The Way We Were

August 5, 1920

The Wilson & Sylvester mill, located in the heart of the Tongass forest reserve at Wrangell, has secured from the department the largest cutting right ever given an Alaskan sawmill concern. The cutting right will allow the big Wrangell Narrows concern to expand for the export trade, which has been the ambition of Alaska sawmill men for years. The Wilson & Sylvester Mill company is the pioneer

lumber concern of Alaska. Starting over 20 years ago the mill continued until the

death of the originators, when it was for several years the cause of expensive litigation in connection with the closing up of estates. Eventually the mill burned and new people secured a controlling

interest. During the past two years the mill has been run to its full capacity, and

enjoys an excellent

reputation along the coast of Alaska.

August 10, 1945

Earl West, pioneer back-channel farmer and well known humorist, was in town this week on his annual visit. He came in one day and left the following afternoon, declaring “this city life was too much of a strain.“ West has written many humorous poems and songs during his 40 or so years as a resident of this area, many of which have been published in the Sentinel.

August 6, 1970

Seven British Columbian mountaineers were back in Wrangell this week after scaling eight peaks on the mainland, including Devil’s Thumb and Kate’s Needle. “ The expedition,” said Martin Kafer, 43 , who was accompanied on the climbs by his wife, “was a success. Except for two days of bad weather at first, the weather was ideal. We accomplished pretty much what we set out to do.” Kafer said the expedition split up to conquer as many peaks as possible during their two-week schedule. They were flown to Shake’s Lake by floatplane pilot Chuck Traylor and Traylor later supplied their base camp at the confluence of Shakes, Le Conte and Patterson glaciers with an air drop. Kafer said the assaults on the summits of Kate’s Needle and Devil’s Thumb went well. Both mountains had been climbed before but the Canadian expedition this time found a new route (the south ridge) up Kate’s Needle, Kafer said. Mrs. Kafer, an experienced climber, said the sun shone hot during much of the climbing.

August 10, 1995

Artistic Basketry of Faye Kohrt is on display at the Shoppe, one of the “Windows of Wrangell” displays. Kohrt, a Choctaw Indian from Oklahoma has lived in Wrangell for 15 years, beginning to weave baskets in 1988. She considers basketry her sole occupation, but fortunately for aspiring artisans, she does find time to teach others to weave.

Other artists and crafts practitioners on display in the program are at the following locations: textiles by Kathy St. Clair at Tearesa’s, watercolors by Brenda Schwartz at Wrangell Drug, textiles by Paula Rak at Wrangell

Drug, pen and ink illustrations by Linda Churchill at Benjamin’s, photography by LaDonna Ollivant at City Market, oil painting by Joyce Phillips at Diamond C, woodworking by Bill King at Angerman’s Special Tees, pottery by Ira Merrill at Angerman’s, stained glass by Chuck Larson at Harding’s Sourdough Lodge, jewelry by Cindy Sweat at GTE, paintings by Charlotte Highbargain at the Dockside and bronze sculpture by Cindy Martin at Ullmaaq.