project organizers said they hoped the Chili Cook-Off would defray expenses for the merchants.

 

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