Newspaper Summary 1930

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1930 Vashon Island News-Record Summary (Mike Sudduth)

January 1930

January 2, 1930

Salaried Deputy Sheriff Approved By Commissioners – Building of Jail House at Vashon is Also Authorized by Commissioners. F.J. Shattuck Appointed Full-Time Deputy – With the appointment of F.J. Shattuck by the county commissioners, taking effect January 1st, Vashon Island now has a full time deputy sheriff. For the past five years Mr. Shattuck has served as part time deputy, receiving his first appointment under Matt Starwich, later being reappointed by Claude G. Bannick. For several years citizens of the Island have been requesting a full time deputy. The growth of the population, and the apparent need of some manner of adequate law enforcement, the matter has caused real concern among the element desiring the best for the community. Evidently the commissioners too realized the need, and provided for it in the latest budget. The first task that confronts Mr. Shattuck is his work in conjunction with the state highway department in checking up on motor vehicle licenses and irregularities. Following this will be the work of building the new jail at Vashon, which will be begun as soon as the lease for the lot can be secured from Water District No. 19. Contrary to the original plan of doing the work with the aid of trustees from the county jail Mr. Shattuck will do the work alone. The building, made entirely of reinforced concrete, is to be 12 by 18 feet in dimension, and will have two cells, and an office. At the side will be a garage for the fire truck, and a shop in the rear, extending across the end of the jail. These will be of wooden construction.
Cove-Cedarhurst-Colvos – Mr. Ellingsen is putting in a cement foundation for his new house on his place at Colvos.
Praise From California For Vashon Island Pears – Mrs. J.W. Roberts has a pear customer in California who ordered boxes of D’Anjou pears from her orchard, to be sent early in December; to twenty of his friends in different parts of the country including New York, Colorado and California. Mrs. Roberts has just heard from her customer as follows: Check herewith for balance, and from everywhere your pears went, I hear only words of praise. ‘Nothing like them anywhere,’ and for myself, I want to say that I notice a delicate flavor that I have found nowhere else that reminds me of mild champagne. I think your trees, to compensate you for the few pears they gave you this year, are trying to make up in a flavor, that in ordinary years they could not attain.
Portage On The Air Map – The Postmaster of Portage is in receipt of a letter from the Daniel Guggenheim Fund for the Promotion of Aeronautics, which says, in part: “It is gratifying to know that your community is identified for the purpose of aerial navigation and I am grateful to you for the cooperation which you have given the Fund and for the results obtained. Portage is now recorded as identified. This record is made available to the Post Office Department and the Department of Commerce. It is hoped the roof markings will be maintained as a permanent contribution to aeronautics and repainted as needed.” The community is indebted to the Standard Oil Co., for the roof markings which has placed Portage on the air map and Mr. Bently, the company’s local representative, is this week receiving a nicely engraved Certificate from the Fund bearing the signature of Charles A. Lindberg.
Have you noticed the earwig in the window of Burton Pharmacy? It is the clever work of Mrs. Chas. B. Welch, whose husband is editor of the News-Tribune, Tacoma, and whose son is reporter on the Seattle Times, and wrote several articles about this little creature. If any one can produce a better facsimile of this little animal, or insect, let him come forth and show his skill. This earwig was dipped in chocolate and sent by Mrs. Welch to Miss Goldie in Burton for a Christmas gift after a little controversy over the insects. By the way, it is claimed now, that earwigs are more helpful than harmful, as they destroy all insects homelier than themselves, then settle in old rubbish in your back yard until you get ashamed of yourself and clean up, thus serving a double purpose.
Editorial – Vashon Island Now Has Protection – The fact that Vashon Island now has a full time deputy sheriff and will soon have a jail is no reflection on our community, but is rather an added advantage. It is no secret that among a certain element our Island has come to be known as a place without police protection; not exactly a desirable reputation, nor one to draw the better type into our midst. Certainly the fact that we now have protection, and a means of caring for law breakers will not act as a drawing card to those who have not the proper respect for law and order.
Ellisport Items – Numerous flocks of birds, driven by the storms, from the north and the mountains, are seen daily feasting on the madrona berries – pine siskins, Alaska robins, and many other varieties. They know where to come to find mild weather and shelter. In Ellisport roses, pansies, chrysanthemums and calendula are still blooming.
We have read with interest of the Eielson search, not realizing that it in a way effected one of our Island residents. The plane which would ordinarily be available to bring Herman Oman out from his mine at Bethel, Alaska is being used in the search, and Mr. Oman, instead of being able to get out to Fairbanks in a few hours is coming out by dog team, a matter of month’s journey.
It hardly seems fair that while the rest of the Island pupils are enjoying their holidays that the Center pupils should have to be on the job, having had only one week of vacation.
A member of the state highway patrol was on the Island today checking up on motor vehicle licenses. It would seem as though the warning to get licenses in time was really meant.
This week the News-Record printed supplements for the telephone directory, completely revised to January 1st. A copy will be sent to each telephone subscriber with their December statement. Additional copies may be secured at the bank or newspaper office in case you fail to receive one from the telephone company.
Lisabeula Items – Mr. Beaumont is building another chicken house, making room for an increased flock. He expects to have two thousand or more baby chicks this Spring. Mr. King is busy building, too, and will have a fine brooder for his chicks this year.

January 9, 1930

Worst Storm in Two Years When Northern Gale Hit Puget Sound – The storm which raged over Puget Sound early Monday morning interrupted ferry service to Vashon Island to such an extent that the ferry schedule to Fauntleroy was disrupted later in the day. A stiff north wind aided by a high tide drove to shore numerous logs which accumulated around the Vashon Heights dock, and the continual pounding of these logs against the piling broke off several of them. Some of the dolphins were also broken off. The piling under the dock was immediately replaced. In navigating a high rolling sea the Seattle ferry docking at Vashon Heights at 11:30 sustained a disabled rudder, and after that no trips were made to Fauntleroy for the rest of the day as the boat had only one rudder to operate with. No cars were permitted to enter the ferry because of rough sea, the waves rolling as much as five feet high. However, the ferry boat made its regular schedule to Seattle. The storm was the worst on the Sound in two years. The temperature at Vashon fell to 20 above zero was made severe by the northern gale. The snow storm Sunday night apparently fell mostly in the northern part of the Island, as many of the localities at the south end had little or no snowfall.
Mayreld Ramquist’s Doll Hospital Has Busy Season – In last Saturday’s Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Miss Mayreld Ramquist, Seattle’s doll physician, was given an illustrated write-up, showing “her latest case,” a Christmas casualty, and a little girl tearfully distressed over a mishap to her new doll. Miss Ramquist, the daughter of our tailor, and Mrs. O.E. Ramquist, is a graduate of the Vashon high school. She has established a wonderful business in the operation of a doll hospital in the Arcade building.
Beall Poultry Catalogs Carry The Name of Vashon to Far Places – Last week L.C. Beall, Jr., completed the task of mailing out 4,400 catalogs to a list of countries that sounds more like the index of an atlas than the mailing list of a poultry farm. Catalogs were sent to every state in the Union, to every province in Canada, to practically all of Central America, Mexico, Puerto Rica, Bermuda, Danish West Indies, Ireland, Scotland, France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Holland, Belgium, Soviet Russia, New Zealand, Australia, Siam, China and Japan.
Rearranging Our Working Force – In line with our progressive policy in publishing the News-Record we are arranging the work in the office to better serve the Island and at the same time establish the most efficient method of handling the business. Heretofore, the varied duties of publishing and editing a newspaper have divided our energies to such an extent that we were dissatisfied with the results we were obtaining. This week we are installing H.B. Sovereign as editor of the News-Record, and he will have charge of such matters as newspaper ethics require of an editor. We will continue to handle the business end, contributing to the paper as we set fit, as well as assisting in gathering local news. Mr. Sovereign has been the printer in the News-Record office since last May. He has had some twenty years experience as country publisher on the east side of the mountains; knows the ropes in all branches of the business, and we feel sure that the new arrangement will put the News-Record in a better position to grow with the Island. It is a common practice in this day for business concerns to split up executive duties. In our case editorial work and business management have taken us from the office so much that these duties have served a detriment to both. With the new arrangement we shall be able to remain in the office most of the time meeting those who call, a privilege too many times missed during the past year. We trust that the new arrangement will prove entirely satisfactory to our readers and that we may continue to merit the splendid spirit displayed toward us in the past. – Agnes L. Smock.
Burton News – This kind of weather and our kind of a woodpile makes us exclaim: “Why did I put off until tomorrow what I should have done two weeks ago yesterday?”!
If weather moderates county workmen will be at work this week on the Burton dock house, building a walk for pedestrians the length of the wharf and working on the Burton beach road. They will also survey the new road to meet with the Tahlequah road.
The streets of our village seem sad and lonely with our college students having returned to their work, and our school children no longer cluttering up the streets. Up to the present time we have heard of no mother having been ill from grief.
The three or four inches of snow which fell Sunday evening caught many autoists on the Island unprepared, as a result several calls were made for the wrecking truck of the Met-Cro Garage, to pull cars back on the grade.
While cranking his car Tuesday morning E.O. Ramquist sustained a badly sprained knee, but is still able to navigate. His knee was bent backward when the machine suddenly jumped forward.
One Sunday evening, as the result of an auto smash up Frank Matsumoto was injured about the head, and Vernie Madison suffered a cut in the back of the neck, both required several stitches. The boys were cared for by Dr. McMurray.

January 16, 1930

Contracts Awarded For Building Union High School – Bid for Electrical System Rejected; Will Call for New Proposals – Board Accepts Bids – The Union U high school board, at their meeting Tuesday accepted the bid of A.J. Nilsen, of Tacoma, for the general construction of the new Vashon Island union high school. The lowest bid, Mr. Nilsen’s amounted to $32,946. There have been some alterations in the plans which will raise this figure slightly. Mr. Nilsen states that he will employ all the labor possible on the Island and is making a survey to ascertain what labor and material are available. He also states that he will begin excavating as soon as the weather will permit, and seems anxious to get at the job.
Fire At Burton – Just as we go to press we are informed that Burton has suffered another destructive fire. The vacant house, just west of the one occupied by the Staples family, near the Hart greenhouse, was destroyed by a fire of unknown origin, which was discovered about seven o’clock. The walls of concrete blocks remain standing, but the interior and roof are entirely destroyed. Hose was sent down from Vashon, but the house stands to high on the hill that there was not sufficient pressure to get results. Small hose was used to protect the adjoining buildings. The fact that the wind was from the northeast prevented serious danger to the Staples house.
Cheer Up – The other day we were called from our regular job of stoking the office stove to answer the phone. We confidently expected to hear of another life that had been sacrificed to the cold snap, but instead it was Mrs. W.D. Covington with the good news that while we might all be bankrupt from buying fuel, and although we were on the verge of being quarantined for chilblains, although the P-I hadn’t had the news of it in the first edition, there was, even so a ray of hope. In reply to our excited query she assured us that if this cold snap continued long enough it would result in the extermination of the earwig. Three cheers for the cold weather.
Lisabeula News Items – Since the freeze, life ain’t what it used to be.
The Island Empire Of Puget Sound – The Washington State Chamber of Commerce has inaugurated an extensive campaign to boost Washington. It is now issuing poster stamps in attractive colors advertising Washington industries, scenic beauties and recreational features. The money derived from the sale of these poster stamps will be used to finance the operations of the State Chamber. Other advertising matter is being widely distributed outside of the state by the Chamber of Commerce. Where does Vashon Island come in on this campaign? Possibly not at all. It isn’t reasonable to expect much benefits from such a campaign of advertising. Vashon Island is an orphan, its interests are divided between Seattle and Tacoma, with little attention from either. It stands between two rival cities and its trade and commerce divided between the two. The Island is without metropolitan influence, friendliness and support as enjoyed by other localities. Surely Vashon Island is an empire of its own, is self reliant, self supporting, and best of all, it is propering.
Mrs. Norman Edson had the misfortune to run a machine needle thru a finger on her left hand while sewing Thursday night. Dr. McMurray had to make quite a deep incision to remove it. The lady will soon have a normal finger again.
Last week the A.C. Cook home on Burton beach, near Shawnee burned, with total loss to building and contents. The phoning for help, by Mrs. Cook, whose mother first saw the blaze, saved the nearby homes from being destroyed. The Cooks had been out to their home during the day and it is thought that the fire started from the one they left.
The Met-Cro Garage reports that many frozen batteries are coming into the shop these cold days, and warns motorists that run-down batteries will freeze easily, and also that tire chains should be looked after. Alcohol in steaming radiators will pass away quickly, and they suggest that radiators be watched closely for freezing.
Mrs. Poage, of Burton, will be hostess this (Thursday) evening to the high school members of the Island Community Church. The purpose of the meeting is further organization of the Sunday School work. A program, consisting of toasts by Rev. Clyde and Miss Lawan, readings by Elizabeth Milligan and Virginia Jeffers and a solo by Miss Bell, will be given.
On Sunday evening Bob Matsumoto, Masso Matchimeta and Paul Takai were struck by a car, while walking on the pavement near Vashon, just in front of Dr. McMurray’s office. The driver of the car did not see the boys, who were walking three abreast, until he was about thirty feet from them, and on account of the slippery pavement he was unable to avoid striking them. The Takai boy escaped injury, while the other two suffered bruises of the head and legs. It was a narrow escape.
Maury Notes – Most of us will be glad when King Winter leaves, if this is the only kind of weather he has to offer. Everyone seem to have plenty to do, keeping fires going and thawing frozen pipes. Here’s hoping it will soon warm up.

January 23, 1930

Smith Aeroplane Company Organized To Build Ships On Vashon Island – The Smith Aeroplane Company was organized in Tacoma last week, and plans to build its first experimental model on Vashon Island within the next few months. The company has a capitalization of 99,000 shares, and is incorporated under the laws of the State of Washington. The incorporators are Horace Smith of Vashon Island, Harry L. Davis and Donald K. Medley of Seattle. The board of directors consists of Horace Smith, president; Harry Davis, vice-president; Jesse F. Shaw, secretary and treasurer; Dr. F.H. Grandy and Donald K. Medley. The object of this company is to build a ship that will insure a maximum of safety in the air. Construction will be carried on in accordance with patents owned by the company and pending. Mr. Smith, the inventor, who has been a resident of the Island for twelve years, began experimenting seven years ago, and after rejecting an endless number of models and principals came upon the absolutely new principal in aeronautics which he believes will revolutionize man’s flight. At a demonstration of the model wing in the News-Record office this week the ability of the wing to draw the air along its entire length was demonstrated. Built according to present plans the plane will have two sets of wings, one fixed as on the planes operating today, but shorter by several feet, and the other set movable, which will pulsate with each revolution of the motor, and will take the place of the propeller in use at the present. The company is now preparing to build the experimental model as soon as funds from the sale of stock permits and have every reason to believe that when finished they will have a one passenger ship, equipped with a 20 horse-power motor, capable to rising instantly; that will attain a reasonable horizontal speed, and land without taxiing and without jar. This ship will be built at Burton.
County Commissioners Refuse Poultry Agent – There will be no possibility of securing an assistant county agent in poultry until next year, members of a delegation from Vashon Island, Kent and Enumclaw were told by the King County Commissioners Monday, January 13th. The delegation, made up of 11 men, met with the commissioners to ask for a special appropriation of $1600 to cover the expenses of the assistant, whose salary would be paid by the Washington State College. When the matter was put to a vote of the commissioners, two voted for the special appropriation, but the third opposed it. An emergency appropriation, the delegation was told, must have the unanimous approval of the commissioners. The matter will be taken up again in August when the county budget is drawn up.
Vashon Consumes Much Water – The residents of the village of Vashon have during the past year used a considerable amount of water, as evidenced by the following figures furnished the News-Record by Supt. Thompson. The affairs of Water District No. 19 are in an excellent condition and it is reported that needed improvements in pumping facilities are contemplated for the coming year. If these plans materialize there will need to be no restrictions in the use of water during the summer, as there have been in past years, for only a small part of the water accessible is being utilized with the present pumping system. Total gallons consumed in 1929 – 5,360,497 gallons.
Temporary South End Ferry Schedule – Last Thursday the ferry dock at Point Defiance was so badly wrecked by the wind and waves that it will require considerable repair work before it can again be used. We are not able to give the exact location of the Tacoma dock now in use.
Work Begins On New High School – This morning saw activities begun that will no doubt continue until our new high school is turned over to us complete. The first load of lumber was delivered by England & Petersen, and a crew of men put to work building a warehouse and office for the contractor, A.J. Nilsen. The excavating contract has been given to a Tacoma firm, and this work will start as soon as weather conditions permit.
Burton News Notes – Mr. M.G. Leonard is confined to his home, under the doctor’s instructions to remain quiet until this malady, brought on by over work, is corrected.
No one can say now that the Vashon Fire Department did not respond to the call for help when the stucco house at Burton burned Thursday night between seven and eight o’clock. They were right on the job but no one could save it with such a fierce gale blowing and the roof ablaze before the fire was discovered. It will never be known what caused the fire as the home was unoccupied, some thought defective wiring, but the meter had been taken out and all current disconnected months ago. The majority think the fire was caused by defective youth who probably made a rendezvous of the accessible upstairs room while trying out their different brands of cigarettes. Wouldn’t it be a good plan for some of the parents who do not know where their little kids are most of the time, to investigate?
Rebekahs and Odd Fellows Install – On Thursday, January 16, the Odd Fellows and Rebekahs held a very pleasant meeting at which time both orders installed their officers for the current year, F.M. Sherman installing the Odd Fellows and Elisabeth Hearst the Rebekahs. They were assisted by E.W. Wilber and Frances Marshall acting as Marshals. The elected officers installed were: Odd Fellows – Fred Sherman, N.G., W.S. Calloway, V.G., Geo. Walls, Secy., R.S. Hearst, Treas. Rebekahs – Etta Leslie, N.G., Elizabeth Beard, V.G., Julia Sherman, Rec. Secy., Bertha Garvin, F. Secy., Anna McCrary, Treas.
What Price Maliciousness – The regrettable occurrence at the basketball game last Friday night when persons connected with the student body, assisted, we understand by others not in the high school, tampered with the cars of our visitors from Black Diamond. We cannot attribute what happened to the thoughtlessness of youth, for the element of maliciousness was too strongly evident. The visiting teams came here at the invitation of the school, reasonably expecting the courtesies usually accorded guests. They conducted themselves in an orderly, well-behaved manner. They were accorded flagrant discourtesy. We are informed that the majority of the student body regret the affair, realizing that through the acts of a few the school and community are gaining an unsavory reputation. The taxpayers are building a new school, at a price representing some sacrifice to all of us. By our response at the elections held in the past few months we have indicated that we are willing to sacrifice for the education of the boys and girls. It is only fair that our schools return to us conditions that are commensurate with the investment that is being made. One of the greatest assets a community can posses is an up-to-the-minute, orderly, law-respecting student body. The Commercial Club, and all civic bodies may spend time and money in interesting prospective residents, and their efforts can be wiped out by a few acts of lawlessness on the part of a few of our young people, lacking in a sense of community pride. It is not fair that our community should gain an unenviable reputation at the hands of those whom one of our correspondents has termed as “defective youth.” We do not feel that the present attitude is shared by a large percentage of those in our schools, but we do feel that the correction of existent evils lies in their hands. Moral suasion is as great a force today, as it ever was, and our boys and girls can accomplish just about what they set out to for the good of the community. Our debating team has made a splendid record; in competitive athletics we are gaining a fine position; these results, however, will count of naught if along with it the lawlessness of a few of our young is branding our community with an unfavorable name. Good sportsmanship, learned on the athletic field will profit nothing, if with it are not learned the lessons of respecting the other fellows’ rights and property, and of giving value received for the advantages daily enjoyed.
Ellisport Items – “Happy Jack” Wendler fortunately had a very narrow escape from what might have been a serious accident. While crossing one of the slippery streets in Seattle he was hit by a car and dragged several feet. He was able to continue on his way after the severe shaking up but he discovered that his watch was missing.
England and Petersen have added another truck to their large fleet; a Fageol this time.
Bob Walls is now employed in Seattle.
Dockton – We heard that Mr. Marvin Halsan has been appointed fire chief. We hope he will not be called upon to perform his duties during this cold weather.
Announcement – This to announce the opening of the Pentacostal Mission at the Community Hall, Cove, Sunday, February 2. There will be a continuous meeting from 2:30 to 10:30 with good singing, good music and good preaching. Everybody is welcome. – T.C. Evetts in charge.

January 30, 1930

Contract Let For Construction Of New Vashon-Seattle Ferry – As we go to press we have received the information, through reliable sources that Captain Anderson today let the contract for a fine new ferry to be built at the Lake Washington ship yards, which will be put on the Seattle-Vashon run. Last fall the announcement of the building of this boat was followed by the news of the Foshay financial difficulties, and there has been much speculation as to whether the Kitsap Transportation Company would really build the boat. It is to be hoped that work will soon commence and that the Company will regard the name “Vashon Island” with favor when it comes to choose one for the new craft. No doubt we will be able to publish fuller details in our next issue.
Burton News Notes – The county men have just completed a good, substantial float at the Burton dock which should withstand the storms for years. The float is for summer people to tie their launches and row boats to. We understand the county is putting in a float at the north end dock.
Burton News Notes – Bentley’s five hundred baby chicks that arrived from Oregon during the coldest part of our freezing weather, came through without chilblains or the loss of a single feather, thank you.
Burton News Notes – Judge P.M. Armbruster bid in Hart’s Hot Houses, so as to protect, in a large measure, all other claims against the property. He should have taken this property on a mortgage but chose to do as he did to carry out the wishes of the late J.L. Hart, that all his debts be paid. Mr. Armbruster has leased the property to Mr. Frank Brown, an experienced hot house man, with the privilege of buying. Mr. Brown has taken possession, and moved with his wife and two children Monday. Burton is fortunate in securing this family in their midst. In about three weeks the creditors will receive their money.
Engineer Bruce Hunting with two other county men from Seattle were lately surveying on the Island until recent storms temporarily suspended further work. They surveyed a road known as the Bates road leading down to the beach near Camp Sealth. Another road known as the Pohl road running down to Spring Beach, and the Armstrong road at the North end of the Island. They will soon make a survey of the road from Shawnee on Burton beach to Tahlequah.
Mrs. Harry Ollard has received word from her brother, Neil Grigware, that he has traded his Seattle property for the P.C. Aldrich home in Burton. Mr. Grigware is the son of Shoemaker Grigware who did very satisfactory work while running a shop here recently. And the son is also a shoemaker and will look after our wants. Mr. and Mrs. Grigware will move to Burton the first of next week.
Theosophy Class – The class of theosophy will be conducted by Mr. and Mrs. Sheffield at their home on the south road Sunday, February 2nd, at 2:30 p.m. Anyone interested is welcome.
Ellisport – What fine days these are to stay near the fireside or in the comfortable basement and do all kinds of odd jobs – catch up the loose ends, as it were, before the regular spring work begins! In Ellisport, as in many other places, we are experiencing the great inconvenience of having no response when we turn on our water faucets. Washboilers, tubs on wheelbarrows, and such like are brought into use (into work, not into play) and we meet many as we go with our various receptacles, some for several blocks, to and from the one outside faucet attached to an unfrozen main. It reminds us of Bible times when many met at the well. Neighbors were exceedingly kind to share water as long as they had a supply, but now we nearly all go to a common source, and thankful we are that this is available for chickens and birds must drink as well as people. Some of us can remember when we used to carry water from a barrel sunk into a hillside spring across the road from the Garvin store. Grateful indeed we should be for the many conveniences we have on the Island: electric light and power, laundryman, milk man, daily needs man, running water in our homes, a good general merchandise store, an incoming and outgoing mail twice a day, daily papers delivered to our doors, bus to the ferry not far away, delicious clams on the beach, salmon and other varieties of edible fish in the sound – O, that all people in the world were as comfortably situated and as well provided, for as we are! Grateful we are that we have so many kind neighbors – strong, willing young men who see to it that the aged and shutins lack not for fuel and water in their homes these cold days. Altruism is a trait that we all may cultivate. Most of us too have radios in our homes and these keep us in touch with important current events, even in far off London, and bring us much that is good to ennoble and cheer. Thankful we are that radio reception on the Island is so perfect. – Contributed.
Announcement – This is to announce the opening of the Pentecostal mission at the community hall, Cove, Sunday, February 2. There will be continuous meeting from 2:30 to 10:30 with good music, good singing and good preaching. Let the people of Vashon Island come and give to the visitors of Seattle a reception of Christian love and fellowship. Refreshments will be served. – T.C. Evetts in charge.
W.D. Garvin reports the sale this week of the T.N.T. Building at Vashon and the Schaefer ten acre tract north of Vashon.
Carpenters and electricians are busy putting the finishing touches on the fine new residence of B.D. Mukai.
“Risings” seems to be the order of the day around Vashon. B.D. Mukai is going about, looking in one direction only, decorated with bandages and suffering from a small crop of boils on his face and neck. Another patient sufferer is W.D. Clark who submitted last Saturday night to the removal of a felon, from the index finger of his right hand.
Cove News – Mr. Dave Siegrist is seen driving a new delivery truck. Chicken business must be improving.
A new phone was installed at the home of O. Madison last week.

