The Way We Were

August 1, 1918

When Mr. and Mrs. T. J. Case gave a dance at the Rink a few weeks ago for a smoke fund for the Wrangell boys who are serving their country, they realized from the evening’s entertainment the sum of $69.

Mr. Case has presented the Sentinel with a report of the apportionment of the amount which incidentally reveals the fact that there are 23 Wrangell men in the service at the present time. The tobacco fund, which the Case family raised, has been divided equally among them.

July 30, 1943

Carol M. Ferguson of Wrangell has begun training at the First Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps Training Center at Fort Des Moines, Iowa.

She was immediately assigned to a Receiving Center company for a week of elementary training. Here she was issued clothing and equipment, instructed in rudiments of drill, and given Army classification tests.

For the following four weeks, she will be assigned to a Basic company for more detailed training preparing her to replace a man in a non-combat Army job.

July 25, 1968

City officials this week were awaiting final inspections by state and federal agencies of the new Wrangell General Hospital.

The 12-bed facility-which cost approximately $589,000- will replace Bishop Rowe Hospital. The present hospital was completed in 1925. It was completed by the Episcopal Church.

The city is attempting to sell the Bishop Rowe Hospital building. City Administrator Clayton Schmitt said two or three prospective buyers had contacted the city about the building. Hospital staff members will be able to move into the new facility as soon as it is inspected by the U.S. Public Health Service and the state Department of Health and Welfare.

August 5, 1993

The Presbyterian Church of Wrangell recently opened a hostel for travelers at the church.

For $10 a night, travelers may stay for “about three days” depending on the ferry schedule, said Kristi Hunt, who is the volunteer director in charge of family and youth ministry for the church.

Hunt said as many as eight guests at a time had used the hostel since it was opened a few weeks ago. It can accommodate as many as 20 people at a time. There is one room for men and one for women, as well as limited accommodations for married couples.

Although doors are locked at 11 p.m., the hostel is “open” from 5 p.m. to 9 a.m. seven days a week, Hunt said. No smoking, drugs or alcohol is allowed.

Guests get to use the showers and the kitchen, “but they have to clean up after themselves,” Hunt said.

Hunt, who trained in Skagway to operate the hostel, said the church stated it as “a mission to travelers and a source of income.” There is no conflict with church use of the facilities, she said.

Hunt emphasized that the hostel is “not a shelter for the homeless” as some people had believed.