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1938 Vashon Island News-Record Summary (Mike Sudduth)

January 1938

January 6, 1938

• Inmate of Good Will Farm Takes Life Sunday Night – Goaded by the fear of tuberculosis, and already a hopeless cripple and a paralytic, Franklin Rice, 24, took his life Sunday evening at the Good Will Farm which had been his home for the past several years.  Quiet and appreciative well-mannered and considerate, the young man had been a model inmate at the Farm.  He was extremely sensitive regarding his crippled condition, and grew very melancholy when a cold and bad cough failed to yield to treatment.  His father called from Seattle, stated that his son had discussed suicide for a number of year.  He had hoped that the good care his son was receiving at the Farm would produce a more cheerful aspect on life, but he was not unprepared for the news of the young man’s death.  Surviving members of the family include a father, a brother in Seattle and a sister in the Middle West.

• Our New Year’s Babies – The city dailies have made a great to-do over the first babies born during 1938, but we feel that while our babies are not flesh and blood children they are just as much to crow over as those the city papers are making a fuss over.  Any country editor will agree that among the sweetest things in life is the subscriber who never grouses about the paper; who never tells him that the editorials he writes are rotten; who phones in bits of news; who applies the theory of “live and let live,” even to editors.  But sweeter than all of these is the subscriber who doesn’t wait to receive a bill; who knows that there is a subscription price and what it is, and just naturally sends in his subscription when it is due.  So we say “Long life and a happy one” to Mrs. A. Kragh of Cedarhurst and Mrs. Henriette Barnes, on Quartermaster Hill.  Theirs were the first 1938 subscriptions to reach us and NEITHER WERE DUE.  Mrs. Barnes had another 24 hours before her subscription lapsed, and Mrs. Kragh’s was not due until the first of July.  So, if anyone doubts our word that these two subscriptions were not the finest New Year’s babies any paper ever received they’ll have one almighty big argument on their hands.  We thank you, Mrs. Kragh and Mrs. Barnes.  May your New Year be as happy as you, through your generous gestures have made ours.

• Home From California – Mr. and Mrs. K.K. Prigg and Larry arrived home Sunday evening from a delightful 10 days spent in California with relatives and friends.  They encountered few bad roads, and the trip was enjoyable from start to finish.  Going south by way of the coast they visited in Los Angeles and vicinity.  In Pasadena they visited relatives of Mr. Prigg, and with other relatives and friends in Santa Monica, Long Beach, Redondo and San Fernando.  Coming home by way of Oakland and San Francisco they enjoyed all that phase the trip had to offer, added to which was the thrill of the scenic redwoods.  From first to last it was a holiday trip that furnished a mighty fine Christmas treat.

• Japanese Patrons Hostesses – Japanese patrons of the Vashon Grammar school will serve as hostesses at the regular meeting of the P.T.A., to be held on Tuesday afternoon, January 11.  The book review will be given at one o’clock and the business meeting and program will begin promptly at 2.  All members are urged to be present.

• Usher Out Old Year – Ushering out the old and greeting the new year in the customary manner, Mr. and Mrs. Bert Stanley entertained a group of friends last Saturday evening.  Included among the guests were Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Poultney, Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth J. VanHouse, Mr. and Mrs. George Davis and Mr. and Mrs. Rolf Petterson.

• Achievement Award – Ralph Barnes of Portage is very happy over news from Maine that his grandson, Robert, has been chosen as scholarship and personality at Bowdoin College.

• Sunshine Club To Meet – The Sunshine club will hold its regular monthly meeting on Friday, January 6 at the home of Mrs. Ruth Reifschneider.  A dessert luncheon will be served at 1 o’clock.

• Island Lads To Search For New, Rare Orchids – Ferguson Beall and Don Canfield To Leave Tuesday For South American Countries For Indefinite Period – To the ordinary person an orchid spells a dent in the pocketbook.  To the sweet, young thing, it spells glamour, and romance principally because it is an indication that a desirable young man is “that way” about her.  But if anyone wants to hear facts that sound like the year’s best seller, he need only to get Ferguson Beall wound up on his favorite subject – orchids – and his listener will soon be sitting on the edge of his chair all atwitter with the romance, glamour and wonder that lies back of that slick creation that perches more often in the florist’s window than in the real life of most of us.  To hear Fergie tell of the mode of living of the orchid is something.  Many labor under the false impression that it is a parasite, living on nutriment drawn from its host.  As a matter of fact an orchid is a saprophyte and feeds on what it draws from the air.  Often an orchid will be apparently of little account.  If it is thrown out and lands on a bare board it is quite possible that it will send out strong, fibrous roots, and live in spite of man.  The orchid is temperamental, and while some prefer women, the orchid can have more fits of temperament than any shrew.  It may be treated gently and considerably, yet refuse to thrive.  On the other hand it may be tossed about, treated roughly yet will do well in spite of it.  It cannot stand sun or hot water pipes and under certain conditions demands a cool temperature.  The layman might just as well cast away all preconceived notions about orchid culture for when Ferguson gets through giving you the facts in the case you are almost sure to have been wrong unless you have done some extensive reading on the subject.  It is not generally known, we believe, that the Beall Greenhouse Company has a rather fine lot of orchid plants growing here on Vashon Island.  About the time that Ferguson entered Oregon State college, after attending the University of Washington, he became fascinated by the vastness of the possibility in the field of orchid culture.  Short courses at Ohio State college and at Cornell, and contacts with various enthusiasts and experts in the field further heightened the lad’s enthusiasm, and next week he will start on the biggest adventure of his life, pursuing the orchid in its native lair.  With Don Canfield, who has been trained for just such a jaunt by his work in the forestry service, Ferguson will leave next Tuesday for San Francisco by train.  From Frisco they will go by steamer to some point in Panama, and from there by plane to Bogota, Colombia.  From then on their mode of travel will be by mule train, with native guides into the interior, always on the lookout for the newer and rarer types of orchids.  In order to secure these plants, some of which are so large that it takes two men to pack them out, require arduous labor.  The orchid grows usually in the jungles, about 200 feet off the ground, in the shade near the top of the trees.  Guarded by swarms of fierce ants, which compare to our hornets the orchids can be obtained only by felling the tree.  For three months or possibly longer Fergie and Don will seek for new types in Colombia and Venezuela.  There are two types of orchids – those which grow in the jungle and those which grow in the highlands, sometimes not far distant from snow line.  The boys plan to hunt both types, and if their plans do not miscarry will go to the headwaters of the Amazon.  Nor is the securing of fine plants the entire story.  For these plants must first be cured and packed, which is a science all in itself; they must then be sent to the coast, fumigated with cyanide under vacuum, then shipped under correct conditions.  Just a shade too much heat, too much dampness, too much air or not enough – a hundred and one conditions in curing, packing and shipping may defeat the purpose of one who seeks the new type of this beautiful, exotic blossom.  Most lads contemplating a trip of this nature would be walking in a daze, but Fergie and Don are busy in making last minute preparations, unwinding red tape, getting this and that kind of shot, reading up on some new danger which they may meet, studying and practicing Spanish, and to top it all Fergie went in to Seattle this (Wednesday) morning to inspect and receive – what do you think?  Nothing more or less than a shipment of four cases of orchid plants from Central America.  And he was as much concerned about their safe arrival as though he were already selecting them in the jungles or on the slopes of the Andes.

• Items of Interest:

• Friends and relatives were glad that Howard Collings is a crack shot when they helped his consume the turkey he won in the big Sportsmen’s club shoot cooked to a queen’s taste by his mother, Mrs. H. Collings.  Guests on Sunday were Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Steen and two sons, and Mrs. Amy Erickson and Mary Anne.

• The Harrington children feel sorry for all other youngsters on the Island.  Their New Year’s give was a new baby brother, quite the nicest present they could possibly have received.  We understand he is to be “Deb, Jr.” and if he is as good a carpenter as Deb the elder he will be a great builder for the future.

• Mrs. Lou Morse left this week for Portland, Oregon, to attend the wedding of her niece, Miss Lucille Wood, to James O’Niel, of Missoula, Montana.  Miss Wood has spent a number of vacations here with her aunt and has made many friends here.  Mr. and Mrs. O’Niel will make their future home in Missoula.

• Dr. and Mrs. W.L. Ellis had as their New Year’s guests Mrs. Ellis’ brother and sister-in-law Mr. and Mrs. R.A. Alexander and Mrs. Alexander’s daughter and grandchildren, Mrs. J. Marquand, Rosemary and Betty Jean, all of Seattle.

• We failed to note the fact among our many holiday items that Mrs. Amy Erickson and children were dinner guests of Mr. and Mrs. John Ober and family on Christmas.

• Mr. and Mrs. Ross Magowan and Donald left Thursday for their home in Gordon, Nebraska.  They motored out to spend the holidays with relatives in Seattle and on the Island.

• Mrs. John Metzenberg and Mrs. H. C. Cronander spent Monday in Seattle, and assisted Mrs. Nellie Edensward, Mrs. Metzenberg’s mother, in the proper observance of her birthday.

• Friends and schoolmates of his youth are happy for the opportunity to meet and greet Denzil Cutler, who is spending the holiday with his mother, Mrs. Nancy Cutler, and his brother, Reginald.  Denzil is enjoying a vacation from his duties in Hollywood as sound engineer for R.K.O.

• Mr. and Mrs. Carl Siegrist entertained at a jolly family party on New Year’s Eve.  Their guests included Mr. Siegrist’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. D.S. Siegrist, of Seattle, Mr. and Mrs. Alden Walls, Mr. and Mrs. Ray Campbell and Stuart, and Albert Corbin.

• Mrs. William Scales, Sr., is reported to be quite ill and will be confined to her bed for at least a month.  Her son, Charles A. Brown, of Victor, Colorado, who was here for the holidays, left this week returning home via Los Angeles, Calif.

• The F.L. and T. Club met Tuesday afternoon at the home of Mrs. George McCormick for their first meeting of the new year.  A dessert luncheon was served at one o’clock, with Mrs. Garner Kimmel and Mrs. Paul Thorsen assisting Mrs. McCormick.

• The Rodda family enjoyed their New Year’s dinner with their father, J.H. Rodda, at Center.  Those present were Mr. and Mrs. H.N. Rodda and Jack, and Mr. and Mrs. L.S. Rodda, Louis, Jr., and Charlene.

• Mr. and Mrs. W.D. Garvin left Sunday for the sunny south.  They plan to be gone for at least three months, and have taken an apartment in Long Beach.  Miss Nina Garvin will take care of their home during their absence.

• Shirley Colman of Hay Springs, Nebraska, a student at the University of Washington, spent New Year’s here with the Magowans and other relatives.

• Mr. and Mrs. Walter Knight spent New Year’s day in Seattle, visiting Mr. and Mrs. Frank Cotter and calling on other friends.

• Mothers, Daughters, Enjoy Their Annual Get-Together – An annual affair to which a number of mothers and daughters look forward with anticipation is the party staged each year near Christmas by the “Shipley girls,” who are beloved of all contemporary West Siders.  Although the Shipley family left here some years ago, the loyalty of Ethelyn, Dorothy and Jean (Mrs. Larry Hoffman), has never been transplanted.  This year on the Wednesday following Christmas the mothers and daughters fortunate to be present were entertained at an 11:30 brunch.  Those present were Mrs. Siegrist and daughters, Mrs. Flora Anderson, Mrs. Florence Lindberg; Mrs. Allie Goodchild and Mrs. Albert K. Guy; Mrs. Reeves and Mrs. Martin Larsen.  Great amusement was produced by a hat modeling contest, in which Mrs. Sigrist was adjudged the most effective model.  On account of the conditions of the Ober road, which had been washed out by heavy rains, Mrs. John Ober and daughters were unable to attend the party, much to their regret.

• More Than 40 Years Ago (From “The Vashon Island Press of August 25, 1896.) This weekly was edited by O.S. VanOlinda.  Among the societies listed were M.E. Church, pastors, Rev. H.G. Ward and C.L. Hanson; Baptist Church, Rev. S.W. Beaven, pastor; J.C. Sickles Post No. 57 G.A.R., A. Cristman, commander; W.R.C., Mrs. J.T. Blackburn, president; International Order of Good Templars, J.N. Robb, C.T.  A few news items included were:

• Vermontville – Ed Mace has gone to work on the steamer Glide, having engaged as fireman for a while.

• West Glen – Statelen Bros., who own the model farm of West Glen, possess a splendid lot of choice fruit trees that have been well taken care of.  This model farm is West Glen’s best advertisement and shows what wonders can be accomplished by perseverance, energy and skill, and a judicious expenditure of money in converting the forest and jungles of Vashon into gardens of surprising fertility and excellence.

• Quartermaster – Fred Sherman is finishing up his house and burning his slashing.  It really looks, Fred – well, it’s all right anyway.  Hon. M.F. Hatch recently attended a meeting in Puyallup.

• Hazel-Brae – Mr. Carr, late owner of the shingle mill place, has returned to the Island again after a three-year sojourn in the South.  He intends purchasing a few acres on the Island and thinks there is no place to be compared with Vashon and Puget Sound in general.

• Aquarium – Salmon trout are quite plentiful.  Deer are a little more scarce.  Dr. and Mrs. Pomeroy and Mrs. Genie Clarke Pomeroy rowed up and took lunch with the Fishes last Friday.

• Burton – M.F. Shaw is making a great improvement on his place, Magnolia Farm, thus giving employment to quite a number of men around here.  Messrs. Allen and Willis Hatch are running the shingle mill.  About seven men are employed.

• Lisabeula – Our burg has been full of visitors this week.  Mr. Gudmansen of Tacoma was visiting Mr. J.T. Hammersmark.  Also Miss Solwold of the same place.

• General News – The steamer Flyer collided with the Utopia Thursday morning about five miles this side of Tacoma.  The cause was thick fog.  It is reported that the Greyhound ran on the beach above Seattle the same morning.

• Local Mention – C.S. Tilton is on the list of delegates to the Republican state convention.  A silver rally is billed for Friday evening at Fuller’s hall.  Judge Orange Jacobs of Seattle, and Hon. G.W. Thompson of Tacoma will open the eyes of the people.

• Burton P.T.A. – The regular monthly meeting of the Burton P.T.A. will be held at the schoolhouse on Wednesday, January 12, at 2 o’clock.

• High School P.T.A. – The regular meeting of the Vashon Island high school P.T.A.

• Celebrate Anniversary – Mr. and Mrs. Walter Knight believe that they have started the New Year off in the proper manner 17 years ago by being married.  They still believe it was the smart thing to do, and so they invited in a few kindred souls to assist them in the observance of the very important anniversary.  Among those present were Mr. and Mrs. Ed Lande and their house guest, Miss Helen Donovan, of Seattle, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Smith, also of Seattle, and Ralph Thomas of Venezuela, South America, who remained over the weekend.

• Billingsleys Entertain – Mr. and Mrs. Paul Billingsley entertained at a lovely New Year’s Eve bridge party.  Decorations of table and house were in keeping with the season and provided a charming atmosphere.  Those who enjoyed the evening with Mr. and Mrs. Billingsley were Mr. and Mrs. J.C. Gabourel, Mr. and Mrs. W.M. Beall and Mr. and Mrs. Coy Meredith.

• D.A.R. To Meet Saturday – Mrs. David Cowan and Mrs. John Farrington will be hostess to members of Elizabeth Bixby Chapter D.A.R. at a one o’clock luncheon on Saturday, January 8, at the Island club.  On the program which will follow the luncheon Miss Marjorie Stanley will give a paper on “Radio and Its Influence on Current Opinion.”

• To Occupy Pulpit – On Sunday next, January 9, the pulpit of the Vashon Presbyterian church will be filled by Rev. H. Bailey of Black Diamond.  Through the resignation of Rev. George McDonald the church is now without a pastor.  Rev. Bailey is a candidate for the position.

• Smullin-Swenson – Announcement has been made of the marriage of Evelyn Smullin of Concordia, Kansas, and Sam Swenson, of Cove, which took place December 21 in Tacoma.  Mr. and Mrs. Swenson are living at Center.

• Auxiliary Will Meet – The Auxiliary of the V.F.W. will meet at 8 o’clock on Thursday evening January 6th at the Vashon Grammar school.

• Local News

• The Garvin and Curtis families of Ellisport were kept busy over New Year’s celebrating birthdays.  On Friday evening Mrs. Curtis and Alfred were dinner guests at the Garvin home, celebrating the birthday of Frank Garvin, and on New Year’s Day the same group of friends dined at the Curtis home, in celebration of Edward Garvin’s birthday.  The Garvins had also as their New Year’s Eve guests, Mr. and Mrs. Hofmeister and Orabelle.  Mr. and Mrs. Hofmeister were dinner guest of Mrs. Curtis and Alfred on Sunday, winding up a busy and happy holiday season.

• Due to almost criminal of some other kind of negligence we failed to make note of the fact that Mr. and Mrs. George Davis were among those celebrating wedding anniversaries on, or near, Christmas.  In honor of the important event they entertained at dinner on December 26, Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth J. VanHouse and Mr. and Mrs. Bert Stanley.

• On Saturday Mrs. George Davis, Mrs. Bessie Beall and Frank Kingsbury spent the day at Gig Harbor, where they visited their uncle.

• Lena Ljubich, of Dockton, returned from a two-month’s trip through California, arriving home the day before Christmas.

• High School News

• Honor Society – The first meeting of the honor society was held on Tuesday, December 21.  Officers elected were Margie Rees, president; Arnold Hartvigsen, vice-president; Jack Petersen, secretary.  The following students are eligible for the organization this year: Seniors: Charlotte Anderson, George Smith, John Smith, Dot Wight, Margaret Rees, Joe Little, Melvin Anderson and Martha Fukioka.  Juniors: Robert Calhoon, James Cronander, Francis Eddy, Helen Harmeling, Arnold Hartvigsen, June Hayes, Elsie Kimmel, Harry Livers, Margaret Spalding, Marie Therkelsen, Don Urquhart, Toyoko Yoshida, Beverly Moore and Phillip Wiggerhaus.  Sophomores: Shirley Blekkink, Marie Johansen, Lawrence Larson, Grace Matsumoto, Winifred McPherson, Jack Petersen, Judith Shride, Richard Shride and Betty Mae Wilder.

• P.T.A. Dance – On the eve of December 22 the P.T.A. sponsored a dance for the benefit of the younger set.  A work of appreciation is extended to the Island orchestra for their fine performance.  Needless to say a good time was had by all, but now let us see the opinion of those present.  Dot Wight says, “Swell, should have been more of them;”  Bud Soike says, “Swell,” Margie Rees, “The best dance we have had in ages,” Tom Bacchus smilingly says, “I had a wonderful time and I am sure everyone else did.”  This, although representative of only a few of those present, is typical of the comments of those attending.  During the intermission, refreshments were served.  It is hoped that these dances will be continued; so if dancing is your hobby or chief form of amusement here is a chance to do some lobbying for it.

• Girl’s Club – Miss Mary Price, the physical education teacher from Emerson School of Seattle, had kindly consented to come and talk to the Girl’s club.  Her subject will be “Personal Hygiene.”  She will come Monday, January 10, during the 6th period.  This is the second speaker the Girl’s Club have been fortunate to hear this year.

• Sportsmen’s Club Notes

• With George Davis at the throttle of Vashon Island Sportsmen’s “hot shot express” begins its 1938 run this Friday evening at the Island club.  According to Mr. Davis all passengers will be made members of the crew.  Stops will be made for fishing, trap-shooting and hunting and the popular sports derbies.  Near the end of the run the “carnival” car and the venison “diner” will be added to the string.  There will be continuous entertainment in the smoker and education in the observation car.  In order to get full value for the fare all customers are urged to climb aboard at the first stop.

• The ladies are having their inning.  On Friday evening all who are interested in a feminine sports organization will gather at the home of Vera (Mrs. E.E.) McCormick to concentrate on the situation.  That the new group will have an enthusiastic beginning was evidenced when many attended the ladies’ night recently held by the men’s organization. 

• The men’s quartet made its initial appearance at the last session and scored an immediate hit with the audience.  Lloyd (Professor) McElvain, Elmer (Alibi) Harmeling, (Architect) Parrish and (Super-salesman) Poultney compose the group with Mrs. Parrish as accompanist.  The meeting also featured a spelling match between the ladies and the men and as to who won – well, the men weren’t trying very hard.

• Sportsmen are going through the usual mid-winter slump in outdoor activity with the exception of the rabid anglers.  Good catches of blackmouth salmon are being made at Mukilteo and Point Defiance with Elliott Bay yielding an occasional large one.

• Local Items of Interest

• Mr. and Mrs. Paul Billingsley, Jr., and Paul III were over from Seattle to spend Christmas with the small Paul’s grandparents.

• Miss Constance Beall returned to her duties in Corvallis as librarian at Oregon State College, after a holiday visit with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. W.M. Beall.

• Mr. and Mrs. Robert Fletcher had as their New Year’s guests Mr. Fletcher’s mother, Mrs. S.J. Fletcher and Mr. and Mrs. William Carrie and daughter, Jane, all of Seattle.

• Sherburne Heath returned Sunday to Walla Walla to resume his studies at Whitman college.

• Mrs. J.B. Oberg, of Mount Vernon, is spending several weeks with her daughter, Mrs. C.G. Kimmel and family.

• New Year’s and weekend guests at the J.S. King home were Mr. and Mrs. W. Hoyt, of Des Moines.

• Warren Duclos of Tacoma spent Sunday with his aunt, Mrs. H.B. Menees and family.

• Friends will be glad to learn that John Marshall is recovering from his recent illness and is able to be up and about part of the time.

• Mr. and Mrs. Charles Morford had as their weekend guests Mr. and Mrs. V.D. McHugh, of California.

• Don Paton is home again after spending the holidays with friends in Seattle.

• Carl Wick, Jr. enjoyed a pleasant vacation in Seattle, where he visited his aunts, Mrs. Clifford Shea and Mrs. Glenn Smith.

• Miss Ruth Kirk, of Bellingham, was the guest of Mrs. Elizabeth Reeves during the holiday vacation.

• Little Bobby Blekkink is unable to attend school this week, being confined to the house with a cold.

• Miss Helen Donovan of Seattle spent New Year’s and the weekend with Mr. and Mrs. Ed Lande.

• Mrs. M.L. Tjomsland, Bob and Alice, of Olympia, were weekend guests of Mr. and Mrs. Digby Williams.

• Mrs. Martin T. Larsen and sons are expected to arrive this week from Everett.  They will spend some time with Mrs. Larsen’s mother, Mrs. Elizabeth Reeves, while Rev. Larsen is in California on official business.

• Mrs. S.W. Heath was delightfully surprised on New Year’s Eve by the unexpected arrival of her sister, Mrs. John Bauer, and Mr. Baner, of Walla Wall.  They remained over the weekend.

• New Year and weekend guests at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Vern Bethea included Mr. and Mrs. I.H. Lawson, Miss Eileen Martin, G.H. Martin and L.P. Duback, all of Camas, Mr. and Mrs. Ed Reinseth, Patricia and Doloris, all of Seattle.

• Mrs. G. Lindberg spent several days this week in Tacoma with her daughter, Mrs. Eric Statton and family.

• Cove – Cedarhurst and Colvos News by Clara Dahlgren

• Mrs. C.B. Andersen entertained the Mission Aid society last Thursday.  The house was beautiful with Christmas decorations, and a delicious candlelight supper was served which included all the Scandinavian Christmas delicacies.

• Ralph Johansen returned to California Monday after spending the holidays here with his relatives.

• Myrtle Madison spent the New Year weekend with her mother.

• Mr. and Mrs. Omar Rockness and Charles returned on Sunday to their home in Seattle, after spending the holidays with their parents.

• Mrs. Sarvold entertained at luncheon last Thursday the Misses Norma, Esther and Dorothy Petersen, Mrs. Petersen and Harvey.  It was in honor of her daughter Mrs. Valbory Raaum, who returned to Everett after spending a few days at home.

• Norma, Esther and Dorothy Petersen returned to school in Nampa, Idaho, after spending the holidays at home.

• The Bangs and Samuelson families are moving Tuesday to Seattle where they will live.

• Bertha and Marilyn Johansen spent the past few days visiting the Johansen family.

• Mr. and Mrs. John Lundberg visited friends in Seattle over the New Year weekend.

• To wind up a festive holiday season, several people entertained friends and relatives on New Year’s Day for dinner.  The Omans entertained the Sundbergs and Al Paulson families; Johansens entertained the Jacobsen and Sovold families; the Sarvolds entertained the J.E. Jensen family; the Fjeldals entertained the Ahlquists, and the Alfred Edwards family enjoyed dinner with the Carl Edwards family.  Sadie was home for the weekend.

• Carol Fingeroth returned to Seattle after spending her Christmas vacation with her grandmother.  Mrs. Wicklund went with her to stay a couple of days.

• Next Thursday Mrs. Sigrist will entertain the Methodist Ladies Aid at the M.E. church.  Everybody is invited to attend.

• Announcement – The Farmers’ Mutual Insurance Co., of Enumclaw, Washington, hereby announce the appointment of A.D. Urquhart of Vashon as their representative for Vashon Island.

• Burton News by Miss Catherine Goldie, Phone Red 1092

• Dr. Frank H. Grandy has closed his Burton office.

• Mrs. J.C. Gabourel entertained members of the Burton Contract club on Monday afternoon.

• Miss Winifred Wood spent New Year’s Day and the weekend at “Woodhurst.”

• J.H. Quinlan has returned from a visit of several weeks with his family in Tacoma.

• Miss Opal Ackhurst returned Sunday night to her school on the Mountain highway after spending the vacation with her mother, Mrs. Minnie Ackhurst.

• Glenn Polhamus spent part of his school vacation visiting his aunt, Miss Jolly Glenn in Seattle.

• The Akehurst family were dinner guests at the Bert Cristman home on New Year’s Day.

• Mrs. C.L. Jackson who has had charge of Dr. Grandy’s office for the past three years moved into her home east of Burton on Monday.

• Le Roy Parish made a business trip to Tacoma on Monday.

• Edward Van DeVanter, who is a patient at the Veterans hospital, at Walla Walla, spent Christmas with his family at “Rose Bank.”

• Mr. and Mrs. Fenwick Graham and family and Mr. Graham’s son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Ferguson and their baby, all of Tacoma, spent New Year’s Day at “Woodhurst” with Mr. Graham’s uncle, W.E. Bambrick and his sister, Mrs. Sadie E. Musgrave, who is here from Columbia, Mo.

• Miss Mabel Bell returned Monday from a visit of two weeks with her sister in Tacoma.

• Mrs. Gordon moved from Woodhurst cottage to Seattle Sunday.

• The Larsen family have moved into the Root home east of Burton.

• The obituary of William George Greer was published.

• Maury News

• Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Halson (Estelle McPherson) and baby son, Louis Martyn, spent Christmas and New Year’s Day at the McPherson home.  Mrs. Halson and baby stayed through the week.

• Lloyd, Lillian, Julia and Eleanor Larsen were home for the holidays.

• Mr. and Mrs. A.M. Rivers and Kenneth were guests of Mr. and Mrs. Kendric Rivers in Bremerton Christmas Day.

• Miss Elsie Merry spent her holidays at home with her parents.

• Dr. Nelle Parker Jones and Miss Katherine Parker spent Christmas in Seattle with friends.

• Mr. and Mrs. A.B. Robinson left just before Christmas to spend the holidays in Goldendale with Mrs. Robinson’s sister.

• N.C. Larsen of Seattle spent Christmas with his son and family, the L.H. Larsens.

• Mrs. Norvella Peterson and children, and Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Willson and baby son, spent the holidays at the Hancock home.

• Miss June Hayes spent several days of her vacation visiting friends in Seattle.

• Mrs. Arnold Halson entertained at luncheon on Thursday the Misses Eleanor Larsen, Elsie Merry and Lois Williams and the Mesdames Helen Jolly and Grace Willson.

• The Jake Martindale family of Vashon have moved into the Billington place on Maury.  We are glad to have them as neighbors again.

• The Larsen family were pleasantly surprised on Christmas morning to receive a long distance phone call from Minot, N.D., from Mr. and Mrs. Palmer Fosmark (Thelma Larsen).

• Miss Jeanette McGill of Tacoma was a guest at the Tokle home during the holidays.  She entertained Lawrence and Edith Larsen at dinner on Thursday.

• Friends of Glee (Bartholomew) Burghdoff are glad to hear that she is home from the hospital and is recuperating rapidly from a long illness.  She is staying at the Burghdoff home.

• Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Halsan, Mr. and Mrs. Don Odion and baby, and Mr. and Ms. LeRoy Bracken and family were dinner guests of Mrs. Arnold Halson and the McPhersons on New Year’s Day.

• Charles Simpson of Seattle visited with Louis McPherson over New Year’s.

• Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd McElvain, Miss Dorothy Wight, Charles Simpson and Louis McPherson were dinner guests at the L.H. Larsen home Sunday.

• Martha Jensen, a former Island teacher who is now in the Aberdeen school system, was home for the holidays with her family, the Matt Jensens.  Her brother, Ralph, who is stationed on the light ship in northern waters was home for a few days as well as a sister, Dorothy, of Seattle.

• Phyllis (Gould) Richards, and baby, are spending a few days vacation with her family.

• Martin, Clarence and Richard Garner and Jimmy Moore spent New Year’s Day skiing on Mount Rainier.

• Ruth and Harold Johnson of Seattle visited their father and relatives on Christmas Day.

• The Frombach family have their sister Ella and family of San Pedro, California as visitors for a few months.  They are living in the Patterson place.

• Mr. and Mrs. George Middlecoff visited her daughters in Tacoma on New Year’s Day.

• Maury Island was the loser and Vashon Heights the gainer when the H.H. Short family moved during the week.  They are living in one of the cottages near the Brosseau store.  We wish them as many friends at the Heights as they have made on Maury.

• The Glen Kimball family of Vashon, C.Tokle and Jeanette family, Bob Harmeling and Lois Williams were dinner guests at the L.Larsen home on Wednesday evening.

• Sunday evening services at Maury have been changed to three o’clock services, conducted by the Rev. Nordeng, formerly of North Dakota, and now of Colvos.

• We have heard that Art Schmidt has been seriously ill.  We hope that he is much better at this writing.

• Golf fans are basking in the good weather that we are fortunate to have.

January 13, 1938

• Sportsmen’s Club Members To Clear Trap Site Sunday – Members of the Vashon Island Sportsmen’s club will meet at the club property on Sunday, January 16, to clear the grounds for a permanent trap site.  Con Tjomsland had donated the use of three tractors for the day.  It is believed that the work can be finished in one day.  Members are requested to turn out in force so that the work may be completed as quickly as possible.  Lunch will be served by the refreshment committee.

• Water District Organized By Residents of Dockton – This week, Dockton residents began receiving returns on a recent investment.  The returns were not financial, but in the form of an abundance of clear, pure spring water.  Many Island communities are similarly blessed, but there is an interesting story back of the Dockton water system.  Ordinarily such an enterprise involved the formation of a district of some sort, purchase of property, incorporations, fees of various and sundry types, and in most cases, a big indebtedness, spread over a period of years.  The preliminary in this instance consisted of the formation of the Dockton Improvement Company, consisting of 37 members.  Each of these members contributed $100.  Conrad Amundsen deeded over property that had on it strong, flowing springs, and room for a reservoir.  Theo Berry, with his famous nose for anything that is for the betterment of his community, discovered an old franchise that had been lying forgotten for years and years.  He prevailed upon the proper authorities to transfer this franchise to the new company.  There was not a single cent paid out for lawyers’ fees.  Mutual confidence seemed to make that formality unnecessary.  There is ample money in the treasury to pay every cent that has or will be involved in putting this system into operation.  Nor is the least remarkable feature the water rate, which is just 50 cents a month to each user.  Nor was this a WPA project, with relief labor.  The entire project was planned and executed by residents of Dockton.  And this, by the way, is the way that little community has of doing things for the general good of all.  We doubt if any other community in the country can surpass Dockton in quietly going about, taking care of their own, and saying nothing until a task is finished.

• Forty-one Years Ago on Vashon-Maury – VASHON ISLAND In an article on Vashon Island the following appears: We have four churches, eight good school houses, a first class college, one newspaper, four general stores, three firms in the greenhouse business, W.J. Gordon, Covey Bros., and H. Harrington, that of Mr. Harrington being the largest establishment of the kind west of the Rockies.  Located in Quartermaster Harbor is one of the largest and best equipped dry docks on the coast and the Dry Dock Company has a large hotel there.  There are six post offices on the Island, one of which (Vashon) is a money order office.  QUARTERMASTER F.C. Thompson and Thomas Wright took a row boat and went for the doctor for old Mrs. Jones on Sunday.  The Pedro has her new engine in place and is able to make better time with 60 pounds of steam than with 120 pounds before, with the other engine.  STEAMER SERVICE Among the advertisements were those of the steamer Skagit Chief and the Sophia.  The former plied between Tacoma, Seattle and Port Orchard, calling at Buena, Des Moines, Chautauqua, Vashon, Aquarium, Arlington Dock, U.S. Drydock, Charleston and Sidney.  Fares were 50 cents one way, 75 cents round trip from Tacoma to Seattle; Tacoma to Port Orchard, 75 cents one way, $1.25 round trip; from Seattle to Port Orchard the same as from Tacoma to Seattle.  The steamer Sophia plied between Quartermaster points and Tacoma, two trips daily, and the fare was 25 cents one way.  The master was the late C. E. Wiman.

• Street In Oklahoma City Will Be Named ‘Vashon’ – Miss Katherine Parker recently received a letter of great interest from C.D. Armstrong, who visited Vashon Island two years ago, and was greatly impressed with the natural beauty of the Northwest in general, and our Island in particular.  Mr. Armstrong told of a city which he is laying out which is to be built at the end of a $20,000,000 irrigation project, the Great River Dam.  This new city is named Disney, for one of the senators from Oklahome, and Mr. Armstrong states that he has named one of its streets “Vashon.”

• Mail Delivery In Muddle Since Virginia V Retires – It appears that an accurate and reliable story of the mail delivery situation is ranked as about impossible.  One thing is certain, and that is that the Virginia V has been retired from her regular run until at least the first of April.  A few weeks ago a change of schedule, in order to meet with union requirements, brought the mail to the Island an hour later than heretofore.  With the Virginia going out of service and the mail coming by truck via Gig Harbor, Fragaria, Ollala and Harper, almost another hour has been added to the delay.  The present arrangement (this is being written at 3:45 Tuesday afternoon) is that the mail is taken by truck from Tacoma by way of Gig Harbor, Ollala, Fragaria to the 9:35 a.m. ferry from Harper.  In the meantime, Martin Larsen, star route carrier, collects the Island mail, with which he meets the 10 o’clock ferry at the Heights, exchanging the outgoing mail for the incoming mail from Tacoma.  The mail is delivered at Vashon and Mr. Larsen then delivers at Cove, returning to Vashon to pick up the mail for Ellisport, Portage, Dockton, Burton and Magnolia Beach.  In the afternoon the performance is reversed, and the mail for Seattle arrives, and that for Tacoma departs on the ferry leaving the Heights for Harper at 4:45.  It is not humanly possible for the rural carriers to deliver mail on the two routes which each must cover and get back to their respective offices before the afternoon mail leaves.  The situation need not be outlined to see how it now stands.  A plan has been offered to the operators of the Virginia whereby the Island mail could be picked up at Tahlequah on the first trip of the South End ferry.  As the Island mail was delivered the outgoing mail could be picked up and put onto the Vashon Heights ferry, while the Island mail was being picked up the mainland mail could be taken care of.  The reverse method could be employed in the pickup and delivery of the mail from Seattle and to Tacoma, thus giving an earlier mail in the morning, and a later one in the evening.  Under the present plan the mail received from Seattle leaves the post office there around about three o’clock.  Representatives from the various communities of the Island are to meet Monday evening of next week to seek ways and means that some improvement can be arrived at.  In the meantime postal authorities have been petitioned by the Commercial Club not to let the contract for the carrying of our mail for the next four years until there can be some measure of assurance that the present system will be improved.

• Just Suppose – An Editorial – Several things that have transpired recently have set us to thinking.  Among other things, we have been “supposing,” and that is a grand game to play when everything else palls – so let’s JUST SUPPOSE that Vashon-Maury Island had just as many residents as it has today, and JUST SUPPOSE that all of the merchants got discouraged and shut up their stores, and JUST SUPPOSE the garagemen all went out of business, and JUST SUPPOSE our dairymen went on a long trip together, and JUST SUPPOSE the owners of our bank got tired of worrying about financial affairs and told us to take our few dollars ourselves and quit bothering them with our checks, and JUST SUPPOSE every church on the Island decided to take a real vacation, and JUST SUPPOSE our doctors got tired of our aches and pains and moved to Alaska, and JUST SUPPOSE the dentists went with them, and JUST SUPPOSE the druggists made it unanimous and went too, and JUST SUPPOSE the newspaper folded up and quit announcing meetings and ballyhooing for the Island, and JUST SUPPOSE nobody cared a hoot about anybody.  Then, on the other hand, JUST SUPPOSE we reversed the operation and everybody became ISLAND MINDED, JUST SUPPOSE that we tried giving every bit of business we could to our Island merchants, garagemen and dairymen; think of how their business would increase and what service they could give us, JUST SUPPOSE we were as appreciative of our bank as they are honest in handling our affairs, JUST SUPPOSE we investigated the inside of our Island churches and gave them some help now and again, JUST SUPPOSE we always patronized the Island doctors, dentists and druggists and paid them promptly as we do the city professional or the cut rate drug store; and last, but not least, JUST SUPPOSE that everybody remembered that the local newspaper has a job office – and were as prompt to give job printing as to ask for FREE publicity for each pet project – WOULDN’T THIS BE ABOUT THE BUSIEST, AND MOST PROPEROUS LITTLE ISLAND EMPIRE THAT YOU’D FIND ANY PLACE IN THIS OLD WICKED WORLD?

• Cove – Cedarhurst and Colvos News – We surely do miss the old Virginia.  It seems so strange to think of the West Side being without a boat.  Something seems lacking since that old, familiar whistle ceased blowing, as the boat wended its way down the Sound on its daily trips to Seattle and Tacoma.  Seems almost like a dear, old friend had departed.