February 1930

February 13, 1930

County Engineer Estimate Expenditures To Be Made On Island Roads – A complete summary of the expenditures of road money on Vashon Island was received this week from the office of the county engineer, outlining in detail the contemplated program. Of the SouthDistrict’s share of Farm to Market Road money of $105,633, Vashon Island will receive $15,000, about 14.2% of the entire amount. This is money derived from the state gasoline tax, and heretofore there has never been any of it spend on Island roads. Of this money $10,000 will be spent on the west side, somewhere between Tahlequah and Cove, the exact location of the new road as yet not having been definitely decided. $5,000 will be spent on the beach road west of Burton, connecting up with the Tahlequah road. Work of such a nature will be done on both of these roads as to take paving at some future date. Of the regular road district fund, $2,000 will be spent on the Marshall Armstrong road. This is the road now under construction, connecting up the Cedarhurst and Sylvan Beach roads.
Public Is Invited To Hear Illustrated Garden Talk – A Well Known Authority On Garden Club Work And Floral Culture To Give Illustrated Lecture – The Lily Club of Vashon has arranged for a most interesting evening for flower lovers of this community, R.J. Clary, director of the Garden Department of Better Flowers, will speak in the Community Club House, Sunday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. In presenting this program, the Lily Club hopes to stimulate interest in flower growing in this section, which has many advantages as a floral center. Some of the most beautiful and well known gardens on the Pacific Coast will be shown in color; the slides, a hundred and seventy-six in number, being part of the most complete collection this side of Chicago and is drawn from the Better Flowers library.
England Addressed School Board At Poulsbo – On Saturday evening, Chas. England, president of the Vashon Island Commercial Club, in response to the invitation of the school board of Poulsbo, spoke on the subject of our new high school. The town of Poulsbo have been up against many problems similar to ours in regard to the new high school they so badly needed. Mr. England was able to explain to them the manner in which the Commercial Club had worked out the situation here, and it was found that the same methods would work out nicely there. Through the recommendation of Mr. Nelson by Mr. England the Poulsbo board decided that if Mr. Nelson were qualified to plan a building for Vashon he would probably suit them very well and forthwith secured his services.
Buys New Truck – The Vashon Auto Freight have purchased another truck, this time a big G.M.C. This is the second truck bought by the England and Petersen group I the past two weeks.
Vashon High School News – The date set for the laying of the cornerstone of the U.H.S. is March 8, 1930. The excavating for the new Union High School has been going on for the past few weeks; the forms are set, and the architect said he thought everything would be ready by March 8th. The regular ceremony for laying cornerstones will take place. Dr. Johnson of Tacoma has been asked to be the principal speaker. Hurrah for our New High School!
Rapid Progress Is Made On New Union U High School – The work of excavation for the new high school building is now complete. The forms will be in the end of the week, and if weather conditions permit the workmen will begin pouring the cement next week. Despite the unusual condition of the weather progress has been rapid, and the building is apparently to be completed in record time.
Sandy Smith Visits Vashon Island – The press last week carried the news of a fresh gold-strike in the Ruby district of Alaska, so it is interesting to record that the prospector who, many years ago, located that mining outpost, was on last Sunday a visitor in Burton where your correspondent had the privilege of meeting him. His name is Alexander Malcolm Smith; so was he christened in his native Scotland more years ago than would be guessed from the sturdy athletic appearance of the man, but is better known to his host of friends throughout the north as “Sandy Smith.” “Sandy Smith” holds the record of having blazed more trails in Canada and Alaska than possibly any other living man, for while famous explorers have gone into and come out of the Arctic, Sandy has lived continuously there for all of fifty years.
Smith Gives Burton Club His Views of New Airplane Patent – Mr. Horace H. Smith, of the Smith Airplane Co., in his talk before the Burton Improvement Club, Thursday night said in part: “The immediate object of forming the Smith Airplace Co., was to project the patents of the company. This alone is a serious task and demands study and finances. As most of you know, the patents cover a new application of lift in ships heavier than air. A search of the patent office files gave us returns that indicate we are in a virgin field. This can readily be understood to be possible, when you recall that man’s power to fly has only come within the past 30 years, and progress is always by steps. But there is another phase of equal importance and that is actual physical growth. This in a broad way can only be accomplished by men and women gathered together and working under unified interest. The company forms the vehicle by which this unity of purpose is to be achieved. “We are beginning small. The present organization is as corporations go a very small affair, but as we gain a working nucleus, growth will be automatic. As our assets increase in value we plan on enlargement to meet that value. What will be the ultimate size is beyond our present measure. And at all times, it must be borne in mind, that every stockholder in the company owns in the patents in proportion as he or she own in the company. Is it too much to suggest that many people now residents of Vashon Island will in time have vital interests in many other lands.”
About Monday, February 17th, a large box will be placed in post office lobby, for reception of articles of clothing, shoes, magazines, or what have you, for the Goodwill Industries, and will be collected a week later. This will give us time to look through our belongings and may make us feel we should pay this worthy organization for packing off our cast off truck instead of considering it a favor.
Ellisport Items – Now that the new road leading into Ellisport has dried sufficiently to allow cars to pass and one can turn on the faucet in the home and draw H2O once more; Ellisport residents are renewing associations with the rest of the Island and beginning to think of spring planting.
Cove News Items – Dave Siegrist has installed two new electric incubators which enables him to set 100,000 eggs at one time.
Annual Inspection Of Vashon Boy Scouts – Last Monday evening the Vashon Scout troop was inspected by Al Simonson of the Seattle council, and while the report of the inspector has not as yet been received Mr. Simonson assured the boys that their rating would be high. The boys scored well in answering the long list of questions, and in general appearance made a good average. Mr. Simonson stated that he knew of no other troop in the state that had a meeting place built and owned by the boys that compared with the Vashon cabin. It is gratifying that the boys have paid off their last debt, and have a balance in the bank of $16.00.
Deputy Sheriff F.J. Shattuck reports that work on the new jail at Vashon will start just as soon as the lease on the lot from Water District No. 19 can be arranged.
Another 250 foot chicken house is being built on the land recently purchased east of Vashon by Woo Boo. This will house an additional 2,500 laying hens.
If there are more than the usual number of omissions in the News-Record blame it on the lack of current here also. We never miss the water till the well runs dry, likewise we don’t realize how necessary electricity is around a print shop until we are without it.
Willis Blekkink is improving his property with a large combination garage and fruit storage building.
Invitation seems to be the order of the day on Vashon Island, and recently John Metzenberg completed an experimental model of an oil burner to be installed in heating stoves that will reduce materially the high cost of keeping homes warm. It is unique in design, and much simpler than the burners on the market at present. It will burn Diesel oil with little soot, and a maximum of heat, at a minimum of cost.

February 20, 1930

Great Interest Has Developed In Island School Elections March 1 – Not for many years has such a keen interest in school elections all over the Island been evidenced as this year. Whereas the position of school director usually goes begging, this year some of the districts have several candidates. In the matter of the high school there are three propositions to be voted on, namely – 1. A tax of five mills to complete the raising of the building fund; 2. A tax of three mills for the operation of the school. This is a reduction of the four mill levy now in effect. 3. A tax of one mill for the purchase of equipment for the building. All of these propositions must pass if the new school is to operate properly this year. Whether there will be a change in the personnel of the high school depends on the elections in the different districts, since the high school board is composed of the chairmen of the various boards of education.
Island School Bus Wrecked On S Curve Near Orting – Last Friday night, while returning from the basketball game at Kapowsin, one of the school buses, driven by Charlie Meyer, of Maury Island, failed to make the second turn of an S curve in the highway near Orting and rolled down an embankment. When the game was finished it was too late to catch the south end ferry, and there was only a small margin to make the midnight boat from Fauntleroy. The fog made driving difficult, and although the driver had been over the road several times before, and felt fairly familiar with it he had forgotten this second curve, at the bottom of a down grade. Even though he acted quickly and applied the brakes the bus skidded off of the highway. That the ten boys were not severely injured was attributed to the fact that most of them were asleep, and in a relaxed position. Passing cars picked up the boys and took the five that were the least injured to Sumner for medical attention, while the three most badly hurt were taken to the hospital at Puyallup. Two of the boys escaped injury. Before the bus could be taken out of the ditch the next day it had been stripped of batteries, fire extinguisher, tools, etc. Theft and liability insurance will take care of damage of this nature, and the care of the injured boys. There was, however, no insurance covering the damage to the car. The top was entirely torn off, and the body considerably wrecked. The cost of putting it into commission again will amount to about three hundred and fifty dollars.
Albert Therkelsen has given up the franchise of the Vashon-Tacoma Auto Freight and Geo. Spinning is again operating the business.
A large crew of road men are at work on the Bates road, widening and straightening it. The road is being prepared with future paving in view.
Work is progressing rapidly on the Wax property at Lisabeula, where the Landers brothers are clearing an 80 acre tract which will be planted to sour cherries.
Bruce Blevins has tendered his resignation to the high school board to take effect early in March. Mr. Blevins has signed up with the Seattle Indians to pitch during the coming season, and when he leaves here he will go with them to California where they will go into training.
The wind storm this morning stirred up a general commotion. It is reported that the Shawnee road was washed out by high waves. The 10 o’clock ferry was unable to make its regular landing.
Last Saturday, February 15th, the Island Community Church acquired Lots 3 and 4, Block 3, Newport Beach, a very desirable piece of property. Plans are being worked out for a new church home, with the idea to start building in the very near future.
The furnished beach cottage of H.W. Ingalls on Burton beach was a total loss by fire Friday night a little after midnight. Cigarette stubs left burning and parked cars near by probably tell the story as the cottage had been vacant since summer. A closer watch will be kept on unoccupied buildings and the Deputy Sheriff notified in time to save any more depredations.
Vashon High School News – On the way home from the Kapowsin game, the little bus that runs on the Lisabeula line was wrecked. None of the occupants were seriously injured, although several bear cuts and bruises.
Boat Narrowly Escapes Destruction By Fire – The boat belonging to A.E. Eden, scallop fisher, came very close to being a total loss last Saturday night, when a fire started in the galley from an overheated stove. Mr. Eden had gone to the A.J. Marsh home for dinner, and Don Kinkaid, his helper, returned to the boat before following Mr. Eden. He found the boat on fire and gave the alarm. Only strenuous and prompt work saved the situation. It was purely accidental that the fire was discovered, and had it not been not only the boat but the dock and buildings at Cove might have been burned. The loss of bedding, personal effects, furnishings and damage to the galley amounted to about $500. Only a few sacks of scallops were destroyed. Fortunately Mr. Eden was able to save the ship’s papers. The insurance on the boat had expired only a few days before, so Mr. Eden will have to bear the entire cost of necessary repairs.
The Coming School Election – The keen interest in school affairs shown during the past two years indicates plainly that Vashon-Maury Island is fully awake to the needs of the times and willing to pay for what they feel is a necessity. A few years ago the idea of a union high school district was scouted at; when the union was voted on favorably by a large majority the diehards said the Island could never get together on a site; then we all held our breath until the bonds were voted. Since then the idea of the two special levies have worried no one. With the actual work of the building in progress we are taking a justifiable pride in our accomplishments. Next fall when our high school pupils enter the doors of a fine, up-to-the-minute building we will be more gratified with what we have done. This has meant a tremendous lot of work, worry and sacrifice not alone to the board, but to the committee of the Commercial Club to whom the weight of credit should be given for conducting their campaign of education, without which the voters would have been lost in the fog of suspicion and community jealousies. The tax-payers, already ladened with taxes have risen to the occasion nobly and have expressed themselves as ready to bear the financial burden. The fact that the people have chosen so wisely their candidates, and that men of sterling worth, and wise business judgment are willing to give of time and experience, demonstrates that we have reached a point where the need of best effort is realized. During the past year Island boards of education have learned the valuable lesson that taxpayers do not sign on the dotted line without knowing what they are doing. The fact that a certain levy is asked, without a proper confidence being established, does not assure an affirmative vote. We do not advocate penurious dealings in school matters, but we do advocate unreservedly adherence to good business policies in the operation of our schools. Not that alone, but more spirit of willingness to account to taxpayers for their stewardship is conducive to closer harmony between boards of education and taxpayers. Most of the candidates are too well known in their districts to require comment. If they are not known personally first hand information is easy to obtain. In making our choice let us not base it on personal friendship, pleasing personality, nor whether the candidate has always treated us with greatest tact. Let us rather weigh his qualifications as the man for the place, remembering that on the intelligent, unbiased administration of our schools depends the education of our boys and girls, and as free-thinking, broad-minded Americans this is to us the paramount issue.
Center News – Kenneth Bitle had the misfortune of a painful injury to his left hand. While chopping wood he struck his hand near the wrist, cutting several tendons and arteries. He will no doubt be laid up for some time, but the hand is healing as well as can be expected at this writing.

February 27, 1930

High School Annual – The first annual of the union high school is rapidly shaping up and the campaign of raising funds will be definitely under way within the next week. It is anticipated that this undertaking of the entire student body will receive the whole-hearted support of the patrons of the school, and all interested in Island affairs. The contract for the work was signed last week, the work to be done through the News-Record by the Lumbermen’s Printing Company of Seattle. The company specialized on high grade annuals, and each year published a large percent of those put out by Seattle high schools. The annual staff is as follows: Editor in chief, Irene Clark; Business manager, Cushing Coates; Assistant Business manager, Champ Nelson. Class editors: Senior, Margaret Depue; Junior, Marcia Forbes; Sophomore, Patricia Lavan; Freshman, Margaret Smith. Art editors: Clyde Evetts, Margaret Edwards, Eleanor Beall. Snap shot editor, Bob Wiess. Faculty advisors, Mary O’Mahoney and Mollie Lawan.
Federals Seize Island Still – With three men in the county jail Monday, federal prohibition officers announced they had broken up what they assert was a thriving moonshine producing business on Vashon Island, according to a news item in a Seattle daily. The arrests of the men were made in one of two raids by federal officers that netted 245 gallons of wine and moonshine, two automobiles and three prisoners. The men arrested were Sam Holbrook, Albert Kalk and George Bilodeau, the daily stated.
One of the greatest improvements made recently along the pavement is the clearing up of the land and the tearing down of the old buildings on the Shafer place recently purchased by Dr. McMurray. This wilderness of Scotch broom has long been an eyesore. A little more display of the spirit Dr. McMurray is showing would boost the price of Vashon real estate in general.
C.D. Edwards of Cove is convinced that raising chickens is a paying proposition and is in the process of building a large chicken house.
Today one of our facetious Vashon business me asked us to publish the news item that the county grader had been seen on the streets of Vashon. Even so we should be thankful for small favors.
The Island Cottage Inn reopened this week for its fourth season. Those acquainted with the excellent food and service Mrs. Evans gives her patrons feel that a successful season is ahead of her. She reports that the first day she was back home, before she was expecting anyone that three boarders arrived for an indefinite stay. As in past seasons Mrs. Evans will specialize on her Sunday chicken dinners in addition to the excellent meals that she serves every day of the week.
On Wednesday while maneuvering in front of the News-Record one of the Bacchus Lumber Company’s loaded trucks started for China via the route of the drain installed by the county road men a few years ago. The opening had been covered with plank, and last fall filled in with sand. With the help of two of the Auto Freight’s big trucks the lumber truck was soon sunny side up. Today the cavity was again filled, though why we don’t know, as all of the drain water of the village parks itself in the News-Record yard without bothering to use the county drain.
Extension Of Water System – At a meeting of the West Side Water Company at the Colvos Lutheran Church Tuesday it was unanimously voted to extend the system three-fourths mile west of the Cove road to Conrad Anderson’s place just past the Geo. Fosmark place. The system has been in operation just a little over a year, is in excellent financial condition, are delivering water to the patrons at a very moderate cost, and are now getting ready to take care of a larger number of patrons.
Burton News Notes – During the furious storm Thursday morning, a tree snapped from its moorings and fell across the roof of Steve Lander’s new home in West Burton, doing little damage, but badly frightening Mrs. Landers, who was in the house alone at the time.
Burton News Notes – Dorwin Hofmeister had two fingers mashed, Monday, while working around the donkey engine in the woods where his father is logging. An X-Ray in Tacoma revealed no bones broken, but the accident will disbar him from work for a couple of weeks.
England and Petersen to Bring Lumber By Scow – In order to keep pace with the rapid expansion of building activities on the Island England and Petersen will in the future bring in all heavy lumber not purchased from the local mills, by scow. This will effect a big saving in the cost of transportation. Arrangements have been made with H. Steen for uploading with his equipment and the use of his dock until such time as his mill will resume operations.
Vashon High School News – Last Friday the photographer from Scene-O-Graph Studios came to take the group pictures for the annual. The freshmen, sophomores, and junior classes were taken “en masse”, and several other groups, such as the basketball teams, honor society, debate team and annual staff, were also photographed. This annual is going to be an excellent one, and it will be the first one put out by the new Union High School. Boost the Island by boosting the annual, for the theme of the annual is the Island.
Many Island Growers Sign Up With Puyallup Association – The president, Mr. Hatch and six directors of the Puyallup and Sumner Fruit Grower’s Association met with the board of directors of the Vashon Island Marketing Association at the home of the president, Geo. Walls, last Friday, February 21st. A contract was signed for all the local associations’ fruit for the coming season. Quite a number of new members have joined the Vashon Association in the past few weeks.
Our New High School – After several years of planning and hoping we are seeing day by day our new union high school dream come true. The work is progressing at a very satisfactory rate. The concrete foundation has all been poured, and framing and construction will soon begin to show. With the coming of better weather it is hoped that work can go on unhampered. As we watch the working out of the plans as detailed, by our architect, Mr. Silas Nelson, of Tacoma, the more we realize that we are to have an all-Island high school that we can point to with pride and which will be such a credit as to induce others to come and live among us, educating their children here. We feel that we can see a wonderful opportunity for an educational center here that will be equal or better than any other locality. It is our hope that our boys and girls may receive courses here that will better fit them to go into the world and take their place in the affairs of life. We hope that trades courses may be added, for which we find we can receive some federal money, besides local, to carry on these courses. We are going to give this subject careful study. – Ira O. Thompson.
Southern Heights – Work on the Bates road is progessing finely. That will be a good, safe, two-way road one of these days.
Bethany Society Entertained – The Bethany Y.P. Society was entertained by Bertha Anderson at their monthly social last Saturday night. An inspiring program was rendered by the Society, after which delicious refreshments were served by the hostess. About 50 young people attended. The last Sunday in every month, the Bethany Y.P. Society gives a program at the Goodwill Farm. Everyone is cordially invited to attend these meetings.
The State D.A.R. annual conference will be held in Seattle on March 26, 27 and 28, with Rainier Chapter acting as hostesses. The meeting will be held at the Olympic hotel, with a reception on Thursday night at the home of Mrs. Elize Ferry Leary. Delegates from Elizabeth Bixby Chapter are Mrs. James Mattson, Regent; Mrs. C.E. Woods, Vice-Regent; Mrs. L.C. Beall, Sr., Mrs. Nelle Parker Jones, Mrs. Ira Case and Mrs. O.H. Lincoln. Alternates: Mrs. Myrtia Philips, Mrs. Sadie Gorsuch, Mrs. L.C. Beall, Jr., and Mrs. Cecil Anderson.
Items From Dockton – The County Engineers have finished surveying the road to Manzanita.
W.J. Spinning of Southern Heights has taken over the Vashon-Tacoma auto freight line, and will operate regularly, making round trips to Tacoma and return each morning and an additional trip in the afternoon whenever business necessitates. It will be Mr. Spinning’s endeavor to give prompt and efficient service to the patrons of this line who have business in Tacoma.
Clifford Lavender having received his discharge from the Army arrived home last week to resume the management of his business at Portage. Mrs. Lavender has been carrying on the business herself for nearly three years while Mr. Lavender was in the service of Uncle Sam.

March 1930

March 6, 1930

Light Vote at School Election – The school election on Saturday brought out only a very light vote in the districts where the office of school director was uncontested. In all districts the special levies carried as well as the levies requested for the new high school. In the Cove district John Ober was elected; Maury Island, Alfred Johnson was re-elected; Southern Heights, Bert Lewis; Burton, P.N. Smith was re-elected; Center, Geo. Thompson; at Lisabeula, J.J. Brink was re-elected; Vashon, C.G. Kimmel. Organizations of the various boards will take place by the end of March. Until this has been done the line-up of the new high school will not be definitely known. C.E. Bragg, present chairman, was not a candidate for re-election, so this position will be filled by another with the reorganization of the high school board.
Ranch Sale Rumor Unfounded – The rumor that the Houghton Dairy Ranch has been sold is without foundation. Mr. Houghton states that at no time has he considered disposing of his Vashon Island property and will continue to serve his customers in the future as in the past.
Junior Play Draws Crowd – A packed house on Friday night and a good sized crowd Saturday night enjoyed to the utmost the presentation of “Oh Kay” by members of the Junior class. Usually one member of a cast can be pointed out as the star, but on this occasion it would be hard to single out any particular one, as all took their parts with such enthusiasm and understanding that all were equally good.
Dock Store Purchased By William Shakespeare – The dock store at the North End has been sold to William Shakespeare, local representative of the Golden Rule Bakery of Seattle. Through his work for this firm Mr. Shakespeare has made a wide circle of friends who have come to deeply appreciate his quiet, faithful adherence to his work, and the excellent service he is giving. He has built up a splendid business for the bakery, and will continue to take care of it in the future in the same efficient manner as in the past. Mrs. Shakespeare is fully qualified to carry on the management of their new property. Reuben Lovgren, from whom the store was purchased, will keep up his local connections, having the lunch room concessions on the ferries running to the Island.
New Scout Troop Formed – The Burton Boy Scouts are beginning the organization of a Sea Scout troop. The troop has secured a boat from the Tacoma Council which will arrive next Sunday. The troop is planning a hike for this coming Sunday. They expect to take the ferry to Harper and hike from that point. First and second class test passing will be the object of the hike.
Are the Affairs of Our High School is a Shady Plight? – An Editorial – For months our interest and attention has been centered on the new high school which Vashon Island has so generously and wholeheartedly voted in favor of. By our willingness to be taxed, by our free offering of a thousand dollars, we have shown that we were anxious to provide for our boys and girls educational facilities equal to other communities. It has all been done in a remarkably fine spirit, and yet now that the building is actually in the process of construction there has risen an appalling wave of rumor, complaints, charges, countercharges and what not. Time and again as a matter of expediency, while the matter of the high school was still undecided, the News-Record has refrained from adverse comment, even incurring criticism thereby, rather than do or say a single thing that might endanger the success of the issue. The present situation, however, is a matter that cannot be ignored. The bitterness and hard feelings being engendered will prove ruinous to our Island and injure the purpose for which we have united if allowed to go on. Too much hope has been centered on our high school as a means of binding us together to let present conditions to go on if there is a chance to get them straightened out. If the charge that inferior material and workmanship is going into the very foundation of our high school then drastic action should be taken at once to remedy the condition. To start an investigation, is the duty of any taxpayer that is qualified to judge honestly. The high school is being built with our money and we will be paying for it long after architect and contractor have received their money. If these charges are unfounded, then let’s in all justice to everyone concerned, get them cleared up and stop the everlasting talking and criticism. The present state of affairs has been psychologically unavoidable, by the attitude of the high school board that “the less the public knew, the better.” They contend that anyone was welcome at their meetings which would have been fine had the taxpayers had the knowledge of when these meetings were held. The News-Record has at all times been willing to publish, gratis, notices of school board meetings, but the only time this offer has been accepted was when more money was needed. We have been told by action and word that we were persona non grata at certain meetings where the new high school was under discussion because we might “let the public know more than they should.” Then in the second place there has been entirely too much discussion about what a “bargain” we were getting from everyone connected with the building of the school, and being intelligent Americans we know the portent of the word and have subconsciously come to think that if the school were discussed so generally as a “bargain” that it must in truth be that very thing; consequently rumor is endeavoring to nose out the “shoddy” in the bargain. We are not so simple as to think that artisans, or even teachers, are working on Vashon Island just for the pleasure of laboring in our midst, and we have had so much discussion of that sort in the past year that it has begun to pall. No doubt the high school board has been honest in their endeavors, but according to the opinion of many they have erred in judgment. We have felt, and we believe justly so, that their venture into the field of transportation was ill advised at the present time. We feel that as sound business logic should be exercised in the administration of school affairs as in private business. The average business man, when engaged in building a plant for which he must borrow much of the money does not usually launch into a side venture that involves a considerable additional debt and expenditure. We feel that Prof. Robertson was sincere but premature in his attempt to prove by his figures that the board could save money by operating its own buses, and no doubt after our high school was built and we had the opportunity for a breathing spell everyone would have been glad to try the experiment, but it would seem that the present was not the time to become involved in an expenditure of about $7,200 plus interest. An interesting (?) phase of this question is why these buses were not purchased from Island firms so that the commission on them could not have in turn been used in paying their share for the new building. Various dealers have said they were not approached and did not know that the board contemplated buying these vehicles, while certain members of the board assert that they were spoken to with more force than elegance when they requested prices from local firms. By the same sign, but to a less degree, it would seem that with so many things that our high school really needs we would get along nicely without an electric clock reported to cost seven or eight hundred dollars. We would approve heartily of the clock were we in a position to provide everything that goes with it, but it would appear that it, like the $500 return switch called for in the specifications made unnecessary by switches and fuses at the transformer, could be dispensed with, and save the amount for something more utilitarian and less ornamental, for instance, adequate equipment for the home economics department. The new high school IS our business, we are paying for it, some of us a good deal more heavily than some of the board members; we are the ones who will have to pay in the future for any discrepancy today; if the board refuses to furnish us with the information that will stop these rumors we are still the ones to pay the price, for we have known too much of bitterness and dissention in the past to believe that we can escape its effects. An Island quarrel, such as now seems to threaten us, would set us back twenty years. Now is the time for the taxpayers to take a businesslike attitude and interest in what is going on. If there are those things transpiring that might be justification for the rumors that are circulating some drastic action should be taken to determine the truth. Charges of maladministration should either be proven true and corrected, or they should be proven false and forgotten. Until this is done we are laying a foundation of distrust and suspicion that will prove poor material upon which to build permanently the greatest institution of a civilized community, our public schools.
Southern Heights – At the school election Saturday Mr. Bert Lewis of Tahlequah was elected director.
Advertisement – Ellisport – Keep Her Sunny Side UP By Treating Her To One Of LAUGHING JACK’S Club House Sandwiches.
H.A. Nelson of Glen Acres has leased the Gilbert Olsen ranch and will engage extensively in the poultry business.
Although the road west of Vashon has been somewhat improved by the use of the county grader one of our good friends living east of the village has asked us to announce the fact that the road to the east is in a deplorable condition. With the weather becoming more settled the road crew will have a fairer chance to get every one “sunny side up” in the matter of roads. So far it has been a pretty hard proposition with the recurrent frosts heaving the roads up one day and dropping them down the next.
Miss Edith Sanford, one of the Vashon grammar school teachers, injured last winter in an auto accident, will probably not return this year. Mrs. Claude Bibbins will finish the year teaching the seventh and eighth grades.
H.C. Cronander spent Monday in the city of destiny. He says this purpose was a job of exterior decorating. “Art for art’s sake” is always Cro’s motto.
Mr. Albert Therkelsen has gone to Sedro Wooley where he has work. The family expects to join him after school closes.
Burton – At the election Saturday, March 1st, Mr. Peter Smith was elected to succeed himself as director, thus carrying out one of Lincoln’s wise sayings: “Don’t swap horses in the middle of the stream.” All the levies carried.
Ellisport Items – Ellisport was well represented at the school election last Saturday and was rewarded in having its representative, Mr. Geo. T. Thompson elected to the Center school board of directors.
Cove News Items – Martin Anderson and J. Jorgenson cars collided this week near Colvos. Neither was hurt, but the cars must be repaired.
Spring Weather Lure Boy Scouts To The Open Spaces – With the return of spring weather the various Scout groups on the Island are getting into outdoor activities. A stranger walking along a road near Vashon was alarmed by the actions of some ten or twelve youngsters, and about decided that gang war had broken out here. It developed that the group was some of the younger scouts under the direction of Fielder Beall, pursuing some of the tactics peculiar to their branch of the work.

