The Way We Were

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

October 29, 1914: It is with a feeling of regret that we make the announcement this week of the retirement of Dr. L.P. Dawes from the medical field of Wrangell, Dr. Dawes having decided to move to Juneau to take up the practice of his profession in that city. Dr. Dawes has been in practice in Wrangell for about five years and had built up his practice to the full extent and his move to Juneau is for the reason of a larger and wider practice offered in the Capitol City. During his stay in Wrangell Dr. Dawes has made many lifelong friends, all of whom will feel the loss when Dr. Dawes leaves. Dr. Dawes expects to leave us all in the course of a week and after getting located there will leave for an extended trip to the East.

October 27, 1939: Sale of the Wrangell Sentinel was announced this week by Mrs. Sarah E. Pritchett, owner and publisher, to Lew M. Williams of Juneau. The Sentinel has the distinction of being the oldest paper now published in the Territory. It was founded by A.V.R. Snyder, who moved his equipment here from Oregon and under the name of the Alaska Sentinel published Volume One, Number One on November 20, 1901. The paper changed ownership five times in its first fifteen years but for the past 23 years, with the exception of a six month's period, has had a Pritchett publisher. Mr. Williams, the new publisher, spent ten years as an editor and political editor of the Baker papers, Tacoma Ledger and Tribune and three years as the city editor of the Spokane Chronical. He owned and edited the Hermiston Herald and Tillamook Headlight, Oregon weeklies, and for four years was a Juneau Empire assistant editor.

October 30, 1964: Coach Richard McCormick called his basketball squad for its first practice of the year last Wednesday. Six lettermen were present for the initial workout. These include seniors Kip Larson, Howie Fennimore, Randy Barlow, Jamie Lemley and John Ellis; and a junior, David Cabot. Coach McCormick is presently working these six boys with six from last year's Junior Varsity squad, which is being handled by Bernard Canty and includes some 20 boys. Last week the student body selected their cheerleaders for the present school year. Some ten or twelve girls had spent considerable time and practice. All had an opportunity to try out in front of the student body after which elections were held and the following girls selected: Patsy Martin, Andrea Barlow, Lorretta Stokes and Luanna Young. Linda Schmitt was chosen as an alternate.

October 26, 1989: Members of Wrangell Search and Rescue will be going door to door beginning about noon Sunday to raise money for the volunteer organization. The group lends a helping hand to people in distress and now it needs a helping hand from Wrangellites, according to spokesman Tim Buness. Search and Rescue needs funds for its operating expenses and to buy a $6,000 pump to fight marine fires, Buness said. The group receives no government funds for its work. The only government money it has received was a $10,000 state grant for communication equipment, Buness said. Since Jan. 1 Search and Rescue has had 33 runs. The runs have included assisting with medivacs, diving for missing people, aiding state troopers and rescuing boaters who have run out of gas or whose boats have broken down. According to Buness, Search and Rescue this year has assisted 45 people, and one whale entangled in cable. All of the work costs money, for fuel, chartering airplanes, maintaining equipment and buying equipment. According to Buness, ongoing and operating expenses amount to about $5,000-$8,000 a year. Members of Search and Rescue donate their time and equipment to aid others, and Buness said he hopes Wrangellites can help the organization this Sunday when members knock on doors.

 

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