January 20, 1938

• Burton To Broadcast Over KBVI On Friday, Jan. 28 – On Friday, the 28th, from the auditorium of the Masonic Temple, Burton will be on the air.  KBVI, the friendly little five watt station will broadcast at eight o’clock p.m. sharp, a program sponsored by the Burton merchants.  Already an aggregation of talent is lining up that is extremely promising.  The management of KVI in Tacoma has offered an audition to the one whom the audience by popular vote shall acclaim as the most outstanding.  The KVI audition will be a prelude to a “spot” on one of KVI’s broadcasts.  Those who have aspirations to this honor should get in touch with Norman Edson who is writing the continuity.  Arthur Poultney will be the announcer, Mrs. Judson, accompanist, and W.Coy Meredith, controls.  Transmitter located at Point Barrow.  A small admission will be charged.

• Boost in Ferry Rates Must Wait, Says Department – Increased ferry rates proposed by the Puget Sound Navigation company and the Kitsap County Transportation company were suspended today by the Department of Public Service, pending a hearing in Olympia January 28.  Present rates, fixed by the department in September after extensive investigation and hearings, will remain in effect until the proposed rated are disposed of at Olympia.  After preliminary survey of the proposed scale, Ferd J. Schaaf, director of the department, ordered the suspension.  “It appears to the department,” Schaaf told the Associated Press, “the rates proposed by the companies will result in unfair discrimination between routes and types of traffic, and in the end will result in great damage to the ferry companies as well as to the traveling public.” –Seattle Daily Times, Jan. 19.

• Forty-one Years Ago on Vashon-Maury (From The Vashon Island Press, of September 1, 1896.) – In the Advertising Columns – WANTED – Every farmer on Vashon to know that I can save you money on all kinds of farm implements, berry crates, boxes, etc.  E.C. Thompson, Vashon, Wash.  QUARTERMASTER – Fred Sherman’s bicycle got to bucking up the other night on the road home from Center.  We don’t know but what it got him off.  I think there was one of the cranks missing when he got the animal straightened out.  The Island roads are not of the best for this style of riding.  HAZEL-BRAE – The fruit growers meeting was very poorly attended.  AQUARIUM – Recognition Day was observed at Chautauqua last Friday; a fine looking class of 15 receiving diplomas with due honor and ceremony.  (Editor’s Note – We were wondering of these items were being read, when an incident was called to our attention which dispelled any lingering doubt.  A neighbor called at the home of O.S. Van Olinda to tell him that one of the items was all wrong.  Mr. Van Olinda replied that if it appeared in the Vashon Island Press it was the truth.  He made a trip up to the News-Record office to verify what we had reprinted, and finding no mistake, triumphantly returned to tell his neighbor that all was as it should be, and the item was the whole truth and nothing but.  We wonder if all editors gain that confidence after more than 40 years.  Possibly one must get out of the game in order to experience such cocksureness.)

• Vashon-Maury Island To Have Cold Storage Plant – Announcement was made this week by C.G. Kimmel that he had definitely decided to build a cold storage plant for Vashon-Maury Island.  By so doing Mr. Kimmel is placing at the disposal of Island residents facilities enjoyed by communities much larger than ours.  An addition 20 x 36 feet will be added to his store at Vashon.  There will be 250 lockers, large enough to contain 350 pounds of meat.  The lockers will rent for from six to eight dollars a year.  The plant will be completed in time for next summer’s fruits and vegetables.  Such equipment is in effect a packing plant in miniature.  There will be a chill room, where butchered meat is hung at about 34-36 degrees F for the dual purpose of eliminating animal heat and improving the flavor and texture.  From there it goes to a processing room where chops, steaks and roasts are cut, wrapped in special paper and labeled.  Typical labels carry locker lessee’s name, date and description of contents.  They are then placed in the owner’s locker, where the temperature is held at from zero to 15 degrees above.  The enterprise of Mr. Kimmel in providing the Island with such a modern facility as this cold storage plant is provoking many complimentary remarks.  It is a step ahead, not only for him from a business standpoint, but puts our Island in a decidedly modern class.

• Case of Hog Cholera Is Reported On the Island – Hog cholera this week wiped out 16 animals belonging to Carl Wick.  While no other cases have appeared owners of hogs should be on the lookout as the disease can be easily carried and spreads rapidly.  According to Mr. Wick the first symptom is weakness in the hind quarters of the animal, general listlessness and in the last stages the skin of the ears and over the stomach turns bluish red.

January 27, 1938

• Drivers Take Tests – Over 300 Island drivers turned out Saturday to take their drivers’ examinations.  Not anticipating such a rush of business the traffic officers who came to give the examinations brought along only 300 blanks, and will have to return at a later date to complete the tests.  The public will be notified in plenty of time regarding the future date.  F.J. Shattuck, deputy-sheriff, desires to thank all of those who showed such excellent cooperation.

• The Magill family are mourning the loss of the 16-month-old Gordon setter, Major, which died Sunday, the victim of an epidemic of distemper that has robbed a number of families of well-loved pets.

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February 1938

February 3, 1938

• Vashon Tavern Entered By Thieves – Sometime in the early hours Wednesday morning, thieves entered the Vashon Tavern and made away with beer, wine, cigarettes, candy and punch board prizes.  Several slot machines were also smashed and robbed.  Entry was made through a rear window.  The thieves were protected from the view of passersby by the painted portion of the front window.  The robbery occurred at a time when there were naturally few people abroad.  Deputy Sheriff F.J. Shattuck is at work on the case and obtained a number of excellent finger prints.  The supposition is that local talent is responsible.

• Old Kingsbury Road Is Ordered Closed – It is a matter of considerable gratification to a number of beach residents that the county commissioners have ordered closed the old road, which at one time was one of the most charming on the Island, but which has been partially obliterated by a slide occurring several years ago.  Commonly known as the old Kingsbury road, the portion ordered closed was that which wound around the inner harbor, and came out near the Rendall store.  It was little used, except by trucks which stirred up a dust in the summer, much to the annoyance of beach residents.  From all the reports the closing of the road will work a hardship on no one, and is gratifying to all living along that portion of the beach.

• Islanders To Testify At Ferry Hearing – Hurriedly summoned by Fairbrook and Williams, attorneys representing Vashon Island in the ferry dispute, Island residents are testifying this (Wednesday) afternoon and Thursday morning at a hearing before the department of public service, convening in Room 508, Smith Building, Seattle.  In an effort to combat certain rates in a schedule filed recently by the Puget Sound Navigation company, testimony will be heard on the effect of these changes on various sound routes.  In a few cases the new rates asked are slightly lower, such as the casual auto fare which is now 70 cents for one way, or $1.30 round trip.  The elimination of the round trip is being asked, with the substitution of a 65-cent one way fare.  Opposed to this is being asked a flat 20 cent passenger fare, and the elimination of the 35 cent round trip fare.  The Fauntleroy-Harper fares under the proposed schedule have been drastically increased, which will have a decided bearing on our route as a part of the Harper-Vashon-Fauntleroy run.  The shifting of the scene of the hearing from Olympia to Seattle came so unexpectedly that there was no time to organize for the showing of patrons that proved so effective at last summer’s hearing.

• Honor Roll Consists of Forty-Five Names – At the close of the first semester’s work the names of 45 students appeared on the honor roll for the second term.  Those included are as follows: Seniors – George Smith, Margaret Rees, Marie Ellingsen, Melvin Andersen, Dorothy Wight, Martha Fujioka, Gerald Garrison, George Steen, Dorothy Rolando, Tom Bacchus, Charlotte Andersen.  Juniors – Harry Livers, Marie Therkelsen, Elsie Kimmel, Margaret Spalding, Helen Harmeling, Frances Eddy, Fred Sharp, Bob Cahoon, Toyoko Yoshida, Helen Andersen, June Hayes, Clarence Garner, Jim Cronander, Leslie McIntyre, Margaret Wegener.  Sophomores – John Petersen, Lawrence Larson, Ruth MacDonald, Judith Shride, Grace Matsumoto, Winifred McPherson, Shirley Blekkink, Charles Law, Marie Johansen, Glen Polhamus.  Freshmen – Yoneichi Matsuda, George Fujioka, La Verne Hite, Julia Legg, Helen Wegener, Marybelle Tonk, Bill Walls, Anne Edwards and Estelle Beall.

• Editorial – The Proper Committee Might Do – There seems to be a general sentiment that Vashon-Maury Island is pretty well falling down on the job of welcoming the stranger within our midst.  Your newspaper has been vainly seeking a way in which it might assist in this necessary function, but to date has failed to hit upon a very satisfactory answer, and is open to suggestion.  About all we have done so far is to send a copy of the News-Record to newcomers as we recorded their advent.  We would appreciate greatly of our readers cooperated with us to the extent that they would drop us a line, or phone in names of anyone moving into their neighborhood.  Please make sure of the initials and correct spelling of names, and if possible, glean a few facts about previous residence, etc.  Many Commercial clubs have a greeter committee, the duties of which are to call on newcomers, or in some way let them know that the community is aware and glad they have chosen it as their home.  Time was when it was the custom of the church to welcome strangers within its midst.  Casting no reflection on any particular church, we know from personal experience, and have witnessed strangers leave several Island churches without more than a very casual greeting, and often that was lacking.  It would be entirely possible for a committee of church members to be responsible for welcoming strangers at a church, and calling upon them later.  Some very delightful people have become Island residents in the past year.  From time to time some of us older residents stumble upon them and learn to know and like them by sheer accident.  But do we, as a community, do anything to make them on of us?  We’ll say we don’t!  While we do not, as a rule, solicit editorial letters we wish that other hardy souls (and there are such) who are giving this matter serious thought, would send in their ideas on the subject.  Our Island can, and MUST BE BUILT UP by the addition of desirable families as permanent residents.  We can complain, and justly, about the way in which high ferry rates are delaying this addition.  But we might be surprised by the manner in which we could combat this evil if we were only on our toes in making this Island noted for its friendliness.  In passing, we wish to commend the fine spirit of friendly consideration shown by the Vashon Orthopedic Auxiliary and the St. Patrick’s club of Dockton in foregoing plans of both organizations for the sake of little crippled children.  All of which goes to prove that if we, as a community, can rise high enough above the trees to see the forest, we’ll get desirable people here and before long, instead of being Vashon, Burton, Dockton, Ellisport, etc., we’ll be THE ISLAND – and it won’t matter whether it’s Vashon, Maury, Vashon-Maury, or an entirely new name.  But before that happens we must gain a new vision!

• Local Items of Interest - W.D. Mace, for many years a resident of Glendive, Montana, will arrive this week to realize his dream of becoming a real Vashon Island dweller.  Mrs. Mace and Justin have been here for some time with their daughter and sister, Mrs. C.A. Wilder.  The Maces are a fine addition to any community and Vashon Island is fortunate to gain them.  They will make their home in Paradise Valley on the old Sherman place.

• Cove – Cedarhurst and Colvos News by Mrs. George Walls – Editor’s Note – Mrs. Clara Dahlgren, who did such a good job of reporting items for the West Side, has moved to Seattle, and the community is again without a reporter.  Apparently added responsibility always falls on the shoulders of those already burdened, but Mrs. George Walls has consented to take on the job again for the time being.  In order to relieve her we urge all loyal West Siders assist Mrs. Walls by phoning interesting items to her on Monday.  Remember, that you and yours, and what your family is doing is interesting news to your friends.

February 10, 1938

• Early Vashon Pioneer Passes In Seattle – Charles M. Griswold, a former resident of Vashon Island, passed away last Thursday in Seattle, at the advanced age of 88.  He was a native of Erie, Penn.  Mr. Griswold came to the Island in 1884 and established his home on Quartermaster Harbor where the Williams mill later stood.  He farmed and operated a small sawmill.  The family left the Island in 1919 for Seattle, but always retained their interest in local affairs.  Surviving Mr. Griswold are his widow, who has been in very delicate health for the past three years, and three sons, Dr. Walter, Andrew and Roy Griswold.

• Figures Show Decline In Traffic – There has been considerable discussion regarding the actual effect of the increased ferry fares on traffic to Vashon Island.  The following figures, presented by Pat Tammany at a recent meeting of the Democratic club give concrete evidence of what has happened.  In the face of the facts it is not surprising that the decrease in 1937, as compared to 1936, is noticeable on the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Harper route.  Taken from the Puget Sound Navigation company’s own records, the Fauntleroy-Harper/Fauntleroy-Vashon figures are as follows: July 12,300 August 13,000 September 9,000 October 6,400 November 7,100 December 6,000.

• Island People Testify At Hearing – The ferry hearing held in Seattle the past week before the members of the department of public service, was in effect a review of the testimony given at last summer’s hearing.  The testimony of witnesses was to re-establish the fact of the harmful effect higher rates had on the growth and development of the Island.  On Wednesday Arthur Poultney, W.M. Beall, E.C. Thompson and C.B. Taylor testified at the request of the attorneys, while on Thursday afternoon Royce Wise, Agnes L. Smock and Jack Taylor gave their testimony.  That of the latter was particularly effective, as it established the fact of benefits the transportation company is receiving that are not being reflected in rates.  Capt. Crosby, founder of the Alki-Manchester run gave some telling facts relative to the entire sound situation.

• Attend Hearing of Black Ball Appeal – Axel H. Petersen and Arthur Poultney are attending the hearing of the Black Ball appeal in Olympia before Judge Wilson of the Thurston County superior court this week.  As chairman of the ferry committee and secretary of the Vashon Island Commercial Club they have devoted considerable time on behalf of Island interests.  On Wednesday Fletcher Rockwood, attorney for the ferry company, spent the entire day presenting his review of the findings of last summer’s ferry rate hearing.  He used a brief of 350 pages which required 75 days of preparation.  King County is represented by Pat Tammany, deputy prosecutor, and Vashon Island by David J. Williams, of Fairbrook and Williams.  By the decision of the judge, and the testimony presented by these attorneys it is hoped that the validity of the King County-Kitsap County Transportation Company contract, regarding rates, will be established.

• County Commissioners Are Guests At Club Meeting – The meeting of the Commercial Club held Monday evening at the Goodwill Farm saw a record attendance.  The fact that Jack Taylor had been scheduled to give a talk on the Island roads no doubt was responsible, although interest in the latest ferry hearing brought out others.  After the dinner the program was  turned over to H.C. Cronander, the chairman of the road committee, who introduced the visitors from the County-City building, included among whom were Harry Sisler, road engineer; George Swain, supervisor, and Jack Taylor, commissioner for the South District of King County.  Taylor told of the possibilities of the new plan for assistance through government aid.  With the help of national representatives a blanket project has been enacted which will make it possible to spend government funds wherever needed, instead of on specific projects.  Through it, sponsors are required to furnish only about 10 per cent for materials.  He explained also the manner in which direct taxes for King County roads had been cut to three per cent of assessed valuation, and the uncertainly of the gasoline tax money had decreased the amount of monies available to $67,000 for the South District.  By various economics, and the working out of a central system, this amount is accomplishing a surprising amount of maintenance and construction.  Locally, Taylor stated, we could rest assured that the Island would get its share of benefits.  Particularly pleasing to those present was his assurance that the hard surfacing of the main highway would be completed from Tahlequah to Burton, and that the oiling of side roads would be done earlier than last year.  After the departure of the county official business was disposed of and a report on the ferry hearing given by Arthur Poultney, secretary of the club.  Mr. Poultney told of the valuable evidence given for Vashon Island by W.M. Beall, E.C. Thompson and Captain Crosby, formerly of the Crosline, by E.H. Teague, for the Harper district.  As a part of the financial report regarding the ferry situation, Ira Thompson told of his success in raising the major part of the amount still due for legal aid, and of the assistance being rendered our cause through the efforts of King County to sustain the ferry contract.  It was urged that in response to the statement made by Ferd J. Schaaf, director of the department of public service, that Vashon Island residents had failed to communicate their ideas of rates to the department, that letters be written asking for the restoration of a 10 cent commutation, or family fare, with a 60-day limit; a 15 cent cash fare with a 25 cent round-trip fare.

• Editorial – Others Wonder, Too! – We have been tremendously flattered by the interest and comment aroused by our editorial on neighborliness appearing in last week’s News-Record.  But we were entirely unprepared for some of the reactions.  A public-spirited business man came in one day during the week.  We discussed the subject and were startled when he said: “I’ll tell you what’s the reason for our lack of friendliness and suspicion – It’s the business people of the Island.  They’re so busy worrying about their competitors they haven’t time to think of the Island as a whole.”  We gasped a big gasp, for the man has a flourishing business, has been here a long time, and should know.  A housewife said the reason we weren’t more neighborly was because most of us would rather hear a bit of salacious gossip than to find a common ground with their neighbors, old or new.  A church member said it was because there were too many churches, and if one didn’t bit the newcomer welcome they figured some other one would.  Personally, we don’t know the reason – but we’re telling you – at the risk of being thoroughly disliked we’re going to stay with the thing until we are satisfied in our own minds, although we don’t promise to report ALL findings.  It is an interesting and worthwhile subject, and the more of us who get to thinking along these lines, the quicker we’ll arrive at a decision.  And, as a start in the right direction, we’re offering the following thought, voiced by Elaine V. Emans in her poem, “Had I But One Day,” which came in a recent letter from our one and only daughter: “Had I but one day of life yet to live, I should be much more eager to forgive And sympathize and help and love and pray Before the numbered hours had hurried past.  Oh, this is what they must mean when the say, ‘Live every day as if it were the last.’”  This is not necessarily a morbid thought, but if it were one we could hold constantly how different would be our attitude to our neighbors.  Sentimental? – Maybe.

• The obituary of Mrs. Isabella Rowland was published.

• Arrested With Stolen Goods – County peace officers, seeking a set of stolen license plates, accidentally solved the Vashon Tavern robbery, which occurred last week.  When arrested Thursday at Westlake in Seattle, Merril Matthews, 29, was found with the stolen goods in his car, which was later identified by Russel Middling, tavern operator.  Matthews made a complete confession, and denied that he had any help in emptying the tavern of beer, light wines, cigarettes, candy, etc.

February 17, 1938

• The obituary of George K. Coryell was published.

• Burton 4-H Group Active – Seven members of the Burton Beavers, a 4-H club, met Tuesday afternoon, February 8, at the home of Mrs. K.J. Van House.  The principal business transacted was the election of the following officers: Roy Landers, president; John Van House, vice-president; John Van de Vanter, secretary and reporter and Edward Poultney, treasurer.

• Southern Heights Man Hurt By Bursting Emery Wheel – Bruce Hall, of Tahlequah, who was so seriously injured last Friday afternoon, is reported as hold his own remarkably well.  As a matter of fact, he made a slight, but apparent gain the first of the week.  Mr. Hall was badly cut in the face and forehead when a power driven emery wheel, with which he was “gumming” a drag saw, broke.  According to the story of the accident, furnished by his father, a piece of the stone penetrated the forehead, stopping just short of the brain tissue.  His nose was fractured and his face badly cut by the sharp fragments of stone.  Dr. W.L. Ellis was immediately called and recognizing the danger of attempting to remove the stone, ordered Mr. Hall taken to a Seattle hospital as soon as possible.  This was done by a neighbor, F.J. Shattuck, deputy sheriff.  The operation, which resulted in the successful removal of the fragment of stone, was performed by Dr. Jacobsen, well-known brain surgeon.  Although some infection has developed, the injured man has an almost miraculous chance of recovery.  Ill-lick seemed to have followed him, as this his second accident of a serious nature.  The first one, suffered several years ago, occurred when he fell against the engine of a boat he was operating.  This resulted in an injury to his right leg which stiffened the knee in such a manner that he has been lame in spite of several operations.  The sympathy of neighbors and friends is extended particularly at this time because of the conscientious effort Bruce and his wife have made to keep going under difficult circumstances.  If good wishes avail his recovery will be rapid.

• Editorial – Refusing to be accused of being a “Pollyanna,” we nevertheless insist that some influence is abroad in the land that is producing a return of the old habits of neighborliness that have been apparently absent for a time.  And judging from the phone calls and personal comments we have heard this fact is just as apparent to others as it is to the editor.  We believe that if we spend as much time in counsel together as we do wondering about our friends and their motives, we will be a lot further ahead.  So many heartening incidents have occurred recently.  Take, for instance, the manner in which a group of organizations cleared the way for a social function that would benefit little children.  Note the large number of patrons of other districts who attended the entertainments given recently by two different schools.  The big Valentine party last Friday night was attended, and tables were sponsored, by people from all parts of the Island.  We got to thinking along the same lines by reason of our ferry strife.  But no battle can make us the good neighbors that playing together can, and no inspiration is as great as our children.  What leaven is at work we know not.  We do know that we are “insular.”  It has been repeatedly stated that often we are critical because we know each other too well.  Why is not the converse true?  Can we not become forgiving and neighborly because we know each other so well, and understand more nearly that sorrow which each heart knows, so much better than if we were not so well acquainted?  IT LOOKS AS THOUGH WE CAN!

February 24, 1938

• Ferry Situation is Reviewed – Mrs. Agnes L. Smock, Editor, Vashon Island News-Record, Vashon, Washington, Dear Mrs. Smock, As those who were present must realize, the Commercial Club meeting with Captain Peabody, president of the Puget Sound Navigation company, failed to reconcile the opposing viewpoints on the tangled ferry situation.  We on the Island must nevertheless express our appreciation of the fairness, frankness and good humor with which Captain Peabody presented his case.  That progress was not made is due, we believe, to irreconcilable differences in interests and aims which must be fought out to a finish.  Captain Peabody’s statements, taken together with the facts that have come out at the ferry hearings, made it clear to us that the position of the Black Ball company is somewhat as follows:  1. The Black Ball system, by the purchase or other elimination of competing ferry lines, has built up a virtual monopoly over Puget Sound waters north of Tacoma.  2. Among the advantages possessed by such a monopolistic system is the power to shift rates and schedules, imposing increases here and decreases there for the general benefit of the system.  Such power, however, had not been widely exercised prior to 1937, due to legal and other obligations attached to certain of the subordinate lines, such as Vashon-Harper-Fauntleroy.  3. The ferry strike of June, 1937, was settled by Governor Martin on terms which imposed increased costs on the Black Ball company.  This settlement permitted the company to increase its rates and thus opened the way for more far-reaching changes whereby the company has endeavored: (a) To free itself from the obligations of the Vashon-Harper-Fauntleroy contract, (b) With this disposed of, to rearrange the entire rate set-up of the system; this re-arrangement to hinge on a large increase in rates and revenues from the Vashon-Harper run, thereby permitting the subsidizing of certain other runs in which the Black Ball system is more vitally concerned.  (c) To establish a general standard of rates which will cover the increased labor cost, with a large factor of safety, as based on recent statistics of revenue.  If the company profits are well insured on this basis, which is that of low level depression business, they will be ample in more normal times.  (d) To insure immediate profits, even if in order to guarantee them rates must be made so high that the volume of business is depressed.  The ferry management regards increased profits, even made from reduced business, as a satisfactory outcome.  It is unwilling to consider the alternate method of bidding for larger business, and larger ultimate revenue, by maintaining the lower rates of the past.  (e) To make palatable these present advances in rates by vague assurances of ultimate reductions; such reductions to become effective if and when in the judgment of the management earnings are sufficient.  The point of view thus outlined is understandable.  It is, in fact, that generally upheld by conservative managements of private industries.  We believe it to be out of place in this case, however, for the following reasons: First: The Puget Sound ferry system is a public service.  Its chief asset rests in its franchises, which gives it the right to serve its several communities without competition.  Where so much has been granted, the obligation to serve the public interest is strong; and measures to increase the private gain of the system must be compatible with this obligation.  Such is not the case with the specific actions taken by the Black Ball company since the strike.  It has ignored the King County contract imposed ruinous emergency rates arbitrarily on certain lines, and effected radical shifts of traffic without any pretense that the public welfare has been thereby advanced.  Public welfare involves many factors not directly reflected in the ferry company profits.  It involves the protection of people’s investments in their homes and businesses.  It is not proper, therefore, that a company management should exercise at will such powers over its patrons.  When Captain Peabody raises the Vashon rates as against others, he sees that what Vashon loses the other communities will gain; but to Vashon it is all loss.  Established investments here are sacrificed to permit speculative profits elsewhere.  We do not believe this to be for the public welfare.  Second: The viewpoint that immediate profits must be maintained, and that if wages are raised the increase must be at once assessed with a margin of safety, against the public, is also unsuitable.  As Captain Peabody admitted, this procedure starts a vicious circle: 1. Wages are raised, increasing costs say eight per cent, 2. Rates must be raised to cover the increase.  3. But increased rates reduce traffic, so the rates must be raised not eight per cent alone, but probably twenty per cent, to get enough revenue out of the reduced volume of business.  4. But rates raised twenty per cent will reduce traffic even more than if raised eight per cent; and so on and so on.  As a matter of fact, the wage increase of June, 1937, was made possible because on all sides it was believed that times were better, prices were rising, business was improving.  The Inland Boatmen’s Union took steps to see that its personnel were not left behind in this parade of prosperity.  Had the parade taken place as scheduled, the increased wages would not have been serious, for on the one hand, increased ferry business would have brought in enough revenue at the old rates to carry the load and still yield profits, and on the other hand, ferry patrons, making more money themselves, would not have felt that a small increase was burdensome.  As it is, however, the wage-rate-business structure is out of joint, and Captain Peabody proposes to salvage his immediate profits in the way best calculated to retard the revival of his business; i.e. by raising rates.  He asks the Department of Public Works, in effect, to guarantee his company against all risk by allowing rates high enough to pay dividends at any low level of business.  Very few of us, who are asked to pay these rates, have such a guarantee on our own incomes.  More resourceful management would envision alternative methods.  So it is that, while retaining the pleasantest impressions of our meeting with Captain Peabody, and while realizing that he has tough problems to solve, we feel that Vashon Island cannot play ball with him on the terms he offers.  He thinks first of insuring his immediate profits and of satisfying his stockholders.  We think first of insuring our community against disastrous rate changes, which will be fatal to confidence and progress.  The two viewpoints cannot be reconciled.  Our problem is to some extent relieved by the fact that it falls within the jurisdiction of the Department of Public Works.  If, pending decision by the courts, we cannot ask Director Schaaf to compel the recognition of the King County contract, we can properly ask him to take its place in controlling improper practices by the ferry corporation.  We can properly ask that the wishes of the King County commissioners be respected concerning a contract under the terms of which they to this day continue to extend benefits to the ferry company; and we can ask that no such excessive changes of rates or services be permitted as will sacrifice the established position of Vashon Island in the commuting and freighting territory tributary to Seattle.  But if we ask these things of Director Schaaf, we must continue to give him the united support of Vashon Island.  If necessary, we who have other duties to our own affairs must outlast, in this fight, a ferry management with no other interest.  We can do this.  But, for the public welfare, we would prefer to co-operate with the ferry lines, under Director Schaaf’s leadership, to the end that cross-Sound transportation may once again compete with mainland highways, serving thriving and growing communities across our incomparable inland waterways.  Very truly yours, - PAUL BILLINGSLEY.

• Editorial – Not Particularly Interesting, But Important – We admit that the continual discussion of ferry rates is a boresome subject.  We, ourselves, get terribly tired of it – and we presume our readers do also.  It would be much easier to drop the entire subject and say no more.  If we pursued this course we would immediately become popular with the redoubtable Captain and his mighty men; we would rid ourselves of a lot of worry and concern, and we’re even mean enough to believe that we would produce a measure of relief in the breasts of those Island dwellers who know something must be done about the ferry rate situation if we are to survive, but who would rather not be bothered – those canny souls who promise themselves to do something at two o’clock some Friday.  Last week, at a meeting of the executive committee of the Commercial Club, at which Captain Alex Peabody, president of the Puget Sound Navigation Company, was a dinner guest, all present had an excellent opportunity for the airing of opinions.  Everyone did that very thing.  In no uncertain terms, with charming candor, and without hesitation, the Captain explained just why it was impossible to give Vashon Island patrons rates lower than those proposed in the new schedule of tariffs.  Just as firmly the members of the committee explained to Captain Peabody that the future of our Island depends on ferry rates somewhere within line of our ability to pay.  It is about time for those who believe in our Island to awaken from their Rip Van Winkle slumbers and realize that if we are to survive we will have to assume individual responsibility.  We are sunk in a lethargy that will be the sleep of death unless we shake it off.  Too many have sung themselves to sleep to the tune of that charming bedtime lullaby, “Hush, My Darling, Don’t You Cry; We’ll Have State Ferries By and By!”  Sure thing.  And we’ll all be getting old age pensions if we wait long enough!  If some of the Doubting Thomases who believe that our struggle of the past few months has gotten us nowhere had taken the trouble to attend some of the various meetings that interfered with the personal convenience of some of the rest of us, they would realize how much lower even our present exorbitant rates are than they would have been had we not put up our scrap last summer.  A lot of spoil-sports are staying out of a fight that should be the problem of the entire Island because the Commercial Club has been forced into taking the lead.  Or at least they give this as their reason.  But if the thing goes on to its ultimate conclusion; if our property continues to decline in value because it costs too much to get on and off the Island; if living costs soar, as they will if patronage of the local stores continues to decline; if the profit of a public utility, which should be operated for the good of the public, continues the present bloodletting process, there won’t BE a Commercial Club to crab about!  In fact, we many find ourselves among a remnant of a forgotten race, digging clams, as those first Indians did.  In the meantime let’s read that report of Paul Billingsley’s CAREFULLY, and if you find any words you don’t understand trot out the kids’ dictionary.  If you will take the trouble to digest it you’ll find enough food for thought to either take the Athenian Oath, or go to headquarters and volunteer.  It won’t be necessary to draft anyone!

• Tobacco Is Successfully Raised on Vashon Island by Clara Tonk – Believe it or not, but less than a quarter of a mile from the Vashon post office tobacco is being raised successfully.  So successfully, that the grower, Alfred A. Smith, is sincerely enthusiastic about tobacco becoming one of Vashon Island’s more important crops.  Mr. Smith believes that this climate and soil is especially adapted to the raising of hardy tobacco plants, and as a result of his two years’ experience has a most interesting display of it in various stages of preparation.  The seed is planted in April, and protected by burlap, gets a good start by the time all danger of frost is past.  No special soil preparation, or fertilizing of the soil is necessary, although the addition of wood ashes is beneficial.  On the half acre of ground upon which Mr. Smith has raised tobacco, he has produced enough to satisfy the needs of three heavy users, himself and two brothers, Tom and George.  More intensive methods than he has employed would no doubt result in heavier crops.  His experience has converted Mr. Smith to the idea that here is an answer to the needs of the small farmer, and one that would find a more profitable market, and a surer one than poultry, or small fruits.  There is a market in Seattle, where manufacturers are importing materials from the East.  If the quality of that grown on the Island is equal to that of the East, or South, our product could prove a formidable rival.

• The obituary of Mrs. Kate Campbell was published.

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March 1938

March 3, 1938

• Death of West Side Man Shock to Friends – News of the death of James Laidlaw, of Cove, on Monday afternoon, came as a terrible shock to all who knew him.  Although he had lived on the Island but eight years, Mr. Laidlaw had a wide circle of warm friends and sincere admirers.  Although Mr. Laidlaw was not feeling as well as usual Monday morning and remained in bed at the advice of his physician, his condition gave little reason to fear that his life was so soon to end.  The shock to Mrs. Laidlaw, who is herself in poor health, was a severe one.  She is being cared for by neighbors until the arrival of a brother and sister from Wyoming.  No funeral arrangements can be made until they arrive.

• New Whidby Island Ferry Line Planned – An item clipped from the Wednesday morning issue of the Post-Intelligencer, has aroused interest locally.  The Ferry committee of the Commercial club plans to personally contact those who are sponsoring the project.  The item is as follows: New Whidby Island Ferry Line Planned – Everett, Mar. 1 – Snohomish and Island county commissioners met here this morning and formed a joint commission to investigate the feasibility of establishing a ferry line, owned by the two counties, between Whidby Island and either Mukilteo or Everett.  Island County engineer L.A. Wannamaker was appointed to investigate initial costs and to make a report at a later meeting.  Rates on the existing ferry line between Mukilteo and Columbia Beach, long subject to protest by the islanders, led to this action.

• Ferries Are Tied Up For Short Time Tuesday – Admitting that they had acted hastily and without due consideration, officials of the Inland Boatmen’s union ordered the crew of the Vashon to resume work after the boat had been tied up at Harper for several hours.  Lack of service disrupted the regular routine of Island families as commuters who arrive ordinarily on the 6:30 ferry failed to appear.  According to reliable reports, the trouble arose when two employees of the Puget Sound Navigation company failed to follow orders and refused to take the ferry into Seattle Monday night for oil as had been dine for years.  The men claimed to have been instructed not to do so by union officials.  When it was learned Tuesday morning that the men had failed to follow the instructions of their employers, the captain and the first mate were discharged.  Tuesday afternoon the crew of the Vashon were ordered to tie up at Harper after completing the run leaving Fauntleroy at 4:30.  In the meeting with officials of the Black Ball Line and union officials which followed the latter were reminded of the fact that they had violated Section 9 of last spring’s agreement which provides that “there shall be no stoppage of work by reason of strikes, lockouts, or any interruption of service for any cause.”  For the moment the discharge of the two members of the crew stands and the status quo remains the same.  It is to be hoped that an agreement can be reached that will not work a hardship on the traveling public, which should be considered the most vitally interested of the three elements involved.

• Editorial – At a time like this, with all thinking persons deeply concerned in the threat to our transportation, it is entirely superfluous to engage in verbal pyrotechnics.  WORDS WILL NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM!  Nor should it be necessary to remind Island dwellers that the need for concerted action demands cooperation such as has never been evidenced.  It also demands the serious consideration of everyone interested in the future well-being of our Island.  There is always much that does not appear on the surface, but to the casual observer it would seem that the right of an employer to discharge a rebellious employee still exists.  It would also appear that an agreement signed by representatives of the employee should have some value.  But nowhere in the picture does it appear that the traveling public should feel that his transportation is NOT INSURED!  We have no quarrel with operator or employee, as such, but when the selfish interests of either threaten our homes and businesses; when they threaten the well-being of three thousand inhabitants of a community which is entirely at their mercy, then THAT is something else.  If we remember or Old Testament correctly, the Children of Israel had to suffer a lot of grief before they were ready to accept the inevitable.  But eventually leadership developed, and the people were ready to follow.  A need always brings forth leadership, so a Moses WILL arrive.  But Moses might have grown old in Egypt had he not had the cooperation of the Children of Israel.  Are we men or mice to remain at the mercy of a small group and wonder WHAT is to happen next?  It is alright to flippantly say of Tuesday’s short strike: “Twas like the wonderful ‘Battle of Squirt’; nobody killed and nobody hurt.”  But the deuce of it is that every squabble like this DOES hurt us – in a hundred different ways.  We need assurance of a reliable means of transportation – and we have learned that under the present set-up we can be more than sure that we HAVEN’T it.  We are now begging every person who reads this to realize that something MUST be done, and that “something” can never be accomplished until everyone who wants our Island to prosper makes this problem his own!

• Sportswomen To Meet – The newly organized Sportswomen’s Club will meet Friday evening at the Burton Grammar school at 8 o’clock.  There will be volleyball and bridge.  The club is growing rapidly, and all interested are invited to join.

• The Cooperative Store association will hold a meeting at the Island Club on Friday evening, March 11.  There will be a social hour at the close of the meeting.

 March 10, 1938

• McCormick Interviewed On Marathon – Doug Welch, feature writer for the Seattle P-I spent several hours here Saturday interviewing George McCormick in regards to the walking trip he plans to make around the Island in the near future.  The story, appearing in Sunday’s paper gave an interesting account of the interview.  The only inconsistency, apparent to all who know George’s habits, was the statement that the reporter found George soaking his feet in brine and alum.  Just as though anyone ever saw George McCormick at rest during his hours in the Vashon Hardware!  George plans to make the trip around the Island “on foot” some time within the next two weeks.  Odds fluctuate daily, with more and more fans expressing the opinion that George will come in with half an hour to spare.  It’s a bee that has been buzzing in George’s bonnet for a long time, and he usually finishes what he starts.

• Ferry Committee Protests To Labor Relations Board – This week the National Labor Relations Board in Seattle received a letter from the Ferry committee of the Vashon Island Commercial club, setting forth the damage being wrought through the unwarranted strike which last week again brought into the limelight the uncertainty of Sound transportation.  We are publishing this letter, believing it expresses the sentiment of a majority of the population of the Island.  Copies of the letter have been sent to the governor, to members of the department of public service commission, and to Washington, D.C.

• March 5, 1938 National Labor Relations Board, Dexter Horton Building, Seattle, Washington, Dear Sirs: On the evening of Tuesday last, March first, Vashon Island residents, returning from their work in Seattle, found the ferry service from Fauntleroy suspended without notice.  We were told that a strike had been called by the Inland Boatmen’s Union, because of the discharge of Captain Shaw.  Although service was resumed later that night, the episode has caused for greater damage to the Vashon Island community than the mere discomfort and delay imposed on commuters and trucking lines.  During the past two years we have suffered from two prolonged strikes, and the difficulties and uncertainties of ferry transportation have been routine news in the papers of Puget Sound cities.  It should not be necessary to emphasize the injury that such strikes and such publicity impose on an island community.  We raise produce for distribution throughout the Northwest and have learned that its first step to market may be interrupted at any moment.  We wish to attract a commuting population, but these people have found themselves cut off from their work on the mainland.  We have built up homes and business properties, and find their value dropping because buyers have no confidence in the dependability of our transportation.  The brief strike of Tuesday confirms these fears.  And it is the more disquieting since it indicates the failure of the mechanisms which have been set up since the strike of June, 1937 to protect the public welfare against such blows.  The agreement made last summer by Governor Martin’s efforts provided, in Section 9, that there should be “no stoppage of work by reason of strikes or lockouts.”  The Wagner act provides through your Board a means of redress for such grievances as the Union now claims to have suffered.  Thus, when the Inland Boatmen’s Union chose, nevertheless, to use the argument of force we are again brought to realize the precariousness of our vital transportation.  And again the newspapers carry to all concerned the damaging truth that no one can count on the ferry service across Puget Sound.  Vashon Island feels that this situation creates an unfair and unreasonable handicap upon its citizens.  We, the undersigned, have accordingly been authorized to present our case to your board and to request that you use your good offices to effect a termination of strikes on this public service transportation.  Yours truly, Vashon Island Commercial Club – Ira O. Thompson, president (Signed) Paul Billingsley, chairman, ferry committee (signed).

