The Way We Were

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

September 19, 1912: The delay in passing the appropriation bill has made it impossible for the U.S. Geological Survey to carry out all the field plans for Alaska that had been fromulated in 1912, but the funds that became available by emergency appropriations made it possible to dispatch several of the smaller parties for a full season's work. In southeastern Alaska, the survey proposes this year to study the gypsum and marble deposits. E.F. Blanchard, who sailed from Seattle about the first of Sept., has been put in charge of this work and will visit the marble deposits near Wrangell and the northern end of Prince of Wales Island. The violent volcanic eruption that took place in the Alaska Peninsula in June caused the deposit of much material on the northern end of Kodiak Island and created great hardship among the settlers. In view of this condition it seemed advisable to undertake an expedition of this field. G.C. Martin, who was detailed to study the area, reached Kodiak on the first of July.

September 17, 1937: Over one thousand dollars was lost in wages by shrimp pickers and employees of the Reliance Shrimp company and the Alaska Glacier Food Company in a three day shutdown when delegates from the Wrangell branch of the Cannery Workers and Farm Laborers Union No. 18257 of Seattle called a strike at the instigation of Ponce M. Torres, delegate organizer who had organized the Wrangell branch on Sunday, Sept. 5. The pickers Monday left their work when called and attended a meeting in an adjoining building. The majority seemed completely bewildered by the turn of affairs. When the direction was given, “All raise your hands that want 12 1/2 cents a pound,” all hands were raised. They discussed wages by the hour instead of by the pound and all went back and finished the day's work before the plant was closed.

September 14, 1962: The women of St. Rose of Lima Altar Society held their first fall meeting at the Catholic rectory. Mrs. Opal Reideman, president, gave a recap of the Fourth of July activity and commended the women on their faithful and devoted care of the altars during the summer months. Fr. Raymond Mosey, pastor, informed the members of the purchasing of a new rug to cover the entire body and sanctuary of the church. Over 500 yards will be purchased and a rug man from Juneau will lay the rug. It was also noted that the American flag and a Papal flag will be placed in the sanctuary on either side of the altar. A very beautiful baptism font, of white oak plywood, has been donated to the church. There will be a formal blessing of all three items at a Sunday Mass.

September 17, 1987: Hunters shot about five moose in the first day of the Stikine River moose season Tuesday. Butch Young, State Game Biologist, said fewer hunters than last year went up the river for the mid-week opening date. More hunters were expected during the weekend, he said. Young said no large bulls were taken in the first day's harvest, although several have been spotted up the river. Wrangell hunters braved rainy, windy weather this week to perch in trees for the opening of the moose season. Fish and Wildlife Protection Trooper Rodriguez traveled up the river before the opening, making his presence known among the many hunters who headed out early in hopes of setting up camp and preparing to take a moose in the opening hours of the season. Young and other Fish and Game department game biologists from Petersburg, meanwhile, also headed up the Stikine during the weekend - and made plans to remain up the river throughout the season.