The Way We Were

Dec. 8, 1921

The Catholic church now has a bell. The ceremony connected with its installation took place last week, the dedication being made by Rev. Father Gallant, of Skagway. The bell is one with a history. It was originally installed in Wrangell by Rev. Father Altorf sometime after the organization of the first Catholic church here in 1879. During the 1890s, no priest was located here and for a time work on the church was practically abandoned in Wrangell. It was during this time that the church bell was taken to Juneau. Now, after more than 20 years, it has been returned to Wrangell and its sweet tones are recognized by the old-timers.

Dec. 6, 1946

Mrs. Doris M. Barnes, mayor of Wrangell, took time out this week to express her appreciation to the merchants of Wrangell. The mayor’s statement said: “In the midst of our rush of the holiday season, let us take time to give a word of praise to our merchants and to say ’Thank you.’ First it was shortages, lack of help, untold worrisome regulations, and price controls with which to contend, and now it is the smothering effect of the shipping tie-up which is almost the last straw. All during the war years no chance to lay aside a profit for a rainy day, and now the strike which causes them to lose thousands of dollars. And yet, with a smile, they are trying to serve us. So let us give them a pat on the back and say, ‘Well done, brother.’”

Dec. 10, 1971

The 1971-72 trapping season opened Dec. 1, according to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Trappers may trap beaver, coyote, red fox, lynx, marten, mink, weasel, muskrat, land otter, wolves and wolverine in the Revilla, Prince of Wales and Petersburg-Wrangell areas. A new regulation this year requires that the skins of all wolves and wolverines must be sealed within 60 days from the time of taking. No person may possess, transport or export from Alaska skins of wolves or wolverines unless they have been sealed, said Bob Wood, Ketchikan area game biologist. Beaver skins must also be sealed or tagged by a department representative. Fur export permits must be attached to the outside of any package containing raw skins for wild fur animals or hair seals being shipped, mailed or otherwise transported out of Alaska.

Dec 12, 1996

The Southeast Harvest Divers Association plans to submit a proposal next week to Wrangell’s economic development committee for developing dive fisheries in Southeast. Gig Decker, the group’s president, says there are over 45 divers in Wrangell. Many are former timber workers who have seen a chance to get in on a new industry. In addition, Wrangell has over 400 permit holders fishing everything from halibut to sea cucumbers. The sea cucumber fishery is very healthy, Decker says, but there are additional areas that haven’t been opened because of the Department of Fish and Game’s lack of money for the necessary survey work. Decker’s group also points to the enormous development potential for sea urchins, and horse and pink-neck clams, which could involve onshore processing. The group is asking the city of Wrangell for a commitment on a portion of the two-year project: The first $99,000 would provide the personnel to complete an action plan, which is the immediate funding need. Then $2.4 million would fund the assessment and management of regional dive fisheries until legislative funding can be obtained.