March 13, 1930

“Sandy” Smith Shown Among Alaskan Notables; To Lecture For Scout Benefit – That the spirit of high adventure inspires the entertainment to be given at the Burton High School Auditorium on March 20th, is evidenced by the display of a group photograph, which has attracted much attention in a prominent window in Vashon’s business district. The picture includes portraits of famous Arctic explorers, prominent citizens of Alaska, and other members of the N.Y. Explorer’s Club. Seated on the front row in order named are seen “Sandy” Capt. Alex M. Smith, who gives the benefit for the Boy Scouts, Valjalmar Steffenson, whose exploits and books are well known, Sir Hubert Wilkins, now in Southern latitudes, and whose land forces on his earlier polar expedition was commanded by Capt. Smith; and the fourth man of the group is Carl Ben Eilson, companion of Wilkins, his sad fate off North Cape is a recent tragedy of the Artic. It is the Spirit that inspires such men that brought Scout Craft into existence and created a school out of which the explorers of the future will graduate. Few movements deserve support and encouragement more than Scout Craft, and it was to increase such interest that “Sandy” Smith consented to return to Burton and present an entertainment for the benefit of both Scout Troops. Scoutmasters I.O. Thompson of the Vashon Troop and H.W. Grimland of Burton Troop are anxious that a great success shall be made of this event, and all friends of the boys are urged to give a hearty support by making a capacity audience on the evening of March 20th.
Large Gathering Witness Laying of Cornerstone – Despite the inclement weather of Saturday a large number of Islanders attended the cornerstone laying of the new union high school. The program consisted of talks by members of the faculty, high school board, and others particularly prominent in educational affairs. After a verse of “America the Beautiful” had been sung the program was begun by an invocation by C. August Peterson. C.E. Bragg representing the school board eulogized the other members of the board, the educational committee, the architect and contractor, speaking of the complete harmony that had existed from the start to finish of their relations. Ira O. Thompson gave the history of the Vashon Island schools as outlined in the News-Record of last week. Prof. Frank M. Robertson, in a few, well-chosen words complimented the people of the Island and the board on the success of the movement for a new high school. Elmer Stone, clerk of the board, officiated in placing in a copper box certain records and documents. These were handed to him by Mary Berry, representing the senior branch of the high school, and Eleanor Beall, representing the junior branch. After the box had been closed it was deposited by the girls in the corner stone which was put in position by the architect and one of the workmen. Silas Nelsen, the architect, then spoke in glowing terms of the pleasure he had experienced from his connection with the project of the new building, and assured that when completed the taxpayers would have a building of which they could be proud.
Happy Day Hatchery Meeting With Satisfactory Success – The Happy Day Hatchery, a new Island enterprise, has enjoyed so far a remarkably satisfactory business, and its owner, Mr. Carl Wick, feels that he has made no mistake in choosing Vashon Island for his venture into the hatchery business. His fine new Petersime incubator is giving a satisfactory performance, and as a result he is getting fine percentages with each hatch. During the past ten days he has sold orders of baby chicks to Rev. Raaum, Nels Deidricksen, A. Rockness and L. Leland, all of the Colvos district.
Local Minister Bought Stolen Auto; Is Loser $500 – Last Saturday morning an agent of the National Automobile Theft Bureau, from Seattle, appeared at the manse of the Vashon Presbyterian Church, and informed Rev. E. Grant Randal, the pastor, that when he purchased his car last September, he had bought a stolen car. The proper papers were shown, the thief was awaiting in a car on the street, guarded by two detectives. Mr. Randal identified the man, an Everett Shullanberger, as the man from whom he had purchased the car; an inspection was made of the number of the engine, showing plainly under a strong light, that the original number had been filed off, and a new number stamped on. The agent of the Insurance Co., demanded the car to reimburse them for $600 insurance they had been compelled to pay the owner. So Mr. Randal sadly watched his car driven away. A visit to Seattle on Monday convinced the pastor that there was little of no chance of recovering any of the $500 he had paid for the car. Shullanberger it is said, represented himself as a regular salesman from the Blangy Motor Co., and all the business was transacted in one of their establishments, but in such a smooth way that a lawyer consulted did not see any hope of fixing responsibility on the firm. Mr. Randal has not yet grven up entirely.
Vashon High School News – As an aftermath of the trip by Mr. Ackley’s civics class to the jail and court in Seattle, the boys and girls are presenting a mock trial to the school Thursday. For the trial Peter Sarvold is the complainant and Ward Clark is the defendant. Others to take part are: Robert Petherick, judge; Joe Green, Thomas Beall and Vernon Smith, attorneys for the complainant; Marshall Matson, William Dunlap and Kathryn Hatch, attorneys for the defendant. The students have shown intense interest in preparing this trial.
Methodist Brotherhood Has Been Organized – At a dinner in the Methodist parsonage Monday evening the men of the Vashon Methodist Church completed the organization of a Brotherhood. The initial work was begun two weeks ago. The purpose of this organization is the promotion of the church in the community and complements the activities carried on by the various other organizations of the entire church organization. The officers elected for the year were F.A. Weiss, president, M.L. Tjomsland, vice-president, A.L. Atlee, secretary, and R.P. Huston, treasurer.
School Bus Question Still a Live Issue – An Editorial – Our editorial of last week caused considerable comment, pro and con, more, we admit, that we had anticipated. Judging from the number who have phoned, called at the office, written, and stopped us on the street, we have not met with entire disapproval. We regret the fact that many have injected the personal element into what we said, and seem to feel that we were hitting at particular persons. Several members of the school board, the architect and at least one member of the educational committee of the Commercial Club, resent the insinuation which they felt were implied; several expressed satisfaction that particular persons were “getting just what they deserved”; while still another group maintained that there was nothing personal in the entire editorial, and that the only persons criticized were those who had started rumors. We retract nothing for we feel now just as we did last week. We have had too much of comments and rumors, and we still maintain that it is high time to get things ironed out and out of our systems. As for our having cast a reflection upon any one we just as stoutly aver today as we have during the past week that no reflection was intended or implied. On last Saturday, on the occasion of the laying of the corner stone of the new high school Mr. Silas Nelsen, architect, voiced bitter disapproval of the article in the News-Record, branding it as “false, a mass of evil insinuations, unfair to everyone concerned, etc.,” and concluded with the statement that “that article is a reason a copy of the paper was not placed in this corner stone today.” Mr. Nelsen was exercising his constitutional right in voicing his opinion of the paper and its editor, and we have no desire to enter into a controversy with him. In our issue of last week we inferred that it had not been an easy matter to get information in regard to the progress of the high school project. Here is one of several instances we might cite. On November 21st we wrote to Mr. Nelsen asking for more intelligible descriptive information that we, unskilled in building terms, could give. We publish herewith his reply of November 23, 1929: “I have your letter of the 21st requesting data on the plans, etc., of the new high school. I shall be glad to furnish information from time to time relative to the progress on the plans, site, building, etc., so that the Island people will be informed on the progress of their new school. Will you kindly give me the date on which you publish the paper and also the last date on which you receive copy? I shall be glad to give you information covering the project from my first contact a year ago until its completion in whatever length article you think appropriate starting next week. Would you be interested in perspectives and plans for publication?” We did not wait to reply by letter but phoned to Mr. Nelsen’s Tacoma office, giving the information he desired as to date of publication, etc. We were promised by a young lady in the office that the article would be forthcoming for the next issue of the paper. We are still waiting for it. On Tuesday night a special meeting was held of the high school board, representatives of the Commercial Club, and others. Although the editor was rather peremptorily urged to be present, previous arrangements made it impossible to accept the invitation. We have it on good authority, however, that the meeting was entirely harmonious, and that those present were satisfied with the manner in which the project is going forward. Through a committee Mr. Nelsen has requested space at some future date to publish facts and figures about the high school. This privilege is always available to Mr. Nelsen or any citizen working for the common good of Vashon Island. We qualify this statement, not with the high school in mind, however, by stating that the matter we will publish must be of general news value, and not propaganda. It is unnecessary for Mr. Nelsen, or any member of high school board, or educational committee working for the promotion of the high school, to ask permission to publish in the News-Record anything that will give to the people of the Island the information they are so anxious to obtain. Our columns are open to them at all time. From the first the News-Record has stood four square behind the movement for a new high school; we have spent more time than anyone not familiar with newspaper work could possibly realize; we have edited, typewritten, made understandable and readable copy that has been sent in to the office, then published it over the name of the sender; our work has been disrupted waiting for promised articles that either never showed up or were so late they had to be set after the rest of the paper was ready for the press; we have given free publicity to every movement that even remotely affected the high school. With all due modesty we state that had it not been for the support of the News-Record the new high school would not have become a reality at this time. When Mr. Nelsen and the board of education see fit to have the all-Island inspection day they are planning on the News-Record will be as ready as in the past to give all available publicity to the occasion. In this connection it is only fair to ourselves to state that meagerness of information given in the past has been no fault of ours. We have been able to publish just what we could get, and in many cases we have had to be mighty tenacious to get what we have had in the way of news stories on this subject. We feel that the many discourtesies shown the paper have been due to ignorance of the manner in which the press is usually treated in public projects of this sort, rather than to intention. Again in reference to our editorial of last week; no one was accused of dishonestly; we cannot feel the responsibility for what individuals may read into what we say. We feel that the majority of our readers possess ability to read what we said in the spirit in which it was intended. Although we were publicly accused of a desire to precipitate an Island quarrel we deny the allegation, and are convinced that the apathy, with the undercurrent of rumor, was much more dangerous than the general clearing of the air which we feel will result. The question of the school buses, raised in last week’s issue is not closed. We do not subscribe to the theory that the bus question is ancient history in that the buses are already purchased. If the school buses show a profit to the district then we should have them; if they do not, that is still another matter. We admit that last summer was the time for a controversy on the bus subject, but there are more years coming and more buses on the market ready for purchase, so the issue is not dead.
A Correction – We have been asked by close friends to correct two mistakes made in the News-Record. We reported that Mr. and Mrs. Forrest were buried in Seattle. Both were cremated.
Light Vote Polled – As is usually the case when the office of port commissioner is before the people of the Island a very light vote was polled on Tuesday. A large majority of the local voters seem to feel that the districts outside of Seattle need not concern themselves. Had the whole county voted as the Island voters did Mr. Chapman would have been Mr. Lamping’s successor, which goes to show the effect of personal contact on the average voter.
M.J. Libera Sells Ranch - Through the C.B. Taylor agency the M.J. Libera ranch east of Vashon, better known as the Loss place, was sold this week to a Mr. and Mrs. Hesle of Olympia, who will take possession at once. They will engage extensively, we are informed, in chicken raising and fox farming, moving part of their stock here from their former location. Mr. and Mrs. Libera, who have been Island residents for the past nine years have made no definite plans for the future, but there is a possibility that they may still continue to live here.
Here’s A New Scheme – Many people worry over the high cost of funerals, but this is no longer necessary. This week a representative of a Seattle undertaking establishment was canvassing the Island. The house he represented had grown incensed by the manner in which the majority of the other establishments were robbing the people, so they decided they would launch a big humanitarian movement. The prices were amazingly low for one funeral, while if one signed up for four or five funerals the price was even better. As yet we have heard of no one that has ordered more than one funeral. The only danger in the whole project is that a funeral for a child can be had for as low as twenty-five dollars, which is really no reason at all for exasperated mothers to indulge in the impulse engendered by these boys and girls suffering from spring fever.
The county scraper has been doing some much needed work on the road east of Vashon. It is plain to be seen that road supervisor Ruhlen needs only to be told of any needed improvement and in a short time he is on the job.
Geo. Leslie was recently discharged from jury duty in Seattle after serving the usual term, but T.N. Thompson was able to give some good and sufficient reason this week as to why he should be excused.
We understand that Ralph Towne has started a mighty fine thing in the new library he is making available to the people of the Colvos district.
A member of the state highway patrol was able this week to cause considerable consternation among some of the careless and delinquent.
Commercial Club Committee Heads Named – At a meeting of the executive officers of the Vashon Island Commercial Club held at the home of Charles England last week, the following committee chairmen were appointed for the ensuing year: E.H. Miller, publicity; Ira Thompson, education; L.C. Beall, agriculture; Alex Stewart, transportation; C.L. Garner, highways; E.G. Randall, entertainment.
Burton – Our artist Edson, had as company, several days this week, another artist, F.L. Wellington, from Oak Harbor, Washington, who enjoys a visit with his fellow workman and manages to get over once a year. These two had studios in the same building in Everett, some years ago, and are still good friends!
The men of Island Community Church are to meet at the Newport lots recently purchased, at one o’clock and clear a site for the new church, the building of which will soon start. The ladies say of these men work satisfactory, they will serve hot coffee and cold sandwiches along about hungry time.
Dockton – Miss Mary Berry of Dockton and Miss Lenore Beals of Vashon assisted in laying the foundation stone of the new high school on Saturday.
Cove News Items – Mrs. J. Seeland who, seven weeks ago, while in Seattle at the Bon Marche fell on the moving stairs and broke her arm and some bones in her hand, arrived home Saturday. Mrs. Seeland is not looking or feeling very good and is unable to use her arm as yet.

March 20, 1930

Chairman of Educational Committee Denies Charges of Secret Actions of Board; Says Suspicions Groundless – Editor News-Record: In the last two issues of the News-Record there have appeared editorials that have caused some interest and we find, with the majority of public-spirited citizens, a larger degree of surprise. There can be but little doubt that the general public have been well informed at all times of the progress of the high school movement and the policies of those who have borne the brunt of the fight. However your editorials have aroused suspicions in the minds of some readers. We want to take this opportunity to present some facts which we hope will prove these suspicions groundless. With reference to the insinuations that poor material is being used in the construction of the building, I wish to say that a competent inspector has been on the ground since the first concrete was poured. Furthermore, samples of the concrete have passed the Building Laboratories Tests. The lumber has passed certified inspection, has been checked and double checked. School authorities, architect and builder are using every precaution to prevent the use of inferior material. If these facts are doubted, one only needs to go and see for yourself. Your article refers to an eight-hundred dollar clock. Inquiry would reveal that no such clock has been ordered by the Board. Likewise, your reference to a “five-hundred dollar switch” is misleading. No such switch is contemplated. Your insinuation that the Board has attempted to keep essential information from the people is particularly regrettable. The public has been told repeatedly, thru the columns of your paper and at public meetings that it is welcome at any and all meetings. No inquirer has ever been denied the information that the Board meets regularly the first Saturday night of each month. Your issue of Nov. 14th, 1929, makes reference to the announcement made by Mr. Stone urging the public to be present at a meeting of the Board to be held at Burton High School, Nov. 16th. Certainly you cannot plead ignorance of the time and place of this meeting as a reason for your absence. You refer to the work of the News-Record in bringing about the building of the high school. I would not minimize the importance of your work, but will say that I have been proud to count your paper a factor in the success of this undertaking. I am frank to express my surprise therefore at your willingness to give sudden ear to rumor and gossip and to publish statements that can have no effect but to discredit the sincere, efficient and unselfish efforts of your co-workers in this movement. Because of my interest in this undertaking and because of my position as chairman of the education committee of the Island Commercial Club, I have attended virtually all Board meetings during the past year. I know the Board is doing its work effectually and well. I can only feel that if your acquaintance with what has been done had been as intimated as mine, your confidence would have been as great. – Ira O. Thompson.
Hunt Celebrates Her 20th Year In Public Service – To those of us that feel that a year of dealing with the public is plenty, we consider with wonder a woman who for twenty long years has served the public, yet remains happy and cheerful in spite of it. Not only does she serve the public in the capacity required by her executive position, but also acts as banker, confessor, advisor, and what not to the patrons of her office, the most popular woman in her community. Without her contributions each week the local paper would contain a vast and aching void.
Public Wall Dedication – The public is invited to attend the ceremonies at the Vashon Cemetery on Tuesday, March 25th, 2:30 p.m., at which time Mrs. Wesley H. DuBois, of Spokane, State Regent, D.A.R., will deliver the principal address. The beautiful stone wall and pillars are the work of Mr. A.D. Urquhart, of Vashon, the material furnished by volunteer efforts of the cemetery association and the financing by Elizabeth Bixby Chapter, D.A.R. whose bronze tablet appears on a pillar at the main entrance. All Island organizations are asked to be present. W.D. Garvin, president of the Cemetery Association, has planned for shelter in case of inclement weather. Mrs. James Mattson, local chapter Regent, will preside, and a fitting program has been arranged.
Smith To Talk In Vashon – Mr. Horace H. Smith, the inventor of the Smith airplane, will speak at the Vashon Theatre Saturday evening, March 22nd, explaining the workings of the new ship.
Taxpayers Losers More Than $1600 In District’s Operation of the Buses; Liability Insurance Not Sufficient – An Editorial – With the necessity of intelligent economy in every department of our high school administration a survey of the transportation problem is both wise and timely, although a better time would have been a year ago. Figures obtained from an authoritive source indicate that if there is a continuation of operation of buses by the district over a territory that could be served by a public utility company a loss amounting to approximately $1,670 must be sustained annually. In addition to this annual loss the district must run the risk of tremendous damage suits in case of any accident that might occur in the operation of the buses owned by the district. In considering the question of transportation so many phases are involved, and so many angles present themselves that require careful consideration. It is not wisdom, therefore, to pass judgment until we have considered wisely and well. However, we cannot escape the fact that statisticians, constantly studying transportation problems have struck an average that it is folly to delude ourselves into thinking it can be beaten by novices in the business.
Equal Distribution Of Cost Of Vashon Street Lights Proposed – Since the installation of the street lights in the village of Vashon the service has been paid for by free-will offerings ranging from 50 cents to ten dollars, the money collected by the bank. It does not seem expedient or desirable to continue this practice so Mr. Garner, of the Light Company, has pro rated the amount charged for the eleven lights. If this service is to be continued the money must be paid into the bank by April 10th, as the time for making this annual payment is already a month overdue. In the event that the lights are to be discontinued the money paid in will be refunded. A list of those who have made their contributions will appear in the News-Record of next week. In cases where a residence and place of business are both benefitted by the lights a charge of $5.00 for the year has been deemed fair. This includes W.D. Garvin, F.A. Weiss, Dr. Coutts, A. Riefschneider and Agnes L. Smock. Where only a residence or a place of business is benefitted the charge is $3.65.
About forty-five members of the local poultry organization of the Washington Co-op held an interesting and instructive meeting at the Island Club Tuesday evening.
Work is progressing nicely on the new Cedarhurst-Corbin road.
Tom Smith, who recently took possession of the Sisco place, is building new chicken houses and will become one of the Island’s poultrymen.
Don Thompson is “all broken up” again. This week he injured his wrist while cranking a Ford car, and now he is going about on crutches, having broken the arch of his foot by dropping a timber on it.
An X-ray examination revealed that much of the ill health from which Mrs. B.P. Kirkland is suffering is due to the accident several years ago when she was run over by a Ford car. Four ribs are broken loose from the spike, and one from the breast bone.
At the dog show staged by Billie Robinson Sunday the first prize, a dog collar, was awarded to Wesley Middling’s dog, since it was the only dog the collar fitted. Even so the youngsters had one big time, with not a single fight between either boys or dogs.
Mr. and Mrs. A.J. Hessle have arrived on the Island and have started work, building pens, and getting the place ready for the foxes and poultry which they will move here as soon as everything is in readiness. They recently purchased the Libera place.
Burton – Dr. A.E. Yound is a busy man with his twelve hundred chicks received from Tacoma last week.
Center News – Mr. R.D. Fuller shipped 5 ½ dozen cucumbers on Monday of this week. This we understand is the first Island shipment.
Work is progressing very rapidly on the gravel bunkers Mr. F.M. Sherman is building on his valley property.

March 27, 1930

Vashon Island’s New High School Is Latest Design – Build to Permit Future Expansion, and To Comply With All Requirements of State Board of Education – by Silas E. Nelsen, Architect – On March 15th the last of the various contracts for the construction of your new high school was awarded by the Board, that was the contract for the electrical work. With the award of this contract it is now possible for the first time to give you a complete description and total cost of your new high school building. The building can best be visualized by comparing its plan to the letter Tee. The head of the Tee, which runs parallel to the county road, contains the offices and classrooms. The leg of the Tee, extending away from the road, contains the gymnasium, and at the extreme rear the boiler room. The building is 234’3” across the front and the head of the Tee is 60’ deep. The gymnasium wing is 92’ wide and extends back 52’. The boiler room beyond this is 21’x 21’. The second floor of the building occupies a space about one-half the width across the front, being 115’3” wide. Capacity – The building is designed to accommodate 300 students when all class rooms, laboratories and study hall are full to capacity but not assuming the class in the gymnasium or on the athletic field. Department – The building, as planned, groups the various rooms by departments in order to simplify supervision and make it possible in certain cases for one instructor to supervise two rooms. These departments are as follows: Administrative Department – This department included the public office 10 x 15 feet with its supply room 7 x 12 feet, the principal’s office 8 x 13 feet with a fireproof vault adjoining. These offices are just to the right of the main entrance. To the left of the main entrance has been provided a rest room and toilet for the lady teachers and opening off the corridor is a toilet for the men teachers. Commercial Department – This department is located on the front of the building just to the east of the offices. There is provided a typing room 23 x 33 feet (this room opens into the principal’s office) and a bookkeeping room 22 x 29 feet, the two rooms being separated by a glass partition, which thus permits supervision by one instructor. Adjoining the bookkeeping room is a recitation room 22 x 29 feet that is available for this department. Manual Training Department – This department is on the first floor on the east wing of the building across the corridor from the commercial department. It contains a woodworking shop 22 x 51 feet providing ample space for the students’ benches and machine tools. In addition there has been provided a small tool storage room, a room for painting and varnishing and over these small rooms ample storage space for lumber. The floor of manual training department is concrete laid directly on the ground, this preventing noise from being transmitted thru the building. Domestic Science Department – The domestic science department is located on the first floor to the west of main entrance and includes a domestic science room 23 x 34 feet providing ample space for the students’ cooking tables, sinks, etc. Adjoining this is a kitchenette which may be used both for demonstration purposed in connection with the class work and as a kitchen for the preparation of students’ lunches. Opening off of this kitchenette is a small dining room which will be used for class purposes in connection with the domestic science department and which can also be used for teachers’ dining room. Adjoining the domestic science room on the west and opening off of it is the sewing room 22 x 29 feet. It is planned to use the domestic science room and sewing room for cafeteria purposes during the lunch hour. Recitation Rooms – Three recitation rooms for general class purposes are provided on the first floor of the west wing, each being 22 x 29 feet. Physical Training Department – This department includes a gymnasium with a playing floor 50 x 75 feet, a stage on the east 20 feet deep and 44 feet long with ample dressing rooms at each end and with a proscenium arch 36 feet wide, bleachers on the west with a seating capacity of three hundred adults, and in the space beneath the bleachers there have been provided the girls’ toilet room, shower room, locker room and equipment room. Built into the upper part of the bleachers is a small fireproof projection room, which will permit the showing of motion pictures. On the opposite side below the stage is the boys’ toilet room, shower, locker room, and equipment room. A feature of the gymnasium is the wood block floor which is to be made of Port Orford Vertical Grain Cedar Blocks 1 3/8 inches thick, laid in asphalt on a concrete slab. When the gymnasium is used as an auditorium it will be seated with portable chairs and by using the bleachers will seat nearly one thousand people. When used as a gymnasium, portable bleachers may be placed on the stage which, with the bleachers, will permit nearly five hundred people to view athletic games. Space for the storage of these portable bleachers is provided below the bleachers. Science Department – The science department will be found on the second floor at the west end of the building and includes a physics laboratory 25 x 31 feet and a chemistry laboratory 25 x 36 feet. These laboratories are provided with ample storage space for chemicals and equipment. Study Hall and Library – At the east end of the second floor will be found the study hall with space for eighty-eight individual desks. This study hall is provided with a small stage 15 feet wide and 10 feet deep for use during assemblies. For assembly purposes, with two in a seat, there will be provision for one hundred seventy six pupils. Adjoining the study hall and separated from it by a glass partition, which permits easy supervision, is a library 15 x 18 feet well lighted by a skylight. The library can be supervised by the same instructor supervising the study hall. Construction – The construction of the building provides for masonry walls, with wood floors, partitions and roof. The exterior walls are faced with select common brick laid in combination cement mortar. The main portion of the building has walls 13 inches thick, the face brick being backed up with eight inches of interlocking tile. The gymnasium wing is of brick veneer construction with the roof trusses carried on timber columns. The walls, footings, etc., of the one story portions are designed to accommodate a future second floor, should this be desired. The main entrance, which is the most important feature on the exterior, is to be built of Walker-Wilkeson sandstone. A double wall is provided between the corridors and class rooms. In this wall space will be set individual lockers for the pupils. They will be set flush with the wall of the corridor and will be ventilated into the attic space, positive action being assured by the ventilating fans. This space will also include the ventilating ducts for the room exhausts, the teachers’ closets for each class room, and the various other built-in storage cases required in the different rooms. Electrical System – This system will include the light and power, public telephone, time clock and program bells and the fire alarm system. All wiring will be done in rigid conduit with the exception of the clock, program and fire alarm systems. The time clock, program bells and fire alarm systems are to be wired by the present electrical contractor by the equipment will be installed by the manufacturers of these products at a future date and will represent the minimum requirements for a school of this type. The total cost of the building $57,038.92. All work on the building must be completed by August 15, 1930. The plan of the building permits indefinite future expansion by the addition of wings on both the east and west ends of the main portion, as well as building a second story over the present one story portions. In exterior appearance the building will be extremely pleasing with its brick walls, tile roof and stone entrance. No useless ornament has been applied, the architect having gained his efforts through the skillful use of simple materials. The building will be one of which you can be justly proud.
News-Record Goes To Germany – Last week we mailed a paper to our first German subscriber, Miss Helen Hillje, who will be remembered by many of the Island residents as “Aunt Helen”, the term affectionately used by a considerable number in speaking of her. Miss Hillje, an aunt of Mrs. Frank Segrist, left the Island five years ago, after a “visit” of seventeen years. Each week Mrs. Segrist clipped items for her aunt, so finally decided that an easier way would be to subscribe for the paper to be sent each week.
Cemetery Wall Dedication – On Tuesday, March 25th, the beautiful new wall at the Vashon cemetery entrance was dedicated with appropriate ceremonies by Elizabeth Bixby Chapter, D.A.R. with the following program: Flag Salute, Chapter. Introduction, Mrs. James Mattson, Chapter Regent. Address, Mrs. Welsey H. DuBois, State Regent. Response, Rev. Randal, Pastor Presbyterian Church. Flag Bearer, Margaret Poage. Bugler, Junior Shallenburger.
Rumor Unfounded – For some time, we understand, the rumor has been circulated that the News-Record has been leased by its owner to a syndicate. This rumor has its foundation, probably, in the fact that for several weeks we published a page of advertising for the International Syndicate of Spokane. This space was simply sold to this syndicate at our regular foreign advertising rate, and had nothing whatever to do with the policy or management of the paper. The owner of the News-Record is still its editor and publisher, ready to take the responsibility of whatever appears from week to week.
Cove News Items – County surveyors are at work on the location of the new West Side road.
Vashon And Vicinity – On Saturday evening Mr. and Mrs. B.D. Mukai entertained at dinner Mr. and Mrs. Harry Enochs, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Enochs and their son, Earl, and guest Mr. Ellis, and Mrs. Agnes L. Smock. The new home of the Mukais is one of the loveliest and most complete houses on the Island, perfect in every detail. They are justly happy and proud to possess it. With the exception of a few pieces of furniture everything used in building and furnishing this house was purchased through Vashon Island firms. The large new packing plant is just about finished, and when fitted out will be one of the most complete in this part of the country.
The Board of Directors of School District 102 was organized Monday March 24th. Mr. D.S. Siegrist was elected chairman, C.Aug. Peterson, clerk. John Ober director.
A presentation of the Smith Airplane was given at Vashon Theatre Saturday evening through the courtesy of Mr. Ronald P. Burfield. Mr. England, of Vashon, acted as chairman, Mr. Don Medley spoke on the merits of the new ship and Mr. Burfield spoke of the benefits to the Island of having the ship built here. Mr. Horace H. Smith the principle speaker, also the inventor of the new style plane, explained the workings of the new propelling wings.
Lisabeula Items – Mr. Jensen is having 4,000 currant plants set out. Mr. Enochs is supervising the planting.
Clausen Versus Gowan – The larger proportion of the population of Ellisport was in attendance at Judge Armbruster’s justice of the peace court at Newport on Friday last to hear the case of Clausen versus Gowan, and if the judge is to continue to hold court of this size, he is faced with the necessity either of putting an addition to his home or building a courthouse. Gowan has for several years been under the delusion that he owns the streets of the plat of Chautauqua Beach, which included Ellisport and vicinity, and, in asserting his claims, has brought numerous suits against individuals who own property in the plat and who use the streets. In no instance so far, we understand, has he been successful in his claims. The county has worked many of these streets for years and in spite of this and the fact that a court decision of several years ago declared that the rights to the streets were purchased with the lots and that Gowan was restricted from molesting any one in their use, he has persisted in his claims, even going so far as to attempt to halt the county last summer in its regrade of Ellisport hill, a much needed improvement. Apparently he has now shifted his claims to the beaches of Ellisport and, it was in pursuing these that he ran foul of the law in the person of our deputy sheriff, Mr. Shattuck, who arrested him under a warrant sworn by Mrs. Clausen, a lady of Ellisport, for threatening bodily injury and using abusive language, while walking from the post office to her home along the beach. Mrs. Clausen testified that the abusive language was accompanied by a threat to “brain her with a rock” which he held in his hand. Gowan, who appeared in court with his pockets full of papers evidently to be used in the case, among them a plat of Chautauqua Beach bisected and much worn and frazzled by its years of use, caused much merriment by his apparent failing memory and inability to retain the identity of the witnesses in the case and attempted argument with the court. He stated that all he wanted was a just decision and the judge promised him that he should have it. Failing to place any testimony before the court more than a personal denial of the allegations Judge Armbruster assessed him costs and gave him ten days to furnish a peace bond in the sum of two hundred dollars.

