Timeline

January - February - March - April - May - June - July - August - September - October - November - December

To view more years of the Newspaper Summaries click here

1929 Vashon Island News-Record Summary (Mike Sudduth)

January 1929

January 4, 1929

• Indian Summer – The above is not indicative of the weather that we have been enjoying lately, neither does it refer to a film that Mr. Burfield will later have to offer, but it does refer to the atmospheric condition in our local theater.  Those who have in times past used the temperature as an alibi to pass up the good things that Mr. Burfield offers us weekly will have no further excuse.  That new boiler is now installed and doing business.  The heating capacity is great enough for a building even larger than the theater.

• On Monday L.E. LeBeau opened a real estate office in the Cash and Carry building at Vashon, in the room formerly occupied by the barber shop.  Now we ought to get rid of our property.  Mr. LeBeau is ready to list any property that has a remote chance of being sold.

• Vashon Hardware Co. Now Ready For Business – Saturday the C.G. Kimmel force labored far into the night moving the stock for the new store into the new quarters.  By Monday everything was ready for business, and that isn’t all, they did enough business on Monday to convince everybody that no mistake had been made.

• Editorial – Personally we had never taken classified advertising as seriously as many others do, but now we are absolutely converted.  Saturday Elmer Harmeling was telling us of results that he received from a little four-line ad in our classified section.  The News-Record reached most of our readers by noon of Friday, and by night Mr. Harmeling had sold 2500 of the gooseberry plants he was advertising.  He didn’t tell us how many more he had sold since, but unless he fabricates, which we feel sure he doesn’t, he is surely an “ardent advertiser.”

• New Year’s Resolutions – Of course every one made resolutions on Tuesday, and of course every one will keep them.  We understand that Tim has resolved to count 10 before he makes a remark that might injure any one’s feelings.  Mr. Harmeling has resolved to buy a late model, hip pocket salt shaker, so that he may be properly equipped to take all of the scientific facts he hears.  (You know the value of a grain of salt.)  Mr. Prigg has resolved to stop jaywalking when he goes for his mail each morning.  Mr. Swanson has resolved to miss sweeping the sidewalk a few mornings this year, so as to save the feelings of Vashon housewives not equally industrious.  Earl Watson has resolved not to take life quite so seriously during 1929.  Mr. Cronander has resolved not to patronize the “Dirty Spoon” quite so frequently, as he finds he is imbibing entirely too much Java.  Mr. Riefschnider has resolved to make everyone’s road as easy as possible.  Bob Weiss has resolved to become a merchant prince and Fred has resolved to furnish all the necessary experience.  Fred Eerrnisse has resolved to use no words containing more than four syllables and to reduce the spelling of his name to single letters.  John Metzenberg has resolved to say “Yes, dear” every time his wife speaks to him.    We could go on ad infinitum, with the various good resolutions we have heard, but space forbids.  We will publish the remainder of the good resolutions one year from now, and do not meet an untimely fate at the hands of the certain people of importance we have quoted above.

• Cove-Colvas – On December 24 at midnight he believed only in tired muscles, frazzled nerves and aching feet.  The whole island had taken a sudden notion to be cleaned, pressed and tailored “immediately and at once” and no foolin’.  And so he got home at 12 o’clock with about as much Christmas spirit as one has in August.  The next morning he believed in fairies, brownies, Santa Claus ‘n everything.  For why?  A seven-tube radio filled the air with Christmas music.  And that explains, too, why Mr. Ramquist looks so sleepy these days.  These new radios will spoil one’s beauty sleep.

• Friday evening the Island Mutual Water District held a most enthusiastic meeting at the I.O.O.F. hall at Center.  Every phase of organization is practically completed and it will be but a short time until the contract will be let.

• The Landers brothers and C.M. Sutton have recently purchased seven acres of timber land on the peninsula at Burton.  They are planning on taking off a large amount of piling and other timber as soon as weather conditions permit.  They will in the near future purchase a donkey engine, which along with their huge new truck will adequately fit them for the business.

• This week we welcome four new advertisers into our columns.  They are: L.E. LeBeau, Kenneth VanHouse, W.D. Weger and the Vashon Hardward Co.  Look up these ads and see what these and all our other good advertisers have to offer.

• New advertisement by L.E. LeBeau for Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company.

• New advertisement by W.D. Weger for Highland Park Poultry Ranch, Portage, Washington.

 

January 11, 1929

• Boy Scouts Cabin Soon Finished – The Boy Scouts’ cabin is soon to receive the finishing touches.  Mr. Agren and Douglas Swanson have faithfully stayed on the job. 

• Guessing Contest On Pigeon Flight A Tie – With the holiday rush coming so closely on the heels of the formal opening of the F.A. Weiss store in December, one very interesting item of news was overlooked.  The guessing contest as to the length of time required for the Sperry pigeons was never published.  It had escaped our mind and Mr. Weiss has been too busy serving the trade to call our attention to the fact.  Had we known the result we would never have been so dilatory.  The time required for the bird to make the flight was nine and one-half minutes.  Two persons tied for the nearest guess.  M. Merrill Smith and Robert Smock, both guessing that ten minutes would be required for the trip.  Without realizing why we were being consulted Mr. Weiss asked our opinion as to how we thought the 49-pound sack of Sperry flour should be awarded and like Solomon we said we thought it should be divided.  It would not be hard to imagine how thankful we were that we had answered as we did when we learned that our eldest son was proving at an early age he could begin to help provide for his family.  By the way, when he told us what he had guessed at the time of the contest, we had very sagely remarked that he should have said thirty-five minutes, instead of ten.  It’s funny how proud it can make a parent to know that their offspring quite often knows a bit.  We hope that Mrs. Smith feels just as proud of her husband’s judgment as we do our six-year-old son’s.

• School Attendance Shows Improvement – Due principally to sickness, the high school attendance during the school month, which closed Dec 21 was unusually low.  The total days of attendance amounted to 2992.5, whereas if every enrolled pupil had been present every day the total attendance would have been 3492.  At 30 cents per day, this means a loss to the taxpayers of $149.85.

• Great, great grandmother “Lucy”, a character known on Quartermaster harbor for the last thirty-five years, died at their beach house near Kingsbury’s landing Monday morning and was laid to rest in the Island cemetery Tuesday afternoon.

• Huge Incubator Is Installed – Takes 2 ½ tons of eggs to fill it up once; Trebles Hatchery’s capacity – Last Friday night marked another important date in our local poultry history, when the members of the Vashon Co-Operative Hatchery gathered at Rosebank Farm to inspect their mammoth new incubator that is now ready for business.  The incubator occupies a floor space 10 by 13 feet in dimensions, and is 8 feet high.  The outside is of selected redwood, inside of which is a three-inch space filled with ground cork.

• Last Sunday morning upon the failure of the taps to respond to a call for water one of the Vashon Water users decided that the cold must be greater than it seemed and forthwith began to thaw pipes.  After two hours hard work he went to see what kind of luck his neighbor was having.  After listening to his tale of woe his neighbor handed him a News-Record, and pointed to the water shut-off notice.  Moral – Oh!  Just make up your own.

• Ben Lyons Completes His New Orchard – The North End is right there where it comes to agricultural activities.  Ben Lyons, who owns the fine 18-acre pear orchard as the top of the North End hill, has just finished planting another orchard patch.  In addition to his three and a half acres of cherries he has planted eight and a half acres more making in all fourteen acres.  His latest addition consists of 100 trees of the Lambert variety, 800 Montmorency, with a filler crop of 6500 currant bushes.

• Report of the Financial Condition of the Vashon State Bank, at the close of business on the 31st day of December, 1928, shows total assets of $311,767.82.

• How comes our editor-lady to have such influence with the weather?  Talk about the power of the press!  A line of query – but on the front page with regard to the whereabouts of “our winter”, and the very next morning we were all lugging kettles of hot water to warm up frosted drinking dishes.  Hope she doesn’t with for snow!  O-O-OH!  Do you suppose Santa brought Bobbie Burns a sled?

• The Met-Cro force is busy converting the new Ford truck purchased last week, into a wrecker.  When completed this service car will be equal to any on the coast.

• Henry Lee just can’t resist the temptation to gild the lily and paint the rose.  He’s at it again.  His shop was just about as spick and span as anyone could wish, but this week he has been making it even more so.  Any housewife could be proud of having her home as spotless as the Vashon Barber Shop.

• The Fox River Butter Company has leased the Morehouse fruit storage building back of the Metzenberg home and K.K. Prigg is working long hours filling it with hay.  This week he has brought over a carload ordered for the Vashon plant.

• A meeting of the Mutual Water Company has been called for Friday (this) evening for the purpose of clearing up all matters of business preparatory to the actual starting of work on the project about Feb. 1st.  What this group of workers has accomplished by earnest co-operation surely ought to inspire other communities to do likewise.

• Wednesday morning, K.K. Prigg turned the Scales corner a bit too soon with the result that the big truckload of eggs made a nosedive.  Fortunately the truck was not overturned.  It makes one shudder to think of the huge omelet that would have resulted from a spill.  Mr. Prigg took the next ferry, but even that didn’t eradicate his famous smile.  Tough luck, especially as he had a car-load of straw to get to the Island before having to pay demurrage.

 

January 18, 1929

• Francis Blekkink Is Promoted – Recognition of efficient service has been given to another one of our Island young people.  After only eight months time spent in work at the Dexter Horton Bank, Seattle, Francis Blekkink has been promoted from the clearing department to the auditing department.

• Knights Templar Hold Installation – Vashon Island Commandery No. 26 K.T. held a public installation of officers Jan. 5th, which was largely attended by the wives and friends of the Knights.  Installed for the year 1929: Sir Walter C. Meredith, Eminent Commander; Sir Zene Whittemore, Generalissimo; Sir Axel H. Peterson, Senior Warder.

• Cove Farm Loan Ass’n Meets – The Cove National Farm Loan Association annual meeting was held at the Krokset home Jan. 8th.    The following directors were elected: Elmer Harmeling, president; Wm. Scales, Loan committee;  W.V. Crosier, vice-president; B.A. Hunt, Alternate member of the Loan Committee and I.M. Krokset, Sec. – Treas..

• Attend First Meeting Of New Board – A group of our Island people attended the first session of the new Board of County commissioners.  It was rather a stormy affair, but possibly that fact may be considered a good omen.

• Vashon Island Is Winter Bird Haven – Interesting facts told by Ellisport nature lover – The semi-monthly meeting of the Women’s Club of Ellisport was held on Wednesday.  The subject for the afternoon was Our Winter Birds, and Mrs. Bailey, as leader, gave a most entertaining and instructive talk on our feathered friends.  Some of the members have been out with their opera glasses recently taking bird notes and much interest was reported.  Perhaps no place in the northwest is more favorably situated for this study than Ellisport.  Mrs. Bailey gave observations and facts about many birds that we see in the winter, in the woods, along our shores and in the water, - all exceedingly interesting.  Every year members of the Audubon Society of Seattle, on a given day in December, take the census of birds seen in and around that city.  The highest number of species recorded was in 1926 – when a total of 83 was seen.  This last year the total number of individual was 16, 491.  Should we have an Audubon Society on Vashon-Maury Island?

• Somewhere around eighty people were at the Burton Improvement Club meeting the other night and after enjoying a picnic supper, business matters were taken up, such as getting a committee busy to see about sidewalks and lights on the dock, making plans for ten street lights to be in place very soon. 

• Burton – The show-case in the post office was decorated this week with the following flowers gathered from the garden of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Godfrey: pansies, stock, heather, anemones, chrysanthemums, in January!  All we need would be a few Spanish Missions to make us feel we are in California!

• W.D. Clark, O.E. Ramquist and H. Cronander, commonly known as Tim, Ed and Cro, journeyed over the briny deep Sunday.  They have again been inspecting fire apparatus – at least that is their alibi.

• Our attention has been called to a serious oversight.  In relating the thrilling experience Mr. Prigg had on last Wednesday morning, we omitted to state that the fog that morning was very dense.  This accounts for the fact that he made the turn ahead of time.

• The coal dealers’ ads state that there is winter ahead of us.  We refuse to comment on this, for despite present weather conditions, were we to congratulate ourselves on what the weatherman is serving to us, within a few hours we would be thawing out water pipes.  However, we notice that the Vashon notables dare be optimistic.  On Wednesday we saw our Titian-haired postmistress abluting the window in the P.O. door, our shoe-doctor and his neighbor, the Daily Needs functionary doing likewise.  Now if this isn’t a sign of spring, what is it?

• The new offices being built by Dr. McMurray are now nearing completion, a decided improvement to his already attractive home.  The porch, in pergola effect, will be roofed with glass.  Mr. Gibbon has practically completed the interior decoration.

 

January 25, 1929

• In keeping with the policy of giving the best to the Vashon public, it has been announced that in a very short time the management of the Vashon Theatre will install the latest sound equipment turned out by the Western Electric, the Masterphone Deluxe.

• What Shall We Plant? – That is the question asked again and again.  We always answer: Cherries and pears.  About 20 years ago Prof. Vandieman, then U.S. Pomologist and whom we knew New Jersey, visited us.  We were then trying out many varieties of pears, budded direct of double worked on quince stocks.  All the varieties seemed to do exceedingly well.  When Vandieman saw these he exclaimed: “Harmeling, why don’t you tell your people to plant pears?  You have a regular pear heaven here on Vashon.”  Upwards of seventy separate varieties of pears have been tested out here on the Island.  From some fifty varieties the Island Nurseries have come down to two, the Beurre Bose and the Dorset, the former because it is an early, prolific, annual bearer, not inclined to be scabby, of good size and in demand in the market.  These pears have brought us satisfactory results when put into cold storage.

• History Of A Local Industry – History of our local light and phone system – The power and light service on Vashon-Maury Islands has gone through various stages of development since it was established at Ellisport in 1915.   We first find it under the name of the “Vashon Light and Power Co” and operating a small steam plant at Ellisport.  With 140 customers and 18 miles of distributing lines it was run in a haphazard way with no records except on customer accounts; service was not continuous; the plant was shut down at noon.

• As a reminder to J.H. Williams, “Burton’s New Store” proprietor that he had reached another milestone and was fast nearing his three score and ten, Mrs. Williams arranged a surprise on him Thursday night by asking in a few friends for supper.

• Dockton – A large party of young folks from Dockton enjoyed a fine day of skating on the Pembroke Farm Pond Sunday and came home tired out.

• Tuesday evening when the world was complaining of the cold, Garner Kimmel informed us that he and Ira Thompson were going to dig clams that evening.  We have not yet been able to figure out whether that was news – or something else – vivid imagination to put it mildly.

• A bad chimney fire at the Portage store the first of the week was discovered just in the nick of time to prevent a serious blaze.  Mr. Armstrong was awakened by the smell of smoke to find that the wall around the chimney had ignited from an overheated flue.

• The Fjeld-Anderson neighborhood was treated to a real live fire scare when a brush fire set by K.J. Fjeld spread.  The woodpile belonging to Capt. Anderson was consumed and for a while it looked as though the chicken house and barn back of the house occupied by Mrs. McCrary would go.  It was only by back0firing and strenuous work on the part of the neighbors that the fire was controlled.

• We have it on good authority that since the last edition of the News-Record was published Mr. Meredith has been besieged with offers from the Smithsonian and other museums, offering fabulous prices for that 1906 Ford he advertised for sale.  He is refusing all offers until he finds out what Henry is offering for this museum piece.  By the way, that ad ought to have read “1926” instead of “1906.”

• This week a deal was closed by which Elmer Harmeling leased the J.M. Silvey fruit farm, south of Center, for a period of years.  This is one of the most up-to-date and well-developed pieces of property on the Island, consisting of 20 acres all in a state of good tillage.  The Harmelings will move soon, as Mr. and Mrs. Silvey will become Vashon residents, moving to the house now occupied by the Ray Campbells, whom, we understand, have rented the Lutheran parsonage lately vacated by the P.T. Gerbers.

back to top

February 1929

February 1, 1928

• Islanders Enjoy A Novel Experience – A stranger going through Vashon Wednesday morning would have wondered how soon the parade would be forming.  Despite the cold every one able to be about was out on the sidewalks.  Some tried to divert suspicion of interest by pretending to sweep the snow, but they didn’t fool anyone.  The cause of the excitement was a sight seldom seen in this vicinity, a pair of real Alaskan huskies hitched to a sled and carrying as passengers our most sedate citizens as well as every youngster in the village.  The dogs are the property of Herman Ohman, a recent addition to the west side.

• Campfire Girls Will Plant Trees Feb. 22nd – The Campfire Girls are coming out Feb. 22nd to plant trees along our highway again and some of the ladies of the Island clubs plan to help this year.  To discuss the type of tree most desirable and other matters relative to the work of planting, representatives of various clubs are invited to meet with Mrs. Wallace Beall, Feb. 6th, 2 p.m.  There is a question, whether we should not like our village streets planted first, and there are some trees which possess real value for street planting.

• A Correction – Capt. Anderson has asked us to state that he assumes the full responsibility for the fire inadvertently reported as news in the local column of last week’s paper.  We regret that such a small blaze should have caused so much smoke, but it is our earnest endeavor to keep the atmosphere as clear as possible, and our neighbor’s names likewise as clear of all blame.  We therefore desire our readers to know it was not K.J. Fjeld who started the fire.

• Visit Other Schools On Tour Of Inspection – The high school board and superintendent made quite an extended trip last Saturday for the purpose of inspecting some school buildings that have been built recently.  High school buildings which claimed the interest of the board were those at Enumclaw and Maple Valley, the new building at the latter place being of about the size and design that might satisfy the needs of Vashon Island.

• Cove Comments – These was much weeping and wailing Sunday when members of the West Side Water Co., awoke in the still, gray, winter dawn to find pipes frozen and “nary” drop of water to be had except what could be heaved out of the well with the old oaken bucket.  Tea kettles boiled, rags were heated, plumbers frantically summoned, and about noon, after much tender attention accompanied by some very rough words, the ice thawed, and everyone again vowed it is a great little system.  Well, if you want the rainbow, you must have the rain – and a “leetle” ice and snow, too.

• Columbia school closed its doors, pulled the covers up over its nose and dived under the blankets and prepared to hibernate during the winter weather.  No doubt some of the mothers will hereafter always have a faint feeling of nausea whenever they see or hear the word snow and next spring when the children are making up their time during the regular vacation they will wonder how they could ever have been so simple as to delight in winter when spring has so many superior charms.  But then – bring in more wood – let the faucets drip – sweep up that snow before it melts on the rug – shut the door – hand me that seed catalogue.  Br-r-r-!!

• Dockton – The cold spell caught the pump and some of the pipes of the Dockton Water Works and caused some trouble, but is all fixed up again.

• Burton – A good sized Fairy had the seven inches of snow cleared from the walks in Burton before seven o’clock Monday morning, to the surprise and delight of shop keepers, and those making for the boat.  Ask Mrs. Reese about it.

• The Island Library – Altho everyone on Vashon Maury Island old enough to read is urged to patronize it, many fail to take advantage of the usually well selected library at Burton, whose doors are open every Saturday afternoon throughout the year, and on Wednesdays also from June to September.  Starting with a donation of one hundred books in 1913 it has grown thru purchase and gifts to a classified library of more than sixteen hundred volumes.

• Monday morning the Beall oil truck decided to leave the beaten path, and it was only after much coaxing on the part of a tractor that it could be persuaded of the error of its ways.

• This office received a pleasant call on Saturday from Mr. Brinton and Mr. White, the recently appointed road supervisor, a former resident of Dockton.  They were on the Island looking over the road situation.

• The Co-op Hatchery has taken off its first hatch of baby chicks and the results of the new Smith incubator have been most gratifying.  The babies were delivered to local customers in a snow storm, and no doubt felt they were being given rather a cold reception.

• Possibly we should condole with the elders who are having to struggle with frozen water pipes, and all of the discomforts of a spell of weather such as we have been served with, but somehow we can’t get very wrought up about it when we see how the youngsters, large and small, are enjoying themselves.  The only thing this pocket-edition of paradise needs is more coasting and skating in the winter.

• We understand that services were held one morning this week by a group representing the England & Petersen and Met-Cro firms.  This was an expression of the feelings of the ones manning the big Auto Freight truck and the wrecker that followed the truck into the ditch, somewhere in the direction of Cove.

 

February 8, 1929

• Local Frigidaire Dealer Invited – F.A. Weiss, local Frigidaire dealer, has received an official invitation to be present at a regional convention of the organization to be held March 15 at San Francisco. 

• Tree Planting Movement Gets General Approval – Prominent island men and women think Camp Fire Girls plan good and deserves support of all interested in beautifying highways

• Island Educator Quoted by State Educational Journal – Once more Island people have been recognized as leaders in their respective lines of endeavor, this time the notice coming to Supt. of Schools, Frank M. Robertson, whose article “A Square Deal For The Exceptional Child” being published in a recent number of the Washington Educational Journal.

• Meeting Postponed – Because of road conditions the meeting to discuss the planting of trees along our roads has been postponed.  Prof. Kirkland and Mrs. Alexander McEwan expect to be present to give held and advice in this movement.

• Island Child Is Beauty Contest Prize Winner – There are many babies in our midst that should be prizewinners, but Mr. and Mrs. W.C. Smith, who live just west of Judd Creek bridge are sure that their small daughter, Mary Jane, is one.  In last Sunday’s Times her picture appeared as one of the prizewinners in the Annual Picture Showing Contest conducted by James and Merrihew that has just closed.

• Strange Youngster Is Found On Maury Island – A stray boy on the Island can cause considerable conjecture and such was the case when a thirteen-year-old appeared on the scene at the lighthouse Tuesday evening.  His pockets were full of firecrackers, and his mind was full of more incoherent fancies.  He told various tales of where he came from, who his parents were, etc.  From the lighthouse he wandered up the Chas. Merry’s ranch.  Mr. Merry, after much questioning, took the boy into the house, fed him and when he could not learn where be belonged, phoned for F.J. Shattuck, deputy sheriff, who took him to his own home for the night.  Little by little Mr. Shattuck drew from the youngster, who gave his name as Howard Kammeyer, the story of how, hatless and coatless, he had rowed across the Sound from Redondo Beach to Point Robinson.  He attends the Still Lake school, not far from Auburn, and tiring of the humdrum of life decided to seek adventure, not daunted by weather conditions.    Wednesday morning Howard was taken in to Seattle, turned over to the Juvenile Court.

• Interest Shown In New County Plan – Would include southern King and northern Pierce territory – A number of Islanders are interested in the proposal now pending in the legislature to make a new county from southern King county and northern Pierce county and name it Rainier county.

• Pembroke Farm Pond is a very popular place through this cold weather.  Young and old people alike want to be skating or sliding or rolling there - it does not matter which - it’s all fun.  Victor Bloom ran into a stump with his bob sled and scratched himself up a bit, but is alright again now.  Elizabeth Willers fell on her arm but the splints will be off in a day or two.  But this weather has been a God-send for all the children.

• In the Seattle Times of Feb. 3rd date, was a picture of little Mary Jane Smith, who had won third prize in the annual showing of baby pictures.

• D.S. Slater is spending a few days here looking over the Center-Portage water proposition.

• The nifty new Essex sport coupe you see dashing around these days does not belong to a Seattle capitalist.  It is engaged in delivering your Times through the ice and snow, and is piloted by the Island’s busiest businesswoman, Mrs. C.L. Tjomsland.

 

February 15, 1929

• Southern Heights – These frosty fogs in the morning are hideously uncomfortable but how beautiful!  Even the old wire fence around the chickenyard is glorified.  Mr. Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain) who lived for a good many years in Hartford, Conn., used to say that when the ice storm came he forgave New England weather for all its many sins.  Back there it is a sleety rain in the night, freezing as it falls.  Then when the sun came out the next morning we would find ourselves in a wonderful new world, all made of diamonds.

• Notices are posted that the registration books of Burton Precinct will be closed Feb. 19th until after the general election March 12.  At this election we vote for Port Commissioners and for one director to serve three years on our school board.

• During the several weeks absence of D.L. Brockway from his home at Burton inner harbor, the lock on his boat was broken, the boys – small boys this time – entered the boat, smashed the light, and did other damage to the extent of twenty dollars.  Parents, tell your boys that this is burlary, and see that guilty ones make good.  Children should not be allowed to play around or enter empty buildings, much less, places under lock and key.  The property belongs to some one and the rights of others must be respected.

• Announcement – Dr. Grandy announces that during the month he will spend in California, doing clinical work, that Dr. McMurray will care for his practice.

• Prof. Kirkland was over Monday evening to attend the meeting of the Island Mutual Water Co. of which he is secretary.

• It is worthy of note that during the recent spell of difficult driving conditions the Vashon Transportation Company did not miss a single trip meeting the ferry or getting the pupils to school on time.  They did that despite the fact that they made an unusual number of side trips to serve those who would normally drive their own cars.  This company surely is a good example of the success of those who quietly serve while others come and go.

• Not long ago the Daily Needs Market received a letter from an advertising agency in New Jersey asking for a picture of their “ham and bacon” tree that was mentioned in a December issue of the News-Record.  We have heard many echoes of that article on the Christmas decorations of the Vashon merchants, but no other that came from such a distance.

 

February 22, 1929

• Present Hi School Situation Outlined – When will work begin on the new Union High school building?  The answer to this question cannot be answered definitely at this time.  There is a possibility that the building may be erected within a year and on the other hand it may be several years before the task may be achieved.

• Dr. McMurray is now occupying his fine new suite of offices.  The furnishings are bright and charming, as one would expect to find knowing Mrs. McMurray’s good taste and judgment.  It is seldom that one finds any but a city doctor occupying such up-to-the-minute offices, and we are proud of what Dr. McMurray has done to improve our village.

• The new coal that Otto Therkelson is selling so successfully is quite a novelty.  It is that nearest approach to anthracite that we have ever seen and possesses all the qualities he claims for it.

• Seriously Ill – Due to the fact that the News-Record linotype suffered, on Thursday, an attack of acute indigestion (or possibly spring fever) several splendid articles had to be held over until next week.  Neither have the changes in dates been attended to despite the fact that we have a wonderful response to our effort to clean up our subscription lists.  A physician has been called and by next week the machine will be working so gaily we’ll have hard work getting enough copy to keep it busy.  Seattle Dailies: N.B. This illness of our machine does not indicate that a terrible epidemic is raging in our midst.

• Dockton – Capt. A. Pederson and L. Danielson left Saturday in their boat “Alituk” for Alaska for the season halibut fishing.

• Burton – Mr. Clarence Akehurst has just competed a new 24 x 60 poultry house, which he will use for a brooder house for the present, while he “father’s” 2,000 little chicks until they are able to run their own orphanage.

• Now, aren’t we sorry we reviled, for a whole month the weather, the weather man, and conditions in general, when with just one twist of nature the green grass is showing, birds are singing, buds are bursting (in the house) and new life showing everywhere.  A fine place to live after all, isn’t it?

• Ellisport – Mrs. Evans is kept quite busy these days with her boarders besides the mill men.  There were twelve more came in Monday to work on the new water system.

• Center – Work started this week on the new water system.  A crew is now working on the tank foundation on Mr. Kirkland’s property.  Other work will be in full program next week.

• The West Side Water Co. held a meeting at the R.E. Statford home on Wednesday evening.  It was decided to raise the minimum rate to $1.00 per month.

• Wenzel Leonhard recently received word from a Seattle are store that they will buy all of the pictures that he can supply them with.  This means that Mr. Leonhard now has a nice source of income in addition to his business here.

• Our attention has been called to the fact that two strangers have been peddling bread from door to door on the Island.  While they may meet with a measure of success we feel that the people of our community are too loyal to our home merchants, who pay taxes here, subscribe to every public benefit and give us almost unlimited credit, to allow our loyalty to waver.  It is always safest to stick by our old friends, who are firmly enough located in the community not to be able to load their stock into a truck and steal away over night.

• Tuesday afternoon the ferry did not make its regular trips to Fauntleroy as repairs were being made on the dock there that made it impossible to land.

• Plans Being Perfected To Plant More Trees – On Wednesday, Feb 20, a group of women interested in the movement to permanently beautify the highways of the Island met at the home of Mrs. J.W. Roberts.  The eleven present formed the nucleus of a permanent organization, although officers were not elected.  Plans were completed for the work to be done on Washington’s birthday.  Campfire girls are coming from Seattle.  One group is to look after the trees already planted at the North End, another group will plant more trees at Center, while a third group will work at the Telephone Office corner.  The plan is to plant cedar and dogwood, alternately, so that there will be beauty for both winter and summer.

back to top

March 1929

March 1, 1929

• England & Petersen Institute New Department – In line with the progressive policies of our own Vashon Island feed dealers, England & Petersen have inaugurated a new department to be called the “Poultry Department.”  Under this department will come everything pertaining to chickens, from incubation to the marketing of cull chickens.  Under it also will come diseases of chickens.

• Masterphone Is A Great Success – By dint of strenuous work on the part of a crew of experts the magnificent Masterphone de Luxe Wednesday evening made its initial bow to the community through the medium of “Red Skin,” the very latest picture starring Richard Dix.  That most of the audience was more than satisfied is very evident from the many favorable comments heard on every hand.

• Island Man Made Head Grain Dealers Ass’n – Last Saturday in Tacoma occurred the annual meeting of the association composed of the leading millers and grain dealers of Western Washington.  When the choice of president devolved upon the organization our own Charles England was the unanimous choice for that office.

• Many Propositions Up On Saturday – Polls open between hours of one to eight o’clock – On Saturday at your own school building will be held the election for the purpose of choosing the man or woman who for the next three years will be instrumental in directing the affairs of our various schools.

• Local Girl Receives Honorable Mention – We are happy to publish the following story, - copied from “Clearings,” the official publication of the Seattle chapter of the American Institute of Banking.  The article is in regard to the outstanding scholastic records made by those engaged in following out the educational program of the American Institute of Banking.  “Miss Francis A. Blekkink, whose picture appears in this article, took the top rung of the ladder with a mark of 98%.  Furthermore, Miss Blekkink received the highest grade awarded to a member of Dexter Horton National Bank enrolled in any of the standard courses for the first semester.”

• Tree Planting On Vashon And Maury Islands – The late Daniel Burnham, architect of the Chicago Fair, gave this advice: “Make no little plans; they have no magic to stir men’s blood and probably will not be realized.  Make big plans; aim high in hope and work, remembering that a noble, logical diagram once recorded will never die, but long after we are gone, will be a living thing, asserting itself with growing intensity.”  Mr. Burnham would approve of the big plans of the modest organization which has set itself to the task of planting trees along the highways and in the villages of these, our islands.  The general idea under consideration is that trees along the main highway should be uniform and planted at a distance of 35 to 40 feet apart.

• R.F. Rand Loses Fingers At Mill At Ellisport – B.F. Rand, employed at the mill at Ellisport, sustained the loss of two fingers when his gloves caught in the machinery, drawing his hands into the gears.  This is a severe blow and doubly so as “Bud,” as he is generally known, is one of the most popular saxophonists on the Island and has played in our local orchestras.

• Orthopedic Notes – The Vashon Orthopedic Auxillary held its regular monthly meeting last Friday at the Island Club.  The Sewing Committee, headed by Mrs. L.C. Beall, Sr., handed out the sewing for the hospital promptly after the members arrived.  The Luncheon Committee, Mrs. S. Kelly Chairman, prepared and served her waffles (“as many as you want to eat for 35 cents”), at noon.  Patronage by Vashon businessmen and neighbors was good.

• Comm’l Club Meeting Held Tuesday Evening – On Tuesday evening the Commercial Club held an intensely interesting meeting which was well attended by not only members, but also many outside the club.  The first part of the meeting was given over to the discussion of matters pertaining to the local welfare.  Problems confronting us at present are the necessity of larger and better dock facilities at the north and south ends of the Island and also Burton.  As usual the matter of a more desirable ferry schedule was discussed.  The greatest amount of time given to any local matter was the discussion of the educational problems confronting us and the vital importance of the bill now before the legislature which will make possible the building of the new high school.

• This week the new fire truck was brought to the Island and is now at the Met-Cro where it is being put into shape for local use.

• Boy Scout Carnival Proves Great Success – The Boy Scout Carnival held Feb. 21 at Scout Cabin was a great success.  The room was filled with young and old all anxious to try their skill at the various booths.  Though out of season, the ice cream booth sold out.  The Housie game attracted the keen attention of those who had a sweet tooth.  The subs, archery, country store, wheel of fortune, sucker board, candy booth and novelty booth were all well patronized, and the fish pond and grab bag were sold out early in the evening.

 

March 15, 1929

• New-Record Will Change Publishing To Thursday – Beginning with the next week The News-Record will be in the post offices on Thursday, instead of Friday.  This change is being tried out at the suggestion of some of our advertisers, many of whom run week-end specials.

• Commercial Club Passes Resolution – The following was received last week: Dear Mrs. Smock; Will you kindly print the following in the next issue of the News-Record?  Yours truly, R.W.F. Martin, Sec. Vashon Island Commercial Club:  Whereas: The Poultry Industry is the leading agricultural industry of King County, producing in excess of 3,000,000 per year, and Whereas, because of advantages of climate, location, etc., the industry can be much further developed thereby greatly increasing agricultural income and new taxable wealth and Whereas, there are available certain funds which if matched in certain proportion by county funds, will provide an assistant county agent in poultry whose services would greatly benefit the poultry industry and promote its rapidly expansion on a profitable basis, therefore be it resolved, that the county commissioners of King County are hereby respectfully petitioned to make the small appropriation required to permit the appointment of an assistant county agent in poultry.  Vashon Island Commercial Club

• Cove Community Hall To Be Offered For Sale – At the annual meeting of the Cove Community Hall Association held Tuesday evening, March 12, matters pertaining to the finances of the hall were brought up and discussed from every possible angle.  Conditions have so changed with the progress of the Island that the necessity for the hall is no longer felt, as practically all of the members of the association now belong to the Island Club, and take an active part in its activities.  It was decided that the Cove Hall should be offered for sale and sold as soon as possible, the proceeds to be distributed prorate among its members.  All interested should communicate with any of the officers.