• Japanese Mothers Entertain American Neighbors – A party of unusual interest and significance was given at the Island Club Monday evening.  Members of the Japanese Mothers’ Club were hostesses to about fifty friends, inclusive of the Island teachers.  After delicious refreshments had been served in the absence of Mrs. N. Yoshida, president of the Mothers’ Club who is ill in a Seattle hospital, Mrs. U. Nishiyori explained to the Japanese mothers in their native language the purpose of the meeting.  Yukichi Nishiyori, acting as master of ceremonies interpreted his mother’s remarks for the benefit of the American guests, after which he introduced T. Komby, of Seattle.  Mr. Komby gave an eloquent talk on the sacredness of motherhood and pointed out the fact that while American and Japanese mothers might differ in speech or the color of skin, that basically good mothers were the same the world over.  Each person present was deeply impressed by Mr. Komby’s tribute to his own mother.  It was significant that the speaker had come prepared to talk on the Sino-Japanese situation, but when assured that his talk would be out of place in a community where such friendliness between two races existed, he discarded his speech and spoke extemporaneously.  A traditional dance by Shigi Yoshida, and Mary Matsuda, with Mrs. Nishiyori accompanying, was followed by an interesting talk by Yuri Hoshi.  She gave entertaining and refreshing comments on mother country conditions and customs from the viewpoint of an American born Japanese.  Another Japanese dance was given by Shigi Yoshida, Mary Matsuda, Grace Matsumoto and Mary Nakamichi.  Yukichi Nishiyori, accompanied by Mrs. Charles Morford, sang two popular songs, after which Mrs. Morford played as a piano solo “Japanese Sunset”.  The highlight of the evening was the “Tsuru Come”, (Stork and Turtle) a traditional dance interpreted by Mrs. Nishiyori.  This dance signifies age old happiness and friendship and the hope was expressed that the Japanese of the Island would always retain the regard of the American neighbors who had extended the warm handclasp of friendship.  Mrs. Nishiyori wore a kimono of heavy white silk.  On the left sleeve was the symbol of the Rising Sun, and on the right was a square of red and blue stripes in the middle of which was a large silver star, symbolical of the Stars and Stripes.  The concluding number was a dance by Mary Nakamichi, Toyoko and Shiga Yoshida, Grace and Martha Matusmoto, Sachi Mishiro, Nora Hoshi, Heda Kunugi, Martha Fujioka and Kimi Takatsuka.

• Editorial – Holding no brief for what appears Japan’s unwarranted invasion of China, we would still regret deeply a war with Japan.  Aside from international severance of friendships, such a disastrous occurrence would have a sad effect on our community life.  On Vashon-Maury the Japanese residents say they have found many of the same scenic beauties they loved in their native land.  This resemblance to the mother-country may have been responsible for their attitude to the land of their adoption.  Here an unusual friendship between the two races have developed.  The Japanese children have not only enjoyed the privileges of American education, but they have enjoyed the unquestioned and unquestioning friendship of our American boys and girls.  Here, second-generation Japanese young people have carried on their parts, upholding in athletic sports and academic achievement the honor of our Island schools.  There has been little or no presumption, and between them and our own boys and girls fine friendships have grown that will last, unless - .  Horrible to contemplate is any war.  But sad indeed are those efforts that go down to the very roots of our civilization, wiping out those lessons of tolerance and understanding that are as old as Christianity itself.  It is interesting, yet discouraging, to contemplate the likelihood that if war with Japan should come we would be so carried away that among those of the two races who broke the bread together on Monday evening, all possibility of remaining friends would be wiped out.  But, in the meantime, and hoping that the dread eventuality will not arise, we are proud to live in a community where tolerance and understanding permits such a friendship as now exists on our Island between those of the Japanese race, and their American neighbors.

• Takes Over P-I Route – Mrs. Florence Smith has taken over the local P-I route.  Roger Bargelt, the former agent, will leave soon for Alaska.

• Copy of Letter From Schaaf To Island People – To the people of Vashon Island: I have received scores of letters from residents of Vashon Island and others directly interested in Vashon Island ferry rates, and I want to make sure that all of you are advised of the significance of our Ferry Rate Order issued today.  I hope all of you will pardon me for not writing individual letters.  As you know, the ferry company proposed an increase in the round trip passenger fare and a slight decrease in the one-way automobile fare and a decrease of 4 cents and 3 cents, respectively, in the 30-day and seven-day automobile commutation tickets.  In the order of the department just issued, the proposals of the company are not accepted and your rates will remain as at present.  We did, however, make a very important change which we believe will be helpful to large numbers of Vashon Island and Maury Island patrons.  We extended the passenger family commutation ticket from 40 days to 60 days and the 30-day automobile commutation ticket to 40 days.  Almost everyone who has written us about the rate situation criticized most severely the reduction in time limit for the use of family commutation tickets and gave that as one of the principal reasons for the falling off in traffic.  We sincerely hope that the restoration of the longer time limit will permit more residents to again avail themselves of family commutation privilege and that traffic on the Vashon route will soon return to normal.  If traffic increases sufficiently, downward revisions in rates may be possible.  It is also our firm expectation that the present rate set-up will not be disturbed by any further applications for increases unless the volume of traffic continues to shrink.  I desire to thank all of you people for the fairness and intelligence you have exhibited in your attitude towards me and the other members of the department staff, in all of these ferry discussions and disputes.  FERD J. SCHAAF, Director of Public Service.

• High School News – Office News – Results of the Audiometer test recently given to 62 students has been announced.  Twenty had defective hearing on one or both ears or were on the borderline.  Notices were sent by the school to the parents.

• Ellisport’s Women’s Club Tells of Meetings – The Ellisport Women’s Club, which has fitted up a clubhouse in the Rodda store building, in Ellisport, has been enjoying a series of winter meetings in the homes of members.  The first, at The Little Brown House, with Mrs. Hills, where the bountifully spread potluck lunch tables overlooked the bay; another at Mrs. McIntyre’s beach home where a blazing hearth fire added to the cheer of good food and conversation and the members discussed world peace informally.  The third meeting brought as a new member Mrs. Frank Gwinn (Mary Snell), whose mother, Mrs. LaChappelle, was an active member for years, while her grandmother, Mrs. Newman, joined as a charter member some 25 years ago.  The last of the series was held at the home of Ann Bray, on Point Heyer, and was a combined Valentine and Washington’s Birthday party with appropriate program and table decorations.  Spring meetings will be held in the clubhouse.

• Lisabeula News – At the school election held last Saturday, Graham Maloney was reelected and the levy carried 33-3.

 March 17, 1938

• Two-Act Light Opera At High School – With catchy tunes and a clever plot, the “Love Pirates of Hawaii,” will take the Island by storm on Friday evening of this week.  It is a two-act light opera which will be presented in the auditorium of the high school at 8 o’clock, Friday evening, March 18.  The cast will consist of: June Hayes – daughter of a plantation manager.  Gloradawn Hoel – Old maid teacher of private school.  Allan Metzenberg – Lieutenant U.S.S. Tennessee.  Marshall Miller – Pirate chief.  Charles Law – A weak-hearted pirate.  Frieda Jones, Lorna and Lorraine Croan and Margaret Spalding – Hawaiian girls.  Girls’ Chorus – Betty Mae Wilder, Louise Mathisen, Muriel Morley, Phyllis Williams, Patricia Law, Ruth Wilson, Shirley Blekkink, Elsie Kimmel, Martha Matsumoto, Doris Bitle.  Boys’ Chorus – John Taylor, Lawrence Robinson, Ronnie Woods, Elwood Kalland, Douglas Collaway, Bob Smock, Francis Miller, John Coffin, George Jenn, Fred Stoddard, Kazua Kinigi.  Accompanist – Norma Menees.  The boys’ chorus will feel right at home in their pirate costumes, as what boy hasn’t at some time imagined himself a blood-thirsty pirate.  For the poster contest Marie Therkelsen won first prize and Lorna and Lorraine Croan won second and third. 

• Daffodils, blooming in the W.D. Covington gardens, present a sight well worth seeing.

• Important Hearing In Tacoma – According to last-minute information obtained by Paul Billingsley, chairman of the emergency ferry committee, from Ferd Schaaf, director of public service, a hearing will be held in Tacoma, at the Winthrop Hotel, beginning at 10 o’clock, March 21.  The commission is making extensive investigation of the Washington Navigation company’s affairs, before allowing an increase of 33 1/3 per cent on passenger, and 20 per cent on automobile fares.  The company’s reason for asking this increase is to obtain additional revenue to take care of repairs on Pierce county docks.  It is urged that all interested Island residents appear at this hearing and assist in resisting the increase of fares filed 10 days ago in a new rate schedule.  Island interests will be represented by David J. Williams, of Fairbrooks & Williams, Seattle.  Gig Harbor residents will be represented by MacAllister Moore, of Gig Harbor.  This is a matter that vitally affects the community welfare, and deserves the help and interest of all, no matter where your place of residence may be.

• Higher Rates Asked By South End Ferry Line – New developments in the ferry situation were indicated when the ferry committee of the Vashon Island Commercial Club was instructed by President Ira O. Thompson to investigate a proposed raise in rates at the South End.  This move was made when the Washington Navigation company’s recent petition for a higher rate schedule to compensate for Pierce county’s refusal to maintain the docks in the future was discussed at a meeting of the club, on March 8, at the high school.  The ferry committee’s report on North End conditions included a summary of statistics secured from the Black Ball company relating to business volume for 1936 and 1937.  Rate reductions proposed by the Black Ball Line would affect less than 30 per cent of the volume of traffic, Paul Billingsley, chairman of the committee, reported.  Only 19 per cent of the total business came from one-way auto tickets, and 40-day and 7-day auto commutation traffic, on which reductions would apply, Billingsley said.  Truck rates, which have risen from an average of 85 cents each way, prior to June, 1936, to $1.40 each way per truck, would remain at the higher rate under the ferry company’s suggested schedule.  Truck business represents 30 per cent of the total business, the committee pointed out.  Round trip auto fares, which comprise 26 per cent of the business, would also remain unchanged, and passenger round trip rates, another 15 per cent, would be raised from 35 to 40 cents the chairman continued.  Explaining a circular graph on which figures for volume of business were represented by segments, Billingsley said: “The committee went to Seattle to determine just what the suggested rate schedule would mean to Vashon Island.  We find that Captain Peabody proposes to reduce rates on the ‘little pieces of pie’ – where volume of traffic is low – and raise, or maintain present rates on the ‘big pieces of pie’ – where volume of traffic is high.”  It is Captain Peabody’s contention that these changes would give his company a monthly increase of $1,400, obtained entirely from classes of transportation little used by the Vashon Island people, the committee explained, adding that its investigation does not confirm Peabody’s position. 

• New Mail Contract Is Discussed – Vashon-Maury mail service received the careful consideration of those present at a joint meeting of the transportation and public service committees with Capt. Verne Christensen, of the Virginia V.  Aubrey D. Lawrence, superintendent of the 13th district of the railway mail service, sat in and listened as opinions were aired.  Letting of bids for the carrying of mail, and its distribution on, on the star route were held up, pending the receipt of advice from residents of the Island.  Capt. Christensen offered several different plans, none of which were acted upon.  It was finally decided to call an all-Island meeting at the Island club for 8 o’clock Monday evening, March 28, when it is hoped we can arrive at a concrete suggestion which will help Mr. Lawrence in making his decision.

• McCormick To Start His Marathon March 23 – Barring a broken leg, or one of those California floods, George McCormick will stage his one-man marathon Wednesday, March 23.  Starting at 10 a.m., he will begin walking counter-clockwise around the Island.  The wager is that he can hike entirely around Vashon Island in 21 hours, walking along the beach or through brush when the tide is high.  He has chosen a day when there is an extremely low tide, and a nine-foot high tide.  According to the rules of the contest George cannot use paths, roads or bulkheads in his jaunt, and the tides on the 23rd will offer little complication.  Observers will follow with a motor boat to pick him up in case he “faints by the wayside,” but the majority of his friends feel that there is little danger of that.  One rooter says he’ll come in 30 minutes under the 21 hours.  For a time there was a purse of $154 which said George could not encircle the Island in that time, but the sentiment in his favor has grown to such an extent that the man with a hundred dollars that said McCormick couldn’t perform the little stunt announced this week that his hundred had changed its mind.  The marathon has already created a lot of interest off the Island, and has rated a feature story in the Seattle P-I with more publicity to come when the walk takes place.  It was reported that the event would be broadcast, but this report was found upon investigation to be without foundation.  Needless to day there will be a big gallery to witness the start, and many friends and well-wishers present at Tahlequah next Wednesday morning to wish George success.  The News-Record joins with a lot of others in saying “We bet he makes it!”

• A report on the financial condition of the Vashon State Bank at the close of business on March 7, 1938 showed total assets of $265,977.62.

• Tahlequah Notes – The Fred G. Pohl Daffodil farm is a mass of bloom.  About half-a-thousand blooms are marketed daily in Tacoma.  Daffodils have been in bloom here for a month now, and their season will be completed in about another two or three weeks.

• Tahlequah Notes – Two ferries, the Vashonia and Fox Island, were operating Sunday on each trip from Point Defiance to Tahlequah.  Increased business necessitated the use of two ferries.

 March 24, 1938

• McCormick Starts Long Hike Around Island – With a gallery of friends and well-wishers, George McCormick started off on his epic hike at 10 o’clock Wednesday morning.  A large number of Island people and city reporters was gathered at the Tahlequah dock to witness a feat that will go down into local history as have those tales of Paul Bunyan, and other legendary heroes of the Northwest.  Only in this case our Island is, as usual, a bit different, for our hero is our contemporary, and in the event that he is successful we can all boast of having known him personally.  Everyone was happy and optimistic as F.J. Shattuck, deputy-sheriff, fired the shot that sped George on his walk around the Island.  He was dressed in ordinary working clothes and carried a 20-pound pack, containing extra shoes and socks.  And few present doubted his ability to perform the feat of completely encircling Vashon-Maury by 10 o’clock Thursday morning.  Possibly public-spiritedness should prompt our holding up publication until Thursday, so that we might give our readers all details available.  But since that would inconvenience our advertisers we will do the next best thing.

• Not Our Fault – It is not our fault that an advertisement appeared in this week’s issue announcing the fact that the News-Record would be the theme of Saturday night’s “Meet the Editor” program, over KIRO.  To those who listen in we want also to explain that an interview such as the program director requested isn’t our idea, and please don’t blame us for it.  We stood firm in giving Vashon-Maury Island its share of time.  Those who listen will be agreeably surprised to hear our own Justin Mace add the nicest touch to the News-Record’s 15 minutes on the air.  A young native son will make his radio debut on the Brunbaum program Sunday at 12:15 over KOMO when young Bill Smock upholds the honor of the 8th graders.

• Tommy Beall Badly Burned – Thomas “Tommy” Beall suffered painful burns Saturday evening when he rushed to shut off the oil burner, following an explosion of the boiler. Not stopping to think of the danger of hot water on the concrete floor, he took several steps forward into water a foot deep, and afterwards walked to the home of his parents several hundred feet distant, before he collapsed.  Dr. F.A. McMurray was immediately called, and gave the routine treatment for second degree burns extending over the entire surface of the feet and ankles.  On Sunday Tommy was taken to a Seattle hospital where he is recovering nicely, though still suffering a great deal of pain.

• Mrs. Armstrong Announces Sale Of Portage Store – The sale of the Portage store was completed this week when C.A. Solberg, the new owner, took possession Monday morning.  Mrs. R.J. Armstrong, from whom he purchased the property, will retain her position of postmaster at Portage.

• Ferry Hearing Opens In Tacoma by Ann Billingsley – That the docks at Point Defiance and Gig Harbor have always been maintained by the Washington Navigation company, except for the approaches, was brought out at the hearings regarding the company’s proposed raise in rates before Director Ferd J. Schaaf and the Public Service commission at the Winthrop Hotel Monday.  Pierce county’s refusal to maintain docks used by the Washington Navigation company, which the company seeks to prove will necessitate higher rates, is based on the opinion of the attorney general of the state that the county is not legally permitted to keep up these docks, according to the testimony given by Pierce County Commissioner Rankin.  Ferry docks and slips were not kept in good repair during 1936 and 1937, owing to uncertainty as to whether the Washington Navigation company or Pierce county was to take care of them, it was brought out.  A controversy over this matter arose in January, 1935.  Charles Peterson, counsel for the Washington Navigation company, introduced testimony to show that average yearly maintenance for the next 10 years on the Tahlequah dock would amount to approximately $2,500, with the figures for Point Defiance and Gig Harbor being estimated at $1,100 each.  These estimates were based on the assumption that the docks would first be put in good condition, which in the case of the Point Defiance dock would involve an initial expenditure of around $500.  It was not claimed that expense of the Tahlequah dock in King county would fall on any Pierce county agency, however.  Similar estimates were made for all the docks used by the company, the average yearly maintenance for each dock amounting to $2,500, if a total expenditure of some $30,000 were first made to put them in proper shape.  No Vashon witnesses were questioned, the company presenting its case first.  Representatives from Anderson Island, Steilacoom and Gig Harbor allowed to testify out of order for their convenience, declared rate increased have reduced property values in these areas, and that people using these lines now make less frequent trips than under the old rate schedule.  It was suggested that the Steilacoom-Anderson Island-Longbranch run, a heavy loser for the company, be considered separately from the others.  The hearings will continue Friday, beginning at 10 o’clock.  Vashon Island witnesses will probably be heard Friday afternoon or Saturday.

• Editorial – More Ferry Hearings – We had hoped that there would be no further necessity to impress upon the people of Vashon-Maury Island the imperative need of appearing in full force to resist an increase in ferry rates, but again that need has arisen.  Despite the increase of income enjoyed by the Washington Navigation company during the past year, higher rates have been asked.  A hearing is in progress in Tacoma and it is imperative that there be a showing of Island people if this rate increase is to be defeated.  It has become evident that slowly but surely, the officials are awakening to the fact that growth of the outlying communities rests with lower rates and easier methods of transportation.  In the latest hearing in Seattle, and in the hearing in progress in Tacoma, the director of public service has given the opportunity again and again for this testimony to be brought out.  If enough people offer this testimony there is a good chance that it will have its effect.  It is a certainty that there must be a good showing at the hearing Friday afternoon and Saturday morning, when Vashon Island will be heard.  Reasonable rates at both ends of the Island are imperative.  It is just as necessary to the man or woman at the Heights that equitable rates shall prevail at the South End as it is to the people at the South End that we have reasonable rates at the North End.  The entire Island is affected in either case.  We made a good showing last summer at the hearing in Seattle so let’s make an equally good one in Tacoma on the appointed day.  Those who plan to attend this meeting may verify the day by calling Coy Meredith at Burton.  He will know whether Friday afternoon or Saturday morning will be the best time to attend.

• Tahlequah Notes by Mrs. C.R. Roediger – With the wind at times reaching a velocity of 60 miles an hour, Tahlequah beach homes took a severe beating Friday and early Saturday morning.  The storm was the worst experienced here since the memorable one of October 22, 1935.  A madrona tree, more than 30 years old, was uprooted on the bulkhead of the Gilbert Smith property.  A terra cotta chimney at the Roediger home went sailing into space, and a number of windows were splintered.  Bulkheads, too, suffered damage.

• What Readers Say – To the editor: If Vashon and Maury Islands have a few more earthquakes, so to speak in the way of shocks dealt by transportation, I’ll be willing to turn back my eight acres and 190 feet of waterfront to the spirit of Sitting Bull.  Now comes the discussion over the proposed mail contract.  Either the Virginia V gets the contract, or that steamer, serving all the points on the West Pass, will discontinue this run immediately after the close of the summer season.  Capt. Christiansen, master of the Virginia V, is authority for that statement.  Well, if such a move does come to pass, this Island will be in a heck of a place.  No one appears to wish to start a stage route, and bid for the contract.  My thought is a stage line would be a good idea, but the folks on the West Pass would be left dangling on a limb.  That wouldn’t be fair, so let’s see that the Virginia V receives Uncle Sam’s personally engraved paper with a picture of George Washington on it monthly.  And here is another thought to speed up the mail service.  If the Commercial Club could bring a little pressure to bear on the county commissioners, a road could be put through from the end of the Pohl road at Tahlequah to Spring Beach.  Spring Beach is the first port of call and an hour or more closer than Cove, where the mail stop has been made heretofore.  This certainly would be a great thing for Island merchants.  They would obtain their mail in such time as to permit them to answer it before the day’s business really gets under way.  County engineers declare that the extension of the Pohl road to Spring Beach, a distance of a little more than one-half mile, would cost $10,000.  Piffle on such a figure.  The county engineers haven’t been authorized to make a real survey, I don’t believe.  Down on the Roosevelt highway in Oregon, engineers had to cut their way through solid rock in certain sections, and those stretches cost only $50,000 per mile.  Certainly a one-way road, at least, could be put through here for less than $10,000 for half-a-mile.  If we had a road to Spring Beach, Vashon and Maury Islanders who enjoy traveling to Seattle by water, could drive to Spring Beach and board the Virginia.  In fact, there would be numerous other advantages, which it is unnecessary to set down at this time.  C.R. Roediger, Tahlequah.

• The obituary of Rev. Sherman V. Warren was published.

• Greenhouse Is Damaged By High Winds – The high winds which prevailed on Saturday blew in the end of one of the greenhouses of the Dick Fuller plant.  Fortunately no damage was done to the tomato plants.

 March 31, 1938

• Ferry Hearing Indefinitely Postponed – Without notifying either ferry patrons or their counsel, the Washington Navigation Company secured, through their attorney, C.T. Peterson, an indefinite postponement in the hearing scheduled first for Monday, March 21, then postponed until the following Friday, only to be set aside indefinitely.

• George McCormick Wins Again – Well, George McCormick’s hike around Vashon Island is finished, but tales of his accomplishment will reecho for years to come, and generations yet unborn will attempt to duplicate his feat.  He had hardly reached his goal before Island youngsters were planning to follow in his steps.  Reminded of the fact that Lindbergh flew the Atlantic and created a great furor, but that those who later did likewise hardly created a ripple, the boys have allowed their second thought to conquer enthusiasm.  The details of the trip have been told before, and those who worried over George’s “condition” may like to know that he is back on the job, apparently as good as new.  His legs are again functioning as rapidly as ever.  We believe that the feature of the trip that many would like to have is the schedule he made.  This was furnished us by F.J. Shattuck, and we take no responsibility for its accuracy.  This is something the deputy-sheriff will have to answer for.  As he gave it to us it is as follows: Tahlequah, 10:00 a.m.; Shawnee 11:18; Burton 11:32; Joe Green’s home 12:11 p.m.; Judd Creek, 12:27; Tom Allison’s 12:53; Dockton, 2:00; Manzanita, 2:29; Light House, 4:40; Portage Store, 5:50; Glen Acres, Ar. 7:30, Left 8:00; Heights Dock 9:00; Cedarhurst Ar. 10:00, Left 10:35; Colvos, 11:05; Cove, 12:45 a.m.; Lisabeula, Ar. 3:40, Left 4:15; Cross’ Landing, 4:40; Bates Garage, 5:20; Tahlequah 6:50.  The elapsed time was 20 hours and 50 minutes; actual walking time was 18 hours and 40 minutes, with 2 hours and 10 minutes out for rest and food, - not to mention alcohol rubs that kept the muscles of his thighs from behaving too badly.  With all of the authority his office gives, Finn says that George walked 65 miles, and over the course that in any man’s language made it a mighty long 65 miles.

• Old Volume Loaned To News-Record -  This office is indebted to O.S. Van Olinda for a chance to examine and use a volume which is so valuable that the owner would scarcely consider any price for it.  It is Volume 1 of the Island Home, a magazine published in 1892 by “VanOlinda and Son, Props,” namely, our own O.S. VanOlinda and his father, E.E. VanOlinda.  The Island Home was printed on book paper, on a page about 10 and a half inches by seven inches, and was as nicely gotten up as a modern magazine.  It had a goodly amount of advertising, many articles on topics of then current interest, many of them “lifted” from other magazines.  The editorials seem to deal principally with farming, and much of the information contained in the articles are for the benefit of farmers.  Under the heading, “Local Happenings,” the news items contained referred to early residents, many of them now long dead.  The volume with which Mr. VanOlinda entrusted us is sturdily bound in leather.  The work was done in the shop of the “Island Home,” which also did “fine job printing of all kinds.”  From cover to cover the book is filled with interesting reading that cannot fail to intrigue anyone interested in the history of our Island.

• Henry Godfrey is moving the old Udell house from the Jensen property to his lot on the inner harbor.

• Island Residents Vote To Re-Let Mail Contract by Ann Billingsley – Transportation for the west side of Vashon Island was assured when more than 100 residents voted unanimously to recommend re-letting of the mail contracts to the West Pass Transportation company at a mass meeting on Monday evening at the Island Club.

• Editorial – Hurrah For George! – None of us were particularly surprised when George McCormick finished his trek around the Island in less time than he said he would.  That’s a habit George has had for years – man and boy – making good in each line he undertakes.  He was an honor student when he was in University, and although he did not continue along the line of mining engineering for which he prepared, Vashon Island is richer because he didn’t.  Boys growing up today will be better men tomorrow because they have seen the way George conducts his business.  And that walk around the Island didn’t make him hero – it just deepened their respect for that trait of his that permits him to carry forward to its ultimate conclusion whatever he undertakes.  There are probably others who could walk around the Island in 24 hours, but in this case it wasn’t the 24 hours half as much as it was the 30-odd years that preceded those hours.  We don’t agree with the Tacoma paper editorial that George is like those hardy Russian explorers.  If George tried being a Russian explorer we predict he’d be stood u before a firing squad before the end of the week.  His independence just doesn’t fit into the picture.  The feature that surprised so many people (though this is one time the editor is going to say “I told you so,”) was that George’s stunt gained Vashon Island so much publicity.  If you will stop and think of the tendency of the world today, and how out of keeping with the spirit of the times it is for a man to undergo a grueling like George did, wouldn’t it be natural for the world to sit up and take notice when they heard of someone doing something difficult, just for the love of it?  The thing that lies back of his hike are the days, weeks, months, of trotting around that hardware store, many times until two or three o’clock in the morning.  That’s the story the world ought to know.  But it wouldn’t be policy to play it up, for it would make so many people uncomfortable to hear about an energetic person doing his job well.  It’s so much more spectacular to know about a man walking around an Island!  We feel safe in saying that George was just as surprised in the publicity he gained for the Island of his birth as anyone else.  Had it been carefully promoted he could probably have been richer by a nice amount of money, but as it is, Vashon Island has gained more publicity than we could have purchased for a thousand dollars.  We could have flooded the country with propaganda, without getting a spot in the city dailies that would catch the eye and fancy of strangers.  For the first time in the history of the Island a play is being made for more stories about us.  There are ways and means that this Island, which is unique in a hundred different ways, could be kept in the public eye, and it wouldn’t take another ferry strike, either.  The nice scrap we have put up on our ferry rates hasn’t hurt the least bit, and it is surprising how strangers chuckle over our grit, and the admiration they express for a community that will stand up and sauce back.  We may take spankings, but we don’t have to refrain from yelling in protest.  One of our finest sources of publicity comes from KVI.  The Mutual Broadcasting Company’s dramatization of George’s marathon was good medicine, but that day after day boost that MacAllister gives us – every week-day morning, month in and month out – just couldn’t be purchased.  The Puget Sound Broadcasting Company is proud of its plant here on the Island, and their loyalty is making us known all over the nation.  There is enough material here to keep us on the front pages for a long time.  Our only difficulty is that we are too near it to see the news value.  For the present moment, with interest in Vashon Island alive, why don’t we capitalize?  The News-Record is ready, and happens to be in a better position now than ever, to get the ear of those who make stories of the facts we supply.  We recall our grandmother’s old adage about striking when the iron was hot – but we like that newer one much better, which says that the time to shoot ducks is when there are ducks to be shot.  So, if anyone has a good story about Vashon Island or its people, let’s trot it out.!  (But for goodness’ sake, let’s keep the fun clean, and don’t let’s have a crime wave, or anything like that to get us on the front page!)

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April 1938

April 7, 1938

• Second Petition For Road To Spring Beach – Signed by a number of Island business men and residents of Tahlequah and Spring Beach, a second petition is in the hands of the King County commissioners urging that the Fred G. Pohl road be extended to Spring Beach at an early date.  If the road were put through to Spring Beach, mail could be dropped off there by the S.S. Virginia, which will resume its Tacoma-Seattle schedule on April 20.  This would result in a faster service than was in effect prior to the time of bringing the mail over on the early morning ferry, which will be discontinued as soon as the Virginia begins operating along the West Pass.  Spring Beach at present is virtually isolated as there is no way of getting to and from there except by rowboat or walking.  The nearest telephone is at Tahlequah, and in event of an emergency, Spring Beach residents are up against a serious problem.  Island merchants feel that with the opening of a road to Spring Beach there would be a material increase in business, especially during the summer months.  As it stands now, there is no way for Spring Beach folks and those at Camp Sealth to reach Burton, Center or Vashon.  Then, too, with the opening of the road would doubtless come electricity and telephone service, which is very essential in this day and age, it is pointed out.

• Property Changes Hands At Dockton – In an exchange of property which took place at Dockton recently, the Theo Berry and Louie Danielson families are now living in different houses.  The property acquired by Mr. Berry is on the road which passes the church, while Mr. Danielson’s new home in nearer the Sound and west of the Dockton store.

• M.F. Defiance Back On Run With Added Power – With 125 more horsepower in the engine room, the M.F. Defiance is back on the Point Defiance-Gig Harbor and Tahlequah run.  The Defiance now has more than 700 horsepower with her two Diesel engines.

• Ferry Traffic Concentration Urges by Tacoma Chamber by Ann Billingsley – With mutual desire for lower ferry rates apparent, in spite of disagreement as to the means of obtaining them, it was moved and passed that the Tacoma Chamber of Commerce urge concentration of traffic over the most economical routes at a mass meeting in the Tacoma Building Tuesday evening.  Strong feeling on the part of Peninsula representatives that the Gig Harbor and Tahlequah runs should give way to the shorter Point Fosdick route was evidenced at the meeting, called to determine what position the Chamber of Commerce should take at the ferry hearings before Director Ferd J. Schaaf and the Public Service Commission next Monday.  The motion first made was that the group should ask for abandonment of either the Gig Harbor or the Point Fosdick run, but was passed with an amendment proposed by Paul Billingsley of Vashon Island which did not designate any specific route, and aimed only at economy and efficiency as an aid to obtaining lower rates.  Three substitutes for the present ferry monopoly were suggested: A cooperative ferry; A ferry operated by the Port Commissioners; Or county ferries.  It was also brought out that the Chamber of Commerce and other groups have spent more than $100,000 attempting to get a bridge across the Narrows, and those efforts will continue.  In answer to a question whether or not a responsible company promising low rates could supersede the Washington Navigation company, Pierce County Commissioner Rankin said this decision would have to come from the Public Service Commission.  Pierce county’s refusal to maintain docks used by the Washington Navigation company is based on the advice of the attorney general of the state that the county is prohibited by the constitution from spending public funds for the benefit of a private concern, Commissioner Rankin said.  This refusal will mean an increased cost of some $25,000 a year to the company, according to Jay W. McCune, counsel for the Chamber of Commerce.  A representative from Gig Harbor pointed out that there is a ferry from Johnson’s Landing to Olympia running with a 50-cent rate, and that this company must maintain its own docks.

• Editorial – Tacoma Chamber Of Commerce To The Rescue – Elsewhere in this issue of the News-Record is an account of the meeting held in Tacoma Tuesday evening and called by the Chamber of Commerce.  The purpose of this meeting was to devise an effective program of action to bring about better ferry rates for Vashon Island and Peninsula communities.  This was a gracious gesture on the part of Tacoma, and on which should receive proper recognition.  It is true that the cities profit by the patronage of the rural sections, but these rural sections do not always receive help from the cities, commensurate with the patronage they give.  It is not so long ago that we sought in vain for the assistance of the Seattle Chamber of Commerce.  For this reason the unsolicited assistance given by the Tacoma Chamber is just that much more unexpected and welcome.  In the face of this Vashon Island residents MUST put up a good fight at next Tuesday’s hearing.  We have not been fairly dealt with in having our plans upset by the unwarranted delay in a scheduled hearing, but that is no reason for us to stay home and sulk.  We urge that each interested property owner read carefully the report of the ferry committee of the Commercial Club, also contained in this issue.  We grant that these reports are a little more difficult to read than a news story, but they are far more significant in their importance to our community.  Although it may be difficult to realize, we have gone a long way in our fight – too far, surely, to let down in our efforts at this stage of the game.  Let’s remember that a fight well begun is half won.  And the fact that the Tacoma Chamber of Commerce is ready to act as a big brother to Vashon Island, and other communities in the same situation as ours, should go far in stiffening our determination to see the scrap through until our ferry rates are within reason.

• Take Over Dock Store – Mrs. Cora Stone and daughter, Peggy, are operating the waiting room store at Vashon Heights.  They will continue in charge until fall, when the parents of the owner, William Shakespeare, will come from Canada to take over the management.

• Ferry Committee Submits Report – The ferry committee, represented by Paul Billingsley, chairman, and David J. Williams, counsel, attended the ferry hearings which opened at the Winthrop Hotel on Monday, March 21.  Ira Case was also present from Vashon Island.  It was apparent immediately that the communities served by the Washington Navigation company were strongly aroused at this attempt to increase rates.  Large delegations were present, with strong legal assistance, from the Pierce and Kitsap county portions of the Peninsula.  These delegations were well prepared with testimony and were in a mood not only to combat an increase in rates, but to demand substantial reductions in rates.  The Vashon delegation, through contacts made in recent weeks, was in a position to cooperate effectively with the Peninsula delegations and plans were laid to build up a common case, strengthened by the testimony of all the communities.  The hearing progressed very slowly, due largely to the dilatory tactics of Counsel Peterson of the ferry company, and to the admission of testimony out of order to accommodate people who had come from isolated communities.  At the end of the day, Director Schaaf announced that the hearings would be postponed to suit the convenience of Counsel Peterson, who had other engagements.  The Vashon committee, therefore, was obliged to head off the group of witnesses which had been assembled to testify on Tuesday.  Additional postponements have been made, but it is now definitely stated by the Department of Public Service that the hearings are to be resumed at the Winthrop Hotel on Monday, April 11.  This means that the ferry company will occupy that day presenting its case and that Tuesday, April 12, will be the day on which the Vashon committee will introduce its witnesses.  We therefore urge all who have agreed to appear and give testimony for our cases to hold that day free so that there will be no weakening in our presentation.  The committee has been greatly impressed during these hearings by the deadly earnestness of the interested communities and also by the strong support given by the people of Tacoma through their Chamber of Commerce.  We believe that the time is ripe for not only stopping the everlasting ferry increases which have now continued for 10 years, so that the rates are now over double those in effect during the boom period of 1929, but for demanding and obtaining a substantial reduction in order to bring these rates in line with the prices of other means of transportation.  We believe that if such an outcome can be won on the South End, that the way will then be opened for an attack on the equally inflated North End rates.  To carry out this program, we need the united support of the Island.  We will endeavor to waste no efforts and to ask no contributions or demonstrations except where we are sure these will be directly effective.  In general, our most effective weapon is the actual testimony of facts introduced into the hearings in proper form, supported by admissions won in cross-examination of ferry witnesses, and thus permanently in the records upon which both the Department of Public Service and subsequent reviewing courts base their decisions.  If such material defending our case and our interests is to be available in these essential documents, it is necessary for us to maintain a continuing organization which is prepared to take action at short notice.  The ferry companies have such organizations and bring incessant pressure on the department.  As you know, the Black Ball company has appealed against our North End rate structure and has backed its appeal by a 90-page brief prepared by counsel.  This is fortunately in this instance balanced to some extent by the brief of our counsel, but if we had not been organized on a semi-permanent basis, the assertions and demands of the ferry company would have gone to the court of appeal with no adequate opposition.  It is our intention to remain vigilant and to produce such opposing testimony until we are satisfied that ferry rates are in normal relationship to our prices.  Respectfully submitted, Paul Billingsley, chairman.

 April 14, 1938

• Bull Sea Lion and Cows Are Sighted Off Tahlequah – A bull sea lion and two cows were sighted on Saturday and Sunday off Spring Beach and Tahlequah.  The trio was heading down the pass into Commencement Bay.  This is said to be the first time in two years that a bull sea lion and cohorts have been seen cavorting in these waters.

• Tahlequah Men Escape Death – Fred Dahl Swept Overboard From Small Boat When Cargo Shifts During Gale Off Vancouver – The small craft overloaded with provisions for cannery points in the north, Fred Dahl, of Tahlequah, and three other men narrowly escaped death by drowning in a storm off the bleak coast of Vancouver Island, it was learned today.  Battered by heavy seas, the cargo shifted, giving a heavy list to the small boat, which has been used as a freighter and temporary storage for fish.  Dahl and his companions donned life preservers and started jettisoning 13 tons of cargo, including liquor and wines, and general supplies.  Fred Dahl was swept overboard into the icy water but was finally rescued by other members of the crew.  After the storm abated, Dahl and is crew headed back for Seattle an the net result now is that some of the boys along the fishing banks will be “spittin’ cotton,” and do without some of the dinner table frills.

• Orchid Hunters Tell of Trip – Odd Customs and Stranger Food Prove Unpleasant; First Two Weeks Worst, Says Boys

• Sudden Storm Forces Pile Driver to Cease Work – Coming up suddenly from the southwest, a strong wind Friday afternoon forced the crew of the Manson pile-driving outfit at the Tahlequah pier to scurry for shelter.  Fortunately the tug was at the pier when the blow started and took the driver in tow and started for Gig Harbor.  Work was again resumed Monday morning at the Tahlequah pier.

• Attend Meeting – Mrs. Ora Robinson and Miss Katherine Parker were guests at a meeting of the Ferry Association of Snohomish county, held in Everett Tuesday evening.  A number of state and county officials were also present.  The consensus of opinion was that the time was apparently ripe for concerted action to bring about state operation of ferries.  This association is anxious to cooperate with the Ferry Improvement Association which introduced into the last session of the legislature a bill for state operation.

• Skating Rink Is Latest Vashon Enterprise – Vashon is taking on another amusement feature in the very near future with the opening of a roller skating rink April 23rd the in building left vacant by the Vashon Feed Company.  Mrs. Ora Robinson and son, Bill, will operate the new rink, which promises a lot in the way of amusement for the young set and not so young.  The floor will be put in good condition, and music will be furnished by a large electric phonograph, equipped with up-to-the-minute records.