April 1930

April 3, 1930

Burton News Notes – If industry, good management, and continual attention to the work in hand, count for anything, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Brown, who recently purchased the Hart greenhouses in Burton, should reap a rich harvest ere many “moons” pass. Though handicapped in starting late, by incessant labor they have forged ahead, and expect to have roses on the market inside of two weeks, and will in time raise flowers exclusively.
Burton News Notes – What might have resulted in a very serious accident Sunday night, had not Dorwin Hofmeister, whose car caught fire from an explosion caused by gas running into the heated exhaust pipe, extinguished the fire in time to save part of the car and the young ladies from being seriously burned. The Misses Cram and Gwendolyn Bogh, were taken to Dr. Grandy’s office, to have their limbs, which were quite badly burned, bandaged, and are now able to be around again. Dorwin’s hand was badly burned.
Shows Unusual Talent – The map, drawn by Eleanor Beall for the high school annual is unusually clever, and gives evidence of talent that will go far. Eleanor possesses not only talent, but has the determination to accomplish what she sets out to. Her ambition is to excel in art and music, and even though she is popular with her schoolmates she allows nothing to interfere with her purpose. This map is the first drawing she has made for publication and depicts the various attractions of the Island. It elicited much praise from the officials of the Western Engraving Company, which is making the cuts for the annual.
Professor Robertson Replies To News-Record On Bus Question
Proponents Of District Owned School Buses Fail To Produce Adequate Facts and Figures To Justify Claims – An Editorial –
New Windows in Methodist Church to be Designs by Rez – The Sunday edition of the Seattle Times contained an interesting article on Anton Geza Rez, Czeco-Slovakian artist in charge of the stained glass department of W.P. Fuller & Company. Mr. Rez, a veteran of the World War, is very enthusiastic over the appreciation of art in the new world. It is rather a coincidence that on last Sunday the members of the Vashon Methodist Church should have launched a movement to replace the present windows of their church with new ones designed by Mr. Rez. There will be twenty-one windows, each to be dedicated to the founders of the church or members of pioneer families. Sixteen windows have already been promised. They are to be cathedral glass, the arch to contain an emblem, the cross and crown, designed in stained glass. Work on the redecoration of the interior of the church will be carried on while the windows are being installed, and it is anticipated that the work will be completed in time for Easter. When finished the people of the church will have every reason to feel proud of their house of worship.
Cove News Items – Mr. John Olson had the misfortune to have his chimney burn out causing damage to the house.
Southern Heights – Miss Bishop, executive secretary of the Campfire Association, was at Camp Sealth Sunday with most of the other board members, making a thorough inspection and planning two new cottages for the senior group. The Kiwanis Club of Seattle will build them.

April 10, 1930

Transportation Officials Correct Statements Made By Robertson
Many Island Road Projects Progressing – Road supervisor Ruhlen has a real job these days keeping his eye on the various jobs in progress. At the North End a crew of six are working on the parking place promised some time ago by the county commissioners. The cottages belonging to Royce Wise have been moved, and put on stilts on the north side of the draw directly west of the dock. A place some forty feet wide and between 2 and 3 hundred feet deep is being leveled and tiled, and will provide an excellent parking place. This work will be finished in about a week. Further work has been done on the Cunliffe road running south of the Twickenham estate. The Beall road, which was in such a deplorable state during the winter is now being graveled as far south as the bridge, and will soon be completed. Work is progressing nicely on the Armstrong road, which connects up the Cedarhurst and Corbin roads. This new road will add considerably to the scenic drives of the Island. The Bates road is completed except for the gravelling, which will be done as soon as it dries off, and finishing the parking place near the end of the road.
Surveyors have been at work surveying for the new West Side road, and much interest has been created in the lines they are running. Evidently the fact that the lines run through one man’s barnyard, and another man’s gooseberry field makes no difference. Apparently this is as it should be, for the road is a “farm-to-market” road, and naturally it should live up to its name.
Work is to begin at a very early date on the Rosehilla road. With its completion the present construction program will be practically completed.
A great improvement along the pavement is being made with the clearing out of the gutters and cutting of brush growing along the edge of the concrete. While this is desirable at all times of the year it adds much to the appearance of the highway and tends to give visitors a favorable impression.
Met-Cro Garage Buys More Modern Equipment – The Met-Cro Garage had added another piece of modern equipment this week purchasing a Motor-Ex-Ray which will be installed in about two weeks. This machine diagnoses every trouble in a motor with the exception of knocks, which to date no machine has been able to cope with. Instruments on the machine show each individual test so that any motorist can be convinced of all defects without a question. The Met-Cro is to have the exclusive right to this machine on the Island. At a later date the firm will announce a free Ex-Ray day, so that the public may have the opportunity of seeing and testing this new machine.
England & Petersen Announce Expansion – This week England & Petersen announced that they have purchased another lot just west of their Vashon property and will build large lumber sheds to accommodate their growing lumber business.
Burton News Notes – Our steamer Vashona was off the run several days last week for inspection of boilers and so forth. The Sentinel took her place.
Burton News Notes – Burton Pharmacist, Jesse Shaw, has had installed in his drug store a new eight hole ice cream cabinet and Frigidaire.
Dockton – Capt. Lucas Plancich and his boat Eample arrived here from San Pedro Sunday all well.
The golf course is now useable, Howard Hansen having the honor of having been the first to play over the seven holes already completed.

April 17, 1930

Vashon Is In Darkness – Like the old adage concerning missing the water after the well runs dry the village of Vashon is finding that it isn’t so much fun to go without lights. Several weeks ago Burton and Vashon were notified that the bill for their lights must be paid by the 15th of this month, or out the lights would go. The Burton Improvement Club had, like the wise virgin, saved enough of their carnival money and paid out of it for the lights long before the final date. The Vashon Business Men’s Club had spent all of their carnival money for fire fighting equipment, new high schools, etc., so the amount for lights had to be paid by individuals benefitted. Some of these failed to bring their contribution by the 15th, so the whole village is in darkness, as a result. It isn’t so bad, now that there is a moon, but even so, it’s a bit darker than normal.
Vashon High School News – Lois Clark has been announced as being the valedictorian of the Class of 1930. She has received the most scholastic points in the class and has also many points for outside activities. The salutatorian will be announced Thursday.

April 24, 1930

Van Olinda Will Run as Island Candidate for State Legislature
“Janet G.” – Phil Green’s fish boat is moored at Burton dock undergoing paint, but foregoing powder, even though it has a female name. After a thorough overhauling, it will be ready for active service.
We understand some fifty Phillipinos will arrive in May to take charge of the fruit ranches around Burton as soon as the fruit is ready to gather. This will mean a systemized business by a group of workers who will stay on the job at a critical time when desertion would mean loss to the owners. A number of ranchers have signed up with the pickers.
Vashon Lights On Again – After almost a week of darkness the village of Vashon emerged into light, when the street lights were again turned on Tuesday evening. It was indeed a welcome change, as even the moon had forsaken us. Tim Clark took several hours off and solicited those who had not yet gotten around to paying their assessment. With his usual persuasive power he convinced all, the delinquents, and reports to us that all but three residents have made their payment. Knowing as they do that he is responsible for the full amount Mr. Clark feels sure that before many days pass the entire amount will be in his hands. With few exceptions Mr. Clark found that failure to pay had been due merely to negligence and that all who were solicited were willing to pay their share for our street lights.
The Steen mill has been well launched in the box-making business the past week and with rush orders is running two shifts.
Ellisport is awakening to the spirit of spring. Carpenters are busy on the new Rodda store, the Jackson and Plumb cottages have been modernized, Mr. George Thompson is putting the final touches on their lovely home among the dogwoods, and the summer people who occupied their cottages over Easter week spent busy hours raking and otherwise improving their summer homes.
Mr. J.H. Rodda, of Center, is planning many improvements in the store which he lately purchased from D.W. Trimble. Ellisport people are well acquainted with the high class of goods carried by Mr. Rodda at his store in Center and with the unfailing courtesy which is the spirit of his store. Ellisport extends a hearty welcome to Mr. Rodda.
Mr. and Mrs. Trimble, who have conducted a store at Ellisport for the past three years have disposed of their property here and left last week for a two weeks visit with friends on Hoods Canal and their son in Seattle. Later they will go to Arizona for the benefit of Mr. Trimble’s health.
Water Systems To Connect – At a joint meeting of the directors of the Mutual Water System and Water District No. 19 it was decided that the two systems should be tied together for any emergency that might arise such as fire, shortage of water or any accident to either pumping system. The work will be done at an early date.
Friends were glad to again see the Dowling family at liberty, after their six weeks of quarantine. They were liberated in time to attend the Easter services.
B.D. Mukai has just completed the gigantic task of having planted 250,000 strawberry plants. If these plants live up to expectations they should produce something over a hundred ton of fruit, enough to make quite a few shortcakes.
Island commuters are reaching the city in a shorter time this week. The Bainbridge is taking the place of the Kitsap, now in the dry dock at Winslow, for her annual overhauling. It is anticipated that the latter will be back on her usual run by the first of next week.
The Motor X-Ray was received at the Met-Cro the past week, and is surely an uncanny piece of equipment.
On Saturday evening Mr. and Mrs. B.D. Mukai entertained at dinner Mr. and Mrs. Harry Enochs, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Enochs and their son, Earl, and guest Mr. Ellis, and Mrs. Agnes L. Smock. The new home of the Mukais is one of the loveliest and most complete houses on the Island, perfect in every detail. They are justly happy and proud to possess it. With the exception of a few pieces of furniture everything used in the building and furnishing this house was purchased through Vashon Island firms. The large new packing plant is just about finished, and when fitted out will be one of the most complete in this part of the country.
Last week El Zarth of the Island Garage delivered a new Whippet Coupe to B.D. Mukai, who will use it at times in place of his Willys-Knight sedan.

May 1930

May 1, 1930

Vashon Island To Elect Girl To Christen New Ferry – Early this week the officials of the Kitsap County Transportation Company notified Mr. Emil Miller that they desired to have a Vashon Island girl christen the new ferry, “Vashon”, that is to be launched Saturday, May 10th. After due consideration it was decided to have this girl chosen by popular vote, and a committee immediately got to work.
Transportation Company Will Aid Islanders In Securing Better Ferry Dock Facilities – At a meeting of the Commercial Club Tuesday evening Captain John Anderson spoke at length on the ferry situation, outlining the manner in which his company will co-operate with the people of the Island in their effort to secure better facilities. The Marion Street dock is entirely under the control of the Port Commission, who are responsible for the reprehensible condition of affairs now existing. Capt. Anderson agrees heartily that the fish market to the south and the lunch room to the north of the slip should be entirely done away with, and the slip widened so that the ferry could be unloaded two cars at a time. If this is accomplished the Kitsap Transportation Company will plank an overhead walk through to the Grand Trunk Dock so that instead of the miserable little excuse of a waiting room we are now using we would have the fine waiting room in the other dock. This would enable foot passengers to leave the boat at the same time the cars are leaving, and neither would be held up for the other.
Loganberry Beetle Control Discovered – It has been called to our attention that M. Matsuda, of Lisabeula, after four years of experimenting has discovered a way of controlling the loganberry beetle that is absolutely sure.
Vashon Streets to Be Paved – This week the work has begun of tearing up the streets of Vashon, preparatory to paving. The work of plowing and grading is being carried on so quickly that traffic is being hindered very little, and although a few of the very young have tried to go through the young mountains occasionally raised, without shifting from high, as yet there have been no casualties. Washed sand and gravel for the concrete is to be furnished locally from the new Sherman pit in Paradise Valley.
Editorial – Value Of An Island Representative In State Legislature – Once again a candidate from Vashon-Maury Island has entered the political field. In last week’s edition Chas. F. Van Olinda, of Portage, announced his candidacy for Representative from the 40th district. It would seem that this was the logical time for a candidate for the Island to be elected, and if the people of our Island will stick solidly together there seems to be no real reason why Mr. Van Olinda should not be a member of the next legislature. It would be of great value to our community to have such a representation and if we are to go ahead as a community we must have the recognition that such a representation would give.
Considerable excitement was created in our little village this morning over the lowering of the tall flag pole in front of the Bank. This pole was put up during the war, and the late T. Hansen was always most punctilious about having the flag flying from it on all occasions of note. The pole has been on of the landmarks of the village, but it had to be sacrificed for the construction of the pavement.

May 8, 1930

Dockton Girl Wins As Sponsor of New Ferry – The fine community spirit of Dockton has again been shown by the sweeping victory of Mary Berry, their candidate, in the contest for “Miss Vashon Island,” and the honor of christening the new ferry “Vashon” to be launched Saturday afternoon.
Finest Ferry Boat On Puget Sound Goes Into Service Saturday – Vashon Island people will enjoy the service of the finest ferry of the Kitsap County Transportation Company’s fleet, when the Vashon, which will be launched at 3 o’clock Saturday afternoon, is put into commission later in the month. The new boat, costing $200,000, is the largest ferry on Puget Sound, with a capacity of ninety cars and 1,500 passengers and will be used exclusively in the Vashon-Harper service. The Vashon is 200 feet long and 57 ½ feet wide, with 17 feet depth of hull, of the double-end type. It has been constructed at the Lake Washington Ship Yards entirely of Washington materials.
The car driven by A.J. Nystedt of Burton, and the one driven by Adolph Fjeldal of Cove, collided at the corner of Burton post office Friday evening, resulting in injury and shock to the young lady in the Cove car, and several hundred dollars damage to each car.
The country road along Burton beach from the pavilion to beyond Judge Tucker’s place has been ordered closed to outsiders by the County Commissioners, at the request of the property owners who petitioned for same.
We Hope the Report Isn’t True – Much concern is being expressed over the report that Mr. Wm. Shakespeare is to be removed as local route man for the Golden Rule Baking Company. Mr. Shakespeare returned last week from a business trip to Vancouver, B.C. and has not as yet been permitted to resume is regular route.
Despite the torn up condition of the streets of Vashon the places of business on Sunday report that they were unusually busy, showing that despite the lateness of the season the tourist traffic has begun in real earnest.
Specialization has hit the village of Vashon with a vengeance. The village oracle, Tim (in person) is specializing in vocational guidance, with the Island electrician as his first subject, while Dr. Coutts (not Cootz) has become an expert on the subject of alleys. It is now no longer necessary to go abroad for expert advice on either of these subjects.

May 15, 1930

500 Witness Launching Of Puget Sound’s Finest Ferry – Witnessed by the largest crowd that ever attended a launching at the Lake Washington Shipyards, the Vashon, latest addition to the ferry fleet of the Kitsap County Transportation Company, went down the ways promptly at 3 o’clock Saturday afternoon, and road smoothly to rest into the water of the lake. Among the assemblage were nearly 500 residents of Vashon Island and Harper, for the ferry has been built to supply increased service for the Island and across the Sound and its launching was made the occasion of a celebration by the Vashon Island Commercial Club which selected the sponsor and her two attendants through a popularity contest. Miss Mary Berry, of Dockton, chosen as “Miss Vashon” to sponsor the ferry, broke the beribboned bottle on the prow of the big ferry as it started slowly down the ways, with Miss Margaret Poage, of Burton, and Miss Eleanor Beall, of Vashon, her runners-up in the contest, serving as her attendants in the ceremony.
Formal Opening Of Vashon Island Golf Course May 24th – While plans are as yet incomplete Saturday May 24th is the date set for the formal opening of the Vashon Island Golf Club course on Maury Island.
Arrest Is Made In Cutting Scrape – An arrest has been made following the trouble between whites and Philippinos that occurred Monday night. Louis Modaranga is to be tried tomorrow on the charge of assault in the second degree, on the complaint of Ira Hastings of Maury Island. Some time after nine o’clock four young men, Ira Hastings, Donald and Chas. Hayes and Cecil Petrie called at a cottage occupied by several Phillipinos employed at the Steen mill presumably hunting for employment. In the ensuing brawl Hastings received a superficial cut over the left ribs. Both parties contend that the others were the aggressors. On Tuesday night dynamite was exploded outside of the cottage occupied by the Phillipinos at Ellisport, and also near another at Shawnee. No damage was done in the former case, but at Shawnee a window and door was blown in.
Merchandise Stolen From The Burton Dock – Saturday night a shipment of merchandise for W.D. Clark and C.G. Kimmel was stolen from the Burton dock. The goods had been shipped on the afternoon boat from Tacoma, without either Mr. Clark or Mr. Kimmel having been notified. They had expected the shipment in the morning. Consequently the freight was left on the dock, and it was not until Monday morning that the loss was discovered. Most of the stolen goods was candy, tobacco, gum, cigars and cigarettes, although a few grocery items were taken. The loss amounted to well over a hundred dollars.
Vermuelen Adds To Dairy Equipment – This week W.P. Vermuelen added more equipment to his up-to-date dairy near Tahlequah in the form of an Electro-Kold cooling system. During the past four years Mr. Vermuelen has steadily built up his dairy, and has improved it as rapidly as circumstances permitted. He maintains a year around route at the South End, serving about 15 customers, and in the summer he has about 60 customers in the vicinity of Magnolia Beach and Harbor Heights.
Concrete To Be Poured On Vashon Street Tomorrow – Everything is set to rush to completion the work of paving the street through Vashon. The forms are all in and the big concrete mixer is on hand, practically ready to start work. This huge machine, capable of mixing 1 barrel of concrete, with the necessary sand and gravel will hasten the work. Three county gravel trucks have been brought over to haul the washed sand and gravel from the Sherman pit. This work has brought to light the fact that when the buildings of Vashon were built little attention was paid to the likelihood of the village being paved. On the west side of the streets the majority of the buildings are considerably higher than the pavement, while on the east side in some cases the side of the pavement will be higher that the entrance to the buildings. However, the paving will be such an improvement, and will make the village so much cleaner that no one minds a few steps more or less.
Transportation Company To Give Added Service – Citizens of Ellisport are acclaiming the praises of the Vashon Island Transportation Company, who this week announced that in the future, on call they would send one of their small cars to Ellisport to pick up passengers on their regular runs. This week the Transportation Company purchased the William Nye property south of the Mace Garage, and will eventually build an up-to-date station.
Graduation Exercises To Be Held At Island Club May 23 – On Friday evening, May 23, the second class of the union high school will hold their commencement exercise at the Island Community Club. The class of 1930 is composed of thirty-seven members, and increase of one over last year’s class. Lois Clark, valedictorian, and Ruth Matthews, salutatorian, are bright, splendid young women.
Annual To Press – The Vashonian, Island edition of the high school annual has gone to press. There are only a limited number left, and we are sure no one wants to miss this first annual of our Vashon Island high school.
Dockton – Everybody enjoyed the fine trip provided by the Kitsap Transportation Co., to Lake Washington to the launching of the new ferry boat Vashon and we have to thank the Kitsap ferry company for a very pleasant day.
Burton – Another house of C.A. Cook’s at Shawnee burned last week. It is not known how the fire started.
Burton hotel is soon to open up, with the promise of good beds and board and no reason to doubt that the old time prestige will soon return. Mr. and Mrs. Avery will be over from Tacoma next week with hotel furniture to move in, and Mr. Charles McCutcheon of Tacoma and Roy will have charge of the restaurant which will be on the south side of the hotel overlooking the harbor – a beautiful view.
Ellisport waterfront presents much activity these days with a scowload of box lumber for the Steen mill being unloaded.
Maurice Dunsford has purchased another large truck to take care of his increasing fruit business. He is now transporting the boxes being turned out at the Steen mill.
Ellisport Items – Mrs. Hedman has had her fruit trees removed and a fine new chicken house constructed, and is entering into the chicken business with much enthusiasm.
Ellisport Items – The county has put in a new flight of steps leading to the Garvin store, and Mr. Garvin is tearing down the old walk, which was in bad condition.
$25 Reward – We will pay $25 reward for information in regard to the party or parties who stole merchandise belonging to us from the Burton dock Saturday night. W.D. Clark, C.G. Kimmel.

May 22, 1930

Vashon Island Golf Course Opens With Exhibition Game – That the opening of the Vashon Island Golf course is of more than local interest is demonstrated by the keen interest in the event that is being evidenced by golfers on the mainland. The player of the exhibition foursome tees off at 2:30 Saturday afternoon. This foursome will be composed of a group of the Northwest’s outstanding players; Miss Hilda McAusian, women’s champion for the state of Washington; Mrs. C.S. Lindley, of the Inglewood Country Club; Curley Hueston, professional of Jackson Park, and Dan Kenny, professional of the Arctic Club.
Dockton News Notes – Capt. M. Plancich brought his boat “Good Partner” in for fixing up for salmon fishing.
Caterpillars! – With the extended effort that has been made upon an orchard at Burton to exterminate the great plague of caterpillars that have infested almost every place on the Island; this excellent example has evidently incited the neighbors adjoining to do likewise. The method that was adopted was fire – wire being twisted upon a piece of metal hoop attached to a long pole, and this properly formed, held the oil-soaked torch, without burning the wooden support.
Daily Newspapers Give Prominence To Opening Of Island Golf Course – The importance of the opening of the Vashon Island Golf course is evidenced by the fact that two of the Seattle dailies, the Northwest Golfer and the Seattle Sunday Times, regard it of sufficient importance to give the matter considerable attention.
It has been announced that the R.D. Bodle service station will open Friday, May 23, with W.J. Magowan in charge.
The latest thing in streetlights, the new Westinghouse product, the Novalux, has recently been installed in the village of Vashon. This lamp is of the refractory type, and gives no glare. Mr. Garner traveled about seventy-five miles in locating one of these lamps. He drove to North Bend, only to be told that Renton was the only place he could locate one of the lamps, but reaching Renton he was sent back to Seattle, where he found what he was looking for.
Here are Harry Enochs’ own words as he exhibited a beautiful gold watch given him at Fife where he has been a successful teacher for several years: “I was asked by the students of Fife, to chaperone a party of graduates at a banquet at the “Firs” after commencement exercises last Wednesday evening. School was over Wednesday and I wanted to refuse. They coaxed and I fell for it. After the dinner I was presented with a 21-jewel “Illinois” gold watch and chain. On the inside of the case is my name, the names of the students of the ’30 class and the high school name. I certainly was floored when they gave it to me and I only hope I can prove worthy of the gift next year.”

