The Way We Were

Dec. 13, 1923

Red Campbell of the Mountain City Athletic Club has arranged with Mickey Prescot to train the latter, and believes that he will prove the best boxer in Alaska for his class. “The kid is game; he has brains and an almost perfect physical development. He is quick as a cat and at the same time well muscled. Once he is trained to put his whole weight behind his blows, it will require a first-class man to stand up against him. Take it from me, that kid is a wonder. All he needs is proper training and coaching.” Red said today.

Dec. 10, 1948

The monthly Well Baby Conference will be held Friday, Dec. 17, from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Federal Building. Dr. J. O. Bangeman, health officer, will be present to examine and immunize children. To emphasize the importance and need for protection against diphtheria and smallpox, the following facts are given: In 1910, 21 out of 100,000 people died of diphtheria; in 1915, 16 out of 100,000; in 1930, five; and in 1935, just three. When every baby in the U.S. is protected against diphtheria, health officials pointed out, there will be no deaths from diphtheria to report.

Dec. 12, 1973

Wrangell faced even further tightening of the fuel oil shortage this week with the announcement by Union Oil Distributor Sam Privett that Union’s allocations have gone to 85% of the amount of oil sold per-customer in 1972. Previously, Privett had been under directives from his company to limit his customers to a 100% allocation on Number 1 diesel and a 93% allocation on Number 2. Privett said orders came through late last week on the stricter controls “and threw all my figuring off.” Privett said the shortage reportedly was caused when Union Oil was requested by the government to provide fuel for Navy ships which can no longer fuel at certain foreign ports. He said the 85% allocation is expected to remain in effect “indefinitely.”

Dec. 10, 1998

The annual Education Fair again brought with it wet weather and slick streets, but anxious crowds still arrived early at the doors of the community gym to attend the popular event. This year’s fair on Saturday, Dec. 5, was sponsored by the sophomore class, Schools-to-Work and the Wrangell School District. Over 47 booths were on display with a variety of games, gifts and information on subjects such as sushi making, origami, marine safety, sobriety tests, the internet, stepping inside a real bubble and computer games for hands-on participation. According to Janelle Privett, approximately 400 people were present at the fair throughout the day.