The Way We Were

June 19, 1924

President J. Hooper, of the Affiliated Societies, who went up the Stikine River with the Barrington Transportation Co.’s boat, returned on Monday after a week inland. He reports a fine trip, scenery incomparable, a veritable panorama, a moving picture of miles of glaciers and ice-clad mountains, such as no other part of the world affords. He said: “The trip was not only pleasant but had enough thrills to make me feel that it was the big time of the whole tour. We saw some big game, including grizzly and large black bear, and if we had been in the hunting season could have gotten a full bag of caribou, moose, bear and big horn, as well as Rocky Mountain sheep, which the country abounds in. We were held up at the Great Canyon for three days, saw plenty of wild geese, ducks, ptarmigan and more bald-headed eagles than I ever believed existed. The $1 bounty on eagle claws and 50 cents on tail feathers evidently is not depleting the bird of freedom.”

June 17, 1949

Wrangell’s Fourth of July celebration will start with a bang, and a grand and glorious time is promised all, Chairman Don House said today. Festivities will start Saturday night when the American Legion holds its annual Fourth of July dance at the ANB Hall. The Elks will follow Sunday, the third, with their annual holiday dance. The usual races, boat, bike and foot, will be held on the morning of the Fourth, following a parade for which prizes are awarded for best costume. House said a real lively program is being scheduled for the youngsters and a big street dance will be held. Fireworks “bigger and better than ever” said House, will wind up the holiday activities.

July 21, 1974

Reliance Shrimp Co. has processed more shrimp this year since the season began May 1 then was processed during the entire last year. Dave Anderson, a spokesman for the company, attributed the increase in volume to the machine pickers the company recently installed. Anderson said the boats fishing for Reliance are not concentrating so heavily on the larger shrimp, as they did last year. When the company used hand pickers, Anderson said the pickers preferred the larger shrimp because they were paid by the number of pounds picked. The machine can pick both large and small shrimp. The cannery has processed more than 40,000 pounds since May 1, and will continue processing through Feb. 15, 1975, when the season ends, Anderson said.

June 17, 1999

The annual salmon derby is over, and fishermen of all ages reluctantly return to their homes, some, however, bearing broad, relieved smiles. Those happy anglers who brought in the larger fish of the derby will receive hefty cash prizes during the awards ceremony tonight at the Totem Bar. This year’s top prize of $6,000 goes to Arlen Neyman who pulled in a king weighing 50 pounds. Coming in at a close second is LaDonna Shilts, winning $4,000 with her 49.9-pound king. Third place winner is Randy Ferdinand, who gains a $2,000 cash prize for his 48.3-pound catch.