May 29, 1930

Island Golf Course Declared Sportiest In The Northwest – Despite the weather conditions the opening of the golf course was an enjoyable affair, at least the beginning of it was, as the latter part tried the hardihood of all, and proved the good sportsmanship of everyone concerned.
Disabled State Patrol Boat Drifted To Vashon Island – Mr. E.C. Weaver of the State Log Patrol, whose boat drifted all night on the Sound Wednesday night on account of a burned out bearing, reached Vashon Island early Thursday morning and took the eleven o’clock Vashona for Tacoma. Mr. Weaver if ninety-two years old – still active, was captain some forty years ago, of the “Fleetwood”, a boat that plied between Seattle and Olympia stopping at points between. He stated that the State Log Patrol laws passed four years ago, are very stringent, as will be evidenced by perusing a copy left at the Burton post office.
Activities In Fruit Shipping Starting – Although it is definitely known that local fruit has suffered through the late frosts and hail the preparation for packing and shipping have gone steadily on. B.D. Mukai announces that he is now barreling, and that the scarcity of fruit will enable him to pay a better price than originally anticipated. Both the Vashon Marketing Association and the R.D. Bodle Company are ready to begin receiving fruit. We understand that Elmer Harmeling has already begun to pick and ship the first gooseberries. The new machinery is not installed at the Association station and it can now boast of a strictly up-to-date packing plant.
Near Accident At Vashon – Quite a number, who witnessed the occurance that so easily might have resulted tragically on Thursday morning in Vashon are wondering what kind of Providence spared the life of one of our young men. With the breaking of the cable which elevates the scoop of the big concrete mixer, it released the scoop, with its load of gravel, sand and concrete, and as it fell fairly grazed the clothing of Bob Poirson, who was bending over, scraping up around from where the scoop had been raised. Had he been a few inches to one side, there is no doubt that he would have been fatally injured. As it was no one was hurt, except the feelings of the ones interested in getting the paving finished before Memorial Day. The gravel mixer, of an antiquated type, has given trouble from the first, although it undoubtedly has afforded the best means at hand of mixing the concrete. Apparently the fates have been against a speedy completion of this work, but it will surely be finished by the end of this week, and will be a vast improvement to the village of Vashon.
As Mrs. Olive Roberts was driving through Vashon last Saturday, with a car full of guests, the back wheels of her car ran over some of the paving equipment, causing a beam, with a cross piece attached to fly up. The cross piece penetrated the back and top of the car, missing, by only a few inches the head of one of the passengers.
Burton News Notes – Notice has been received from Washington that, beginning June 16th, rural mail service from Burton will be extended one mile north on the A.H. Hiersch road, thus giving a number of families the service they have been needing for some time.
Burton News Notes – Rev. and Mrs. E.E. Duly are enjoying a new Echophone installed in their apartment home this week. This will also give pleasure to the post office patrons as the sweet music echoes through the building.
Extension Of Water System – The contract has been let to Louis Deppman and Conrad Tjomsland for the construction of a 4,250-foot extension of the West Side Water Company, from the Zarth corner to the Martin Anderson place on top of the Cove Hill. The digging of the ditches has been started, but work will be delayed on account of lack of pipe, which cannot get here until next week. The O.B. Gage Company report that their factory is working twenty-four hours a day and they are still behind in their orders. D.P. Slater, well known on the Island as having installed the three community water systems, has about seventy-five miles of pipe line under construction in western Oregon, and the factory is having to work long hours to fill his orders.
The Annual Pests – With the beginning of the fruit season the Island is experiencing its first invasion of that annual pest, the itinerant agents and peddlers going from door-to-door, taking away the money they can talk gullible customers out of, and leaving nothing to build up the community. Each year it is the same, and each year they find those who will listen.
A Step In The Right Direction – This week plans were practically completed for the formation of a Vashon Island Credit Association. This step has been made necessary by the few undesirables who do not have proper regard, and realization of just what credit really means. Our merchants have extended credit, in the meantime having to meet the bills for goods sold, and have had their kindness abused until in self defense they are forced to take a united stand on refusing further credit to those who are habitually delinquent. If present plans are carried out they will use the same credit system as used by the city stores.
Maiden Trip Of New Ferry Vashon Was Planned For Today – It was anticipated that the first trip of the new ferry Vashon would be made some time today, but up to the time of going to press the boat had not landed on the island. Beyond a doubt, however, the new ferry will be in use to handle the Memorial Day crowds of tourists. While this morning’s P-I states that the new ferry was made necessary because of increased travel on the Peninsula, Capt. Anderson has made the statement on various occasions that the new ferry was necessary because of the heavy traffic to Vashon Island during the summer months. This, of course is what the loyal Islanders believe.
Vashon-Center Water Systems Being Connected – The work of connecting up the Vashon water system, with the Island Mutual system is progressing nicely, and will soon be completed. This is a wise emergency measure, as it will give either section the combined facilities of both systems in time of need.
Center News – On Thursday evening of last week a chicken dinner was served to the basketball team, who had won all the Island league games they played. The boys and their teachers present were Harua, Glenn and Massaiori Niyoshi, Bill and Bob Wilber, Bill Houghton, Dick Harmeling, Alfred Therkelsen, Forrest and Earl Bitle, and Mrs. E.M. Rodda and Miss Florence Palmer. The chicken dinner was a donation by the Center Store. This dinner was served at the C.G. Soike home, sponsored by the P.T.A. Mrs. Soike was assisted by Mrs. Hearst chairman of the refreshment committee. After dinner was over all went to the school house where the 8th grade graduation exercises were held, this was well attended by the patrons of the school, who enjoyed one of the best graduation exercises ever held in Center School. The nine graduates were Jeneva Jeffers, valedictorian, Bill Wilber, salutatorian, Elaine Jeffers, Forrest Bitle, Bill Houghton, Dick Harmeling, Alvin Bitle, Alfred Therkelsen and Haura Miyoshi.

June 1930

June 5, 1930

Power Lines For Island Being Reconstructed – Work will be started soon on the reconstruction of the P.S.P.&L. lines from the regulators at the Hayes corner to the cable landing. Two individual circuits are to be provided, one for lighting and domestic purposes for the use of the entire Island, and one for the power for the entire Island. The latter will affect mainly the gravel pit, and will do away with interference of the lights and power on the rest of the Island, while the mammoth motors at the pit are in operation. This arrangement will also provide for a continuous current so that the power will be uniform, even when the greatest amount is in use.
D.A.R. Election – The newly elected officers of Elizabeth Bixby Chapter D.A.R. are as follows: Regent, Mrs. Sadie L. Woods; Vice-Regent, Miss Katherine C. Parker; Recording Secretary, Mrs. Nellie Parker Jones; Corresponding Secretary, Miss Ida Dysart; Treasurer, Mrs. Jessie M. Case; Historian, Miss Mary Dysart; Registrar, Mrs. Inez K. Lincoln.
Mr. Albian Bell, Tacoma attorney, and nephew of Mrs. P.M. Armbruster, was in Burton Sunday, the guest of Judge Armbruster at Island Cottage Inn. Mr. Bell attended Vashon College in the height of its glory some years ago and related some of the pranks he joined in, as well as the solid hours he put in study.
The concrete walk in front of Burton Community Church, Norman Edson’s home and studio, and Phil Green’s place, which was put in by the two property owners and members of the church donating time and money, is completed and much in use.
People’s Forum – With the gooseberry picking about over, and the strawberries coming in strong, the season’s harvest is on again and it is with some gratification and also some remorse that we, the directors of the Vashon Marketing Association, view the present and future prospects of the Island fruit industry. Remorse because a few of our members have been decoyed away by precarious promises of quicker returns and certain markets, and also because of the damage done by the frost and hail to some of our Islanders. Our gratification is because, with our increase in membership, we will handle more tonnage through our station than ever before. We are still signing up new members and we hope, in the near future, to have the Island 100 percent organized along the lines laid down by the federal farm board, a strictly cooperative association, absolutely owned and controlled by the producers, that will eliminate, as far as possible, the unnecessary middle men and speculators and thus pay the greatest net returns to the grower, and render service that they can get in no other way. For we are organized to render service to our members and we ask all growers of fruit to join us. If you have signed with anyone else, join us when your contract expires, and thus help along a good work. – Geo. Walls, Pres. of the Board.
John Jarvis and “Mac” McDonald, two well known salesmen, were very much disappointed today (Thursday). They came over, all prepared to beat our local champions, Axel and Tim, at a session on the golf links, only to be met by alibis that they claimed were decidedly weak, and savored of “something rotten in Vashon.” We claim, however, that it must have been O.K., for who ever heard of a Vashonese being afraid of mainlanders?
The streets of Vashon seem lonesome without the confusion of the paving work which was finished Tuesday. The new paving is still barricaded, and will probably not be used for several weeks.

June 12, 1930

Committee Favors Completion of North And South Highway – Last Saturday evening members of the Road committee of the Vashon Island Commercial Club met with Commissioner Brinton at a dinner at the Island Cottage Inn, after which a lengthy discussion of existing conditions and needs of the Island in regard to roads took place. Chairman C.L. Garner presided over the meeting and presented a concise report on the request of various communities and individuals for additional road construction, the merits in every case being weighed carefully. The road coming in for most general discussion was the South End highway and all present seemed of the opinion that the most logical location for this highway was not the present one, but the old gulch survey that was abandoned during the Frank Paul regime. Enthusiasm was expressed over the improvement of this road, and many logical and worth-while views were expressed in favor of bending every effort toward improved conditions on a north and south highway linking the ferry terminals at the two ends of the Island. Almost without exception the opinion was that the future development of the Island depended on this linking of the two docks representing Seattle and Tacoma. Equally pertinent at the present time was the consideration of dock conditions at the North End, as the replacement of the present dock will soon be imperative. The plan is a dock twice the width of the present one, extending farther to the north and eliminating the turn at the bottom of the Heights hill. The possibilities of a concrete bulkhead on either side of the dock, filled by dredging was passed upon as representing too great an expenditure, the road supervisor pointing out how concrete piers would be more within reason and more logical in every respect. At the conclusion of the meeting it was the consensus of opinion that rather than attempt further road construction it would be wisest to keep up the maintenance of the one hundred and eighty miles of road now in existence in an adequate manner, and concentrate on the construction and improvement of the south end of the north to south end highway, and ask that at least $20,000 be put in next year’s budget for work on the North End dock.
Members Of Golf Club Hold Class – Last Monday morning members of the Vashon Island Golf Club met at the course on Maury Island for the first of a series of ten lessons under Dan Kenny, the well known professional. On this occasion there were sixteen in the class, including Mr. and Mrs. Mille, Dr. and Mrs. Grandy, Dr. McMurray, R.W.F. Martin, Mesdames Coy Meredith, Wallace Beall, V.C. Coutts, A.T. Bacchus, Howard Hansen, Bert Stanley, the Misses Billingsley, Irene and Lois Clark.
Speed Of New Ferry Boat Is Increasing – From all indications the new ferry Vashon is getting better, if not bigger, every day. Already the time from the city to the Island has been cut down ten minutes, and the speed limit hasn’t been reached yet. The new boat is causing favorable comment on every hand, and from the notice it is attracting there is danger of the impression being gained by strangers that the Island was named for the ferry instead of the reverse.
Mrs. M.J. Colvin was quite badly injured Friday when the horse, driven by one of the neighbor boys, became frightened and was uncontrollable, throwing her out on the hard road, breaking one rib and fracturing another besides bruising her in other parts of her body. Dr. Grandy, with the care given her by Mrs. Francis who is with her, and attended her, and neighbors, it is hoped she will soon recover.
The latter part of the week Dr. Grandy will install in his Vashon office a complete Wampler Xray equipment. This is the first Xray machine on the Island, and will save the afflicted many trips to the city for examination. The machine is large enough to take any part of the body including Xray of stomach, bowels, and spine. Before coming to the Island Dr. Grandy spent two years in Xray laboratories with Dr. Beller Smith of Indianapolis, and two years at Northern Pacific hospital in Tacoma.
Shower For Bride-To-Be – Coming as a complete surprise the party and shower last Saturday at the Frances Sherman home complementing Miss Stella Collings was an unqualified success. Miss Collings was the recipient of many lovely gifts from the twenty-six friends present. Those from out of town among those present were Mrs. L. Stevenson, Mrs. L.J. Tronas, Mrs. Ruth Collings, the Misses Martha Roen and Helen Steen, all of Seattle.
A delightful party was had at the A.M. Sherman home last Saturday, when Mrs. Fred S. Sherman entertained a large number of friends in honor of Miss Stella Collings.
Cross’ Landing – Friends and neighbors of the Chas. F. Smith family extend sincere sympathy in their recent loss of Grandma Smith. Grandma was one who will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. She was always cheerful and ready to do her share in spite of her poor health.
Rerouting The Vashon Rural Mail Route – Because many families living some distance from the route, and others who could get no mail service at all, it was decided that by a re-routing of the entire route, those people could either be benefited or receive the service they were asking for. So Mr. Thompson, the carrier, worked out the new routing which benefits about seventy families, and adds no cost to the Post Office Department, for this better service. In working out the new route many retraces are done away with, due to new roads having been built. In some instances, those living on the West Side will receive their mail about one and a half hours earlier, than at present, while no one will receive their mail but very little later than at present.
Mrs. Ben Lyon is almost back to Norman after the fright she suffered from seeing a carload of Filipinos upset in her door yard (almost). The driver applied the brakes too quickly at the top of the Heights hill, and as the car skidded on the gravel put on the pavement during the slippery weather last winter, it overturned and landed wrong side up on the west side of the road. There were no casualties.
Brother Marsh, from the store by the sea, phones us that they are being supplied by H.C. Bruner with strawberries so large that they have to be prepared for the table by splitting them open with dynamite. We think this is a bit strong, but we will take his word for it that the berries are many of them 5 ½ and 6 inches in diameter.
We don’t have to take anyone’s word for the kind of berries that are being produced in the B.D. Mukai fields. This week we received berries that were so large that we have to rub our eyes to realize that we are seeing alright. We feel sorry for the poor easterners who have never tasted a real strawberry, and we sincerely hope that an unkind fate will not place us where we will no longer receive our annual gift from Mr. Mukai of a crate of those berries, par excellent.
Friends of the Shakespeares will be glad to know that there is a possibility that “Bill” will be back on the job as route man for the Golden Rule Company before a great while.

June 19, 1930

Poultry Assistant is Appointed for County Agent Lovett’s Staff – In compliance with the insistent demand of King County poultrymen for an assistant county agent in poultry work, arrangements have been completed by the Agricultural Extension Service of the State College of Washington and King County, employing Clarence Svinth in this capacity, and part time in 4-H Club work.
P.C. Priest recently completed a huge sign for the B.D. Mukai packing station which is 100 feet long and four feet wide.
Boat Flying Fish of Dockton, Capt. Beretich, left for the Cape, Sunday.
The first miniature none hole golf course on the Island has been laid out on the Madrona Lodge grounds by Don Parker.
Cove-Cedarhurst-Colvos – Work on the Armstrong road is progressing rapidly much to the joy of the beach dwellers.
Shut Off Car Engine When On Ferry Dock – Washington motorists who make use of the many excellent auto ferries over important water routes, should remember that there is a strict federal regulation which makes it unlawful to allow engines to run while the ferry is moving. The rule is a safety measure that deserves the attention of every car owner and driver. As soon as your car has been parked on a ferry, shut off the engine and do not start it again until the ferry has docked.
P.C. Priest, who recently purchased from Mrs. T. Hansen the little house just west of the bank, formerly Dr. Coutt’s office, has already taken up his abode there and has started to make a real home. He has curtains at the windows, pansies growing by the door, and says it will be only a short time until he will have a canary bird to keep him company.
Gus Bacchus, Ed and Elmer Harmeling and Paul Thorsen spent the weekend in Vancouver, B.C., attending the horse races. None of them have purchased limousines as yet, though they all look as affluent as ever.
We understand that Tim Clark left this morning for the golf course in company with four salesmen. As we go to press we can learn no details of the bloody struggle, but we’ll bet on “Tim” and “Mac.”
An interesting article on the Vashon Island golf course appeared in the latest issue of the Catholic Northwest Progress, and was contributed by Jas. Malone, a consistent Island booster, whose summer home is near Portage.

June 26, 1930

To Oil Burton-Portage Ellisport Roads – A movement, originating with the Burton Improvement Club will result in a greatly improved condition of a part of the unpaved portion of the highway. By popular subscription enough money has been secured to have the roads oiled from the Burton dock to the telephone office, and from the pioneers’ monument at Quartermaster to Portage and Ellisport. The response has been so much greater than was at first anticipated that instead of merely the road from Newport to the dock being oiled this much greater section is to be covered. Captain John Anderson, of the Kitsap County Transportation has again demonstrated his fine public spirit and his friendliness toward Vashon Island by giving free transportation to the trucks and oil, thus saving a considerable amount for additional oiling.
Traffic Menace Removed – A few weeks ago, while the paving at Vashon was in progress, the editor mentioned to Road Supervisor Wiltse the desirability of cutting away the bank obstructing the view of the highway at the point where the Cove Road enters it. Mr. Wiltse admitted that he had not particularly noticed this bad spot but promised to look into the matter at once and see what could be done. He was given information as to the owner, and assured that Abe Abrahamsen was the kind of citizen that would be willing to help out for the public good. This week the road force, with necessary machinery, went to work and now the offending bump on the landscape, with its menace to motorists, has been leveled off, and a full view of the highway to the north is now afforded to all driving in from the side road. The News-Record wishes to express appreciation not only of the action taken by the officials but also of the man who without hesitation gave them the liberty of doing with his property what they pleased for the public safety.
Improvement Of Power Line – Work has started on improving the lines of the power and light company, and arrangements are being made whereby the lighting and domestic circuit will be unaffected by the use of the heavy load demanded for the operation of large motors. This work when completed will insure an even current, despite any demand, and will do away with the annoyance occasioned by the short power at the peak of the demand. Housewives will particularly appreciate this improvement.
Considerable interest is being shown in the Madrona Lodge golf course and Mr. Neil Flanner holds low score of 33 this week.
As proof that he is back home to stay, and has faith in the future of the poultry industry on Vashon Island, G. Esterle has purchased 450 pullets from the Beall flocks.
The village of Vashon is again from behind bars, the last barricades having been removed this week from the new pavement. Already we are suffering from growing pains and are looking forward to several improvements that will make the streets look better. There’s no doubt bu that the paving is a big improvement.
The Olson home, at Burton, narrowly escaped destruction by fire one morning last week when the roof caught fire from an overheated chimney. The prompt action of Mr. Olson was responsible for saving the house. As it was, quite a section of the roof was burned.
Roland Thompson has found that there are some things that don’t mix. This week he learned that taking a nap doesn’t coincide with driving a heavily loaded truck. He fell asleep and wakened up to find the load of feed still intact but off of the road. Fortunately, everything stayed right side up.
After a wait of more than a year the Met-Cro garage have finally received their contracts and are now the authorized Dodge sales and service dealers for the Island.
Who Lost the Shoes? – One evening last week a stranger coming to the Island on the late South End ferry was given a ride by an Islander, driving a Ford coupe. When he got out of the car he left in it a pair of shoes, evidently just out of the repair shop. These shoes are now at the News-Record office and we trust the owner is literary minded, will read this and come to claim his own.

July 1930

July 3, 1930

Special School Meeting To Be Held – Attention is called to the taxpayers and voters of District 176 to the notice of a special meeting to be held at the school house next Thursday, July 10th. Members of the Board are asking the patrons to attend this meeting and express their approval or disapproval of turning over to the High School District certain desks, laboratory and manual training equipment owned by District 176. The Board, in order to avoid the accusation of having acted unwisely in the matter, are asking that the patrons be present and advise them in the action they are to take.
Vashon Boy Wins Exceptional Reward For Excellent Training – Having spent twenty of his twenty-four years at the University with his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Clift, at Ellisport, Walter F. Clift, of Yakima, claims Vashon Island as his second home, and has a wide circle of friends here who are justifiably proud of the latest honor that has come to the young man. On July 7th Walter will leave for the central factory of the Remington-Rand Company of Bar Harbor, Michigan, the largest manufacturers of office supplies in the United States. Here he will be given five months of intensive training, with a good salary, finishing with one month at the Headquarters in Buffalo, New York, under the sales manager, after which he will be assigned a territory January 1st. The Remington-Rand Company each year selects 50 promising young men from the universities of the nation, basing their choice on personal interviews by experts. Walter, who won the Frederick Nelson scholarship in his junior year and was consequently that much busier than the average student heard of this interview just about an hour of the time for which it was scheduled, too late for an appointment, but through fortunate circumstances he was able to enter the list and gained the coveted opportunity, being chosen out of 700 students interviewed in the eight state universities of the Pacific coast alone, and one of the two selected from among the thirty interviewed from the University of Washington.
Our fine new ferry “Vashon” would make a wonderful place for an all-summer display of the lovely flowers grown in Vashon-Maury Island gardens. This might have a double effect on the passengers besides attracting them to stop off for a visit to our “twin-Islands”, the perfume of the flowers might be a welcome relief after inhaling the fish polluted air of the Seattle dock.
Mukai Packing Plant Busy – Many visitors from off of the Island, as well as a large number of Islanders have visited the packing plant of B.D. Mukai during the past few weeks and have been surprised by the thoroughness and skill with which Vashon Island fruit is being handled. One need no longer hesitate about eating strawberry ice cream and sundaes, if this plant is an example of the manner in which strawberries are being barreled in general. Very few homes exercise the care and cleanliness that is here used in preparing berries for the barrels. The hulled berries are dumped into constantly changing water, driven along by a strong spray on to a rubber belt, carried along under three more sprays, past eight sorters, and delivered into the barrels, into which they are packed in exact proportions of 150 pounds of sugar to 300 of fruit, the barrels at all times during filling on the scales, and nothing left to guesswork. The capacity of the plant is ten barrels of packed fruit per hour. Up to date the maximum pack has been 59 barrels in one day. Mr. Mukai expects to have a total output of 800 barrels of berries which will be stored until sold in one of the cold storage plants of the Port of Seattle. Worthy of mention is the fact that that all that could be has been purchased locally and all possible labor has been secured on the Island. Mr. Mukai is a believer in the theory that money should be spent where it is earned and consequently many here on Vashon Island are profiting by the fine business he has built up.
The Billingsleys, last week donated to the Library the following books, for which the Library Committee and readers express their thanks: “Con of the Coral Seas,” Grinshaw; “Salute to Adventurers,” J. Buchan; “The History of Atlantas,” Lewis Spence; “Coffins for Two,” Starrett; “The Story of Philosophy,” Will Durant; “A Son at the Front,” Edith Wharton; “The Unwilling Vestal,” Edward White; “The Wanderer’s Necklace,” Rider Haggard.
We have been wondering where all of our young people are of late. On inquiry we find some are in the berry fields, several working with carpenters and at the Assembly grounds, the two Green boys are catching the finny tribe in Alaska, two are “sojers” now, Seton Edson is chauffeur for the Burton Trading Co., Leol Kalland ditto at the Morrissey Meat Market, Jimmie Price is right hand man at William’s Store. Miss Marcia Forbes is telephone girl and help at Dr. Grandy’s office and home, Miss Ruth Olson is with the Vaughn Morrill family on Burton beach, others are busy helping at home or working away at different places.
Burton News Notes – The surprise package at the drinking fountain will soon be changed to normal conditions. The Improvement Club has ordered a drinking attachment so it will soon be possible to get a drink without a shower bath in connection therewith.
The Misses Lucy Ann and Joy Billingsley and Paul Billingsley, Jr., have returned from California where Lucy Ann and Joy have been attending The Bishop’s School at LaJolla, and Paul the San Diego Army and Navy Academy at Pacific Beach. Miss Eleanor Stacy of Salt Lake City, Utah, who with Lucy Ann has graduated from the Bishop’s school, is visiting at the Billingsley home for a few weeks.
Vashon Island continues to keep pace with the main land, July 4th, at Burton, on Henry Godfrey’s land near the pavilion, an eighteen-hole miniature golf course will be open to the public. The course has all the traps, hazards, bunkers and difficulties of a larger course. Here every one can learn to play or practice up on this game if they already know how.
The Report of the Financial Condition of the Vashon State Bank at the close of business on the 30th day of June, 1930 shows total assets of $346,362.10.
Harry Enochs announces the opening on July 4th of an 18-hole Tom
Thumb golf course, just north of the dance hall at Burton.
Dr. Grandy is having an X-Ray machine installed in his Vashon office this week.
In case any important item of news has been overlooked we beg your indulgence. This week we have labored under the handicap of hay fever and trying to get to press a little earlier than usual on account of Independence Day, (just as though anyone connected with a country weekly could know anything about independence!)

