The Way We Were

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

February 27, 1913: Tuesday next, the 4th of March, will be an historic day for Alaska as well as the Democratic Party, for in addition to the inauguration in Washington of the first Democratic President in 16 years, the very first Alaskan legislature will convene formally at Juneau, the capital of the newly formed territory farthest north. For more than a week, the newly elected and many of them uninitiated solons have been arriving by boats from the outlying district. The trails are many and devious and the modes of travel are many; dog team, steamer, stage and railroad being used by some who from Nome and Candle must come by these many conveyances nearly 2,000 miles and spend months on the way to be present at the opening session Tuesday.

February 25, 1938: A Boy Scout troop will be installed and a charter presented at installation ceremonies held at 7:30 Monday night in Legion dugout. Parents are invited to be present. Sponsored by the American Legion post, E. M. Campbell, past post commander will act as installing officer. The troop will be presented by A. E. Moe, of the high school faculty, who has carried on this winter the work started two years ago by the Rev. Russell F. Pederson, and has prepared the boys to pass the tenderfoot tests, required before a troop may be installed. The boys who will form the troop are Bernard Iverson, Robert Pederson, Vernon Wies, Billy Lloyd, Charles Jenkins, Raymond Lewis, John Feller, Ernest Steik and Richard Stokes. The troop committee is composed of James Lovett, present post commander of the Legion, Leo Osterman, and Geo. J. Fabricius. Several years ago a Boy Scout's troop was installed in Wrangell, but the work was not maintained continuously.

February 22, 1963: J. Dar Smith, local agent here for the ferry system of the Alaska Marine Highways, said today that advanced passenger list are not available. He said many people call him prior to the ferry's arrival to inquire if certain people are aboard. Smith said he does not have this information. He also reminded those planning a trip that he is at his office near the ferry ramp at least an hour and a half before time of the ferry's arrival, or your ticket may be purchased from him a day or so ahead of time. Tickets cannot be purchased as the ferry arrives because then Smith must be on the ferry ramp to tie up the vessel and lower the ramp.

February 25, 1988: The Wrangell Youth Litter Patrol is going strong despite the cold and often stormy weather. Members of the patrol have been busy recycling cans for one to three hours almost every Saturday this winter - and recently received a check for $1,500 from a Seattle recycling company as payment for their hard work. Annette Younce, supervisor of the youths on behalf of the Wrangell Lioness clubs, said four teen-agers have formed the solid core throughout the winter for the patrol's efforts. Kyna Phillips, Michelle Lebo, Keith Shilts, and Tracy Younce have put in many hours of clean-up and recycling work in all kinds of cold wintry conditions, Younce said. She said a second van of aluminum cans is about four weeks away from being shipped south to Seattle - and payment should be received this spring for the hours of labor put into filling that van. Under an agreement with the city, the Youth Litter Patrol receives half of the funds collected. The other half is split between the Lions cub and Lioness Club, which jointly oversee the program. Chairmen are Glenda Gillen and Darlene Amundson for the Lioness club and Allen Lee and John House for the Lions.