• Tacoma Mountaineers Are Island Visitors Sunday – A group of members of the Tacoma Mountaineers club alighted at Tahlequah Sunday morning from the 9:15 ferry and hiked to Spring Beach, and thence to Paradise Cove, where they enjoyed their lunch at the Byrd home.  After walking to a number of the beauty spots, the mountaineers returned via the beach to Tahlequah where they boarded the 4 p.m. ferry for Tacoma.

• Growers Protest Raising Of Rates at Hearing – Vashon and Peninsula Farmers Asset They Are Already Paying Hauling Rates Double Those In Effect On the Mainland by Ann Billingsley – Testifying that Vashon Island and Gig Harbor fruit growers pay more for hauling than mainland farmers, that higher ferry rates have reduced Vashon business generally during the past year, and that the Washington Navigation company is overlooking the possibility of Quartermaster Harbor as a source of regular traffic to Tacoma, witnesses for Vashon Island were introduced for the first time at the ferry hearings at the Winthrop Hotel Tuesday.  The hearings are being held before Director Ferd J. Schaaf and the Public Service Commission to discuss a rate increase recently proposed by the ferry company to compensate for Pierce county’s refusal to maintain in future docks used by the company.  Speaking generally for farmers in the Pacific northwest and specifically for 137 Vashon and 251 Peninsula growers who belong to the Washington Packers’ association.  B.A. Brant, general superintendent for the organization, said the margin of profit is so small that further increased in hauling costs through higher ferry rates would be disastrous.  Hauling rates have increased from $4.00 a ton to $4.75 and $5.50 a ton for Vashon and Gig Harbor, Brant said, pointing out that rates for equivalent hauls on the mainland are around $2.40 a ton.  The witness added that Northwest produce must compete not only with eastern fruit but that with such government-subsidied produce as that raised in the TVA region.  Corroborating Brant’s statement that local farmers make little if any profit, E.C. Thompson of Vashon testified also that his business has decreased by approximately $4,000 during the past year, and attributed this loss to the increased ferry rates at both ends of the Island.  First Vashon witness on the stand was W.C. Meredith, of Burton, who stressed the potential value of the Quartermaster area of the ferry company, with the Tahlequah road improved.  Meredith also pointed to the Spring Beach vicinity as a source of possible ferry patronage, with a road along this shore imminent.  Lumber and feed moves for the most part out of Seattle, Meredith said, but the bulk of merchandise for Vashon Island comes from Tacoma.  During his 19 years in business on the Island, the witness said, his freight carried by ferry has increased in cost, but both freight and passenger rates on the passenger boat from Tacoma have remained the same.  Charles Roediger, a resident of Tahlequah, pointed out the indifferent attitude taken by the ferry company and its failure to adequately advertise the Island.  This testimony followed the statement by Mitchell Skansie, president of the ferry company, that although the Tahlequah run now contributes to the revenues of the company, it would not be a profitable route if operated separately from the Gig Harbor run.  Asked for an opinion regarding the suggested elimination of some routes with concentration at other points, Skansie said this would not effect any appreciable economy to the company, since insurance and upkeep on the boats would continue, only cost of the crews and fuel being saved.  Asked if the boats could not be disposed of, Skansie said, “I’ll sell them to you at half-price – but you wouldn’t buy them.”  “I gather there is no market for ferry boats,” Director Schaaf interpreted.  Opposing any change in the service which would cut out the Gig Harbor run, H.R. Thurston, president of the Gig Harbor chamber of commerce, suggested elimination of the Point Fosdick line, with an alternative service proposed which would serve Anderson Island, Fox Island and Point Fosdick with one boat, providing one morning and one evening trip.  In cross-examination of Pierce County Commissioner A.A Rankin by Jay W. McCune, traffic manager of the Tacoma chamber of commerce, it was brought out that the agreement between Pierce county and the ferry company, under which the company operates, provides specifically that docks are not to be used exclusively by the Washington Navigation company.  It had been brought out previously that the county’s refusal to maintain these docks is based upon an opinion of the attorney general of the state that county officials may not expend public funds for the exclusive benefit of any private company.

• Local Items of Interest – Ferguson Beall has been spending much time at the Federal building in Seattle, fumigating plants which he has imported from South America.  The requirements are rigid, and extreme care is taken along these lines.  At the Federal building there is a section devoted to the fumigation of all imported plants.

 April 21, 1938

• Power Company Improves Lines – Five Months To Be Required To Complete Work of Rebuilding Transmission System – A program of improvements that will take approximately five months to complete was begun in the Vashon district this week, similar to the one just completed on the South End.  The voltage will be increased from 2,300 to 6,600, which will mean more efficient service, at the same time involving extensive improvements.  A crew of five men will be at work installing larger transformers, changing cross arms, insulators and pins, and stringing larger wire where necessary.  The company feels that these improvements will give to the people of the Island a better service than the present arrangement.  This district in which the work will be done extends from Cove-Colvos road east to the bay.

• New Amusement Center To Open Here Saturday Night – With lively music, a floor in perfect condition, excellent skates in perfect alignment, a gay crowd, and possibly favors for all the Vashon Skating Rink will open its doors Saturday evening.

• Sunshine Club Explains Visiting Service – The Friendly Visiting Service for the aged and blind will be explained over KOMO each Wednesday morning at 8:30, as part of the Sunshine club program.  The Friendly Visiting Service is a volunteer movement that functions in cooperation with the state department of social security.  Its purpose is to render a kindly, neighborly service to the aged and blind persons who are receiving public assistance, and who have no close friends or relatives calling upon them.  It provides the normal community contacts deprived them by reason of their disability.

• Local Schools To Continue Use of Oil For Fuel – Superintendent Lloyd McElvain was among those present at a meeting held in Olympia Monday, at which representatives of various schools presented their cases before Olaf L. Olsen, director of finance, budget and business, relative to the use of Washington coal as made mandatory by recent legislation.  On account of the high freight rates which makes the cost of coal almost prohibitive on Vashon Island, the local schools are granted the unconditional permission to continue using oil, as at present, which is 45 per cent lower in cost than other fuel.

• Statement of Ferry Committee to the People of Vashon-Maury Island – In view of the great interest in the ferry hearings shown by Tacoma and Pierce county people, testified to by the prominence given to the sessions in the Tacoma press, I wish to make perfectly clear to the people of Vashon and Maury Islands, who have no doubt read at least the startling headlines of these news stories, just what viewpoint and policy their ferry committee actually hold.  Our viewpoint of the ferry situation in Pierce county waters is that first, the maintenance of transportation to cross-water portions of Pierce county is fundamentally a county responsibility; second, the transfer of the actual ferry operation to a private monopoly is not for the public interest unless it results in increased efficiency and lower costs which can be passed on to the public as better services and lower rates; third, the actual experience of the past ten years of Washington Navigation company operations on the contrary show abnormally increased costs which have been passed on as higher rates, so that the cost of travel to the public has nearly doubled in this period; and fourth, this undesirable outcome, which has reduced traffic and impaired investments and property values in Peninsula and island communities, has been to a large extent the result of acts of the Pierce County commissioners.  First, in 1935, and now again in 1938, when payment of their contractual obligations to the Washington Navigation company has been discovered by alert officials to be of uncertain legality, the county commissioners have so acted as to transfer these obligations to the ferry company and so, inevitably to the public, instead of attempting in fairness to render equivalent payments in legal ways.  One result has been that the cost of providing ferry service at a loss to the smaller communities is now borne not by the county, which receives the benefits, but by the traveling public of other communities, which receive no benefit.  We wish also to make clear our understanding of the fact that these undesirable public consequences have in no way been fostered or advocated by the Department of Public Service.  The increased costs have been imposed on the ferry company by Pierce county, (and in one case, 1937, by wage increase, which has not proved a large item); the requests for increased rates have been made by the ferry company; and if the Department of Public Service has been unable to resist some concessions to such requests, the blame rests primarily on those who pass on the cost.  The fact is, a vicious circle has been established, for it is apparent that increased costs are advantageous to the ferry company, which has thus far always been able to get more revenues from the increased rates than it has expended to meet the higher anticipated costs.  After the strike, in 1937, the wage cost increased not more than $8,000; but the higher rates brought in from less traffic, $20,000 more revenue.  If this circle is to be broken the ever-growing costs must be checked.  They have been and are being checked to some extent by the persistent efforts of the Department of Public Service.  To my knowledge many thousands of dollars of excessive costs on the company books by been cut off by decisions of the department in recent years; costs which would otherwise have passed on as a proper basis for rate increases.  But there are other costs entirely proper on the books, which might be reduced if the ferry management had made different decisions as to operations and expenditures.  It is our final conclusion that the only immediate solution to this problem in Pierce county waters lies in the assumption by the Department of Public Service, of control, by expert advisor, of these policies and decisions of management, in order to keep down costs.  We wish, also, to express our sincere gratitude to the people, newspapers and chamber of commerce of Tacoma.  All classes of Tacoma business rallied to the cause of the Peninsula and island; the papers gave our side of the testimony at length; and the Tacoma Chamber of Commerce, acting through its traffic manager, Jay W. McCune, took a and denouncing the behavior of the county officials.  Respectfully submitted, Paul Billingsley, Chairman, Ferry Committee, Vashon Island Commercial Club.

• Tacoma Chamber Offers Solution to Ferry Rates – Schaaf To Ask New Opinion From Attorney General On Question of County Dock Maintenance; Wages Take Only $8,000 of $20,000 Revenue Increase – The chamber of commerce program presented by Jay W. McCune, traffic manager for that group, is endorsed by the Tacoma Wholesale Distributors’ association and the Tacoma Retail Trade Bureau, and provides, in effect, for: 1. Concentration of service at Point Fosdick. 2. Separate service for Vashon Island, smelter workmen being served by a special trip of the Vashon boat to Gig Harbor in the morning and evening. 3. Fox Island service by the Point Fosdick ferry. 4. Separate consideration of the Steillacoom-Longbranch run.  5. Convincing the county commission it should maintain docks, which are public property for the use of the public.  6. Abandonment of the arrangement by which the ferry company carries county units free, or reporting of this item as revenue, to relieve other traffic of this burden.

• Editorial – What Next? – Whether we allow ourselves to admit it, we never the less are going places in reaching a solution to our ferry problems.  Possibly no other community has ever succeeded in making its protests heard by the department of public works so plainly.  Nor has any community more reason to realize the honesty of that department in reaching a fair decision.  A year ago many of us looked upon the members of the commission as opposed to our demands. Today we know they are making an honest effort to bring about conditions which they know are for our best interests.  The public service commission is in the position of having to accept cold facts.  Even though they would do otherwise they must weigh the evidence submitted by transportation companies just as carefully as they do the need of the territory served.  Cold facts cannot be disregarded in favor of the human misery created by excessive fares.  In all fairness we must recognize their position.  Having gone thus far we cannot afford to drift, or even lie at anchor (if we just have to be nautical.)  The Commercial Club, through its ferry committee – the performance of which deserves reams of commendation – has done one mighty fine job.  Anyone who attended any of the hearings has realized that despite his utter freedom from grandstand methods, evident in the performance of other counsel, David J. Williams, with his Welsh “stick-to-itiveness,” has put into the records, again and again, those things we most need; he has worked long and hard on the case; he has given it many times the service we can ever pay for.  But there will be more occasions when we will need to defend our position.  The Commercial club has received the help of other organizations, otherwise its less than a hundred members could not possibly have carried on.  But the time has now arrived when we must build up an organization that is big in membership, and has the financial background such a membership gives.  The Commercial club has carried on well, in spite of a certain amount of unfair discrediting.  Mistakes have been made and will be made by any other group.  BUT – We can’t go back to the status of a year ago after having made our voice heard.  If a fight for state operation is to be waged at the next session of the legislature we have less than a year to get going.  If we are to form a strong organization to see the matter through to its ultimate conclusion, NOW IS THE TIME!  There is a skeleton organization already in the Ferry Improvement Association.  We can utilize a lot of what has already been accomplished as a foundation for a 1938-1939 organization.  But this is Spring, and THE TIME IS RIPE TO GET READY FOR THE HARVEST WE HOPE TO REAP!

• Cove – Cedarhurst and Colvos News by Mrs. George Walls – The old John Fox house, one of the early homes of this neighborhood, was burned to the ground Wednesday afternoon.  A grass fire, out of control, ignited the building.  The house, which had been unoccupied for some time, was practically empty and aside from a couple of stoves little else was destroyed.  The sentimental value, however, to members of the Fox family, was great, and they regretted deeply the loss of the old home.

• Ellisport News by Miss Babe Hofmeister – The lovely new McIntyre home is progressing nicely, and is an addition to Ellisport of which the entire community is justifiably proud.  The “Celtic” arrived Saturday from Alaska and will be here for about two weeks.

• The obituary of Mrs. E.L. Livers was published.

• More stories about the Island Orchid Hunters appeared this week.

 April 28, 1938

• Ferry Improvement Club Revival Is Advocated – Increased Power Expected To Develop From New Association Set-Up – At a meeting of a representative group, members of the Vashon Island Commercial club, held Monday evening at Vashon, an exhaustive discussion of the various angles of the matter of state operation of ferries led to the conclusion that the wisest move would be a revival of the Ferry Improvement Association.  This organization was hastily put into operation two years ago, and while it lacked many essentials it was the consensus of opinion that it constituted a nucleus that could be developed into a powerful force.  In the present set-up Vashon Island has two trustees, Charles England and R.K. Beymer.  It was decided to ask for greater representation and the names of Coy Meredith, Ora Robinson, Axel Petersen, Paul Billingsley and F.H. Zorn were suggested, from which two more trustees could be chosen.  It was decided to send a representation from the Island to a meeting of the association in Tacoma Wednesday evening.  Ira Thompson, Ira Case, Paul Billingsley, H.C. Cronander and R.K. Beymer stated their willingness to attend.

• Tacoma Men Have Narrow Escape From Drowning – Two Tacoma salesmen, whose names were not learned, are alive today because a Tahlequah man went out Saturday night at 11 o’clock to ascertain the temperature of a brooder.  The Tahlequah man and his companion, who are too modest to permit the use of their names, heard the cries for help.  One of the men used his own rowboat, and the other routed R.K. Beymer from his bed and obtained the keys to his boat locker.  Wafted on a brisk wind, the cries for help were heard distinctly and those on shore could see a light flashing midway between Tahlequah and the Point Defiance picnic grounds.  The Tahlequah men towed the sinking boat to shore and then rowed the unfortunate occupants to the Tacoma Yacht club, where their car was parked. 

• Allotment For High School Is Declared Eligible – Word was received in a telegram received Wednesday morning from Senator Lewis Schwellenbach that an allotment of $3,327 called for in WPA project No. 20782 has been designated eligible by the president and would go to the comptroller general for review.  If this is passed on favorably it will provide concrete tennis courts for the high school, making possible year-‘round play now impossible on the clay courts.

• Ferry Passengers Laugh At Tahlequahites When They Miss the Boat – Charles G. Huhn, Jr., and his brother-in-law, J. Merze Fluke, are early risers, but they just can’t seem to hustle along for the morning ferry.  “Chuck” very often can be seen hurrying with a piece of toast in one hand and with the other busy tucking in a shirt tail or adjusting a neatly pressed tie.  Well, the duo pedaled a little too slowly Thursday morning, arriving on the ferry pier just in time to see the M.F. Skansonia backing away.  “Chuck” started to make a leap from the apron to the ferry, but remembered he had just had a bath on Saturday night and didn’t relish another in the Sound so early in the day.  “Chuck” and his pal borrowed a boat from R.K. Beymer, Jr., and rowed across.

• Seek New Beach Road Survey – County Engineers Hold That Route Proposed Will Be Too Difficult and Expensive To Build and Maintain – Holding that maintenance costs would be high, and the grade too steep, county engineers turned down the petition for the extension of the Pohl road to Spring Beach, according to a letter received by Forest Ritz.  The letter stated that the engineers office claimed the survey showed the grade down to Spring Beach from the top of the hill would be a hard one to negotiate, and consequently would not be considered feasible.  Ritz went to Seattle on Monday morning to confer with Commissioner Jack Taylor, and to ask for a new survey.  Island business men and Theodore Berry, of Maury Island, are interested in seeing the present road extended to Spring Beach as it is believed such a thoroughfare would tend to increase business in this district and facilitate the movement of mail from the S.S. Virginia on her morning trip from Tacoma.  Island trade is none too good at present, according to merchants, and any cooperation in opening new territory would tend to stimulate trade in general, they point out.

• Forty-Four Students React To Tuberculosis Tests – Out of the 414 children who received the Mantoux test, 44 reactors were discovered.  Children who reacted to the Mantoux tests are being taken into Seattle for X-Ray examination.

• Tommy Beall Home Sunday – The word that Tommy Beall has recovered sufficiently to come home on Sunday from the Seattle hospital where he has been confined for several weeks is welcome news to his many friends.  His burned feet have healed so that he gets about without the aid of crutches.

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May 1938
May 5, 1938

• Tacoman Buys Wiman Home – Long Time Resident of Island Will Make Her Home In Seattle After Disposing of Property Here – Mrs. Gertrude Wiman, who recently sold her home on Quartermaster Harbor to Mr. and Mrs. F.W. Mason of Tacoma, left Saturday for Seattle, where she will remain for a short time before visiting friends in Olympia and the Grays Harbor country.  She expects to take an apartment in Seattle early this fall.  Mrs. Wiman has lived on the Island for 38 years, coming here with her husband, the late Captain C.E. Wiman when he acquired an interest and became captain of the old S.S. “Sophia.”  They built their home soon after coming here and developed one of the show places of the entire Island.  Later Captain Wiman and his associates built the Norwood, Verona and Vashon II.  The first three were built at Dockton and the Vashon II at Burton.  Captain Wiman served on the Portage-Des Moines ferry, and when that route was discontinued went to the North End where he worked for the Kitsap County Transportation company.  He took the Kitsap and Vashon out on their maiden trips, though in the case of the latter it was a matter of sentiment, as failing health had forced him to give up work before the Vashon was built.  Captain Wiman was active in the various Masonic lodges and Mrs. Wiman was a charter member and past matron of Island Chapter O.E.S.  Both were public spirited and well-known on the Island and over this entire section of the Puget Sound country.  The new owners of the Wiman place, Mr. and Mrs. Mason, have purchased it for a permanent home.  They have two sons, Charles, who is already enrolled at the Burton school, and George, who will enter our high school next fall after completing this year’s work in Tacoma.  Mr. Mason has been employed by the Tacoma Telephone company for the past 13 years, and in purchasing property here is looking forward to the time of his retirement.  He is enthusiastically at work and has a large garden planted.  Both Mr. and Mrs. Mason are confident that they have chosen wisely in establishing their home here.  Mrs. Mason is a sister of Mrs. Fred Beattie of Glen Acres, so she does not come as a stranger to the community.

• Island Has New Shoe Repair – J.E. Jacobson, formerly of Seattle, has opened a modern shoe rebuilding shop in the laundry building at Vashon.  His equipment is equal to the largest shops in Seattle and he is qualified to offer any service which the large city shops offer.  Mr. Jacobson has followed work of this nature all his life.  Beginning at the age of 16 to earn his own way he has worked in shoe factories, as a retail and wholesale salesman, on the road and in stores.  At one time he was employed in the shoe department of Marshall Field, and also in a store on State street in Chicago which is the largest of its kind in the world.  For many years he was a resident of Wisconsin.  Mr. and Mrs. Jacobson are already established in their new home in Beulah Park, near Cove.  They are pleased with all they have seen of the Island and judging from the very good reports of friends they will be a welcome addition to the community, and will like their new home.

• South End Club Votes For New Spring Beach Road – A record vote in favor of a road to Spring Beach was cast Saturday night by members of the South End Community club.  A resolution urging King county commissioners to authorize a new survey, and ascertain a feasible route to this popular West Pass resort was adopted 100 per cent.  Prior to this vote C.R. Roediger, secretary-treasurer of the organization, and Forest Ritz, gave a summary of the advantages that would accrue if either the Fred G. Pohl road is extended to Spring Beach or a new route chosen direct from the main highway between Tahlequah and Vashon Heights.

• S.S. Virginia Is Back On Run – Resumption of Seattle-Tacoma Boat Service Welcomed by Users; Mail Schedules Again Changed – Resplendent in a new coat of paint, the S.S. Virginia, Capt. Verne Christensen master, resumed its Tacoma-Seattle schedule, via the East and West Passes, Monday morning.  If a road were put through to Spring Beach, it would be possible to obtain still better service from the Virginia, as the pouches could be unloaded at this point, which is nearly an hour earlier than the arrival at Cove. 

• Island Residents Protest Blocking of Dock – Ticket Booth In Center of Road Held Nuisance – by Ann Billingsley – Protesting against installation of a ticket booth by the Black Ball company on the dock at the foot of the Vashon Heights hill, the Commercial Club unanimously expressed itself unwilling to “grant any privileges to the ferry company or anyone else that would raise the question of its being a public dock at all times,” at a meeting at the Good will Farm on Monday evening.  Present at the meeting was H.C. Strassberger, representing the ferry company, who explained the booth is being put in to keep the ferry running on schedule.  Sale of tickets to late comers at the Fauntleroy side has meant a loss of at least a half-hour from the schedule on peak days, Mr. Strassberger said, and added that the system proposed has proved successful in speeding up service on the Columbia Beach-Mukilteo run during the past week-end.  Objections were made from the floor that the booth, placed in the middle of the approach, constitutes a dangerous obstruction to traffic; that the dock is county property, and the public should not have to ask permission to use it; that traffic from Fauntleroy, which will pay its fares after reaching Vashon, will tend to pile up on the dock and on the Heights Hill; and that it will inconvenience bus passengers to be obliged to buy their tickets at the booth rather than at the end of the dock.  Attempting to assure the meeting that the public will still be permitted to use the dock, Strassberger said the pursers will simply ask persons driving on to the approach whether they intend to board the ferry.  Members expressed dissatisfaction with this proposal, however, on the grounds that it threatened the status of the dock as public property, and passed unanimously a resolution that the club enter a formal protest with the county commissioners against restricting the use of the dock by the public in any way.  A further advantage to the company of the new system, Strassberger said, will be the elimination of the need for issuing tickets, except for round trip fares.  Asked how truck traffic would be handled, he said the company intends to put in a scale on the Vashon dock eventually.  A third resolution was passed stating in effect that members will be willing to cooperate with the Black Ball company in buying tickets at any place conducive to better service, if they are assured booths will not be placed in such a way as to endanger the status of the dock as public property.  Other features of the meeting included a report by H.C. Cronander, chairman of the road committee, that the petition for the Spring Beach road has been denied, for this year at least, because the work would be too expensive in proportion to the number of people served.  Cronander added that work will begin shortly on the county road at Burton, and that the South End road oiling will be under way in a few weeks.  Referring to restoration of the “Virginia,” to service on the West Pass, President Ira Thompson said results on the first day indicate delivery will be about one half hour earlier than under the former schedule for most of the Island, but it will be slightly later for Burton and Dockton.  After a summary of the work being done by the ferry and legislative committees toward state operation of ferries, it was decided to send a delegation from Vashon Island to a meeting of the Ferry Service Improvement association, to take place early in June.

• LATE DEVELOPMENTS – A formal protest against installation of a ticket booth in the middle of the Vashon Heights dock by the Black Ball company was submitted Wednesday to the Board of King County Commissioners by the Vashon Island Commercial Club, in accordance with a resolution passed at a meeting of the club Monday.  A further development in the situation came Tuesday when word was received by H.C. Cronander that county engineers and Black Ball representatives would meet a Vashon Island delegation at the dock Wednesday morning to discuss the matter of placement of the booth.  The Commercial Club’s protest stated that construction of the booth is “contrary to the interests of King County, and to the interests of the residents of Vashon Island in particular; that it is a usurpation of public property by a private corporation; that it is and will be, if allowed to remain, offensive to the people of Vashon Island and to those who visit them.”  It was requested that the county commissioners advise the company “to assume no rights upon the dock not clearly set forth in the contract without consulting with the said Board of County Commissioners.” – WEDNESDAY MORNING – C.R. Lonergan, H.C. Strassberger, C.V. LaFarge and E.A. Osborn, representatives of the Black Ball; Jim Marshall, county engineer, and Jack King, dock engineer, met this (Wednesday) morning at the Vashon Heights dock with Paul Billingsley, Ann Billingsley, A.H. Petersen, H.C. Cronander, E.C. Thompson and Agnes L. Smock, representing the Vashon Island Commercial Club.  A discussion of the advantages and disadvantages of the ticket office which was installed on the dock apparently led nowhere.  Vashon Island residents were afraid to agree to a trial period for fear it was merely an opening wedge, while Black Ball representatives could see no logic in our objections to what might impair our free use of the dock.  They quite flatly stated that if the office was not on the Island dock it would be put on the Fauntleroy dock.  As the meeting broke up it was with the terse orders of Jim Marshall instructing that the ticket office be moved off the dock until permission had been granted by the county commissioners to set it up. -A.L.S.

• Vashon Eighth Graders Entertained At Lovely Party on Friday Evening – Members of the Vashon 8th grade were royally entertained Friday evening at a party in their honor given at the school.  An excellent ham dinner, prepared and served by Mrs. Ray Garrison, Mrs. Herman Deppman, Mrs. Carl Wick, Mrs. Edward Harmeling and Mrs. A. Harrington, received full attention until each guest had reached the capacity stage.  Nor was the party allowed to lag at this point for Mrs. Willis Blekkink and Mrs. Hubert Spalding were ready with stunts and games in which each guest took some part.  Those who were so well entertained were Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Grant, Mrs. Bess Godsey, Walter Steen, and 8th graders Joyce Willis, Rachel Blekkink, Berna Wick, Shigego Yoshida, Bernice Deppman, Lillian Urquhart, Marylin Law, Gerald and Harley Nelson, George Petersen, Bill Smock, Paul Harrington, Rees Wyman, Kenneth Garrison, Daigo Tagami, Bob Harmeling, Glenn Spalding and Dick Clare.

• Julia Legg Entertains – Sixteen members of the Freshman class enjoyed a happy time Saturday evening at a party given at the hospitable Legg home.  Well planned, from the first minute to the last, the young guests voted Julia and her family royal entertainers.  Miss Lois Legg, a high school teacher in the Seattle schools, assisted Mr. and Mrs. Legg in the evening’s entertainment.  A good program of games, prizes expertly chosen to suit the taste of the boys and girls, grand refreshments, and best of all, the perfect welcome and hospitality of a gracious home, and the members of the household, made an evening the will never forget.  Those who accepted Julia’s invitation were Ann Edwards, Dorothy Johnson, Muriel Morley, Marybelle Tonk, Estelle Beall, Virginia Rand, Norma Menees, Harvey Petersen, Bill Walls, Don Payton, Francis Miller, Bob Wight, Bob Smock, Carl Wick and Douglas Cullen.

• Classified Ads – Automobiles – It’s no joke to be stalled 40 miles from nowhere on a dark and stormy night.  Better have the old crate tuned up before you go.  Bud’s Garage, Vashon.

• New Electric Equipment Installed In Shoe Shop – W.S. Rendall this week completed the installation of new electrical equipment which will do much to modernize his Maury Island shoe repair shop.  For a number of years Mr. Rendall gave up this work, as his grocery demanded too much of his time, but recently began giving this service again.  He has had such a rush of work that at times he is working 12 hours a day, and needed modern equipment to speed up service to customers.  Mr. Rendall plans to establish depots in various Island stores and will arrange a schedule for pick-up and delivery.

• Local Items of Interest – Claude Bibbins suffered a painful injury Monday when he split his thumb while chopping wood.  Several stitches were required to close the wound.

• The obituary of Mrs. Harry Snider was published.

• Rink Has New Floor – The roller skating rink will reopen Saturday with a brand new maple floor.

May 12, 1938

• Ticket Office On Dock Removed – Ferry Company Removes Subject Of Controversy After Meeting With Islanders, County Officials – Like the “cares that infest the day,” the ticket office which threatened the free use of the Vashon Heights dock for a short time last week “silently stole away.”  Following a meeting with a committee from the Commercial club and the order of Jim Marshall, county engineer, to move the ticket office until permission to place it in the middle of the dock had been given by the county commissioners, the Kitsap County Transportation company moved the structure to the Fauntleroy dock.  The removal of the ticket office to the dock at Fauntleroy came as a surprise to everyone.  So quickly and quietly was the matter accomplished that those who objected, as well as those who had indulged in glee had a sensation of anti-climax.  One day the gaudy orange and black affair had been sitting in the middle of the dock – the next day, it was hiding behind the waiting room at Fauntleroy.  At the present moment it remains still just sitting, and the interest it created for the moment seems to have died down.  Just what the next move will be is one of those things known only to an inscrutable providence and the officials of the Black Ball company.

• Island Man Held On Open Charge After Altercation – Arrested on the complaint of Eric Erickson Wednesday noon Hans Hermanson, 22, was taken to the County jail in Seattle by F.J. Shattuck, deputy-sheriff, and held on an open charge.  He was to be formally charged Thursday morning.  It is alleged that Hermanson went to the home of Erickson to purchase some used lumber, and an argument over a trivial matter began.  Mr. Erickson is reported to have told Hermanson that he did not care to argue, and asked him to leave the house.  When Erickson attempted to force him to leave the younger man attacked him knocking out one of Erickson’s teeth.  Hermanson was arrested at the home of W.A. Callaway, where he makes his home.

• Local Man Named Agent For Ariens Tiller – The answer to a farmer’s prayer, all in one compact bundle known as the Ariens-Tiller, has been brought to the Island by E.R. (Dick) Weller.  The Ariens-Tiller plows, discs, harrows and cultivates – all in one operation – transforming heavy sod into finely mulched aerated soil, ready for planting.  Mr. Weller, who recently purchased the old Stephen Harmeling Nursery at Vashon, has taken the agency for the Ariens-Tiller for Vashon and Maury Islands and believes this to be the solution to the small farmer’s cultivating problems.  He expects to have a man to demonstrate the Tiller to interest purchasers and to do cultivating on acreage too small to justify the purchase of a Tiller.

• Public Invited to Inspect Lockers – C.G. Kimmel Announces Completion Of New, Modern Cold Storage Plant; 300 Lockers Available – With 300 lockers built at the rear of his grocery store the new room has walls 11 inches thick, with nine inches of cork insulation.  The cooling units are thermostatically controlled and will maintain a temperature of zero, the room in which the meats will be hung for cooling and ripening will be kept at 30 degrees. – Public Invited – The public is invited to visit the plant on next Saturday before the temperature goes down to zero.  Mr. Kimmel suggests that the visit be made at this time, stating, “I’m afraid that it won’t be a very comfortable place after Saturday to make an extensive inspection.”  He is anxious that all who can arrange to do so will call and see the complete facilities that are offered by these new and modern Zero Lockers.

• Members of Troop 495 Monday evening enjoyed a hike to the old brick-yard at Vashon Landing after which they were royally entertained by Freddie McMurray, who had reached his 15th birthday.  There were the traditional refreshments that spell a perfect party to the American boy, particularly welcome after a strenuous hike.

• Young Man Makes Visit To Island In Airplane – Mrs. E.F. Agren was much surprised Monday afternoon by the unexpected arrival of her young relative, Howard Eggerton, who literally dropped out of the sky, landing his plane, a Taylor Cub, in the field to the north of the Cronander home, much to the surprise of Mrs. Cronander.

• Business Men’s Club Decides Against Annual Carnival – At a recent meeting of the Vashon Business Men’s Club it was decided not to hold the annual carnival if enough money to pay for street lights and necessary equipment could be raised by subscription.  A list, circulated among the business men of Vashon, netted enough to pay all normal expenses, so it was decided that if there was to be a carnival this summer some other organization could have the attendant work and worry.

• Judge Declares Against Island In Ferry Decision – Findings, Order of Department Are Confirmed – Both Parties Fail To Get What They Seek In Judge’s Ruling – After months of waiting the decision of Judge John M. Wilson of the superior court of Thurston County was finally handed down late last week.  In submitting the matter, residents of Vashon-Maury Island, through their attorney, David J. Williams, sought to establish the validity of the contract between King county and the Kitsap County Transportation company particularly in regard as to rates.  The Puget Sound Navigation company sought ferry rates higher than those now in effect, and an increase in valuations over that established by the Department of Public Service last summer, spending many times the time and money expended by Island residents.  A careful reading of Judge Wilson’s decision shows that both parties failed in establishing what they sought.  For this reason those who have followed such matters feel that this decision has not definitely settled the matter one way or another.  Feeling there is no other way in which our readers can gain the full meaning and intent of a document for which they have so anxiously awaited we are giving its contents verbatim: State of Washington, Ex Rel Puget Sound Navigation Company, a corporation, Plaintiff, vs Department of Public Service et al, Defendant, Ballard-Ludlow Ferry Company, a corporation, et al, Additional Defendants.  MEMO OPINION No. 17347 This case is before the court on a writ of review of an order of the Department of Public Service, regulating rates and services on ferry boats owned and operated by the plaintiff on the waters of Puget Sound.  The hearing on the writ was held early in February and later the Court was advised that further negotiations were had between the Department and the Plaintiff which eliminated a number of the issues involved and it appears that the only matter now for the Court’s consideration are those raised by the answer and cross complaints of King county and the residents of Vashon Island, which involve the jurisdiction of the Department over rates, fares and charges of Plaintiff, Kitsap County Transportation company and the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Harper route, and to the question of whether the Department acted unlawfully in requiring that the plaintiff and the other Ferry companies to make their tickets interchangeable.  The basis of the cross-complainant’s contention is that a contract existed between the Kitsap County Transportation Company and the county of King, operating a ferry line from Seattle to Vashon and Fauntleroy, whereby rates and fares were fixed for service on that route and that the Department has no jurisdiction on such route and no authority to alter or change the rates and fares fixed by said contract.  The question, in my judgment, is settled contrary to the cross-complainant’s contention by the decisions of our court in State Ex Rel Seafield vs Schaaf, 185 Wash., 354, and State Ex Rel Washington Navigation Co., vs Pierce County, 187 Wash., 695, and following that authority I hold that the Department has jurisdiction.  This whole matter had its inception in a strike occurring on May 28, 1937, on the part of the employees of all passenger and ferry boats north of Tacoma on Puget Sound.  At least five ferry companies were involved.  After an extensive investigation and lengthy hearing, the Department concluded that for some purposes it should consider all the operations on Puget Sound as one complete transportation system.  The Department then proceeded to consider the interests, circumstances and conveniences of the patrons of the lines involved and citizens of various communities served and fixed rates and regulations accordingly.  The record, though very voluminous, has been examined by the Court and I find that insofar as the rights of the cross-complainants above named are concerned, the findings and order of the Department should be affirmed.  I do not pass upon that part of the order involving “Gross sales weight schedule,” as I understand from correspondence recently had from counsel that the Department has that matter still under consideration.  An order may be entered in accordance with the above findings.  John M. Wilson, Judge.

• Editorial – Not So Bad – Two lawyers were arguing a case each had hotly contested.  As they gave their final pleas the first remarked, “The arguments of my opponent have been like the sheath gown popular a few years ago.  They touched everything and covered nothing.”  When he had finished the other lawyer’s opening words were, “My worthy opponent has likened by arguments to the sheath gown, which touched everything and covered nothing.  His arguments date back to the old-fashioned Mother Hubbard gown, which covered everything and touched nothing.”  Far be it from us to apply this anecdote to the decision relative to our contention that the authority to raise the ferry rates lies with the commissioners by virtue of the contract between the County of King and the Kitsap County Transportation company.  The entire fight made by our counsel, David J. Williams, and Pat Tammany, deputy attorney on behalf of King county, was for the establishment of this fact. The objective sought by the Puget Sound Navigation company was higher rates and valuations.  A legal mind may read into Judge Wilson’s decision relative to what both sides sought.  To the rank and file of us there is an encouraging indefiniteness that makes one feel nothing has been irrevocably finished.  In fact, the utter vagueness gives a comforting feeling that the case is as wide open as ever, and that the muchly discussed contract is still in force and will eventually be upheld.

• Veterans Buy Property – Vashon Island Post V.F.W. recently purchased the lots north of the Scout cabin, and will begin improvements soon.

• Commencement Preparations – The speakers for the commencement exercise have all been selected and include Dorothy Wight, valedictorian; Margaret Rees, salutatorian, and John and George Smith, chosen by the faculty.  After careful consideration the class has decided to leave a radio as its gift to the school.  The members feel this choice will provide not only a lasting memory of the spirit of the Class of ’38 but will provide the school with something from which everyone may receive direct enjoyment.

• Island Cooperation Asked Observing Air Mail Week – Postmasters of Vashon-Maury Island are urging your cooperation and ask that during Air Mail Week, May 15-21, that every Island patron send at least one airmail letter.

May 19, 1938

• Vashon To Have Bakery Store – Wm. Shakespeare Opens Salesroom; Will Serve Cake, Coffee, Saturday – In anticipation of a good summer business, William “Bill” Shakespeare is opening a sales room for Golden Rule bakery goods in the Alibi at Vashon.  Extensive changes are being made to the entire front of the Alibi.  Walls have been newly decorated; four new booths are being added and new cases built.  A room in the rear has been added to accommodate the card tables, removing them from the restaurant part of the building.

• David Roberts Receives Autographed Baseball – David Roberts is the proud possessor of a major league baseball.  This is something that would delight the heart of any small boy, but that isn’t all.  This particular baseball isn’t just an ordinary major league baseball, for it bears the autographs of Bob Feller, sensational pitcher for the Cleveland Indians, Johnnie Bassier, the coach and Oscar Vitt, manager of the team.

• Sells Article To Outdoor Life – Peggy Harmeling Writes of Her Experiences On Walrus Hunt In Alaska Several Years Ago – Mrs. Peggy Harmeling this week received a check for $100 from the publishers of Outdoor Life in payment for an article recently submitted.  “A Woman Goes Walrus Hunting” tells of the actual experience of Mrs. Harmeling, and the hunt in which she took part while teaching in Alaska.

• Yankee Boy To Begin Operating Sunday – The “Yankee Boy” will start weekend trips between Point Defiance, Point Delco and Spring Beach, beginning Sunday.  If business warrants it, daily trips will be made until June 1, when the regular summer schedule will become effective.

• S.S. Virginia To Start Sunday Schedule – The S.S. Virginia V will start operating Sunday, effective May 22, it was learned today.  The speedy little vessel serves all points on the West Pass between Seattle and Tacoma.