July 10, 1930

Harmeling Fruit Farm A Beautiful Specimen Of Island’s Industry – One of the loveliest sights on the Island these days is the cherry orchard of Elmer Harmeling a short distance south of the telephone office. In the entire ten acres of 1,000 seven year old trees there is not a single tree that is not loaded with red fruit. When asked the reason for this uniform bearing Mr. Harmeling stated that in the first place it was due to proper selection of stock. Some years ago, when he decided that he was going to plant a cherry orchard he went through his father’s cherry trees at the Island Nursery and marked the twelve best trees. The next year he cut three out of the twelve, and the following year cut out two more, taking his budding stock from the remaining seven, the best of the best, as all can recognize who know the kind of trees raised by the Island Nursery. The trees have fulfilled all promises, last year producing 19 tons of fruit, and this year no doubt the yield will be almost double that of last.
Oiling Of Roads Practically Completed – The oiling of the roads between the telephone office and Burton has been completed, as well as the strip from Quartermaster to Portage. By the end of the week the Ellisport end of the road will be finished. This is a much needed improvement, and will be a good advertisement for the enterprise of those who contributed toward having the work done. Dr. Grandy has asked us to announce that those who have promised money for this worth-while project may leave it at the Vashon State Bank, or may mail a check directly to him at Burton. The committee in charge is anxious to get all funds collected, and the work and material paid for as soon as possible, and will appreciate prompt payment of pledges.
Island Now Has X-Ray Laboratory – Having found, during his practice here on Vashon Island that one of the greatest local needs of the medical profession was X-Ray equipment, Dr. Grandy has this week completed the installation of one of the latest models of Wampler X-Ray machines in his Vashon office. He is now equipped to do all kinds of X-Ray work, such as the X-Ray of broken bones, teeth, sinuses, stomach, bowels, gall bladder and chest. He has also in his equipment a Fluoroscopic screen which will be a great aid in the proper setting of bones, permitting all bones to be set and put in a cast or splint under direct view.
Notice To Voters – Don’t forget that Saturday, July 12th, is REGISTRATION DAY for Vashon-Maury Island. See that your friends and neighbors get out that day. Registration offices are at the following places and the books are open from 8 to 5. Dockton – Berry’s Store, Maury – C.E. Merry Home, Quartermaster, Portage Postoffice, Burton – Burton Postoffice, Island – Geo. Sheffield Home, Lisabeula – E.W. Kneebone Home, Cove – I.M. Krokset Home, Dolphin – Henry Brosseau Store, Vashon – W.D. Garvin Office. Dockton boasts a 100 percent registration at this time, so let’s make every precinct 100 percent this Saturday.
Maury Notes – With measles and berry picking taking their toll of youngsters the children’s choir has missed two rehearsals. We hope to meet again next week, however.
Local News Items Of Vashon And Vicinity – There were twenty who turned out for the golf class being conducted by Dan Kinney last Monday morning. Mr. E.E. Surmer, assistant editor of the Northwest Golfer was guest at a luncheon served at the course. Mr. Surmer took pictures which are to be printed in the next issue of that magazine.
The latest report is that the long talked of jail that the Island has been building for the past year or more is now to be located at Center, across the road from the telephone office. We understand that from now on each central girl is to be taught how to drive a fire truck, so that when you turn in a fire alarm a driver will be on hand to bring aid speedily. Then too, the proximity of a jail will no doubt have a wholesome effect on the pupils at the Center school and the new high school. However the News-Record has shouted “Wolf” so long that no one believes there is ever going to be a jail. We’ve even given up believing it ourselves.
Dockton News – Capt. M. Planchard and crew of the boat Good Partner, came in from the Cape to spend the Fourth with his family. Most of his crew belong to Dockton, so it was a good thing for all to have a good time before they start fishing in the regular season.

July 17, 1930

Reid Erickson of Seattle, visiting at Ellisport, fractured his left wrist while playing on the beach last week. His wrist was set at Island X-Ray Laboratory.
Miss Rose Garner had her knee injured in an auto accident Tuesday morning. X-Rays showed no fracture. The X-Rays were also used on Douglas Swanson of Vashon who was in a motorcycle accident injuring his foot, which will keep him confined for a week.
The miniature golf course at Burton now has electric lights and is realizing good patronage at night. Next Saturday there will be a tournament for the children. There will be three divisions ranging up to 15 years for both boys and girls. A large entry list is expected, judging from the inquiries.
Vashon Streets Oiled – This week the side streets of the intersection at Vashon were oiled, one block west at the Bank-Hardware Store corner and one block east at the Kimmel-Weiss corner. This will be a great help in reducing the dust.
Reid Erickson had the misfortune to fall from the bridge across the lagoon on Ellisport beach while playing, breaking his arm, but Dr. Grandy with the aid of his new X-Ray machine was able to fix him up in short order.
Ellisport Items – The tin foil can in Garvin’s store has yielded several pounds in the past month. The largest contributor has been Mrs. Eve Furbush. Her sons have faithfully collected all the tin foil wrapping discarded by their workmen in Bellingham.
While riding a motorcycle out of the Ira Thompson road Douglas Swanson collided with the Elmer Harmeling car. His foot was cut so badly that six stitches were required, and Douglas is now proceeding slowly on crutches.
B.D. Mukai is driving one of the fine new Studebaker Eights.
A recent improvement in the village of Vashon is the fresh coat of paint on the Garvin Building, occupied by the Ramquist Tailor Shop and the Island Electric Shop.
Whooping cough is keeping quite a number of the little folks around Vashon busy. Among its victims are Larry Prigg, Max Steen, Zelma and Bobby Blekkink.
A new drinking fountain is now in use in the Odd Fellows’ Hall at Center, the result of the card parties given by the Rebekah Auxiliary last winter. Herman Deppman did the work of putting in this much needed improvement.
Maury Notes – No church service was held Sunday at Maury owing to so few being in attendance. No services will be held next week due to so many being confined with measles, and others being away on vacations. Services will be resumed July 27, and every one is urges to attend at this date.
Mr. Garner had the misfortune of smashing his car up, in a collision with the meat truck, this week.
A few of the measles victims are up and around again, but equally as many are still in bed. Up to this time the Garner children, Spaur family, Edith Larsen, the Meyer boys and little Johnnie Calhoun have had their turn. We hope they will all soon be well and out again.
Many Witness Ceremony At Corner Stone Laying Of A.B. Cook Home – A very pretty little ceremony was witnessed by fifty old friends and neighbors Sunday afternoon, at the laying of the corner stone of the new residence of Mr. and Mrs. A.B. Cook at their Quartermaster home. An appropriate program proceeded the sealing of the box containing many mementos dropped in by the company, besides the contributions from the Cook family consisting of a history and pictures of the family, letter from Mr. and Mrs. David Cook, California, the last issue of the Vashon Island News-Record and several other up to date records that will make interesting reading in years to come. As the crowd was about to depart, they were served with cold, crisp watermelon – all they could eat.

July 24, 1930

Producers Of Darigold And Other Dairy Products Enter Vashon Field – Starting Wednesday of this week another organization, the Consolidated Dairy Products Company has entered the field of service on Vashon Island, establishing a route here, the needs of local merchants to be taken care of by Ernie A. Selander, route salesman. With four local stores as a beginning the company feels that the Island will develop into a splendid territory as time goes on. The Vashon Island merchants who are handling these products locally are C.G. Kimmel, Vashon; J.H. Rodda, Center and Ellisport and Ralph Towne at Colvos.
Annual Regatta Of Northwest Yacht Clubs To Be Held At Burton, August 2nd and 3rd – Through the efforts of George McGill from Tacoma and summer residents of Burton cooperating with Frank L. Baker, Commodore of the Tacoma Yacht Club, the town of Burton will be host on August 2nd and 3rd to over 100 yachts, their owners, families and friends in the Second Annual Regatta and Get-together Frolic of the Pacific Northwest Yachting fraternity. Commodore Baker after personally inspecting the Burton harbor, states the location ideal in every respect. Twenty-five fathoms of water at low time 100 yards from the beach and the mooring in amply protected from the wind in three different directions.
Island Traffic Problems To Be Cared For – One of the Island visitors on Saturday was Capt. Owen McGill, who, accompanied by Officer Victor Pigg, spent the entire afternoon and evening here. They most efficiently took care of the unusual amount of traffic on Vashon caused by the carnival, as well as visiting other parts of the Island. This week officers will be here checking up on licenses and headlights and drivers with out-of-state licenses, no driver’s licenses, improperly adjusted lights, no rear lights, or “one eyed” drivers will be cited in court and fined, the minimum of $25.
Madrona Lodge Has Changed Hands – After eighteen years under the same management Madrona Lodge, on of the Island institutions, has changed hands, when last week Mrs. Flora Pyle, the owner, leased, with option to buy, the property of J.W. Willliams, of Spokane. Many changes have taken place since Madrona Lodge, originally part of the old Chautauqua property was taken over by Mrs. Pyle, and her husband, who passed away some five years ago. Seven years after the property was purchased in 1912, Mr. and Mrs. Pyle had the original building torn down and built the Lodge as it now stands. Under their management, assisted by Mr. and Mrs. Harry Lee, Madrona Lodge became one of the most favorably known summer resorts of the Northwest. Certain patrons, from all parts of the state, came year after year to enjoy the wonderful hospitality of the establishment. With the death of her husband, then later the death of her son, Mrs. Pyle has found the burden of conducting the Lodge far too great, even with the capable help of Mrs. Lee, and has several times considered allowing it to go into other hands. It was not, however until last week that she fully decided to take the step. Madrona Lodge will be under the management of Mrs. Anna Dickson, sister of Mr. Williams, the new proprietor. Mrs. Dickson has had years of experience in catering to the public and anticipates continued success under the new conditions. The miniature golf course built by Don Parker has proven surprisingly popular and every effort will be made to attract patrons through its popularity, and excellence of the service of the entire establishment.
Dr. Grandy and his X-Ray have been working over time taking pictures of the injuries of Camp Fire girls from Camp Sealth. During the past week six of the girls have been brought to Vashon to have determined the extent of injuries received when the young ladies were turned loose in the wide open spaces of Vashon Island.
Ellisport Items – Residents of Ellisport have been deeply interested this week in a beautiful green parrot that is making himself very much at home in sweet cherry trees. All efforts to recapture the fugitive were futile. He is evidently enjoying his freedom, but doubtless the owner can catch him if she can succeed in sprinkling some salt on his tail.
On Monday Mrs. Pyle and Mrs. Lee and family moved to Vashon. We shall miss them all greatly. Mr. J.W. Williams of Spokane and his sister Mrs. Dickson, have leased Madrona lodge. We bid them welcome and wish them success.
With the leasing of Madrona Lodge Vashon is the richer by the addition of another family. Mrs. Pyle, with her daughter-in-law, Mrs. Lee, and her two grandchildren, together with her two “boys”, Don Parker and Will Quick, are now occupying the Eernissee house recently vacated by the Cronander family.
On Monday the village oracle, Tim, was all up in the air, and likes the sensation immensely. After making the trip to Bremerton and return via the air ferry it wouldn’t be at all surprising if the next thing we heard was that Tim had enrolled in some aviation school, for he thinks it the neatest way to travel that he has ever experienced.
Two of our Islanders on the West Side have become air-minded this week, when Mr. and Mrs. A.J. Marsh, on their first trip aloft have become completely converted to air travel. It will not be surprising if the family ends by having three aviators in its membership.
Maury Notes – Arthur Schmidt had the misfortune to smash up his car Saturday evening when he ran into another car on the Ellisport hill.
Cross’ Landing Notes – Roland Carey and Wilbur Smith have been hauling cherries and berries up to the highway for the truck to take.
Wick Chickens Not On The Market – Through one of those unexplainable accidents that occur around the best regulated newspaper offices a news item and a classified ad were combined, with the result that Carl Wick has been besieged by those who having heard of the wonderful stock of poultry he owns are insisting upon buying his yearling breeders that he is just as determined he will not sell, since through the stock he has enjoyed a phenomenal year. Mr. Wick not only is convinced that his is the best breed of chickens in the Northwest but is equally sure that in coming to Vashon Island he has chosen the right spot to make his fortune with a commercial hatchery. And not only that, but it would take a good talker to make him change his mind.

July 31, 1930

One Hundred Yachts Will Participate In Gala Two Day Regatta At Burton – Many Contests, Races, Illuminated Boats, Fireworks, Huge Beach Fire, Among Events of the Get-Together Frolic on Quartermaster Harbor – Plans are moving forward for the regatta to be held this coming Saturday afternoon and all day Sunday, August 2nd and 3rd, in Quartermaster Harbor in front of Burton. Yacht clubs from Olympia to Vancouver, B.C. will participate.
Vashon Business Men To Cooperate In Enforcement Of Traffic Regulations – At a meeting of the Vashon Business Men’s Club this week various subjects pertaining to the good of the Island were discussed at some length. The most important subject, according to the opinion of all was the matter of the enforcement of the traffic laws. Aroused by the flagrant disregard of observance of a speed limit, particularly through the village the members made a motion that a warrant would be sworn out for anyone known to be guilty of speeding or reckless driving through the village of Vashon. They have no desire to see anyone punished but are aroused to the necessity of doing all they can to prevent conditions that may lead to a tragic accident.
What’s It All About, Anyway? – The recent stir-up over the enforcement of supposedly state dairy laws seems to be working nothing but hardships on both the producer and consumer. What the outcome will be, or just what is the point to be gained seems to be questionable. While the News-Record has not yet reached the position of pre-eminence where It can presume to question the laws of the land to the casual observer it would seem that the forbidding of selling milk from one cow because the producer did not have a separate dairy room, a patent sterilizer and what not is just a bit overdrawn. If we were a Brisbane we would write a column on the subject and dispose of it at once, but as it is we can only, like a lot of others, hope that the authorities will grant a license to sell to those who are asking it, and restore to us our regular supply of milk. The milk that is clean enough to satisfy an exacting mother for her child suits us, even though it isn’t kept in a separate room, and even though the bottles might be boiled in a container that isn’t the latest thing out.
Vashon Carnival A Success – The carnival recently staged by the Vashon Island Business Men’s Club was, as usual a success both financially and in point of an enjoyable time. During the afternoon things moved slowly, possibly due to the fact that there were so many politicians in evidence, but in the evening everyone and his family was on hand, and a “good time was had by all.”
Mrs. Blackburn, of Seattle, came over last Saturday to attend the meeting of the Pioneer Association at Center. Mrs. Blackburn’s husband was the first postmaster on the Island and they both were leaders in the church and social work of the Island over forty years ago. Mr. Blackburn was also the first legislative representative from the Island and one of the founders of the Western Horticulture Society of this state.
REWARD – Twenty Five Dollars Reward will be paid for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the party or parties destroying the real estate sign at Capt. Wiman’s place at Quartermaster. – C.E. Wiman.
Epworth League Members To Meet At Beulah Park – About 100 persons are in attendance at the Camp meeting now in progress at Beulah Park, Cove. This is one of the popular annual meetings of the Methodist church in the Northwest, and each year marks an increased attendance.

August 1930

August 7, 1930

Regatta To Be Annual Event At Burton – The Regatta held in our harbor August 2 and 3, was an event of unusual interest being the first collection of water crafts circulating in front of Burton; Saturday night many people were out sight seeing and were well repaid. The Puget Sound Power and Light Co., had strung colored lights along the beach, all the boats were vying with the beach lights and with the moonlight rippling on the bay, the sight was beautiful. By Sunday evening all the boats had left the harbor, the Tacoma Yacht Club expressing their thanks for courtesy shown them, and stating they would make this an annual event in our harbor if Burton wished it. They were assured by the Burton Improvement Club that the wish is general to see them again next summer.
Lisabeula Items – The forest fire which threatened the Sveinsen and Meers homes is still smoldering, it being almost impossible to put out a fire at this season of the year.
John Steinbach’s car was crowded off of the Cedarhurst road Sunday by a large car that sped by, taking up the entire road. Other motorists have had narrow escapes from the same car. Fortunately no one has been hurt, but some day something serious may happen, no telling to whom.
Caponizing Demonstration – Arrangements are being made for a caponizing demonstration by the assistant County Extension Agent, of King County, to be held on Vashon Island at the “Squab Farm, Inc.” owned by Mrs. Blair. This place is located two miles due west of Vashon.
Camulos Club Notice – Empty fruit jars from the Orthopedic Hospital are stored in Mr. Garvin’s real estate office. Please get yours as soon as possible. – Mrs. Graham Maloney, President.
Editorial – Public Pests – Like the seven year plague of the locusts that we read about in history the usual annual plague of agents here on Vashon-Maury Island is still in full swing. Some of the experiences our local people are having with these visitors would be funny were it not for the indignation that is aroused. The theory upon which many of these people work is that if they can once get inside the door it is as good as a sale, depending not on their fine salesmanship but on wearing out the resistance of their prospects. The fact remains, each year this class of salespeople take away from the community hundreds of dollars that should be spent at home, or possibly not at all. If our community is to grow, and we are all to mutually benefit, it is logical that instead of allowing our dollars to go elsewhere for that which can just as cheaply be purchased at home it is only good common sense to keep our money at home either with our home merchants or in our home bank accumulating interest daily.
Burton News Notes – It was estimated that over seven hundred people gathered at Assembly Point Sunday, over four hundred were fed in the dining hall. The ideal weather, the fine program being carried out, all help to fill in a restful, profitable ten days.
Mr. J. Martinolich was greatly surprised last Thursday when a group of relatives from Tacoma and Dockton dropped in for a birthday dinner which was secretly planned by Mrs. Martinolich.
Southern Heights News – The men are again at work on the Paradise Cove road. That is certainly going to be one fine drive.
Wilber Thompson, of the U.S. Navy, is home enjoying his father, T.N.Thompson. It is more than two years since Wllber was last home, and he notes many changes during that time.

August 14, 1930

Campaign For Island Man Progressing Favorably – With last Saturday the final day for possible filing the political line-up has been definitely decided and the campaign for primary election is on in full swing. Naturally the greatest interest locally will be in the race for state representative, with an Island man as one of the candidates. Running on the Republican ticket for this office is the local candidate, Chas. Van Olinda, L.Y. Williams, of Kent, Archie McKinnon, of Enumclaw, and L.J. Costello, of Kent. On the Democratic ticket former representative, Ben Swain, of Enumclaw is running for the senate, while the candidate for representative is H.I. Kyle, another Enumclaw man. It would seem like justice in ap-local support should assure our candidate a good chance of going to the legislature next winter. For several years past the sentiment has been growing that Vashon Island should have a member in the state law-making body. Mr. Van Olinda has been a staunch Republican all his life; he has always avowedly favored good roads; he will be impartial in his judgements, except in situations concerning the best interests of his constituency. While Mr. Van Olinda has not been making an active campaign among the Island people, preferring to stand on the merits of past performance, he has been steadily gaining ground in the other parts of the 40th district as he has gone about “getting acquainted”. One of Mr. Van Olinda’s staunchest supporters is L.Y. Williams, the only candidate of our district who has served in the past legislature Mr. Williams has always felt that our Island was entitled to a candidate.
Meeting At Vashon Theatre On August 25th – On Monday evening, August 25th, there will be the first announced political meeting on the Island. Under the auspices of the King County Citizens Club an interesting program of speeches and amusement features will be presented at the Vashon Theatre at 8 o’clock.
P.N. Smith Favors Grade District Consolidation – A special election has been called in School districts for the purpose of voting on the question of consolidating these districts, said election to be held in the respective grade school buildings on Monday, August 18 from 6 to 8 pm. A good many arguments can be used in favor of such a move at this time but there are three that to my mind override any number of arguments that can be made against the project. We must erase all prejudice from our minds and ask ourselves whether consolidation is good business or bad business for our district. Personally, after canvassing the matter from every angle, I have become convinced that it is good business. First, because the combining of these two schools make it possible to take the children out of a two story frame structure and put them in a fire-proof brick building, such a building we could never hope to occupy in any other way than by practically falling heir to it. Second, the eight grades can be divided among three teachers instead of two; a big advantage. Third, I have become converted into the belief that the leven of consolidation is working in the other districts comprising the old Union J group which, when they come in, will eventually make it possible to have as fine a grade school here as is found in the city and we should by all means take this first step to this desired result. Last, don’t forget that failure to carry this election at this time may block consolidation for many years to come and I am sure we do not want to shoulder that responsibility. – P.N. Smith.
Mother Goose Carnival – The Guild of the Island Community church are making elaborate plans for the Mother Goose Carnival that is to be staged on the Grandy lawn at Burton next Saturday afternoon between 12 o’clock and 8. The various booths will represent Mother Goose rhymes and wares will be offered to please the eye, taste and purse. Mary, Mary. Quite Contrary will have plants and seeds for you; Simple Simon will dispense pies; Mother Hubbard will sell cooked foods from her cupboard; etc. There will even be presented the opportunity to Ride a Cock Horse to Banbury Cross, for Amos will loan his pony for the occasion. The whole scheme is remarkably clever and whether you wish to buy an ice cream cone, something for Sunday dinner, or a pretty new apron or pillow, you will find yourself well repaid by visiting the scene of the Carnival on Saturday afternoon.
Burton District to Have Free Auditorium – If the plans of the Burton Progressives do no miscarry, Burton is to have a free auditorium. Although the old High School building at Burton is to be abandoned. It is not to be supposed that the auditorium of historic memories is to be turned over to be the habitation of rats, mice, and the processes of decay. Here, where many a memorial meeting has taken place, from hectic squabbles on road plans to solemn prayer meetings. It is true the building is to be stripped of all equipment, but that can be replaced, all new and shiny, at a small outlay of the tax payers’ money. The plans for the conservation of this building are, in the main, as follows: It is proposed to consolidate the South End School District with the Burton School District, thereby bringing in about nine more pupils. Strip the equipment from the present Grammar School, and move into the fine new, or old, High School. Hallelujah! As for the attendance, the pupils that were wont to walk to school on their own legs will now have a little joy ride in the busses. The lower grades that used to get out of school an hour earlier, and safely walk home to their mammas, will now have to sit down, stick their thumbs in their mouths, and wait. The cost will not be great; a little more fuel, a little more electricity, a little more equipment, domestic science, etc., a little more bus service, and a steam heated janitor instead of a hot air janitor, costs more, but who cares. Oh yes we are to have one more teacher, but no provision is made for a “merry-go-round.” Election booth for putting over the above plans will be open from 6 until 8 in the evening of August 18th, at the Burton Grammar School. If you are interested in having more mills piled on top of your tax bill – there is always room at the top – be sure to come, and vote this thing through. Norman Edson, Secretary Norman Edson, Improvement Club.
Shell Oil Company Enters Local Field – This week the 15,000 gallon storage tank recently installed at the Williams Mill was filled with Shell “400” gas, and the large warehouse rebuilt for the business they feel is bound to come to them will be stocked with oils, greases, and all other Shell products by Digby and Donald Williams who are the partners comprising the Shell Distributing Company of Vashon Island. Shell gas and other Shell products will be distributed to all parts of the Island by a new tank truck. Already the pumping station at “Happy Jack’s” place at Ellisport is doing a rushing business and representatives of the Shell Company state that in the near future there will be retail outlets in various parts of the Island to take care of the demand of this popular product. With the popularity of Captain Dobbsy’s Happy Hour each week day morning between 8 and 9, and Rudy Seiger’s program every Monday evening between 8 and 9 the Shell products have become too familiar to need any introduction. That the field presented by Vashon-Maury Island justifies the installation of this wholesale distributing station seems logical to the Shell Company representatives after a survey of the situation. This move on the part of a local company is welcomed by the many motorists who feel that the famous Shell “400” Dry Gas is essential to their needs, and this opportunity to buy their favorite kind of gas will keep many dollars on the Island that have previously been spent elsewhere.
School Election At Burton On Monday – On Monday, August 18th, an election will be held at the Burton grammar school for the purpose of determining whether the Burton and Southern Heights districts are to be consolidated. We are publishing communications received this week both for and against the proposition, feeling that these two gentlemen, who have presented their views, as taxpayers and patrons of the Burton district are in a much better position to pass judgment than any outsiders could possibly be.
Co-operative Groups To Picnic Next Wednesday – The Washington Co-op Egg and Poultry Association members of the Vashon District, in conjunction with the Vashon Berry Growers’ Association will picnic next Wednesday, the 20th of August, at Ellisport. All interested in farm co-operation are invited to attend.
Burton News Notes – A conference of the Washington State Christian Endeavor Union is to be held at Assembly Point from August 15 to 22. A large attendance is expected.