• Mutual Water System Makes Rapid Progress – The present fine weather is helping along wonderfully the rapid progress of the work of installing the Mutual Water System.  Already over three miles of pipe have been laid, and all ditches have been dug except those along cross-roads.  About 15 men are being employed in the work.  Next week, if nothing unforeseen happens, will see the tower and tank built.

• Vashon Island Golf Club To Purchase Site – This week at an enthusiastic meeting the Vashon Island Golf Club voted to purchase the property commonly known as the Mileta Ranch, and will at once begin preparation to get work started.  Mr. James, golf architect of Seattle, and upon whose recommendation the club finally decided upon the Mileta Ranch, sees unlimited possibilities in this tract.

• Cross’ Landing – The Landers Bros. have been sawing wood for the past week with a gasoline saw.

• Strange Fruits Grown On Island – The greenhouses which I visited yesterday are 11 in number and at present are being used for the raising of tomatoes.  There was one house that had more interest to me than any of the others because it has a lemon tree, an orange tree, and a fig tree.  The orange tree, although 16 years old had never blossomed or borne fruit. – A.H.S. Pupil

• Business at the Greasy Spoon has been so flourishing that Tim is now sporting a Cadillac, in place of his faithful old Nash.  It must be nice to be in the capitalist class.

• Last week Deb Harrington completed a large truck body for the Beall Greenhouse.  The work was done at the Vashon garage, Mr. Mace doing the iron work.  This is the sixth truck body that Deb has built in the past two years.

• Favorable Outlook For House Bill 347 – As we go to press we are advised by Supt. Robertson that all indications point to success in the matter of house bill 347.  If this bill becomes a law prospects are bright for securing our new high school in the immediate future.

• School Notes – The boys of room two have just about completed a nine-hole golf course on the west half of the school ground.  A spring tournament will be held after Easter, the winner to challenge the Island.

• Burton – P.H. Green has sold out his interest in the cannery in British Columbia and is building a purse seine boat 56 x 14, 50-horse power diesel, at Dockton to be ready when the fishing season opens.

 

March 21, 1929

• Called The Wrong Party – The wife of one of our popular businessmen anxiously called Dr. McMurray the other evening and said that her husband was sick.  “Have you taken his temperature?” the doctor inquired.  “Yes.” She tearfully said, “and it was 138.”  “You don’t want me,” Dr. McMurray replied, “you had better call Fire Chief Tim, and tell him to hurry over with the new Vashon fire department.”

• Dockton Robbery Still Remains A Mystery – As far as we can learn there has been no new discoveries made as to who robbed the Theo. Berry store safe last Friday night.  Various theories as to the guilty party are being advanced by local Sheriff Holmes, but nothing definite has resulted from either amateur or official investigation.  Mr. Berry’s loss amounted to about five hundred dollars.  Expressions of sympathy for him are heard on every side, but Mr. Berry thinks he has had to pay a pretty stiff price for the publicity he has had in the past few days.

• Mr. Norman Edson and Dr. Young were before the commissioners in Seattle Tuesday with petitions from Burton tax payers asking for a walk along Burton dock for pedestrians who are constantly in danger from auto traffic.

• The county sent out a pile driver this week and had the float returned and fastened to Burton dock after a winter of cavorting with the waves and finally landing high and dry on the beach.

• Mrs. Bert Christman, who recently bought two and one half acres of land from the Orchard Beach Co., lying along the county road to Quartermaster east of Judd creek bridge, is having the tract cleared for a park and play ground.  This will be an asset to our community and a pleasure ground for transients as well as home folks.

• Dockton – On Friday night the post office safe was blown open and everything of value was taken, admittance was gained by breaking open the side door of the store.  The store itself was not molested.

• Dockton - Mr. J. Martinolich is starting to build a fishing boat at his yard.

• Dockton – Theo Berry is building a fish trap.  It requires a lot of wire netting.

• Robertson Gives Important Statistics – Mr. Robertson has just competed a study of transportation of the pupils of the local schools.  The report shows that the high school pupils are being transported a total of 1889 student miles every school day.  This is the equivalent of one student traveling from here to Minneapolis.  The average cost is 1:49 cents per mile, $28 per day or nearly $5000 per year.  If we were in our new high school building at Center, the present student body would have to travel about 200 miles less each day than under present conditions.

• Myrtle B. Bridgman, Postmistress, posted the following mail schedule for the Vashon Post Office – Leaves for Seattle 7:10 am and arrives from Tacoma 8:00 am.  Leaves for Tacoma 5:45 pm and arrives from Seattle 7:00 pm.  Except on Saturday when mail leaves for Tacoma at 3:45 pm and arrives from Seattle at 5:00 pm.  Post office closes at 6 pm on Saturday.

• Center News – R.D. Fuller made his first shipment of cucumbers last week, sending in five dozen on Thursday of last week.

• Ellisport – The first large beach fire on the sand-spit was noticed on the evening of St. Patrick’s Day.

• Ellisport - The echoing and re-echoing of a terrific thud in our vicinity Monday evening just at twilight, revealed the fact that a giant Douglass fir, silent sentinel on the point near the Cliff domicile for scores of years, met its doom by dexterious blows from the hands of experienced woodsmen, William Hiersch and Barney Oldencamp.  This magnificent specimen of our northwest timber had attained a height of 200 feet and measured six feet in diameter.

• Again the fever has struck the Vashon Barber shop.  This time it has taken the form of another new booth for the benefit of our ladies.  This will make it possible for the two beautiful young maidens, whose purpose in life it is to beautify their many patrons, to do this work in just half the time that has been required in the past, when only one booth was available.  Mr. Lee expects to have the work completed in time for the Easter trade.

• Consternation reigned Tuesday morning when announcement was made of a six-cent increase in the price of gasoline.  Those who had been warned the day before had filled all containers, even to the old family washtub.  One station that normally sells 150 gallons per day on Monday sold 620 gallons.  So if none of the thrifty ones are blown in glory we’ll feel that maybe there’s some truth in the old adage that the early bird catches the worm, or something like that.

• Laundry Route On Island – The Right Way Laundry and Cleaners of Tacoma have established a laundry route on the Island with twice a week service.  This concern employing modern machinery in its work, has been operating in Tacoma for 11 years.  It is affiliated with the Pantorium Cleaners.  Lynn Baker is the routeman who will represent the laundry locally.

• Announcement – I wish to announce to my friends and customers that I am still here to give the same good, reliable LAUNDRY SERVICE that I have been giving for the past ten years.  I will be willing to meet any and all prices pertaining to laundry and dry cleaning.  H.L. Penny 

 

March 28, 1929

• Easter Service At Ellisport – Meeting will be one of great moment with all ministers taking part; early transportation arrangements made – At the suggestion and working out plans under the direction of Mrs. A.J. Marsh, Cove, as general chairman, Vashon Island is to hold its first Easter Sunrise service next Sunday morning at 6:30 in the park at Ellisport.

• Maury – Work on the new golf course at Mileta has been started and the grounds will soon look like a real course.

• On Sunday afternoon the new school board of Dist. No. 176, organized, with C.A. Bragg acting as chairman and Mrs. Covey as clerk.  H.C. Cronander is the recently elected member of the board.

• T. Hansen has been confined to the house by ill health for several days.

• From all indications the work on the Mutual Water System will be complete in a week or ten days. 

• Much praise is due Dr. Grandy and Mrs. Grandy for their untiring efforts during the search for the body of little Jackie Francis.  Dr. Grandy worked untiringly, and Mrs. Grandy aided by serving the men with sandwiches and hot coffee.

• The residents of the Island were shocked on Sunday to hear the sad news that little Jackie Francis had fallen from the Shawnee dock and had drowned before help could reach him.  While fishing with his elder brother, to pass the time until their father arrived on the boat from Tacoma, with some kites that he had promised them, Jackie, unseen by the older child fell into the water.  When his brother, Edward, realized the situation he was so terrified that instead of calling help close at hand he ran to the home, some distance away, to tell his mother, who was ill in bed.  Volunteers spent hours dragging for the body, but it was not recovered until Tuesday noon.

• Daily Needs Dresses Up For Summer – Just two years ago the Daily Needs Market moved from the post office building into its present home.  During this time things have not always been as rosy as might be desired, but Mr. Thompson has always come through smiling, and ready to give reliable service through fair weather and stormy, and now has reason to believe that he will reap the benefits due to those who pioneer.  This week the Daily Needs is festive with blossoms and a shining coat of white paint applied by the master hand of Mr. Swanson.  On Saturday it will stage its annual Easter party.

• Vashon State Bank Completes 20th Year

• Vashon Island Golf Club – The contract has been let to the well-known golf architect, Mr. James, of Seattle and actual work was started last Monday.  Every prospect seems to indicate that the local enthusiasts will be playing on the course by June.

• Misstatement Corrected – Editor News-Record: To correct a false impression being circulated in some quarters, that the organization known as the Methodist Episcopal church of Vashon, is intending to “disband,” I will say that this is not true.  Important changes are contemplated the coming season.  Tentative plans are already in the hands of the “Bureau of Architecture” in Chicago, and we will continue to advance doing our portion in the Name of the Lord.  Yours for spiritual progress throughout the Island.  C.E. Preston, pastor, First Methodist church, Vashon

• Ellisport – Garvin’s Grocery is ready to serve its patrons in most up-to-the-minute fashion, having installed a Frigidaire purchased through the local agent, Mr. F.A. Weiss.

• The Island was saddened Sunday evening when it learned of the drowning of little Jackie Francis.  The little boy, with his brother, Eddie, had gone to the Shawnee dock to meet his daddy who arrived on the Vashona when he slipped into the water.  Much sympathy is extended to his parents in their bereavement.

• Mr. and Mrs. Avery and Mrs. Theo. Mauck will soon open up Burton hotel, and people coming to town will find a place to eat and sleep.  We have needed a place of this kind for some time and will be glad to see Mrs. Mauck back on her own property and Mr. and Mrs. Avery here to help make the business a success. 

• The Vashon Barber Shop and Beauty Parlor announce the following specials for Friday only:  Shampoo and Marcel $1.00 Shampoo and Fingerwave $1.00 Haircut and Marcel $1.00.  Helene Olson is in the shop each evening until 9 to serve those unable to come in during the day.

• Cove-Cedarhurst-Colvas – The latest news from Arthur Fosmark is that he not only has a broken leg but the measles.  He is still in the hospital.

• Camp Sealth is to have three new cabins, gifts of the Seattle Kiwanis.  A committee of 50 Kiwanians who are skilled in such work, will put up the cabins themselves.

• Southern Heights – Otto Strock, who logged the south-end of Vashon three years ago, brought over a crew of men and three teams to Tahlequah Monday.  The men will remove a donkey engine and a barn used during operations at Tahlequah.  This will provide more parking space for motorists desiring to park or turn around just before reaching the south-end ferry dock.

back to top

 

April 1929

April 4, 1929

• Proposed Increase In Freight Rates Opposed – Much feeling is being aroused and a concerted plan is being adopted for the defeat of the proposed increase of freight rates on hay between points east of the mountains and coast points.  Chas. England, president of the Grain Dealers and Millers’ Association, attended a preliminary meeting in Tacoma last Thursday.  This week there will be a meeting of those interested, and reports made of the progress being made in the concerted attempt to defeat the railways in obtaining the increase they desire.

• Addition Being Built To The Mace Garage – This week carpenters are busy building an addition to the south end of the Mace garage.  Part of the space will be used for additional storage space made necessary by Mr. Mace’s constantly increasing business.  It is rumored that the front end will be occupied in the near future by a restaurant.

• Mr. Rollin P. Burfield, manager of the Vashon Theatre, announced Vashon Theatre Anniversary Week, April 7 to 13.

• A New Epoch In Clearing Land – Clearing land with a vacuum cleaner sounds like a fish story, but regardless of how it sounds it is an actual fact, and has been put to the task, proven feasible, and what is of more value to the farmers on Vashon Island, it is a much cheaper method than clearing with powder.  Some time ago the writer handed a copy of the Puget Sound Electric Journal to our local contractor, Mr. C.L. Tjomsland.  In this copy was an article on how to put the vacuum cleaner to work.  Mr. Tjomsland, like all good contractors wishing to save a dollar, put his old vacuum cleaner to work upon a giant fir tree.  In a reasonable time with a limited amount of attention and at a ridiculously small cost for electricity the tree was burned down and the stump including all the roots were burned completely up.

• Sunrise Easter Service Is Held At Ellisport – On Easter morning about 60 persons gathered together at Ellisport to take part in the first Easter sunrise meeting ever held on the Island.  The setting was perfect, and everything was in keeping with the new life symbolical of the day.

• Jimmie Inge Narrowly Escapes Fatal Injury – Thursday afternoon, while after the paper from their mail box at the Cove road, little Jimmie Inge was struck by a car, and rendered unconscious.  The wind was blowing so hard that Jimmie did not hear the honking of the approaching car, and ran on to the pavement after the ball he was bouncing, just in time to be bumped.  Mr. Berry, of Dockton, had seen the youngster, and was driving slowly but even so the pavement proved to be somewhat harder than Jimmie’s head with the result that he was obliged to stay out of school a few days until the bump subsided.  When he saw the impossibility of avoiding hitting the boy, Mr. Berry ran his car into the ditch.

• Miss Denning Passes Away After Long Illness – Was one of Island’s most promising girls and her school activities were outstanding to an unusual degree – Her father, W.S. Denning has been keeper at Robinson Pt. light house for over 12 years.  Here he and his faithful wife still continue to keep the Light burning brightly for others, although the light of their lives is obscured by the great sorrow they have been called upon to bear.

• Southern Heights – Jack Forrest’s many friends will be sorry to hear that he was injured in an accident in the sawmill where he was working.  He was taken to the Everett General Hospital, suffering from a severe scalp wound and concussion.  Fortunately the skull was not fractured, and at last account he was making good progress toward recovery.

• Southern Heights – Too bad Old Sol was such a sleepy-head Easter morning.  And what an April Fool the weatherman played on us!  Hard frost in April!  What next?

• Fred Pohl of Tahlequah sent 150 dozen trumpet narcissus to Tacoma for the Easter trade, his largest shipment this year, although he has made many smaller shipments the past two weeks.

• Monday evening the Southern Heights school board reorganized for the coming year.  Dan Landers is the retiring member and R.S. Bennatts the new member.   George Spinning was reelected chairman, and Earl Ridgeway was reelected clerk.

• Will the party that took the doors and windows out of the house on the Dockton Water Co.’s property return them?  No questions asked.

• Cove-Cedarhurst-Colvas – Another new house is being built in Bethel Conference Park.  Miss Knudsen is the owner and Mr. J.J. Tellevik is doing the work.  This is the sixth house to be built within a year.

• There was quite an exciting time at Cove this week when Mr. Conrad Andersen and Osman Johnson were rounding up their horses.  They got away and the men were two or three days hunting them.

• J.H. Williams is having concrete steps and walk built in front and across his lawn, and the Burton post office is getting its sixteenth coat of paint and for all this there wil be added 10 cents for every dollar’s worth of improvements in the next year’s tax statement.  Why can’t we have a law like Canada has, every one improving his property gets his taxes lowered and is given and “all day sucker” for having grit enough to build and beautify?  Perhaps they haven’t any all-year suckers up there!

• Friends this week received cards from Yosi Yoshimura who lately returned to Japan, after a few weeks’ visit with home folks.  Yosi, a graduate of our local high school is now teaching in Japan.

• Wm. Scales and son, Lawrence have been awarded, by the Pacific Fir Co. the contract for taking all piling timber off of about 80 acres at Cedarhurst.

• Mr. T. Quackenbush and Mr. Merril Townsend of the Great Western Theatre Equipment company had a serious accident last Thursday morning while on their way to the early ferry from the Vashon Theatre where they had been adjusting the Masterphone.  Mr. Townsend is in the hospital with a fractured skull.

• Vashon Theatre Notes – The management will regard it as a courtesy on the part of theatre patrons if talking and singing acts are applauded to the extent to which the patrons believe they show entertainment merit.  The reception accorded any act is the only criterion of choice of synchronized short subjects to be brought to the theatre in the future.

 

April 11, 1929

• A new humor column, “Inky Thinks”, debuted in the News-Record

• Injured Man Succumbs To Accidental Injuries – Word reached the News-Record this (Thursday) morning that E.B. Sikes, who was run over Sunday night on the pavement just south of Vashon, died last night.

• Community Beauty Contest To Be Held – Throughout the United States, in local districts and communities endeavors are being promoted in the form of contests to make the home yards more attractive.  This movement is taking the form as a public enterprise and is showing excellent results.  Entry free – One to each family – contestants held responsible for sidewalk or street cleanliness.  C.A. Tonneson, executive secretary, Pacific Coast association of Nurseryment, Burton, Wash.

• Ferry Meeting In Tacoma – At the request of the Vashon Island Commercial Club a meeting was arranged in the Chamber of Commerce of Tacoma with the Washington Navigation Company Monday afternoon.  This meeting was for the purpose of protecting the Navigation company’s proposed summer schedule which contemplated removing the 6 p.m. ferry run for one at 5:30 or 7 o’clock.  A large representation of Island men was present and in addition to keeping the 6 p.m. trip an additional trip between 9 and 10 a.m. was petitioned for.  This additional trip would make six trips daily for the summer months and it is hoped that the company will grant these requests.

• Fire At Colvas – Colvas had its share of excitement last Saturday morning when the brooder house of August Johansen caught fire.  Mr. Johansen went out to care for this chicks at about 6 o’clock and found the fire out, and oil dripping from the burner.  As he relighted it the boards ignited underneath the house where the oil had dripped.  In a few minutes the smoke was terrific.  Central responded promptly to the request for help and called the neighbors.  In a few minutes practically the whole male population of Colvas, and half of Vashon was there, helping to fight the fire.  They succeeded in getting the chickens out immediately, losing only about a dozen, and in a short time the fire was out.

• Move Is Made To Secure Water For South End – Monday evening 20 people from Southern Heights met at the home of Mr. and Mrs. George Spinning to discuss the formation of a Mutual Water company to supply water along the road from A.S. Bennatts to the J.W. Forrest home.  A committee was formed to canvas the district for members.  Water is needed this summer and if a company is formed work will be started as soon as the necessary franchise and incorporation papers are obtained.

• 35 Join Golf Club – At a meeting of the Vashon Island Golf club held this week it was found necessary to limit the membership to 50.  Already 35 memberships have been taken.  Work is progressing rapidly on the course and present indications are that the members will be playing by summer.

• Statement Of The Ownership, Management, Circulation, etc. of Vashon Island News-Record for April 1, 1929 – Agnes L. Smock is listed as Publisher, Editor, Managing Editor, Business Manager and owner.

• The West Side Water Co. has extended its main line as far south as the Peck property.  The Morse Fairbanks Company have installed a new electric pump for the Water company.

• Center News – The state dairy inspector was here a short time ago and reported the milk room cared for by Mrs. L.D. Houghton in connection with their dairy was the best he had inspected in the outlying districts.

• Mr. C.G. Soike was in Seattle the first of this week attending the Auto Freight convention

• Maury School Notes – The eighth grade graduating class, the largest in the history of the Maury Center school for a good many years, will present “The Arrival of Reuben”, by W.S. Brigbee, at the community hall.

• Maury School Notes – The pupils of Maury Center school had a fine time on a hike Tuesday afternoon, which began at the hall and radiated from there in all directions.  Each one was armed with a garden rake or carried a package of seeds to plant the roadside.  The movement for road beautification is meeting with ready response all over the Island.

• Vashon Theatre Notes – In accordance with the announcement in our anniversary program, the four days selected are Sunday, matinee and evening, Wednesday and Thursday evening, the same show, and Saturday, matinee and evening.

 

April 18, 1929

• Ethyl Will Move Into New Home This Week – The village of Vashon is all aflutter to think that the charming Ethyl has chosen it as her future home on the island.  Already a pretty red house, with electric lights, and everything is awaiting her occupancy at the Met-Cro garage.  With the aid of the wrecker a tank of 550 gallon capacity was installed.

• Get-Together Meeting And Luncheon Held Friday At Ellisport – The road committee of the Commercial Club held a get-together luncheon Friday at Mrs. O.L. Evans at Ellisport.  Commissioner Brinton and Road Supervisor were invited, but Mr. Brinton was unable to be present.    Road matters in general were discussed, especially the road program for 1930, and ways and means of arranging and budgeting the moneys available.

• Association Of Gas Dealer Formed – The Vashon retail dealer of gasoline, 16 in number, met at the Met-Cro garage Tuesday evening for the purpose of forming an association, the purpose of which is to stabilize prices of gas on the island.  Present indications are that this will insure to the Island drivers a price only slightly higher than the price on the mainland.

• Vashon Association Receives Higher Prices – The Vashon Marketing association has sold 75 tons of loganberries and 30 tons of gooseberries to the Puyallup and Sumner Fruit Growers’ association at a price a little better than last year, the contract for which was signed Wednesday morning.

• Mass Meeting In Burton – By Norman Edson – There is to be a mass meeting of flowers in the Masonic hall in Burton some time this summer, so it was voted in the last meeting of the Burton Garden club.  There will be a formal flower show, open to every flower grower on Vashon Island that wishes to enter his or her exhibit in competition.

• Students Win Bus Excursion Trip To Tacoma – Thursday morning, faculty and students of the Junior-Senior branch of our high school experienced the satisfaction of reward for a job well done.  The two branches of the high school have, for the past two months, been staging an interesting attendance contest, the Vashon branch finishing as winners.

• Grading New H.S. Grounds – A very fine piece of grading is being done on the high school grounds at Center.  Acting on a suggestion made by Supt. Burroughs the board secured the permission of the officials to use the county equipment at hand, and as a result the work has been most excellently done at less than half the cost had private individuals been given the contract.

• Last week Vashon Island received some fine publicity in a special edition of the Tacoma Ledger, much credit for which is due to the recognition that is being given to our very own artist, Norman Edson.

• Dan Landers has a contract to clear the golf course on Maury Island.  There are some pretty big rocks and stumps that will take considerable powder to blow them up.  He will also use his team.  Ed Hofmeister, Merle Sutton and Steve Landers are helping Dan.

• Southern Heights – The south end ferry has presented a revised schedule for our approval.  In considering the requests made in Tacoma last week a morning trip at 8:40 is to be added.  A compromise was made on the evening trip to leave Tacoma at 5:45 p.m.  The summer schedule to begin May 1.

• Residents of Tahlequah are glad to know that the proposed Pohl road received favorable consideration at the luncheon given the county road supervisor at Ellisport Friday, when the Commercial club road committee met with the supervisor to discuss Island road problems

• Dockton – Capt. Conrad Danielson of the boat Concord was in, repairing his stem that was damaged by running on a raft of logs.

• A meeting was held at the Burton high school Sunday evening, April 14th to protest Mr. Carstens’ resignation as pastor of the community church.  A resolution passed without a dissenting vote, to withdraw all support, financial and otherwise, from the church, should it fail to persuade Mr. Carstens to re-consider his resignation.

• The Puget Sound Light & Power Co., has extended the light wire down into Bethel Park so now the residents are enjoying city conveniences.

• Judd Creek Bridge Will Be Shortened – The county trucks and drivers regularly employed in the Island road work were this week augmented by a huge caterpillar from the mainland, as work has been started in making the fill for the new Judd creek bridge.  We understand that this will shorten the bridge about 150 feet.

April 25, 1929

• Commercial Club Sets Aside Regular Meeting Date To Prepare Whoopee Banquet – There will be no meeting of the Commercial Club next Tuesday evening, as every one is busy planning for the big time the following week, when the annual banquet will be held at the Island Club.  We are promised that exceptional talent will be presented, from Seattle and Tacoma, and both cities will send prominent men as representatives.  The two ferry companies will be represented also.

• Golf Club Membership Not Closed With Fifty – Vashon Island News-Record: In an article printed in your issue of April 11th it was stated that the membership of the Vashon Island Golf club would be closed with 50 members.  This was in error and was intended to read as follows: “The trustees of the Golf club voted to close the charter membership at 50 members and after that many were taken in the present membership fee of $250 would be increased.”  Sincerely yours, - E.H. Miller

• T. Hansen Improving – We are glad to report that T. Hansen, while not yet able to be at his desk in the bank, is sufficiently improved to be out of the house once more.  Mr. Hansen is spending a few days in Seattle this week.

• What might have been a very disastrous fire at Vashon Thursday was averted, due to the promptness of Central and to near neighbors replying to a call for help.  Mr. and Mrs. Kearney, living east of Vashon had been burning brush just north of their home and supposing the fire was out they left.  Looking out of the window a few minutes later, Mrs Kearney saw that the flames had spread beyond control.  Her appeal for assistance was answered at once, and in a few minutes several neigbors, with the help of four or five men from Vashon were on the scene, and after a few minutes of strenuous work had the fire under control.

• Notice Of Special Election – A special election will be held at the school house Saturday, May 4, by the legal voters of Dist. No. 176, for the purpose of levying a special 3-mill tax for general school purposes.

• Hearing In Freight Rate Will Begin Today – The hearing before the interstate commerce commission on the proposed increase in the intrastate freight rate on hay is to be held in Seattle Thursday, Friday and Saturday of this week and promises to be a hotly contested affair.  The Feed Dealers’ association, of which Chas. England is president, has been active during the past month in gathering a mass of evidence from every part of the state.

• England Opposes Duty On Code Liver Oil – Opposition to the proposed duty on cod liver oil has been voiced by Charles England, president of the Feed Dealers’ association of Washington, in recent communications to senators and representatives at Washington D.C.  “Our opposition to the duty,” said Mr. England today, “arises from a belief that the use of cod liver oil by the poultry industry would be seriously hampered, if not stopped, by such a duty, which might well raise the present cost as much as 50 per cent.

• What might have been a very serious accident occurred Monday morning, when the car driven by Ira Case of Magnolia Beach on his way to the morning ferry struck a patch of loose gravel which caused him to skid into the roadway directly in front of a car driven by Mrs. Spinning returning from Tahlequah.  The cars grazed each other leaving ugly scars and bent fenders, but no glass was shattered.

• The special ferry which was run for the convenience of the senior high school in their trip to Tacoma Thursday morning, was also used by a number of cars from Burton and Southern Heights.  After May 1 this trip at 8:40 a.m. will be made daily.

• I.M. Krokset had the misfortune to turn his Ford over at Burton last week.  Nobody was hurt but the car received considerable damage.

• Ellisport – We understand that Jack Wendler opens to the public on Wednesday the store formerly occupied by the Furbush Co.  Mr Wendler has built an addition to be use for a pool room.  He will carry confectionery, ice cream, soft drinks and serve light lunches.  An Electro-Kold has been installed.  We are sure Mr. Wendler will be ably supported by the good wife.

• Burton – Old Man “Detour” has arrived and will give you instructions how to reach home without crossing Judd Creek bridge.  Don’t stop to argue with him, just believe in the old slogan that “the longest way round is the shortest way home!”

• Lisabeula is fast becoming a chicken center, with Mr. Tey and Mr. Weggener building more chicken houses and Beaumonts and Kings planning on building more in the fall.  Everyone so far this season seems to have had extra good luck with their baby chicks.

• Mr. Metzenberg has asked us to inform the ladies of the Island, that Ethyl is not the dangerous rival they have been let to think, that instead of being a lovely lady, she is the finest gasoline that has ever been offered for sale here.  You’ll have to take John’s word for it.

• The various gas pumps about the Island have been given their annual decorating by the master brush wielded by Mr. Bentley.

• Vashon Marketing Assn. Announce 1929 Acreage – A survey has just been completed, and figures now available to show that the 1929 acreage of the Vashon Marketing association is such, that with a good season enough fruit should be produced to bring a nice profit to the members.  The acreage of the various fruit and soil products within the association include: 83 acres of full bearing sour cherries; 85 acres of Royal Annes sweet cherries; 35 acres full bearing currants; 30 acres Marshals strawberries; 55 acres loganberries.

• Wins First Place In Declamatory Contest – In the King county grade declamatory contest held in Snoqualmie Falls Friday, April 19th, the first place was awarded to the Vashon representative, Lewis Schmidt

back to top 

May 1929

May 2, 1929

• Congratulations To C.G. Kimmel – Time flies with such alarming rapidity that it is hard to realize that three years have elapsed since the C.G. Kimmel store left its old house in the Fox River building and took up its present residence.

• Vashon Helps To Supply The Demand – For the past week we have been made aware of the fact that on May 1st we were to begin observing National Egg Week.  Beginning with Wednesday morning we were to eat an extra egg every day, we have read in every paper we have picked up about the various ways in which eggs could be prepared, the virtues of eggs as food, and practically every other fact and fancy connected with the subject, but it was left to Vashon to produce some cold facts that are stranger than fiction.  No doubt many of us have been embarrassed when telling of our chicken-raising activities, by the question of “How many hens are there on the Island?”  It was strange in this community where hens, and their ability to produce the great national food, are of such importance that some one has not heretofore taken the trouble to obtain some exact figures on the subject.  For the past ten days K.K. Prigg, manager of the Fox River Butter Company has been spending his spare minutes gathering figures.  As a result he has found that Vashon Island can boast of 125,000 laying hens, producing in such quantities that in one year our Island has sent to the mainland, approximately 50,000 crates of eggs, or 1,500,000 dozen, or, if you please, 18,000,000 eggs.

• Notice – Judd Creek Bridge will be closed for probably two weeks, beginning next Monday morning, May 6th.  Trails and a footbridge have been provided for pupils to cross the creek.

• Among The Schools – “It won’t be long now” until the students from Vashon going to the junior branch will have to be expert log walkers.  The bridge will be out next week, and as a result,  a small footbridge has been constructed until the new bridge is ready.

• State Hearing Held On Freight Rate In Seattle – Charles England spent four days of last week with the examiners of the Interstate Commerce Commission during the time in which the hearing in regard to the intrastate freight rate increase on hay was in progress in Seattle.  The Feed Dealers’ Ass’n, of which Mr. England is president, were highly complimented by the examiners of the commission for the manner in which the case was presented.  A decision in the case will be rendered by the Intrastate Commerce Commission in Washington D.C., some time in the early summer.

• Who Found The Purse? – Last Friday while on the way to her work at the telephone office Mabel Matthews had the misfortune to lose, somewhere between Vashon and Center, her purse, containing her week’s salary.  Unfortunately the purse, a small black one, did not contain any marks of identification, so the finder could have no way of knowing whose it was.  She is a good sport, and insists that she will willingly pay a reward, but when you consider the patience Mabel shows for the phoning public each day, and the happy tone she uses when she is answering our calls, (not all of them as cheerful as they might be), we don’t imagine the finder will demand a very large reward.  We hope next week to be able to complete this story, by telling the sequel, the return of the purse.

• Theatre To Launch Prize Essay Contest – Mr. Robertson, superintendent of the Vashon Island schools, is cooperating with Mr. Burfield of the Vashon Theatre on his essay contest, the title of which is “Vashon Island – Past, Present and Future.”  First prize is a year’s pass to the Vashon Theatre and second, a six-months pass for the high school.  First prize for the grade school will be a year’s pass and second, six months.

• Maury School Notes – The eighth grade play, “The Arrival of Reuben,” by Willis N. Bugbee, was presented Friday, April 26th, to a large audience.

• Southern Heights – The sympathy of the community goes out to Mr. and Mrs. Peter Rolando, who have met with a heavy loss.  Whether the brooder lamp exploded or what, there is no way of knowing, but last Wednesday night their brooder house, brooder and 500 fine chicks went up in smoke.  Fortunately Mr. and Mrs. Rolando and Miss Margaret were awakened at once and Mr. Bittinger and Mr. Vermerelen, their nearest neighbors also awoke and came running.  So the other houses and fowl were saved and the new pullet house that was waiting for those chicks to grow up.

• Southern Heights – Caterpillars are hatching and they are going to be bad this year.  Yours truly took 12 nests off one small apple tree, from which a number of egg masses had been removed previously.  Boys and girls, keep those sharp eyes of yours on the lookout.  Remember that a nest of caterpillars left to grow up in an older bush by the way side may mean a hundred in daddy’s ordered next year.

• Southern Heights – From the great number of pleasure boats seen traveling through the “Hudson of the Pacific” better known as the west pass, one is convinced that for pleasure and safety a great many are leaving the highways and taking to boating and yachting on our beautiful Puget Sound.

• Cove–Cedarhurst–Colvas – Three of our prominent young ladies couldn’t resist the lure of the great outdoors last Friday so they took their lunches and spent the day fishing in Zarth’s creek.

• Cove–Cedarhurst–Colvas – Mrs. C. Christiansen is in the Columbus Sanitarium in Seattle.  While cleaning the brooder house a little sand got in her eye and has caused her much trouble.  The doctors are afraid she will lose the sight in that eye.

• The members of the junior branch of the high school had an extremely large time at Ellisport Tuesday.  About 100 attended the picnic given by the freshmen as a return courtesy to the sophomore class.

• Last week, in a Seattle hospital, T. Hansen submitted to a serious operation.  Due to his weakened condition Mr. Hansen’s recovery will necessarily be slow, but the good wishes of his friends and the devotion of his family will be of help in the fight for health he is making.