• Folks Find New Lockers A Chilly Experience – If anyone is curious about how cold zero actually is he may have his curiosity satisfied by visiting the Kimmel Zero lockers.  Our prescription would be red flannels and ear muffs when making the visit.  Either zero is colder than it used to be, or we have degenerated into a cream puff since leaving Iowa and its sub-zero winters, for we positively know that zero wasn’t that cold in the Gay Nineties.  Island women, who heretofore have taken their fur coats to Seattle for storage need no longer do so, as they may be stored until next winter in the Zero lockers for a dollar.

• Engineers Make Map Survey – Group of Army Men (Company B, 29th Engineers, of the United States Army) Here To Make Confidential Maps of Island; Work Will Be Completed This Week.

• Island Post Offices Rank 5th In Class In Sale of Bonds – Sale of bonds during the year ending August 31, 1937 at Vashon and Burton Post offices were $13,431.00, ranking 5th in the per capita sales from third class post offices in the State of Washington.

• Motorist Escapes Death In Plunge – First Time Driver Goes Over Embankment At Vashon Heights – Driving a car alone for the first time, a Filipino escaped death by a narrow margin Monday evening when he drove his car off the highway just south of the Brosseau garage and landed almost on the porch of the house below, a drop of about 75 feet down a 50-degree grade.  The car was badly damaged and the driver suffered serious scalp wounds.  Summoned from Seattle, the brother of the injured man explained that this was the driver’s first experience with a car.  The victim was unable to talk and certainly no one could explain why, after driving his car off the ferry successfully, he could not negotiate the Heights hill.  Had the car made another turn after landing at the bottom of the hill it would have given one of the Brosseau houses, occupied at the time by a party of army surveyors, a sound bump.  As it was, those who witnessed the Met-Cro wrecker pulling it up the hill a short time after the accident, were relieved when they saw the wreck safely up on the highway.  The driver, after having his wounds dressed, returned to Seattle with his brother.

• Gets 29 Hand In Cribbage Game – A group of men were indulging in their regular noon hour cribbage game at the Alibi last Friday.  A hand had been dealt, which the players noticed an expression of utter bewilderment and a deathly pallor on the face of Howard Collings, who was watching for the turnup as though the fate of nations were at stake.  As a five of diamonds came into view, Howard gulped, turned a sickly green, and al but slumped to the floor.  Those who do not play cribbage wouldn’t understand – but those who do know that one with less self control than Howard possesses would have had a fit of some sort.  For in his had he held the five of clubs, spades and hearts, and the Jack of diamonds.  And if that doesn’t make a 29 hand in any cribbage players’ language we are sadly mistaken.

• “Gallopers” Ride Again – Mrs. Charles Keen of Dockton had as her unexpected guests on Monday afternoon Mrs. Dorothy Wick, Mrs. Iryne Campbell, Mrs. Olive Morrison and Mrs. Hannah Hofmeister, who compose the Galloping Club of the V.F.W. Auxiliary. 

• Local Items of Interest – August Takatsuka broke his arm while playing on the school grounds at the Vashon building early last week.  He was taken to the hospital in Seattle, but is back in school, carrying his arm in a sling.

May 26, 1938

• New Vashon Firm Will Manufacture Ice Cream – Another place of business will open in Vashon on next Saturday, when Larry’s Super-Cream Ice Creamery, located in the Middling Building makes its initial bow.  K.K. Prigg has purchased one of the Mill’s Novelty Company’s ice cream machines, one of the best on the market, and will manufacture hard and soft ice creams, right before the eyes of the customers, if so desired.  One of the specialties, new in this locality, is the frosted malt.

• Many Tourists Take Trips On Yankee Boy Sunday – With the thermometer hovering near 83 degrees Sunday the Yankee Boy, skippered by Capt. George Rickard, did a record tourist business.

• This is the first of a series of weekly articles by Clara J. Tonk, concerning the older members of our Island communities.  Stirring events of their lives and times, their personal recollections of days gone by and other interesting facts will be told from week to week.  We believe that these recounting will be of interest to every person on Vashon-Maury Island, both young and not-so-young – for they are true stories of folk you know, and love.  We hope you like them. 

• Our Older Neighbors by Clara J. Tonk – All stories are not found between book-ends.  Many of our older neighbors, relatives and friends have lived through stirring times, and their memories, enriched by the years, are priceless.  It is with this thought in mind that our older folk will be asked to share their most interesting recollections with the readers of the News-Record – ALBERT E. TONK – Albert E. Tonk, who has lived on Vashon Island for the past two years, was born and raised in Chicago.  Before coming to the Island, Mr. Tonk and his wife lived in Glendale, California.  On April 23 he celebrated his 77th birthday.  Asked to name three of his most interesting memories, Mr. Tonk said he remembers as a boy of four, watching the soldiers as they marched home from the Civil War.  He also saw the body of President Lincoln, lying in state in the City Hall in Chicago.  His third recollection concerns the Chicago fire.  Mr. Tonk still has in his possession one of his Mother’s tea-cups that was buried at the time of the disaster.  It is chipped and cracked and discolored but it is still whole – a souvenir of the great Chicago Fire of 1871.

• Islanders Attend Caucus Of Republicans – The Republican caucus, held Saturday evening in Auburn was attended by a large number of precinct committeemen.  Those from the Island included Capt. Powell, of Burton, R.K. Beymer, of Southern Heights and Francis Sherman, of Quartermaster.  Captain Powell and Agnes L. Smock were named as delegates to the state convention which will convene in Everett June 11th.  R.K. Beymer was named on the platform committee, and Mrs. Smock on the credentials committee for the county convention to be held in Seattle, May 28th.

• Graduation Exercises Tuesday Night At High School For Eighth Graders – The roll of the 8th grade classes include: BURTON – Marion Fitzpatrick, Charles Hofmeister, Masaharu Kunugi, Eleanor McIntyre, Frances Tanimura, Robert VanDevanter.  CENTER – Charlotte Baskin, Lawrence Curtis, Robert Dunlap, Mary Furbush, William Garvin, Alice Jenn, Marian Kolstad, Helen Livers, Jimmie Matsumoto, Marjorie Moore, Eddie Morrison, Lawrence Purvis, Eric Therkelsen.  COLUMBIA – Otty Humula, Ruby Johansen, Bessie Robinson, Carold Leland.  DOCKTON – Nicholas Beritich, Dora Hidell.  MAURY – Edith Larsen, Alice Merry.  VASHON – Rachel Blekking, Richard Clare, Bernice Deppman, Kenneth Garrison, Robert Harmeling, Paul Harrington, Marilyn Law, Gerald Nelson, Harley Nelson, George Petersen, William Smock, Glenn Spalding, Daigo Tagami, Lillias Urquhart, Berna Wick, Joyce Will, Rees Wyman, Shigeko Yoshida.

• Tree Planting – Following the services to be held at the Vashon Cemetery on Monday, Memorial Day, members of Vashon Island Post No. 2826 V.F.W. and Auxiliary will assemble on the newly acquired building site just north of the Scout Cabin to hold a tree-planting ceremony.  A Thuya Orientale has been donated by one of the members and its planting will be the first of a ceremony which the veterans plan to make a yearly affair.

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June 1938

June 2, 1938

• Forty-five Seniors To Graduate Friday Night – Nina O. Buchanan To Be Speaker At Commencement Exercises for Island High School Senior Class – The 45 students who will receive their diplomas Friday evening are: Charlotte Hyacinth Andersen, Lilly Emily Cullen, Maude Beatrice Edson, Marie Hanna Ellingsen, Alfreida A. Fillenger, Dorothy Irene Frost, Martha Fukioka, Virginia Helen Margaret Joy, Florence Marie Marshall, Louise Mathisen, Martha M. Matsumoto.  Bertha Irene Myers, Constance Lorraine Ofdencamp, Willetta V. Pemberton, Margaret Wright Rees, Grace Elizabeth Robinson, Dorothy Marie Rolando, Claire Georgia Soike, Alice Emilie Wegener, Dorothy Blanche Wight, Ruth Elna Willers.  Melvin Theodore Anderson, Thomas A. Bacchus, John C. Black, James E. Butler, John Douglas Callaway, Gerald Ray Garrison, William Haack, Lowell W. Hansen, Robert A. Hawkins, Otto J. Jacobson, Kamio Kunugi, Joseph Thurston Little.  John J. Ljubich, Masaru Myoshi, Kenneth Scudder, Eugene C. Sherman, George Smith, John Malcolm Smith, Clifford G. Soike, Henry E. Soike, Geroge X. Steed, August M. Takatsuka, Warren Van Buskirk.

• Fire Averted at Good Will Farm – A fire which could easily have destroyed the Good Will Farm home, was averted Sunday morning by the quick action of Charles Kimmel and his father.  As they were driving past the farm they saw that the shingles had caught fire near the chimney and were beginning to blaze.  Charles got to the roof quickly, while others were bringing water and sacks with which the flames were beaten out.  Fortunately the fire was extinguished without difficulty, and the home of a large number of inmates saved through the fast thinking and quick action of the Kimmels.

• Ferry Hearing Reopened For Short Time – New Testimony Is Introduced In Regard to County Expenditures; New Opinion Is Requested.  By Ann Billingsley – To introduce supplementary testimony regarding Pierce County expenditures since 1928 for maintenance of docks used by the Washington Navigation company, Director Ferd J. Schaaf reopened the hearings before the Public Service Commission for a few hours a week ago Monday morning at the Winthrop Hotel in Tacoma.  Director Schaaf announced that he has requested a new opinion from the attorney general, in the light of facts brought out in last month’s hearings, as to the legality of Pierce county’s continuing to expend funds for upkeep on these docks.  Principal witness was P.D. Richards, assistant accountant of the Department of Public Service, who reported on a recent study of Pierce county records.  During the 10-year period from 1928 through 1937, Richards said, Pierce county spent $139,942 on “landing repairs” for docks used on the Point Defiance-Gig Harbor, Sixth Avenue-Point Fosdick-Fox Island, and Steilacoom-Longbranch-Anderson-McNeil runs.  Of this sum, Richards listed at “doubtful,” $72,847, defining such expenditures as ones which did not clearly apply to the docks and approaches.  Among the “doubtful” items were: $2,111 for watchman and inspector, $1,515 for waiting rooms, and $1,900 for damage suits.  Expenditures amounting to $18,463 were listed as “out” by Richards and included such items as gas coupon books, right of way purchase, and salary and legal fees.  “Proper” expenditures, which, under this classification applied clearly to docks and approaches, amounted to $48,629 for the period, according to exhibits prepared by the witness.  Among these items were: $38,821 for landings, $8,041 for approaches and $287 for insurance.  A decision in this case will not be reached until word is received from the attorney general as to the county’s right to continue maintaining docks used by the company, Director Schaaf said.  The Washington Navigation company has asked for an increase in rates to cover the maintenance cost which Pierce county recently refused to assume in future.  It was testified during previous sessions that Pierce county’s refusal was based on advice from the attorney general that public funds could not legally be used to maintain docks used exclusively by any company.

• Three Cars Lost In Burton Fire – Personal Belongings, Fishing Tackle and Golf Equipment Goes Up In Flames; Other Buildings Saved – Three cars, belonging to Al Rosalenia, King county deputy prosecutor, Elten Jones and Dave Snider, all of Seattle, were completely destroyed when a fire of unknown origin broke out in a private garage near the Crummit cottage on Burton Beach.  Golf clubs, fishing tackle and personal belongings in the cars were also destroyed.  The automobiles were covered by insurance.  Quick action on the part of neighbors, called from their beds at six o’clock Sunday morning, saved the beach cottage next door to the garage.  One of the cars was put into the garage at two o’clock, and the supposition is that a carelessly dropped cigarette was responsible for the blaze.

• Our Older Neighbors – O.S. VanOlinda, who crossed the plains in a covered wagon from Illinois, has lived on Vashon-Maury Island for 47 years.  Mr. VanOlinda published the first newspaper on Vashon and has published many short stories, as well as the extremely interesting “History of Vashon Island.”  Besides his stories of pioneer days, he has written a series of stories for children, and has illustrated them in an original, colorful manner, dear to the hearts of children.  Coming from the prairie country into the big timber lands of the Northwest, Mr. VanOlinda said that his first glimpse of heavily-wooded emerald Vashon Island was one of his most vivid memories.  A second memorial incident took place on the Great American Desert, when he sat beside a coiled rattlesnake for the eternal period of 20 minutes, not daring to move.  His third recollection is a personal account, which he has written for the readers of the News-Record.

• O.S. Van Olinda – I think the most exciting experience I ever had on Vashon Island was the fire which came uncomfortably close to wiping out the little settlement at Center in the summer of 1893.  The corner now occupied by the Rodda store was at that time the home of Woodman Jacobs.  (The Jacobs house is still standing.)  South of this was the home and little store of Mrs. Hattie Fuller, now occupied by Otto Therkelsen.  Across the road, to the east, was the new Baptist church, just finished earlier in this same year.  This was on the exact site of Ed Zarth’s present auto repair shop.  To the north of this on what is now known as the Faull place, was the Presbyterian church.  The J. Therkelsen home was to the west of the Fuller store.  The north-south highway was cleared out just enough to be passable.  The road to the east was little more than a trail, which lost itself somewhere in the woods.  From the highway east to the beach was dense timber.  It had been logged, but only the very best trees had been taken, hence, for forest fire purposed, it was practically virgin timber.  Barely enough space had been cleared upon which to build the new church.  Sometime during a hot August morning a fire was started, in some unknown manner a short distance northeast of the present site of the telephone office building.  For a description of what followed, I cannot do better than to quote from a story as yet unpublished, of early-day life on Vashon, which I wrote some years ago: - One afternoon, early in August of ’93, Jo-Jo, now over 13 years of age, was helping Joe to cut the winter’s wood, so that it might dry out before it was needed.  Happening to glance to the north, he called Joe’s attention to clouds of black smoke, rolling up from somewhere near the center of the Island.  “It’s near Center, Dad.  Let’s go and tell Mom.”  “It certainly looks as though it must be at Center, Joe.” she said.  “Don’t you think you should go up there and see if they need help?”  “Yeah, I reckon I had.  Two churches, store and quite a bunch o’ settlers up there, and a south wind.  If it’s in that heavy timber, all the help they can get likely won’t be enough.  Get us a couple o’ shovels, Jo-Jo, while I get me some more matches.”  “You’ll be careful, won’t you, Joe?  And look out for Jo-Jo.” said Helen.  “Sure, Honey.  I’ll kind o’ keep him on the edge o’ things.  If we don’t get it licked by night, I’ll send him home to tell you how things are and take care o’ the chores.  All right, Son, let’s hit the skids.”  They walked as rapidly as they could and in less than an hour were at Center, where Joe’s fears were realized.  The fire was in the dense timber to the south and east of the little settlement, and a moderate breeze was bringing it relentlessly in their direction.  A group of tense-faced women stood near the store building and talked in short, excited sentences, as they anxiously watched the billows of black smoke.  Joe put his son at work with a crew of some 20 men who were clearing a fire-break about 100 yards to the southeast of the Baptist church, which was on the east side of the road.  To the North of it was the Presbyterian church and between them ran a narrow road, while the main road was between them and the store, but, if the fire ever reached the Baptist church, nothing could save the other buildings.  This little crew was to clear a path clean of anything which would burn, from road to road behind the Baptist church, this enclosing it in a sort of triangle of fire-breaks, then to back-fire behind their path with small fires which could be kept under control.  Their only hope was to clear a large enough area of combustibles so that the fire would not jump it, if it reached that far, and this was a forlorn hope indeed.  There was not time to fall the large trees, and, if the wind held, the fire would surely carry over through the tops of these.  Another crew of over 90 men was working feverishly on a similar project about a quarter of a mile away and Joe joined them and put his shovel into action.  Others were working with shovels, hoes, rakes, grub hoes, anything, to clear the tinder-like accumulation of years from the ground.  By the time Joe reached the spot the roar of the approaching fire was already audible there and the smoke was beginning to be troublesome, the smoke of their own back-fires adding to that of the main fire.  At times the wind would freshen a little and the flames would leap into the tree tops with a deafening roar and advance many yards in seconds of time.  By sundown the fire had come so close that the terrific heat and smoke drove the men from their first line of defense and they gathered in the road for a minute of consultation.  There was but one thing to do – fall back about half-way to the church and start over again, and even as they talked in short, gasping sentences, a gust of wind carried the flames into the tops with a sickening roar and the fire was across their first break.  As they hurried to the new scene of operation, Joe recalled to mind his thoughts of some years before, when he had visualized just such a situation with only a man and a girl to combat it.  The idea was laughable – but entirely devoid of humor.  The new stand was only a repetition of the first, with the difference that the men were tiring and the failure of their first stand had taken some of the heart out of them, but they labored desperately on into the night and through it.  Toward evening Joe hunted out his son and told him to go home, milk the cow, look after his mother’s needs, tell her what was being done and return in the morning if he wished, in case Joe was not, himself, home by that time.  As night fell, the women realized that the fighters must have something to sustain strength.  Coffee was made in wash boilers at the little store and sandwiches and other varieties of food were brought in.  A tired, dirty and smoke-begrimed worker would stumble in, gulp a cup of coffee, grab a sandwich and eat it as he ran back to work.  Four men, overcome with heat, smoke and over-exertion, were carried out and left for the women to revive and care for.  Additional men had come from afar to help in the battle against hopeless odds and, as the morning sun rose, there were some hundred and fifty men fighting to save the little settlement.  Shortly after sunrise the fire leaped the second break, as it had the first – a sudden little gust of wind, an appalling roar as the flames swept upward, and it was over.  Men groaned and cursed.  Women wept.  There was scant hope that the final break would prove any more effective than had the others.  Then, at about eight o’clock in the forenoon, the wind suddenly shifted to the north.  With the change in wind, the men returned more hopefully to back-firing at the first barrier, and, by nightfall, the danger was passed. – I have seen many prairie fires on the Plains of the Great West and portions of large cities go up in smoke, but never anything quite so spectacular, quite so pitifully hopeless to combat as fire in the big woods of the northwest.  – O.S. Van Olinda.

• An Open Letter – Mr. Jack Taylor, Commissioner for South District, County of King, Seattle, Washington, Dear Jack: Vashon-Maury Island, as you may recall is part of your district.  During the summer months much of our so-called prosperity, or in the absence of prosperity, our bread and butter, depends on the presence of added summer residents.  These people, many of them, own property here.  They have come to the Island each summer for many years.  They will continue to come in spite of conditions that make life unpleasant, because they love our Island.  There are, however, many potential summer residents who pay us a visit, but after travelling over our dusty roads, they fail to note the charms the Island presents.  After all they do not exactly shake the dust of Vashon-Maury Island from their feet.  That would be impossible.  Their cars and their clothes require more than a thorough shaking.  It might surprise you to know that the Island each year is growing smaller, because tourists depart with no inconsiderable part of it heaped upon their persons and their automobiles.  The tourist season on Vashon Island begins, properly speaking, about Memorial Day.  It is now nicely launched, and in spite of high ferry rates and dust there are hardy souls seeking out our Island.  For several summers past our roads were nicely oiled – around about Labor Day, when the tourist season officially ends, and the fall rains are beginning.  We appreciated this service – probably more than most of us took the trouble to tell you.  We wonder, since for several years we have come in on the end of the oiling season, if it would be possible for us to have our roads oiled at the beginning of the season, rather than at the close.  (Oh, yes, we forgot to mention that quite a lot of our Island was carried away on the fresh berries hauled to market over dusty roads.)  If our roads COULD be oiled early in the summer the tourists who now eat Island dust might see Island scenery, and become regular resident, helping to build up this part of your district.  At least, they would not carry away so much of our Island with them!  If this were two years ago we could see the logical reason for waiting until early fall to oil our roads, but this is the year 1938 – and two to go.  This is your second term, and you are not interested in being again elected to the office of county commissioner, so we can’t make any nice promises in that direction.  But, Jack, if you’ll oil our roads EARLY this summer we’ll promise to remind our readers of it every time you seek any office, from Commissioner up to President.  Sincerely, “Aggie” L. Smock.

• Island Keyboard Clubs Give Series of Programs; Recital Sunday, June Fifth – The general public is invited to attend, and to hear this talented group of young artists.  Those who will be heard on the program, in the order of their appearances, are: Doris Edwards, Doris Backlund, Barbara Crocker, Jackie Sanstrom, Beatrice Ober, David Ramquist, Bonnie McCormick, Janet Green, Beverley Ober, Barbara Metzenberg, Sid Bacchus, Eleanor McIntyre, Arnold Hestness, Betty Brammer, Carl Backlund, Marilyn Law, Donna Spalding, Jim Scheck, Edith Larson, Mary Ann Erickson, Jeannette Taylor, John Van House, Anne Jeannette Poultney, Kathleen Thomson, Margery Lou Steen, Glenn Polhamus, Mae Lillian Bucknell, Jack Rodda, Rachel McDonald, Mary Jane Smith and Norma Menees.

• News of Island Folk and Their Friends – Mr. and Mrs. W.B. Sexson have sold their store at Colvos to Mr. and Mrs. G.M. Kress, of Central Valley, near Silverdale.  In making the change Mr. and Mrs. Sexson have retained the Rawleigh line which they will continue to handle at the Rodda store at Ellisport.  The Sexsons will live at Ellisport for the time being, but will eventually move to Long Beach, California, where they have a home.

• Names Were Omitted – Through no fault of the News-Record the names of Victor Bengston, Calvin and Edsel Frombach, and Richard Garner were omitted from the list of graduating Eighth graders.  We apologize to these young people.

June 9, 1938

• Rev. R.E. Dunlap Passes Following Two-Year Illness – Services for Former Island Pastor Held In Tacoma Last Friday; Had Retired Here

• Mrs. Wiman May Be Race Co-Pilot – A great deal of interest in waterfront circles is being aroused by the race between the stern-wheeler “Skagit Chief,” and the diesel freighter, “Indian,” which will take place July 4.  The winner of this race will race next Maritime Day, May 23, 1939, with the “Aleutian Native,” which last Maritime Day raced the “Indian.”  As an aftermath of this race the scornful challenge of Mrs. Anna Grimison, president of the Skagit River Navigation company, when she remarked that her “Skagit Chief” could beat either of the contestants, was accepted by Capt. E.F. Lovejoy, president of the Puget Sound Freight Lines.  The race will be run on a triangular course from Smith Cove to Pier 1, across Elliot Bay to West Seattle and return to Smith Cove.  Mrs. Grimison and her brother, Capt. Harry McDonald, and other members of the McDonald family, will ride the Skagit Chief, while Capt. E.F. Lovejoy will be on the Indian with his brother, Bart Lovejoy, skipper of the boat.  In order to provide the feminine theme, Capt. Lovejoy has invited Mrs. Gertrude Wiman to go along as co-pilot.  Mrs. Wiman, for many years a resident of Vashon Island, is one of the few women master mariners in the Northwest.  She is the widow of Captain Chance Wiman, former owner and master of the Verona, and later captain of several of the Kitsap County Transportation company ferries.  Capt. Lovejoy is quoted as saying: “With women entering all lines of business and making it plenty tough for the men, I feel that Mrs. Wiman may be the deciding factor.”

• Former Island Resident Trains Frogs To Jump – The famous frog jumping contests, staged annually at Frogtown, near Stockton, Cal., have attracted attention for a number of years, and Vashon Island folk have been mildly interested, as a matter of general news interest.  This year’s contest, however, was definitely tied up with our Island, for the children of Jim Robinson, a former Burton boy, won four of the five places in the annual jumping contest, and collected prizes amounting to $100.  Out of a field of 200 croakers, June, Mr. Robinson’s 17-year-old daughter, captured first place and set a new world record when her “Worthless” jumped 14 feet and two inches.  The mark stood until “Zip,” belonging to her brother, Eddie, got into action and made a leap of 15 feet, 10 inches.  Another of his frogs jumped 12 feet 10 inches, taking fifth place, and defeated by “Flying Coon,” belonging to an older brother, in a jump of 13 feet, seven inches.  The question is “how do the Robinsons train their frogs?”  but that is a secret they tell no one.  The older residents of the Island will remember Mr. Robinson as a boy who grew up here, attending the Burton schools.  His family lived west of Burton.

• Blaze At Vashon Averted By Evert Blekkink – Discovery of a fire smoldering in rubbish under the roller skating Rink early Sunday morning was made by Evert Blekkink.  His prompt action in reporting the fire possibly was responsible for averting another disastrous blaze.  Ignited by a carelessly thrown cigarette, the fire smoldered in a pile of sawdust under the edge of the south side of the building, and had almost reached the edge of one of the supporting posts.  Had the skating rink burned, there is a strong possibility that the Bacchus Lumber company and other buildings in the neighborhood would also have done.

• Huge Geoduck Captured On Shawnee Beach – It was a hard job, but Edward M. Young and his nephew, A.R. Hilen, Seattle attorney, felt well-repaid when they effected the capture of an elusive geoduck weighing eight pounds one day last week.  So thick did they find the geoducks at Shawnee that they captured five in 20 minutes.  They must have worked fast, or found the creatures in droves, for the big one buried himself to a depth of four feet before he was finally bagged.  Norman Edson was called upon to take pictures of the mammoth mussel, and said that the neck stretched out a yard long, and then had not reached its full length.  Mr. Hilen, according to Mr. Edson, is an authority on the capturing and cooking of geoducks, and told him the secret of how to cook the meat so it will be tender and delicious, rather than resembling a portion of rubber boot.

• Erick Therkelsen Fatally Hurt In Bicycle Accident – Fails to Respond To Operation In Effort to Save Life – Final Rites Held Tuesday Afternoon; Lad Had Just Observed Graduation – The fatal accident, which resulted in his death early Sunday morning, occurred Saturday night as the boy was returning from Vashon to his home in Center.  Tragically, the car with which Erick’s bicycle collided was that of his uncle, Albert, who was driving at a moderate rate of speed toward Vashon.  Surviving are the parents, Mr. and Mrs. Otto Therkelsen, two sisters, Mrs. Rosalie Wiltsie and Marie, and three brothers, Alfred, Max and Robert, all of Vashon Island.

• Fishing Poor At Tahlequah – Fishing, in the parlance of the average angler, is decidedly off color at Tahlequah.  Salmon and trout may be seen cavorting in the placid waters off the South End but so far no one has discovered the right combination to lure them to the hook.  Still-fishing is O.K. and several nice catches of rock cod and flounders have been reported.

• Geoducks Are Plentiful – Geoduck hunters were delighted with their efforts to obtain this delicacy on at least three occasions last week.  The ducks were in good form, albeit they were a trifle hard to remove from their snug berths in the vicinity of Tahlequah.

• Boeing Clipper Provides Thrills For Heights Folk – Giant Craft Takes Off On Maiden Flight Off North End; Many Meals Spoiled

• Our Older Neighbors – by Clara J. Tonk – William A. Markham – William A. Markham came to Vashon Island with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John S. Markham and their six children from Eugene, Oregon, in 1883.  Before living in Oregon, the Markham family came from Kansas.  William Markham and his two sisters, Miss Elizabeth Markham and Mrs. Berry are living on the land settled by their parents, north of the Cove road.  On the brink of a wooded canyon, not far from the present Markham home, stands the remains of the original Markham home which was built from timber and cedar shakes cut on their place in 1883.  A relic of pioneer days, it is the oldest house standing on Vashon Island.  During the intervening years, Mr. Markham has traveled much, and spent many years in the giant Redwoods of Humboldt county, in Northern California.  He has lived on Vashon for about 24 years.  In reminiscing, Mr. Markham tell of his first mussel-bake at Tahlequah.  One night, after a big supper, a group of loggers gathered mussels, covering a bon-fire with them, and when they were baked, proceeded to feast royally on them.  A kitten, well-versed in the art of mussel snatching, ate with them.  After the meal, one of the boys told a story about a whole tribe of Indians dying off, because they, too, had feasted on mussels.  Everyone, except the story-teller, felt a growing discomfort, and Mr. Markham became quite ill and was sure that the other men, as well as himself, would die that very night.  Another incident took place during the Markham’s second winter on Vashon, when Miss Elizabeth Markham was attending school in Tacoma, and William Markham was working on the mainland.  It had been snowing, but they started out together for Vashon.  As there were no regular boats running to the upper part of the Island in those days, they came across in one of the logging camp supply boats, and landed at the mouth of a canyon, just below the Covey place.  To their dismay, the snow on the Island was three feet deep and since the boat had gone off, there they were with a long trek up the canyon to home,  Their father had met them at the landing, and it took hours before the three weary travelers reached their destination. 

June 16, 1938

• Islanders Protest Lurid Tale of Caterpillar Horde By Seattle Newspaper – Seattle Paper Says Island In Desperate Straits; Local Residents Fail To See Joke – Caterpillar Fests Not So Numerous As Described By Paper And Radio; Little Loss – Indignation waxed high among residents of Vashon Island over an item appearing in Saturday morning’s Seattle Star.  The paper had been on the streets but a short time until Island residents were beginning to hear the story which had earmarks of “The Good Earth.”  They were further horrified to hear the story on a Monday noon’s radio broadcast, giving further publicity to a gross exaggeration of facts.  Were it not for the far-reaching effect, and the advance publicity, the story, with its exaggeration was ludicrous to the point of begin funny.  At the request of several readers we are reprinting the article as it appeared in Saturday afternoon’s Seattle Star:

• Caterpillars Invade Vashon – “Their numbers multiplied by an unusually dry season, an army of caterpillars was moving across Vashon Island today, destroying everything in its path and causing an estimated $10,000 damage to orchards and berry crops.  Farmers, orchardists and residents of the Island were banding today to fight the yellow horde, which, although an annual invasion, is described as the worst in recent history.  Thousands of the insects swarmed inches deep over the highways as they crossed from one orchard to another, laying the trees and vines bare.  Private flower and vegetable gardens also were being destroyed.  Residents of the Island, driven to desperation, were plowing huge furrows around orchards and vineyards and filling these with crude oil.  But the ditches quickly filled with dying caterpillars and the following “battalions” crawled over their forms.  Barricades of greased lumber also were proving ineffectual.  While poison spray was having slight effect on saving loganberries, strawberry and pie cherry crops cannot be sprayed because of danger to the fruit.  These crops are being wiped out.  Particularly at the north end of the Island were the insects ravaging every green thing in sight.  The insects lay their eggs in alder and willow clumps on the Island and, after hatching, literally eat their way out of the trees and into the farms and gardens.”

• At Monday night’s meeting of the Commercial club a letter of protest to the Star was passed upon, and a committee appointed to meet with the editor and see if some manner of retraction could not be given the same publicity as the thoughtless and damaging story which appeared on the first page under very startling headlines.

• Many Visitors See Peonies At Laughlin Farm – With nearly 500 peony plants of 23 varieties in full bloom, the Laughlin Lily farm is attracting many visitors from among Island residents, as well as summer tourists.  The plants, with their multi-colored, fluffy blossoms, present a breath-taking sight.  Nor will beauty at the Laughlin farm end with the peonies, for the Mount Hood and Regale lilies will very shortly begin to bloom.

• City Daily Makes Vague Amends – Star Retracts Statement – Somewhat; Island Still Green – And Uneaten – Like the old-fashioned Mother Hubbard gown of the Gay Nineties, which covered everything and touched nothing, the article which appeared in Tuesday’s Seattle Star remedied in no way the damage wrought by their earlier story regarding the supposed “ravages of Caterpillars” which threatened Vashon Island.  Here is Tuesday evening’s lame retraction of Saturday afternoon’s effusion - Vashon Club In Public Protest – “Members of the Vashon Island Community Club today protested what they termed “unfavorable publicity” in connection with ravages of caterpillars on the Island.  While there are a number of the destructive pests on the Island, they are concentrated at the North End, spokesmen for the club said, “and we feel estimates of their damage to crops have been excessive.  While some farmers and orchardists have been forced to take steps to combat them, the invasion is not general as first reports would lead the public to believe.” They said.

• Dry Weather Damages Berries – B.D. Mukai stated this week that the strawberry crop on Vashon Island has been damaged at least 30 per cent by continued drought, the longest in 22 years.  The Mukai Packing plant, now running at full capacity, will finish the season’s pack about July 4, the management anticipates.  Rain would yet same a part of the crop, and continue the season a few days longer.

• Property Improvements – Mr. and Mrs. David Balduzzi of Gig Harbor, new owners of Madrona Lodge at Ellisport, are here with a crew of workmen, making much needed repairs, painting, cleaning and improving the appearance of the place, both outside and inside.

• Katerpilers… - June 14, 1938 Dere editer: I red in the Seattle Star that Vashon Iland is being et up by hords of katerpilers – sure we got katerpilers but so has other parts of western Washington.  Accordin’ to the pees in the paper ther shudunt be a blade of grass or a green leaf left anywhere and all the cows and chickens and goats shud be ded of starvation with there bones bleching in the sun.  The paper sed thousands of katerpilers were swarming inches depe over the highway – and that the farmers were digging huge furrows around orchards and vinyards and filling these furrows with crude oil – I seen some katerpilers on the rode squished flatter than a pancake, but they wirnt inched depe.  Onse I went to Seattle and I seen some wiggly brown worms on some trees but they cudunt of been katerpilers becaws I guess all the katerpilers in the world are on Vashon Iland.  Well, its an ill wind etc.  If Vashon had as meny katerpilers as that reporter sed the bodies of all the ded ones cud be dumped into the water between the north end and Fauntleroy and in a week’s time the ferry boats wudant be necesery becaws the cars cud drive rite over the piles of ded katerpilers.  If its like the reporter sed.  Yours trooly, Vashon Villager.

• Our Older Neighbors by Clara J. Tonk – George Carty – George Carty of Maury Center was born in 1849.  One of a family of 11 children, he was reared on a farm in Ireland.  Out of this large family of children, only Mr. Carty and a sister in Michigan are now living.  Mr. Carty spent many years in Michigan, coming to Vashon in 1908.  He has lived on the Island for about 30 years.

• Committee In Bremerton - A committee composed of Ann Billingsley, Mrs. Ora Robinson, Paul Billingsley and H.C. Cronander, attended a meeting of the Kitsap County Good Roads association, held in Bremerton Tuesday evening.  Outlining our ferry problems, and the program advocated for state operation, the committee met with a rather unexpectedly favorable reaction and the promise that the Kitsap group would help in various ways.

• Island Receives Mention In Better Homes and Gardens – Vashon Island residents have been somewhat annoyed the past few days regarding adverse publicity, only to find that our Island has just received some very favorable publicity in the current issue of Better Homes and Gardens, a magazine with a large national circulation.

• Odd Fellows To Hold Thousandth Meeting; Local Lodge 31 Years Old – Although it appears on the lodge calendar as the next regular meeting of Island Lodge No. 247, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the meeting to be held Thursday evening, June 23, is not in any sense of the word an ordinary meeting, since it is the 1,000th since the organization of the lodge on July 25, 1907, almost 31 years ago. - Charter Members Named – The lodge was instituted in the old W.O.W. hall at Burton, which has since been rebuilt, and is now the Masonic hall.  The late Lewis F. Hart, grand secretary for the state of Washington, and later governor of the state officiated.  The charter members were G.H. Dunn, J.G. Price, I. Rasmussen, Fred Josephson, W.H. Cross and Charles Cross.  The first officers were J.G. Price, N.G.; Fred Josephson, recording secretary; and Charles Cross, treasurer.  It is our understanding that all of these men have passed on. – Receive 30-Year Jewels – Proposed for membership at this first meeting were A.M. Sanvig, G.L. Draper, H.F. McClintock, Seymour Hearst, H.D. Coberly, J.W. King, F.E. Josephson and F.M. Sherman.  Two of this group, F.M. Sherman and Seymour Hearst are still active in the lodge, and have contributed much in the success of the organization.  Recently these men, along with Charles F. Van Olinda, were awarded 30-year jewels, as tokens of appreciation of the lodge for the wonderful interest they have taken. – Present Hall Built In 1912 – William Scales, who is still a member of the organization, came into the lodge on the night of its institution by transfer from the Bothell lodge, and is still a member in good standing.  The present hall was built in 1912.  To celebrate this thousandth meeting, three Tacoma lodges have been invited to attend.  A special invitation is also extended to any Odd Fellow on Vashon-Maury to be present, even though a member of another lodge.

• Welcomed By Neighbors – Mr. and Mrs. J.E. Jacobson, new residents of the West Side, were welcomed by friends and neighbors with a jolly housewarming Wednesday evening.

• The obituary of Mrs. Ella McClelland was published.

• The funeral notice of Christian Andrew Tonneson was published.

 June 23, 1938

• Child Is Hurt When She Loses Control Of Her Bicycle – While visiting in the W.E. Mitchell home at Ellisport, Alice Norton was painfully and seriously injured Sunday afternoon.  She was riding her bicycle down the Ridge road, back of the village, and lost control of it a short distance above Bryant avenue.  Mrs. George Thompson was the one witness of the ensuing spill and rushed to the aid of the child, who had lost consciousness.  Neighbors were called and Dr. F.A. McMurray was sent for immediately.  The girl was taken to a Seattle hospital where she is under observation.

• Tahlequah Man Honored By Being Selected to Aid In Revision of Dictionary – Professor Person One of Twenty-five Educators Assigned To Task – Professor Henry (Hank) Person, who spends his summers and vacation days with his family in their home between Tahlequah and Spring Beach, is one of 25 educators who have been summoned to the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, to assist in the fourth revision of Webster’s Dictionary.  Person, who is a professor of English at the University of Washington, is now at Ann Arbor, where he will remain until shortly before returning for the fall season in Seattle.  His family is with him.

• Lighted Cigarette Causes Minor Blaze At Tahlequah – The careless pitching of a lighted cigarette into a pile of boxes and papers caused a blaze Sunday afternoon in the basement of the Fry Grocery at Tahlequah.  Clouds of smoke were seen emanating from the basement of the frame structure by Donney Cook, son of Dr. and Mrs. David B. Cook.  He hurried into the store, notified the management and the hose and bucket brigade was sent into action.

