The Way We Were

January 31, 1918:

The next contract for carrying mail from Wrangell to the West Coast points will almost certainly go to Leo McCormack. Mr. McCormack has received notice from the government that his proposal has been accepted. The West Coast mail contract is now held by W.J. Neil, who, it is

understood, was an applicant for the new contract. When seen by the Sentinel reporter Mr.

McCormack stated that the acceptance of a proposal by the government is merely tentative and that until the contract is actually signed there is nothing certain about the matter.

Mr. McCormack was asked concerning what size boat he would use in case he secured the contract. He replied that

primarily he was seeking the mail contract, and that beyond that he would be influenced by the volume of business in sight and the demands of the West Coast trade. When asked if he expected to buy a boat or build one he replied: “Mr. Editor, I have given this mail contract so little thought that I don’t know If I shall use a boat or an airplane.”

January 29, 1943:

Sentinel reporter reports that he has been talking to his pet groundhog up on Mt. Dewey, back of town. Being in a

military zone, Mr. Marmota Momax, commonly known as the groundhog, was reticent to comment at too great length when questioned relative to the following: “I don’t believe it’s any military secret to admit at this time that it has been colder than Hitler’s feet since the Casablanca conference up here on the mountain the last

few weeks. My blood pressure gauge went down to zero a

couple of nights last week and I had to slip down to get a little fuel from Fred and Brad. So

far my pipes have not froze but it’s cost me plenty to prevent it, or is it because I’ve kept the water running? At any rate, I’ve got a hunch, feel it in my bunions.”

February 1, 1968:

Wrangell Schools were back in full operation yesterday, using a double shift system.

Elementary school students are attending classes from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and high school students going from 1 to 5:30 p.m. Only four rooms of the main school building, which was damaged by fire Jan. 21, are being used for classes. School board members and the City Council met in special session Friday to consider occupancy of the building. Councilman Paul Guggenbickler said he thought the building should be closed until the repairs were complete. Councilman Olaf Hansen Jr. reported on an inspection he made of the structure and

recommended that four rooms be used in the downstairs area. He also recommended that the stairways be barricaded.

Councilmen agreed, with Guggenbickler dissenting, that the four rooms should be opened.

January 28, 1993:

The steering system on the M/V Matanuska has been replaced and the vessel has received Coast Guard

certification, according to Alaska Marine Highway System Director Jim Ayers. The new system is undergoing a fine-tuning process while a

technical drawing review is being completed. The vessel, which went out of service in mid December, is scheduled to resume service Feb. 3 from Ketchikan.