• Monday night Agnes L. Smock attended a meeting of King County weekly publishers, the purpose of which was to form an association for the strict enforcement of the law in regard to legal rates for the printing of legals.  A peculiar thing about the meeting was that it was brought about, not by overcharging, but by rate cutting on the part of unethical publishers to unethical attorneys.

 

May 9, 1929

• Island Mourns Death Of Prominent Citizen – Merchant, Banker and Pioneer Industrial Promotor is laid to rest on “Isle of Vision” – The residents of Vashon Island were indescribably shocked Sunday afternoon when the news that our friend and neighbor, Terkel Hansen, had passed away.  In 1907 Mr. and Mrs. Hansen established their home on Vashon Island where on March 20, 1909, Mr. Hansen organized Vashon-Maury Island’s financial institution, the Vashon State Bank of which he remained active head.  He was a member of the Presbyterian church at Vashon, of which he was an elder, trustee and treasurer.  He was a member of many fraternal organizations.

• Island Community Church Is Formed – Last Sunday morning some eighty people assembled at the Burton High School building, and after the services of worship, organized into a non-denominational, all-inclusive Island Community church.  A unanimous call was immediately extended to Rev. Halsey Carstens who had preached the sermon for the morning on “The Community Church Movement,” and who was just recently resigned from the pastorate of the Burton Community church.

• Activities Of The Portage Auxiliary – The Portage Auxiliary of the Orthopedic Hospital held its regular meeting on Friday last at the house of the president, Mrs. C.F. Van Olinda.  Fourteen members were present.  The Auxiliary meets twice a month to sew and knit for the little children in the hospital.

• Poole Road To Be Rebuilt – The county commissioners have decided to postpone work on the Tahlequah hill and use the money set aside for that purpose to construct the Poole road at the South end, thereby providing a road for 19 families around Clam Cove who have lived there many years, cut off from communications by land with the rest of the Island.

• Judd Creek Trustle Now Being Rebuilt – This work which is not under way, consists of a road revision and replacement of the existing bridge.  Approximately 8000 cubic yards of dirt will be excavated.  The north 80 feet of the present trustle will be filled with this material.  This regrade is of a permanent character and when finished will be ready for paving.  The sharp curve at the north end of the bridge will be lengthened  and the cut which now obscures visibility, will be removed.  Unfortunately, the existing bridge will have to be replaced with another wood structure, sufficient money not having been provided by the last Board of County Commissioners.

• Burton Garden Contest – Entries are now being solicited for the Burton Garden Contest, sponsored by the Burton Garden Club.  The rules of the game are very simple.  If you decide to enter the contest you must first of all send in your name to the secretary of the Garden Club, and then you get out the old hoe, rake, or what you have, and proceed to make what ever improvements on your home lot that your fancy suggests.  You may have a lot of quack grass in lieu of a lawn, then just spread a few ducks around, and the feathered quacks will beat the grass quacks to it.  This is not a joke, but a real fact.  Then plant perreniels, roses, shrubs, and what ever your nurseryman suggests, unless you have a strong will, and can hold back.

• Parking On The Vashon Heights Dock Prohibited – While at first thought the recent action taken by the county commissioners, prohibiting the parking of cars on the dock at the North End, may seem to work a hardship, second thought and consideration will cause us to see the justice and wisdom of it.  Each day more and more cars are being parked there, while the owners are in the city, and some day something disastrous is going to happen unless the practice is stopped.  On the south side of the dock, where the cars are parked the boards are becoming so impregnated with oil and gas that a fire might easily be started from a cigarette, or match.  It is not beyond reason to believe that if approached in the proper spirit the commissioners would not devise a parking place at the west end of the dock, as there is property adjacent to the dock that could be purchased for a reasonable amount.

• Resolution No. 3,219 – Whereas, it is deemed advisable by the Board of County Commissioners, King County, Washington, to prohibit the parking of automobiles and trucks on the Vashon Island Dock (Vashon Heights) when not accompanied by a driver, now, therefore, Be it resolved that from and after the date of adoption of this resolution, all automobiles and trucks using the Vashon Island Dock must be attended by a driver.  Be it further resolved that the Sheriff of King County is hereby authorized and directed to enforce the regulations as prescribed in this resolution.  Passed this 7th day of May, 1929.  Don H. Evans, Wm. Brown, W.B. Brinton, Board of County Commissioners, King County.

• Club Banquet Is Declared Huge Success – Apparently each year marks an improvement in the annual Commercial Club banquet commensurate with our developments along other community lines.  This year was no exception.  After an excellent dinner served to 200 guests by the ladies of the Island Club, assisted by “Mr. and Mrs. Fisher’s Blend” who baked more than enough of the most perfect biscuits ever concocted, Mr. England, with his usual happy choice of words introduced the various presidents of local organizations, after which he turned the honors over to W.G. Parkes, that toastmaster unsurpassed.

• Resolution Of Condolence – God, in His inscrutable providence has called Terkel Hansen to leave us and to pass through the valley of the shadow of death.  When his sun was at the meridian height, and his life full of service and beauty, the eclipse of death obscured it and he winged his flight to the land of eternal rest and peace.  Therefore be it: Resolved, that we the members of the Vashon-Maury Island Commercial Club deplore the great loss we sustain in one whose life of love and service was a benediction upon all the people – upon the spiritual, moral and business interests of the whole community.  Resolved that :  We extend to the widow and children and to the other relatives our profound sympathy which is but a poor consolation in this sore bereavement, and we therefore commend them to Him who in His Holy habitation is a father of the fatherless, and who tempers the wind to the shorn lamb.

• Burton – Mr. G.C. Hall is working at Port Orchard for a couple of months, until a job here in which he is interested materializes.

• Mr. Burton Pharmacy has a new six coach Chevrolet purchased from Tom Allison, Portage.  Does that mean every time he goes for a drive, he will take six passengers?  That’s what he did with the little white car with half as much room.

• To All The Lot Owners And Folks Interested In The Cemetery AT Vashon:  Let us get together on Saturday, May 18th, at the cemetery with rakes, shovels, etc., and have a real clean-up day and get the grounds in first class shape for May 30th.  Suppose the ladies take lunch and we will have the coffee boiling at 12 o’clock and besides doing a good work in beautifying the city of our departed loved ones we will have a chance to get together and talk over old times and make plans for the future.  Signed by the Trustees.

• Center News – Friends will be glad to know Mrs. Minnie Black and son Conrad Hofmeister, are out of quarantine.  Conrad had quite a time with smallpox.  Mrs. Black is a pioneer of our Island, now living in Tacoma.

• Southern Heights – Tent caterpillar nests are everywhere this year; on wild currants, wild roses, even on willow bushes.

• Dockton – Through the courtesy of Capt. J. Ljubich, about thirty-five Dockton people were able to attend the meeting of the Burton Improvement Club, May 2nd, features of which were a good dinner, an excellent program, and a fine concert.  The trip was made on the new Diesel boat, Sitka, and the fine evening was ended perfectly by the happy homeward trip, with every one enthusiastic about the splendid time they had had with the neighbors across the harbor.  It is hoped that Dockton can soon return the compliment.

• Theo Berry who returned Sunday from Whidbey Island, after installing his fish trap, reports a rough trip.

• Call For Bids – The Vashon Marketing Ass’n wants bids for the hauling of the fruit from receiving station at Vashon to Seattle and also to Puyallup.  For information, call President George Walls.

• Mr. and Mrs. George B. Riley and Mr. and Mrs. Wm. D. Perkins drove over Sunday from Seattle to see the blossoming orchards of the Island.

• Mrs. Smock and Fransu took in the “Show Boat” Friday evening.  This is one of the few consistent films to appear recently.

• The Orient, the fishing boat Mr. Ellingsen and Mr. Lorenzen are on is in for a few days.  They report excellent weather and a good catch.  It will leave again soon.

 

May 16, 1929

• Howard Hansen succeeds deceased father as President of Vashon State Bank.

• Islanders Witness Lighting Celebration – Quite a delegation of Islanders went to West Seattle Friday evening to witness the celebration of the turning on of the lights along the new White Way.  It was a colorful spectacle, with plenty to look at not only on the streets but in the air as well. 

• To Hold Bigger And Better Carnival – At a meeting of the Vashon Business Men’s Club on Monday evening plans were discussed for a bigger and better carnival to be held July 20th, all day.  The money realized from this carnival will be used to help pay off the school debt of Maury Island and Lisabeula so that the whole Island can be sooner able to build the union high school.

• Vashon Is Stepping Out All Pretty – The village of Vashon is just more than spring housecleaning.  J. M. Silvey has just completed a cement sidewalk in front of his property, the Vashon Hardware store has received a new coat of paint, as well as the Vashon Barber Shop.  About the most attractive bit of decoration that has ever been done by Mr. Lee, who has a mania for attractive surroundings, are the orange and black window boxes he has added to the front of his shop.  With the thrifty nasturtiums doing their best these boxes will increase the beauty all through the summer.

• Yacht Club Would Have Playgound – Consider proposition that would see purchase of beach at Portage; Seattle clubs will be shown ideas – (from Tacoma News-Tribune) Purchase of property at Portage for the establishment of a recreational ground is being considered by the Tacoma Yacht Club.  The beach involved is that neck that connects Maury Island and Vashon Island in Quartermaster Harbor.  The Seattle Yacht Club and the Queen City Yacht Club will be shown the plan and asked to consider joining hands with the local organization to this end.  The establishment of a golf course on Vashon Island also was emphasized to bring out the advantages of additional recreation facilities.

• No Immediate Change In Management Of The Kitsap Ferry Lines – A letter received from Capt. J.L. Anderson yesterday (Wednesday) states that the recent sale of the business and properties of the Kitsap Transportation Company to the W.B. Forshay Company of Minneapolis, as reported in the Times of May 9th will in no way effect, for the time being, the management of the company’s lines.

• Through the efforts of the Ellisport Women’s Club the picnic grounds have been put in order for the summer.  The fountain has been moved to a more convenient location, the pipe in the stove repaired, a load of wood drawn for the use of picnickers and the grass mowed.  The teeter-totter which is considered a menace is to be removed.  Then we are “all set.”!  Let’s go!

• Maurice Dunsford, assisted by D.W. Trimble and Mr. Akehurst of Burton, are still busy at work on the improvements on Mrs. O.L. Evans hotel at Ellisport.  She is having the main building enlarged so the dining room will comfortably seat about 60 guests.  The building has been modernized and many other features added that will increase the comfort and enjoyment of those who choose this spot for their summer vacation.  Mrs. Evans has also built two more cottages for sleeping accommodations.  She expects to have all these improvements finished this week and will formerly open her new hotel on May 19th.  It is called “The Island Cottage Inn.”

• Invitation – Just a reminder to the alumni and friends of the students who desire invitations for the Senior Ball, May 22, at the Bayview Pavillion, that they may be obtained from any member of the Senior class.  Oh yes, you can also leave work at Tim’s Place, and we’ll be sure to hear about it.  Once you get your invitation don’t lay it aside and forget about it.  If you do not present it at the door, you’ll get no farther.

• Quite a number of halibut fishermen spent the week end home with their families.  Those boat from Dockton being Condor II, “Robin”, and Alitak, all reporting a fair catch.

• The eighth grade of Dockton Grammar school are holding commencement exercises at the Dockton Community Hall, May 22, 1929, at 8 p.m.  Mr. Robertson of the Union High school will deliver the commencement address.  The students of the Union High school will furnish the music.  We invite everyone to come to this, our first commencement.

• To My Customers – Contrary to current rumors, I have not sold my wood and coal business – Otto Therkelsen

• Burton – The school board appointed Mrs. Mary B. Rees to take the school census, which  feat was accomplished with feet and head walking and working in unison for several days this week.

• Gwen Rees, 5th grade at the Burton Grammar school is proudly displaying a pair of Keds won in the contest recently given where in she came nearest in her guess as to the number of miles a pair of these shoes can stand up under.  Her guess was 1981 miles.  The exact number being 1916 miles.

• Spring Laundry Poem (advertisement) – Here and there, just everywhere On Vashon Isle so fair You’ll see the Right Way Laundry truck Men’s suits and overcoats cleaned for a buck.

 

May 23, 1929

• Largest Class Ever Graduated Here – In the presence of between five and six hundred friends and relatives the first class to graduate from the union high school brought to a close their part in our local school life.  The Presbyterian church held the largest crowd that has ever been gathered  together to witness such a ceremony on our Island.  It is estimated that at least a hundred were turned away, disappointed at not being able to gain even a glimpse of the graduating class.  Arvid Nystedt was the salutatorian and Helen Johns was valedictorian.

• Senior Ball Winds Up The Commencement Festivities – The Senior Ball given at Bayview Pavilion Wednesday evening was a most colorful affair.  The beautiful decorations made a fitting background for the lovely young things in their graduation finery.

• State Highway Patrol Officer Here – Officer Snyder of the State Highway patrol was on the Island Monday and Tuesday of last week for the purpose of checking up on licenses, both vehicle and operator, also on headlights that have not been properly adjusted.  He was also making a check on all cars with apparently no brakes and those who have neglected to keep brakes in proper mechanical repair.  Three autoists were brought before Judge Armbruster for infraction of state vehicle laws.

• Former Cove Teacher Visits One-Time Pupils – Mrs. Mattock visited at the John C. Walls and L.A. Walls homes Sunday.  Mrs. Mattock, or Miss Bonney as she was then, was the first teacher of District 102, Columbia or Cove and Colvas, as most people call it.  That was about thirty years ago.  School was held in a little white house on what is now Mrs. Peck’s property where the Cove and Colvas roads meet.  There were about twenty children and they had five months school.  The next year school was held in the little new school where it is now located, and the term was cut to three months a year.  Later the school was moved to the Cove Methodist church and finally back again.

• Cove-Cedarhurst-Colvas – This community boasts of eight of the thirty-five high school graduates.

• Captain Peter Leonard Abrahamson, age 81, passed away in Tacoma, Tuesday afternoon, following a short illness.  Captain Abrahamson lived at Tahlequah and kept the store there for his nephew, Mr. E. Lucas.

• Rev. Armstrong To Resign In June – Members of the Presbyterian church were grieved when Rev. Armstrong tendered his resignation, to take effect the last of June.  The principal reason for his leaving is the acceptance of a splendid position as assistant to Dr. Mark Matthews of the  First Presbyterian Church of Seattle.

• C.L. Garner Winner In State-Wide Essay Contest – Attention has again been called to Vashon Island by the work of one of our residents.  A short time ago C.L. Garner was announced as one of the three winners in an essay contest sponsored by the N.W. Utilities Company on the subject, “Pleasing Mr. and Mrs. Public.” 

• W.B. King Sustains Loss By Fire – Another disastrous fire in the Lisabeula neighborhood resulted in the loss to W.B. King of a brooder house, 1000 chicks, beside a quantity of stove wood and garden tools.  Mr. King was able to open the door, allowing the laying hens to escape.

• Reward Offered – For information leading to recovery of skiff stolen from bulkhead at my home in Southworth, Kitsap County, night of Thursday, May 16, and for information as to identity of guilty parties.  Skiff is 12-foot, flat-bottom cedar skiff.  - F.S. Miller

• County Commissioner Col. Brinton and Mr. Wiltse, the road superintendent for this district, were looking over our roads on Friday and enjoyed one of Mrs. O.L. Evans dinners at her new Island Cottage Inn.

• It is “good old summertime” again at Ellisport.  Sunday the warm sunshine tempted a group of bathing enthusiasts to don their suits.  The new Ridge road from Vashon to Ellisport is being spoken of with enthusiasm by all visitors to the Island.  It cuts the distance from the Seattle ferry to Ellisport considerably and also is the most scenic drive on the Island.  The increasing number of cars that are using the Ridge road shows that our Island people realize the value and beauty of this road, as well as our visitors from across the water.  It is also a direct route for people all over the south half of the Island and those on Maury who wish to go to Vashon or the Seattle ferry. 

• C.G. Kimmel, in response to the demand of an increasing business put into service a fine new Dodge delivery truck.

• In passing we wish to assure our readers that the omission of the names of the various correspondents is not an oversight.  So many are contributing from the various communities that we simply put together all items that belong to a particular neighborhood.  It surely displays the proper spirit when the work is not all left to one correspondent.

• The Island Community church has practically completed the various phases of organization such as election of officers of the church, and auxiliary organizations.

• Dies Of Pneumonia – Bonifacio Tucay died Sunday morning, and was buried at the Island cemetery Tuesday evening.  The cause of his death was pneumonia.  Deceased, who was forty eight years of age, arrived in April from the Phillipines, and for several weeks past has been working on Vashon Island.  He leaves a wife and child in his native land.

• Maury is proud of its three graduates from our Vashon Island High, and turned out in large numbers to see them launched.  The Garner, Virginia Calhoun.  Good luck to you.

 

May 30, 1929

• Mammoth Bridge Party At Judd Creek June 15th – An all Island affair sponsored by Burton Improvement Club – On Wednesday evening, at a meeting held in W.D. Garvin’s office at Vashon, the Burton Improvement Club launched a movement for an all Island festival to be held on June 15th to celebrate the formal opening of the new Judd Creek bridge.  While plans are as yet simply in a rudimentary state, this event will probably take the form of a carnival, with the usual type of amusement offered of various types, a program of races, etc.

• Island Community Church Offers Innovation – A new feature of the morning service which will be of interest is the opening of the Island Community church next Sunday, of a nursery where all youngsters up to five years of age will be looked after, while the parents, relieved of their care, will have an opportunity to really worship in peace.

• Tract Near Vashon Island – W.D. Garvin reports that this week a deal was made, whereby the east seven acres of the H.G. Ward property, east of Vashon, was sold to R.H. Fletcher of Seattle.  Mr. Fletcher will commence in the very near future to build his home there.  He expects to put the entire tract into sour cherries.

• Multi-Millionaire Was Former Resident of Vashon Island – Very few of the newer residents of the Island knew when they read of the recent death in San Francisco of James A. Moore, the multi-millionaire, that he was a former resident of Vashon Island.  He and his beautiful young bride came to the Island in 1886 and made their home near Center.  At that time he was beginning to interest himself in Seattle property where he was later credited with creating nearly a billion dollars in property values and a fortune of $15 million for himself.  While living on the Island Mr. Moore interested himself in the activities of the First Presbyterian church at Center, taught a class of young men in the Sunday school and he and his wife were regular members of the choir.  Later on the family moved to Ellisport and lived at what is now known at the Jackson property, then the Reese Hotel.

• Bannick Will Pick Out Place to Build Vashon Island Jail – Construction of a concrete jail on Vashon Island near Vashon, appeared assured Monday as Sheriff Bannick, backed by county Commissioners, prepared to visit the Island and select a site.  The Vashon Island Commercial and Vashon Businessmen’s clubs have requested a jail.  The sheriff reports it will cost about $500 and will be built by F.J. Shattuck, resident deputy sheriff, and two trustees. – The foregoing new item, clipped from Tuesday’s Star, has caused a great deal of comment locally.  The inconvenience of the present system of taking care of offenders is so obvious that the officials have decided that a local means of handling minor cases would be an economy, and this decision apparently is meeting with the whole-hearted approval of the majority.

• Population of Vashon Enjoys Rapid Increase – During the past week Mr. Stork has been working overtime in an effort to supply his quota of the additional 5,000 inhabitants due Vashon in the next five years.  May all three babies enjoy all the good things life can possibly hold in store.

• Efficient Work at Judd Creek – In order to appreciate the really efficient work being done at Judd Creek one should take a trip and see the work actually in progress.  Mr. Blum is a real bridge man and the speed with which this work is being done testifies that he is simply spreading himself on the job.  From all indications the bridge will be open in a few days, then after it is finished the work of widening the road north of it will begin, a much needed improvement.

• Ford Coupe Takes to the Ditch – On Wednesday evening a Ford coupe, driven by Fannie Marshall, overturned on the road just east of the Harmeling place.  Some time ago this road was regarded, and failed to stand up under the grief of the wet weather.  Consequently it is somewhat rough in spots.   Scenting a victim, the Met-Cro wrecker, driven by John Metzenberg, arrived simultaneously, so John was able to render immediate assistance.  Miss Marshall, who was badly cut and bruised,  was brought to Vashon, where she was taken care of by Dr. McMurray.  The Ford, according to reports, is resting easy at the Met-Cro.

• The Switch Over the Kitchen Door – An Editorial – The announcement in the city papers that Vashon is to have a jail has aroused a certain feeling and opposition.  At first thought this seemed to us a step backward, then as we gave the matter further thought we have come to believe that it is a wise movement.  Everyone who has raised a small child knows that there is great moral value in the switch over the kitchen door.  That switch may never be used, but, despite all of the modern methods of child training, we who have actual experience know that that switch is a force to be reckoned with.  We know that there has been lawbreaking on the Island, both by our local talent, and by people from off of the Island.  No deputy sheriff, or other peace officer is going out, and deliberately hunt up potential criminals that would have to be taken care of over night in his own home.  This is the case at present.  If an offender is arrested at night, as most of them are, Mr. Shattuck has the choice of taking that person into his own home, or sitting guard along the roadside until the early boat.  We all know how much we would personally relish either of these situations.  If some of our lawless young people, and why deny that we have a small element of that type, knew that if apprehended they would be confined and tried here at home where their friends and companions would know and see punishment meted out, would it not have the same wholesome effect as the switch over the kitchen door?

• At the Center grade school on Thursday afternoon, May 23rd, Eighth grade graduation exercises were held.  Perfect attendance awards to Sylvia Besonen, 8th; Vernon Hearst, 8th; Howard Morford, 5th; Jean Sherman, 3rd, and Bobby Wilber, 4th. 

• Dockton Grade School – The Commencement program was held Wednesday evening, May 22.  Glenn Willer, 7th grade valedictory; Hazel Bloom, salutatory; Freda Martinolich, valedictory.

• Maury Center School - Commencement is past, school is over, and the picnic remains with us only as a memory.  The pupils of room 2, accompanied by Mrs. Spinning and Mr. C.H. Meyer, has a  very enjoyable time on their trip to Tacoma.  They visited the Smelter, Mason Intermediate school, Oriole Candy Company, Meadowsweet Dairies, and the Pantages Theatre.

• Just Like A Woman – In last week’s News-Record a grave error was committed, through unforgivable ignorance.  For years we have envied that superior type of intelligence, able to tell at a glance any make of car.  Last week when Garner Kimmel acquired that beautiful new delivery car we walked around it, admiring it from every angle, we saw that it bore a D on its forehead, and living next door to a Dodge car we arrived at the conclusion that the newest member of Garner’s fleet was a Dodge.  As a matter of fact it is one of the latest Durant creations, the family of cars we previously stated we hoped one day to possess.  This has been a strenuous week demonstrating to both Garner and Mr. Mace that we deplore our ignorance.  We are glad that Garner’s increasing business permitted an increase in Ed Mace’s business, and hope that sometime in the distant future we can gain the forgiveness of all concerned.

• A short time ago the Business Men’s Club of Vashon was instrumental in having the parking spaces marked for proper parking.  Already the drivers have responded to the gentle hint, and the improvement is marked.

• It is reported to us that on Tuesday evening, during the Commencement exercises at the Presbyterian church, 147 cars were parked in the village of Vashon.

• Red Raspberry or Loganberry Beetle – Many fields in King County are showing a heavy infestation with loganberry beetle.  Vashon Island growers should examine their berry fields to determine the extent of their infestation and make plans for some form of control. – Lloyd D. Heifner, District Horticultural Inspector.

• Theatre Notes – Mr. Burfield has signed the contract which will bring “Show Boat” to the Vashon Theatre.  The Show Boat is the biggest picture to date that has ever been brought to the Vashon Theatre.

• The Subject of Correct Diet Is Most Important – The leading health and diet authorities of the country are treating this vital subject in all our leading publications, emphasizing its importance in maintaining physical fitness and mental activity.  This is especially true in the case of growing children and the busy worker.  The authorities stress the great need of good bread – and plenty of it.  They point out the difference in bread and warn that cheap brand cheats.  We on Vashon are particularly fortunate in the service rendered by our local grocers in keeping us well supplied with fresh bread daily – bread of outstanding quality and purity.  The Matthaei Baking Company has always been an exponent of finest quality bread.

• Dockton – The Eighth grade commencement was held on May 22nd, at the Community Hall.  There was a class of thirteen pupils graduated.  That is the largest class here yet.  More next time.

• Island Community Church – Temporarily at Burton H.S. Sunday school at 10:00; morning service, 11:00. (Nursery for small children.)

• Just to show that one of our progressive business women believes in advertising, we call attention to the ad of Mrs. O.L. Evans of Ellisport, who recently re-opened the Island Cottage Inn.  On last Sunday, Mrs. Evans entertained 22 guests at Sunday dinner, which with the season not really opened is quite a number.

• Even though there are no flies in the country several of the local stores have put up screen doors.  We imagine those are to keep out the tent caterpillars, those little guests that are affording the pretty young ladies something to scream about.

• Our idea of an optimist is a merchant who is putting up awnings this week.

• The bright figures seen on the streets of Vashon are only the sales force of the C.G. Kimmel store arrayed in their pretty blue and white smocks.

• Little Bobby Hedington, whose reported death caused such a furor among his former schoolmates, was over from Seattle this week for a visit with John Collett.  Mr. Collett has also as his small visitors June and Connie Ward of Milton.

• The appearance of the highway patrol officer on the Island Tuesday led to the scurrying to cover of several drivers who are driving without proper licenses or lights.  The consideration shown these drivers when picked up on “first offenses” may not continue to additional offenses.  It seems hard for some to realize that we are not living in the backwoods, and are as liable to apprehension as dwellers on the mainland.

• The appearance of several families of Indians this week makes us realize that strawberry season is near at hand.  It can’t be a bit too soon.

• On Wednesday this office received a call from the state fire warden for King County, C. Courtright.  He asked us to announce that in the future fire permits can be obtained from the local deputy sheriff, F.J. Shattuck.

• We have it on good authority that Judd Creek bridge will be open for traffic June 1st, and Old Man “Detour” will leave for parts unknown on the same day.

• Could Hardly Qualify – On Wednesday the report was current that Tim Clark had applied and was being seriously considered for the position of keeper in the new jail.  One charming young lady remarked, “Why he wouldn’t do. He talks so much he can’t keep anything.”

• Most of the Ellisport residents are faithfully destroying every caterpillar nest that appears on their fruit trees.

• Ellisport – We see another aerial stretched from a tall madrona tree.  Mr. and Mrs. Bailey are enjoying a fine new radio, a Synchrophase Seven.  They will be happy to have their friends and neighbors drop in and enjoy it with them.

• Cove – Dr Baldwin has platted their south 40 acres into 75 lots.  These are on the beach, and will make lovely homesites.

• Cove – Work has begun on the boulevard in Bethel Park.  They are cutting a trail down the length of it so that prospective buyers can see the acreage at the lower end of the Park.

• Cove - There were five pupils in the eighth grade this year and all passed their examinations with excellent grades, Katheryn Meyers was the highest.  They were Katheryn Meyers, Bertha Huseby, Louis Lorentzen, Melvin Tellvik and Rayder Fjeldal.

• Ad – F.A. Weiss General Merchandise – “Wear “Keds” – Guessing Contest – Pictured in our window is a pair of “Keds” worn by a marathon runner.  The person guessing nearest the number of miles these “Keds” were worn will receive a pair of “Keds” free.  Contest closes June 15th.  (see News-Record item of May 16 above)

back to top

June 1929

June 6, 1929

• Who Will Be Queen Of Island Festival – The big all Island Festival sponsored by the Burton Improvement Club to celebrate the formal opening of the new Judd Creek Bridge, is all set for Saturday, June 15th, at noon sharp.  The big celebration has been planned for a two-fold reason:  First, to express to our County Commissioners and their co-workers our deep appreciation for the splendid bridge they have seen fit to give us; Second, to secure funds for Community Improvements, the main improvement being more adequate fire protection consisting of water mains, hydrants and new hose, to be used in conjunction with the new fire wagon.

• Tacoma Yacht Club at Work – Chas. England and R.W.F. Martin attended an enthusiastic meeting of the Tacoma Yacht Club in Tacoma last Monday.  Favorable action was taken in regard to the Recreation Grounds at Portage and a committee of three members of the Yacht Club were appointed to solicit funds from members.  Mr. England and Mr. Martin were appointed a committee to represent the Island.

• Memorial Day Services Well Attended – One of the largest crowds that has been present for several years gathered at the Island cemetery last Thursday morning to take part in the short, but impressive services held in honor of our fallen dead.

• Another Business Opens in Vashon – Each day we have new evidences that our Island is growing, and this week Vashon took another step toward the big town stuff, when R.G. Tobin opened up his restaurant in the new addition recently added to the Vashon Garage building. 

• Receiving Station To Open – The receiving station of the Vashon Marketing Association at Vashon will be open Monday, June 10th for the season, with C.L. Tjomsland in charge.

• Much enthusiasm is being manifested over the Carnival Bridge Party to be held at Judd Creek High school campus, June 15th, celebrating the formal opening of the bridge, and rejoicing over the arrival of the Queen in our midst and to know she will not have to detour to reach us, and lots of other worth while happenings.

• Quite a few people were over to their homes in Beulah Park Decoration Day.  They held services there and are getting ready for the camp meeting to be held in July.

• Editorial – Teach Children The Value Of Public Property – The statement was made in our hearing not long ago, that the Commercial Club should expend a sum of money for signs to properly mark the Island for the benefit of the visitors from abroad.  A few years ago, through the activities of Mr. Hansen, the entire Island was thoroughly logged and marked.  What remain of these signs are in a remarkably good state of preservation.  However, due to the depredations of children, large and small, many of these signs have been removed or defaced.  This is mighty poor advertising for our community.  Equally serious is the fact that this offense is punishable by law, a truth that should be brought to the attention of children with proper force.  How much better it would be if by some method, educational in nature, we would impress on those who destroy, the value of that which they tear down.  And how immeasurably better if that could be accomplished by the home and school, rather than by the strong arm of the law.

• An Open Letter To The County Commissioners – The following letter which was to have been read at the Commercial Club Banquet of May 7th is of much general interest to the people of the Island, that when the request was made to us to publish it we were only too glad to accede.  The question of taxes is an ever present one, and if the County Commissioners deem fit to answer the query of Dr. Edmunds’ we will be only too glad to make public their reply.  Vashon Commercial Club, Vashon, Wash.  Dear Fellow Citizens – Regretting my inability to be present at our banquet on May 7th next, I would like to ask the Club and the County Commissioners if it is not true that Vashon Island receives in road improvements and all other expenditures only about 20% of the actual money collected from the Island in taxes?  It would seem to me that 80% should be expended on Vashon Island improvements, leaving 20% for the general fund and government of King County.  Thanking you for a reply, I am Respectfully yours, J.W. Edmunds.

• Announcement – The Dorcas Young People’s Society will have its monthly social at the Luthern Free church at Colvas, Saturday, June 8th, at eight o’clock.

• One of the saddest sights to be seen on the Island these days is any one of the various flu victims feebly attempting to go about the regular duties of the day, bowed down will all of the characteristic aches.  We laughed with the best until smitten, and now we can testify that it is no joke.  The paper this week is an act of providence rather than the product of any one person’s brain.  Just be grateful the correspondents and printer were not among those smitten.

• Southern Heights – If only the state horticultural society, or some organization, would import a few hundred brown thrushes, or “brown thrashers”, as they are known in the east, what a help the would be!  They are the only birds I know of that will eat the tent caterpillars, and they gobble them.  And like their cousins, the robins, they raise three hungry broods a year.

• Cross’ Landing – Mr. and Mrs. Flowers have their gooseberries all picked now.

• Abe Abrahamson has been papering at Milligans for the past week or more but guess he is thru now.  Mrs. Milligan has lots of room in her house now since Mr. Jensen fixed it.

• Charles Pelham is the Cross’ Landing carpenter.  He has built at least two houses so far this year.  He lives with his aunt and uncle, Mr. and Mrs. Chas. F. Smith.

• Cross’ Landing – Caterpillars seem to be man’s worst pest at present.  Besides eating the fruit trees they eat the young alders.  You can see them in bunches of about 4 or 5 inches wide and about 4 feet long just swarming over the little alders.

 

June 13, 1929

• All Plans Are Now Complete For Festival – There is now only one day left until Burton expects to greet every person on the Island at the Big Bridge Party at Judd Creek Bridge.  The big event is being sponsored by the Burton Improvement Club to celebrate the formal opening of the new bridge, and the support of all communities has been greatly appreciated.  We are glad to announce that the Queen of the Festival it to be Jean Mauritson, of Dockton, who received 12780 votes, who entered only last Friday in the race for queen.  Her attendants are to be: Cove, June Crosier; Vashon, Lois Clark; Southern Heights, Frances Ely; Ellisport, Harriet Fuller; Burton, Janet Green; Maury Center, Rose Garner.

• Election Returns – The results of the voting for Queen of the Burton Festival to be held on Saturday were gratifying in the extreme as far as financial returns are concerned.  The only drawback was that there could be but one queen, and not seven.  Dockton decided to enter the field only the first of this week, and their activities were so fruitful that their candidate, wee Jean Mauritson, just four years old, is to reign as our Island Queen.  Let’s all be on hand on Saturday to witness the crowning of our queen, who will be attended by the other candidates, as ladies-in-waiting.

