The Way We Were

July 9, 1922

The Fourth of July has come and gone and one of the most successful Independence Day celebrations that Wrangell has ever known has passed into history. Much of the success of a celebration of this kind depends on the weather, and this year the weather was ideal. The street sports in the afternoon were very much the same as in former years. There were, however, two new sport attractions that aroused the most intense interest. The Tlingit war canoe race was a big drawing card, and it is doubtful if the McCormack dock ever had more people on it at one time. Two genuine war canoes which had been the property of the late Chief Shakes were put into the water for the first time in years. The contest was won by the crew commanded by William Lewis. Richard Suratt, the well-known cinematographer, was aboard one of the canoes and secured some excellent films which will be shown throughout the United States within the next few months.

July 11, 1947

It was reported by Councilman Joyce Hay, who is also acting chairman and secretary of the hospital board, that the local hospital is in bad shape with an outstanding indebtedness of about $5,000. He said Outside supply houses have refused further credit and even local businessmen cannot carry the hospital any longer. Councilman Barlow asked if mismanagement was the trouble and Councilman Hay said that was not the reason. He said people who were hospitalized did not pay their bills, and the bills owed to the hospital exceed the hospital’s indebtedness. Councilman Howard Baltzo pointed out that two years ago the hospital’s debt had been completely cleared, but now it was in worse shape than ever.

July 7, 1972

Alaska Lt. Gov. Red Boucher happened to be nearby when Harold Snoddy was signing up for the Fourth of July log-rolling contest so, naturally, Snoddy signed Boucher up too. “Hey,” said Boucher, “I don’t know how to do that. I’ve never done that.” “Heck,” said Snoddy, “It’s not hard. I’ll lend you some cork boots. You’ll be great.” That was how Boucher, who came here to be a parade marshal in a suit and tie, ended up in old duds and cork boots on a log in Zimovia Strait. How did he do? “They tried hard to keep me on the thing,” said Boucher, “but I ended up in the water six times. And, brother, it was cold.” Boucher said he is going to practice the art for a year, come back next Fourth of July and show Wrangell some fancy stuff. “It’s not hard, really,” said the lieutenant governor. “I just didn’t know what I was doing.”

July 3, 1997

With the retirement of Randy Timothy and Anita Ryll – and for budgetary reasons – the Alaska Department of Fish and Game office in Wrangell is set to close July 31. All applications and information will have to be obtained at the Petersburg office after that date. This year both Wrangell and Haines were at the top of the cut list. Biologist Timothy says he will man the local office whenever he is in town this month, but the days and hours will be irregular. He says it’s possible a six-month position may be opened here, but this could be drawn out by opening just a few days a week. ‘They just don’t feel that there is a big enough demand here,” says Timothy. Wrangell residents, particularly fishermen, already are complaining about losing the office here.