• Our Older Neighbors by Clara J. Tonk – J.C. Walls – J.C. Walls came to Vashon Island shortly after the Seattle fire and has lived here for 40 years.  For the past year Mr. Walls has been living in Seattle, but is a frequent visitor to the Island.  Mr. Walls, truly a pioneer of Vashon, tells his stories of the past for the News-Record – Early Days On Vashon – “We bought our nine-acre farm on Vashon Island three or four years after the Seattle fire.  I had taken my first papers declaring my intention of becoming a citizen of the United States of America on February 26, 1892.  My final application was accepted October 18, 1894.  To me it was “Dad’s Day,” even if it was preceded by our first depression of 1893.  We had worked hard and our crop of strawberries had been a good one.  By eliminating the commission and selling direct to the consumer, we managed to get by.  Our nearest store was at Quartermaster.  As the years rolled by we got up the “Pickwick Club.”  We called our place “Hazelbrae,” then, later, it was called Colvos.  We had lots of fun and had a paper called the “Buget,” in which we kept tabs on our two boats, the “Glide” and the “Perley,” rivals for the passengers of the Island.  In the absence of a dock we built a floating dock out of logs which answered as a make-shift at Colvos for many years.  Each steamboat had a skiff to pick up the passengers so when we got our floating dock it was well patronized.  The Captain of the Glide was one of the most obliging of men when he was in the mood – and one day when he called at our floating dock he must have been in a playful mood.  Our Columbia School teacher and the writer had just returned from visiting Seattle and were waiting to be taken in a skiff to the shore but Captain Van, on leaving, had started in a hurry, not loosening the rope quickly enough.  Before we were aware of what had happened we were going down the West Pass, heading for Olalla.  We tried to make the shore, but it was of no avail.  So we drifted slowly south with the tide until it turned.  It was a long time to wait, five hours, with the south wind rising.  We might have drifted much farther if it hadn’t been for our “deadman,” or anchor, which was a box made of three-inch planks and filled with stones, which acted as a drag.  On the float, as my wife recalls, was a ton of hay, a ton of wheat, two barrels of flour, one school director and a lovely school teacher.  The south wind, with the tide, brought us back in about two hours and our neighbors were waiting on the shore to help us land.  The story of the “Glide” and the “Perley” was a remarkable one and belongs in the Believe It Or Not series.  One of the stories was about the wife of the captain of the “Glide” who did all the cooking on the boat.  One day, just as she was about to toss some scraps of food to the fish, the beat gave a lurch and the good lady fell overboard.  The captain of the “Perley” saw her struggling in the water and rescued her just in time to save her life.  The outcome of it was that the rural captains patched up their differences and after many years of being enemies became the best of friends.  I had a neighbor who homesteaded his place many years prior to the Seattle fire and who had worked at the old Yesler Mill in Seattle.  This man had turned down an offer of land near Occidental Square in Seattle for a month’s pay – thus spoiling the opportunity that once in a lifetime knocks at every man’s door.  This neighbor was very peculiar in some ways, and was afraid to put his money in a bank, preferring to bury it in a tin can in the ground close to his house.  So when his taxes came due, he naturally went to dig for his tin can, but to his dismay he could not locate the buried money.  One morning he came to me with a worried expression on his face.  I asked him what was the matter, and he said he had been digging around for a week, and that he was sure his money had been stolen by someone who had seen him bury it.  Well, we went back to his place and we hunted in the tall grass that had grown up around a stump near his house where he said he was sure he had put it, and I got the mattock and loosened the hard ground and finally unearthed the buried treasure – there was quite a bit of it, too – and when the old man caught sight of that tin can, he nearly died from excitement.  He threw his hat up into the air, and with a cry, gave me an old-fashioned bear hug.”

June 30, 1938

• Burton Pharmacy Has Interesting Curio Collection – A visit to the Burton Pharmacy and a talk with its owner, Jesse Shaw, is like a page out of a history or a geography, for one is taken to all parts of the world, and sees relics of different events which have made history.  One part of Mr. Shaw’s collection consists of guns, sabers, gas masks, swords, pistols and bowie knives.  Stories of wars from the Civil War to the World War emanate from them.  An ancient rifle, with a broken barrel, was supposed to have been the weapon with which a man was murdered at Burton long ago.  Queer headgear, a Chinese gambling device, walking sticks, Indian curios, including genuine tomahawks and spears, and even scalp locks from warriors long dead, wood carvings, etc., much too numerous to list here, adorn the walls of this neat, attractive and modern drug store.  A phase of collecting which Mr. Shaw has recently begun to develop, is gathering relics of the early days of Vashon Island.  In the not far distant future this will form a particularly valuable part of this interesting collection.  One of the most fascinating of this collection is the old cannon ball which was recently unearthed on the beach at the south end of the Island.  Summer residents who have not yet visited Mr. Shaw’s pharmacy and his collection will find his store a good place to “sip a soda” and absorb a lot of the lore gleaned from queer, far-off places.

• Local Men Employ Novel Method Of Caterpillar Control – Originality and perseverance is displayed in the unique method employed by the Zarth brothers, Carl, John, Martin and Ed in their determined fight against the traveling caterpillars.  The Zarth place, at Colvos, consists of 40 acres; where orderly and well-cared for, it is bounded on the West by the Colvos road, by Mukai’s strawberry-fields to the Sough, and flanked by an evergreen and alder forest to the North and East.  The alders are a menace to every growing flower and vine, plant and tree on the Zarth property.  When the caterpillars began to travel from the alders into their cultivated acres, the Zarth brothers set to work to keep the enemy off their place.  First of all they plowed a furrow along the North and East sides making a boundary line between the acres of fruit trees and berry bushes, and the alder strong-holds of the caterpillars.  Along this furrow, three quarter inch boards were placed, making a perpendicular wall four inches high, held in place by small stakes placed on either side.  On top of this board-wall, single laths were nailed in place, forming narrow eaves, and these laths were greased on the under sides with axle-grease.  Deep holes, two feet in diameter, were dug at intervals along the fence, and where these pits occur, there is a slight space in the otherwise continuous solid fence of boards.  When the caterpillars started on the march, they were confronted by this insurmountable Chinese Wall.  They could climb up just so far, and then balked by the greased under-side of the lath, they started their futile trek back and forth along the outside of the wooden wall, and when they reached the pits, in they tumbled, while those travelling on the ground fell in as if on the edge of the Grand Canyon.  The fact that the holes are ten and fifteen inches deep with dead caterpillars (and the holes are only about three weeks old) proves the effectiveness of the Zarth method of trapping the pests.  No expensive sprays, no poisonous liquid or powder, no complicated methods of extermination.  Just thought and elbow-grease, and the determination to save their crops.

• South End Ferry Rate Adjustment Is Announced – A 10-ride, 10-day commutation rate of 55 cents per ride, and reduction of the 10-ride, 10-day rate to 37 ½ cents, are introduced along with increased passenger and truck fares in a new rate schedule for the Washington Navigation company’s Point Defiance-Tahlequah run, to become effective July 1.  Established after hearings before the Department of Public Service last spring, the new rates are lower than those proposed by the company at that time.  Some increases were permitted by the Department, however, in order to bring in about $28,000 additional revenue to cover increased expenses for dock maintenance (about $14,000 a year); a readjustment of the rate base permitting the inclusion of operation and depreciation of drydock and shop facilities as a legitimate expense; and inclusion of one more ferry than formerly in the estimation of operating costs.  A second opinion from the attorney general on Pierce county’s right to maintain docks used by the company holds that “the company will not have to take over the maintenance burdens which the county had agreed to assume,” according to the Department’s decision on the rate hearings.  The additional expense for future maintenance of its share of landing facilities by the company included in the revised rate base is based on actual expenditures during the present year.  Regarding the Steilacoom-Longbranch run, abandonment of which was suggested during the hearings, the Department finds “If the Company desires to maintain part of said route the burden over and above what the patrons there of can carry should be assumed by the Company or the County.”  Main items on the new rate schedule are: passengers – an increase of 20 cents one way, 35 cents round trip; trucks – increases of from 5 cents to $1.50 per ride straight fare, (depending on weight) and from 10 cents to $1.50 per ride on truck commutation.

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July 1938 

July 7, 1938

• Dickie Wilder Is Stricken With Meningitis – Mr. and Mrs. W.D. Mace last week received the sad news that Dickie, the eight-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. C.A. Wilder of Juneau, Alaska, had been stricken with tubercular meningitis and was in a critical condition.  With his mother, Dickie left the Island last April, apparently in good health.  Up until the time he was taken ill there was no indication of the illness which threatened. 

• Good Old Days Are Recalled By Sight Of Horse And Buggy – Probably quite a few persons of middle age, who still remember those “good old horse and buggy days” became a bit homesick when they saw a good-looking driving horse and a real, honest-to-goodness buggy, such as the gay, young blades used to crave, being delivered to its owner.  True, the horse and buggy were being transported in an ignominious manner, in a prosaic 20th century truck, but it nevertheless took quite a few back to their younger days.  The horse and vehicle were being delivered to the country place of Jim Marshall, of the county engineer’s office, on the West Side.  Mr. Marshall has purchased the Statlen place, south of Cove, where he recently completed a nice summer home.  The horse and buggy is for the use of his daughter.

• Candlefish Stranded By Receding Tide At Tahlequah – Thousands of Candlefish of all sizes were stranded over the weekend on the beach at Tahlequah, which caused a decided lull in the herring market insofar as the folks there were concerned.  The fish were apparently driven in by larger ones and were left high and dry when the tide receded.  They made dandy bait for rock cod and flounder fishermen, and a number of good catches were reported at various points between Tahlequah, Point Delco and Spring Beach.

• Barge Overturns; Housewives Gather Fine Fuel Supply – Twelve cords of wood were virtually dumped on the marine doorsteps of Tahlequah housewives Friday afternoon when a scow being loaded at the ferry pier capsized.  Several bridge games were interrupted and a few cakes or pies were done to a crisp when the ladies saw the wood floating by, and they jumped into their rowboats to gather in the pre-Christmas offering of Santa Claus.  Two Tacoma men had cut the wood on the O.A. Saccate place, hired a truck to take it to the pier and had rented a scow to transport it to Tacoma.  The wood was loaded while the scow was high and dry on the low tide.  When the time came in the scow proved to be top heavy and the entire cargo was precipitated into the water.

• Infant Son Passes – The sympathy of their friends is extended to Mr. and Mrs. Richard Ward, 5063 Beach Drive, Seattle, in the loss of their infant son, who died of a heart attack Monday afternoon, July 4.  Mr. Ward, a nephew of Mrs. Alex Stewart, has been a frequent visitor on the Island since boyhood, and took over the law practice of his uncle, Alex Stewart, after Mr. Stewart’s death last summer.

• People Warned Not To Eat Puget Sound Or Coastal Mussels – The mussels are now likely to be poisonous, and will certainly become so in a few weeks.

• Glen Dunbar Is Fatally Injured – Sylvan Beach Man Dies Following Car Crash Injuries – Glen Dunbar, a long time resident of Sylvan Beach, died Monday from injuries received when the car which he was driving collided with another near Bow Lake, south of Seattle.  Miss Barbara Loy Wisdom, a young friend of Mr. Dunbar’s son, Donald, who was returning with Mr. Dunbar from Portland to spend the Fourth at Sylvan Beach, was killed instantly.

• Fireworks At Heights – Summer residents of the East Beach at Vashon Heights witnessed a beautiful display of fireworks at the John Reid home Monday evening.

• News of Island Folk and Their Friends - About 50 persons gathered on the Cove dock Monday evening to fittingly celebrate Independence Day.  Fireworks and games were enjoyed by the grownups as well as the youngsters. About 40 persons enjoyed a beach fire and a fine display of fireworks at the Ober beach Monday evening.

July 14, 1938

• News-Record Prints First Account Of Kidnaper Capture – Acting on information telephoned from Tacoma by James Malone, uncle of Charles Mattson, the News-Record published the first account of the story as released by members of the state highway patrol, and the same story which appeared in Wednesday morning’s Post-Intelligencer.  Copies of the special edition were distributed before details were given over the radio.  The kidnapping of Charles Mattson, which occurred December 27, 1936 was of tremendous local concern, as the boy was a member of a pioneer Maury Island family and spent practically all of his summers here.  The confession of Frank Olson, 32, who was arrested in Ritzville Monday afternoon, and who was brought to Tacoma for questioning, appeared bona fide, although Chief William Cole of the state patrol refused to accept it on its face value.  Later developments proved him to be correct, as Olson is an escaped patient from Medical Lake, where he will be returned at once.  His appearance, and the story he told, led to the belief that at last there was a solution to one of the most terrible crimes ever committed in the Northwest.

• Dickie Wilder Improved – Word of a slight improvement in the condition of Dickie Wilder has been received by his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. W.D. Ward, in a letter received Monday evening from the little boy’s mother.  Stricken at his home in Douglas, Alaska, with tubercular meningitis, his condition at first seemed hopeless, but a consultation of doctors, one a noted New York specialist, seems to offer a faint hope for his recovery.

• News-Record To Have “Funnies” – How many times have we heard the remark: “The News-Record is a good little paper, but I wish it had some funnies.  Well, just to prove that we aim to please, we have added the comic strip, “Lala Palooza,” by Rube Goldberg, whose name along is enough to recommend this popular strip to newspaper readers anywhere.  We feel sure that the Countess will provoke a few chuckles, as we hope that her appearance each week will add to the growing interest in the News-Record.

• Russell Brammer Injured – While working on a light pole near the Bragg home at Vashon Heights Wednesday afternoon, Russell Brammer suffered injuries to his foot when he slipped, striking a bracket.  He was taken to Seattle for X-ray examination to determine the extent and nature of the injury.  It is reported that while Brammer fell a distance of only five feet, his injuries could easily have been more serious than appear at this time.  It appeared to be one of those freak accidents hard to explain, and for which no one was to blame.

• Improvements Being Made On Island Highways – Twenty Miles Of Island Roads Being Oiled And Improved – Work began this week on 20 miles of road work on Vashon and Maury Islands, a very considerable beginning in a program designed to complete all Island highways with a permanent finish in the next few years.  George Swain, road supervisor for the South District stated on a visit to the Island Tuesday, that the cost for maintenance was reduced to a minimum by the finish such as is contemplated.  Roads which are now receiving the second treatment for a permanent surface are as follows: Shawnee to Tahlequah, three and three-tenths miles; Judd Creek to Portage, one and one-half miles; Center school to Portage, via the Ellisport hill, two miles; Ellisport to KVI, one-half mile; Cove road to Farm to Market road, two and one-half miles.  Oil penetration, or first treatment, will be put on the following roads: Mukai corner on Soper road, west of pavement to Beall corner, east of pavement, one-mile; Beall road from Soper road to Laughlin road, one mile; Pioneer monument to Center road, one and one-fourth miles; Rodda’s corner (Broadway road) to cemetery gate, one mile; Burton to Shawnee, one mile.  The latter road is a break in the highway from Burton to Tahlequah, but the present unfinished condition of this particular piece of highway does not warrant a permanent finish until a certain amount of work has been done on it.  The completion of this work will require 9,500 gallons of asphalt and 1100 yards of crushed rock for the sealcoat.  Extra equipment, consisting of five oil distributors, six oil mix graders and four spreading trucks, is required to do the work.  A crew of 25 men has been added to the regular road crew.  Mr. Swain says that the lack of a good gravel pit, this is, one with rock suitable for crushing and a certain percentage of clay for binder, is a handicap in building Island roads.  All of the rock used must be brought in by scow.

• Our Older Neighbors by Clara J. Tonk – Fred Shanahan – Fred Shanahan, of Dilworth Point, was born in Portland, Oregon, and first came to Burton in 1903.  He started to build his present home in 1906, and at that time the slope above East Sound was so heavily timbered that the water was not visible as it is today.  The lovely, old home, formerly Swastika Lodge, commands a magnificent view of East Sound, the mainland, and beautiful Mount Rainer.

• The South End Ferry Decision – Findings of Department of Public Service As They Appear To Ferry Committee – 1. On June 25 the Department of Public Service issued its findings in Cause 7123, which concerns the increased tariffs proposed by the Washington Navigation company in February of this year.  The Department has been able to save the company from most of the burdens which were expected to make the increase necessary, but his saving has not been passed on to the public.  A substantial increase in revenues is authorized for reasons which were not discussed at the hearing, and are not made clear in the findings.  2. At the hearings held at Tacoma in March, April and May last, it was learned that the increase was claimed by the company for three reasons:  FIRST, because the Pierce county commissioners refused on legal grounds to carry out their contracted obligations to maintain docks and approaches, so that this expens would in future be borne by the company; SECOND, because inadequate repairs on docks for several years past necessitated an immediate large expenditure to make them safe; THIRD, because revenues were insufficient in general.  The company revenues were $215,000 gross, in 1937, but of this $14,000 was exceptional, due to the strike on Black Ball ferries, so that the normal revenue should have been $201,000.  The proposed increased rates provided for a revenue of $243,600.  3. During the hearings the representatives and witnesses of the ferry patrons and of communities affected by ferry service vigorously opposed the above claims.  They asserted that the Pierce county commissioners should not be permitted to escape their obligations, either as to emergency repairs or as to future maintenance of docks; and they challenged the insufficiency of revenues, asserting instead that operating expenses had increased indefensibly, and that these could be reduced by elimination of duplicate services such as Point Fosdick and Gig Harbor, by curtailment of the losing Steilacoom-Longbranch line, and by stopping free transportation of county personnel and equipment.  They also argued that lower rates would here, as had been proved elsewhere, increase revenues by bringing a larger volume of business.  These witnesses also successfully attacked the company estimates of future operating expenses and future dock repairs.  4. On certain important points, the Department of Public Service has sustained the public.  (a) The Pierce county commissioners have been told, in an opinion secured by the Department from the attorney general, that they were legally authorized to carry out their contracted obligations.  This burden has not been transferred to the ferry patrons.  (b) The elimination of the Steilacoom-Longbranch line has been authorized, so that this will no longer be a burden on the patrons of the other lines.  (c) The ferry company’s estimates of expenses and repair charges have been replaced by the more moderate estimates prepared by the Department’s accountants.  On other points the Department of Public Service has not accepted the ferry patrons’ suggestions.  (a) It denies the advantage of a consolidation of Pt. Fosdick-Gig Harbor.  (b) It has no authority to stop free county transportation.  (c) It is unwilling to test on a large scale the theory that low rates will bring a large volume of traffic and an increased revenue, stating in the findings that “lower rates do probably increase ferry traffic, but not nearly to the same extent as in many other public service businesses.  Our committee feels that the arguments do not support such a conclusion.  On the whole, however, the Vashon Ferry Committee believes these decisions are in accord with the evidence and represent a distinct gain to the public.  The principle of county responsibility has been officially recognized, and the theory that under “one big system” the patrons of profitable lines must subsidize losing lines has been reversed.  It was under this theory that in 1937 the Black Ball company imposed excessive and discriminatory increases on Vashon.  5. It is a surprise to those of us who attended all the hearings to learn in those findings that, in spite of the great savings to the ferry company resulting from the continuance of Pierce county expenditures on docks, and from the elimination of the Steilacoom-Longbranch line a large increase in revenues is still needed.  In 1937 the over-all expenses of the Washington Navigation company lines, exclusive of Steilacoom-Longbranch, amounted to $166,629.  This will be increased in spite of Pierce county’s responsibility for docks and approaches by $14,000 a year, which is the estimated new company expenditures on landings and slips.  The total would therefore be $180,629; but the Department arrives at an estimate of $196,000.  This figure, which EXCLUDES Steilacoom, is larger than any past year’s expenses, although these INCLUDED that line, which in 1937 had expenses of $29,400.  It is difficult to understand the great increase.  In part, of course, it is due to the inclusion of dry dock expenses, which formerly were carried by a separate company, but these should be in part balanced by credits for dry dock receipts.  Once again, therefore, we see the fundamental difficulty of this type of rate control; estimated expenses can always be set high by the company in its own interest, and such estimates are almost impossible for outsiders to disprove.  6. If the estimate of $196,000 is accepted, however, it is clear that the revenues as of 1937, at the old rates, yielding $201,000, would provide a new income of only $5,000.  The “rate base” is the investment, as calculated by the Department, on which the ferry company is presumed to earn a return of 7 per cent (reduced this decision from 8 per cent).  It stands now, after many modifications, at $470,251 (after elimination of ferry “City of Steilacoom”).  Seven per cent of this is $32,918, and to earn this the company is to be allowed an increase of $28,000 in revenues.  The tariffs to provide this increase in revenue are set forth at the end of the findings (Tariff 9, modified).  7. If the need of any increase be admitted, the tariff schedule itself shows evidence of an intelligent effort to meet the needs of the ferry-riding communities.  PERMANENTA RESIDENTS, for the most part, go by automobile, carrying passengers.  Under the old schedule they paid 75 cents one way, $1.25 for round trip, er, if frequent travelers, paid $4.50 for 20 rides in 30 days.  Passengers paid 15 cents one way and 25 cents round trip.  Under Tariff 9, they will pay the same one way and round trip, and the same for 20 rides in 30 days, but can also get a new commutation ticket of 10 rides in 40 days for $5.50.  Many who formerly paid the round trip rate can now use this cheaper rate, which involves only one round trip per eight days.  Passengers can now use the family commutation rate at $3.00 for 20 rides in 60 days.  COMMUTERS, driving their cars, under the old schedule paid $4.00 for 10 rides in 10 days.  Under Tariff 9 they will pay $3.75 for the same ticket.  Commuters as passengers paid 90 cents for 12 rides in 10 days.  Under Tariff 9 they will pay 35 cents for 10 rides in 10 days, a slight increase per ride.  SUMMER WEEK-ENDERS, driving their cars, under the old schedule paid one way and round trip rates on both cars and passengers, for no commutation tickets met their needs.  Under Tariff 9 they can use the 10-ride 40-day automobile ticket, and the 20-ride 60-day passenger tickets costing $3.00.  TRUCKS pay substantial increases, under Tariff 9.  This matter was vigorously discussed at the hearings, and it was apparent then that the Department regarded trucks, particularly the large trucks, as the most appropriate traffic group to bear rate increases.  This opinion was based on practice in other ferry areas, such as San Francisco, and on the small ratio which ferry charges bear to the value of a truck’s load of produce or merchandise.  We dislike the increase nevertheless, but recognize that we still pay less under Tariff 9 than we do on the Vashon-Fauntleroy line.  TRANSIENTS, driving their car pay the same as before, but transient passengers pay a large increase; instead of 15 cents one way, 25 cents round trip, the rates are 20 cents one way, 35 cents round trip.  This raise we feel is excessive, and we fear its effect on such classes of traffic as the visiting family, with car full of passengers.  8. On the whole, therefore, Tariff 9 should be of some benefit to Vashon Island.  Most of our citizens and regular visitors can utilize the new commutation classes advantageously, and with these better rates we can feel free to visit the mainland more frequently.  If by so doing, we give the ferry company more revenue than anticipated, we can in our turn later on petition for a reduction in revenues.  We do not defend entirely the Department’s findings.  We believe it has failed to protect adequately for the public the substantial savings derived from the attorney general’s opinion as to Pierce County responsibility and from the elimination of the losing Steilacoom line.  But we do feel that in these two matters, and also in the modification of the tariff in the direction of more liberal commutation periods, a decided check has been given to the evil trend of ferry affairs.  Such a check well repays our efforts and gives hope for further gains.  PAUL BILLINGSLEY, chairman of Ferry committee, Vashon Island Commercial club. July 9, 1938.

• Alice Norton of Seattle, who was severely injured several weeks ago by a fall from her bicycle while riding down the Ellisport hill, has fully recovered from the accident which occurred while she was visiting Mr. and Mrs. W.E. Mitchell.

• The ground in front of the Masonic Hall at Burton has been terraced and planted with flowers, adding much to the neatness of the village.

• L.C. Waynick has completed a six-foot model Indian canoe, made from a piece of white birch bark sent him by friends in Minnesota.  It is now on display in the window of the Burton Pharmacy.

July 21, 1938

• Dickie Wilder Passes Away In Alaska – Funeral services were held in Douglas, Alaska, for Dickie Wilder, the eight-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. C.A. Wilder, who passed away Friday, after an illness of several weeks.  Death was due to tubercular meningitis.

• Mrs. Wiman Writes – Her many Island friends were interested in the big Fourth of July boat race in Elliott Bay, in which the boat piloted by Mrs. Wiman was the winner.  She is the only woman holding a license to pilot a boat in Puget Sound waters.

• Mushroom Raising Is Newest Island Industry

• Our Older Neighbors by Clara J. Tonk – Mrs. Fred Shanahan – Mrs. Shanahan was born in Albany, Oregon, and came to her Dilworth Point home as a bride.  Her mother, Alertina Richter, was left a widow with six small children to care for when Mrs. Shanahan was a girl of 14 years.  From that time on, the eldest daughter helped her mother in her plucky determination to keep her family together and raise her children.  Before her marriage, Mrs. Shanahan spent many years in the Oregon Woolen Mills, and has won many prizes at the Oregon State Fair as a weaver of beautiful all-wool blankets.  In after years, Mrs. Richter lived with her son-in-law and daughter at their Vashon Island home until her death six years ago.

• New Name For Beach – “Klahanie” has been chosen as the new name for Kep-lo Beach, by the owners of property there.

July 28, 1938

• Neighbors And Phone Operators Save Home From Fire – Had it not been for the splendid cooperation of neighbors and the telephone operators, the home of the Sheldrup family at Glen Acres might easily have been destroyed by fire Saturday noon.  It is believed that the fire ignited from an electric plate.

• Weiss’ Store Appointed Representative For Bendix Home Laundry, a new machine which washes, rinses and damp dries clothes ready for the line in a series of automatic operations are said to revolutionize the wash-day routine.

• Death Claims Mrs. Frank Enochs

• Swim From Burton To Dockton Feature Of Water Carnival – With all of the races and contests of the coming water carnival sponsored by the Vashon Island Sportsmen’s Club promising plenty of thrill and interest, probably none will be watched with greater interest than the swimming race between Burton and Dockton.  All persons who think they can swim a mile and a half are urged to enter, and to make a try at winning one of the prizes being offered.

• Huge Gladiolus In Bloom – Captain Powell of Newport reports that he has a gladiolus blossom which measures six inches across without spreading the flower.  It is an unnamed variety, probably of the Australian type, and is light red spotted with a darker shade.  Captain Powell has 200 varieties of gladioli which will soon be in bloom.

• Local Deputies Locate Missing Malet Property – Itinerant Gardener Is Arrested On Theft Charge – Following the arrest of Carl de Lawrence by Deputy Sheriffs Shattuck and Schoning Monday afternoon, recovery was made of a valuable Paisley shawl and a suitcase.  Two mink furs, alleged to have been taken at the same time, were not recovered.  The items had been stolen from Mrs. A.D. Malet on Quartermaster Harbor.

• Revaluation Of Island Property In Progress – Charles Wilson, deputy assessor, in charge of the revaluation project now in progress on Vashon-Maury Island, asks the cooperation of all Island property owners in furnishing information, and making as easy as possible the work of approximately 50 men now at work here.  Mr. Wilson points out that this WPA project is designed to secure for the county assessor’s office a revaluation of improvements on real estate in King county.  Funds for the work are being furnished by the federal government.

• Our Older Neighbors by Clara J. Tonk – Ervin C. Thompson – Ervin C. Thompson came to Vashon Island April 17, 1888, with his mother and three brothers, from David City, Butler county, Nebraska, to join their father, James Thompson, who had just purchased 80 acres here.  The original Thompson homestead, west of Vashon, was where the Canfield place is now located.  Ervin C. Thompson has lived on Vashon Island for 50 years, and is now owner and operator of The Daily Needs Market. 

• Brush Fire At Heights - A brush fire burning between the Stoddard home and the Twickenham Estate kept Vashon Heights folk busy from Monday afternoon until Tuesday evening, when it appeared to be under control.

• The obituary of Mrs. Arthur E. Young was published.

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August 1938

August 4, 1938

• Former Burton Boy Dies In Airplane Crash In Jugoslavia – Many who read in last Thursday’s city dailies of the death of Gordon Mounce in Belgrade, Jugoslavia, were interested because of the fact that his death was a spectacular one, coming as he had completed his 24th outside loop, breaking his own record of being the first to make 22 outside loops at Los Angeles, in 1930.  Comparatively few realized that Gordon Mounce was a former Burton boy, but older residents will recall the fact that the family lived here for several years, and that Gordon was one of the most energetic youngsters ever to attend the old Burton Grammer School which was recently torn down.  Forty years old he had 5,000 flying hours to his credit; was a World War veteran, and through his contacts as a salesman knew many of the crowned heads and notables of Europe.  He held a reserve commission as captain in the army.  He is survived by his wife and their three children.

• Recovers Glasses With Home-Made Diving Helmet – Emulating the prowess of deep sea divers, Jack Beymer, son of Mr. and Mrs. R.K. Beymer, Jr., of Tahlequah, donned a home-made diving helmet the other day and recovered an expensive pair of nose glasses that had been dropped into the water off the Yankee Boy dock at Point Delco.  Linden Merritt, a member of the crew of the Yankee Boy dusted off a diving helmet that he had made.  Young Beymer donned it…and with air supplied by a home-made pump, made the descent into 20 feet of water.  In a few minutes he signaled that he had recovered the object sought and scrambled upward.

• Sportsmen’s Water Carnival Attracts Many People; Is Financial Success – The third annual Sportsmen’s Club carnival, held Saturday and Sunday at the Vashon-Maury Park proved to be a financial success, and netted close to $500 toward the new clubhouse.  Saturday afternoon’s races proved to be the most strenuous of the entire program of sports, and the mile and a quarter race across the harbor was a grueling one.  George Nelson, of Burton, took first place and was awarded a rifle as his prize.

• Island Worker Draws 20-Year Suspended Term – A suspended sentence of 20 years in Walla Walla was meted out to James W. Manners, who has been cutting wood at Tahlequah, by Superior Judge William O Chapman of Pierce county, Thursday, for issuing worthless checks.  Manners explained to the jurist that Old Man Hard Luck had been on his trail for some time, and that there was no element of fraud intended when the checks were issued and then bounced back.  He said he had planned to sell the wood in Tacoma but that when he loaded a scow with it at the Tahlequah ferry pier, it capsized, and he lost a large portion of the cargo.  He had figured to use the proceeds from the sale of the wood to cover the checks.  Tahlequah housewives, who had picked up some of the wood as it floated past their doorsteps, paid a representative of Manners a fair price for the wood, and as a result the fuel will not be as inexpensive as first believed.

• Tacoma Woman Lands Octopus At Tahlequah – While fishing for rock cod, Mrs. Frank Williams of Tacoma, and a guest of Mr. and Mrs. Richard S. Bennatts of Tahlequah, landed an 18-pound octopus Sunday.

• Island Pioneers Talk Over Old Times Sunday – One of the most interesting features of Sunday’s picnic was the album of pictures owned by O.S. VanOlinda, containing over 300 early day pictures, most of which he had taken.  One of the photographs taken in 1894, showed the Vashon Cornet Band.  Of the 13 men in the picture six were present on Sunday, and included Horace Lovering, Ed Mace, Ernie Lindley, Ollie VanOlinda, Lake Price and H.O. Fuller.

• The obituary of Mrs. Frank Enochs was published.

• Our Older Neighbors by Clara J. Tonk – James Thompson – The story of how James Thompson, father of Ervin C. Thompson, came to choose Vashon Island as a home, is an extremely interesting one, as told by his son, Ervin. – James Thompson left David City, in Butler county, Nebraska, in 1888, to see for himself what the Puget Sound country was like.  Previous to this time, the elder Mr. Thompson had sold his farm and had moved to David City, but because he had always farmed he was not satisfied.  He came out to Seattle and looked at every city, Bellingham, Olympia, and the White River Valley, but prices were so outrageous that he became discouraged.  Having sold his own farm of 160 acres for $4,500, he was shocked when he was offered 10 acres of stump land on Queen Anne Hill for $3,000, and 10 acres on Capitol Hill for the same sum.  Then a man offered his 40 acres out where the University is now located for $3,000.  Mr. Thompson had just about made up his mind to buy the University tract, when the man made a proposition that aroused his suspicions about the whole deal.  The man said, “I’ll tell you what I’ll do.  I’ve got to have $3,000 cash, now.  If you’ll buy my land I’ll buy it back from you in a year’s time for $5,000!”  This offer sounded too good to be true and the prospective buyer grew wary and decided to have nothing more to do with this man.  Strange to say, the man in question did sell his land to a third person for $3,000 cash – then redeemed it as he had promised at $5,000 one year later.  Meeting Mr. Thompson afterward, the man told him that after buying back his own 40 acres at $5,000 he turned around and sold it again for $12,000.  In the meantime, Mr. Thompson continued his search for a farm with no apparent success.  He was beginning to feel that perhaps he should give up and go back to Nebraska.  A few days later, as he was standing in front of a little white cottage on First avenue, just about where the old Dillar Hotel is now, a man sauntered by.  Both men recognized each other as having met in Nebraska.  The man’s name was Mr. Shotwell.  They talked for a time and exchanged experiences, and Mr. Thompson said he guessed he’d go back to David City.  Mr. Shotwell remarked that he was going over to a place called Vashon Island the next day on a tugboat that was going over after a boom of logs.  He said that he was going over to look at some property, and invited Mr. Thompson to go along with him.  James Thompson thought that as long as he had seen everything else he might just as well take a look at this place called Vashon.  In the morning the two men boarded the little tugboat and it anchored at a logging camp at the mouth of a creek, near Lisabeula.  They went ashore at this spot and Mr. Shotwell explained that they would have to walk across the Island to where the property was located and that in a day or two a boat would come along and they could then return to Seattle.  Through the woods and along a trail the two men walked until they reached the Blackburn place, about where the S.J. Harmeling home is now located.  Arrangements were made for the two strangers to stay overnight.  That evening Mr. Blackburn told the men that there would be a Methodist prayer meeting, and that they were invited to come.  The pioneers of the Island were so friendly and neighborly that Mr. Thompson made up his mind then and there that his search for a homeplace was ended, and that this was the place to raise his boys.  The next day Mr. Thompson was shown the 80 acres about where the Canfield place is now, and he purchased the tract for $1,500.  Then he wrote to his wife and three sons, Ira, Ervin and Charles, who left Nebraska April 4, coming out by way of the Northern Pacific, and arriving on the Island April 17, 1888.

 August 11, 1938

• WPA Assessors Have About One-Third Of Work Completed – The WPA assessors have met with fine courtesy and cooperation from Vashon Island property owners, according to Charles Wilson, in charge of the revaluation project now being carried on here by a crew of 44 men.

• Seventeen-Pound Salmon Taken Off Point Delco- Bert Lewis and his daughter Betty, of Tahlequah, fished the rip-tide on Monday evening off Point Delco and landed a seventeen-pound salmon.  The fish dressed 14 pounds.

• Glen Acres Residents Entertained By Blackfish – Residents of Glen Acres who live along the beach, received a thrill Tuesday night when a large school of blackfish cavorted along the shore.  Their blowing was quite audible and they seemed to be feeding along the tide rips between Glen Acres and Dilworth Point.  There were approximately a half-dozen of the huge creatures, who were in plain sight for more than 30 minutes.

• Vashon Islanders To Enjoy Cruise On Kalakala August 26th – Residents of Vashon Island will have an unusual opportunity to cruise on the world’s only streamlined ferry, the silver-winged Kalakala.  The Black Ball Lines has made special arrangements to put the big streamliner into the Vashon Heights dock on Friday evening, August 26.  She will sail at 9:30 from Vashon Heights and will arrive back at twelve o’clock midnight.  There will be music and entertainment by Joe Bowen and his Eight Flying Birds.  This noted orchestra has been in attendance on all Kalakala evening cruises since she was placed in service three years ago.  Inasmuch as the Kalakala sail from Colman Ferry Terminal at 3:45 p.m. and returns to Seattle after discharging passengers at Vashon Island at midnight, it is expected that many Island residents will arrange to meet their Seattle friends and spend an evening together aboard the huge streamliner.

• Our Older Neighbors by Clara J. Tonk – J.C. Walls – J.C. Walls, whose recollections appeared in an earlier issue of The News-Record, contributes the following account which arrived too late to be printed with his previous story – “There seems to be a lot of fishermen fishing, yes, but no fish!  The old-timers used to start their fishing when the cold weather came along in October and November – then we went across the creeks on the Kitsap shore from Colvos and in a day or two we had a year’s supply garnered.  We used a gaff hook for fishing tackle and we just lifted them into the boat with the hook.  This is not a fish story, no, sir!  Just heading to a thrilling adventure which might have had a tragic ending – this of course, is an old time story of many, many years ago.  My daughter and her husband had come from Seattle to spend the weekend with us, and they took my flat-bottomed skiff, thinking that a nice row across West Pass would be something out of the ordinary.  And so it proved to be.  It is about a mile and a quarter, to a half, across the channel to Kitsap from Colvos.  When they got three quarters of the way across, the passenger boat; “Flyer,” from Tacoma to Seattle, came along, and the surge and rolling swells go the little skiff bobbing up and down like a cockleshell, with the occupants laughing and enjoying the fun – until one mighty wave upset the skiff.  Imagine our terror when we saw them disappear beneath the waves – it was one awful sight for a moment – then the thrill of a lifetime to see the pair of them climbing onto the bottom of the skiff and waving their arms to let us know that everything was alright.  Presently a boat hove in sight and towed them home to Colvos.  And my son-on-law said “She had to go swimming after the oars!” And my daughter answered “Dad needed those oars!””

 August 18, 1938

• “Vashon Villager” Writes On “Ducs”…Dere Editer: Won of my naybers has sum duc eggs and my other nayber had a mama hen so they agreed to put the duc eggs under the mama hen and divids evunly the ducs wen they hatched out.  10 ducs hatched out and I am sure relieved becaus wot cud be pathsticker than a little duc sliced in haf, and waddeling around the yard with only wun fut to stand on?  And think of the disadvantage wen the duc wud try to kwack and cud onli say kwa! kwa! and the other haf over in the yard next door wud anser back ck! ck!  Woodin that of been awful? “The Vashon Villager.”

• Seattle Lads Are Shaken Up When Their Car Upsets – While driving at a high rate of speed in an attempt to catch the last ferry Thursday night two Seattle lads failed to make the turn at the Fjeld corner and after five somersaults their car, a Pontiac sedan, landed almost at Professor Rodney Ackley’s front door, with neither of the occupants more than shaken up.  Deputy Shattuck said it was just one of those things nobody can account for.  The boys had been visiting friends at Lisabeula and had lingered too long in saying “good-bye”, and being unfamiliar with the road failed to slow down for the curve, with the resultant spill.