August 21, 1930

Vashon To Have New Street Lights – Those who have fallen over the pipes sticking out of the new sidewalks at Vashon need wonder no longer what it is all about, for in a few days the new lights will be installed and those projections will be out of the way, under the posts of the new standard lights that will replace the center suspension lights now in use. There will be twelve of these lights, which will add still more to the cosmopolitan air of our village. The lights were purchased from the City Light Company of Seattle, and were formerly in use on the streets of the city, before the present cluster lights were installed. Funds for the installation of these lights resulted from the carnival staged by the Vashon Business Men’s Club in July. Two years ago the money realized from the carnival was spent in fire-fighting equipment, last year it was used to pay a substantial part of the debt that apparently made the new high school out of the question, so this year the club decided that they would spend the money at home in Vashon, and the result was the purchase of the lights. The work of installing the new sidewalk lights is being done by T.J. Steffenson of the Island Electric Shop and is being paid for by funds belonging to the Vashon Business Men’s Club.
Former News-Record Editor Visits Office – Last Friday this office received a pleasant call from John Reid, of the University Publishing Company. Mr. Reid regards Vashon Island and the News-Record with a considerable degree of affection, for his summer home is at the Heights and he is the father, or at least one of them, of the News-Record, having been the first editor of the Vashon News, a little hand-set paper, published in the building back of the Island Electric Shop, now occupied by a shoe shop.
Japanese-Americans Organize Citizens’ League – The Japanese-American citizens of Vashon Island met at the Island Club, Sunday, August 17th to organize an order, hereafter to be known as the Vashon Island Progressive Citizens’ League. This will be an auxiliary chapter under the jurisdiction of the Seattle Progressive Citizens’ League. At present, this organization has chapters in all the larger towns and cities over the entire Pacific Coast. The chief objective of this organization, as the name signifies, is to train the new generation to be of service to the community, state and country and in the end to make better American citizens.
High School Dedication – The high school building will be dedicated on the evening of September 5th. Dr. N.D. Showalter has been invited to make the principal address and an appropriate program is being arranged. Everyone is cordially invited to attend this dedication after which the building will be thrown open to public inspection.
High School To Open Sept. 8th – The high school was accepted as substantially completed at a special meeting of the school board last Wednesday night. The furnishings are being installed and everything will be in readiness for the opening of the school which has been set for Monday, September 8th. Buses will run over virtually the same route as last year and on a schedule which will be published in the News-Record of a later date.
Dockton Items – C. Amundsen and L. Ness, of the troller “Robin,” were in port for a few days.
At the special election held at Burton and Southern Heights grade schools Monday, August 18th, to determine whether or not Districts 54 and 137 should be consolidated, the vote in Burton district stood 108 for consolidation, with 31 against. At Southern Heights 37 voted for consolidation – 9 against. We understand the Union High and grade schools will begin the year’s work on September 8th.
A beautiful silk American flag was presented formally to the Vashon Island Community Church at the morning service Sunday, August 17th, by Mrs. Ruby Burns, Patriotic Instructor of Stevens Relief Corps of G.A.R. No. 1, Seattle, in honor of Comrade Livesley, eighty-nine years old, pioneer and builder of the first log church on the Island, now living at Retsil. The flag was accepted by Rev. J.P. Clyde on behalf of the church.
Ask Mr. Shaw, our druggist, to show you some Kodak pictures of a bear who tried to climb in his car when the folks were up at the Mountain last week. They came near getting that “bear hug” they talked about, but after throwing out some food the bear wanted, and closing the car windows, they escaped without injury. Several of the bears have been transferred to other parts of the park on account of pestering the campers at their tents and the motorists for food.
Our Political Policy – Recently we have been asked to state our position on the candidates aspiring to various and sundry political offices. When we took over the management of the News-Record some twenty months ago one of the statements we made was that we would keep the little paper out of politics while we were at the helm. We felt that in a community made up of the intelligent, thinking class of people found on the Island that it would be presumption to attempt to influence them through the paper. We have our own ideas as to how we, personally, will vote, but every citizen on the Island has the personal privilege of likewise deciding how he shall vote. We have attempted to give fairly and without prejudice news of the doing of the present incumbents. Of the new office seekers we know no more that our readers, having to form our opinions from press reports and pre-election promises. It is gratifying to observe that this policy which we adopted many months ago is the one being followed by many of the country weeklies. The day of press high-binding and vote-getting by fair means or foul seems to have passed, all of which constitutes the tribute of the weekly newspapers to the intelligence of the American readers.
Maybe this is an off season, and times may be hard, but one would never suspect the fact when they see the classy new Studebaker cabriolet Ed Harmeling is driving.
Swastika Lodge Threatened By Fire – A forest fire on Tuesday which for a time threatened the Ray Campbell home on the west and Swastika Lodge on the north, was brought under control by strenuous work of local fire-fighters who checked it by back-firing. State Fire Warden Courtwright responded to requests for aid, but arrived after the fire was under control.

August 28, 1930

To Vote on Consolidation Sept. 2 – To the patrons of District 84, Lisabeula, and 211, the new district recently formed by the consolidation of Burton and Southern Heights, will be submitted the proposition of consolidation. The election will take place Tuesday, September 2, from 4 to 8 pm. Patrons of the new district will vote at the old Burton grammar school, while Lisabeula patrons will vote at the Lisabeula school. Should this proposition meet with the approval of the majority of the voters it would mean that all of the grade pupils of Vashon Island south of the Center district would attend school in the building formerly used for the Burton high school. Instead of the maintenance of three buildings, as in years past, there would be the maintenance of only one. Instead of one teacher having to instruct a small group of pupils in all eight grades it would mean that the work of teaching would be divided among four teachers. In many cases pupils of these schools last winter walked, or were privately transported, several miles, while if the consolidation becomes effective there will be bus service for all. Up to the present time these schools have always had a special school tax while with a consolidation no special tax would be necessary, as the regular ten mill school levy would take care of the expenses of operation. Should the two districts unite the present boards of directors would continue to serve until the expirations of their terms, then the new members would be selected one from each unit of the consolidated district.
Transportation Company To Haul Pupils Of Dist. 176 – The contract has been signed with the Transportation Company for the hauling of the pupils of District 176 for the coming school year. At the same figure offered by Union U, the Company not only transports the children to and from school, but in case a child misses the bus on the regular school trips he can have free transportation on any of the regular trips of the bus. This constitutes quite an item as last year there was considerable dissatisfaction over the fact that often children left behind had to walk home. In addition to this the Company will give three trips to pupils and patrons to three evening school affairs during the winter.
Possibility Of Extension Of Fauntleroy Car Line – Last week Captain John Anderson informed us that he had received a communication from Mayor Edwards stating that in reply to Capt. Anderson’s inquiry concerning the possibility of having a loop of the Fauntleroy car line around by the dock, he had instructed the superintendent of the street railway to confer with Capt. Anderson and learn his wishes in the matter.
Time was that local consumers had the idea that the only good peaches produced in the state came from the east of the mountains, but this theory has been exploded this year by the marvelous fruit that is being grown right here. The peaches produced on the Highland Park ranch went like the proverbial hot cakes. Mr. Morgan disposed of practically his entire crop locally. One of the Seattle department stores used a few boxes for experimental purposes in their canned foods department and have asked for the entire next year’s output. C.W. Kolstad, and experienced orchardist, felt that there was no reason why Vashon Island should not produce good peaches, and three years ago last November set out 100 Rochester peach trees on an acre of his little ranch south of Center. Soil and drainage conditions in his orchard are ideal. The trees have had the best of care with the result that Mr. Kolstad is this year rewarded with a splendid crop. The 100 young trees have yielded 350 boxes of fruit practically all of which has been disposed of locally at a price higher than eastern Washington peaches are bringing on the mainland. Instead of picking the fruit clean from the trees Mr. Kolstad picks only that which is well ripened, thus the peaches he is marketing have the superior flavor of tree ripening. Vashon Island fruit has become known through the superiority of its berries, but with the successful raising of sour cherries, and now the enthusiasm of peach raising here it would seem that the orchardist has a variety of choice.
Former Island Boy Meets Accidental Death – Island friends were shocked to hear of the fatal accident which occurred Sunday in which Ralph Dumas sustained a fractured neck while diving in the shallow water of Lake Sammamish, at Strafford Park. Although the unfortunate young man lived until Monday afternoon he was fully conscious until the end. He passed away at the Swedish hospital where he was rushed after the accident. The young man, twenty four years of age, made his home for several years with the Smith Calhoun family on Maury Island and during that time attended the Burton high school, graduating in 1925.
Vashon Island Schools Open September 2nd; Good Year Assured – On Tuesday morning, September 2nd the doors of the Center, Dockton, Columbia, Maury and Vashon schools will swing open to receive a bevy of youngsters the majority of whom will be glad to again get into harness. The enthusiasm with which the children speak of returning to school is a tribute to our public schools.
New High School Will Be Dedicated Sept. 5; Fleming to be Speaker – On Friday evening, September 5th, the new high school building will be thrown open to the public at 6:30 for inspection. The board of Directors urge that all interested take this opportunity of seeing what has been provided for the student body that will take up its regular work on the following Monday, September 8th.
A much needed barber shop has located in Burton in the building leased by Dr. Grandy. A DeZemed owner of the Sanitary Barber Shop at Vashon will be here afternoons. For further particulars, hunt up his announcement in the Vashon Island News-Record.
Burton News Notes – New books added to the library are: “The Door”, by Mary R. Rinehart; “Rebellion”, Mantul Farnham; “White Oaks”, Jalva De Laroche; “Lummox”, by Fannie Hurst; “The Luckiest Lady”, Ruby Ayers; “Ways of Escape”, Noel Forrest.
Weed Killing Demonstrations Held In Five Communities – Week killing demonstrations in the application of sodium chlorate and patented week killers have been held in the Duvall, Carnation, Issaquah, Snoqualmie, and Vashon communities during the past two weeks with fair attendance by interested farmers.
This week a deal was closed whereby Fred Kingsbury sold a piece of his Maury Island property, consisting of water frontage 150 by 400 feet, and two beach cottages. The purchaser is J.B. Wilmer of Seattle.
Cove, Cedarhurst and Colvos Items – Mr. and Mrs. Conrad Christensen of Colvos are rejoicing over the purchase of a fine new Buick Eight Sedan. Mrs. Christensen says, “Ladies, when you want a good, reliable, safe instructor to teach you how to drive, get Mrs. T.B. Allison, for she can’t be beat.
Cross’ Landing Notes – Chas. F. Smith, Bert Smith, Frank Smith, Mr. Carey and Alfred Olson are making a road back thru Chas. Smith’s place for the benefit of those who live back of Smith’s. Bob Marshall, Fred Sherman and Al Roen are also working there, doing the grading.
Announcement – I have opened a barber shop in Burton, located in Dr. Grandy’s office building to accommodate patrons in that vicinity and will be there each afternoon from 2 to 7 o’clock. For appointments call Red 774 or Sanitary Barber Shop. A. De Zemed.
Advertisement – The ever increasing demand for Sunny View Dairy Products has made necessary an expensive expansion of our production and service facilities. Our Motto: A quality product, properly handled and courteous dependable service. The Sunny View Dairy of Vashon Island. W.P. Vermeulen, Prop.
On Wednesday, A.J. Marsh, accompanied by Mrs. O.E. Ramquist, Mrs. Al Sundberg and Mrs. T. Collings, made a trip to Seattle. Ordinarily Mr. Marsh does not require the escort of quite such a large delegation of fair ones, but this time business was combined with pleasure, and the quartette went for the purpose of selecting floor covering for the Cove Methodist Church.
Mr. and Mrs. Alex Steward, Mrs. Smock and Fransu, and Mr. Fred Mess of Orilla, picnicked on Cedar River Sunday. A trip over the roads of that part of the country makes one realize that the roads of Vashon Island are remarkably well marked, for over there one can travel for miles on some of the highways and see scarcely no markers.
To Patrons of Dist. 176 – The board of Directors desire to announce that the Vashon grammar school will open Tuesday, September 2nd. Only pupils who are six by the 15th of November will be enrolled in the first grade, and all enrollments must be made during the first week of school.

September 1930

September 4, 1930

Improved Ferry Service A Great Benefit To Island – In a community like ours, where the summer campers and tourists are an element to be reckoned with, Labor Day marks the end of the summer season, although the Island will still continue to have many week-end visitors, particularly if our autumn weather continues good. The late spring affected everyone dependent on the tourist trade, but in spite of this the consensus of opinion seems to be that the season had been good, which is surprising in the face of the bad times that were supposed to be existing. It hardly seems logical that if money were so hard to get, and such a large percentage of the population in need of necessities that there could be so much traveling about. The Kitsap County Transportation Company are among those who are well satisfied with the summer business of 1930. They feel that in putting on the fine new ferry “Vashon” they have not only benefitted themselves but the Island as well.
Ferry Lunch Counter Has Proved Popular – A most welcome adjunct to our present ferry facilities is the prompt, courteous service accorded to patrons of the boats at the lunch counters operated by Reuben Lovgren. Mr. Lovgren, with his wife and children came to Vashon Island in 1927, taking over the management of the dock store at the Heights. In 1928 Mr. Lovgren took over the management of the lunch counter on the “Kitsap.” At that time only coffee and doughnuts or butterhorns could be obtained to satisfy the inner man. He began adding equipment, the lunch counter was enlarged, a fine variety of light lunches were served and the tourists and commuters were well pleased with the service and food. When the new “Vashon” was completed part of its equipment was an up-to-the-minute lunch counter, with seating capacity for 28 customers at a time. The logical person to have charge of it was, of course, Mr. Lovgren, who during the summer has operated the two ferry lunch counters, serving a variety of hot and cold foods and drinks to the hundreds who daily patronize him.
Smith Airplane Company Elect Officers – The annual meeting of the stockholders of the Smith Airplane Company was held in Tacoma August 15th and officers elected for the coming year were, Horace H. Smith, president and general manager; O.H. Kalland, vice-president; J.F. Shaw, secretary and treasurer.
2 Island Men Lost In Sea Disaster – Never in its history has Vashon Island been more greatly shocked that when news came of the accident that snuffed out the lives of two of our men, with the sinking of the halibut boat, “Orient” in the Straights of Georgia Monday night. The death of Ben Huseby leaves fatherless four children, the youngest a boy in the third grade, two daughters in high school and an older son, beside his wife. For some time Mr. Huseby had been strongly inclined to give up fishing, and devote his entire time to his ranch on the West Side. This was to have been his last season of fishing after years spent in following the sea, according to his neighbors. Andrew Lokke, scarcely more than a boy, had grown up on the Island and had a wide circle of friends among his former schoolmates and residents of particularly the West Side. Two of the three survivors were West Side fishermen. Alfred Ellingsen, a brother-in-law of Andy Lokke, was picked up by the life boats of the “Admiral Nulton”, while Edward Landstres swan to Sisters Island, almost a mile from the scene of the accident. Although search for the bodies of the ten men who perished was begun almost immediately as yet only the captain’s body has been recovered. The crash occurred on a clear night, while the lights of the halibut schooner were buring brightly. There was no fog, and there was no chance to get out of the way, as no whistles gave warning of the danger. The “Orient” was en route from the Alaska halibut banks to Seattle with 30,000 pounds of fish in the hold. Capt. Sedolph Rudd and nine members of his crew were asleep in the tiny forecastle when the “Orient” was struck forward of the beam by the knife-like prow of the freighter. Almost cut in two, the “Orient” filled rapidly, and sank until her decks were awash.
Fire Truck Give Aid – The Vashon fire truck has justified its existence! This week on two occasions calls for help were answered with the result that the Nystedt garage was saved, and on the next day the Burton grammer school was likewise saved from destruction.
Mrs. Phil Green and little Janet, are visiting with their folks on the Sound. Mrs. Floyd Green and son who spent some time here while the men folks were fishing in Alaska waters have returned to their home at Friday Harbor.
Ellisport News – Cars from the following states have been noticed on the streets of Ellisport recently; New York, Delaware, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nebraska, and of course Canada, Idaho, California and Idaho are seen so often they arouse no more interest than our Washington cars. All this helps in advertising our lovely little resort town and also the rest of the Island.
To The Voters Of Vashon-Maury Island: September 9th – Is the day when all voters should exercise their right of citizenship by casting their ballot in the choice of those who they believe are best qualified to serve the people in different United States, State and County offices. It is not the man who makes the big noise BUT IT IS THE MAN WHO CAN COMMAND THE FRIENDSHIP OF THE GREATEST NUMBER OF MEMBERS WHO GETS THE THINGS HE GOES AFTER. With the combined efforts of our three candidates, Williams, VanOlinda and McKinnon backed by Senator Walter J. Lunn, the district is in a position to command recognition on measures in which the people of Vashon-Maury Island are most interested. Lets show the world we know what we want with a united vote for Senator Walter J. Lunn, Representative L.Y. Williams, Charles P. Van Olinda and J.A. McKinnon. – Ira H. Case.
Center News (Too Late for Last Week’s Issue) – Center school will open Tuesday, September 2nd, with Mrs. May Rodda, principal, and Mrs. Angenette Lee, primary, teachers in charge.
Misses Helen Yoshimura and Yuri Hoshi attended the Convention of the Japanese-American Citizen’s League in Seattle, August 29th, to September 2nd. Besides business meetings, Sunday was spent at Mt. Rainier and Monday evening at Seattle Yacht club.
Mrs. Earl Watson is again about after having been in quarantine with scarlet fever.
Mr. and Mrs. J.A. Hessle and Mr. and Mrs. J.D. O’Connell are indeed grateful for the aid rendered them by local people when their homes were threatened by the brush fire that raged east of Vashon for several days.
Mrs. Jensen’s sister, Mrs. Wineland, who with her children spent the summer here, is at home safe and sound after a couple of narrow escapes enroute. Due to heavy rains in Wyoming their car went off the highway and turned completely unside down but no one was hurt, and very little damage done. At another place there was a collision due to skidding, but that too is all a thing of the past now. It seems it behooves us all to carry a rabbit’s foot in our pockets, while touring.

September 11, 1930

1931 Budget to Provide Extensive Road Work On Island, Says Brinton – In a letter from County Commissioner W.B. Brinton, he indicated that Vashon-Maury Island is slated to receive its share of the county road money, if the present plans are carried out. With input from the Vashon Commercial Club, in the wharves and docks budget provision is made for $30,000 for a new landing at Vashon Heights. In the road and bridge budget for the ensuing year is $10,000 which has been set up for the Burton-Tahlequah road. This is more than we intended to spend on this road but because of the bids for the Farm to Market project on this road being rejected – the tenders being too high – we have increased the budget for this year in the hope that the road can be built with our own men and equipment. The $5,000 that was in the Farm to Market budget for the Burton-Tahlequah road has been transferred to the west side of the Island road and $10,000 more allocated for the coming year. In the Road District Budget we have included the Marshall Armstrong Road, Krokset Petition, Magnolia Beach, the road from Rosehilla to Manzanita, Glenacres and the Colvos Dock.
Artesian Well Is Opened On Maury Island – Recently A.M. Rivers, after digging only about twelve feet below the surface of the ground, opened up an artesian well that rises four feet above the surface of the earth and has a flow of 11,000 gallons of clear, cold, pure water a day. The origin of the water is a mystery. Mr. Rivers feels that it cannot be from the Island and it is hard to believe that it comes from under the Sound from the mainland to emerge 200 feet above sea level on the Island.
No Change In Ownership Of West Pass Line – This week it was announced that there was to be no change in the ownership of the West Pass Transportation Company. Although the Puget Sound Navigation Company had an option of one year they did not exercise it, so the Virginia V will continue to operate as before, under the same management.
Up-To-Date Miniature Golf Course – This week a transfer of property occurred at Vashon when Elmer Harmeling purchased from Mrs. Sarah Eernissee the lot south of the J.M. Silvey property. Work will start soon on the erection of an up-to-the-minute Shell service station, with public rest rooms, and all desirable present day features. “Happy” Jack Wendler will be in charge of the establishment. The service station will occupy the front of the lot, while in the back will be a first class miniature golf course, tennis courts and picnic grounds, all of which will fill a long felt want, Vashon Island being unique in its lack of these.
Burton Water Company Sold – Judge P.M. Armbruster has sold the Burton Water Company to R.W. McKinstry of Mount Vernon. In 1926, Mr. Armbruster bought out the old company and entirely rebuilt the water system.
Huseby And Lokke Buried – Funeral services were held this (Thursday) afternoon in the Cove Methodist Church for the two victims of the Orient disaster, Ben Huseby and Andrew Lokke. Obituaries will be published in a later number of the News-Record.
Island Japanese-Americans Meet – Saturday, September 6th, the Japanese-American Citizens League of Vashon held its first business meeting at the home of Mrs. T. Yoshimura. Interesting reports were given by the Island delegates to the National Convention held in Seattle. These reports were made my Misses Yuri Hoshi and Helene Yoshimura. The results of the election was as follows: Mr. Thomas T. Yoshimura, president; Miss Martha Tanimura, secretary; Mr. Walter Tanimura, treasurer.
Island Primary Election Vote Light – Despite the fine weather on Tuesday a much lighter vote was cast on the Island than was anticipated, showing that the average voter does not realize the importance of voting at the primaries. It also demonstrated the fact, locally, that Democrats are about as scarce as white blackbirds, for in five of the Island precincts not a single democratic ballot was given out. Again the Island failed to put across their candidate. This is particularly lamentable, since he was defeated by so narrow a margin that just a little stronger effort on the part of the Island people would have resulted in representation in the next legislature.
The Automobile Club of Washington furnished and posted signs all over the Island for guidance of autoists along the different roads. On the guide posts at Burton a number of times the mileage was changed and the signs torn down. Must the Club take drastic action to stop this, which they will do if the vandalism continues, or can we in any way appeal to the violators to have more respect for public property?
Dockton News – Fishing boats Good Partner and Flyingfish are in for the closed season, fixing up to go out again.
The hearts of Ellisport residents are filled with gratitude that their homes have once more been spared and they extend their sincere thanks to the men and boys who worked so hard and so long in fighting the forest fire.
Maury Notes – Mr. Bert Burghuff had the misfortune to be cut by a flying axe Tuesday, which cut through the skull. He is recovering in the Virginia Mason Hospital in Seattle.
The Maury Women’s Club met Thursday, September 4th, for its regular fall meeting. The annual election resulted in the re-electing of the old officers by acclamation. The Club made plans for a party September 19th by which means they hope to start a fund to shingle the hall roof.
Mr. Frank Kingsbury, of Maury Island, was a member of a stag party which motored to Mt. Rainier last Sunday.
Little Shirley Wilson escaped serious injury by a miracle on last Sunday when she was struck by a car as she was returning home with her sister from Sunday school. Elroy Brabender, in passing a parked car failed to see the little folks and struck Shirley. She was dragged for some distance. Aside from slight cuts and severe bruises she is suffering no serious after-effects.
S.B. Morris while bringing the mail from Cove last Monday morning met with a peculiar accident. A bent goose-neck on the steering gear of his Ford was the cause of it all, and instead of making the turn from the Cove road to the pavement, car and driver made a nose dive into the Gilfillian orchard, taking out a part of the guard rail on the way down. The pesky vehicle started straight for the bay, and only the fact that the drain pipe under the pavement was smaller than the Ford saved Mr. Morris from a ducking.
By responding promptly to an S.O.S. call at one o’clock Wednesday morning from Ellisport H.C. Cronander and the Vashon fire truck were the means of saving the buildings on the Harry Lee place at Portage. Several chicken houses were on fire when “Cro” arrived on the scene, but he soon had the flames extinguished.
Vashon Island’s New High School Dedicated – Friday evening, September 5th, the new Vashon Island High School was formally dedicated. The building was open for public inspection at 6:30 p.m. The boy scouts ushered and helped park cars. Mrs. Stone and committee decorated the building with flowers. From the opening hour until the formal program, at 8 p.m. people from every part of the Island were seen touring the building. Each feature as it was noticed brought forth enthusiastic remarks. At 8 o’clock everyone gathered in the huge auditorium gymnasium. Approximately 600 people had come to see the realization of the dream project in which they had so thoroughly believed in and worked for.
Announcement – H.L. Penny wished to announce that he is the Island agent for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer. That when he took the route over on the death of Mr. Pierson there was no available list of subscribers. Any complaints call Red 722.

September 18, 1930

Island High School Classes Organize – Classes Organize – On Monday, September 8th, the well-oiled wheels of the Vashon Island High School machinery started to turn. The first movement indicated one of the most important things in the organization of our new school – the class meeting of the seniors. With a few preliminaries, the earnest classmen launched right into the heart of their business and organized for the year to follow. The officers elected were: President, Joe Green; Vice-President, Ward Clark; Secretary, Mildred Calhoun; Treasurer, Kenneth Dowling; Faculty Advisor, Mr. Schunke. On the same day, the juniors met and carried out a well-directed meeting. Those elected to office were: President, Earl Hendrickson; Vice-President, Frank Matsumoto; Secretary, Margaret Petersen; Treasurer, Patricia Lavan; Sergeant at Arms, Glen Willock; Faculty Advisor, Mr. McElvain.
The Gymnasium – Boys and girls of the Vashon Island High School are enjoying the wonderful new gymnasium. The floor of this fine room is laid in a herring bone design of Alaska cedar which is sand-papered and oiled. Its size will allow for extensive classes in physical education. A roomy balcony is situated on the west side of the gym. There is a small motion picture booth on the balcony from which the stage will be lighted. The heating and lighting systems are scientifically correct.
High Respect Paid To Orient Victims – B.J. Huseby and Andrew Lokke, who died together when the Orient was sunk September 1st, were buried from the Cove M.E. Church Thursday, September 11th, and side by side they rest in the Vashon cemetery. It was a heartgripping sight to see the two coffins before the alter and the two families in sorrow. The church was filled to the doors and many could not come in.
Andrew Lokke – Andrew Lokke was born at Colvos on Vashon Island, February 28th, 1912. He attended the Columbia school where he was a popular student. He was a regular attendant at Sunday school and was president of the Junior League of the Cove M.E. Church. After finishing school he helped his father about the place till last summer, when he spent two months in Alaska fishing. This spring he went to California fishing and then to Alaska on the ill-fated Orient. He died at the beginning of a promising manhood, September 1, 1930.
Bernt Johan Huseby – Bernt Johan Huseby was born on “Husebo” near Bergen, Norway, on the 27th of January, 1910, and came directly to Vashon Island, where he has since resided. He was converted to God during his first year here and has always taken an active part in church work and Sunday school, where he will be sorely missed. He was married on September 6th, 1913, to Emma Ellingson, who, together with four children, mourn a loving husband and father. He dies on the Orient disaster, September 1st, 1930.
Harmeling Golf Course Ready Next Week – Mr. Fred Stevenson, of Seattle, chief designer and engineer of the miniature golf course being constructed by Elmer Harmeling, made the statement that the course will be ready for playing by Saturday of next week. Some speed! We would say. Also the foundation for the new Shell Oil station is completed and is expected to be open for business some time next week.
Southern Heights News – Mr. Krozh had the misfortune Sunday morning to stumble over a hidden tree-root and fall heavily, breaking his right leg, between the knee and hip. Dr. Grandy pronounced it a hospital case and at once took him to the Tacoma General.
Accidents will happen. Douglas Swanson, while drilling holes in the paved sidewalk for the new street lights, had the misfortune of having a chisel fly from his hand and strike the plate glass show windor of Weiss’ Store, splintering it. A new window was installed Monday morning.
The Puget Sound Power and Light Company have installed five new circuits to their service system, one each to Cove, Colvos, Maury Center, Vashon Heights and Vashon. These lines will materially improve the service to these localities.
Leonard Johnson, driver for the Golden Rule Bakery of Vashon, returned Sunday from his vacation spent in Spokane. He brought back several trophies, most prized of all – a mustache.

