The Way We Were

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

February 13, 1913: By boat and dog teams, the bodies of Peter Anderson (Capt. Kid) and daughter who were found Feb. 5th by Charles Roose were brought to Wrangell Tuesday by a party sent out by the Marshal's office Saturday morning. The party, consisting of Charles Roose, Ed Kalkins, Richard Dale and J.D. Dawes, left Wrangell Saturday morning with dog teams and provisions for the trip up the Stikine to the Hot Springs. At the inquest held Wednesday morning, the members of the party related their experiences and the conditions at the scene of the double tragedy. Anderson is believed to have died some time previous to the death of his daughter. None of the party could find a morsel of food about the boat which confirmed the belief that the pair died of starvation. Anderson was about 60 years of age and the daughter was 18. Last November a party headed by Marshall Schnabel went to their rescue believing they were out of provisions. They refused to return to Wrangell with the party.

February 11, 1938: The ski slide which was constructed two years ago by CCC labor a half mile beyond the end of the road on Wrangell Highway has been popular place on Sunday during the recent cold weather. While the slide would be improved, skiers say, by a little more snow, it is in satisfactory condition and affords great fun to the crowds of young people who are making the most of the snow sports now available. Bobsledding is the popular pastime evenings and skating on the post just off the top of McKinnon Avenue, has attracted more than the small space can accommodate.

February 8, 1963: Tomorrow evening at 7 o'clock in the Catholic church Miss Linda Diane Gillen will become the bride of Mr. Steven Thomassen of Petersburg. The Rev. Raymond Mosey, pastor, will perform the ceremony. A reception will be held in the Redmen hall immediately following the church rites. All friends of the couple are invited to the reception. Miss Gillen, who was born and raised in Wrangell, is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Gillen, well known Wrangell family. Many friends of the groom's are expected from Petersburg to attend, including his father and mother Mr. and Mrs. Hakon Thomassen.

February 11, 1988: The School Board has taken a first tentative step to toward forming a middle school by agreeing Monday to obtain a preliminary design plan to design to accommodate a separate school, for sixth, seventh, and eight graders at the existing Vocational Educational Building. While the board did not take a firm binding vote to move ahead with full staffing and funding of a middle school, but members nevertheless voted to spend part of the $1.2 million in left over Phase 1 construction grant funds to begin designing space for a middle school program. The board voted unanimously to direct Superintendent Dick Barton, Elementary School Principle Dave Dirksen, and Junior-Senior High School Principal Ken Mecham to begin work now on design specifications. Under the plan, two classrooms likely would be added to the Vocational Education Building to make room for sixth-graders.