The Way We Were

Oct. 10, 1912: Without doubt the largest and most enthusiastic gathering of the Alert Fire company that has been held in years attended the regular meeting for the month of October at the Town Hall last Monday evening. The meeting was called to order by President William F. Schnabel and after roll call, the reports of the officers, which consisted chiefly of matters relative to the recent fire at the sawmill were heard. The fire, which tested the efficiency of the company proved the topic of the hour, was discussed pro and con and in the light of apparatus used and needed. Foreman Gingrass, Secretary Clake, and Nozzleman LaBounty were recognized as the heroes of the fight and their action in taking the hose beneath the burning foundation of the boilers was deserving of praise.

Oct. 8, 1937: W.D. Gross, owner of the Coliseum Theater chain in southeastern Alaska, has asked the managers of his theaters in towns which are participating in the Alaska-Yukon exposition at Seattle next month, to take charge of a girls' popularity contest. Nomination must be made for Miss Wrangell by use of the nominating blank appended to the coliseum advertisement in this issue of the Sentinel. Each nomination entry will count as one vote and the number of entries in itself, is held by manager J.R. Brown to be indicative of a girl's popularity. The selection of Miss Wrangell will be made at the Coliseum on Friday, October 29 and the winner of the contest will be presented with her credentials at the Halloween dance. Miss Wrangell candidates must be over 16 years of age and must be legal residents of the Territory. All the expenses of Miss Wrangell to the Exposition will be paid.

Oct. 5, 1962: Wrangell voters threw out the provision for the city charter providing for a city manager form of government in favor of a Mayor-Council form in Tuesday's elections in which 242 ballots were cast. Vote on the charter was 134 for eliminating the city manager provision and 83 for retaining the system. Donald J. House and Richard Ballard were elected to three-year terms on the City Council and Alan McCay to the one-year term. Mrs. Marjorie Sharnbroich was elected to the five-year term on the School Board. The vote follows: Council, three years: House, 183; Ballard 97; Kenneth Mason, 61; Duke Chase, 54; Marjorie Guggenbickler, 47. Council, one year: McCay, 127; Russell Patrick, 50; Gus Zimmerman, 46. School Board: Mrs. Sharnbroich, 195.

Oct. 8, 1987: Fern Neimeyer apparently defeated Earl Kloster in a bid for a two year term as mayor, while about 70 percent of Wrangell's voters went to the polls Tuesday, voting to approve a tax exemption for the sawmill. According to unofficial tallies, Wrangell voters defeated an advisory question on fluoridation of the water supply. The 369-508 vote rejecting fluoridation was the second time in nine years Wrangellites have defeated such a question. The tax exemption for the Wrangell Forest Products Ltd. mill was approved 485-371, with voters accepting the question this year after sending it to defeat in the 1986 balloting. Tallies in the mayor's race saw Neimeyer taking 449 votes while Kloster came in at 349. John Holden garnered 83 ballots from Wrangell voters in the three-way race for a two-year term as mayor. Remaining to be counted, however, are 102 absentee ballots. City Clerk Lanore Gunderson said 12 questioned ballots also were cast and their fate hung in limbo Wednesday. In the race, for two three-year vacancies on the City Council, voters re-elected an incumbent and also sent a newcomer to office. Re-elected Tuesday to City Council was Bob Grant with 473 votes. Bruce Harding came in second in the Seat A race, taking 245 votes while Myrna Torgramsen took 152. Voters named Rob Campbell a newly elected councilman giving him 497 ballots for Seat B.