• Business Men Discuss Plans For Carnival – At a meeting of the Business Men’s Club of Vashon held Monday night, plans for a mammoth carnival to be held in July were discussed at great length, and the facts shown indicate that this is to be the biggest event of the kind ever pulled off on the Island.  While part of the proceeds of the carnival this year will be used to further add to the fire-fighting equipment, a substantial part of the amount realized will be appropriated as the initial part of the amount necessary to take care of the school indebtedness which stands in the way of even a beginning toward a new high school building being made in the very near future.  While the district of which the village of Vashon is a part is in no way involved in this indebtedness, these business men feel that they are but paving the way for an Island-wide movement which will result in an early retirement of this school debt, then the way will be cleared for voting the bonds and seeing the fruits of the movement begun over a year ago when we decided so unanimously that we favored a union high school.

• Come One-Come All – To the Island Club Open House meeting on Tuesday, June 18th.  This will be a regular old time open house, with cards, dancing and good eats, for old and young, with one great difference.  A beautiful, wonderful slippery, shining new dancing floor will tempt even grandma and grandpa to try a few steps to see if they can remember how they used to do them.  Now, all this is free unless we have been misinformed, but wouldn’t it be a grand idea for everyone to come prepared to give a little toward paying for the floor?

• Vashon Island Golf Club Stage Successful Affair – On last Thursday evening the members, and their wives, of the Vashon Island Golf Club held a most enjoyable meeting at Watseka Lodge.  The original plans were for a picnic supper on the golf course, but while the weather was not such as to damper the ardor of the men enthusiasts, the ladies were in favor of drier, warmer dining quarters, so in response to Mrs. Richards’ invitation the picnic was held in the beautiful living room at Watseka, overlooking Quartermaster harbor.

• Local Boats In Race – On Sunday next our Island will be represented in the Outboard Displacement Motorboat races starting at Seattle and ending at Olympia.  Donald Morgan’s speedboat, equipped with an Elto motor, will be piloted by Earl Watson, assisted by Bob Weiss.

• Receiving Station Opens This Week – On Monday the receiving station of the Vashon Island Marketing Association opened for the season, with C.L. Tjomsland again in charge.  The first fruit to be handled is the crop of gooseberries.  It is anticipated that 110 tons will be marketed, for which the growers will net practically 3 ½ cents per pound.  Elmer Harmeling, the largest individual grower, will probably ship 40 tons.  Instead of shipping the fruit in boxes it is now shipped in gunnysacks, and it is reported as reaching the canneries in perfect condition.

• Child Is Injured By Dynamite – Dynamite claimed another victim Monday morning when a cap, with which Clarence Garner was playing exploded, badly injuring his left hand.  Dr. Grandy was called, and cared for the boy, but he was later taken to Tacoma to a hospital, as an eye was injured.  The little fellow is only eight years of age, and it is indeed sad that an accident of this sort should have marred an otherwise perfect body.

• Maury Notes – Clarence Garner Jr. was painfully burned Monday and suffered the loss of a thumb, when a dynamite cap with which he was playing, exploded.  We all wish him a speedy recovery.

• Southern Heights – Strawberry picking in this neighborhood was to have begun June 10, but when June staged here clever imitation of January, the date was postponed indefinitely.  We’ll be lucky if the strawberries get out of the way of the currants.  Well, we have had a longer time for fighting tent caterpillars and thinning early apples.  Apples and caterpillars arrived on schedule time of strawberries did not.  The first caterpillar, I mean.  Last week there were new nests in the trees where full-grown tigers were coming down from out-of-reach nests hunting places for their cocoons.  A dry fall, a hard winter, a late spring and this nightmare plague of caterpillars!  About time for our luck to change, don’t you think?

• Praises be, there seem to be a sickness among the caterpillars that are coming down.  A good many look shrunken and off color.  Mr. Harmeling says that we should be careful not to kill sick ones.  But if I find caterpillars on my Cuthbert raspberries I don’t stop to feel of their pulse.

• Call For Bids – Sealed bids will be received by the Directors of School District No. 102 up to June 25th, 1929, for 60 ricks (20 cords) of good quality, first growth forest wood, to be delivered at the Columbia School house before September 1, 1929.

• Mrs. A.J. Marsh of Cove post office, and Mrs. Hunt, of Burton, are in attendance at the state convention of postmasters at Medical Lake.  Both expect to return better equipped for service after drinking the water from the lake and instructions from post office inspectors.

• Theatre Notes – The judging of the papers entered in the Essay Contest sponsored by the Vashon Theatre is to be postponed until next September, when the contest will be reopened.  As it was so near the end of the school term when the contest was announced not many of the pupils had time to enter as all their spare time was required to finish their studies before the close of the term.

• Christian Science Society – Branch of The Mother Church, The First Church of Christ, Scientist, of Boston, Mass.  Services every Sunday at Center.  Reading room open Wednesday where Christian Science literature may be read, borrowed or purchased.

• Call for Bids – Sealed bids will be received by the Directors of School District No. 84 up to June 21st, 1929, for 50 ricks of good quality, first growth forest wood, to be delivered to the Lisabeula School house before August 15, 1929.

• Strawberry Root Weevil – Many strawberry fields are showing damage as a result of strawberry root weevil infection.  The larva of this insect is a small grub which feeds on the roots of the plants and when numerous may cause the destruction of the entire field.  The weevil can be controlled by the application of “Go West” weevil bait. – Arthur C. Rich, King County Horticulture Inspector

• Among the tourists we note that Caterpillar family is well represented among the summer visitors.  A Maury visitor made the assertion that they were being slighted by these old-timers.

• The sidewalk that has been recently completed in front of the Vashon Theatre is one of the most needed improvements that has been made in the village for some time.  It not only fills a great need, but adds greatly to the appearance of the building.

• Vashon will soon be a deserted village if this general exodus to the beach continues.  Soon the only natives to be seen on the streets will be the tired businessmen, (and “tireder” business women.)

• Radio Broadcast – On next Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday mornings between 7:30 and 8:30, there will be a special Vashon Island broadcast over Station KVI, Tacoma, sponsored by the Right Way Laundry.

• Nursery Proves A Success – The nursery, which is a regular feature of the Island Community Church, is proving to be a popular one.  Not only does it please the mothers to be relieved of the care of their little ones, but those who render this service receive a great deal of pleasure in the work.

 

June 20, 1929

• Local Boat Makes Fine Record In Marathon Race – Seldom has such local interest been aroused in any sporting event, as that evidenced in the Seattle-Olympia Marathon outboard motor race which took place last Sunday morning.  Ordinarily the announcement of such a race means but little to all but a few, but when it was known that a local boat, the Bay-Bee, owned by Donald Morgan, and piloted by Earl Watson and Bob Weiss, was one of the entrants, the interest was general.  When the race started, at the Ballard Locks, at 8:30, the water was comparatively smooth, but by the time the boats were out in the open water a stiff wind had risen, and the white caps were rolling, resulting in one of the most grueling races over experienced on Puget Sound.  The boys report that the water was the roughest they ever experienced, that at times the Bay-Bee, propeller and all, was completely out of the water, as it breasted the five-foot waves.  The Bay-Bee, entered in Class B, was leading, and almost within sight of the goal, when the propeller hit a piece of driftwood, and sheared a pin.  While this was being replaced they were passed by the winner of Class B, resulting in their finishing second.

• Transportation Company Extend Route – The Department of Public Works last week granted to the bus line the privilege of extending their operations to the south end of the Island, thereby filling a long felt want.  This will probably result in twice a day trips, morning and evening to Tahlequah, with additional trips as that section builds up and the business seems to warrant more.

• Large Crowd Attended Burton Bridge Festival – If you had to pick berries or mow the lawn Saturday afternoon, you missed a jolly good time at the festival in Burton.  In spite of showers every half hour or so, a splendid crowd was on hand to witness the coronation of the Queen and all events following.  Little 5 year old Jean Mauritson of Dockton, who was crowned Queen Jean I, beautiful in her little white robe, surrounded by her court of honor, all in beautiful dresses and picture hats in the pastel shades, made a very beautiful picture.  Her ladies in waiting were Rose Garner, Maury Center; June Crosier, Cove; Francis Ely, Southern Heights; Lois Clark, Vashon; Harriet Fuller, Ellisport; and Janet Green of Burton, the latter acting as train bearer.

• Dancing Class Opens – Thursday (this) afternoon, Miss Dorothy Reid, of Seattle, a graduate of the Mary Ann Wells School of Dancing, began work with two classed, one for grade children and the other for high school pupils.  Miss Reid’s father, John Reid, one of the foremost editors in the state, was at one time editor of the News-Record.

• England and Petersen Add to Fleet of Trucks – This week England and Petersen added another large truck to their already large fleet, a big, new Reo, with a capacity of eight tons.  This makes the eleventh car to be put in operation by this company in this vicinity.  Taking only the five trucks that are each day making two trips, these five move on an average of 80 tons of freight each twenty-four hours, which is about 3 carloads.

• Last week the Tacoma Tribune contained an editorial in regard to the festival on Saturday.  In addition to this some mighty fine things were said about us, by our big neighbor across the Sound.  The “Washcoegg” of June 15th contained a well written article by Joseph Huppman on the subject of Vashon Island, and illustrated by a picture of the Mountain and the Island.  More and more often the Seattle papers are finding occasion to mention Vashon Island, and not in connection with murder and holdups.  This week it was several references to the excellence of our berries, and an interesting item in regard to the experiment W.V. Covey is making in raising grapes under glass.

• Please Take Notice – Anybody wishing to enter the Island Community House please call for key and enter through the doors and return the key again where it was taken from.  Key can be had from Mr. Clark, Miss Nina Garvin or Mrs. M.L. Tjomsland, Secretary.

• An Appeal – Again the appeal comes from the Children’s Orthopedic Hospital for Vashon Island fruit, so highly prized at the hospital.  The                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                ladies of Vashon Island have always been exceedingly responsive to such an appeal, but this year the question arises, “What will the caterpillars leave for this work, or any other.”  However this may be, the cause justifies the effort.  An excellent committee has been appointed for the work, jars are available and sugar can be procured through the Auxiliary.

• First Board of Trustees of the Island Mutual Water System Completes Its Work – The final meeting of the first Board of Trustees and official incorporators of the Island Mutual Water System was held at the Kirkland residence, Saturday, June 15th, the date on which their terms expired.  There were present, C.G. Soike, Tom Allison, A.H. Poultney, B.P. Kirkland.  It was reported that over $5,000 had been paid on the contract for construction of the plant, and that the plant was operating satisfactorily.  Attention of all residents served by this water system is again called to the fact that all charter memberships must be secured, before July 1st.  After that date the price of membership will increase to $200.

• Cove-Cedarhurst-Colvos – Mrs. C.W. Sexsmith and children came over to their camp Friday.  Mr. Sexsmith is in the Seattle General hospital.  He has had an operation and is recovering from the injury to his back received when driving his car over a rough place in the road.

• Cross’ Landing – We are very sorry to hear that Mr. Milligan is suffering from stomach trouble and is under the care of a doctor.  Mr. Milligan is head pastry cook at The Pleasant in Tacoma.

• Cross’ Landing – Several cars went down to Cross’ Landing Sunday morning to see the boats go past that were entered in the Outboard motor boat race from Seattle to Olympia.  From the sound of things a person would think that several thousand swarms of bees were migrating some place or other.

• Cross’ Landing – No doubt those who are busy fighting caterpillars now wish they had picked the eggs off last fall before they hatched.  They are much easier handled then. B                                  b

• Theatre Notes – The Vashon Theatre is installing a Mercury Arc Rectifier at a big expense.  This will give the Theatre direct current which will brighten the pictures 100%.

• Center News – J.H. Rodda has a new cooling plant installed to care for meat.  He has made a number of improvements in the Center Store in the past few months.

• Burton – Mr. and Mrs. George Coates were very much thrilled Sunday about noon when their son from Seattle, Art Coates, made them a visit by air.  Art, piloting a large biplane, and accompanied by two other planes, flew over Burton, and waved greetings to all.  The three planes stunted for about 15 minutes, and we wondered how soon such an occurrence would be a matter of fact affair, rather than a very unusual one.

• Due to the courtesy of Russell Brammer and the Puget Sound Power and Light Company the flag pole in Burton was lowered last week, given two coats of paint and moved back a few feet because it was too near the highway.

• Burton – New subscribers are being added from time to time to the Mutual Water Co.  Mr. Kolstad has installed his meter recently also Mr. Poultney and the I.O.O F. are subscribers.  As the time limit, July 1, closes in new members are added, before the price of water shares go up.

• Clarence Garner, who suffered the loss of part of his hand last week, is doing as well as any healthy bodied youngster could.  His eye was not permanently injured, and taking everything into consideration, while the accident was bad as it was, it could have ended more tragically.

• It is remarkable the airs Vashon is assuming.  Among the latest improvements in C.G. Kimmel’s store is a peanut roaster, which will supply us with piping hot goobers.  What with hot peanuts, and all of these caterpillars cavorting around, we can have a regular circus.

• It is rumored that a wild animal has made its appearance back of Tim’s place.  Harry Lee went hunting this morning but failed to bag any prey.

• Wallace Grewell, official trap nester for the State, spent three days the last week on the Jack Wood ranch trapping his R.O.P. pen.

• Mr. and Mrs. A.H. Poultney are making preparations to move in the house in Royce Wise’s cherry orchard.  Mr. Poultney expects to expand this poultry business somewhat.

 

June 27, 1929

• Much Work Being Done in Island Road Construction – The new road being constructed which will join up the Glen Acres and Dilworth roads, is rapidly nearing completion.  A crew of nine men, and the Island county road building machinery are accomplishing much, aided by ideal weather conditions.  This road, at the north, begins just south of the old Dr. Lowe property and connects up with the Dilworth road near the Hutchinson home, just south of Mr. Edmund’s lovely home.  While it is not of general value to the Island, it is another section of that road along the waterfront to which we fondly look forward.  With the manner in which waterfront property is increasing in value the more that can be reached by good roads the sooner our Island will be settled.  Another piece of road that has recently been built is the Tunliffe road, a short stretch just south east of the pear orchard at the top of the North End hill. This provides two or three families with a public road.  And the biggest improvement along the line of road building that has been made on the Island recently is the widening of the road, just north of the Judd Creek bridge, where the Burton and Paradise Valley roads meet.  Before the work is finished not only will the grade to the north of the road be widened, but the high place south of the road, which at present obscures a car coming from the south will be leveled off.

• Let’s Show The World – About a year ago the people of Vashon-Maury saw, and wisely, the need of a Union high school, so they put their shoulders to the wheel and by their vote showed that they intended to have one.  When the call for money to purchase and clear the site was voted by the people, all of which has been done and paid for, and water has been provided.  Now shall we let this all lay idle with no further improvements?  We say “NO”.  Vashon-Maury needs the new building which will group the entire high school in one building and we can show the world that we are keeping step with time, and neighborhood communities.  Vashon at one time raised $1500 cash by popular subscription to make necessary improvements in Kitsap County in order to get our present ferry system.  Our new high school building is not an idle dream, for by a little public spirit now, the graduation class of 1930 can graduate in the new building.  Two of the districts making up the union district have a bonded indebtedness which would have to be lowered enough to give us a 3 per cent bonding ability for the whole high school district, which would give us enough bonds to build our first unit, with a capacity of 250 pupils.  If neither of these districts help themselves at all, a matter of $1500 would clear the sheets enough for us to go ahead with our new building.  The business men of Vashon are staging another carnival, of which a large portion of the proceeds are to go toward reducing this bonded indebtedness enough so that we can build.  Let’s all get out and boost the Carnival so that we can add another evidence of civic pride to our Islands and show the world that we can meet an emergency. – Ira O. Thompson.

• Beaulah Park in Readiness for Meeting – All is in readiness at Beaulah Park for the annual camp meeting and institute, to be held there, the former July 8th through the 14th, and the latter July 15th through the 21st.  In the Park there are dormitories for boys and girls, a kitchen and large dining room.  Sixteen ministers and workers will lead the meetings in the camp meeting, and a faculty of about 20 will conduct the Institute.

• Feed Dealers Move To Aid Farmer Customers – President England Given Instructions In Plan Aimed at Dairy, Poultry Improvement – (from Seattle Post-Intelligencer) In recognition of the need for a closer relationship between feed manufacturers, feed dealer and feed users the board of governors of the Feed Dealers’ Association of Washington at the first annual meeting passed a unanimous resolution instructing Charles England, president, to name a special committee for outlining definite plans through organized groups and the state college whereby aid to farmers and improvement in the dairy and poultry industry can be made.

• Burton Flower Show – The Burton Garden Club has every reason to be gratified at the success of its first attempt at presenting a flower show.  Its confidence in the ability of Vashon Island to produce better flowers in spite of most discouraging weather has been duly justified.  The sweepstake prize was awarded to Mrs. Grace Beall – NORMAN EDSON, Secretary-Treasurer.

• Alonzo D. Kingsbury – Alonzo D. Kingsbury, a pioneer of Maury Island, passed from this life at his home on Saturday evening June 22, and was buried in the Maury cemetery, after services at the family residence Tuesday.

• Vashon Island News-Record Adopts The Very Latest Style of Type Dress – Latest Improvement is Distinct Benefit to Newspaper Readers: Neat and Easy to Read – Readers of this week’s News-Record may at first wonder if a foreign publication has by mistake reached them, but we are happy to announce that this is the same old friend in a new dress, just the same as in the past, but giving evidence that we feel that this community is entitled to what other communities have, a new up-to-the-minute style of type.  This type, the Ionic, has been designed to be more easily read and at the same time conserve space and preserve neatness of appearance.

• Cove-Cedarhurst-Colvos – Evelyn Eaton suffered quite a painful injury to her hand when she got it caught between the back of a truck and the chain of a horse she was leading, tearing and bruising it badly between the thumb and forefinger.

• Cove-Cedarhurst-Colvos – Floyd Mace is installing a water system for several people at Cedarhurst.

• With regret it is noticed that a sign of large proportion has been placed at one of the main road intersections in this vicinity.  We have been free from this type of advertising so far, and let’s check it before it is fairly started this nuisance that the country at large is striving to do away with.  This is a protest, and is undoubtedly supported by four out of five of the citizens of the Islands. – A Resident of Portage.

• Burton – A new Ford sedan is the possession of Henry Godfrey, rural mail carrier, whose old Ford has seen valiant service, and like the “one hoss shay” is liable to go to pieces all at once.  To forestall this, the new one is on hand ready for action.

• Cross’ Landing – Even Fords feel their oats these nice days.  One got so peppy last week that it climbed a fence post and knocked down a panel of fence, besides bending its wishbone.  No one hurt.

• Southern Heights – The beginning of the end of the pest of caterpillars seems to be in sight.  The first ones are going into cocoons.  Last week a correspondent advised a particularly keep lookout for egg masses.  Good advice, but let’s not wait for the egg masses!  Let’s get all the cocoons we possibly can.  They are glaringly evident in the stripped trees.  We’ll not need to hunt for them.

• Dockton – Mrs. Catalinich has started a new industry in this community, that of fig-raising.  Fig trees bear two crops a year, the first of which will be ripe in July.

• CHICKEN DINNER SERVED AT Tobin’s Restaurant, Vashon.  Sunday Jue 20th from two o’clock on.

back to top

July 1929

July 4, 1929

• Large Audience Hears Pastor’s Farewell Sermon – On last Sunday Rev. Hugh Armstrong of the First Presbyterian Church of Vashon preached his farewell sermon at the most largely attended communion ever held on Vashon Island.  Mr. Armstrong has been pastor of local church for the past three years and nine months, and during that time has labored unceasingly for its upbuilding.  During his pastorate eighty-nine new members have been added to the church.  Under his leadership the church property has been improved and added to, and is now almost double in value.

• Vashon Island’s Contribution To Olympia-Juneau Boat Race – Two weeks ago little attention was given to the pretty, trim cruisers that sailed northward through the West Pass, with Juneau, Alaska, as their goal, yet one boat, the Bolinder, owned by Richard Froboese of Seattle, was followed through the news columns daily by John Metzenberg.  Now the secret of this interest is out.  On the morning of June 16 John was called to put back into running this boat which had broken down at Bates Landing.  As there was only a short time limit allowed until the boat would have been disqualified fast work was necessary.  John made the trip to the Landing about as quickly as the Plymouth could travel, which was plenty fast, and with his unerring mechanical skill located and remedied the trouble, sending the boat on its way in thirty minutes, just an hour and a half under the time allowed.  Consequently John was one of the most interested in the boat’s progress, and felt well rewarded when the Bolinder reached Juneau after the long grind, and was declared the winner in the capital to the capital race.  While the outcome of this particular service is a bit more spectacular service than most of the responses, it is only one of the many calls these “boys” at the Met-Cro respond to daily, giving gladly the best mechanical skill.

• West Side Business Changes Hands – This week a five-year lease was signed and the store on the Cove-Colvos road, built by John Tronas and operated for the past three years by Mrs. J.J. Tellvik passed into the management of Ralph Towne.  Mr. Towne has been a resident of this part of the state for 22 years, receiving his education in Tacoma.  He will add to the present stock of the store, putting in a complete line of staple and fancy groceries, and confectioneries.  He expects later to add a full line of general merchandise.

• Vashon Pioneers Meet July 27 – In striking contrast to the present eight-cyclinder, greased lightening, jazz methods of taking your “fun”, pause and ponder on the manner of doing it thirty-five for forty years ago.  One of our young men, who lost his life a few years ago in the line of police duty in Aberdeen, worked in a Maury Island logging camp.  After the day’s work he would put on his other shoes, walk down to the beach, row across Quartermaster Harbor in an old flat-bottomed boat, and walk up to the Good Templar Hall at Center.  After the meeting he would walk home with his steady girl to Vermontville (now Glen Acres) and then walk and row back home – a round trip of about fifteen miles and involving about six hours hard work and two hours of play.  And he was but one of many who earned our pleasure in the same manner.  Once each year the pioneers of Vashon take a day off and get together for a good, old-fashioned time, picnic dinner, general catch-as-catch-can pow wow, swap lies about the “good old times,” count the new grand and great-grand children and speculate upon how and why the present generation manage to exist under present day conditions.  The annual meeting of the Pioneer Society will be held this year on Saturday, July 27th, and while it is naturally expected that all the old timers here will be present, a goodly attendance is expected of those who have moved to other parts.  – O.S.V.

• Are You Saving Up Your Pennies? – The days are sliding by mighty fast, and the big day is coming closer.  Of course everyone knows what the “big day” is.  It is nothing else but the 19th and 20th of July, when the whole Island will turn out for the big celebration at the Island Club.  In case you have recently come to the Island, or have a short memory, it might be well to state the facts once more.  The Vashon Business Men’s Club is about the liveliest bunch to be found north of Center, and they are constantly thinking up things to do.  This year they thought it would be a fine thing to give a Carnival, part of the proceeds to go into a fund toward realizing our plans for a new high school.  It isn’t necessary to go into any of the details of why we must have this money, but it is necessary to have a big crowd out to just cut loose and have a general good time.  For who ever heard of having a good time in just a little crown at a carnival?

• Activities at Receiving Station – The gooseberry and strawberry season is drawing to a close, but already the first of the currants are being received at the Vashon Marketing receiving station at Vashon.  This week a representative of the Teagarden Drip Company was on the Island to inspect the fruit in some of the fields.  He was surprised at both the heavy yield and the excellent quality, of the fruit grown here.  He stressed the importance of picking the fruit ten percent green, as this makes the best jelly.  In times past many have made the mistake of picking the currants too ripe.  It is anticipated that the Association will market about 150 ton of currants in the next two weeks for which the grower will receive 6 cents net.  Of this amount about 200 barrels will be packed.

• B.D. Mukai Will Pack on Large Scale – For several years one of the sights of Vashon Island has been the large berry fields of B.D. Mukai.  It was he who first introduced the packing of berries by the cold-pack method, and who made a venture into that field on a large scale.  This year Mr. Mukai is developing on a large scale that which he has tried on a small scale in past years, the barreling of logans and raspberries.  This will mean more to Vashon growers that would appear on the surface, for where the canneries prefer the under ripe berry, Mr. Mukai wants the fully ripe berries, a difference of practically a ton per acre to the grower.  These berries will be packed as soon as delivered to the packing house, and under normal conditions will be in barrels within two or three hours after picking, with another two or three hours until placed in cold storage.  By working in two shifts a day, it is estimated that from 20 to 30 ton of fruit can be handled in every 24 hours.  Contracts have already been signed for 125 tons of logans, and Mr. Mukai states that this is only a small part of the fruit he expects to handle.

• Notice – It is necessary to bring to the attention of the public the matter of the depredation of the mailboxes along the route.  The parties, presumably young people out on a lark, evidently do not realize the seriousness of the offense, a heavy penalty is attached to the conviction for this offense.  - Myrtle Bridgman, P.M. of Vashon.

• Brinton Appoints New Road Supervisor – Late last week W.B. Brinton, County Commissioner, made the announcement that he had appointed C.M. Ruhlen, of Dockton, as road supervisor, at the same time notifying the present incumbent, Charles Merry, that his services in that capacity were no longer necessary.

• Vashon Went To Polls; That’s All The Good It Did – Commissioner Brinton Replaces Road Foreman Re-elected by Island Citizens – In the olden days when the people began to perceive that the kings were having a little too much to say about their affairs they chose representatives from among them to sit as council with the sovereign.  That was the beginning of democracy.  The kings did not dare to resist, but whenever they had a chance they would do something to weaken the foothold of the people’s emissaries.  The old battle is still going on.  Charles Merry of Portage was road foreman for Vashon Island for seven years.  He was elected by his fellow citizens and at the last general election was re-elected.  The Islander must have been satisfied with him.  “Merry was let out because he was disloyal to the administration.” Brinton declared.  “When people wanted road work done he’d pass the question to the road supervisor.”  Merry, on the other hand said: “I never could find what the commissioner wanted me to do.”  They just talk back and forth like that.  The Vashon residents also are talking.  They choose to keep Merry and they are somewhat annoyed at having Ruhlen thrust upon them, although they hold nothing against Brinton’s choice.  “The maneuver will be discussed at the next meeting of the Vashon Commercial Club.” Charles England, president, said.

• Proposals For Wood – Sealed proposals for furnishing 18 cords two foot wood, delivered and ricked in or alongside woodshed at Dockton School.  Wood to be sound, clean, dry old growth fir.  Delivery to be completed before September 1st.  – C.M.Ruhlen, Clerk, School Distict No. 79, Dockton.

• Burton – Mr. and Mrs. F.B. Vye are back in Burton for a time, looking after their currant and week crop.

• Burton – Phil Green and son, Joe, with other members of the fishing crew, are out somewhere on the blue deep with the fine new fishing boat, “Janet G.” built at Dockton recently.

• Program For The Campmeeting At Beulah Park – July 7th-14th, 1929 – Saturday is the Laypeoples day.  A hearty welcome to all.  – C. Aug. Peterson, Pastor and Manager.

• Cove-Cedarhurst-Colvos – Mr. Conrad Christensen had the misfortune to cut his hand quite badly on Monday of this week while cutting stakes for his loganberries.  It was necessary to have several stitches taken in it.

• The Ellisport Women’s Club met at “Aradel” the summer home of Mrs. Anna V. Lesh for the last meeting of the season.  After the business meeting the members were delightfully entertained by an interesting talk by the hostess on the origin of music, illustrated by piano selections.

• Several new meters have been ordered installed by the Island Mutual Water System the last few days.  Also some new water shares have been taken out.

• Much annoyance is being experienced by those living along the Burton road from Quartermaster to Meredith’s store who have had milk stolen.  Mr. Shattuck is on the trail of the offender and will take drastic measures to put an end to this nuisance.

• We are informed that Augustus Thomas Bacchus is in such excellent form these days that his fellow golfers consider him the local Bobby Jones.  Be that as it may, he attracted so much notice in Vashon Wednesday he almost stopped traffic.  It isn’t often one if privileged to gaze on so splendid a sight.

• No only is the Met-Cro the authorized headlight adjusting station, but they can also take care of the applications for drivers’ licenses now due.

• The young men about town are more than blossoming out with new cars.  The last week the Met-Cro sold Con Tjomsland a Ford sport coupe, Ralph Steen acquired a Ford sedan and Earl Watson is the proud possessor of a four door Plymouth de luxe sedan.

 

July 11, 1929

• Army Officer Visits Sister – Much interest was aroused last week by the maneuvers over the island, especially around the village of Vashon, of an aeroplane belonging to the U.S. Army.  It finally developed that the flyer who was so apparently interested in our Island had every reason to be so for it has long been to him a veritable island of dreams.  Many years ago, more than twenty in fact, two small boys, Howard and Homer Ferguson, used to roam about the woods and shores of the Island.  At the time their father was pastor of the Methodist church at Vashon.  Homer is now Lieutenant Homer Ferguson, U.S. Army, but even so he still retains his fond memories despite the dignity of rank.  So, instead of taking a cross country flight in some other direction, he received from his commanding officer permission to make the flight to Vashon from March Field Los Angeles.  In Portland he picked up his brother, Howard, and together they finished the flight to Vashon, expecting to find some spot upon which they could land here.  After circling around the Island, and arousing the curiosity of the inhabitants they gave up the search and flew to Seattle, but not before their identity was guessed by their sister, Mrs. Wallace Beall.

• Activities At The Association Station – The receiving station of the Vashon Marketing Association is a mighty busy place these days, seventeen in all being employed in loading and unloading the fruit our ranches are producing.  This week will end the currant crop.  The Association has sold and delivered to the Teagarden Products Company 80 tons of fruit, and by the end of the week over 200 barrels will have been packed.  The next fruit that will enter the procession is the loganberries.  The Association has sold their fruit to the Puyallup and Sumner Packing Co., for which they will pay 5 cents per pound f.o.b. Vashon Island.

• What Has Become of the Band? – On July 12th, thirty-seven years ago, a brass band of fourteen pieces was organized at Vashon Center and furnished more or less sweet music on all festive occasions for the people of Vashon-Maury Islands for a period of about seven years.  We had at that time about seventeen miles of road (to dignify it by that name.)  Anything was a road that could be negotiated by a one-horse rig.  The band practiced once a week, frequently two or three times a week and the band boys walked an average distance of three miles to band practice.  A nickle’s worth of gas and ten minutes time would take almost any of our young men of today to band practice, but where is the Vashon Band?  There are still living eleven members of the old band organization, five of them still making their homes in the finest place on earth to live, and they will all be present at the Pioneer Society meeting on the 27th, to live over again for a few brief hours some of the old days with old friends. – O.S.V.

• Installs New Cooling System – George Lewis is mighty proud of the new Electro-Kold that has been installed at the Cash and Carry.  It is a twelve hold cabinet that will hold at one time sixty gallons of ice cream.  The purchase of such equipment shows plainly that those interested in this store have been justified in their faith, and it is gratifying that the growth of our community warrants such an investment as this equipment represents.

• Local Man Has Enviable Reputation – This week the statement was made by one of the state food inspectors that on Vashon Island, B.D. Mukai was producing the most perfect pack of fruit in the entire state.  Despite the fact that he has been told repeatedly that he needed only three men to inspect the fruit as it is conveyed to the barrels, Mr. Mukai has seven men at work to see that nothing but perfect fruit is packed.

• Paul Billingsley has completed a 350 foot pier at his summer home on Quartermaster Harbor.  He has a beautiful new 36 foot cruiser yacht, and two speed boats equipped with Eltos.

• Despite the dry weather the golf course is shaping up as rapidly as could be hoped.  The water system is working spendidly, and the grass has all the moisture necessary for rapid growth.  Dan Kenney, the professional employed by the Club, began giving lessons this (Thursday) morning and is ready to take on all would be professionals.

• Monday Was Peak of Shipping Activity – Last Monday marked the busiest day the Vashon Auto Freight has had this season.  All day and night its trucks were plying between Vashon and various points on the mainland delivering fruit to the canneries and cold storage plants, and bringing back more barrels and crates, that still more fruit might be shipped.  It looked like prosperity for every one concerned.  During the day at least 80 ton of freight was moved off of the Island, with a reserve of three additional trucks not in use.

• Lisabeula – Mrs. Jensen asks that anyone wishing to buy Kurico please let her know.  It, Kurico, will make the weak strong, and return youth to the aged – almost.  She will be glad to tell of its merits.

• Thos that use the South End ferry will be glad to know that Mr. Skansie is building a new $100,000 ferry to replace the “Gig Harbor” which burned about a month ago.  This boat will hold 76 cars.  Weekend traffic has been very heavy the past month, extra trips to the Island being necessary.

• Southern Heights – Mr. and Mrs. Peter Rolando have purchased 200 Hollywood pullets to occupy the fine new house that was built for the chicks that burned.

• Southern Heights – Mr. Vermeulen has been enlarging and improving his dairy with the help of Mr. Comstock.

• Correction – Calls for Bids – Sealed bids will be received by the Directors of School District No. 139 of King County, up to July 15, 1929, for 12 cords of good quality, first growth forest wood, to be delivered at the Center School House before September 1, 1929.  – C.G. Soike, Clerk of Dist. 139.

• Cove-Cedarhurst-Colvos – The Cove road is being graded from Mrs. Abrahamsen’s south.  This is a much needed improvement.

• The large tent was erected in  Beulah Park, Friday, July 5th.  Rev. August Petersen held services there Sunday instead of in his church.  The camp meetings will start Monday, July 8th, and continue for two weeks.  Mr. Petersen will be in charge and Rev. David Hassell is the District Superintendent.

• The Burton Trading Co. has installed an automatic air pump in front of their store, which will furnish free air to all cars that need bracing up, and any driver not already full of “hot air”!

• All the cottages on Burton beach and on the street back from the beach that were for rent, are occupied now by summer people, who are enjoying the beautiful weather, the bathing and the boating.