• Johnny Borud Hurt When He Walks Into Moving Car – Johnny Borud, youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. Hedwig Borud, was injured Sunday morning at Dockton.  Accompanying his mother to church the lad stepped on to the road and ran into a car driven by Dr. H.F. Corkery, of Seattle, who is a summer resident of Vashon Heights.  Mrs. Borud and Johnny had driven to Dockton with Mrs. Ed Lande who parked her car a short distance from the church.  Dr. Corkery was leaving and in starting his car had not observed Mrs. Lande and Mrs. Borud, who were walking a short distance ahead of the little boy, who was not visible from the doctor’s car.  From all indications the youngster’s foot turned and losing his balance he bumped into the fender of Dr. Corkery’s car, which was moving slowly.  As he fell the wheel ran over his foot, fracturing several of the bones.  He suffered severe head bruises as well.  The Borud family has suffered misfortune in a number of ways the past few years.  Mr. Borud, a fisherman, died very suddenly of a heart attack while fishing in Alaskan waters some months before Johnny’s birth.  Joseph, an elder brother, has developed a definite case of tuberculosis and requires a great deal of his mother’s time and constant care.

• Annual Beach Clambake At Summerhurst – About 75 residents and guests enjoyed the annual clambake at Summerhurst beach on the east side of Maury Island on Saturday night, at which Edward J. Arthur, 4110 North Mason Ave., Tacoma, was elected as Mayor.  He has pledged himself as the good will ambassador for the resort.  Summerhurst Beach is south of the Maury Island sand and gravel pit.  There are 50 members of the colony in the 15 families who summer there.

• Our Older Neighbors by Clara J. Tonk – Gabriel Mathieson – Gabriel (Gabe) Mathieson, of Colvos came to Seattle from Iowa two days after the Seattle fire, when the city was a smoking smoldering mass of charred ruins.  One of the Mathieson brothers, Andrew, had homesteaded on Vashon Island, and Gabriel used to come to the Island over the week-ends to help clear and improve the land.  Later, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jacobson, moved to Vashon and made their home here.  In 1904 Mr. Mathieson married and came to the Island with his wife.  At that time the Island was covered by a dense growth of tall trees, and the only roads were winding trails.  Later, when $75 was allotted to make a wagon road from Colvos to Vashon the pioneers thought themselves fortunate indeed.  Mr. Mathieson settled on his place, which is on the Colvos road opposite the Zarth place, 31 years ago and has lived to see many and startling changes since the homestead days. – MRS. SERENA JOHNSON – Mrs. Serena Johnson, sister of Gabriel Mathieson, came to Vashon Island from Salt Lake City in 1893.  At one time Mrs. Johnson lived at Burton and remembers the Island as being quite wooded, with many winding trails when one walked for miles in order to call on neighbors.

 August 25, 1938

• Ellisport Mill Now Employs Eighteen Men – With two government orders for lumber and a nice order for material which will be exported to Buenos Aires, the mill at Ellisport is working a full eight-hour day and is keeping 18 men employed.  Between now and the 20th of September, 200,000 feet of logs will be cut.  Two rafts have been brought in, while a portion of the lumber will be made from logs cut on the Island.

• Sportsmen’s Club To Go On Frog Hunt Sunday – The Sportsmen’s club will sponsor a frog hunt to be staged at Lawrence Lake, south of Tacoma, next Sunday morning.

• Last Of Stolen Malet Goods Recovered – With the confession of Carl deLawrence that he had sold mink furs taken from the Malet home on Quartermaster Harbor to a West Seattle fur dealer, the last of the stolen goods was recovered Monday night.  A suitcase and a Paisley shawl had been recovered earlier.  According to Deputy-Sheriff Shoning, deLawrence was bound to the superior court at Friday’s hearing in Judge Guy Knott’s court, and will be tried on a grand larceny charge Tuesday, August 30.

• Johnny Borud Home – Johnny Borud who suffered a fractured ankle in an automobile accident on August 14, returned from the hospital Monday and is making a satisfactory recovery.

• Island Folk Invited To See Fig Orchard – Island people, particularly the summer residents who have never seen a fig orchard in full bearing, are invited to visit the Van House orchards on the peninsula east of Burton next Sunday.  The figs have ripened earlier than usual, and are now at their best.  Mr. Van House has pioneered the growing of figs on Vashon Island and is justly proud of the results he has obtained.

• Our Older Neighbors by Clara J. Tonk – Karl Steen – Mr.and Mrs. Karl Steen and their five children journeyed from Oslo, Norway, to make their home on Vashon Island in 1905.  Three Steen brothers, August, Ludwig and Hilmer had already settled on Vashon in 1885.  The Karl Steen family came to the homeplace where they are now living, located on the Colvos road overlooking the Mukai strawberry fields, north of the Cove road.  Mr. Steen describes Vashon Island as it was in the early days.  “I have been a King county taxpayer since 1905.  My taxes in those days ran to about $3.60 a year.  All around us were dense forests, with just a trail that was used as a road from the Thompson place, terminating at the Markham homestead.  There was also a narrow trail leading past the J.C. Walls property, on down through the woods to the West Waterway.  In 1895 a sawmill stood just south of the spot where the Vashon Grade school is now located.  Four years later, in 1899, a mill was built on the Cove road where the Parks place is now – and the fir and cedar on the surrounding land was logged off by a crew of 15 men, over a period of 25 years.  During these years Vashon Island was a busy place.  There were six mills, a gravel-bunker, a brickyard, a cannery, a creamery, and anyone could get a job on the road by asking for it.  The road boss would say: ‘Have you got a shovel?’ and if you said “yes” then you got the job!”

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September 1938

September 1, 1938

• To The Milk Consumers of Vashon Island – Unable to obtain what they believe to be a fair price for their milk, the farmers of the district have a large surplus of this product on hand that is available to the public at a price much lower than that which now prevails!  Strictly pure, pasteurized milk with a test of 4.01 or better, bottled and sold under city inspection.  Call Black 1105 for full particulars!  Vashon Milk Delivery, E.J. LeFevre.

• Island Alder Being Cut For Furniture Manufacture – About ten years ago Professor B.P. Kirkland of the University of Washington staff prophesied that some day Vashon Island alders would be looked upon as material for furniture, rather than a source of supply for firewood.  That prophecy is materializing.  W.H. Cox has purchased or leased a considerable amount of alder land, more than 200 acres, on the West Side and a crew of 22 men are engaged in cutting the alder into eight foot lengths.  The inaccessibility of the land upon which the trees are growing prohibited trucking the wood out.  Mr. Cox secured a contract with a Seattle concern for three thousand cords of alder and fir.  Barges which will carry 80,000 feet of logs are being used to transport the timber from the Island to the city.  A chute carries the logs from the bank down to the barge upon which they are loaded eight deep, 1200 logs to a load.

• Island Housewives Declare Frozen Foods Are Vastly Improved in Flavor – With cooler weather at hand, housewives are making last minute preparations for winter, and many who rather skeptically reserved one of the Zero Lockers at Vashon have filled the first and in several instances, the second and third lockers, after sampling the foods first put away.  Just now many are putting away their winter’s meat which, according to many, improves surprisingly with a storage period of only a few weeks, and is more delicious the longer it is kept.  Those who have used fryers which were stored earlier in the summer find that they are more tender and moist than freshly killed chicken.  Rabbits which have been stored for a time are especially fine, and those who have eaten them find it economy to buy the young animals and put them in storage.  In addition to the large amounts of various kinds of meat being stored, corn and beans are occupying the attention of Island housewives.  Corn is best when cut from the cob, cooked a short time, then packed in jars or cartons for freezing.  A novel and economical way in which it can be kept is to prepare it in this manner – spread the corn about an inch thick in bread tins, and when it becomes frozen, cut or break it into pieces which may be wrapped in oiled paper.

• Our Older Neighbors by Clara J. Tonk – Charles A. Renouf – Charles A. Renouf, who lives with his wife, Lucille Renouf, at Cove, was born on the Island of Jersey 81 years ago.  Married in 1882, the Renoufs celebrated their golden wedding anniversary six years ago, when the community of friends and neighbors gathered to offer them hearty congratulations and tokens of esteem.  The Renouf home, built by Mr. Renouf, and their beautiful gardens, reflect years of loving care.  Twenty-five grape vines cling to the southern wall of a sun porch, then enter through openings in the glass and continue their climb on the inside of the porch.  Thus, the ‘yellow Muscats of Alexandria’ ripen under glass.  Then there is the remarkable pear tree hedge (Espalier) planted in 1908 which forms a 225-foot long wall, marking part of the Renouf’s northern property line.  Pear hedges which are general throughout France and other parts of Europe, and made by planting young trees against a wooden fence, flattening the branches in such a manner that a leafy wall is formed.  At this time of the year, the Renouf pear hedge, laden with ripening fruit, is like an exquisite tapestry in green and russet.  One cannot look upon the “Espalier” without imagining its snowy beauty in blossom time.  Mr. Renouf recalls the years that followed their marriage in London, England. “We made our honeymoon to Winnepeg and witnessed the Riel Indian rebellion.  After the Custer massacre, Sitting Bull escaped into northwestern Canada where he aided and abetted the French halfbreed Indians who rose in rebellion against the government.  In 1885 my wife and I left Winnepeg to return to the Island of Jersey.  The last thing we saw in Winnepeg was Sitting Bull, seated on a wagon, headed for Stony Mountain Penitentiary.  We finally located on the Island of Guernsyy, which is an island about half the size of Vashon Island, with a population of 35, 000.  There I entered the men’s furnishing business but I later sold out to go into the hot-house business.  I was a member of the Guernsey Model Yacht Club.  This club was made up largely of yacht designers who built miniature yachts in order to see just how the larger yachts would sail.  My model yacht, the “Jilt” built in 1882, by my brother, Phillip Renouf, who was a pilot, took all the challenges during 14 years, and was never defeated.  The last race was in 1898.  My little boat measures 30 inches.  It has been with us all these years and now occupies a place of honor in our home.  Nearby stands the “Matchless,” a cutter, two feet on length, which was built in 1872.  The “Jilt” has won six silver cups, four challenge medals, a silver watch and any number of trophies in the model yacht races.  In 1899 we again sold out and left for Vancouver, B.C.  Here I was in business for two years, later going to Dawson and to the Island of Woedesky near Wrangel Narrows, where I traded with the Indians and was the buyer of mining, camp goods and cannery supplies.  In 1904 we left Alaska and spent considerable time searching for a suitable location for a hot-house.  After looking in the vicinity of Seattle and Lake Washington, I saw an ad in a newspaper which interested me, for I had three things in mind – water, wood and waterfront.  All these I found at the place which was to be our Vashon Island home.  The piece of land was in the rough, timber all around and a little cowshed was the only building on the place.  I started to build our home in 1905, and I also built 225 feet of greenhouses.  These glass houses went down under the heavy snow in 1917.  Part of them were rebuilt, but part we turned into chicken houses.  We planted our pear tree hedge in 1908 and our grape vines in 1913.  Life on Vashon Island has been good.”

 September 8, 1938

• Our Older Neighbors by Clara J. Tonk – Mrs. Charles A. Renouf – Mrs. Charles A. Renouf (Lucille Clarke) was born in London, England, on October 27, 1860.  Mrs. Renouf, whose husband’s story appeared in last week’s News-Record, takes up the story of their life on Vashon when they came to Cove in 1904.  “My husband came to the Island a few days ahead of me, in order to prepare a shelter for us.  As there was nothing on the timbered property we had just purchased from A. Thorsen, except a little cow shed, Mr. Renouf immediately set to work making this shed livable.  A few days later I landed at Page’s Landing in an open boat.  There was, of course, no dock, just a float.  Mr. Renouf and Mr. Halsey brought our luggage up the hill with a horse and rig.  From the beach we followed a trail through the woods, stopping every so often to open and close the cattle gates that barred our way.  I did not ride with the men, but walked on ahead, anxious to see the place which was to be our home.  As I approached the little cow shed I looking in through the open doorway and recognized one of my tablecloths on a little table.  I stepped inside.  How cozy and homey it was!  Mr. Renouf had worked diligently to make the place ready.  There was new matting on the floor, and the walls and ceiling were covered with white sheeting, as spotless as newly calcimined walls would be.  We lived in our little house for nine months, and never was a home more cozy or pretty.  We both loved it.  In 1905 Mr. Renouf build our home.  Whenever anyone wanted to go to Seattle they would go down the trail, opening and closing the cattle gates as they went, then went out to the float in a rowboat.  There on the float one sat and waited for the “Blanche,” to come along and pick one up.  As the “Blanche” had no set time for arrivals or departures, one had plenty of time to meditate, confident that the boat would finally appear.  The fare to Seattle was 25 cents.  When we first came to Cove there was no regular mail delivery, so we instituted a mail service.  Each neighbor took turns in fetching the mail and delivering it.  Later the community formed an Improvement Club and the Cove Community Hall was built.  What happy times we had in our Cove hall!  Dances and parties and social gatherings of all kinds, when one met his neighbors in whole-hearted comradeship!  It was here that our own golden wedding anniversary was observed just six years ago, on May 31, when over 50 friends and neighbors celebrated the day with us.  In 1911 Mr. Renouf purchased the first horseless wagon to appear on the West Side.  It was a high-wheeled International Harvester, and when Mr. Renouf got behind the steering wheel of that wondrous contraption, what a racket it made!  Horses would shy, and children came a-running to see the latest thing in gas buggies.  One of the happiest times we had in our lives was when we went to the strawberry festival in our new horseless carriage.  When both cylinders were working, it surely was fine!”

 September 15, 1938

• Boys Outnumber Girls In High School Enrollment – It will be only by reason of wit, and not because of numbers, that the girls attending Vashon Island High School will dominate the situation this year.  They are outnumbered by the boys by almost 44 per cent.  There is a total of 217 students, 89 girls and 128 boys.

• Special School Levy Carries By Only 40 Votes – With a last minute rush of voters, a number of whom stood in line to cast their ballots, the special high school election won by a close margin of only 40 votes.  Of the total 540 ballots cast, 523 were in favor of the levy which will make possible the purchase of a new bus, to take the place of one which has been in use for 10 years, and for which further funds from the state were not allowable.

• Skating Rink Closed – The Skating Rink at Vashon will be closed until October 23 for renovation, remodeling, and general preparation for the winter’s activities.  It is anticipated that the place will be a popular spot when the rainy weather sets in, and outside sports are out.

• Dog Tied To Stake Is Drowned By Incoming Tide – Feeling is running high among the people of the North End against the person or persons responsible for the drowning of a small dog recently.  Boys walking along the beach found the body of the little animal, which had been tied securely to a stake when the tide was out, and slowly submerged as the tide came in.  Whoever is guilty of this cruel and inhuman method of disposing of a helpless and unwanted animal, tied a knot in the rope such as no woman or child could possibly tie.  It is well for the guilty person that the people of the Heights do not know his identity.

• Committees Make Reports At First Commercial Meet – by Ann Billingsley – Fearing a serious curtailment of ferry service by the Black Ball company, the Commercial Club expressed itself unanimously in favor of continuing under the present schedule, at the first fall meeting of the club Monday evening at the Island Club.  Following an outline by Mrs. Ora Robinson, of progress made in the work for state ownership of ferries, the club passed a motion that the legislature and special ferry committees be authorized to cooperate with other communities in the drafting of a bill to present to the legislature at the next session.  In this connection, it was urged by W.C. Meredith that a group from Vashon Island attend the meetings of the Washington State Good Roads association, to be held in Seattle September 29, 30 and October 1.  The club voted to send a delegation.  Committee reports included an announcement by Mrs. F.J. Shattuck, chairman of the welfare committee, that after this Friday new applications for CCC enrollments will be considered.  Sixteen boys from 18 to 23 years of age will be accepted from Vashon Island, Mrs. Shattuck said.  Portable automobile testing equipment will be brought to Vashon Island as soon as a machine is available, according to Deputy Sheriff F.J. Shattuck.  Shattuck reminded drivers that if their license numbers have already been called they will be “picked up” in either Seattle or Tacoma, but may drive here until the testing facilities are ready.  Ultimately, and probably during the next year, a permanent testing machine will be installed on the Island, he added.  New roads under consideration by Chairman H.C. Cronander and his road committee are: (1) one-fourth of a mile to serve 16 families east of Tahlequah, and (2) a road south of Cross’ Landing, to serve 15 families in that vicinity, which would eliminate the doubling of the mail route.  There will be no more oiling this year, Cronander said.  Improvements being made at the high school from WTA funds amounting to $1,100 include construction of a concrete tennis court, Lloyd McElvain, chairman of the education committee, reported, adding that this work is well under way.

• Our Older Neighbors by Clara J. Tonk – Martin Hansen, Sr. – Martin Hansen, Sr., was born at Larwick, Norway.  In 1883 he sailed from that country and for 11 years followed the sea, visiting the far-off corners of the earth.  In 1899, just after the Seattle fire, Mr. Hansen and his family came to Seattle, and in 1905 purchased 10 acres at Cove from August Petersen.  At that time everything had to be brought to the Island by small boat.  The lumber for the Hansen home was brought by Mr. Hansen, Jacob Wang and Frank Johnson on a raft from Port Blakely, and all the inside finishing lumber was brought over from Tacoma.  Rowing to Seattle for groceries and supplies was all in a day’s work.  During the years spent on the seven seas, Mr. Hansen sailed to Hommerfest, Amsterdam, Antwerp, Hamburg, Stockholm, Copenhagen, Gilbraltar, the Mediterranean seaports, Alexandria, Egypt; the east and west coasts of Africa; the East Indies; up the Amazon River, and along the coasts of South America; Jamaica, Haiti, New Your, Halifax, Liverpool, and many other parts of the globe and these are the magic names that are interwoven in the stories that he recounts of the past. 

• High School News – Football Season Opens – Those turning out are: Clarence Garner, Beverly Moore, James Moore, Allan Metzenberg, Sid Bacchus, Paul Swartz, John Penny, Jim Miller, Bill Smith, Jack Petersen, Edward Kalland, Leslie McIntyre, Art Robinson, Lawrence Robinson, Kenneth Solberg, Bazil Canfield, Joe McClure, Yosh Nakamichi, Don Larsen, Bill McKinstry, Harry Livers, Francis Miller and Carl Krest.

 September 22, 1938

• Peggy Harmeling’s Story In October Outdoor Life – Island residents are advised to invest the small sum of 15 cents for a copy of the current issue of Outdoor Life (this is not a paid adv.)  For it contains an article, “Schoolma’am On a Walrus Hunt,” which is exceptionally well-written, and of local interest because its author, Mrs. Peggy Harmeling, is one of us.

• Fire Destroys Poultry House; 300 Chickens – A poultry house, 40 x 20 feet, and 300 chickens, were destroyed by fire at the Dunlap ranch in Paradise Valley Wednesday noon.  The family was unaware of the fire until they saw neighbors arriving.  Mr, Dunlap and his son has been cleaning the house with a gasoline torch a short time before the fire was discovered, and had soaked down the walls, and watched for signs of smoke before going to the house.  It is supposed that a spark caught in a crack and burned slowly without being seen.  Mr. Dunlap stated that the building was completely covered by insurance, but that the chickens were uninsured.

• Hunters Report Many Grouse On Island – Sportsmen who are hunting grouse on Vashon Island report a seeming increase in the number of birds over previous seasons.

• Our Older Neighbors by Clara J. Tonk – Mr. and Mrs. Jacob F. Wang – Jacob Wang was born in Norway, in 1870.  He came to the United State in 1890 and lived in Chicago for about six years, where he and Mrs. Wang were married on November 22, 1899.  In 1904 Mrs. Wang and her three children, Arnold, Russell and Elmer, came west to visit Mrs. Wang’s sister, who was then living on Hood’s Canal.  Six months later Mr. Wang came out to the coast with a party of 30 people.  One of this party was Mrs. D.E. Ramstad, who is now living at Cove.  Mr. and Mrs. Wang accompanied Mrs. Wang’s sister, Mrs. Jorgen Abrahamson, when she came to Lisabeula to look at property.  They spent the night at Lisabeula and the next morning they all rowed north to where Mr. Wang’s friend, Martin Hansen, whom he had known in the East, was living.  On this particular morning Mr. Hansen was clearing his land and burning stumps, and was as black as could be from the smoke and charcoal of the burning wood.  Mr. Wang called to Mr Hansen: “Hello, there Black Nigger!  What are you doing?”  Mr. Hansen had no idea that his friends were anywhere near the Island and was a very surprised and happy man to see them again.  Mr. and Mrs. Wang and Mrs. Abrahamson spent two or three days on the Island, looking for property.  Mr. Wang finally located 20 acres, but the next morning, when he went to close the deal, the owner refused, saying “Mr. Wang, I do not have to sell.”  Whereupon Mr. Wang answered “Very well, I do not have to buy, either.”  Mr. Hansen then took Mr Wang to the McIntyre place and he bought 25 acres of land there for $1,000.  Since there was no house on the place, Mr. Wang and Mr. Hansen set about to build one.  The lumber for the new house came from Steen’s mill, and was snaked down over the narrow crooked trail to Cove.  While the house was under construction, Mrs. Wang and Mrs. Abrahamson and the children went to Seattle.  One week later, the house being completed, Mrs. Wang and her sister and the children returned to live on Vashon Island.  They came to the Island on the Blanche, and their belongings were landed on the float at Cove and carried up the steep hill.  The Wang home was then located where the home of Mrs. Elizabeth Reeves now stands, next door to that of Martin Hansen.  The Wangs lived there for 11 years.  At this time there was no church on the West Side, and the ladies formed the Methodist Ladies Aid, which met at the home of the Wangs.  In about 1908, a group of the Cove neighbors, including Jacob Wang, Martin Hansen, Nels Paulson, Knute Paulson, Pete Paulson, Mr. Knuteson, Frank Johnson and Rev. Carl Erickson, cleared the land and built the Cove Methodist Church.  During the building of the church the women aided the men in every possible way and saw to it that their men had plenty of hot coffee.  Mr. Wang put the first coat of paint on the church.  When the first conference was held in the new place of worship, five different denominations worshipped together and assisted in the work of the church.  Rev. Bringedahl was the first minister in the community.  After living on Vashon for 11 years, Mr. Wang secured employment in the Navy Yard in Bremerton.  They finally rented their home on the Island and moved to Bremerton.  Following his retirement Mr. Wang and his wife made a trip to Canada and to San Diego, then returned to Cove, where they built their present home which commands one of the loveliest views on the Island.  In telling about the early days, Mr. Wang relates the following incident: “Martin Hansen and I were moving hay over at Staten’s place.  We hauled the hay down the hill with Mr. Statelan’s horse, then we built a float and towed the float, piled high with hay to Shipley’s Point.  The next day we got Erickson’s horse and Hansen’s two-wheeled cart and started up the crooked road that led to our place.  When we were about half way up the hill with the load of hay, the horse backed up and over went the hay and the horse.  We rescued the hay and the startled horse and continued up the steep hillside to our place.  In after years, we have had many a laugh about the load of hay that went down the hill so much faster than it went up the hill.”

• Schottische Party At Heights – Eight couples enjoyed a schottische party at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Rees Wyman Friday evening.  Sandwiches, apple pie and coffee were enjoyed after the strenuous and hilarious exercise necessary to master the art of dancing the schottische correctly.

• High School News – Class News – The following officers were elected for the various classes: seniors: president, Les McIntyre; vice-president, Fred Sharp; secretary, Ruth Wilson, and treasurer, Bill Kimball.  Juniors: president, Jack Petersen; vice-president, Lad Bacchus; and Mary Ann Agren as secretary-treasurer.  Sophomores: Fred Stoddard, president; Paul Swartz, vice-president; Virginia Rand, secretary, and Douglas Cullen, treasurer.  Freshmen: George Petersen, president; Jim Robinson, vice-president; Marion Fitzpatrick, secretary, and Victor Bengston, treasurer.

 September 29, 1938

• Has Large Hollyhock – For the second year H.R. Tiedeman of Quartermaster Harbor has grown a hollyhock which astonishes all beholders.  This year’s plant is 24 feet high and towers over the Teideman house.  A special flagpole has been set up to support the plant and its flaming red blossoms.

• South End Evening Ferry Is Taken Off Run – Autumn officially arrived last Friday according to the weather bureau, but Vashon and Maury Island residents knew it was here a day or two earlier.  The 8:20 p.m. ferry from Tahlequah was discontinued Wednesday night, and will not return to the run until June 1, 1939, according to officials of the Washington Navigation company.  It is believed this is because an extra boat is needed for the Gig Harbor route.

• Island Girl Performs Unusual Task Here – Working 30 feet above the ground as nonchalantly as though she were knitting, or doing the usual feminine work, Joy Billingsley completed a very estimable job of sign painting on the Met-Cro Garage building at Vashon Monday.  The letters give no indication that her hand trembled because of the height at which she was working.  Miss Billingsley has had only the instruction in sign painting which she found in a little manual on lettering.  Several years ago on a trip with her father to his mine near Princeton, B.C., she found herself with three idle days on her hands during which she studied the above mentioned manual.  Since then she has done a lot of map drawing, made sign cards, etc., for her family and friends.  Mr. Billingsley is fortunate in his daughters, with Joy able to make the maps so necessary in his line of work, and Ann trained to do his secretarial work.

• Our Older Neighbors by Clara J. Tonk – Eva Waite Tonk – Eva Waite Tonk was born in Chicago on October 31, 1863.  She attended the Wells school where her two older sisters had taught school, and graduated from the North Division High school in 1882.  On September 22, 1880, Eva Waite married Albert E. Tonk.  In April, 1909, Mrs. Tonk and her three sons came west, where they lived in the Wenatchee Valley for about 15 years.  Mr. Tonk remained in Chicago for a time on account of his business, but later joined his family in eastern Washington.  Afterwards Mr. and Mrs. Tonk moved to Glendale, Cal., where they lived for about 14 years.  Three years ago they came north to make Vashon Island their home.

• Mink Farm Is New Industry On Island – Vashon Island has a new industry, a mink farm, two miles west of Burton at the corner of the Tahlequah and Shawnee roads.  Mr. and Mrs. L.C. Hobson have raised Yukon mink here for two years, starting with nine females and two males.  The herd has increased to 13 mink this year.  The original stock was purchased from the Hercules Fur Farms of Spokane, owned by Chastek Bros., and personal friends of the Hobsons for 15 years.  Mr. Chastek personally selected his own stock in the interior of the Yukon on a trip there eight years ago.  The Hobsons have had 12 years experience with fur animals starting with blue and silver-black foxes in 1925.  Mr. Hobson says, “Vashon Island should be producing 5,000 mink pelts a year, and they will fit into any farm operation to provide a winter income and leave your good soil for field crops.  Only a small space is required and no expensive buildings are necessary.  Ours are mostly poles and shakes.  Anyone interested in mink farming is welcome to come and inspect our plant any afternoon.  We are willing to show beginners how to raise them.  Mink raising will never be a promotion business as was silver fox farming, for mink have been raised by farmers themselves and has been kept on a solid business basis.”

• New Furniture Repair Shop – An industry which will be welcomed by many residents of the Island is a shop which has been opened by C.H. Smith at Quartermaster, which is equipped to do furniture repairing, cabinet work, wood turning, and knife and scissors grinding.

• Attend Meeting in Seattle – Capt. Russell D. Powell, R.K. Beymer, Francis Sherman and Agnes L. Smock spent Saturday in Seattle where they attended a meeting of precinct committeemen of King county.

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October 1938

October 6, 1938                                                                                                                                                                        

• Contract Is Let For New School Bus – The contract for a new 52-passenger school bus was awarded last week by directors of Union U to a local firm, the Met-Cro Garage submitting the lowest bid of six.  Other bids for Kenworth, White, Diamond T, Mack and International were above the price of the Dodge, which was selected.

• Near Accident Mars Yankee Boy’s Score – Knocking her 100 per cent performance schedule for a loop on the last lap of her summer runs between Point Defiance, Point Delco and Spring Beach, the starter teeth on the flywheel of the Yankee Boy were stripped Saturday night at 6:15 o’clock as she was departing for Point Delco.  Lindy Merritt, first mate on the craft suffered a severe bruise on the leg when the crank snapped as he was attempting to start the 120 horsepower motor by hand.  The motor “kicked,” and for a time it was thought Merritt’s leg was broken.  The crank was sent to a shop in Tacoma to be welded and the Yankee Boy did not reach Point Delco until 3:15.  This was the first time the boat was off schedule in her four months’ running, Capt. George Rickard declared.  The craft will return about May 15, 1939.

• Earl McCormick First To Return With Venison – Even though he had only about 48 hours in which to do his deer hunting, Earl McCormick returned with the first deer to be brought back by an Island hunter.  In company with Garner Steen, he left the Island at the close of Saturday’s work at the Vashon Hardware store, where he is carrying on for his brother, George, who is deer hunting on a larger scale.

• Former Island Resident Escapes Death – A news item appearing in a Seattle paper states that Arthur P. Furbush of Bellingham, a state highway inspector, received painful injuries and narrowly escaped death Monday when he fell beneath a roller being used on a highway construction job.  Only the quick action of the operator in reversing the roller saved the injured man.  Mr. Furbush lived for a number of years at Ellisport, and will be remembered by many of the older residents of the Island.

• West Pass Boat Is Withdrawn From Run – Bringing true a prediction made by several persons attending the meeting when Verne Christiansen was notified by Postal Inspector Lawrence that the West Pass Transportation Company would again be awarded the mail contract for another four years, the S.S. Virginia V was taken off the run Saturday night between Tacoma, West Pass communities and Seattle.  At the present time Capt. Christiansen assembled a large number of residents of West Pass Communities to urge that the Virginia’s mail contract again be approved by the Postmaster General, it was stated by the boat operator that he felt reasonably certain that the Virginia could be maintained on its run throughout the year.  A number of protests were voiced quietly, and, as it turned out, such is the case.  The only ray of sunshine, so to speak, is that Capt. Christiansen declares he will have a new vessel in operation around the first of December.  At present he is building a 64-foot boat, which will be powered by a new Enterprise diesel.  The new craft will be capable of a speed of 11 to 12 knots, it is understood, which is somewhat slower than the schedule maintained by the S.S. Virginia V.  However, between now and the time the new boat is placed in operation, there will be no service to West Pass points.  Mail for Island points is now being transported on the ferry leaving Point Defiance at 6:45 a.m.  This arrangement gives South End patrons earlier mail delivery but works a decided hardship on the folks who have depended on the Virginia V, for freight deliveries and to get to Tacoma and Seattle.

• Two Radio Stations Broadcast Fishing Derby – Advertising Vashon Island, and the progressiveness of the Vashon Sportsmen’s club in keeping pace with activities of similar organizations in metropolitan centers, four broadcasts concerning the salmon derby at Tahlequah were made by Stations KJR and KMO.  News of the derby was sent to both airways news editors by C.R. Roediger of Tahlequah and three broadcasts were made by KMO and one by KJR.

• Our Older Neighbors by Clara J. Tonk – Mrs. Thora Norstrand – Mrs. Thora Norstrand was born in Norway in 1866.  In 1904 Mrs. Norstand and her husband, Andrew Norstrand, and their four children, left Norway on the White Star Liner and sailed to England where they stopped for one week before continuing their voyage to New York.  While on board the ocean liner, the Norstrand family received the best of care.  After arriving in New York, Mr. and Mrs. Norstrand and their children took the train to Winnipeg, intending to come west to Seattle, but at Winnipeg the children came down with the measles and they were unable to continue their journey.  Instead of going to a hospital, the railroad company provided them with a private care and there they remained until all had recovered.  They then came west to Seattle and then to Vashon Island, where a brother-in-law, August Steen, lived.  Mr. Norstrand set to work to build a home for his family, and during this time the family lived in the Linnestad house, which was located near the present site of the Vashon Grade school.  August Steen then owned the school land and adjacent property.  When the house was finished in 1905, the family moved in and it was here that a fifth child was born to Mr. and Mrs. Norstrand.  In comparing early days on the Island with the present time, Mrs. Norstrand said, “Wages were low but money went farther than it does today.  Two dollars a day was considered good wages, but you could buy good meat for 10-cents a pound, a big sack of flour for $1.00, and a ham for 10 cents a pound.  We had few neighbors then, and those we did have lived a long way off.  All around us were stands of tall timber.  A big team brought groceries and meat to our door once a week.  In Vashon, the post office was in a grocery store, located where Garner Kimmel’s store now stands, and it was run by Steve Steffenson.  A meat shop stood on the corner where Weiss’ store now stands, and it was operated by Chris and Nels Peterson.  As there was no Lutheran church in Vashon, we held services in the Community school house, and on Sundays a preacher came over from Seattle to conduct services.  The women of the Lutheran church then started the Lutheran Ladies Aid.  Down near the old brick yard there was a dock where the Seattle-Tacoma boats stopped.  A big wagon met the mail boat and took the sacks of mail up the winding road to the post office.  If anyone wanted to ride on the wagon to the post office the driver would consent to give them a lift, but it was the custom to charge for the wagon ride.  We celebrated our first Sunday here by going on a picnic down at Cedarhurst.  As the road ended at Scales’ corner, we left our horses and wagons at that place, and carrying our picnic baskets, we walked the long trail down the hill, where we had a grand picnic with many people on the beach at Cedarhurst.  At my husband and I had lived for many years in the big city of Oslo, Norway, we found life on Vashon Island very different than the one we had known.  But should I inherit a great sum of money, I would never leave Vashon, as there is no place in all the world like it, for it is home.”

• High School News – A farewell party was given Friday evening in honor of Noma Menees who is leaving Vashon to make her home in Port Orchard.  The Bacchus summer home was the scene at which the well-wishers met.  Those honoring Noma were Mary Ann Agren, Gloradawn Hoel, Phyllis Williams, Mary Bogunovich, Charlotte Fillinger, John McKinstry, Jim Miller, Jack Rodda, Jack Petersen, and Bill Smith.  Mrs. Bacchus and Mrs. Judson chaperoned.  A few games were played, but dancing headed the list of entertainment.  

• Hunting Near Loomis – Maurice Dunsford and Masa Mukai are deer hunting in the neighborhood of Loomis.

• The obituary of Mrs. William E. Young was published.

October 13, 1938

• Island Men See Hunting Tragedy While On Trip – A party of Island hunters, while encamped at Midget Camp, 40 miles east of Republic in Ferry county, witnessed the final chapter and tragic end of a fellow huntsman.  Those from the Island were John Metzenberg, John Calhoun, Otto and Alfred Therkelsen, Con Tjomsland and Martin Larsen.  Near them was camped four Spokane hunters.  While out hunting early Wednesday morning Bert Nichols became separated from the other members of his party and returned to camp.  When the others returned at 11:30 they found his lifeless body stretched on the floor of the tent.  John Calhoun and John Metzenberg returned to their camp at about one o’clock and were shocked to learn of the tragedy.  The coroner and sheriff of Ferry county were called in from Republic and in the following inquest the verdict was accidental death.  In reconstructing the scene it was decided that Mr. Nichols had leaned his loaded gun against a supporting board at the entrance of the tent, and in so doing, the hammer caught on a projecting part of one of the cots, causing the hammer of the gun to be released, discharging the gun.  The bullet in entering the throat and coming out through the skull had caused almost instantaneous death. 

• News-Record Will Be Sent Free To College Students – Continuing a policy discontinued more than a year ago we will send The News-Record to any Island college student who requests us to do so. 

• Park Benefit Dance At Center Hall October 22 – Unless all signs fail the Park Benefit dance to be given Saturday evening, October 22, at the Center hall, will be well attended, and an enjoyable affair.  Three organizations, the Odd Fellows, the V.F.W. and the Dockton Community club are joining forces in promoting the dance.  The entire proceeds will be donated to the committee in charge of the Vashon-Maury Park.

• Our Older Neighbors by Clara J. Tonk – Mrs. A. Tjomsland – Mrs. Amy Tjomsland (Amy Goldsby) was born in Yardley, England, 1862.  “My cousin married an Englishman from Kansas, and they moved to his farm in Garden City in Finney county in that state.  Soon after, my cousin asked me to come to their home.  There I met and married Mr. John Gilfilian, and for 14 years we lived on our Kansas farm, near my cousin’s place.  In 1916 Mr. Gilfilian passed away.  After five years I married Abraham Tjomsland.  When we first came to Vashon there was no real school building.  Mr. Gilfilian once declared ‘You’ll not get anyone to come to this Island unless you build a different school house.’  Donations of $50 apiece began to come in and the people of Vashon built two rooms, while the county built an additional two rooms.  Mrs. E.E. Van Olinda donated the paint for the new building.  This schoolhouse did for a while, but soon a meeting was called to consider the problem of building a larger school, and the result was that the present Vashon Grade school was started.  Meanwhile, just what to do with the four-room school house occupied the people of Vashon.  Some were for selling, but the majority had visions of a Community House, where public meetings might be held, and it was finally donated for this purpose.  Ludwig Steen was the first janitor of the Vashon Island school, and for 14 years he served faithfully, and was loved by all the school children.  When he passed away, his son, Walter Steen took over the work of his father.  Mr. Tjomsland passed away two years ago last May.  From my house by the side of the road I have seen many changes, and I often think of the days when the Community House across the way was the four-room school house for the children of Vashon.”

October 20, 1938

• Skating Rink To Re-Open Friday Night – With new paint, inside and out, newly finished floors, a heating system, a new door in the rear, skates overhauled, gala decorations, etc., the Vashon Rink will reopen Friday night.  From the sound of things there is all indication that everyone able to be on skates will be among those present.  Bill Robinson, with the capable assistance of Ann and Joyce Billingsley, have worked like troopers for the past few weeks.  A solemn warning has been issued that all who remain away from Friday evening’s jamboree will miss a mighty good time.

• Second Chapter Is Told Of Moy Yawl Trip – The second chapter of the story regarding the Moy yawl, which appeared in Seattle papers last week, and was recopied in The News-Record, came with startling suddenness.  Friday’s Seattle Post-Intelligencer carried the following story. – MOY YAWL ON ROCKS – Seattle Yacht Loses Rudder – St. Petersburg, Fla., Oct. 13 – (I.N.S.) – The 58-foot yawl Dione, in which Capt. Ernest J. Moy of Seattle, his wife and their crew of two, started Monday on a projected 80,000 mile five-year cruise of the world, went on the rocks a quarter of a mile south of municipal pier here tonight after losing its rudder.  The Dione dragged its anchor in the stiff northwest blow.  No one was aboard at that time.  Coast guard boats were attempting to move the Dione tonight, but officers were doubtful whether they could save the craft.

