The Way We Were

December 12, 1918

Wrangell celebrated Britain Day Saturday with a whole-hearted enthusiasm that made the occasion one to be remembered. In the business section British flags mingled everywhere with the Stars and Stripes and at noon all stores closed for the balance of the day.

Elaborate arrangements for the evening’s entertainment had been made and a large gathering was assembled at Redmen Hall.

A chorus of young ladies consisting of the Misses Irene Coulter, Marjorie Schauffer, Hattie Anderson and Florence Billion with Miss Ruther Lindman at the piano led the singing of the Star Spangled Banner as the opening number. Mayor Matheson who was to preside at the meeting was unable to be present owing to a sudden indisposition and F. E. Bronson took his place.

December 10, 1943

Annual Christmas Seal sales have to date brought in $260.00 in Wrangell to help swell the Territorial funds used in combating tuberculosis in the Territory, according to Mrs. E. M. Campbell, Tuberculosis Drive chairman. The money is to be used to help provide wider education, earlier diagnosis, better treatment and more hospitals to care for victims of the disease. This is the largest amount that Wrangell has raised for the drive in recent years.

George T. Barrett, Principal of Wrangell Institute, announces that students of that institution donated $92.00 toward the fund and Mrs. Campbell says that those still wishing to contribute toward his worthy cause may yet do so. Contributions should be sent to Mrs. Campbell in care of Campbell Bros. store.

December 12, 1968

Wrangell residents will be seeing the Angel Gabriel this Christmas season.

This year’s six-cent Christmas stamp will reproduce a portion of “The Annunciation” by Jan Van Eyck, the great 15th century Flemish artist. The painting is one of the major works in the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.

December 12, 1993

Wrangell’s Native community is still seeking leads on the whereabouts of a piece of century-old totem removed while the pole was in storage.

A raven carving was removed from one totem pole stored in the basement of the Wrangell Institute, according to Marge Byrd, president of the Indian Reorganization Act.

Byrd said that the totem pole was stored, along with others, for about five years. She said the raven could have been removed at any time during that period. The top of the pole was also vandalized, but Byrd said it is thought that it can be repaired.

The missing raven, which was part of a totem pole Byrd said was carved sometime in the 19th century, is primarily black, but has some blue paint on it as well. Byrd said no monetary value could be placed on the missing carving. “It came off a pole that’s an original, so it’s very valuable, not only as an artifact, but very valuable to the Tlingit people of Wrangell as part of their heritage,” Byrd explained.

 

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