• Ellisport has been a lively place the past week.  Many who came over to visit friends or relatives at their summer homes on the Fourth remained the rest of the week.  One party counted over three hundred people on the Point at one time.

• Mrs. Evans cared for the county engineering crew who made final surveys preparatory to beginning work next week on the Ellisport hill, a very much needed piece of engineering.

• Announcement! – Towne’s Store, Colvas, wishes to announce that we are open for business with a full line of groceries.  “Service and fair prices” is our motto.

• Cross’ Landing – Joe Milligan received a pin for perfect attendance at the Lisabeula Sunday School recently.

• The News-Record will be glad to receive any story, in the next few days, that has any bearing on the early history of the Island.  With the Pioneer Picnic only a few weeks off it would be both interesting and timely to revive as many tales of the old days as possible.

 

July 18, 1929

• Visitors From Twenty States Praise Display of Blossoms – The third annual lily show, sponsored by the Vashon Island Lily Association, which was held at the Community House last weekend proved an even greater success than the members could have hoped.  It seems surprising that an affair of that sort over a space of time of about three years could assume the importance that this annual event has, but when the fact is considered that it is but the outgrowth of hard work, and good planning and execution, it is not so much to be wondered at.

• Vashon Pioneers Take Notice – All Vashon Pioneers are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting and Picnic of the Vashon Pioneer Society, which will be held Saturday, July 27th, 1929, at Odd Fellows Hall, Center.  The Pioneers only meet once a year, so forget your troubles and neglect your work for this one day, if necessary, and let’s go back to the old days and talk it over with old friends. – O.S. VanOlinda, Secretary.

• Musicale for the Orthopedic Hospital At the Home of Mr. and Mrs. E.H. Miller – The Orthopedic Hospital at Seattle is in need of funds to carry on its work for the relief of the crippled children of the Northwest and the Vashon Auxiliary asks its friends on the Islands to be present at the musicale which it will give at “Moxtwood” the home of Mr. and Mrs. Emil Henry Miller on Saturday evening, July 27th, at eight o’clock.

• Lily Farm Has Many Visitors – Because of its interesting and educational display at the lily show, and its easy accessibility from the pavement the Laughlin Lily Farm had probably a greater number of visitors during the past week than most of the other lily fields. 

• Island Flowers On Display At The Capitol – On last Thursday, the Young Men’s Republican Club of Seattle celebrated the seventy-fifth birthday of the Republican party.  At the banquet were prominent men from all parts of the state among them our lieutenant-governor, John Gallatley, to whom was presented a beautiful bouquet of Regals grown on Vashon Island by Mrs. Alex Stewart.  In accepting them Mr. Gellatley said that while he had known of Vashon Island for a long time he had never supposed that the Island produced anything to equal the beauty of these flowers, and that in the near future he would visit the Island and see for himself whether all else was correspondingly lovely.

• Loganberries Must Be Carefully Picked – As worms have appeared in loganberry patches here, as well as on the mainland, the directors of the Association state that extra precaution and vigilance in picking and packing will be necessary in order to escape criticism of local berries.  This state of affairs is no worse here than elsewhere, but in order to maintain the high standard that the fruit sent out by the Association has attained it will be necessary for the growers to cooperate by not sending to the receiving station any berries that are questionable.

• Five Acre Tract Ready for Planting – Henry Steen has recently completed preparing a five acre tract, adjoining the Laughlin Lily Farm on the west which will be planted in lilies this season.  The ground, which is in perfect condition, has all of the qualifications for lily growing.  Mr. Steen, one of the Island’s most successful growers, is now raising his lilies on the part of the Peter Butcher ranch that he has leased for several years.

• Center Store Entered – Some time Wednesday night thieves entered the J.H. Rodda store at Center and robbed the register of a few dollars.  Entry was made thru the basement, as footprints under the window plainly showed, but aside from this no other evidence has been discovered.  It is altogether likely that a small amount of merchandise was taken, but this can be determined only by a close check.

• Government Authorities Spend Day On Island – Last Monday Dr. David Griffiths, head of the government bulb farms at Bellingham and Roslyn, Virginia, and Mr. Allenson, of Washington D.C., head of one of the governmental divisions of the department of horticulture, spent the day on the Island visiting the various lily farms, and gathering information as to the progress of the industry.  Among the farms visited were Stewart’s, Laughlin’s, Henry Steen’s, Shride’s, Harmeling’s and Sheffield’s. 

• The Smock children have at least a beginning of a menagerie.  On Wednesday they received a trio of genuine Texas rangers of the horniest type, and are proudly exhibiting them to all who have never seen a real horny toad.  In this flyless country it is quite a problem to provide fresh meat for these visitors from El Paso.

• “The cause of human progress is our cause; the enfranchisement of human thought our supreme wish, the freedom of human conscience our mission, and the guarantee of equal rights to all peoples everywhere the end of our contention.”  (Scottish Rite Creed) -Vashon Island News-Record.

• Vashon Island – The Gem Of Puget Sound – Subscription rates: One Year (In Advance)-$2.00  Vashon Island News-Record

• Did You Ever Stop To Think – That there are few places where locked doors are as unnecessary as on Vashon Island?  That our Island is unique in having the only piece of paved road on any Island in the Sound?  That our Lily Association was the first of its kind to be formed in the United States?  That the annual lily show is drawing as much attention to our Island as the strawberry festival did in the old days, and attracts only the most desirable?  That the president of one of our local organizations is also the president of one of very important trade association of the Northwest?  That our golf course was planned by the architect who laid out practically all of the finest courses in this section of the nation?  That few communities of the extent of our Islands can boast of never having a murder, or any other serious crime, to soil the pages of its records?  Note – Why not start a little game of “Did You Ever Stop to Think”?  There are so many things that we can boast about, and anyway it doesn’t do a bit of harm to thing about those things in which we are unique.

• Ed Zarth has recently added to his garage equipment an Allen electrical test bench for testing all electrical equipment of automobiles.

• Cove-Cedarhurst-Colvos – J.G. Montijo of Long Beach, California, flew up to Seattle in his plane and then came by car to Cove for a visit with his friend and co-worker Lloyd Marsh, who is spending a while with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. A.J. Marsh.  Sunday morning early Lloyd took his friend for a tour of the Island, arriving home for breakfast.  Mr. Montijo, a former army flyer, is demonstrating the Fairchild model and has divided his time between Vashon and Seattle.  Just as this was being written, Mr. Montijo flew over the Island, flying very low as he passed over Cove.

• W.B. Brinton met with the road committee of the Commercial Club last Friday evening to listen to their pleasure in the matter of the road program for the Islands.  He expressed himself as heartily in accord with all of their requests, and promised to do what he could to carry out their plans.  However, to quote freely, man proposes, but the county budget disposes.  Time alone will reveal what we shall actually get.

 

July 25, 1929

• Island Carnival A Financial Success – Joyous Throng Attend Lively Amusements for Community Benefit Fund – The carnival, sponsored by the Business Men’s Club of Vashon, has come and gone, and although pocket books are flatter as the result nobody cares, for everyone had a good time and the money will be spent for a good cause.  The greased pole, with the five dollar gold piece as a prize to reward the climber with the most “sand” proved fascinating to the swarm of small boys who periodically had a try at it.  It proved too much for even the best climber, for even the winner of the gold piece failed to reach the top.  Dr. McMurray, instead of mending broken bones should be acting in the capacity of business manager for Ringling’s, W.D. Garvin, instead of selling the earth should be managing the campaign for Al Smith, Axel Petersen is so persuasive he could make a fortune selling ice to the Eskimos, Dr. Coutts, instead of wasting his time making gold teeth for suffering humanity, should be selling gold bricks, or the L.C. Smith building.

• Oliver Children Killed In An Auto Accident – Their many friends on the Island were shocked to learn of the sad loss sustained by Mr. and Mrs. R.P. Oliver in the death of their two sons, Roland, age eleven, and Charles, eight years old.  Last Sunday, while enroute to Holcomb, from Seattle, their car was struck by an auto, and the two boys were so badly injured that they lived only a short time after the accident.  Mrs. Oliver was injured, but not so badly as was as first reported.  She was able to be moved to the home Wednesday.  Mr. Oliver and the little daughter escaped uninjured.

• Vashon Fire Truck Answers Two Calls – The Vashon Fire Department had a hectic day on Wednesday, when the truck answered two calls.  The first proved to be a false alarm as the brush fire which started in some mysterious way at the old Gorsch place was under control by the time the call reached Vashon.  About two hours later a call came that the barn of Martin Anderson, on the West Side, was burning.  By the time the truck reached the scene the barn was beyond help, but by hard work the chicken houses and other buildings were saved, despite the fact that they were already on fire.  The work on this occasion proves beyond a doubt that although this fire equipment may not save every building that catches fire it will no doubt save adjacent buildings in many cases.

• Sidelights on Our Conflagration – One tragic phase of the two fires on Wednesday was that T.N. Thompson, the village fire chief, had the misfortune to be in the city the very day all the excitement occurred.  So deep was his grief that he insisted on resigning, feeling that one that was to the manor born should be able to develop a seventh sense that would warn him when a fire is impending.  Mr. Thompson rarely leaves the Island, so it is indeed sad that he should have chosen that particular day.

• We have heard of the business acumen of the undertaker and lawyer who follow the ambulance to the hospital to be sure of a job, but Don Thompson is being so thoroughly grounded in successful business by his boss, A.T. Bacchus, the lumber prince, that on Wednesday when he saw the fire truck rushing to the Inge fire he threw a load of shingles on to his truck, and arrived on the scene almost as quickly as the fire-fighting apparatus.  Enterprise like that is sure to succeed.

• Kimmel Block Improved – The building occupied by the Kimmel store, the Sanitary Barber Shop, and Drs. Coutts and Grandy is being much improved by a glistening fresh trim of paint.  A fine new Purity sign has been installed to tell the world that we are keeping up with the times.  Tourists passing through Vashon often remark about the up-to-dateness of our village, and one of the secrets of this is that our business men are not afraid to open a can of paint when it is necessary.

• Relics Of Pioneer Days On Display – Reminiscences of the Days of the Ox Team Shown at the Vashon Hardware. – The window of the Vashon Hardware store contains this week an interesting display, relics of the early days here and elsewhere.  The largest object is a huge ox yoke, used many years ago in some of the lumber camps on the Island, and still good for many more years of use, if the oxen were available.  The two pairs of oxen shoes have attracted much attention.  It is surprising to many that the shoeing of these animals was necessary.  The old brass candlestick and its snuffers are still ready for service, much less perishable than the modern electric lights that have taken their place.  An old Remington muzzle loading rifle and an army revolver with a powder horn and measure take us back to the days on the Island when fresh meat depended largely on skill with what seems to us now, rather crude weapons.  Equally interesting are two pictures taken at Center against a background of deep forest, on Decoration Day, 1892, one of the W.R.C. and the other of the G.A.R.  Quaint indeed are the styles of clothing worn by the women.  Of the nineteen women in the picture, so far as Mr. VanOlinda knows there are only two living.  Mrs. Blackburn and Mrs. Ed Mace.  Of the fifteen men only two, Mr. Barton and Mr. Markham are still with us.  One other member of the Post, not in the picture, Mr. Wilhight, is still alive.

• Linnestead Orchard Tract Sold -  The Garvin Real Estate Agency last week completed the sale of one of the finest orchard tracts on the Island, that of A.J. Linnestead, to Mrs. Mae C. Naugle.  Mr. Linnesteat has developed this tract in a scientific way from raw land to a highly improved orchard, having lived on it for the past thirty years.  His fruit has won many prizes at fairs, all due to the care his trees have received.  Situated as it is, on the pavement, and near the Vashon school building, it is a valuable piece of property.  Mrs. Naugle, a sister of Mrs. M.L. Tjomsland, has recently come from Fort Worth, Texas, to spend the summer with her sister and parents, but decided to remain.  She has two children, a son and daughter of high school age, who, with their mother, will be a welcome addition to our community.

• A Summer Resident Of Cove Views Island From Aloft – The residents of the Cove district are having more than their share of thrills these days, with all of the air-minded young people that claim that as their home strutting their stuff for the benefit of friends and relatives.  One of the young women, Miss Mabel Bergesen, who comes each summer to live for a while in her mother’s lovely home in Beulah Park, has recently become interested in aviation.  She found time to take up the study of flying, and has become so proficient that last week in the company of her brother, she piloted a plane over the Park, coming low enough to exchange greetings with friends on the shore, and dropping a note to her mother in Beulah Park.

• Artists To Be At Benefit Musicale – Seattle Entertainers to Present Program for Orthopedic Fund at Miller Home Saturday – One of the outstanding features of the summer will be the musicale Saturday evening, July 27th, at Moxwood, the home of Mr. and Mrs. E.H. Miller on Maury Island, given under the auspices of the Vashon Auxiliary of the Orthopedic Hospital.

• Once More The Situation Is Saved! - A few weeks ago the voice of wailing was heard through our land about the ravages of the caterpillars, and the terrible impression of our Island that the summer visitors would have.  The horrible example of the trees along the pavement near the north end was cited, and we were all weighed down and developing grey hairs over what the tourists would think of Vashon Island for allowing the caterpillars to devour the trees.  But old Mother Nature had still another trick in her bag, and those same trees that a few weeks ago were bare and brown have taken on a new color, and are just as green and lovely as they were before the plague.  Which is just about the way in life in general if we only give it time for adjustment.  Our greatest mistake is in trying to rush Nature in her process of readjustment, when the only element she requires is time.  The greatest blessing of mature years is the loss of the impatience of youth, at least according to our opinion.

• The Cove, Colvos district is very busy at present with the loganberry crop.  Several tons have been harvested already and there will be many more before we are through.

• Southern Heights – Mr. and Mrs. Krogh have purchased 400 Hollywood White Leghorn pullets and have installed in their brooder house 50 Rhode Island Red chicks from Tacoma, for table fowls.

• Southern Heights – Tent caterpillars are out and beginning their nefarious work.  Giving an apple tree its second thinning I found a few cocoons, and rejoiced to see them all dead ones, the larval dried or rotted.  Smugly I thought it began to look as if we might have a little peace.  Then a metallic gleam caught my eye.  Was it – could it be?  Yes, it was a fresh egg mass. I peeled it off, and examined the tree carefully, getting 15!  A small peach tree had 10 on it, a little young crab apple yielded another handful.  Peace!

• Preserve Vashon’s Natural Beauty – It has come to the writer’s attention that misinformed people have led many to believe that the present owners have sold both Highland Park Poultry ranch and the home site for $60,000.  This is a mistake.  Money cannot buy this home property.  It just isn’t for sale.  It is my intention to preserve the natural beauty of this place.  The buildings of the ranch will be allowed to serve out a term of usefulness, but those buildings that border on the entrance drive must at some future time, come down or be moved.  Our frontage, overlooking Quartermaster Bay is so wonderful in view and situation that I believe it is merely a matter of common sense to maintain natural beauty of the present home site, and also take steps to withdraw, in time, all poultry buildings from the balance of the Quartermaster Bay frontage.  One large home site will be sold, only on the condition that, after they have served out a portion of their term of usefulness, all poultry buildings will be barred.  This Island is awake to the need of preserving beauty with usefulness.  Greater than the natural beauties of Vashon Island is the wonderful, forward looking spirit that dominates, more and more, the fine people who live here. – Elisha Morgan.

back to top

August 1929

August 1, 1929

• Many Vashon-Maury Island Pioneers Meet – On last Saturday, July 27th, the Vashon-Maury pioneers held their annual meeting at the Odd Fellows Hall at Center, near the scene of the social gatherings of the early days.  There was an atmosphere of neighborliness that made one who had come in recent years wish that he too, had been one of the pioneers.  It gave one a homesick feeling to hear the exchange of “first names”.  Apparently “Mr. and Mrs.” had been removed from our language for the day, and folks were just “Phoebe, Kate, Julia, Hi, Tim, Dick, Maggie, etc.”

• Business Men Start Fund for Retiring Bonds – At a meeting of the Vashon Business Men’s Club last Monday evening the results of the carnival was announced and the disposal of the funds decided upon.  Such demands have been made on our fire truck the past ten days that it is plain to be seen that adequate provision for its maintenance and improvement must be made, so a certain sum was set aside for that purpose.  Three hundred dollars is to be put in escrow, the nucleus for a fund to retire the debts of the Maury and Lisabeula districts.  It is understood, of course, that even though these districts may be able, by their own effort to retire a certain portion of the  bonds, that a further sum will be necessary to sufficiently reduce the indebtedness to a point that the high school bonds can be voted.

• Our Traffic Problems – A near-serious accident occurred in Vashon Wednesday afternoon, at the corner by the hardware store.  A Ford touring car coming around the corner struck the Urquhart roadster, damaging it badly.  Instead of stopping and offering aid, the driver after ascertaining that his own car was unhurt, tore off down the pavement, not caring about the other car.  Fortunately none of the girls were injured.  Bystanders brought the driver of the Ford back, but after much noisy conversation, he went his way.  On the Thompson road, west of the village is an arterial highway sign.  To the east, on the Beall road, the arterial highway sign that used to be there has evaporated, or at least isn’t there.  It is a common sight to see cars travelling along the ridge road, from Ellisport to the ferry come around this corner at a tremendous speed, particularly on Sunday afternoon.  We feel that the recent tampering with signs is the work of our floating population, nevertheless it is a serious matter, as well as poor advertising.  It has resulted in annoyance and discomfort to several who are not familiar with the Island.  We have been informed that the penalty for removing authorized road signs is one year in the penitentiary and $1,000 fine.  Apparently we have not developed sufficiently to have state aid in the matter of our traffic problems, but we are surely far enough up the scale of decent behavior to consider our responsibility to others.

• Notice – Until further notice sprinkling hours from 6 to 8 am and from 6:30 to 8:30 pm.  By Order of Water Commissioners District No. 19.

• Union High School Board Selects Architect – The directors of the High School Board, after consulting with four architects, have selected Silas E. Nelson, of Tacoma.  Mr. Nelson has made some sketches and floor plans as a starting point to work out some satisfactory building for our needs.  He agrees to help work out our problems, in every way possible, with the understanding that if our plans for a new high school do not materialize, the directors will be under no obligation to him.  On the other hand if the high school is built he is to be employed as the architect, to draw up complete plans and specifications, superintend construction and turn over to the district a completed building.

• Editorial – The Need Of A Union High School – On Saturday of this week the people of Maury and Lisabeula School Districts will go to the polls to show their will as to the levying of a special tax for the purpose of reducing their indebtedness to the point where it will be possible for the Union High School district to vote on the question of raising money for the new building.  It has been brought to our attention that in the case of the Maury directors a way was pointed out to them whereby they, without consulting the taxpayers, could have diverted money from other channels to take care of the payment of these bonds, but rather than to do this without hearing the will of the people they are holding a special election, this giving the patrons the chance to express themselves.  Blessings on such a school board.  The people of Maury district are surely to be congratulated on their wisdom in choosing a body of men to handle their educational affairs that feel a responsibility to the taxpayers.  That we need a new high school building is a foregone conclusion.  Anyone with average intelligence can see that we have outgrown our present facilities, that the manner in which the high school was conducted last year was most unsatisfactory, due to no one’s fault.  Our Island must keep pace with the times if we hope to get our share of new residents.  The building of the new high school will add less than two dollars per year to the taxes of the average property holder, and the good of the young people is surely worth that much to anyone of us, even though we do not have children of high school age.  The day of “Well, I got my education in the little red school house, and they can do the same,” went out with the horse and buggy as a means of rapid transit.  Where is the man in our community that objects to good roads because they were paid for by taxes?  We have all heard of the debt of Maury and Lisabeula districts, that stand as a barrier in the way of our voting the bonds for the new school.  The Business Men’s Club of Vashon this week placed in escrow $300.00 as the nucleus for a fund to help out in reducing the balance of the debt.  By their approval the people of the two districts will save money, as Mr. Thompson has so clearly explained.  No one denies that our taxes are high, but the portion that is paid for maintenance of our schools is only one of the many items that make for high taxes so let’s not be blinded for lack of facts.  With the unusual intelligence of the  people on the Island it will be criminal if we fail our young people through the calamity howling of a certain class who are not even well informed on the subject they talk about.  It is up to all of us, school board and patrons alike to work hand in hand in putting over this big proposition.  We can do it only in proportion to the mutual confidence we have in one another.  If the school board is to receive the support of the people whose money they will spend we urge that they treat us as intelligent, thinking individuals, taking us into their confidence as far as it is possible.  The attitude of “the public be damned” is not the proper one in this situation.  It is our big community problem and an early solution is imperative.  The News-Record hopes to be able each week to present different angles, for or against, this proposition as viewed by representative citizens.  It will welcome the opinion of any who care to express himself on the subject.  In past years the paper conducted a people’s forum which had to be discontinued because of indulgence in personalities.  We have outgrown that period of adolescence and are now mature enough to express ourselves sanely and safely.

• Cross’ Landing – Dan Landers has been hauling cherries and berries for Mr. Carey.  He hauls them up to the main highway so the truck can get them.  Dan has one of the yellow trucks which Donald Williams used to have in this wood business.

• Card Of Thanks – We wish to extend our thanks to Wilfred Reeves and his berry pickers for helping put out the fire.  Although our barn could not be saved, the chicken house would have burned if these men had not been so active.  We greatly appreciate the help of the Vashon Fire Department who came to our rescue so quickly, and with their equipment put an end to all danger of the fire starting up again.  – Martin Hansen.

• Cove-Cedarhurst-Colvos – The West Side is busy with its cherry crop now, the logan and raspberries being about gone.

• Cove-Cedarhurst-Colvos – Had it not been for the hard work of a dozen men from Colvos, the fire that started in the bush near the Hampton place would have done much damage.  As it was, all of the outbuildings burned, but they saved the house.  The next day the fire started up again, but Mr. Hamer and Mr. Kvisvik were able to control it.  It still blazes up at intervals, the nice cool breezes we have been having, help it along.

• Burton – The Anerys of Tacoma and the owner, Mrs. Sadie Mauch, of defunct Burton hotel, were out several days last week, cutting the dry grass and removing other fire hazards.

• The Burton Improvement Club committee has been authorized to buy 400 feet of hose and put in two hydrants – one at corner by Burton Trading Company’s store, one at Godfrey’s corner, and as soon as the water owner, Mr. P.M. Armbruster, returns, two more hydrants will be installed, on the road to Newport.

• The F.A. Weiss store has added a nice line of silk dresses to the steadily growing line of drygoods they are offering to the women of Vashon.

• Fire Notice – In spite of the recent disastrous fires it seems necessary to call the attention of those living on Vashon Island to the fact that there is a fire warden, F.J. Shattuck, who should be notified of all forest fires.  Mr. Shattuck states that the one discovering such a fire is responsible for either putting out the fire or notifying the fire warden.  Property owners are responsible for all costs of fire-fighting on their property, regardless of whether the fire originated there or elsewhere.

• Notice of Special Election – A special election will be held in School District No. 79, Maury Island, on Saturday, August 3rd, to determine if it is the will of the electors for the Board of Directors to levy a special tax of five mills to raise about $1100.00 for the purpose of reducing the bonded indebtedness of the district below a two per cent limit, so that Union High School District may vote a bond issue of three per cent to start construction on a new High School building at Center.

 

August 8, 1929

• W.I. Johns Dies Suddenly; Death Gave No Warning – Well Known and Well Respected Citizen of Vashon Drops Dead In His House – The community was shocked this week to learn of the death of W.I. Johns, which occurred, without warning, Monday evening.  While Mr. Johns has for some time been suffering with a chronic stomach complaint, his condition was apparently improving, and he had been told by his doctor that he would soon be entirely well.  Monday being the first day of his vacation Mr. Johns had spent it in resting about the house.  In the evening he, Mrs. Johns and Helen had been listening to the radio, and had just been particularly amused by some part of the program, when he fell from his chair unconscious.  Life was extinct by the time help reached him.

• Lisabeula Rejects Bond Redemption Proposal at Election – The Great Task is Still Before the Friends of the Union High School – The elections held last Saturday in Maury and Lisabeula districts showed that the people of the former district were most emphatic in their expression of approval, while in the Lisabeula district the measure was lost by two votes.  While we have not been able to get in touch with the ones who can furnish us with definite figures, the amount that must be raised for the Lisabeula district is only a matter of six or seven hundred dollars.

• Maiden Trip Ends Disastrously – One evening during the past week, while trying to break the world’s speed record for outboard motor boats, Bert Stanley of Quartermaster came in violent contact with a floating stick, followed by a plunge in the briny deep.  He was trying out the fine new boat he recently built and was going the limit.  When rescued the boat was in a reversed position, with Mr. Stanley perched aloft.  He was towed to shore, and while no damage was done, the master builder had decided that the next addition to his craft will be a fin.

• Seventy-five Boats To Make Trip in Inter-Club Cruise – Quartermaster Harbor to be Scene of Races and Picnic; Olympia, Tacoma and Everett Enter. – Yacht enthusiasts throughout the Northwest are getting ready for the first big inter-club cruise ever to be held in this section, and from the way plans are shaping up the cruise promises to exceed in numbers even the fondest hopes of those who planned the get-together.  The big family of boats will gather at Quartermaster Harbor on Saturday and Sunday, August 17 and 18.  Yacht clubs from Everett to Olympia will be represented in the cruise.

• Another Ax Victim – Seattle, and other large cities have sporadic outbreaks of stories of ax victims, but here on Vashon Island we have a chronic case.  A few years ago Ralph Steen almost ruined a perfectly good eye while performing with an ax, and again this week he wielded the same weapon with disastrous results, cutting his left hand badly.  Ralph has decided that wood splitting is not his forte, and since the young ladies of today are not versed in that particular art he feels that life holds no hope.

• The lightening also struck in the water near Cedarhurst.  It caused a great shower or splash of water and seemed to leave a vacuum for a few seconds.  Some who saw it said they could hardly breathe for a time.  The smell of electricity was very strong afterwards.

• Cove-Cedarhurst-Colvos – The thunder storm last week was rather frightening in its violence.  It struck a tall tree on Lawrence Walls’ property.  To those of us who were fortunate enough to see it, it was awe inspiring.  A chain of lightening darted from the clouds and struck the top of the tree.  A burst of flames followed, then a great cloud of smoke rose and fine pieces of bark and large strips of wood showered in a radius of a hundred feet.  A matter of seconds and it was all over.  If it were not for the tree stripped of parts of its bark, and split in the middle and a large strip of wood sticking in the ground, with possibly twenty fee above the surface, it would be hard to realize it happened, it was all over so quickly.

• Burton – There will be a lawn festival held on Dr. Grandy’s lawn Saturday evening this week, by the Island Community Church, to which the public are cordially invited.

• Lisebeula Items – The fire which started last Sunday afternoon, just south of Ruperts, routed the men from their dinners, and not for several hours was the Rupert ranch completely out of danger.  Later the fire crossed the Burton road endangering the Krogh place, and the bridge between here and Burton.

• The P.S.P.& L. Company has instituted a rather unique service to the patrons.  One day this week one of the radio experts accompanied by a lineman visited the Island.  Their car was equipped with a nine tube radio set having a directional aerial.  They drove all over Vashon and Maury, turning on the set near every point that they thought there was a possibility of electrical interference.  This is just one of the many public services this company is rendering daily. 

• The electric storm last Friday created considerable excitement fro a short time.  Apparently the greatest display was staged on the West Side.  In addition to the instances related by the correspondent from the neighborhood, Mr. Siegrist reports that although their radio was disconnected from the aerial all of the tubes were burned out.  At Highland Park the telephone was knocked to the floor.  This storm was just a case of characteristic California weather, of the unusual type.

• Several from this neighborhood attending the Baptist Assembly Sunday evening did not received quite the spiritual blessing they hoped for.  The fall from grace was caused by the discovery of the theft of several motometers while the meeting was in progress.  Donald Dunn is reported as possessing a unique vocabulary.

• There has been a huge amount of good natured rivalry between the two Harmeling brothers, Elmer and Ed, as to whose cherry crop would be larger.  Ed informs us that his orchard produced twenty tons, and Elmer’s eighteen.  We have not however heard an official report from the “party of the second part” so can only quote Ed.

• Grandma Markham narrowly escaped being struck by a car while crossing the pavement after church last Sunday.

 

August 15, 1929

• O.E.S. To Entertain Matrons In Oriental Style – The Order of the Eastern Star is making preparation for one of the most brilliant affairs on the social calendar for this year.  It is in honor of the Associate Matrons of King County.  Plans are for an Oriental evening.  The dinner hall, in Oriental decorations, a chop suey dinner and weird music will help to make the evening an enjoyable one.

• Union High School To Open September 3 – The Union High School will open Tuesday, September 3rd.  There is a possibility that work on the new building may be started within a short time.  Meanwhile the school work will be carried on as last year, with the lower classes at the Burton building and the two upper classes at the Vashon plant.

• Log Church To Be Preserved As Civic Landmark – It is announced that the “Old Log Church” so well known to many of us, is to be preserved by the citizens of the Island as a cherished landmark of the early days and hallowed associations.  The move is general, entirely apart from any sectarian or other society influence, and will be of patriotic value to all local citizens.  A visitor’s register has been placed on a desk in  the historic building; a suitable flagpole has been secured, and a sign of information has been obtained to be placed on the highway.  The general statement which has been out for some time, is as follows:  “By the Island people it is thought worthy to perpetuate the “Old Log Church” – the historic landmark of Vashon from foundation days, and for the benefit of those who come after our time here, the proposal is now made to re-point the logs with plaster, to paint the interior, to erect a flag-pole and to secure a flag of suitable size, also to place on the walls pictures of pioneer men, and to make the Island landmark of interest generally to tourists and other visitors who may pass our way.  Toward the worthwhile purpose, I will subscribe as a friend of civic progress as well as the olden days experienced on Vashon.  This move is by no means sponsored in the interest of any class or denomination, but for the good of all.  Who will help save the Old Log Church?  Thanks to the public spirited citizens of the Island.  A statement as to expenses will later be made. – Dr. C.E. Preston.

• Big Picnic At Glen Acres – The members of the local Washington Co-op Poultry Association are looking forward with much anticipation to the all day picnic to be held at Glen Acres next Saturday.  The day will be spent in an old fashioned get together, such as Vashon Island has not witnessed in many a day.  Plans are not entirely complete, but those in charge of the affair are convinced that there will be fun enough for everybody.  Remember that not only members of the Association are invited, but all of their friends, and well wishers as well.

• Progress Demands New Union High School – In the book of Nehemiah 2-18, we read: And the people said: “Let us rise up and build.”  It seems to me, that we ought to say the same concerning the new Union High School.  The Church, the School and the Home are the corner stones of our nation.  From the history of our country, we find that our fathers, the old pioneers, laid a foundation for education long before we were born.  They saw the necessity and as David secured funds for building of the temple, which made it possible for Solomon to build, so our fathers set aside certain parts of every state as state land for building and keeping up a little red schoolhouse.  From this little red schoolhouse and our institutions of learning have come our presidents, our statesmen, and citizens.  What shall we do?  Shall we keep up two schools and keep on doubling up our faculty and expenses for upkeep and transportation when we can save thousands every year by having one school?  People grumble about having two churches where one can do the work.  Shall we turn the grumbling on the present situation of our High School?  No!  Let us hitch on to the job and some day the people of Vashon Island will sing the Doxology together.  – (Rev.) C. Aug. Peterson.

• Burton – The social given by the Ladies Guild of the Island Community Church on Dr. Grandy’ lawn Saturday afternoon and evening was a social and financial success, over thirty-two dollars were realized from the sale of the lunches.  The large Balm of Gilead tree with its far reaching branches made an ideal setting for the tables, beautiful with flowers and dainty linen, which were set on different parts of the lawn.  Dr. and Mrs. Grandy must be and will be easily persuaded to allow another social gathering to be held at this place in the near future.

• Maury Notes – With Brockway Hill coming down, the longest way round is surely the smoothest way home, if not the sweetness.

• Ellisport Items – Ellen Hendricksen is the proud possessor of an order for paper roses from Fraser Paterson Co., Seattle.  Ellen is hoping other large orders will follow.

• Southern Heights – Nice of Lisabeula to send us such a fine fire.  It was not quite hot enough down here, and the heat and smoke of the fire were quite a help that way.  And plenty of smoke in the air at night gives people such pleasant dreams.  The fire had a gay time down here, romping this way and that, frolicing with the merry breezes.  A bit mischievous; it sneaked up when nobody was looking and burned the buildings on the unoccupied Petrie place.  Then, while the men were working hard to keep the Petri fire from spreading to the Krogh and Comstock places, the wind carried some coals into the dry grass at the north end of the Krogh cherry orchard, and before the blaze was discovered and put out, one row of trees had been quite badly scorched.  Then the wind shifted and the fire went racing off east, but Tuesday evening another shift of wind brought it back farther south, so everybody had to turn out and backfire the Jones woods, to protect the Stoltenbergh place and the Hadley orchard, and the Forrest ranch beyond, also to safeguard against its jumping the main road and getting into those thick woods on the west side.  By the way, wouldn’t some backfiring earlier in the game have kept the fire from jumping that good wide Burton road?

• Southern Heights – What a blessing fog is!  Dampening down the brush fire, giving us nice cool morning for work.  If we can’t have rain, it surely is a mercy that we can have fog.  Its soft, gray coolness is such a heavenly relief, after schorching, sizzling days.  I do hope they have fogs in Japan.

• Cross’ Landing – Several families were frightened by the fire last week which, it is said, burned the Edlund house.  It burned clear down to Krogh’s fence and was just a little too close to several other places for comfort.