• Our Older Neighbors by Clara J. Tonk – Isabell H. McCormick – Isabell H. McCormick (Isabell Fuller) was born in Seattle and came to Vashon Island with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. George H. Fuller, in 1883.  The Fuller family lived at Chautauqua (Ellisport) but later George Fuller took a piece of land southeast of Center, as a claim.  Isabell Fuller attended the Quartermaster log cabin school which was located across the road from the present home of Mrs. Juel Sargent, south of Center.  Later she went to the Chautauqua school, one mile east of Center.  Here the eighth-graders received instruction in advanced school work, equivalent to our present freshman high school course, at noon and during recess time.  The pupils often misplaced their Civics books, so that the lunch hour was gone before they found them again.  No report cards were in use, nor were the pupils graded.  When the report card made its first appearance, it created a great stir of excitement.  Harris Ward taught at Chautauqua school at one time, and Charles Tilton taught at the same school, at a different time, since one teacher took care of the whole school.  Isabell’s parents finally moved to Center, occupying the house on the southwest corner, in which the Otto Therkelsen family now live.  Prior to this time, Mr. Banfield ran a tiny store which was away back in a field, a short distance from Center.  Later, Isabell’s parents operated a grocery and dry-goods store – the first real store on the Island.  In 1901, Isabell Fuller married Phillip McCormick, and they lived in their home on the highway not far from the Fuller home for two years.  Two daughters and two sons were born to Mr. and Mrs. McCormick, and today, the two sons, George and Earl, and their families are residents of Vashon.  Mrs. McCormick now lives in her new home near the cross-roads of Center, and near the place where she spent her childhood.  Mrs. B. Edwards, who was a schoolmate of Mrs. McCormick, is now one of her neighbors.  In speaking of the early days, Mrs. McCormick said that Center was once the hub of activity.  One the northeast corner, known as the Faull place, and now owned by Mr. and Mrs. Robinson, stood a log school house.  Church services were held in this log building, but later a Presbyterian church stood on this spot.  Then a social hall, which stood at a community hall was built on this corner, and this hall, in after years, was made into a chickenhouse.  In recalling school days, Mrs. McCormick said, “In the fall of the year, when the salmon run was on at Judd Creek, we children used to get excused from the log cabin school to go down and catch dog salmon.  The creek would be alive with the struggling fish, and we would wade out into the water, using gaff hooks to pull the salmon out of the creek.  It was terribly thrilling.  My sister, Capitola, and my brother, Frank, and Lake Price, a neighbor boy, Blane Newcon once went on a salmon expedition, with strict instructions from our parents not to get wet.  When we got to Judd Creek, Lake, wearing rubber boots, attempted to carry me across the creek, but when he was in mid-stream he slipped and fell, dumping me in the cold water.  It wasn’t long before the others were as wet as we two were, for once you started to hook the salmon you forgot all about trying to keep dry.  I walked home, carrying my wet dress in my hand, amply clothed in a petticoat such as were worn in those days, while my brother and Blane Newcon stayed in the woods where a bonfire had been built, and dried their clothes.”  Mrs. McCormick has in her possession a unique quilt, pieced by the Relief Corp Ladies of the G.A.R. about 40 years ago.  This red, white and blue quilt, beautifully made, is composed of signatures of the pioneers, who paid 10 cents each to have their names embroidered on the blocks.  The quilt originally was made for the Orting Soldiers’ Home, but on its completion, the ladies decided that a more substantial quilt would be more suitable.  Isabell’s mother then donated material for a second covering in exchange for the autographed quilt.  When her daughter was married, Mrs. Fuller presented it to Isabell.  These are the names appearing on Mrs. McCormick’s prized possession: C.W. Jacobs, H.G. Jacobs, L.W. Jacobs, Mrs. B.J. Jacobs, S. Sherman, Maggie Sherman, Mary Sturgus.  Sarah Gammel, J.M. McClintock, Mrs. J.M. McClintock, Gertie McClintock, Jack Greer, Lynn Price, Laura Price, Earl Price, David Johnson, H.E. McAllister, Suzan McAllister.  Ed Cristman, L. Cristman, S.J. Cristman, P. Cristman, A.S. Cristman, M. Cristman, James Kenan, Martha Powers.  Mary Livesley, Mr. Livesley, Auyelia O’Niel, Gus Anderson, J.P. Morgan, M.A.C. Snow, Effie Snow, M.H. Snow.  Mrs. Reihm, J.F. Reihm, Charley Tilton, Mrs. H.E. Fuller, Isabell Fuller, Frank Lindley, S.E. Lindley, L.A. Lindley, G.E. Lindley, J.F. Van Camp, C.I. Van Camp.  C. Wiman, J. Powers, A. Erickson, Robert Yule, E.J. Mathis, Mrs. E.J. Mathis, S.J. Mathis, Ethel Mathis, Jenny Emmett, Mary Pruitt, Mary Cummings, C.F. Cummings, A. Castler, Mr. Waterman, Mrs. Waterman, J.P. Blackburn, Hattie Blackburn.  S.A. Marian, Chester Marian, C. Houghton, A. Houghton, Mrs. Crane, Jessie Van Olinda, Baby Ream, Mrs. Ross, and the Steamer Sophia.  Out of the 73 names only about 13 are still living, so the quilt is one which Mrs. McCormick treasurers as a priceless possession.

• The obituary of Mrs. Bessey Kingsbury Beall was published.

October 27, 1938

• Chester Olsen Escapes Death – An article in the Seattle Times tells of an accident that occurred at Bremerton in which Chester Olsen, son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Olsen, of Burton, and O.A. Scalf of Seattle, narrowly escaped death.  The men were in a truck which slipped into the water when an embankment gave way.

• Harper Dock Closed; Ferry Operates On New Schedule – Announcement was made this week that effective November 1, the Harper dock will be closed for repairs by order of the Washington Department of Public Service, and pending permanent arrangements the Fauntleroy – Vashon Island ferry will make her mainland terminus at Manchester.

• Dorothy Wight Writes Song – The Women’s Residence Hall (McKee, Blaine and Austin) won the prize for the best homecoming sign on the University of Washington campus.  Dorothy Wight, a resident of McKee Hall, wrote the words of the homecoming song which was sung to the tune of “The Mulberry Bush.”

• Scouts Hold Court Of Honor Monday Evening – Before a board of examiners, composed of Dr. V.C. Coutts, Rev. J.C. Mergler, Ray Campbell and A.M. Clare, four members of Troop 495, Boy Scouts of America, received an advanced rating Monday evening at the first Court of Honor held here in more than a year.  David Russell, Bob Harmeling, Stuart Campbell and Bill Smock were awarded their second class pins.  Merit badges were awarded after the usual examination to Dick Clare, Alfred Nordeng and Bob Smock.  Scoutmaster Ober, who is working for the rank of Eagle Scout, was successfully examined and received five merit badges.  None of the older boys examined showed better preparation than did Raleigh Coutts, who was awarded his tenderfoot pin.

• Death Claims Mrs. Amy Tjomsland Last Week-End

• Marines Visit – Edward Slagle and Howard Nichols, marines from the battleship Tennessee spent Saturday and Sunday on the Island.  Edward visited his mother, Mrs. M.D. Slagle, and his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. S.E. Watson and Howard visited his grandmother, Mrs. William Morford.

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November 1938

November 3, 1938

• American Legion Post Proposed For Island – Veterans of the World War are urged to attend the Father-Son Banquet at the Island Club Friday evening, November 11, for two reasons.  The first is that this is an affair in which every man should be interested.  Those who do not have sons may borrow those of someone else.  The second reason is that at the conclusion of the banquet there will be a meeting to discuss the formation of an American Legion Post on the Island.  The post, if formed, would be Post No. 158.

• Flag Dedication – Vashon Post 2826, V.F.W. and the Auxiliary will conduct two public Flag dedication ceremonies on Armistice Day, November 11.  Flags will be presented on that day to the Lisabeula school and to the County Building at Center.  The exact time of these ceremonies will be announced in next week’s News-Record, according to Commander Claude Williams of Vashon Post.

• Winner In Race – Charles Kimball was the winner in a race held at the University of Washington Friday afternoon in which the students of the School of Forestry carried 50-pound packs over a half-mile course.

• Editorial – The above map is one which every Vashon-Maury voter should study carefully, not for its geographic value but for the potential effect it may have on future tax statements.  Note the comparison between the size of the white area, which represents that part of King county NOT INCLUDED in King County Public Utility District No. 1, and the shaded area, which constitutes the district, of which Vashon-Maury Island is a part.  Compare the size and isolated position of our Island with the other part of the district.  Take into consideration that we are now served through an agency regulated by the Department of Public Service.  This company is FORCED by state regulations to maintain continuous service; to charge certain fixed rates; to keep lines in good order; to pay heavy property and occupational taxes which help to maintain our schools, etc.  We quote from the District Power Bill Section 6 (d) “All public utility districts organized under the provisions of this act shall have power…with full and exclusive authority to sell and regulate and control the use, distribution, rates, service, charges and price thereof, free from the jurisdiction and control of the director of public works and division of public utilities, in all things.”  Vashon-Maury Island uses at the present time less power than one of the largest department stores in Seattle.  Compare the difference in the effort to serve with electricity the Bon Marche, for instance, and the miles of lines on Vashon-Maury.  Is it logic that an unregulated political group, laymen untrained to operate a highly involved power system, will be greatly concerned as to the quality of service which will be rendered to our small territory?  There will be little reason for them to court our good will, because we represent such a small and isolated group.  The department of public service will be able to render us no help.  Yet we will have to bear our part of the burden for the rest of the proposed district.  Remember that the city property, which produces the greater part of King county taxes IS NOT INCLUDED in the proposed district.  We might quote at great length and tell of the almost unlimited indebtedness which the district commissioners may accumulate without our consent, and which will be a lien.  We might enlarge upon the fact that this indebtedness is outside the 40-mill limit.  We might call attention to the fact that if King County Public Utility District No. 1 is created, (and like the Israelites we groan under our tax burdens) there is no manner in which the district can be disbanded, nor any manner in which the commissioners can be halted in creating debts that call for still greater taxation.  This matter has already been tried out in Pacific county and more people voted for disbandment than had voted for formation.  We might point out that up to the present time there is no manner in which electric power can be carried for more than 240 miles.  What is our distance from Coulee or Bonneville?  Proponents of the P.U.D. forget to mention that new and expensive means to furnish our part of Washington have not yet been even perfected.  We do believe that every property owner should think seriously, not only of the new taxes the public utility would involve, but consider the taxes now being paid by the power companies which would be wiped out.  Just as important, we believe, is a careful consideration of our isolation and a very level-headed study of whether we are more sure of service under a political set-up, or under private operation.  Actual facts show that rate schedules in the public utility districts already formed are materially higher than we are now paying in what has been pronounced by the public service commission of our own state as “lower than any like area in the United States,” and that because of this the agencies of the federal government has appointed the company serving us as its fiscal agent in dealing with government dealers and customers in financing appliances and wiring.  The final decision rests with each voter.  But we urge that after studying the above map we make every effort to go to the polls on next Tuesday.  Be sure to ask for the special ballot upon which you must vote.  It will not be printed on your large white ballot.  The all-important matter is that you VOTE.  But how you vote is up to you – and your good common sense.

• Art Exhibit At Vashon – Painting and silhouette portraits, by Mrs. E. Morgan, will be on display in the Weiss Store window Thursday, Friday and Saturday of this week.

• P.T.A. Coffee Cup Shower – To relieve an embarrassing shortage of cups in the lunch room of the Vashon Grammar school, the P.T.A. will hold a coffee cup shower at the next regular meeting on Tuesday, November 8, at 2:00 o’clock.  Any member with an extra cup not minus a handle, are asked to bring it to this meeting.

• Petitions To End War Circulated On Island – Launched on the 75th birthday of Jane Addams, a movement entitles “Peoples’ Mandate to the Government” designed to end war for all time, petitions are being circulated throughout the United States.  For those interested in having a part in this movement, petitions have been placed in the stores in all Island communities.  Those interested in this movement and wishing to know where the petitions can be found may call Mrs. Luella Sanderson.

• The obituary of Mrs. Amy Tjomland was published.

November 10, 1938

• Members of Junior Class To Present Annual Play – “Spring Fever,” which will be presented by members of the Junior class of the Island High school on November 18, is a story of college life.  The characters are portrayed by Jack Petersen, Bill Smith, Jim Miller, Mary Ann Agren, Thelma Breiwick, Phyllis Williams, Lorna Croan, Art Robinson, Gloradawn Hoel, Mildred Griffin, Glenn Polhamus and Lad Bacchus.

• Island Votes Against Public Utility District – Vashon-Maury Island voted the most emphatically of any King county district against the proposed Utility District No. 1.

• Fire Razes Famous Tahlequah Landmark – A landmark for more than half a century, the shanty that was once the home of Matthew Bridges at Tahlequah is now merely a pile of ashes.  The shack was fired Monday night by a group of Hallowe’en revelers, and provided an eerie setting as tales connected with Indian tribal gatherings, smugglers and bank robbers, were recounted.  Permission to send the building up in flames, with each billow of smoke shooting skyward with the secrets of one of the most talked about places on the Island was given by the Puget Mill company, owners of the land.  The only thing that is left on the site is the skeleton of a typewriter that is said to have belonged to a West Pass resident who had a lease on the property at a dollar a year.  For years the shack has been the erstwhile home of Ted Iceberg, who for more than four decades has made Tahlequah his “stamping ground” except during the time he was fishing in Alaskan waters.  A tough of pathos was added to the scene when a mother cat owned by Iceberg came scampering down with a rat in her mouth to feed her brood of kittens.  But they weren’t there.  When the flames started licking their tinder-like abode they disappeared into the underbrush.  Today tabby is still looking for them.  She can’t comprehend what it is all about.  It is said that more than $40,000 taken in a Tacoma bank robbery in the late ‘90s is hidden somewhere in the gulch in the vicinity of the landmark, but no one has been unable to unearth it.  Following the robbery, the lone bandit rowed across to Smuggler’s Cove, which is now Tahlequah, and buried the loot in the gulch.  The robber then went to what is now Spring Beach, where he was captured.  Rains had obliterated the spot where he had cached the money.  Efforts of police to force him to talk were futile, as the robber hoped some day to return and live, in luxury on his ill-gotten gains, but death sealed his lips forever in state’s prison.  Tuberculosis had claimed another victim.  Some day when Dr. David B. Cook excavates on his property adjoining the Puget Mill land, the mystery of the hidden treasure may be solved.

• Basketball For Women – All women from 19 to 90 are invited to attend a basketball turnout at the Vashon Grammar school gym Monday evening, November 14, at 7 o’clock.  There will be a meeting each Monday evening during the winter.

• New Overhead Track At Kimmel’s Zero Lockers – To facilitate the handling of meats, much of which is sold to locker patrons, an overhead track has been installed at the Kimmel store at Vashon.  By this method the meat can be easily moved from the porch to the cooling room.  Mr. Kimmel has also added a new set of hanging scales in the meat department of his store.

November 17, 1938

• American Legion Post To Be Formed On Island – A group of ex-service men met at the Island Club Friday evening following the Father-Son banquet.  Plans were made relative to forming an American Legion post for Vashon-Maury Island.  Sixteen veterans were present and signified their interest in such an organization.  A committee was named, composed of Harry Janney, past post commander of the V.F.W.; Dr. W.L. Ellis, past American Legion post commander, and James Quinlen, past American Legion post commander.  These men will prepare by-laws and call a meeting at a future date to complete the formation of an American Legion post.  According to Harry Janney, chairman of the committee, this date will be announced in the columns of The News-Record.  All ex-service men are urged to join the new organization as charter members, since it is felt that there is a definite need for an American Legion post on the Island.  The Veterans of Foreign Wars have carried on an excellent work, and this community service will be even more efficiently rendered through the good offices of the American Legion.

• Island Growers May Secure 10-Year Contract For Fruit – Plans for what appears to be an answer to the need of Vashon-Maury farmers are shaping up, and will be presented to individual growers within the next few weeks.  Contracts will be available to growers of Boysen berries which will insure a market for the next 10 years.  The concern which will give these 10-year contracts is an established Seattle firm, privately owned.  They will contract as high as 300 acres.

• Ann Billingsley Hostess – Ann Billingsley was hostess at a post-Rink party Monday night at The Alibi, celebrating the arrival of her new car, a convertible coupe, which was delivered to her during the evening.

• The obituary of Mrs. Hans Hamer was published.

November 24, 1938

• Forty-Mile Blow Causes Damage At Tahlequah – Lashed by a 40-mile wind, rollers swept the beach at Tahlequah last Wednesday and Thursday, entailing minor damage to bulkheads.  The gale was almost constant for 48 hours, and while the tide normally would have been only 11.8 feet, it was considerably higher, and small craft were sent scurrying for cover.  Practically the entire kelp line was destroyed, with the result that rock cod fishermen will now have to do their angling in deep water.  As soon as the kelp disappears the cod migrate either to Quartermaster Harbor or into deep water.

• Veterans To Hold Open Meeting December 1 – Members of Vashon Island Post V.F.W. will be hosts to all World War veterans at an open meeting to be held at the Island Club on Thursday, December 1.  The object of the meeting is to form a local post of the American Legion.  It is believed that through the two organizations on the Island, co-operation on behalf of the veterans can best be accomplished.  A good program is promised with plenty of doughnuts and coffee.

• Lights Are Sought For Point Defiance Bus Landing – As a result of complaints registered with K.G. Fry, president of the South End Community club by residents of Tahlequah, Burton and Vashon, a determined effort is being made to obtain suitable lights for the ferry bus stop in Point Defiance Park.  An appeal, now in the hands of the Metropolitan Park board in Tacoma, urging that installation of lights at this point be made as soon as possible.  While street cars were operating, the Tacoma Railway and Power Company maintained its own lights, but since buses are handling the transportation the bus stop is in darkness.

• Mrs. Covington Addresses Bainbridge Garden Club – On Monday Mrs. W.D. Covington addressed the Bainbridge Island Garden Club on the subject of “Spring Bulbs.”  Mrs. Covington has just completed planting 46,000 bulbs of 185 varieties in the Covington Bulb Gardens at Colvos.

• Funeral Services Held for Dr. Edward Van Devanter

• Ripe Raspberries On Menu Of Bert Lewis Family – Luscious red raspberries were on the breakfast menu yesterday at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Bert Lewis at Tahlequah.  Sounds incredible for the middle of November, but it’s a fact.  This is the second time within the past two weeks that the Lewis family has stepped outside the kitchen door to pluck the tasty fruit.  Several branches loaded with ripe berries were obtained at each picking.  Zinnias, dahlias and asters were in bloom at the Roediger place until the blow of last Wednesday whisked the salt spray onto the bulkhead and ruined the plants.

• The obituary of Joseph Geiger was published.

• The obituary of William Athelstain Davies was published.

• Our Older Neighbors by Clara J. Tonk – A Sketch Of My Life – Augusta Hunt – I am 77 years old.  So old that I am proud to tell my age, and so near second childhood that I may soon be able to begin life all over again!  In December, 1889, I was married to George W. Boyington.  In 1897 we moved to Coupeville.  Soon after moving to the lighthouse, our son, Lloyd Harold, was born, and with our little family of three our life was busy and happy.  In December 1900, the father, who was ill but two days, suddenly left us.  After three years, Mr. George Hunt, a bachelor, who had been keeper at Cape Meares for 18 years, and whose wants had been looked after by a niece, asked me to marry him and go back to Cape Meares light station.  Just four months after we were married, he had a second attack of pneumonia, and in three days passed on.  Then, we moved to Roy, Washington, where my brother Charles was teaching school.  Here we bought a little home.  While there, I remembered receiving a pamphlet about Vashon College, which appealed to me.  So one day we took a trip to Burton, and in 1906 moved there with the intention of putting the children through Vashon College, but this wish of mine was never realized.  I was postmaster at Burton for 23 years of continuous service.  I resigned in 1933.  I have tried to make my life helpful and useful to others, have always looked on the bright side, kept simple faith in our Heavenly Father, and I am now living a happy, peaceful life in the love of my children and friends.  –Augusta Hunt, Burton, Washington, Nov. 18, 1938.

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December 1938

December 1, 1938

• Dockton WPA Project Nears Completion – Work on the sidewalk at Dockton, started in October, will be completed within a week.  Starting in front of the L. Plancich home near the Community Club and extending to the Community church on the edge of the village, a distance of 2800 feet, the project has been accomplished by WPA workers in record time.  This is due largely to the fact that the ground was comparatively level and there were no fills to make.  Ten men in approximately 45 days will complete the work.  The sidewalk passes the Dockton school, and as a safety measure is a wise one for it takes off the road practically all of the school children.  Theo Berry, whose enterprise was instrumental in securing this project for his community, stated that the people of Dockton in the near future would properly celebrate the completion of the sidewalk.

• Joe Has Many Jobs – Joe Milligan claims that he has the most jobs of any person on Vashon-Maury Island, and few will dispute this when they realize that he pinch-hits for Cephas Ramquist as driver of a laundry wagon; acts in the capacity of “grease monkey” (the quotation is Joe’s own); is janitor and doorman at the theatre and plays the drums in the local orchestra every Saturday night.  But, nothing is too much for the Irish, and Joe keeps on smiling, even if his many jobs do almost require a secretary.

• Navy Plane Makes Forced Landing Here – Forced down when one of his propeller blades turned and the resultant vibration threatened to tear the motor of his plane loose, Lt. Paul Stahl landed a navy plane in the strawberry field west of the Mukai plant in early afternoon Saturday.  The field, which appeared comparatively smooth from the air, proved to be much the opposite.  Those familiar with the manner in which the Mukai fields are planted can realize the sensation of the pilot as he went across the deep rows at a rapid rate.  Two large trucks from Sand Point with 12 mechanics arrived about dusk.  By a strange coincidence, Mr. and Mrs. Mukai were on the ferry which brought the trucks, and realizing that there had been an accident they followed and much to their surprise were led to their own home to find the plane in their own yard.  In a few hours the plane was dismantled and ready to be returned to Sand Point.  The hospitality of the Mukais in furnishing all the facilities possible, and in serving the mechanics with coffee and food was greatly appreciated, and the opinion was general that Lt. Stahl had shown good judgment in his selection of a landing field.

• New Service For Island – For the first time in a number of years Vashon-Maury home-makers may choose and buy their house furnishings from a local concern.  M.P. Bickle, whose business of building and repairing furniture takes him to many Island homes, finds that there is need of such a service here and has secured the agency of a full line of home furnishings.  He will bring samples into the home, and assist in matching draperies and furniture coverings at a price below those of the city.  Mr. Bickle is now equipped to do davenport rebuilding, demothing and cleaning, so that there is no longer need of taking this work from the Island.

• Seeks Large Acreage Of New Berry – G.H. Allen of the Boysen Berry Corporation was on the Island this week interviewing farmers with a view to planting large acreages of Boysen berries.  Although the farmers are now being offered five and ten year contracts with a Seattle winery for the present Mr. Allen says there is excellent chance for a local plant for extracting juices that will save much of the fruit which yearly wastes.  The market for fruit juices is practically unlimited and no where is finer fruit for making this juice grown than on Vashon Island.  The Boysen berry is much in demand in orthopedic hospitals Mr. Allen states.

• Orchestra Enjoys Increasing Popularity – The popularity of the “Vashonians,” local orchestra, increases with each dance for which these rhythm makers play.  The orchestra is composed of Wendell Matthews, piano; Bazil Canfield, saxophone and Joe Milligan, who drums skillfully in spite of a badly injured wrist.

 December 8, 1938

• Mrs. Ada Sutter Passes Away – Widely Known Pioneer Is Grieved – Obituary published.

• Gale Causes Trouble In Tahlequah District – Sweeping in from the Southeast off a churning, turbulent Pacific ocean, winds of gale velocity swept Tahlequah and the West Pass Friday morning and throughout the night.  Saturday brought the tail of the storm, and during Sunday there was a stiff wind.  An unidentified launch was in distress Sunday afternoon between Sunrise beach and Spring beach, but hoisted no signals for aid.  A make-shift sail was rigged, and the craft drifted towards Camp Sealth.  Later in the evening it was towed to Tacoma by either the coast guard or a sea scout boat.  Small craft caught in the breeze were sent scurrying for shelter in coves along the West Pass.  Minor damage to bulkheads was reported by several Tahlequah beach residents.  Waves swept onto porches, and gave windows of all the beach cottages a thorough drenching.  Radios were silent throughout Saturday afternoon.  The “juice” went off around 2:00 p.m., being switched on again at 6:10 p.m.  Telephone service was not interrupted in this district.  The highway between Tahlequah and Vashon was strewn with fir boughs and debris, and a guard rail just south of Center was crashed by a falling tree.  Otherwise little damage was reported.

• Athletic Council Formed By Devotees – To Assist High School – At a meeting of representative men and women from all parts of the Island held Friday evening at the High School an Athletic Council was formed.  The purpose of this council is to work in conjunction with the student body, and various school groups to promote athletic activities in our high school.

• Store Has Big Close-Out Sale – The F.A. Weiss store at Vashon is closing out the entire stock of hardware, dry goods, shoes, paints, ready-to-wear, etc.  Everything except the grocery stock is being sold at 40 per cent below market prices.  With the passing of F.A. Weiss, Inc. as a general store Vashon Island sees another change take place, marking the passing of the old and the adoption of the new and modern.  The late F.A. Weiss and his brother, Henry, who passed away recently in Seattle, were among the early merchants of Vashon and the Weiss store has always been operated as a general store, adding new lines of merchandise as the need appeared.

• American Legion Post Is Formed – Twenty Members Join New Veteran Group – Announced by Vashon Island Post V.F.W. a meeting was held Thursday evening at the Island club, attended by 52 ex-service men.  The purpose was the formation of an American Legion Post.  The meeting was called to order by Commander Claude V. Williams, then turned over to Harry M. Janney, chairman of the American Legion steering committee, who acted as temporary chairman.  Twenty of those present signed for membership in the Legion post and elected the following roster of officers: Harry M. Janney, commander; I.J. Williams, vice-commander; J.H. Quinlan, adjutant; John Steen, finance officer; H.M. Hektner, historian; C.J. Ramquist, chaplain; R.D. Powell, sergeant-at-arms.  The membership committee was appointed and is composed of C.J. Ramquist, Dr. J.G. Bennett, Fred Sherman and R.I. Polhamus.  Other committees will be appointed before the next meeting.  By-laws were voted upon and accepted.  It was also voted to designate this new American Legion group as Vashon Island Post No. 158, although there were several suggestions for a name.  There is a great deal of enthusiasm over the organization of this new post, as a number of ex-service men, not eligible to the V.F.W. felt that they would like to have a part in the very worth-while enterprises for civic betterment continually being carried on by members of the V.F.W. post.  They felt that after all whether they did or did not serve overseas was a matter of circumstances, rather than willingness.  Several of the members of the American Legion Post are also members of the V.F.W.  Following the more serious part of the meeting a social time was enjoyed during which coffee and doughnuts were served and numerous stories swapped.

• Burton To Have Christmas Xmas Tree – Burton merchants and other residents will unite in decorating a huge fir tree in the yard at the Fred Vye home, rather than placing a tree in the village.  The tree, which is fifty feet high, is located on a high spot, east of the main part of Burton, and with the many lights with which it will be strung, can be seen from every direction.  For a number of years Burton residents erected a Christmas tree on the highway near the Masonic Hall.  It so happened that severe windstorms laid the tree low each time so then the happy idea of decorating the Vye tree was decided upon as a much better manner in which to show the community spirit.

• Our Older Neighbors by Clara J. Tonk – As told by Stephen J. Harmeling (Part One of Three Parts) was published.

 December 15, 1938

• Work Started On New Auditorium – Columbia School Addition – Work has been started by W.P.A. workers on the new auditorium at the Columbia School.  When completed the building will be 40 by ?? feet large, with a good cement foundation.  It will be finished in rustic siding.  The new addition is being added to the south of the main building and will be used for an auditorium.  A stage will be built across the front, while the rear will be cloak rooms and a modern kitchen, equipped for serving hot lunches to the pupils.  Expense of this new addition will be materially lessened by the use of lumber from the old primary school which was torn down last week.  This building, which was erected over 30 years ago, contained a lot of sound lumber, all of which is being utilized.

• Our Older Neighbors by Clara J. Tonk – As told by Stephen J. Harmeling (Part Two of Three Parts) was published.

 December 22, 1938

• M.F. Defiance To Get Two New Cylinders – Getting ready for the holiday crowds, the M.F. Defiance, operating between Point Defiance, Gig Harbor and Vashon Island, is undergoing engine repairs.  The Defiance, speediest of the Washington Navigation Company’s vessels, since a new Diesel was installed last summer, has been operating for some time minus two cylinders.  In fact, she has been chugging along like the gas chariots of pioneer days.  The cough and jerk, due to two cracked cylinders, have been very noticeable to ferry patrons.  Incidentally, the engine trouble also cut down the speed.

• Shelter Erected On Tahlequah Ferry Pier – Affording protection from prevailing Southwest winds, a shelter has just been erected on the Tahlequah ferry pier through the courtesy of the King county commissioners.  Ferry patrons no longer will be required to stand in the rain while waiting to purchase tickets, as has been the case for years because the waiting station is at the upper end of the pier.

• South End Club Asks Help Of City Council – Assistance in obtaining bus service to the ferry pier at Point Defiance is sought in a letter sent by the South End Community Club to the Tacoma city council.  C.R. Roediger, secretary-treasurer of the organization, points out that residents of Vashon Island and Gig Harbor face a difficult problem scurrying from the park entrance to the ferry pier, when busses could just as well operate to the site of the old Nereides baths.  Bus drivers declare the reason they do not enter the park now is because of the poor condition of the road, which was once the street car right-of-way, and which the Metropolitian park board refuses to surface or keep in repair.  Drivers further assert that as their busses are underslung dropping into ruts interferes with the running gear.

• Island Man Now Missing Two Years – Nothing Heard of Warren Kemp – With Christmas just in the offing, the name of Warren Kemp, who resided for years in his home half-way between Tahlequah and Spring Beach, is still on the list of missing persons.  Kemp, who was sometimes known as Smoky, and who made his livelihood catching devil-fish until he joined the ranks of the WPA, departed on the 3:15 p.m. ferry from Tahlequah on the day before Christmas in 1936, leaving his rowboat at Fry’s Grocery.  Presumably he was going to Tacoma to draw his check from the government for work done in Point Defiance park, and then usher in the holiday season in his approved fashion.  The last seen of Kemp was when he was with a group of friends quaffing the wassail bowl, and entering into the Yuletide spirit in a big way.  His check still remains in the WPA office, and will continue there for five years more unless his whereabouts is determined before that time.  William Kemp, brother of the missing man, and also an Island resident, bent every effort to locate Warren.  All law enforcement agencies were notified, but no trace could be found of the man who dropped from sight.  Friends expressed the belief that Warren contacted friends in Hooverville, Tacoma, or at Salmon Beach, where he was wont to participate in gay parties, and met with foul play.  Tacoma police “shook his friends down,” but to no avail, and the result is he has just become a number in the bureau of missing persons.

• New Vessel For West Pass Route – Combination Ship Just Off Ways – Streamlined and with the efficiency of a freight and passenger carrier, the new vessel built for the West Pass Transportation Company has just slid down the ways at the Berg Shipbuilding Company’s plant in Seattle.  It is hoped to have the new craft in service between Tacoma, West Pass points and Seattle between January 15 and February 1.  Mail will then be dropped off at Cove by the operators who hold the government contract, and are now bringing the pouches via the ferries.  Measuring 60.7 feet over-all, a 17.6 beam and a depth of 7.6 feet, the new vessel will be driven by a 260 horsepower Superior Diesel at a speed of 11 or 12 knots.  The combined mail, passenger and freight carrier will enter service as soon as completed, and will make the customary stops on the route ordinarily covered by the Virginia V, according to Capt. Verne Christiansen, president and manager of the West Pass Transportation Company.  The new unit will be held in reserve during the summer season when the Virginia V resumes the run, and will be available for excursion trips around the Sound.  She will be especially adapted for this as she will have modern accommodations for about 150 passengers.  Her cargo capacity will be 60 tons. 

 December 29, 1938

• A Few 1939 Wishes – Happy New Year – With a new year close at hand we want to express a few good wishes for 1939.  For Mr. and Mrs. W.D. Garvin we wish a happy and restful vacation in California; for Mr. and Mrs. George Sheffield a continuation of the beauty of living they have shared for more than half a century; for Grandma Hansen and her brother, J. Therkelsen, another year of companionship and peace; for R.K. Beymer those political problems which keep his interest in life at a high pitch.  For Lloyd J. McElvain and the members of the high school staff we wish wisdom, patience, loyalty and the sense of humor that is a requisite in the job before teachers and parents.  For all of the Island teachers we wish interest and a minimum of drudgery.  For George McCormick we wish elastic hours which can be stretched to accommodate his energy.  For Axel Petersen we wish that he may never lose that philosophy which keeps him calm while his neighbors sputter over non-essentials; for Doctors Ellis and McMurray we wish their associate, Dr. S. – willl make no visits after midnight; by the same sign we wish for Doctors Bennett and Coutts no aching teeth – their own nor their patients – in the dead of night.  For Garner Kimmel we wish a nice long trip with Clara, and a rest from people who must eat;  for Elmer Harmeling we wish he didn’t have to stay up so late in the morning; for Chuck, Johnny and George we wish smooth roads, no motor trouble and a minimum of dumb questions; for C.A. Selberg and E.W.F. Martin we wish a land boom in Portage; for Theo Berry and the Missus enough business to keep them out of mischief, but not so much they can’t take care of their growing family.  For Henry Godfrey and Ira Thompson we wish that no more miles be added to their present routes; for Captain Alex Peabody we wish a legacy of ten million, with the stipulation that Vashon ferry rates trouble us no more; for Jackson Corbet we wish a reserved seat in the rear of the bus; for Captain John Anderson we wish leisure to visit his Island friends; for Edgar Pack and Frank Zorn, those good West Side boosters, we with all the things for the Island which they foresee.  For Bill Quick we wish that these gals would get over the notion of long hair; for John and Cro we wish shorter hours at work and more evenings with the families; for Betty Shakespeare we wish full realization that she is doing a mighty fine job; for Coy Meredith we wish bigger and better inspirations for programs (like the last Commercial Club meeting); for Ira, Norman, Arthur and Charlie we wish the best year the aforesaid Commercial Club has ever had; for Reverends J.C. Mergler and Ethel Williams we wish a closer union of their churches and success in their spiritual work in the community and for the other pastors and workers in our Island churches a blessing on their efforts.  For J.F. Shaw and C.H. Smith we wish more opportunites to share their artistic ability with the public; for Kenneth Fry we wish a big Southern Heights year-round colony; for Charlie Roediger we wish that someone (not us) would pass to their reward, or present him with a country newspaper; for Fred Pugh we wish his smile may never fade.  For the members of the Billingsley family we wish a private ferry system of their own so they may put into practical use what they have gained in our community problem; for C.M. Rhulen we wish that he doesn’t have to take all of the blame for our roads; for Louie Rodda we wish banking hours could be extended; for Charlie, Ralph and Don we wish banking hours could be shortened; for the genial staff at KVI we wish alarm clocks will not fail during the coming year; for Mrs. Hunt we wish 1939’s crop of “motherless boys” will remain as at present.  When we began this expression of our wishes for 1939 it seemed an excellent idea.  Apparently we did not realize how many friends there were for whom we had serious and frivolous wishes.  Space forbids our mentioning each one individually, so we sign off, wishing all good luck and prosperity to you, and you, and especially you during the coming years.

• Beacon Light Installed at Burton – Installation of the first blinker light for Vashon Island was completed Wednesday afternoon at the corner of the intersection of the main highway and the Assembly Point road by the Masonic Temple in Burton.  Other lights will be installed this week at the Center intersection, and at the Bank corner in Vashon.  The Commercial Club was informed by Commissioner Jack Taylor some months ago that these lights had been purchased, and their installation marks the conclusion of a campaign suggested by the News-Record when the little Okubo girls were struck down at the Center corner.  The coroner’s jury at that time recommended a blinker light at the Center corner.  Since that time the subject of these lights has been brought up repeatedly at Commercial Club meetings, and their installation is the result of almost two years effort on the part of Club members.

• History of Gavel Has Local Interest – Presented to Waterman Lodge at Meeting – At a recent meeting of Mark P. Waterman Lodge the presentation of a handsome name plate bearing the words “Masonic Temple” was made.  The plate, which has been hung over the east entrance to the hall, bears large letters of black and gold on a natural background.  It is the work of J.F. Shaw and C.H. Smith.  At the same meeting a gavel made by the same men was presented to the lodge.  Its history is of such interest that it was believed Island residents, even though not identified with Masonic orders, would like to share with the members of Mark P. Waterman Lodge in hearing the story of the gavel.  It is through the courtesy of the membership of the lodge that we are permitted to give our readers the history prepared for their records.  “In 1879, around the log cabin home of Ezra Meeker, of Puyallup, Washington, twined an old and rugged ivy, as if to hold together in its sinuous arms the domestic love and felicity of the old pioneer.  How well the family prospered beneath its leafy shade, is known by the long and illustrious life of the one who planted its feeble roots.  The old log cabin still stands in Pioneer Park, although removed from its original site; the ivy still winds its leafy arms around those ancient logs; cement pillars, like a cane to an old man, help support the failing limbs that now measure a full 12 inches through.  J.M. McClintock, at that time was manager of the Ezra Meeker stores.  One day he cut a slip from this old ivy and planted it on his homestead at Ellisport; it throve and grew until 1894, when the McClintocks moved to Burton and started in business.  The ivy, like an old friend, was brought along and transplanted near the store, by the wood-shed.  Many changes have taken place since then – the old store has gone, to be replaced by a meat market and drug store.  The ivy grew along with the years until it completely covered the old wood-shed and hid its rotting sills beneath a thick mass of shining leaves.  What a pleasure, when Spring came with sunshine and showers, to see the red berries intermingling with the glossy green.  At last, on Christmas morning 1932, a thick blanket of snow, added to the weight of years, bore the old patriarch down to its last retiring place.  Friends would have attempted raising the old ivy, but it was found to be impractical.  So, Jesse F. Shaw preserved a portion of the trunk, in the form of this gavel, which is now presented to Mark P. Waterman Lodge No. 177, of Burton, by Brothers Smith and Shaw, with the hope that the good luck and prosperity that accompanied the old ivy through all those long years, may remain and add greater good fortune to Mark P. Waterman Lodge No. 177.”

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