• Cross’ Landing – Mr. Howell reports that a few days ago it was 94 in the shade, but we couldn’t find any shade.

• The Kimmel and McCormick families spent last Saturday night under the stars at Cross’ Landing.  While their luck was moderately good Sunday morning the proudest member of the party was Charles Kimmel who sent out along, after the rest of the party were tired out and caught the only salmon of the day, some twenty inches.

• The huge lemon on display in the window of Tim’s Place is certain evidence that our Island resembles the Garden of Eden in some respects.  No, it is not a trade mark.  It is simply a sample of what Vashon Island can produce and was grown by W.V. Covey in his greenhouse.  The huge bunch of grapes displayed last week were also grown under glass.

• Those from the Island who saw the first performance on Monday night of “The Strange Interlude” were Dr. Jones, Mrs. Neil Young, Kathrine Parker, Mrs. Anna McCrary, Jessie Robinson and Agnes L. Smock who all refuse to commit themselves more than to say that as in his matrimonial affairs Eugene O’Neil handles the subject with more enthusiasm than subtlety.  For adequate reviews read the criticisms published daily in any Seattle daily.  They have found a rare opportunity in the play.

 

August 22, 1929

• Record Editor Away In Idaho On Vacation – Traveling Through the Gem State to Her Former Home at Payette to Be Present on Her Mother’s 80th Anniversary, Agnes L. Smock, Editor of This Newspaper, Outlines Glorious Trip, and Reports Field of Prosperity

• Orthopedic Notes – Vashon Children Doing Their Bit! – Roberta Dowling, Lorna, Donald and Lilias Urquhart, and Billy Robinson put on a show last Thursday night on the lawn of the C.J. Robinson home, for the benefit of the Orthopedic hospital.  One dollar and seventy-six cents was realized from admission and donations, and that sum turned over to Mrs. Roberts, Treasurer of the Vashon Orthopedic Auxiliary at the silver tea at her home on Friday.

• Siegrist Hatchery Has Marvelous Growth From Its Days Of Infancy – At Colvos there is a thriving business that is heard of very little.  You almost never see their name in print, yet what the Siegrists have done since coming to Vashon Island and particularly Colvos in September, 1915, seems marvelous to us who have seen the growth of their business.  In he beginning they rented the place they now own, paying the rent by taking out some big fir stumps, as money was scarce.  In 1917 they started the hatchery with two small incubators.  Mr. Siegrist walked to Ellisport and carried the eggs to fill them in baskets.  The next year they bought a horse and wagon and used this for two years.  The next year they were able to buy a Ford.  The same year, Mr. Siegrist says, they contracted to buy the place and from that time on new hatching equipment or new buildings appeared almost every year till at the present time they have one of the best equipped hatcheries in this part of the state and turn out about 125,000 While Leghorn Chicks every spring and Mr. Siegrist says he had to turn down orders the past season for over 50,000, which was beyond their capacity.  The egg capacity for one hatch is 75,000.

• Burton Booster Lays Law On Line For Guidance of Home Paper, and How! – Hon. Mr. Printer: Now that the News-Record editor is away, I want to write you a few lines to see if you don’t think a few changes in her paper when she comes back wouldn’t help out a whole lot in getting more subscribers and a better paper.  I don’t like to hurt her feeling, so, Mr. Printer, please be careful how you approach her.  You know that newspaper business is hard on a person’s nerves and no one can stand more that just so much.  I have been intending to tell her for some time – in a real friendly way – that I don’t like that new style of type she uses.  I can’t remember the name, ‘cause I loaned the paper when she told us about it, to a friend who owns three cars but can’t afford to take the paper.  It type is TOO FINE.  How are we going to read that paper 60 years from now, when old age comes on an we can’t find – at the 10-cent stores – any glasses to magnify big enough so we can read the news?  You tell her, Mr. Printer, that she would need to write only half as much to fill her paper if she used the old style of type.  And wouldn’t it be easier for you to have bigger type so you could hit the right peg?  And another thing about the paper that she should be told about, and that is, she should be a little more fair to Burton – should watch out more for our interests, and see that our people get more notice.  For instance – last week Sarah Johnson left here on the early 6 o’clock stage, drove right through the town of Vashon on her way to Seattle.  Did she get mention in the paper?  Not a bit of it!  And there is Henry Godfrey – a man who camps on the beach night after night, to be there ready to fish in the early morning when the tide turns – no mention made of the sacrifice he makes to furnish food for the neighbors.  But Mr. Printer, please tell the editor so she won’t get discouraged, that we hear lots of folks say that they like her paper fine, though they think they could get out a better one if they tried – and you tell her, the ones who find fault are the ones who haven’t paid the subscription for four years, and my advice would be to drop them off the list like you would a hot spud just out of the oven.  She may lose a few subscribers but just think how much she saves in printer’s ink, and printer’s paper and printer’s work – that’s where you would come in, so I know you will be careful not to hurt her feelings as you tell her of these changes we would like to see just as soon as she gets back, and tell her we want to see her succeed awful bad and if she needs any more help how to run her paper, if she will just ask for it, we are ready to stop our work and go right up there and write her editorials or run the type machine, or even scrub up the printing office and wash out the towels – anything to keep up good feelings and let it run all around the Isand.  Yours friendly, - Burton Adjuster.

• Demon Flames Devours Charles England Home – Last Friday, between 12 and 1 o’clock the home of Mr. and Mrs. Charles England on the Swastika road, one-half mile north of Vashon, was totally destroyed by fire, together with some of its contents.  The residence building, owned by Mrs. Susan McLean Hearthum of Seattle, was one of the largest and most beautiful on the Island, and had been occupied by Mr. and Mrs. England and son for the past three years.  The fire is thought to have originated from a defective flue.  It might be said that this residence was an old land mark on the Island.  It was built by Miss Susan McLean about 25 years ago.  And while somewhat out of style, it was admired for its beauty and the magnificent landscape surrounding it.  Again the Vashon fire truck rendered valuable service.  Had it not been for the effective work of the fire truck all of the houses in the gulch would have been destroyed from grass and brush fires started by the England home fire.  The truck responded to the call in due time, and wet down the grass around the burning building and prevented its spreading throughout that section.

• Move To Reduce Lisabeula School Debt Under Way – Representatives of Commercial Bodies and School Officials Start Drive to End the Only Obstacle in the Way of New Union High School Building at Banquet Tuesday Night – Over $200 Subscriber as a Starter – Numbering twenty-four, representing civic bodies and school districts, gathered at the Vashon Island Community House, Tuesday night, to attend an informal banquet and round table conference over the ways and means of building a new Union High School for Vashon Island.  At the close of the meeting it was proposed that a subscription be started there for the purpose of raising the money to pay off the Lisabeula bonded indebtedness sufficiently to clear the way for the whole island to vote bonds for the new Union High School building.  The amount to be raised is approximately $950, and $300 of that amount from the Business Men’s Club carnival is available, leaving $650 to be raised by popular subscription.

• Burton – The modesty of Seton Edson prevented him from telling the Burton reporter that he received an honor badge while at Camp Parsons.  Among a group of 250 Boy Scouts only five received the honor badges, he being one of the five.  That’s a fine secret to keep, but it got out.

• Cove-Cedarhurst-Colvos – Conrad Christensen is putting a cement floor in his big chicken house.

• Cove-Cedarhurst-Colvos – Conrad Andersen was cutting wood when a branch struck him in the eye, inflicting a very painful injury, necessitating a trip to the doctor.  Last week his little son shot himself in the knee.  They took him to the Seattle General Hospital and brought him home a few days later.  He is doing as well as can be expected.

• Cove-Cedarhurst-Colvos – This community is very sorry to hear that Mr. Markham is so very ill.  This grand old man will be 95 years old next week.

• An Invitation – The Vashon Island Golf Club Desires Ten More Active Members Who Are Residents Of Vashon Island – Temporarily, memberships include playing privileges without fees for adult members of a family.  What Has Been Accomplished – Seventy acres, one of the most beautiful golf sites on the whole Pacific Coast, has in five months been laid out under the supervision of the most noted golf architect in the Northwest into an extremely attractive and sporty nine hole course.  All greens are in and doing splendidly.  All fairways except two have been cleared and seeded, and only wait rains and a minimum of care to be in excellent playing condition.  Three thousand feet of two and four inch pipe, laterals to all greens and tees, reservoir and automatic pumping plant have been installed; with adequate water to make the greens equal to any, even in this climate of wonderful greens.   More than twelve hundred dollars worth of grass seed has been put in the fairways and greens, and progress has been without setback and as rapid as nature permits.   The cost of completing the two unfinished fairways will be less than one thousand dollars.  The course is now open to members for driving and putting practice, and a skilled professional is in charge, who is also available to those desiring instruction whether members or not.  The addition at this time of ten new members will care for all immediate needs of the Club and provide for upkeep during the winter.  The land for this course has been purchased at a reasonable figure upon extremely favorable terms and protection provided for ultimate expansion to an 18-hole course.  There is no question but that the actual opening of the course in the spring will see the Club, through green fees and City memberships, in a sound financial condition.  The first fifty memberships are being sold for $250, with a moderate down payment and he balance $20 per month.  It is not anticipated any dues will be charged during the life of membership notes.  Each of these memberships includes a pro-rata ownership in the Club.  Records compiled by Seattle sporting goods dealers show the sale in that city of more than five thousand beginner’s golf outfits during the past year.  With the opening of the full course in the spring there is no doubt of the Club being able to obtain enough Seattle and Tacoma memberships to insure stability and future enlargement.  It has been found impossible to personally solicit all of those Islanders who may be interested in this Vashon Island Project.  This is an invitation to visit the property, look over what has been accomplished, and then if desired take up the matter of membership with the Club President, Mr. E.H. Miller.  This course will not be open to fee players who are permanent residents, except on invitation of Club members.  The Club is a member of the State Association, insuring courtesies from all Golf Clubs in Washington.

• Dockton – The home of Mr. M. Kansovich was burned to the ground.  The fire started in the sheds and outbuildings at 2 a.m., August 19.

• Southern Heights – “How beautiful is the rain after the dust and heat!” Longfellow.  What’s that?  Didn’t wet down an inch?  I know, but what a delightful cool day we had!  Rain! And the poor struggling things in the garden had the worst of the dust washed off their leaves, which is some help.  They can breathe, anyway.  Besides, now that the rain has found the way back, perhaps it may come again soon.  Here’s hoping!

• The water commissioners of District No. 19 have posted notices changing the sprinkling hours to between 7 and 9 a.m., and 5:50 and 8:30 p.m.

• The store front of the Cash & Carry grocery has been given a coat of paint and a loud red for trimming.  In fact if the boosters for Vashon Island spoke as loud for the Island as the paint on the buildings on the south end of the street they could be heard in Chicago.

• Bruce Blevins, who at present is on the pitching staff of the Seattle Indians, will coach the Vashon Union High School teams again this year.  The Island football team was defeated only once last year.  Since several of the letter-men are returning to school, the chances for a winning team again this year appears very brilliant.

• The rain last Sunday, while it was light, was a very fortunate one for the Island.  Some brush fires had started, and fire hazards were increasing as a result of continuous dry weather.  Requests had been made for the Vashon fire truck, but he committee refused to all the fire truck to answer calls for brush fires for the reason that its use must be confined to buildings and other valuable property endangered by fire.  The fire truck, the committee thinks, should be kept in readiness at all times to answer calls for building fires, and this cannot be alone if the truck is off in the woods fighting a brush fire.  In the past few weeks the truck has performed very excellent service.

 

August 29, 1929

• Most Successful Year Promised as Vashon Schools Open Sept. 3rd – Many of the Old Teachers Have Been Retained for the Coming Year’s Work. – On next Tuesday our public schools will throw open their doors for another year of work.  The buildings are all in order, the children, contrary to tradition are more than ready to get back into the harness, and no doubt the teachers will be equally glad to resume their work after three months of vacation.

• Geo. Miller Purchases Wild Bird Ranch – This week a deal was closed whereby the Wild Bird Ranch, owned by Mrs. Helen Peck, of New York, became the property of George Miller.  Mr. and Mrs. Miller, and son, have been living in Mrs. Peck’s house since her departure for the east about a year ago, and have made many friends during their residence here.  It is indeed welcome news that they have purchased this property, and expect to make their permanent home on the Island.

• Commercial Club Faces Busy Year – At a well attended meeting of the Vashon Island Commercial Club on last Tuesday evening the work for the year started off in a most promising manner.  Reports of the various committees was the order of the evening, and these indicated that our local problems were being most ably handled.  The road program can not be confirmed until after the budget has been made up, but the commissioners are being asked for enough so that if our wishes are complied with our roads will show a marked improvement in the next twelve months.  The problem of the new high school quite naturally received careful consideration.  From the approval voiced to the present plans as presented by the chairman of the committee on education, it would seem that a most feasible plan has been worked out.  A full outline of the plans, with figures to show the financial phase of the proposition will appear in next week’s News-Record.  Delay in receiving a full confirmation of all figures from the county superintendent’s office prevented this material reaching us in time for this issue, and the committee were unwilling to present the figures without this confirmation.  From the interest shown at this first meeting it would seem that never in its history has the Commercial Club faced such an apparently promising year.  There are many problems facing us that only such an organization, representative of the whole community, can handle.  It has been said that the difference between success and failure is hard work, and if this is the case success is in sight for we are faced by situations demanding much hard work, and they can only be met by concerted action on the part of all, desiring the best for the community. 

• Dr. Grandy Presents New Angle on Island High School Situation – The need for better schools on the Island is evidenced by the fact that the people of the Island have voted for consolidation of the High School and for the purchase of the grounds for same.  It is realized that a new High School is needed, and needed right away.  The plans which have been worked out by the Commercial Club Committee, High School Board and architect seem to be entirely feasible.  However, a new High School is not all the Island needs.   Coming from a Midwestern state, where consolidation of schools has been practiced for many years, and where their merit is unquestioned, it was a great surprise to me to find small one-room school houses still in existence, such as we have here on the Island.  In order to give the children the best educational training and contacts possible, we should not only consolidate our High School but we should consolidate our grade schools at the same time.  1. If possible, the Island should under on School Board with representatives from the different districts.  2. One modern grade building at Burton, one at Vashon, and one at Maury Island to take care of the first six grades.  3. An Intermediate High School for the 7th, 8th and 9th grades.  This probably would take one or two buildings.  4. One High School located at Center.  With a plan of this kind, the Burton High School Building could be used as in Intermediate High School.  This building is probably worth $15,000-$20,000 at present, and is not entirely paid for yet, I understand.  It will be a gross waste unless this building is taken into the plans of the new school program and utilized.  The transportation is a problem here just the same as every place.  This has confronted every school board since the days of Consolidation began, and has been solved so I am sure our School Board can solve our problem here without any difficulty.  As soon as possible, the School Board should put our teachers salary on a sliding scale, so that their salary increased yearly, either by more education, more travel or years of service.  Then the tendency for all our good teachers with we get here will not be to drift into Seattle and Tacoma.  According to the present plans the taxes will be very little more, if as much as last year.  But if it costs twice as much, lets get our schools up to the minute for the benefit of the children of the Island and for the Future Vashon Island.  – Dr. Frank H. Grandy.

• Maury Notes – At a quiet service at the Taylor home, Saturday evening, Elmo Taylor and Jacob Martindale were joined in matrimony by Rev. Fretz.  Monday the people of the community, young and old, joined in wishing the couple much happiness, in the form of a shower and charivarri.

• Just Say “Vashon Island” – Honorable Mr. Printer: Since the cat’s away, we mice must play, and as adjuster No. 2, I with to submit to you some of my pet peeves to pass in to the publisher.  One is that you lay off of this Vashon-Maury stuff, for it is old, very old, and tends to division rather than the unity of Vashon Island for which we are all striving.  This hyphen arrangement may mean something to the editor as she is the only one who mentions it, but it means nothing but an untoward suggestion to the rest of us and nothing at all to people who do not live on Vashon Island.  Peter Puget never heard of Maury, and put the name on Vashon as one island without an appendage.  Please give this consideration for you’re not only wasting words, but our time as well. – Maury Adjuster.

• Burton – Some fifty Campfire Girls from Camp Sealth, through the courtesy of Mrs. Sadie Mauch, used her lawn in front of her hotel property Tuesday night for a camping place.  In the morning the girls were gone, leaving not a scrap of waste – and orderly lot of young ladies.

• Considerable painting and repairing in progress means that Burton is still alive to the fact that the rainy season will soon be here and our buildings must be protected regardless of the expense.  We note that J.M. Staples’ home is being painted outside and in; Williams Store building, the back park, is being re-roofed, and just as regular as the seasons come and go, the Burton postoffice building gets a new slap of paint or a new roof.  We haven’t figured out, from the new coat of paint on the painter’s overalls who the last victim is or was.

• Burton – Our new fine hose was tried out the other day and sent the water with such force that it drove the Zeppelin out of its course, and Tacoma may yet sue us for interfering with their plans.  It is suggested that the next cigarette fiend that starts a fire, that the hose be turned on him until he is too weak to ask what struck him.

• Cove-Cedarhurst-Colvos – Mr. Markham was ninety-five years old on Monday.  His children are all with him and also his brothers from California.  At this writing his condition is about the same except that he is growing weaker.

• This is one time that one may with impunity speak of our plural Island in the singular number to Fred Kingsbury and get away with it.  He is using high powered salesmanship in selling fire extinguishers and feels that a protest against the non-use of “Maury” might possibly create a situation calling for the use of his wares.

• Agnes L. Smock returned Tuesday evening after a most enjoyable vacation spent in southern Idaho and eastern Oregon.

• While running after a Ford that was moving downhill of its own accord Fred Sundberg turned his ankle resulting in a fracture of both bones of one leg just above the ankle joint.  The bones have already been set twice, with a possibility that a third setting will be necessary.  With the fracture so near the joint it has been unusually hard to reduce.

• Southern Heights – Oh, what a mercy, what a blessing, to have the fall rains begin early!  And such an accommodating rain, to come mostly in the night!  Very obliging, the way it held off until the chickens were fed and bedded, and then came down in good earnest.  Our luck has changed at last.  Now, if it will only hold as steady as our spell of bad luck did.

back to top

September 1929

September 5, 1929

• To Discuss New High School In District Meetings – A little more than a year ago, by a large majority the voters of the Island expressed their approval of the union of the districts.  A short time after they also said that they were willing to pay for the purchase and clearing of the site for the new high school building.  They did all this, knowing, as intelligent men and women that to build a high school we would be called upon to pay for it.  Having gone this far it would be folly to stop when our task is less than half done.  In order that no one may plead ignorance to the financial phase of the plan for our new high school which will come before the voters of the Island at an early date, a series of meetings was planned by the committee in charge.  At these meeting everyone will be given an opportunity to ask any questions, advance any opinion, or give any added information.  Attend the meeting of your school district, acquaint yourself with the facts in the case, approach the subject with an open mind, and above all, consider the value of the finished product of our schools.

• The county horticulturist, Mr. Hefner, was on the Island Tuesday getting potatoes to exhibit at the Western Washington Fair.  He said that the only variety he could find on the mainland was the Netted Gem, but that he expected to find several other varieties here.  His list of those upon whom he expected to call included Elmer Harmeling, Jesse Dennis, D.Bailey and I. Hoyle.

• Generous Responses To Lisabeula’s Needs – The finance committee of the High School movement are much pleased with their success in securing donations for the retirement of the Lisabeula bonded indebtedness that must be paid before the work on the new building can begin.  Up to date it has not been necessary for the members of the committee to do any soliciting, as those who have subscribed money have voluntarily done so.  With less than a hundred dollars to be raised, and many who will want to have a part in raising this fund yet to be heard from, there is no doubt that the full amount will be realized by the end of this week.

• Vashon Boy Scouts Take To The Tall Timber – Last Saturday the Vashon Troop Boy Scouts piled into a truck “supplied by Otto Therkelsen and piloted by Harold Stevens” and went to Denny Creek Camp, for the week end and Labor Day.  Those who enjoyed this splendid outing were, Ferguson, John Lewis and Kenneth Beall, Billy Houghton, Bob and Dick Harmeling, Peter Petterson, Edward and Bob Thompson, Frank and Bob Matsumoto, Uukio Fujiko, Yrine Takai, and Sandy Gorsuch., led by Ira O. Thompson, scout master and John Ober, assistant scout master.  Mrs. Stevens and two children, and Alfred Therkelsen went along as guests of the troop.  They enjoyed the scout menu so wonderfully well that at Snoqualmie Falls Mrs. Stevens wanted to go back to camp.  It is rumored that Mr. Ober  is contemplating taking up cooking as a profession, and it is believed that Mrs. Ober will have no objections to his helping her out in some of the routine.  – Ira O. Thompson, Scoutmaster.

• Burton News Notes – By authority of the Postmaster General and by permission of the Treasury Department, every post office in the country has received the General Pact for the Renunciation of War signed at Paris, August 27th, 1928, proclaimed a binding agreement, at Washington, July 24, 1929, to be posted on the bulletin board for everyone to read.  Look this over and if you think you could improve on it, telegraph President Hoover at once, but don’t forget some big men have worked and prayed over this and have taken the first step toward world peace.  Like the prohibition movement, it will take time and education but it is bound to come.

• Burton News Notes – Dr. Grandy dressed a badly cut foot belonging to Winston Smith Thursday last – so badly cut that it took a number of stitches to hold it to the owner.  Ask Winston how it happened.  It is hoped he will not be delayed in taking up his high school work.

• Flag Raising At Vashon Log Church – On Thursday, Sept. 12th, at 2:30, the “Log Church Flag” will be raised and flung to the breeze, and all the people of the two Islands are cordially invited to be there.  People from the cities around will be present, and a good time is expected.  Pioneers and their children who used to attend the Log Church, but are now doing Christian service elsewhere will be there; and there will be a number of civic features to interest those of difference denominations who will make the occasion of pleasure to everyone.  Refreshments both free, and which my be purchased will be a feature of the afternoon. – Contributed.

• Tax Figures Gives Light On The High School – The following comparative figures will show what the High School has cost each district, the year before the union, the year of its first existence 1928, and the cost of 1929, including the proposed 6 mill building fund levy, to which must be added the bond issue, which will amount to about 3 mill or less, including interest and principle.  Dist. No. 176 (Vashon) 1927 - $24; 1928 - $44; 1929 - $37 Dist No. 102 (Columbia) 1927 - $20; 1928 - $41; 1929 - $38 Dist No. 84 (Lisabuela) 1927 - $39; 1928 - $44; 1929 - $44 Dist No. 54 (Southern Heights) 1927 - $26; 1928 - $31; 1929 - $31 Dist No. 79 (Maury) 1927 - $33; 1928 - $39; 1929 - $44 Dist No.  137 (Burton) 1927 - $29; 1928 - $36; 1929 - $36 Dist No. 139 (Center) 1927 - $26; 1928 - $31; 1929 - $31.  Valuation, Union Dist. - $1,410,908

• First Day Enrollment of Vashon Island Schools – Reports from the various building show that the enrollment this year is practically the same as last. 1928 – 188; 1929 – 194

• Burton Again – Dear Mr. Printer:  Regretting very much that what the “Burton Adjuster” was trying to make fun of in the article two weeks ago, was taken seriously by some of the News-Record readers, and realizing that the real idea of the writer got lost in the home run, and fearing that the editor might get the wrong view point, though we are quite sure she has not, as our paper still comes, we are asking you again, Mr. Printer, to approach her and tell her in a kindly way, that it was neither the paper nor the editor we were criticizing, but some of the people who always feel they or their towns do not get proper mention in the paper.  Tell her we will not try to write funny again and we are so glad she did not get things twisted, and sue us for libel, that we are ready to burst into song.  You know yourself, Mr. Printer, how hard it is to please everybody.  I’ll bet you would not be an editor for all the fine dollar bills the Vashon-Burton bank could pile up in a day.  Josh Billings said years ago that any one who ran a newspaper for ten years should have a pension for life and a hoss and wagon to do his going around in, and I think just the same as Josh, especially as the hoss and wagon, as you know antiques are coming back into style again.  I am inclosing a stamp so you will please let me know if the editor holds any hard feelings agin me, but I really think she should be out in the street with pencil and paper to make note of any of our people who pass through Vashon especially in the early morning and get it in her paper as quickly as possible. – Burton Adjuster.

• Cove-Cedarhurst-Colvos – We are very glad to report that the young people who were in the wreck Monday are getting along fine, outside of many bruises and shocked nerves they are all right.

• Cross’ Landing – School has started again and we’ll see the youngsters going past every day from now on till spring.  Francis and Edna Goin of Auburn are staying at the Chas. F. Smith home and attend the Lisabeula school.  Allan has been teaching them various phases of farm life such as pumping the cow’s tail to get the milk and pulling the hen’s legs to get eggs.  They will be wiser girls when they go home.

• Cross’ Landing – Joe Milligan ran a nail almost through his foot a couple of weeks ago and Mrs. Van Dusen took care of the wound.  It is all right again now.

• Ellisport items – Residents of the Island are to be congratulated on the excellent bus service we enjoy.  Throughout the summer we have heard nothing but praise from campers and tourists for the treatment given them by the Staples-Middling Company.  Strangers on the Island appreciate the kindness and courtesy of these men more perhaps as it’s such a rare quality among stage lines on the mainland – are unfailing in their thoughtfulness to strangers, taking care to give them exact information on where to find the parties or location they wish and whenever possible driving out of their way to land them at their destination.  Such consideration is certainly of great value to the Island as a whole and makes for the pleasure and happiness of strangers visiting our Island and will cause them to return.  There is great advertising value in having a stage company on our Island which has built up such a reputation for careful driving and kindness to the traveling public.  The men composing the Island company are away above the average in their consideration to their passengers and during the winter season the residents and property owners of the Island should be patriotic enough to give them all the support possible.  We hear much these days about boosting ones community church, stores and other activities, so why not include the bus line among your list to be boosted.  Leave your own car in the garage and travel by the bus, would not be a bad slogan for the winter months.  Then your car will be all bright and smiling in the spring.

• Ellisport Items – What might have been a very serious accident occurred on Sunday on the narrow road leading to “Point Hyer” just beyond Madrona Lodge when a car skidded in the soft earth overturned and the wrecker was summoned.  This strip of road is very narrow and dangerous for the amount of traffic it bears.

• Southern Heights – Neat little joke the weather man played on us Saturday, with that little sprinkle at getting up time.  Did you hustle out tubs and pails?  Me too.

• Vashon – Paul Preston suffered a serious injury last week when in splitting wood he struck the back of his left hand with the sharp ax he was using, severing three of the bones.  Thanks to Dr. McMurray’s skill it is not anticipated that there will be any lasting after effects.

• Jules Dalagher was on the Island Wednesday for a short time.  According to figures it took him forty-five minutes to get from the Post Office to the News-Record office.  Jules is not at all decrepit, he is the type that every one remembers and is glad to welcome back.  He expects within a few days to begin his art study, probably with the Fine Arts Association in Seattle.

• Just to show that Vashon’s importance is being recognized it will be of interest to know that our phone directory is now a part of both the Tacoma and Seattle directories.

 

September 12, 1929

• Saturday Election To Decide Fate Of New High School – On next Saturday a special election will be held at the school house in every school district on the Island, to vote a 6 mill levy for a building fund, which with a bond of 3% assessed valuation of the Island to be voted later, and a 5 mill special levy to be voted in March will give us enough money to build the new high school building.

• Death Calls John Markham – On Wednesday morning John Markham passed away, after an illness of several months.  Mr. Markham was one of the earliest settlers on Vashon Island, coming here forty-six years ago all of the time since then living in the same home west of Vashon.  In August he passed the ninety-fifth year of a life well and honorably spent.  He was a veteran of the Civil War, one of the few remaining on Vashon. 

• Center News Notes – The Center school has had quite a number of improvements both outside and inside of the building, painted and refinished, connected with the new Center water system with all new plumbing installed.

• Burton News Items – E.F. Grigware of Seattle has leased the Geo. Coates property in Burton, and is already busy in the shop as “Burton Shoe Builder.”  Mr. Grigware is father of Mrs. Ollard, who bought the Wright place some time ago.

• Phil Green, Joe Green, and crew, arrived home Saturday from the most successful fishing season ever experienced.  No one but Phil Green could tell the following fish story and have the people believe it.  In one haul on the Sound, they brought in sixty tons of salmon, or eleven thousand three hundred and forty-six fish, the biggest single haul in the last ten years.  It took the crew thirteen hours to land the haul and all worked like beavers to do it.

• Vashon School News – High School opened this year with enrollment of 194.  In the Vashon branch there are eighty-seven – about thirty-two seniors and fifty-five juniors.  The number is increasing daily and we hope that the enrollment will reach two hundred before the end of the term.  The Vashon building presents a good appearance this year due to the heroic labors of Mr. Walter Steen.  Everything has been cleaned thoroughly, all the desks freshly varnished and some calsomining.  The school looks very well considering the age of the building.

• Full Amount Subscribed – This week was the full amount raised for the paying off of the Lisabeula debt.  Many more were willing to add their share, but the committee had the unique experience of turning down several, rather than have the desired amount oversubscribed.  This generous response has been most gratifying and shows that our community can be depended on to rise to an occasion.

• Cove-Cedarhurst-Colvos – A tug boat has been taking away the boom of logs Wm. Scales and his son have been taking out for piles.  There are one hundred and seventeen logs in the boom.

• Dockton – The salmon boats are in for the closed season, but will go out again on the 15th.  They have had a good season.

• Dockton – Alton Martin had his hand badly crushed while working on an engine in a boat, but is getting along nicely.

• The forest fires that have been a serious menace in different parts of the Island have been kept fairly well under control up to the present time.

• The streets of Vashon, thanks to the inspiration of George McCormick, are now so spick and span they resemble the streets of “Spotless Town” of Dutch Cleanser fame.

• Notice To Our Customers – There has been a rumor that Miss Stella Collings, one of my operators, is leaving to take up her work in the city.  This is not so.  In the near future we are putting in a complete line of cosmetics, in fact we are about to make our beauty parlor complete in every way.  – H.M. Lee.

 

September 19, 1929

• John S. Markham, Pioneer, Veteran, Had Varied Career – Helped to build first church at Vashon in 1885 – John Simeon Markham, son of Thomas B. Markham, a Methodist preacher and missionary to the Indians, was born August 25, 1834, near Liberty, Clay County, Missouri.  From the time he was about 14 years old the care and management of their farm rested on the shoulders of this boy, his father being absent from the home, preaching most of the time.  In 1859 Mr. Markham was united in marriage to Mary Jane Brownlee.  To this union thirteen children were born, eight of whom remain to mourn the loss of their father.  The family moved to Oregon in 1874, where they lived until they came to their home on Vashon Island, in 1883, where they have ever since lived, and where Mr. Markham passed away on September 11th, at more than 95 years of age.  The history of the local Methodist Church is inseparably linked with the life of Mr. Markham.  In April, 1884, the class was organized that was the nucleus of the later church.  Of the fifteen charter members eight of them were members of the Markham family.  It was Mr. Markham who hauled all of the logs except one for the little Log Church the cornerstone of which was laid in May of 1885 and which was dedicated in November of the same year.  Converted when only a lad of fourteen, Mr. Markham was through life devoted to the church of his father.  Interment was made in the Island Cemetary.

• West Side of Island Has Been Greatly Developed – Probably there are those who have lived for some time on Vashon Island and are still unacquainted with the beauty that exists in some other part of the Island than our own.  At this season of the year, when the forest fires are laying waste to so many parts of our Island a trip to the West Side makes one realize the splendid development that has been carried on there in the past few years.  Just a short time spent over there last Monday morning proved that there is at least one person living in our midst who does not know even half of the resources of the Cove district, bordering along just the road.  The W.W. Prigg ranch is fairly teeming with delicious fruit, with prunes that make these raised east of the mountains taste like sponges by comparison.  Last Monday was the bona fide celebration of Mr. and Mrs. Prigg, and Mrs. Prigg was celebrating it by canning fruit, and Mr. Prigg by doing just about the normal amount of work the average man twenty years his junior could do, even though fifty years of life together had just closed.  A call at the Doyle and Ramquist – A fusion of flowers that are the rule everywhere in this neighborhood.  Of course one hears often of the beauties that Mr. and Mrs. Ramquist have developed out of what eleven years ago was raw land, but if you have not already visited their home, do so at once, and see for yourself.  You will be perfectly welcome.  An abundance of water has made possible a large swimming pool from the surplus from the reservoir.  There is also another pool, just for good measure, then on the lawn is still another fountain which feeds the lily pool, with its lovely lilies in bloom, its gold fish, and the setting of ornamental plants and shrubs.  And flowers, vines, shrubs, and ornamental trees no matter in what direction one may look.  Mrs. Ramquist says that when they moved to the place eleven years ago they brought with them a scow load of nursery stock, and now the effect is that it would take several to carry away what has developed from the original stock, and each plant is growing where its beauty shows to best advantage.  We travel elsewhere to see many of the rare plants that are growing in the garden not far from our very doors.  Many pass this place, not realizing the beauty that is hidden by the hedge of trees along the road, but the next time you pass the Ramquist home, take a few minutes to see for yourself what these trees hike.

• Extensive Building On Maury Island In Past Season – Scenic Beauty Of Maury Is Attracting Investors – During the late summer, through the present time, and extending apparently into the late fall, Maury Island is experiencing an unprecedented building epidemic that indicates that that section of our Island is keeping step with the times.  The loss of the ferry into Des Moines for a time gave Maury a serious setback, but now progress is being made rapidly.  The selection of a part of the old Mileta farm as the location for the Vashon Island Golf Club’s splendid course brought to the attention of even some of the older residents the fact that for scenic beauty Maury is unsurpassed.  A volume could be written on the beauty spots of this section of our Island.  During the summer H. Carroll, well known Seattle jeweler, converted the old house, on the Tokle place, which he had purchased in May, into an attractive modern two-story dwelling.  This property is a short distance from Fernheath.  Across the Island, the Marx Brothers of Seattle, have built a large, modern summer home on the waterfront lots which were formerly part of the old Kellogg place.  W.W. Whitehead, manager of the Tacoma branch, Fleischman’s Yeast company, has purchased waterfront lots a short distance from Watseka Lodge and is planning on building a large modern summer home.  This summer a large garage was built which was used by the family during the season.  On the southwest part of the original Mileta Farm, H.B. McPherson is building a fine large frame house.  Work is being pushed rapidly and when completed Mr. McPherson will have a home that will be a credit to that part of the Island which will be seen by visitors who come to enjoy the golf course.  From the number of chicken houses that are being built it would seem that the chicken industry is paying on Maury.  The new chicken house being built by S. Percy on the east end of the Mileta Farm tract is rapidly nearing completion.  Jens Jensen is building a large chicken house, while Matt Jensen is building a chicken house that even in this community of modern poultry farms seems extraordinarily large.  William Duley recently completed a new barn and chicken house.  Elmer Hancock will begin work very soon on a chicken house.  Mr. Hancock has one of the finest locations imaginable, overlooking the east pass.  Louis Isaacson recently completed two additional units of his poultry plant.  Mr. Isaacson, we understand, is developing his plant along plans that are original with him.  He already has two chicken houses of the same type as those recently finished, also a greenhouse in which he raises the green food the chickens require for the winter.  Each unit is entirely independent with concrete stoves in each for brooding purposes.  The chickens are kept in the same house from the time they are hatched until full maturity.  Last week a crew spent several days surveying the old Land-Corbin gravel pit, which at one time was considered the best pit on the Island, and the resources of which have never been exhausted.  From various indications, and interest in adjacent property it would seem probably that there is a reason to hope that this pit may again be put into operation.  With the development of Watseka Lodge, which has proven so popular during its first season, and the interest awakened in this part of the Island by the yacht clubs, both cities, it does not require a great deal of imagination to picture the possibilities of Maury, and it means much to the entire Island that these possibilities are being recognized.

• Southern Heights News – The writer wishes to apologize to any neighbors who had news for the paper and were not asked for it.  Monday morning, when your correspondent should have been trudging around the neighborhood and borrowing somebody’s phone to talk with neighbors farther south, she was fighting fire; at least trying to give a little feeble assistance to the kind people who were fighting it for her.  Mr. Shattuck and his crew certainly did a grand job at back-firing.  If the wind had held south, with it turned, the fire as it came back would have found nothing to feed upon.  Well folks, there is one good thing out of all this fire and smoke and burned woods.  Think of the tent caterpillar eggs that have been cooked!  Judging from what we have already found on our trees, the alders in the woods must have been fearfully infested.

• Southern Heights News – Melvin (Bud) Ely Hurt – We are very sorry to report that Melvin Ely was quite seriously hurt when his car overturned Thursday evening.  He stuck to his wheel and went with the car and was picked up with several broken ribs, one of which had pierced a lung, so that he lost a good deal of blood.  He was rushed to a Tacoma hospital, where the doctors are doing everything possible for him, and he has youth, strength and a fine constitution in his favor, so we all hope as we pray that he will come out all right.  The others in the car, Miss Passig, Miss Ely and little Billy Smith, were flung out of the car, badly bruised and shaken and more or less cut with flying glass.  Miss Passig is particularly suffering a cut on one knee which required several stitches.  Miss Florence Passig, teacher of School No. 54, is boarding with Mrs. Ely, who also has as boarders Masters Bud and Billy Smith, who are attending school at No. 54.

• Raise Old Glory Over Island Landmark – On last Thursday afternoon an event of more than usual interest took place, the flag raising at the old Log Church, just east of the Methodist Church at Vashon.  The schools of Vashon were dismissed early so that the children might take part in the ceremony, which they did by singing the “Star Spangled Banner.”  A.T. Tjomsland, one of the Island’s older settlers attached the flag which at the command of Charles England was raised by Leonard F. Dearborn, a pioneer veteran of Seattle.  Mr. Dearborn, for whom Dearborn street, Seattle, is named, has reached his 92nd year, is of Mayflower lineage, and it was fortunate that one who has so long lived in the Northwest should have been with us on that occasion.  Rev. O.F. Kreiger, of the College of Puget Sound, spoke of the historical significance of the building, and the necessity of preserving it for the future.  Despite the fact that Mr. Kreiger had had little time to prepare what he was to say, he presented forcibly to the young people present the importance of the spiritual elements in our community life, and the need of honoring the traditions of the early days on our Island.  One of the visitors, J.E. Standly, had presented for the church grounds a beautifully wrought sun dial.  This has been placed in front of the building.  Mr. Standly is the proprietor of the Old Curiosity Shop on Colman Dock.  The flag pole, 65 feet height, bears a brass plate with an inscription, stating that it was presented to the old Log Church by C.L. Garner.  The pole was erected by the Puget Sound Power and Light crew.  Through this occasion the children of our community have been given an opportunity to know of a portion of the early history when a modern school system seemed very far off, and to realize, by contrast, just what rapid strides have been made in our development.

• 6 To 1 Vote In Favor Of High School Building – People Approve Special Levy For Building Fund – The results of the school election last Saturday would indicate to the most casual observer that the people of the Island were more than lukewarm in their desire for the new high school.  While those most active in carrying on the educational campaign before the election were moderately optimistic, they did not dare to hope for anything like an almost 6 to 1 result, 403 for with only 69 against the proposition.  It is not to be lost sight of that voting for the six mill levy is merely the preliminary skirmish in our campaign for our new school, for in about a month another election will be held to vote on the subject of the bond issue.  If this fails to meet with the approval of the majority of our voters, the amount which will be realized from the six mill levy will be placed in a building fund, and the new building relegated to the future, which is not at all what we need.  Active work must continue, as it would be indeed unfortunate for the movement to fail now as the result of too much confidence.  The committee requests that all pledges made toward the school debt fund be paid to the Vashon State Bank not later than next week, on September 25th.  It is important that this money be paid in at once.

• What Is The Outcome To Be? – The various comments as to the manner in which our road affairs are being conducted lead one to wonder what it is all about.  Under the previous administration the people of the Island were in the main satisfied with the manner in which we were allowed a voice in the local road building program and administration.  Even the man that our commissioner selected when he found we could not, according to his judgment exercise proper intelligence in making our own choice, could scarcely be considered more than a figure head despite his ability and training for this work.  The administration is still young, and it may be that the present plan will work out with benefit to al concerned.

• Ellisport Items – Ellisport streets received their regular grooming from the road crew on Monday.  Mr. Elmer Stone, of Burton, was the efficient engineer in charge of the big grader.

• Burton and Vashon Young People’s Contest – On August 4th the Burton Community Church Young People’s Society entertained the Vashon Christian Endeaver.  The question arose: - “Would it be advisable to sponsor an attendance contest our two societies to stimulate greater interest in the work of the two groups?”  At a later meeting this was approved by both societies and a committee was appointed from both to form the Rules Committee.  It has been suggested that the losing society entertain the winner with a New Year’s party.  It matters little who wins.  What really counts is the work and interest that will be created within the two societies.

• Cross’ Landing – Mr. Sperry reports that the buildings on the Erb place all burned during the recent fire down his way.  No one lived on the place.

• The Vashon Barber Shop has resembled the Deserted Village this week.  The first part of the  week Henry Lee enjoyed a pleasant vacation fighting fire, and today Helene Olson is taking in the sights at the Fair.

• A Seattle architect is drawing up plans for the fine new residence B.D. Mukai expects to build soon.

• U. Nishiyori has recently completed another modern chicken house on his poultry ranch west of Vashon.

 

September 26, 1929

• Vashon Boy Scouts Bean Dinner Well Attended – On Monday evening the Vashon Boy Scouts staged a most successful bean dinner, the proceeds from which went to further reduce the small debt still owing on their cabin.  After the dinner a short program of talks was given.  Scoutmaster Ira O. Thompson gave an interesting account of some of the things these boys have accomplished.  Mr. McMurray, in behalf of the Vashon Business Men’s Club, presented the boys with a check for twenty-five dollars as an expression of the Club’s appreciation for the service the boys have rendered on the occasions of the two carnivals.  This money will be spent on archery equipment.  John Ober, Assistant Scoutmaster, expressed deep interest in the work and commended the troop for the progress they had made during the past year. 

• Island Teachers Organize Unit – Last Saturday morning at the Burton High School building, a number of Island teachers met and organized the Island Branch of the King County Teacher’s Association.  For a number of years the 760 teachers of King County outside Seattle, have been grouped into the South End and the Snoqualmie Valley Associations.  The new unit will enable our teachers to more easily keep in touch with school matters of interest, and it will also afford them an excellent opportunity to become better acquainted.

• Southern Heights – My hat is of to Mr. Summers as a weather prophet, he certainly delivers the goods.   And that blessed rain was sent us at night.  “O, what courtesy!”  That good Scotch mist Wednesday morning dampened out most of the smoldering old pitchy roots in the woods, so that our atmosphere was nearly cleared of smoke even before the rain.

• Lloyd Heifner, district horticulturist inspector, spent Friday on the Island investigating a report of appearance of fire blight in some of the pear orchards of the Island.

• Elmer Harmeling, staunch believer in the value of advertising, reports that a small classified ad in the News-Record resulted in orders for 30,000 currant and gooseberry plants.

• Cro of the MetCro combination, unable to resist temptation, finally yielded, and is now driving one of the Plymouths the firm is selling.  We all know the old one about a doctor taking his own medicine.

• Ellisport is in the direct line of the new passenger service by airplane that has been established between Seattle and Tacoma.  They make a very pretty sight passing high overhead or skimming just above the water towards Portage.  One does not need to possess very much imagination to look forward to the not far distant time when they will be stopping at Ellisport to take on passengers for either of the big cities.

• Ellisport Items – Mr. Bailey finds that the most effective scare-crow in the orchard is a dead crow, hung high.  It never fails to keep the marauders away and Mr. Bailey’s aim is as true as when he was a boy hunting squirrels back in New Hampshire.

back to top 

October 1929
October 3, 1929

• Capt. Anderson Asks For Bids on Two New Ferries – Modern 200-Foot Vessel Will Be Built For The Seattle, Vashon Island and Harper Run, With A Speed Of Twelve Knots Per Hour (From Marine Digest, Sept. 28th) – Bids for the construction of two modern 200-foot ferryboats will be called for the first of the coming week by the Kitsap County Transportation Company of Seattle, it was learned from President John L. Anderson yesterday.  The yards will be asked to bid on two vessels of wooden construction and two of steel construction.  After he has studied the tenders, Capt. Anderson will decide whether the new vessels are to be of steel or wood.  One of the new ferryboats will take the place of the Kitsap in the Seattle, Vashon Island and Harper run.  The other will be placed in one of the other major routes of the company.  The new ferryboats will be the second and third vessels to be built on Puget Sound by Forshay-owned corporations.

• High School Attendance Of The First Month Increases 350 Days Over Last Year – Records of attendance at the Vashon Union High School show a total of 3585.5 days for the first month of the school year.  This exceeds the first month of last year by 350 days and means that this high school district will receive from state and county distribution additional revenue, amounting to approximately $105,000.

• Stores In Vashon To Close Earlier – During the winter months the stores of F.A. Weiss, C.G. Kimmel and the Vashon Hardware will open at 7:30 a.m. and close at 7:00 p.m.  This is most commendable and should be the rule.  The Met-Cro garage also announced that during the winter their hours will be from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

• Johnny Walker Comes To Grief – Sunday seemed to be the day for accidents on Vashon Island, as elsewhere.  During the afternoon a pile-up occurred on the highway between Vashon and Center.  Chas. England, recently arrived from Illinois, was turning into his brother’s driveway.  His signal was disregarded by the car coming behind him, and as he turned he was struck with enough force to tangle things up generally.  The party of five in the second car were so shaken up that one woman had to be given artificial respiration.  The Island doctors were summoned to minister to the victims, but after a little of the tumult and the shouting had subsided, observation revealed that in addition to the members of the medical profession, our local member of the law enforcement force ought also to be among those present, and F.J. Shattuck was invited to the party.  He learned that, most suitably the driver of the car bore the cognomen of Johnny Walker.  After getting the necessary data he released the victims who were taken to Seattle hospitals.  What action the sheriff’s office has, or will take in the matter has not been announced, but in face of the condition of those in the car and the sundry bottles in evidence it would seem that something should be done.  It seems that it is a poor policy for either the paper or individuals on our Island to admit that we are without man-made traffic laws, or the laws of common decency.  Without traffic officers we are at the mercy of the speed outlaws, domestic and foreign varieties, which rob motoring on the Island of all of its joys.  Fortunately there have been only a few serious accidents, but this is due entirely to good fortune, and not to the good sense of a large proportion of drivers.

• Tahlequah Bus Line Hearing On October 14 – The department of public works at Olympia yesterday scheduled a hearing to be held at Seattle October 14, when the Vashon Island Auto Transportation Company will seek an extension of its stage rights from Vashon Heights to Tahlequah, by way of the West Side road.

• The County Horticultural Agent found no blight among the pear trees on the Island.  Trees with burned leaves were found to be suffering from drought as we are short some seven inches of rain this year.

• Manager Burfield Has Narrow Escape – Another motor accident that occurred Sunday evening can be classed as a fortunate one, for the element of danger was surely present.  R.P. Burfield, manager of the local theatre, in turning off of the highway, onto the Cove road, was so preoccupied by thoughts of the big pictures he hopes soon to bring to the Island, that he forgot to straighten out his car after he had made the turn.  Or it is just possible that he had planned on taking advantage of the opening of the hunting season the next day, and seeing the flock of birds that live in the old Gilfillan orchard, he may have decided to run them down, forgetting it was not yet October 1st.  At any rate, in true theatrical style, he plunged down the precipice (the bank), skipped across the babbling brook, coming to a sudden halt under the old apple tree.  Neither driver nor car was any the worse for the experience, and drive unruffled, through the orchard, and out into the sunset, undisturbed by the narrow escape.

• Southern Heights – This writer has sung the praises of the fog before, but there is one thing to add to the list.  These foggy mornings tent caterpillar egg masses peel so easily that it is fun to hunt them.

• Burton – Mrs. H. Bjerke of Tacoma spent the weekend with the Hartvigsens west of Burton.  She had notified them of her coming by card addressed to Vashon Island which was not received, and was much surprised to learn there are eight post offices on Vashon Island, where at any one of the eight the card may be languishing.  A phone call helped out in this case.

• Vashon and Vicinity – The fact that Mrs. John Roberts has about the loveliest lawn on the Island, and has spent unlimited time and  money in making it so didn’t make the grass any less toothsome to a stray horse, which on Sunday night wandered in and left destruction in its wake.  The sod, almost up to the house was trampled and torn.  Mrs. Roberts’ home and grounds located adjacent to the pavement, is one of the beauty spots on the Island and it is deplorable that through someone’s carelessness this thing happened.  Horses are necessary to the farmers, but they are a menace to property when allowed to wander about.

• Dockton – Capt. J.A. Martinolich sold his yacht, “Stella Marie” to Capt. J.A. Smith of Los Angeles, Calif.

October 10, 1929

• Cement Company Developing Maury Island Sand Pit – New Project on Maury Island Will Employ From 20 to 30 Workmen – An expenditure of a great many thousand dollars will be made by a Portland cement company of Seattle for the construction of a dock, gravel and sand bunkers, and the installation of machinery on the property formerly owned by the old Vashon Sand and Gravel Company, about three miles south of Portage on Maury Island.  Preliminary work has already begun.  The company has signed up with the Puget Sound Power & Light Company for six hundred horse-power of electricity.  The old Vashon Sand and Gravel Company exited about 20 years ago and due to financial difficulties, abandoned operations.  Their property, now held by the Seattle concern, adjoins the old Racco Products Company land.

• Garner Kimmel Rescues Boy – Last Friday afternoon, Mrs. George McCormick stepping out on to the porch of her home was attracted by cries that seemed to come from the West Pass.  She could see nothing but feeling certain that she was not mistaken she got a pair of field glasses from the house, and with them could see a human figure afloat on some object out in the waves.  As there was no man available at Cedarhurst that hour of the day Mrs. McCormick and Mrs. Kimmel decided to call Mr. Kimmel.  He says that he forgot that speed laws existed, but fortunately he met no one on the road and reach home in a short time.  He launched his small boat, and after a struggle against the wind and waves reached the lad in distress.  Ed Pate, a Broadway high school boy, had started out from Tacoma to Seattle in a sea sled.  The waves he encountered in the Pass made short work of his craft and he soon found himself riding the bottom of the boat instead of the top.

• Another Auto Accident – Last Monday afternoon, on his way home from the ferry, Merrill Mathews was given a little assistance by a Dockton car that landed him among the trees in his father’s orchard.  According to reports Mathews had turned off his engine and was coasting down the hill from the high school.  He thought he had sufficient impetus to carry the car into the yard, but unfortunately Dr. Danielson attempted to pass just as the Mathews car made a left turn.  Merrill says that he signaled, but the fact that the window of his car on the left side was closed would indicate that he did not.

• Hearing On Petition For West Side Bus In Seattle Monday – Vashon Island Auto Transportation Co. Attempting to Extend Service To the West Side – In 1922 the Vashon Island Transportation Company was incorporated to furnish passenger and express service on the Island between Burton and Vashon.  Application has been made for a certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity to operate a stage line between Tahlequah and Vashon Heights during the summer months.  The Department at Olympia has received a protest from the West Side Transportation Company, operators of the boat on the West Side, and the entire matter has been set down for hearing on October 14.

• Dropping A Course At The University – We are indebted to Fred Hiersch for the following clipping from the U.of W. Daily.  We really feel that being a true and loyal son of Vashon Island Fred should start out and find the one guilty of this libel.  Despite the fact that culture and learning supposedly runs rampant about that particular institution there are quite a few things still unknown to the youth over there.  It is up to Fred to put across the idea that our Island is not inaccessible, choosing his own method of procedure.  We’re for him no matter whether he chooses swords or tear gas. -  “If you’ve ever tried to drop a course without first thinking up a valid excuse you have some idea of the Bargasso of pink ribbon in which you become entangled.  Not only must you have a note from your employer, but a notary public’s stamp on your material grandmother’s picture.  The best one I heard of was the scrawly forgery that such-and-such was helping and old sea captain build his latest boat on Vashon Island; and the letter was marked with the Captain’s X.  The convenience lay in the fact that the Island is rather inaccessible.  But as for the person who dropped the course being a helper – he had a hard time constructing a usable paddle. – U.of W. Daily.

• Island School News – Report Cards – Report cards will not be issued this year at the end of every nine weeks period.  Instead, blank cards will be sent out to parents every six weeks, to warn those students who are failing in their work.

• A Correction – It has been circulated to some extent about the Island that “The Robbers’ Union,” a comic play showing at the Vashon Theatre next Monday, is sponsored by the Ladies’ Auxiliary of the Orthopedic Hospital.  I wish to inform the good people of Vashon Island that after consulting the local secretary, Mrs. O.W. Roberts, in the matter, I was informed that the board of directors of the Orthopedic organization had, sometime ago, adopted a policy whereby the name of the hospital shall not be permissible when the proposition involved private monetary gain.  To be sure, any sensible person can see the logic of such a policy, and we believe Mrs. Roberts is dead right in adhering to this rule to the letter.  The secretary was kind to our position, however, and granted honesty in our purpose.  But, contrary to Mrs. Roberts’ decision, a false rumor has come to my notice which I wish to correct and emphatically state, the show is sponsored by none other than the Vashon Theatre management and Sovereign’s Greater Vodvil Co. – Lon Sovereign.

• Cove-Cedarhurst-Colvos - “Buster” Stoltz is staying with Mrs. Hudspeth and attending the Columbia school.

• Cove-Cedarhurst-Colvos - Work has been started on the road which goes back of Spaldings’, Armstrongs’ and other beach property.  This is going to mean a great deal to those living on the beach and at Cedarhurst.  It will mean an outlet other than the trail along the beach.

• The Cove Methodist church is receiving some much merited improvements.  New cement sidewalks and steps are being laid, the material for which was donated by England & Petersen, and the Bacchus Lumber Company.

• With two tractors and ten men hard at work on their course the Vashon Island Golf Club feel that much is being accomplished, and that it won’t be long until our local enthusiasts will have the opportunity of a game near home.

• Work of clearing and grading about a mile of a new road which is to connect the Cedarhurst and Corbin roads on the north end of the Island was begun this week.  The county budget allows $1,000 for this work.  Likewise, work of straightening out the Ellisport hill is under way, and the budget also allows $1,000 to be expended for this job.

• Ellisport Items – Work on the new grade on Ellisport hill was begun last week to the great satisfaction of all the residents who hope to see its completion in due time.

• Ellisport items – The fishing boats are again casting nets in our peaceful harbor and the housewives are preparing many delicious salmon dishes and adding cans of the delectable foods to the already well-filled preserve cupboards.

October 17, 1929

• New High School Building Now Up to Voters – On Saturday afternoon, October 26, between the hours of one and eight, the voters of Vashon-Maury Island will decide by their vote whether the Islands shall build a new modern high school building, on the site which was bought last year from the proceeds of a special levy which the voters granted.

• Island School Notes – Last Friday marked the close of the first 6-weeks period.  Instead of sending out the report cards as has been the practice in the past, blue warning slips were sent to the parents of pupils doing unsatisfactory work in one subject or more.  Evidence points conclusively to “lack of preparation” as the principal factor contributing to failure.

• B.D. Mukai Building Modern Home – Along with the country road building activities B.D. Mukai has started a road building project all his own, and is building a private road 30 feet wide and 1600 feet long from the main road running west of the bank, into his property.  This will facilitate traffic during the packing season.  In keeping with his policy of always wanting the good thinks of life Mr. Mukai is building a modern six room frame house, plans for which were drawn up by the U.S. Small House Service Co., of Seattle, and are up to the minute in every detail.  The main part of the house will be 40 by 52 feet, with a porch 10 by 22 feet.  The dining and living rooms, connected by an arch will be 16 by 32 feet.  The basement garage is 22 by 22 feet in dimensions.  The hot water heating plant will be equipped with an oil burner.  A modern water system, lately installed will supply water for the house, as well as the packing plant.  As soon as the house is completed work will be begun on the new packing house which is to be 58 by 100 feet in dimension.  By the time this work is completed Mr. Mukai will have made an investment of ten or twelve thousand dollars in addition to the large amount he has already invested in his Island property.

• Vashon Laundry Leased – This week marked the change of control of one of our Island industries, the Vashon Laundry, when it was leased for a time to J.C. Inge, the present route man, and his brother-in-law, A.J. Brown, of Seattle.  Mrs. Emily Hall, the owner, is leasing the plant in order to take a much needed rest.  The laundry was built by Mrs. Hall about three years ago.

• A More or Less True Story – Once upon a time a man was traveling through a deep forest.  Night found him far from human habitation, so he took refuge in a hollow log.  Toward morning he wakened to find that either he had expanded, or the log had shrunk, and he was caught fast.  Finding that no amount of struggling would avail, and feeling sure that a hideous death awaited him, far from humankind, he began to review the events of his life.  He thought first of the good deeds he had done, but the sense of his fate, together with the grey dawn made him so morbid that his bad deeds seemed easier to review.  He thought over, one by one, of how he had failed in his relations to his follow man.  He thought of how he had failed to pay Dr. Grandy, the final payment on the last baby, of how he still owed Dr. McMurray for the time he lanced that boil.  He had deliberately walked out of Tim’s Place without paying for a cup of excellent coffee.  He had exhausted his credit everywhere in Vashon, and had worked down the Island as far as the Burton Trading store.  He owed England & Petersen for the sack of Petersen’s Developing Mash that had developed him to his present proportions.  He suddenly remembered that one day he had ridden on the bus and had told Bob that he would pay his fare that evening, but instead he had asked a friend on the ferry for a ride home that night, and had been flagging passing cars ever since.  Then too, there was the time he had gone for some lumber, and finding neither Gus nor Don he had helped himself, forgetting to mention it the next time he saw them.  As though this were not all bad enough he remembered that he owed dues to every lodge on the Island, to his church, the Commercial Club, the Boy Scouts and the Golf Club, not to mention what he had promised to give toward the school debt.  By this time he felt that his life, so marked by sins of omission, was indeed so debased that nothing remained when finally another horrible thought popped into his mind.  For years he had read the News-Record.  He remembered how he had chuckled mightily as each little yellow slip came, notifying him that he was in arrears, and that his remittance would be appreciated.  He had been mightily insulted when finally the cruel editor had removed him from the list, but instead of paying up he had borrowed the paper each week from his neighbor, getting the news just the same.  Suddenly he had a queer sensation.  He realized that he could move.  He crawled out of the log, inch by inch, emerging just as the sun rolled up over the hill tops.  Did it feel good to be free again?  You’re right , it did.  As the full realization of his escape struck him he muttered, “Well, I didn’t know anything could make a fellow feel so small.  I guess I’ll send a check tomorrow for what I owe on the News-Record.” – With apologies to the good minister from whom this story was borrowed.

• Burton – For the benefit of the men we are inserting here part of the new rules and regulations of the Puget Sound Power & Light Company where it says, “The Company reserves the right to limit any conversation to ten consecutive minutes, or to make a charge of one cent in excess of ten minutes, in addition to the monthly charges.”

• Tige – The good people of Burton surely love dogs, they keep so many of them, hence it is not surprising that friends of “Tige Meredith” mark his absence from his accustomed place at his master’s store with regret.  The yellow hound known to a generation of visitors wags a welcoming tail no more, and home folks miss his friendly greeting.  Tige, in his early years, was the guardian and faithful watch dog of all little children along Burton beach, especially of Coy, junior.  For years he tagged the youngsters until his youngest charge entered the grammar school, then he resigned, like the famous “Nana” in Peter Pan, his nursery position.  Burton Main Street next observed him assuming the office of traffic cop and keeper of the peace.  His beat lay between the store and the butcher shop and he sunned himself on the intersection before the drug store, often diverting the traffic at that corner into its legal channel.  His interfering bulk barging into a dog fight always quelled the disturbance.  No “hit and runner” ever touched Tige, no opponent ever bested him in battle.  He died because of the weight of years, leaving a worthy example to dogs and humans of that altruistic spirit that makes a place by the side of the road and becomes a friend to man.

• Cove-Cedarhurst-Colvos – Mr. Seversen is building the new house for Mr. Mukai.

• The company that is making improvements on the gravel pit on Maury Island is the Northwestern Portland Cement Company, of Seattle.

• The county trucks have been generously dumping sand along the streets of our village where it is most needed.

• Last Tuesday the Fox River truck suffered a fractured wheel.  Don Dunn, who was driving says that one should always take to the ferns in such a case.

• A new tariff recently issued by the telephone company provides that for all conversations over ten minutes in length one cent per minute may be charged.  That’s not all, either.  The operators are all armed with stop watches, but instead of “stopping” lengthy conversations they simply add up the grand total of all the minutes over ten, and you find it at the end of the month on your phone bill.  This is going to save the News-Record a lot of grief around about election time when our subscribers begin to say what they think about our lack of political attitude.

• Meeting Of Vashon Cemetery Association Held – There was a committee appointed to investigate getting water from the Portage Water Co.

October 24, 1929

• Buses to Carry Voters for Bond Election Saturday – Transportation will be provided for all who have no means of getting to the polls, so that there will be no excuse for remaining at home on that score.  The school buses will make regular trips, but if it is impossible to take advantage of this there will be private cars available.  It is urges, however, that all avail themselves of the buses if possible.

• Tahlequah Ferry Extension Denied – Under date of Oct. 22nd, a special correspondent at Olympia to the Seattle Post-Intelligencer says:  ”Today’s order of the department of public works denies application of the Vashon Island Auto Transportation Company, Inc., for extension of service between Tahlequah and Vashon Heights.  It is pointed out in the order that the West Pass Transportation Company now gives daily service between the west side of Vashon Island and Seattle and Tacoma, and that the application promises regular service only during July and August.

• The decoration of the Island Electric Shop window, in observance of the Edison golden jubilee is a real work of art.  Surrounding a splendid likeness of Edison, and a replica of the first incandescent light is a series of pictures illustrating the evolution of the various manners of lighting employed by man from the burning brand up to the present day methods.  The pictures are so educational in nature that they would furnish splendid material for our schools.

• Highland Park Poultry Ranch Suspends Operation – On Saturday, November 2nd, the stock of the Highland Park Poultry Ranch will be offered for sale.  It is to be regretted that Highland Park Poultry Ranch is suspending operations for it has played an important part in the development of the poultry industry on the Island.  A series of regrettable circumstances have made it impossible for those who built up the organization to realize the profit really due.

• It is understood that there was a meeting last week of some of the more prominent political leaders, for the purpose of forming an organization for the benefit of the Island as a whole.  Feeling that our present county commissioners does not see fit to co-operate with the people, or comprehend the importance of an organization, it was decided to postpone action until some date in the near future when Mr. Brinton will accept the invitation of these men to confer with them in matters pertaining to local needs.

• Burton – We were glad to note in last week’s News-Record that we may spell buss with one s or two.  Let’s fill the busses with sssss’s to encourage the drivers at the north end when they see passengers who should patronize the busses, invited into private cars, thus arousing a spirit of resentment which develops later into a “tit for tat” practice.

• Cove-Cedarhurst-Colvos – At this writing the forms are about in for the new cement steps at the Cove Methodist Church.

• F.L. Collier has completed setting the poles for an extension of the power line to his up-to-date poultry ranch northeast of Vashon.

• A.T. Bacchus is making all of the neighbors envious of the new car he began driving this week.  It is a Durant coupe and was purchased from the Vashon Garage.

October 31, 1929

• High School Bonds Win By a Large Majority – On last Saturday the voters of the Island endorsed by a very decided majority the bond issue of $43,000 for our new union high school building, the vote being 385 for and 70 against the proposition.

• Ellisport Wins in Court – Ancient history was again revived and the people of Ellisport treated to another court decision when an additional scene of the Gowan melodrama was brought to a finish.  Richard Gowan has kept the citizens of Ellisport in an almost continuous state of tumult since 1922, when through some chicanery he secured a title to the streets of Ellisport.  We are not able to report accurately the methods by which this legal gentleman secured the desired ends, but he had the power to create a lot of misery in the peaceful little village of Ellisport.  His latest move was when recently he secured an injunction in an attempt to stop the work being done by the county on the streets of Ellisport, and sought to have the commissioners punished for contempt of court when the work was proceeded with.  The delegation of Islanders who appeared in court on Tuesday, and again on Wednesday had the supreme satisfaction not only hearing Mr. Gowan’s suit denied but of witnessing him fined $25 for contempt of court for rude conduct.  Mr. Gowan claims that the code of ethics, learned at his mother’s knee, has always prevented his behaving in a manner he would not want his own sisters to follow.  It is to be hoped that he has no sisters.  If the whole female relationship of the family constitutes as great a drag on the forward march of a community as their brother has proved to every movement for the Improvement of Ellisport.  Despite all this the work is proceeding on the streets of Ellisport, the Ellisport hill road is open to traffic, so possibly the Gowan bogy will disappear eventually.  Progress seems to be marching steadily ahead, at any rate, down there, so possibly Mr. Gowan is just the necessary element that prevents Ellisport from becoming too well satisfied with the multitude of blessings that man and nature has bestowed in this lovely village by the Sound.

• Report Favorable – The state department of health reports to Supt. Thompson that samples of water taken from a faucet in Vashon conforms with the U.S. bacteriological standard for drinking water.  The water for analysis was sent in at the request of several of the patrons who felt that the water should be analyzed several times during the year.

• 16 Crates Fancy Poultry Stock Shipped to Japan – Saturday, L.C. Beall, Jr., made the largest shipment of poultry that has ever been made from Vashon Island to a foreign government.  It consisted of 12 cockerels and 36 pullets, all individually pedigreed from high record hens.

• Burton Citizens Protest – To the Editor of the Vashon Island News-Record:  At a mass meeting held at Burton Oct. 29th by the citizens of Burton, the undersigned were appointed as a committee to enter our protest against the attitude of the people of Vashon who are responsible in their refusal to come to our aid in the time of need, to help us in fighting one of the most disastrous fires in the history of our town, which occurred last Sunday morning at ten o’clock.  Had there been a strong wind much property would no doubt have been destroyed and lives endangered.  Therefore we deplore the action and attitude of the ones who are responsible for such conditions.  It is a well-known fact that Burton did her share in helping to acquire this piece of firefighting apparatus with the understanding it was to be used for the protection of the whole Island.  It seems evident to us now that it is for Vashon only, if so we would like to know it.  Burton has always responded to your aid helping to acquire your Community Hall and firefighting apparatus.  We hope that this is not the general feeling throughout Vashon.  - Jesse F. Shaw, P.M. Armbruster, J.H. Williams.

• Cove-Cedarhurst-Colvos – Work on the road at Cedarhurst has been suspended until the first of the year, when more money will be available.  The right of way is now cleared.

• Ellisport News – The new road, long talked of and greatly needed, was opened to traffic Monday and the much dreaded (to motorists) Ellisport Hill is now a thing of the past.

• With all of the anniversary sales on the Island, practically one in every community, the high cost of living will drop as rapidly here for the week as stocks did on the market last week.

• Burton – Our Vashon College gym, once declared to be the best gymnasium in the Northwest, is now a thing of the past – the twisted iron and charred beams remaining mute witness of the fire which consumed the building Sunday morning.  It is thought the fire started from cigarettes thrown in front of the gym the day before, smoldered and burned underneath until it reached the building.  Indignation ran high when several called up Vashon for the fire engine, and they would not respond.  By using the new hose, bought by the Burton Improvement Club, attached to the grammar school hose, fire on the large brick building on the roof was extinguished.  The fact that there was no wind blowing, saving other buildings nearby, from being leveled to the ground.

back to top

November 1929
November 7, 1929

• New Road at Ellisport Big Improvement – To those who have not seen the new Ellisport road it is hard to conceive what an improvement had been made.  It begins directly north of the Steen Mill, a cut having been made that does away entirely with the steep grade, with its hidden curve that used to be the dread of motorists.  The road is now almost straightened out I a direct north and south direction.  As yet it has not been graveled, but this will come in due season.  Instead of being a cause for injunctions, and what not, the opinion of the majority of those in Ellisport is that they are mighty glad the authorities went ahead with their original plans, and have completed not only this piece of work, but are continuing to the streets farther up in the village.  Ellisport was never more lovely than at the present time, and if you are motoring over the Island on Sunday we know of no finer trip than down by the ridge road, through the village, then on to Portage, where another bit of road work has been done, by way of widening the street that passes the lovely new Van Olinda home.

• Former Islander Now Dean Of Women At U. of W. – Her many friends and former pupils will be glad to learn that Mrs. Edith Johnstone Morton has been appointed as dean of Women at the University of Washington.  Mrs. Morton was perhaps the most generally beloved of any principal that has ever taught on Vashon Island.  She was principal of the Vashon schools some fourteen years ago, and the pupils with whom she came in contact, even those who were only in the primary grades at the time, still remember Mrs. Morton with deepest affection and respect.  For the past few years Mrs. Morton has acted as dean of women in schools in the east and her success has been so marked that she was selected for her present position out of a large group of applicants.

• Editorial – What Price A Fire Truck – We are confronted with the big question, “What price a fire truck?”  While the lack of an organized fire department in Vashon, where the truck is located, resulted in failure to answer a call, it is not entirely fair that the work should have been delegated to that village alone.  As conditions now are the circumstances preventing the truck’s reaching the recent fire happened to be well-nigh unavoidable; however, had there been some systematic organization, with other parts of the Island equally responsible, it need not have occurred.  The idea of the fire truck was sold to the Island by the argument it was not for Vashon, but for all parts.  The Vashon Business Men’s Club sponsored the movement, but they accomplished the end through the aid of the entire Island, so it would seem that this truck should be community property.  It would be far better to have no such equipment, than to have it a source of hard feelings, so let’s get busy with an all-Island fire-fighting organization!

• Burton – The secretaries of the different clubs and organizations are functioning so fine, in sending in reports of their doings that all we need do is to “stand by,” and feel sure the happenings will be duly reported.

• Cedarhurst reports a safe and sane Hallowe’en, celebrated by a clam digging party at night.  Everything was still erect the next morning.

• Edith May Evetts, of Vashon, is the author of an article “How a House Becomes a Home,” that appears in the November issue of the Moody Bible Institute Monthly, Chicago.  The article deals with keen insight and sympathy with the meaning and problems of home making.

• It has developed that Vashon Island possesses two young artists that have not previously been suspected.  O.E. Ramquist has two pictures on display, one an oil painting, the other a pastel, that are more than just ordinarily good.  The artist is Fred Eerrnissee.  We knew that Fred had an “unusual vocabulary,” but had not suspected talent for painting.  The other young man is Henry Riefschneider.  While he is not quite so well known, we can claim him, for his home is here, and his father and brother are so well known that they make up for what Henry lacks.  Mr. Riefschneider has just published a popular song, “Treasure Chest Hunting,”  a charming ballad.  Those who know prophesy great things for not only this song, but others that are about ready for the publishers.

• The residents of the east side of Maury are doing a lot of wondering about the two trips made by a ferry between Robinson Point and Des Moines.  Those who favor the old ferry run are hoping that it means a good deal.

November 14, 1929

• Building of the Golf Course Told at Delightful Dinner – Last Saturday evening, at Watseka Lodge, the Vashon Island Golf Club members, and their wives, staged their first social event of the winter season, a dinner, followed by an evening of bridge.  About thirty-five were present.  President Miller reported that the work on the course was now practically completed, and that all that remained to be done was the weather man to turn on the rain so that the grass could get a fair chance.  A caretaker is now installed, and with the continuous attention that will be given by spring everything should be all ready for the season’s games.  One of the experienced players present made the statement that this was one of the “sportiest courses in the state.”  The local golf club is gaining a reputation throughout the fraternity for having been formed of a group of people, a large percentage of whom were non-players, but who possessed the vision to see what an asset to the community a golf course would be.  It is a well-known fact, that thanks to the good management of those in charge of the building of the course that Vashon Island has a finer course, at half the cost, than many older organizations.  Although the club has gone through the most trying period, and it remains now to enjoy the fruits of labor, there are still memberships available.  Such a membership not only insures one of much good sport, but provides also a means of entertaining one’s visitors, and is in many other ways a splendid investment.

• Foshay Receivership Will Not Stop Building of Ferries – Various surmises and speculations have been expressed in regard to the fate of the new ferries for which the Kitsap County Transportation Company had asked for bids, when news of the Foshay receivership became known.  It was generally supposed that the boats would not be built, and one by one rumors were started, only to be contradicted by others.  However, a survey of the situation, as is often the case, reveals that conditions are not as bad as were first reported.  In a recent interview Capt. John L. Anderson stated that the Forshay receivership would in no way affect the Kitsap Transportation Company, or the building of the new ferries.

• On Wednesday afternoon a bunch of such disreputable looking characters struck the village of Vashon, that some course of drastic action seemed necessary.  All bore a familiar look, and some of the older citizens were inclined to think that Rip Van Winkle history was being repeated.  One of the visitors insisted that he was John Metzenberg, but when little Barbara refused to claim his as her handsome young father, much doubt was expressed.  Another said that his name was Zimmerman.  He was escorted to the Zimmerman home south of the village, and feeling ran high when the Zimmerman dog, an unusually intelligent animal, ran howling away to hide.  The other two members of the party claiming they bore the name of Tjomsland had slipped away during the confusion, so it is not known what their reception was.  Surprising as it may seem, after a visit to the barber shop, it developed that these men really were who they said they were.  The hirsute adornment behind which they had taken refuge was only the growth acquired while pursing the three deer they had bagged during the past two weeks, over on the east side of the mountains.

• We received the report this week that certain people have become so air-minded that when the telephone rings they consider it the sign for a general broadcast, mistaking their phone for a radio.  We had supposed that listening to other peoples’ telephone conversations had gone out about the same time that parents stopped giving babies coffee.

November 21, 1929

• To be No Shortage of Power On Vashon Island – With the discussion of power shortage in the two cities across the Sound it is only natural that many of the patrons of the Puget Sound Power & Light Company here on the Island should feel some concern.  We who remember the periods of darkness seven or eight years ago have a kindred feeling for those in danger of being deprived of electric power.  When questioned concerning any possible danger here on the Island, C.L. Garner, local superintendent, stated that there was no danger whatever of his company’s being unable to furnish power, at the present in just the same manner as they had been furnishing it all summer; that they had realized that water-power was not entirely dependable as a source of electricity, and for this reason the company has expended a large amount in building the giant Shuffleton plant at Renton.  One unit is already in operation, and capable of taking care of all deficiency of power, a second is nearing completion, while a third is being installed.  The magnitude of this huge plant can only be realized when seen.  It is one of the commercial wonders of the northwest, and is well worth travelling some distance to see.

• Vashon Has Normal Water – The village of Vashon, according to T.N. Thompson, superintendent of the local water district, has no need to fear a water shortage.  Apparently the supply of water is as great as early in the spring, for the two rams are still at work, with every patron using the normal amount.  We have heard of water shortage from every part of the Northwest, and those of us who have a bountiful supply should feel cause for gratitude.  While we all enjoy the fine autumn weather the farmers are beginning to feel concern as to the effect of the lack of rainfall.

• Cove, Cedarhurst and Colvos News – The “Celtic” arrived from Alaska Monday with Berger, Alfred and Ole Edwards.  They will be home for the winter now.

• Fire Destroys Weiss’ Family Car – Last Saturday evening, while the greater part of the population of the village of Vashon were either seated by their firesides, or otherwise profitably engaged, H.B. Sovereign, passing the F.A. Weiss home discovered fire in the garage between the store and residence.  He informed the Weiss family, who were seated in the living room, of what was taking place, then spread the alarm up town.  He had some difficulty in making W.D. Clark understand just what was happening, but after he did Mr. Clark sent word to H.C. Cronander and John Metzenberg, who were attending the picture show.  In due time the fire truck arrived on the scene of action, and by means of it the fire was kept well under control.  The supposition is that the fire originated with the ignition switch in the car, as the interior of the car was on fire when Mr. Sovereign discovered it.  Had Mr. Weiss been willing to let those who came to the rescue roll the car out, the garage could have been saved, but he was afraid of a gasoline explosion, and figured that lives were more valuable than garages.  While both sedan and garage are total wrecks, it is fortunate that no greater damage resulted.  Had the fire occurred two hours earlier, while the high wind was blowing directly from the south, there can be little doubt that the Weiss home would have caught fire.

• Lisabeula Items – The sixty acres south of Ruperts is being cleared preparatory to planting 6,000 sour cherry trees.

• Ellisport Items – The Curtis-Fuller Co. have installed a new oil tank, the capacity of which is 500 barrels.  This is to supply fuel for their own plant as well as many other on the Island, including the Beall greenhouses.

• F.J. Shattuck is confined to his bed with an attack of sciatic rheumatism.  No crime wave is anticipated even though our deputy sheriff has fallen victim to a foul attack.

November 28, 1929

• $21,000 Allowed in Budget For Vashon Island Roads – The News-Record is in receipt of a letter from W.B. Brinton, County Commissioner, giving in detail the appropriations provided in the 1930 budget, which were requested by the Roads Committee of the Commercial Club, for the improvement of Island roads.  The amounts allowed in every case were as requested by the committee with the exception of the “West Side Vashon Island “ road.  The amount requested was $2,000, and $10,000 was allowed for the improvement of this road.  The Roads Committee, composed of C.L. Garner, E.H. Miller, Maurice Dunsford, Theo Berry, Hubert Spalding, A.H. Petersen, Zene Whittemore, Chas. Merry, C.M. Ruhlen and Coy Meredith, have studied the needs of the Island, and outlined to the commissioners the best manner in which the given amounts could be spent to be of greatest benefit.  Mr. Brinton’s letter follows:  “We have been somewhat delayed in getting the information promised to the various papers of the South District but we hope that the information contained in our letter will still be of some value to readers of your paper.  In the budget of this year we have succeeded in providing improvement of the following roads:  Marshall Armstrong road on the west side of the Island is intended to connect up the Cedarhurst road with the Corbin road, the location far enough down the hill to serve the people living along the beach.   The Bates road improved some years ago from the Tahlequah road down to Bates Landing just north of Camp Sealth needs widening and provision made for the parking of the numerous cars that visit this camp.  The Bedford is a short piece of road which is provided for in our budget.  The Thompson-Wise road is a road serving some of the beach tracts just south of Cove.  The Manzanita road is the reopening of an old road closed for a great many years between Dockton and Manzanita on Maury Island and would be justified for the purpose of getting the school children of Manzanita to the Dockton school if for no other reason.  The item in the budget for the Rose Hills road is to improve the connection from the camps at Rose Hills into the road that leads north to Dockton.  The two most important items in this year’s budget for work on the Island are the relocation of the Burton-Tahlequah and the relocation and improvement of the various west side of the Island roads from the Cedarhurst road down to the connection of the Priest road with the Tahlequah road.  This covers those roads included in the Anderson petition and is much needed to serve the westerly portion of the Island.  Those last two roads are in the “Farm to Market” budget.

• Addition To Vashon Island Telephone Directory – C.L. Garner informs us that the directory of the Vashon Island telephone system has been incorporated in the directories of Kent, Puyallup and Auburn.  This is the means of giving our Island publicity, at no cost to us.  Elsewhere in the News-Record has been printed a list of the phones that have been installed, or changed, since the printing of the latest directory.  This list will not be reprinted until the new directories are printed in the spring, so we suggest that our readers clip the list and paste it into the current directory, for future reference.

• Union U Bonds Sold to State of Washington – The members of the union high school board are feeling jubilant over the sale of the bonds voted by the district October 26, which was closed on last Saturday.  The bonds, amounting to $43,000, were purchased by the State, and will bear interest at the rate of 5%.

• Plumbing Stolen From Paradise Valley Ranch – Last Sunday, while visiting their ranch in Paradise Valley, Mrs. J.R. Wilson discovered that the house had been entered, and a combination sink and laundry tub had been stolen.  The Wilsons have been Island residents since 1893, and never having heard of a similar case occurring here before they feel that a different element must have entered into the citizenry of our community.  The place is fenced, and posted with trespass notices, so that it is plain to be seen that it is not a deserted ranch.

• The Cedarhurst people were real excited the other day when a distinguished looking gentleman drove down there.  Closer examination showed it to be none other than our popular hardware merchant, George McCormick, in the new sport model Plymouth roadster he had bought to surprise his wife.

• If there is as much petty thievery going on during the remainder of the winter as has come to light during this week we will believe that Vashon Island is indeed changing its character.  On Tuesday night Mrs. P. French lost four turkeys that she was preparing for the holiday market.  One of the Paradise ranchers is reported as having lost thirty capons that were about ready for market.

• F.A. Weiss has purchased a Hudson Sport coupe to replace his Hudson sedan recently destroyed by fire.  The garage, which was partially burned is about rebuilt.

• Burton News Notes – Five new books have been purchased for the Library the past week.  They are: - “Grandmother Brown’s One Hundred Years” by Harriet Brown, “The Loring Mystery” and “Another Day” by Jeffery Farnol, “Raw Material” by Dorothy Canfield, and “Blair’s Attic” by Joseph Lincoln.

back to top

December 1929

December 5, 1929

• Greatest Production To Be Made in 1930 by Vashon Island Hatcheries – Preparatory to the opening of the 1930 hatching season, H. McCurdy and Wallace Gruelle, inspectors from the State College for the Certified Association of Washington, an association composed of the hatchers and breeders of the state, spent three days of this week inspecting the breeding flocks of L.C. Beall, Jr. and of the eighteen members of the Vashon Island Co-Operative Hatchery Association.  Early next month the hatching operations will begin.  At the L.C. Beall Hatchery’s new No. 9 Challenger (?) incubator will shortly be installed, augmenting the three Petersime machines used in past seasons.  These four machines will have an aggregate capacity of 27,900 eggs.  This is quite a contrast to the capacity of 2,500 with which Mr. Beall began operations thirteen years ago.  The latest type of Wellington J. Smith storage brooder is also to be installed.  Indications are that this will be a prosperous year for the hatcheries, Mr. Beall reporting that he has already sold all of his January, February and part of March hatches.  This before his catalogues for the season, which will be out very soon, have been published.  Of the 50,000 chicks that will be produced one-half are already booked.

• “Are We Justified In Planting More Montmorency Cherries?” Asks Vashon Island Grower – It would seem that the ideal way is to keep along with the cherry orchard, or for that matter with any other orchard, a few thousand chickens for as soon as the orchardist begins to appreciate the value of chicken manure it will be difficult to get it.  Mr. Wax of Kent who after failing in Canada spruce business during the close of the war, commenced the poultry business in Kent.  He knew little or nothing of the business, but consulted our experiment stations specialists and went at it.  He now has 12,000 hens and assets of $65,000.  He has bought 140 acres of land near Lisabeula.  Dan Landers is clearing it and Mr. Wax will plant it into cherries and also keep several thousand chickens on the place.  He has the right idea.  He is an intelligent thinking fellow and when others with equal opportunity will be dreaming and studying what to do with the land, will be raising a double crop and another $65,000 asset.

• Vashon Teachers Have Narrow Escape – While returning to the late ferry Monday night two Vashon teachers narrowly escaped in what might have been a serious accident.  Fortunately their injuries are only minor.  Miss Edith Sanford, of the grammar school, and G.B. Schunke, of the high school, were returning to the Fauntleroy dock when the taxicab in which they were riding ran into a railroad engine at First Avenue South and Railroad Avenue.  The dense fog was responsible for the driver’s failure to see the engine in time to avoid the accident.  None of the occupants were seriously injured, despite the fact that the car was considerably damaged.  Mr. Schunke was able to be present at his work on Tuesday.  Miss Sanford, however, will spend the remaining of the week recovering from the severe shaking up she received.

• Vashon Store Entered And Robbed – Upon opening his store Saturday morning W.D. Clark made the discovery that during the night thieves had entered, emptying the register and cash drawer, and taking several cartons of cigarettes.  A window in the rear room had been broken, giving easy access to the store.  Although there are several clues, no arrests have been made.

• Island Chapter O.E.S. Elect Officers – At the regular meeting of the O.E.S. held Wednesday evening the following officers were elected for 1930: Nettie Whittemore, Worthy Matron; Axel Petersen, Worthy Patron; Elizabeth Hearst, Associate Matron; Authur Poultney, Associate Patron; Bessie M. Wood, Secretary; Mary C. Clark, Treasurer; Lillian Williams, Conductress; Grace Petersen, Associate Conductress.

• Cemetery Wall Completed – About a year ago the local D.A.R. chapter began to consider the question of donating funds for the building of a wall around Vashon Island cemetery.  After some discussion all the members were heartily in favor of it.  Through the efforts of the Cemetery Committee working with the D.A.R. Committee, the wall is now completed and ready for dedication which will take place next spring when the weather will permit of all the citizens attending.  One of the many lines of work pursued by the N.S.D.A.R. is the preservation of history.  One way of doing this is by marking trails, erecting monuments of historic spots and improving cemeteries.  We all know the historic value of the old cemeteries in and around Boston, New York and the old settlements of the South.  Often valuable records are secured from the dates and other inscriptions on the monuments in the old cemeteries.   The purpose of the D.A.R. in erecting this wall is its preservation of the monuments thus preserving these bits of history for the future generations of Vashon Island. – Ida Dysart, Chairman Publicity Committee.

• New Hatcheryman at Co-Op Hatchery – Laurence Zander, recently employed by the Vashon Island Co-operative Hatchery, is now at work, preparing for the opening of the hatching season.  Mr. Zander received his training with B.C. Young of Bellingham, one of the first in the Northwest to install a Smith incubator.  For two years he managed the Everett Co-Op hatchery.

• County Agent and W.S.C. Specialist to Join in Vashon Poultry School Monday – A.V. Swarthout of Washington Co-Operative Egg Ass’n Will Talk on Farm Board and Marketing – Through cooperation of local poultrymen with County Agent A.E. Lovett, a poultry school has been arranged for December 9th.  W.D. Buchanan, Poultry Specialist, Extension Service, State College, with the county agent will conduct a school in the Community Club House at Vashon, December 9th.  A.V. Swarthout, manager of the Research Department of the Washington Co-operative Egg and Poultry Association will also speak at the school.

• Officials to Meet with Marketing Ass’n – The six members of the board of directors of the Vashon Marketing Association, accompanied by Rolph Pettersen and A. Hulsether went to Puyallup last Saturday to visit the Puyallup and Sumner and Washington Berry Grower’s canneries.  They found them very efficiently managed.  They met with the Puyallup and Sumner board, the members of which were able to give much information in regard to cooperative associations, and the various phases of canning, cold packing and marketing fruits.

• Interesting Speaker Talks on Reforestation at Island Commercial Club – The address of the evening was given by Professor Burt P. Kirkland at the request of the chairman of state development bureau of the chamber of commerce, who spoke interestingly on the subject of “Forest Development.”  Since the forests of our state constitute our greatest source of wealth the problem of keeping them continually productive is a very vital problem.

• Burton – Have you noticed the two big squashes, weight 44 and 48 pounds in the Burton Trading Co.’s store window?  They were grown on the Hilen lots near Assembly Point, by their care taker Allen Kelley – And see those filberts at the same place, that were grown on the Billingsley place at Quartermaster, and instead of calling the people “nutty” you will be convinced that it is the soil that is nutty.

• Southern Heights – News of the record haul spread rapidly through the North Pacific fishing fleets.  The Janet G. began the 1929 season as a brand new vessel, having been launched to the order of Capt. Green by the John Martinolich yard in Dockton, Vashon Island, last June.  She went into commission the same month.  She carries seven men, including the master and owner.  With a length of 56 feet, she if 15 feet in beam and 6 feet in depth of hold.  She is equipped with a 5-horsepower Atlas Imperial diesel engine.  The salmon again are on the increase in Puget Sound will be shown by all the reports for the year.  The Washington State Department of Fisheries, with the cooperation of the fishermen, is making steady headway in the building of the salmon runs.  This is being accomplished, it is pointed out by Capt. Green, by means of closed periods, closed areas and propagation.  Capt. Green has been purse seining on Puget Sound for 28 years and he reports the run of Fall salmon is the largest since 1917, the present year being about the best in the history of the Puget Sound industry.  “Closed periods and closed areas are bringing the fish back where they were 20 years ago,” said Capt. Green this week.  Capt. Green was born on Hoods Canal and started fishing with a drag seine in the Canal at the tender age of 9 years.  He acquired his first purse seiner vessel 24 years ago, so that he ranks among the veterans both as a Puget Sound fisherman and as a vessel-owner.  The Janet G. is now lying in the inner bay of Quartermaster Harbor, opposite Capt. Green’s home in Burton where he is bringing up his family of sturdy children.

• Announcement – Professors Requa and Johnston will open a music studio at Newport.  Instruction on all band and orchestra instruments.  Mr. Requa, formerly clarinet and saxophonist with the Pantages and Orpheum circuits for 18 years continuous performance.  Mr. Johnston, formerly band and orchestra instructor at the Washington State School, is a violin, trumpet and slide trombone performer.

• Rev. E.M. Randall is driving about in his new field in a fine new car.  He says that this is one car that gives ample warning, for it bears the legend, “Dodge Brothers”, plainly printed where all may read.

• Last Monday, the Wenzel Leonhard family visited Mr. Leonhard’s brother, George, aboard the Standard Oil Tanker, “R.J.Hanna” at Point Wells, where the ship was discharging its load of 3,250,000 barrels of gasoline.

• A brother of Mrs. Ben Williams, whose husband is greenskeeper of the Vashon Island Golf course, visited the Williams home last week, and after looking over the Maury course made a flattering comparison with the Steilacom course, of which he is greenskeeper, saying that although the Steilacom, a public fee course, was two years old, and had been played on for a year, the local course was farther ahead, and much finer than theirs.

 

December 12, 1929

• Vashon Association May Join Puyallup Fruit Growers – On Monday eight officials of the Puyallup and Sumner Fruit Growers Association spent the day on the Island conferring with the directors of the Vashon Marketing Association, outlining a plan whereby the local organization might unite with them.  In the evening there was a meeting of those men with the fruit growers of the Island, at which L.M. Hatch, president of the Puyallup organization gave the history of the association, reviewing the immense business done during the current year, and telling of the thousands of cases of fruit canned, and the small amount unsold at the present time.  The most important topic that Mr. Hatch discussed during the evening was the proposition the Puyallup and Sumner Fruit Growers Association were willing to make to the local organization in case the latter decided to join the former association, instead of pursuing the same marketing policy as in the past.  It was suggested that the Vashon association take out one membership in the Puyallup association which would give them equal rights.  In case this was done the Association would lease the local receiving station and equipment, install additional washing machines, and a cherry pitter in case cherries brought more preserved by the cold pack method than canned.  Freight rates on local fruit would be spread over the entire association, so that Vashon members would not be penalized by the greater distance from the cannery.  All business pertaining to the local branch would be handled here, fruit assembled, weighed, etc., accounts kept.  The local association would be represented on the Puyallup board of directors at all meetings by one of its directors.  The matter of taking out this proposed membership will be determined by the local association in the near future.

• Harry Lee Passes Away Suddenly – Seldom has the community suffered a shock equal to that which was felt when the news was spread Tuesday morning that Harry Lee had been stricken as he was starting his day’s work.  Death, due to angina pectoris, occurred about an hour after Mr. Lee collapsed.  Although his doctor reached his side in a few minutes nothing could be done to prolong life.  Always showing a happy, smiling countenance to the world, it developed after his death that he had known his life could be spared only a few years longer, but instead of burdening others with his troubles, Harry, as all knew him, did everything in his power to make this a happier world to live in.  His popularity was attested to by the words of sorrow that were expressed on every hand at the news of his death.

• Large Number Attend Island Poultry School – The poultry school, conducted by Prof. Buchanan at the Island Club on last Monday was attended by about one hundred men and women interested in poultry raising. 

• Burton News Notes – Captain T.W. Phillips of the S.S. Vashona, added some more feathers to his cap and received much praise and confidence from the passengers as he skillfully guided his boat, without accident, through the fog banks that recently hung over the Sound.

• Burton News Notes – We are sorry to lose our shoemaker, E. Grigware, who goes back to Seattle this week.  It was his intention to sell their Seattle home and move to Burton, but he has been disappointed in selling.  His workmanship in shoe repairing cannot be duplicated and we only hope business along his line will increase enough to justify his returning soon.

• Another Receiving Station – This week R.D. Bodle purchased the Steinbach property a short distance west of the Bank, and plans on building a modern, up-to-date receiving station before the next season opens.

• There has been a great deal of controversy over the selecting of a name for the annual.  Various names have been suggested such as “The Isle,” “The Island Log” and “Vashon Island Annual.”  The members of the student body and the faculty are still undecided as to what name will be chosen, but it is probable that the name of the Annual will be connected with the Island.  Edward Bragg announced that the student who submits a name which is chosen will receive an annual free.

• W.H. Quick, a long-time friend of the late Harry M. Lee, will conduct the Vashon Barber Shop temporarily, until permanent arrangements can be made.  For many years Mr. Quick and Mr. Lee have been associated in business, and have become very near to each other.  For the time being Mr. Quick has given up his work at Port Townsend to carry on the business at Vashon.

• Maury News – His many friends on Maury mourn the sudden death of Mr. Harry Lee, Tuesday morning.  Mr. Lee was well known and liked for the several years he was proprietor of the Portage store, and his many friends extend their sympathy to his wife and children.

• Southern Heights – Mr. Peter Rolando is building a new brooder house to replace the one burned last year.

• Vashon Boy Scouts Hold Court Of Honor – Last Monday evening the Vashon Troop of Boy Scouts held a court of honor at which John Lewis Beall, Ferguson Beall, Kenneth Beall and Bob Matsumoto were examined for second class.  These boys are now working on their first class subjects.  We want to thank the men who turned out to help the boys in their work and for the encouragement the boys got from them.  – Ira O. Thompson, Scoutmaster.

• His many friends will be pleased to learn of the recent promotion of Earl Pierson, an Island boy.  He has been made assistant manager of the Piggly Wiggly store, No. 25, on Admiral Way, the second largest of this chain in Seattle.  Each week it averages a business of $1700.  We feel sure that Earl will make good in his new position and only hope that in the execution of his new duties he will not run afoul of any of the bandits that habitually confiscate this company’s funds.

• Silas Nelson, architect for Union U district was on the Island Saturday consulting with the directors on matters pertaining to the new building.  It is anticipated that matters will have progressed to the point that the advertisement for bids can be published by the 24th of this month.

• Miss Edith Sanford, injured December 2, when a taxi in which she was riding collided in the dense fog with a railroad engine, was more badly hurt than was at first thought.  She will probably be confined to the hospital for several weeks.

• James Bachelor of Tahlequah reports that his shop has been broken into twice and valuable tools taken.  He will take drastic measures to prevent a third depredation.

• Announcement – My scales, recently tested by the state inspector are 100% perfect, and I can now give certified weight slips for automobile and truck licenses.  – Otto Therkelsen.

 

December 26, 1929

• Board Call for Bids For Building New Union High School – With the publishing of the call for bids in this week’s issue the serious business of getting our high school under way is launched.  Unforeseen delays have prevented the actual work being started by the first of the year, but even so it will be started soon enough that the building will be ready before school opens next fall.  It was hoped that the 1930 class could graduated in it, but this scarcely seems possible now.  In addition to the local publication of the call for bids there will also be the publication in a certain trade paper, which will mean that outside bids will be received.  It is highly desirable that all of the money spent on the new building be kept at home, in other words that we who are paying for this building enjoy as much of the money spent on it as possible.

• Tuesday afternoon a Ford car was so attracted by the Christmas decorations in the C.G. Kimmel window that it rushed across the sidewalk, and it required the efforts of several of the bystanders to persuade it to return to the straight and narrow way.

• Minor Damages Done By High Wind Over Island Tuesday Night – The high wind on Christmas Eve wrought havoc on the Island, as well as elsewhere.  In the past ten years this is the third and worst wind storm that has visited us.  One wonders why the holiday should be celebrated in that particular manner.  While nothing really tragic occurred, several freak results have been reported.  The flag pole at the Vashon high school building was blown down.  At the Spaulding home at Cedarhurst two windows were blown in, pictures blown from the wall, and general confusion reigned for a time.  In another West Side home the vibration of the house toppled over a laden Christmas tree.  Over practically all of the West Side the telephone service was out the greater part of the day, while the Lisabeula district was without lights until 5 o’clock last evening.  At the Collings home the garage suffered severely, and is now standing at an angle.  It is reported that passersby rub their eyes as they look at it and wonder if they are seeing things.  John King visited Vashon this morning, purchasing glass to replace the windows blown in in his chicken houses.  The Fuller-Curtis greenhouses at Ellisport suffered a loss of glass, as did greenhouses in several parts of the Island.  In all parts of the Island trees were uprooted and large branches broken off, none however doing any great damage.  A lad rowing from Salmon beach finally drifted ashore at Shawnee and seeing no lights wandered up the shore until he came to the house of Amos Cummings on the Peninsula.  He was taken to Dr. Young’s home and cared for until morning.  One of the Peterson tug boats of Dockton had a narrow escape.  They ran out of Diesel oil near Cedarhurst, while returning from Seattle.  Help was sent from Dockton and they succeeded in reaching the harbor before the storm broke.  Had they been a little later the beach dwellers might have found a perfectly good boat in their front yards for a Christmas present, for one perfectly dependable young man living down there on the beach solemnly declares that the waves, about three o’clock were at least twelve feet high.

• Island High Placed In Class A – The Vashon Island High School is to be placed in class “A” league, beginning September, 1930.  This decision was reached at a meeting of coaches and superintendents held at Auburn recently.  For the remainder of the present year, however, although it attained an enrollment entitling it to “A” league classification our school will continue to play in the “B” league.

• Orthopedic Notes – The Vashon Orthopedic Auxiliary held its postponed meeting on Friday at the home of Mrs. Stanley at Burton.  As usual, the Vashon women proved their devotion to the cause of the crippled child, by leaving their own Christmas work, to make and fill 24 fancy stockings for 24 little girl patients in the Orthopedic Hospital at Seattle.  Each stocking had an apple, and orange, a little doll, a surprise gift, a pad and pencil.  Fransu Smock sent fruit and surprise gifts to fill one stocking.

• It Pays To Advertise – In two editions of the News-Record we ran a little classified advertisement of pork for sale.  Mr. Jack Collier reports that from this ad, he received 132 replies, 127 of which he knows were the result of the ad, which gave only his phone number.  This is only one of the many reports we have of the success of ads in our paper.

• Editorial – After Thirteen Months – With this issue we complete our thirteenth month of publication of the News-Record.  While at the beginning the undertaking seemed too great, it has not proven so, for we have been helped at every turn by the support of the community, the approval of the majority of our readers, and the faithful aid of a group of correspondents who each week have given the news form their particular neighborhood.  There have been very few weeks that these correspondents have failed with their contribution, and we have felt that much of the praise we have received should be passed on to them.  When we took over the management of the News-Record the first of last December it was with the mental reservation that the results of the first year would determine a future course.  The loyalty of the local advertisers, of our subscribers and friends all over the Island has made up feel that our efforts in giving them a paper devoted primarily to the Island as a whole had met with general approval, and it is with a sense of deep appreciation that we close 1929.  We have offended some.  Others have not approved of certain policies.  We have left unsaid several things and have thereby incurred the displeasure of others.  These are regrettable facts, but for them we offer no apologies.  The editor of a paper cannot listen to the dictates of all of the readers any more than can the neighborhood grocer be directed by each of his customers.  To those who have disapproved of us we can only say that we are sorry we cannot all see things alike.  To the Island at large we express our hope of a 1930 that will teem with good things for all.  We confidently believe in our future as a whole, and believe that all of those who share in that faith will ultimately profit by it.  Business this holiday season has been the best the Island has ever known, the poultry industry is marching steadily ahead, each year the fruit growers come more surely into their own, our bank had a steadily increasing business.  Why then should we harbor doubts about the future of the Island?  Let us forget the clouds of the past year, and with kind thoughts, and laughter let us face the next twelve months determined to take the good things of life that are offered.

• A clever idea in automobile license number was worked out by one of our fellow townsmen.  Chas. England, afraid to trust his memory too far, asked for the license number 11-82, for fear he might forget his telephone number.

• Mrs. Marsh things that it will make our eastern subscribers pack their trunks when they know that while calling on Mrs. Moe this afternoon she saw roses, ten week stock and hydrangea, in full bloom, out in the open, all on the 26th of December.

 

 

back to top