September 25, 1930

Island Poultry Exhibit Created Much Interest At the Puyallup Fair – Vashon Island received a large share of publicity at the Puyallup Fair by reason of the exhibit of the Vashon Island Co-Operative Hatchery placed by the Rosebank Farm. The booth, under the direction of Mrs. B.P. Kirkland, was tastefully decorated in flowers and greens from Rosebank Farm, beautiful red dahlias and asparatus greens being used in carrying out the color scheme of red and green. A large sign, also in red and green, with the words “Vashon Island Co-op Hatchery, Rosebank Farm, Agents” was at the top of the booth. Mr. A. Norkett, who was in charge of the exhibit said it was interesting to hear the comments of many in the crowd whose interest was immediately aroused by the name of “Vashon Island.” They had heard of Vashon Island, but had never visited it.
A fire which had been smoldering for about two weeks, suddenly burst forth Saturday evening into a roaring menace, by the Herman Deppman place and raged through the state park. With the efforts of about thirty men the fire was kept mostly under control. Mr. Charles Kuehl would have lost his barn and chicken house had it not been for the timely arrival of the Vashon fire truck. One building was consumed by the fire on the Ira Thompson place, but otherwise there was little damage done, besides the burning of the wood lot.
Miniature Golf Course And New Shell Service Station Opens Saturday – Saturday will mark the opening of “Happy Jack’s” Service No. 2, the second Shell service station to be opened within the past few weeks. This new enterprise is located at Vashon, at the south end of the village. The main building of the service station is 20 x 24, modern in every respect. A drive-under extends from the building, for servicing cars under during bad weather, to the canopy over the pumps.
Burton News Items – Through the efforts of M.G. Leonard we are able to cite the three prominent citizens on Vashon Island published in the last Who’s Who Book: S.J. Harmeling, horticulturist, Josephine C. Preston, educator, and Rev. Edwin M. Randall.
Local Pullets Go To Experimental Farm – Recently the Fox River Company purchased a truck load of 4 month pullets from the Vashon Island Co-op Hatchery stock for the experimental farm near Lynden, Washington. This farm has a capacity of 30,000 birds, and the stock is purchased from well-known poultry plants all over the northwest section of the state.
Dockton News – The boat Good Partner arrived from the salmon banks to have her pump fixed up.
Cove, Cedarhurst and Colvos Items – The Colvos water system is being extended as far as Baldwin’s property at Cedarhurst.
Thanks Workmen Who Saved Cottage – Editor News-Record: I wish that you would express my thanks to the men who so successfully fought the brush fire at Ellisport. I knew nothing about the fire until after it was out and was please to learn that precautions had been taken to protect my cottage. Sincerely, Mrs. Eve W. Furbush.

October 1930

October 2, 1930

Committee Will Look Into Feasibility of Night School At Vashon Island High – At a recent meeting of the Island Commercial Club, the matter of establishing a night school on the Island received considerable discussion. It was voted to investigate the attitude of the public on the subject and for this purpose. The committee is interested in knowing what subjects will be in greatest demand and to this effect it would be glad to receive suggestions.
Work Progressing On The New Shell Station – A crew of workmen are busy finishing, and painting the new Shell station opened last week by Jack Wendler.
Indoor Golf Course At Vashon – Workmen are engaged in remodeling the building containing the Cash and Carry Grocery and the restaurant in connection. The room at the south, previously used for a dining room, is being converted into a kitchen, dining and store rooms, and the part of the building now used for those purposes is to be used for an indoor golf course. Thus Vashon continues to keep up with the times.
Street Lights Going Up – Workmen are busily setting the poles and completing the wiring for Vashon’s new street lights. There are to be ten sidewalk lights which when installed, and the poles painted will add a still more metropolitan air to the progressive little village.
Seton Edson has erected a miniature golf course on their home lot in Burton, which has already attracted numerous friends who are made as welcome as the family, in trying their skill.
Mr. O.H. Kalland is leveling his lots on Main street in Burton, and will soon erect a gas station and garage. C.J. Olson has the work in charge, and has already moved the two small buildings towards the back of the lots which will be made into cottages for summer renters. We predict a fine, growing business for Mr. Kalland, to which will be added later a much needed necessity – an eating station. Mr. Robert Stewart will have charge of the gas station when ready.
Formal Opening Of Miniature Golf Course Next Saturday – The bad weather of last Saturday caused the postponement of the formal opening of Vashon’s miniature golf course, although the course was a popular place during the late afternoon and evening, after the rain ceased falling. Even the cold weather of Sunday, and the frosty evenings during the week have not dulled the enthusiasm of the rapidly increasing number of fans. Old and young seem to have contracted the disease, and it is no uncommon thing to see even the gentry of the legitimate golf course stopping to match their skill with those who do not aspire to larger things. Employers are having some difficulty in enforcing rigid hours among their employees. It is an open secret that the only reason they are growing stricter about the hours of duty is that they themselves crave the same relaxation as those they employ. Up to date there have been no casualties, nor has any employee been forced to find a new job. If the weather permits, on next Saturday a series of match games and tournaments will be played, and prizes, including the 50 gallons of Shell “400” given to the star players. This list will be posted Saturday morning at the Vashon Shell station, Mr. Harmeling, owner of the course, has announced.
Football News – This Friday the Vashon Union High School football team plays Highline High School in their first contest of the “A” League. The game will be played at Highline and therefore will lack the support of most of the Island rooters. In spite of this handicap, the team is going into the game prepared to do their best to bring back the win to Vashon.
Vashon Grammar School Notes – Fransu Smock has been appointed publicity agent for the Vashon Grade School.
Southern Heights News – The roadmen have built a log barrier on the curve south of the entrance to the Paradise-Cove road. Much safer now.
New Manager For The Island Good Will Farm – (Communicated) Mr. William George has recently been appointed as organizer of Good Will societies and manager of the Good Will Farm on the Island. Mr. George comes to us recommended. Mr. George has taught agriculture in high school two years and has a total of nine years teaching experience. He is also a practical farmer. Our new manager does not smoke and drinks nothing stronger than coffee. He takes an active interest in church work, and during his four years of college was Sunday school superintendent of the Second Congregational Church in Emporia, Kansas, and also president of the Christian Endeavor Society.
The Report of the Financial Condition of the Vashon State Bank shows, at the close of business on the 24th day of September, 1930, total assets of $373,817.84.
The Vashon Island Transportation Company is carrying the Harper students to the ferry after school, the change going into effect last week. This plan has been adopted by the board as an economy measure.
R.W.F. Martin has been appointed a member of the Commercial and Trade Organizations Committee of the Pacific Northwest Advisory Board.
R.W.F. Martin left Thursday to attend meetings at Ellensburg and Yakima on Friday of the Washington Association of Commercial Organization Secretaries, representing Vashon Island Commercial Club. He also attended the meeting of the Columbia Basin Irrigation League Saturday. E.H. Miller also attended the Basin meeting.
Announcement was made today that the Houghton Dairy has purchased the route of A.T. Tjomsland.
Garner Steen, by way of being a bit unusual, is spending his vacation on the Island. By way of recreation he is indulging in miniature golf and pheasant hunting, with a trip to the big city on Monday thrown in for good measure.
Following a custom of many years, Dr. Chas. Griswold, of Seattle, a former Island boy, made his annual visit to his old schoolmate, Tim Clark, and together they officially opened the hunting season. Both are reticent about the number of victims, although they came through the ordeal unharmed.

October 9, 1930

Vashon Island Gaining Reputation for Growing Delicious Fancy Pears – While there are those that think Vashon Island is best suited to the growing of berries, others consider sour cherries and peaches the safest bet, Mrs. John Roberts is sure that growing pears, while not always safe and profitable, is a fascinating pursuit. To hear her give the history of the pear and its culture is equal to reading the month’s best seller. The tract of ten acres was purchased by Mrs. Roberts just twenty years ago, and in 1911 and 1912 the pear orchard was planted. Of the 400 trees the greatest number are D’Anjous, but as she expresses it Mrs. Roberts “has a lot of fun experimenting with other varieties of French pears” and has also the Bosc, Comice, Buerre Hardy, Duchess Bordeaux and Winter Nelis.
Big Day At New Miniature Golf Course And Shell Station – Saturday was a big day in Vashon, and the many visitors, brought out by the combined opening of the Harmeling Miniature course, and the new Shell service station added unusual activity to the busy little village. The service station and light poles on the course were bedecked with “real gas balloons”, as was every child, large and small, that visited either. It looked as though the circus had come to town. Much interest was created by the announcement of the prizes, and everybody had lots of fun trying to win the rewards for “a hole in one.” In the evening the match game of the four making the lowest scores of the day was played off. The team consisted of Carl Wick 50, Don Thompson 51, and Ralph Towne and Martin Dannewig 53. Carl Wick finished low man and received the prize of 50 gallons of Shell “400.”
Banquet On October 25 – At a meeting last Saturday night of the executive officers of the Vashon Island Commercial Club, Burton Improvement Club, Island Community Club and chairman of the Union High School board it was unanimously decided not to hold the Commercial Club banquet in the new high school building. This conclusion was arrived at after committees reported on the cost of equipment that would be required to serve dinner to a large crowd. Plans are now under way to have the banquet in the Island Club, as usual.
New Street Lights Lighted – The village of Vashon is all lit up these evenings, with the twelve (count them) big lights on top of their iron posts outshining the harvest moon the daily papers have been talking about. These same fixtures were previously used in Seattle, until that town outgrew them, and now they are doing duty in Vashon, waiting for it to do likewise. Here’s hoping that the Island will build up so rapidly that it will be but a short time until the little line of lights in Vashon will extend to other parts of the Island. The Vashon Business Men’s Club feel justly proud of this latest improvement in the appearance of their village, the result of the money earned by their mid-summer carnival, and made possible through the patronage of the entire Island.
Last week Seymour Hearst was painfully injured when his hand was caught and crushed by the ratchet of the dumping mechanism of one of the county gravel trucks he was driving. Dr. McMurray reports that he is doing as well as could be hoped for, and that the hand is healing. He does not anticipate any future ill developments.
Burton News Notes – Hunters are warned against firing through the open doorway of private residence while hunting in their front yards despite the “no trespassing” signs posted on all sides of them!
Geo. McCormick returned Saturday from a week of roughing it in company with his brother, Earl McCormick, and his uncle, Dick Fuller, in the Olympics. The boys had plenty of sport and brought home, in addition to their quota of venison, a 250 pound bear. We understand that Dick killed the bear, and that it almost got him before he got it.
Vashon Island High School News – The Glacier, which geologists tell us once covered this part of the country, played a mean trick on the men who are grading our school grounds. It toted several tons of huge granite boulders all the way down here from central Canada and deposited them in our front yard. The workmen estimate that the removing of these boulders will amount to more than $100.
In the Statement of the Ownership, Management, Circulation, etc. of the Vashon Island News-Record, for October 1, 1930, listed Agnes L. Smock as Publisher, Editor, Managing Editor, Business Manager and Owner.
Axel Bjorkland was painfully injured this week while working with the county road crew. While standing back of the grader he was struck by a truck. The driver, a West Side woman, was blinded by the sun shining on the wind-shield, and did not see Bjorkland until too late to avoid striking him. Dr. McMurray took him at once to a Seattle hospital. Examination showed that he had suffered a dislocated hip, and bad cuts about the head.
Mr. Alex Smith, the friend of all the windows who depend on him for all odd jobs needing attention, and he never fails, is again available in the old home town, after a summer spent working in Point Defiance Park.

October 16, 1930

Large Order Of Pedigreed Birds Shipped To Japan – Two weeks ago the Beall Poultry Farm received a visit from representatives of the Japanese government that resulted in the sale of the largest order of Vashon Island birds that has ever been shipped to a foreign country. Every one of the birds sold has an individual pedigree, with three and more often six or seven continuous generations of 250 egg and better ancestry back of them. The order consists of 18 cockerels and 145 pullets, for which Mr. Beall received a sum of $4,305.00.
Editorial – We Begin Our Fifteenth Year – With this issue the News-Record enters its fifteenth year. Looking back over the files of the past fourteen years we feel that the paper has traveled far since the first little hand-set number entered Vashon-Maury homes, yet there is always the question as to whether the improvement is editorial or mechanical. Editing a newspaper is one of the most peculiar “sensations” it is possible to experience. As a paper goes to press the editor is always convinced that each and every number is the “rottenest” that has ever been put out. Yet after a lapse of a few weeks or months, in looking back on the issue that caused the greatest feeling of discouragement the editor is apt to say, “Well, by golly, that wasn’t such a bad sheet, after all.” We know that the News-Record could be improved in many ways. We know that it has improved in the past almost two years since we have been responsible for it, but we find possibly more to criticize in it than our readers. We appreciate the kind compliments we have received from our readers, and we appreciate, too, their constructive criticism. We have always received such criticism in the spirit in which it was given, and while we have defended our position we have never been hurt by what has been said to us. The criticism that hurts is that which is made OF us, not TO us. During the twelve months that is ahead of us we hope that we will be permitted to chronicle only good of the community, that no tragedy will disturb the joy of our every day life, that the glad things, and not the sad ones will be in the majority. Last night, the small daughter, while looking over a Seattle paper remarked, “Aren’t you glad that the News-Record hasn’t so many terrible stories in as the dailies have?” And it is indeed cause for thankfulness, that we live in a community where sensational news is scarce. We express our appreciation for the help that has been given us by our faithful correspondents, by the secretaries of the various organizations, by the many friends interested in helping us get the interesting bits of news we would otherwise have overlooked. We hope that in the year before us we may show a marked improvement. Any suggestion will be given consideration and appreciation. If we err it will be, as in the past, honestly, for being human we have our own opinions, which cannot coincide with each mind in our wide circle of readers. The past year has been a difficult one for all of us. Let us hope that the one before us will be filled to the brim with prosperity for all.
Many Beautiful Homes Are Being Built On Island – This week Martin Tjomsland secured the contract for another fine Island residence, work on which will be started soon. Mr. and Mrs. J.C. Gabrouel are building on the lot purchased this summer from Capt. Wiman, on Quartermaster. The house was designed by Mrs. Gabrouel. When completed the house will consist of seven rooms, and a large sun porch, bath, basement, etc. It will cost $7,000 when completed, which will be some time this winter. The Gabrouels will them be regular Island dwellers. Mr. Gabrouel is special agent for the Pacific Telephone and Telegraph Company. Other new homes include: Cadwalader House Almost Completed – Stanley’s Enjoying Their New Home – Cooks Will Occupy New Home Soon – Meredith House Nearing Completion – H.B. Menees Building New Home.
Return From Eastern Trip – On Saturday Mr. and Mrs. C.F. Van Olinda, and Mrs. Cristman returned from a five-week auto trip. They went as far east as Buffalo, New York, where they visited an aunt for several days. It was surprising the number of people they encountered on their trip that knew of Vashon Island. In Sidney, Nebraska, a man praised the L.C. Beall chicks; in Cleveland, Ohio, a traffic officer stopped them to tell that he had friends on Vashon Island; a gentleman in Sacramento sent his regards to Capt. Phillips, while in Yaco, California, another man exclaimed about the big strawberries of Vashon Island. Although they enjoyed their trip they were glad to get back home to the Island. Don Parker had charge of the Portage post office during Mrs. Van Olinda’s absence.
William Markham To Build Modern Bakery At Vashon – Filling an often expressed with, and an apparent need of the Island, the announcement was made this week that another Industry had been added to our growing list. William A. Markham, a former Island “boy” has returned. After completing the erection of a home on the old homestead taken up by his father, he is now ready to establish himself in the business way. Mr. Markham has leased the Deppman building in Vashon and will open up a bakery. Masons will be over from the city the latter part of this week to start work on a modern oven.
Burton News Notes – Mrs. W. Coy Meredith met with what might have been a very serious accident in Tacoma Friday, when making a curve on a side road her car crashed with one driven by a relative coming in the opposite direction, each being hidden by masses of scotch broom bushes. Mrs. Meredith is recovering nicely from the shock and bruises, and her nice new car, quite badly damaged, is ready for business again.
If parties who took a valuable package of paint from Burton wharf Sunday night, belonging to Alex Smith, will call on him, they may have the can of putty belonging to the shipment.
Alex Smith is quite delighted with the mistake made in last week’s locals. He says you can see through a window but the ways of a widow are past finding out.
Dockton Items – Capt. L. Plancich came home in the boat Example for the weekend.
Notice To Lot Owners Of Vashon Island – At the annual meeting of the Association it was decided to have a competitive clean-up day, Saturday, October 25th. All lot owners are supposed to work on their own section. There are five sections and a captain was appointed for each section: No. 1 – F.M. Sherman; No. 2 – F.W. Bibbins; No. 3 – F.E. Bridgman; No. 4 – A.H. Petersen; No. 5 – A.F. Sundberg. There will be two prizes, namely, the first prize will be the satisfaction of having your own section looking better than any other section, and the main prize will be that of putting the grounds in better shape than they have ever been, so get in touch with your captain and tell him you will be on hand early and stay all day. Mrs. C.G. Soike will be commander-in-chief.
To Vashon-Maury Island Voters: Having but recently returned to the Island after a month’s absence I have not had the opportunity of meeting the many friends who so substantially supported my candidacy for Representative in the primary election, and wish to take this opportunity to thank one and all for the splendid vote given your local candidate. Very truly yours, C.F. Van Olinda.
To Whom It May Concern – At a meeting held in Columbia School House, October 11, 1930, the Directors of School District 103 were authorized to receive sealed bids on the following items: One 10 horse power engine and pump. One 1000 gallon water tank. One high pressure tank. The pipeline from Mr. I.M. Crokset’s place up to the school. The bids can be given either on the whole thing or separate items, not later than October 25th, 1930. In behalf of the School Board, C. Aug. Peterson, Clerk.
One day this week Worley Zimmerman called to his friend, Con Tjomsland to hurry out, that there was a fine rooster pheasant to be had for the shooting. Con came with all speed, and when he had located the bird prepared to fire, only to discover that in his excitement he had forgotten his gun.
Cove Junior League Elect Officers – The Cove Junior League held its annual election of officers October 5th. The following officers were elected: President, Gilbert Holland; vice president, Lester Sundberg; secretary, Joe Ramquist; treasurer, Paul Petersen. Benevolent committee: Laineha Hotchkin, Florence Doyle, Miriam Houghland. Presidiing officer, Mrs. F. Seigrist.

October 23, 1930

Prominent Speakers And Musicians To Be At Annual Banquet – The News-Record received word from Olympia this week that Governor and Mrs. Hartley have accepted the invitation of the Commercial Club and expect to be present at the banquet next Saturday night at the Island Club. The governor will be one of the speakers on that occasion. Equal in interest is the announcement that among the other interesting features of the evening will be talks by Judge Dykeman, of Seattle, and Rev. Oscar Johnson, of Tacoma, whose previous appearances here have endeared them to Island audiences.
Not Only Widows, But Children – Although there has been an awful controversy over whether it was widows, or windows, Alex Smith insisting meanwhile that the ways of one are transparent as the other, he keeps right on doing deeds of kindness to not only the widows, but to the children as well. He is assisted in his good works in behalf of the latter by his brother, P.N. Smith. Recently these two men, who are about as busy as the average man on the Island, put aside their own interests and took time off to build tables and benches for the lunch room at the Burton Grammar School. Now the room is equipped so that not only the children may eat their lunches in comfort, but community meeting may be held there as well.
Former Island Man Aiding To Defeat Power Bill – One of the cleverest and most valuable aids being given for the defeat of Initiative No. 1, the District Power Bill, originated in the brilliant mind of Edwin Selvin, editor of the Business Chronicle, published in Seattle. Mr. Selvin was for several years an Island resident. In each issue of October Mr. Selvin has written his own editorial opinion of various phases of this bill, then has followed this up with the editorial opinion of publishers form all over the state.
Island Merchant Makes Flying Trip – George McCormick returned Tuesday noon from a business trip to Superior, Montana, near Missoula, where he went to look over some mining prospects. He left here Saturday night, spent a day and a night at his destination, and returned home, making a distance of about 1,100 miles, all in about 66 hours. What need has George for an aeroplane?
Easterners – Read This And Weep – This week’s daily papers have been full of reports of zero weather, snow storms, heavy frosts, and what not in the East. Vashon Islanders take a trip to the eastern part of the state and travel through deep snow over the passes, but here on our blessed Isle summer prevails. Mrs. Adelle Adams, of Vashon Heights, reports that this week she has been making strawberry preserves from fresh strawberries picked from the B.D. Mukai fields. Flower are blooming as gaily as they ever do in June, grasshoppers are hopping, birds singing, the Island folks are dressing about as they did in the warmest weather, our children still scorn stockings, and only the calendar tells us that summer is gone. Once more we marvel why anyone of average intelligence lives elsewhere than on Puget Sound, and Vashon-Maury Island in particular.
Big Game October 31 – Star Back May be on Bench With Injury That May Keep Him Entirely Out of Competition. Chances of Victory Over Buckley Very Good. Game Set for October 31st. – A determined team turned out for practice last Tuesday after school the last turnout for the past week owing to the vacation the last two days. The cause of the determination was the coming Buckley game. Although Vashon is not faring so well in their class “A” league campaign, they are determined to take Buckley’s scalp. Football relationship was opened between the two schools last season when Vashon defeated their rival by a 12 to 7 count. Later in the season, they met again at Buckley’s ground. From this game Vashon returned on the short end of a 13 to 6 count. The two teams seem to be about evenly matched and both will be fighting hard to gain the advantage in the number of games won. The spirit of the Vashon team is high. They intend to down Buckley even if they close call their contests. Coach Schunke’s main worries are in about two quarters: 1. Joe Green, flashy back, who had his shoulder injured in the opening game at Highline still has trouble. The injured member may not be able to take much part in the Buckley contest. 2. The line has not been holding with the consistency that it should. This latter deficiency has been getting less in each game and will probably be fairly well ironed out by game time. Coach Schunke drove his team through a signal drill and light scrimmage this week in preparation for the coming event. One reason why the team did not do better against Enumclaw was because the fans did not turn out to root for them! Let’s make this Buckley game of October 31, and all island affair. Turn out and yell your head off for Vashon. A team cannot play its best without support. Let’s all go.
Mr. and Mrs. B.D. Mukai returned last week from a trip, which included Pullman, Lewiston, Portland and Salem. Mr. Mukai reports that our Vashon boys, Masa Mukai, Bob Weiss, and Frank Swanson, are looking hale and hearty, and are enjoying their work.
Seymour Hearst is recovering slowly from his recent accident, under the splendid care of Dr. McMurray. While Dr. McMurray, with his customary caution will not allow relatives and friends to be too hopeful, indications are that the hand will be entirely saved, and not crippled, as was at first feared. Mr. Hearst has suffered severe pain, ever since the accident, but is remarkably patient and optimistic.
News-Record Quoted By City Newspapers – It is always gratifying to the editor of a newspaper, large or small to see the name of his publication in another paper. Recently this paper has been quoted a number of times by the Business Chronicle, in the series of analytical surveys being made by Edwin Selvin, and also in last Sunday’s Seattle Times.

October 30, 1930

Annual Club Banquet Most Pleasing Affair – About two hundred and twenty five Island people and guests sat down on Saturday evening to one of the loveliest affairs that has ever taken place on Vashon Island. The large hall of the Island Club was filled with long tables, decorated with autumn leaves and flowers, the Hallowe’en idea being carried out both in the decoration of the tables and the hall. Festoons of gay crepe paper and balloons furnished by the Shell Oil Company were draped from the lights in the center to the wall fixtures. After guests were seated an excellent dinner was expertly served. After the tables were cleared Chas. England, president of the Commercial Club acting as toastmaster presided over a well-arranged program of talks by the visitors of the evening. As on previous occasions Gov. Hartley, and the expected mayors, councilmen, and other civic officials were among those not present, but there were plenty of others present to carry on the evening’s entertainment, and the program was carried out without a hitch.
Lighthouse Keeper To Leave Island – Announcement was made this week of the promotion of W.S. Denning to the rank of “Keeper of Lighthouse Depot.” Mr. Denning’s new post will be the lighthouse depot now under construction on Lake Union, which will probably be completed the first of December.
Legislative Candidates Frame Bill To Return Auto Fund To Island – According to those familiar with what they are endeavoring to accomplish, the bill prepared for the next session of the legislature by Archie McKinnon and Walter Lunn will do much toward better roads on Vashon Island. The bill being drafted by Mr. McKinnon and Mr. Lunn will provide for approximately $10,000 additional each year to be spent on Island roads. This money will come, not from additional taxes, but will be returned from automobile license and gas tax moneys paid in by Island residents. Heretofore this money has not been spent here. Other Islands which are counties in themselves are now given a refund, and it is the contention of Mr. McKinnon and Mr. Lunn that Vashon Island should be given the same privilege.
Lloyd Ward Is Improving – Word comes that Lloyd Ward, high school foot ball player who was so severely injured last week in the game between the second team of the local school and Moran, is now showing marked improvement and will be taken from the hospital in a week or ten days if no new symptoms develop. Ward, when injured, was not at first thought to be seriously hurt, and was able to be taken to the home of Mrs. L.C. Beall, Sr., where he works. In a short time, as his suffering increased he went to the home of a brother in Seattle, and was later taken to the Seattle General Hospital. There it was found that the spine was injured to such an extent that he was put in a cast, which he may have to wear for some time. He has suffered intensely for several days, but is, at the present resting much easier.
Have You Returned Your Questionaire? – The committee are anxious to have every one interested in night school return the questionnaire that were sent out some time ago. If you have not already received a copy through the high school you will find extra copies at practically all of the stores about the Island. The committee wants to get some idea of how many are going to be interested in this proposed course so that they may have some idea how to proceed. The blanks should be returned to Prof. Robertson, at the high school without delay.
Vashon Island High School News – Kitsap League a possibility – All football fans will be interested in knowing that Vashon Island High School may join the Kitsap county league. Mr. Towne of Bainbridge Island High School has assured us of a welcome in that league. The schools included are more nearly the size of ours and have similar problems especially in transportation. We would play Bainbridge, Bremerton, Silverdale, and Port Orchard. The change would also be more likely to afford us an opportunity to get into the annual tournament. This season our team started playing an “A” League of King County schedule but the members of this league object to paying the expenses of their teams to the Island and since Vashon could not consider paying the expenses of both teams, we are no longer in this league.
This Question Must Be Settled – Although a large majority of the local public is in ignorance of its existence a heated controversy is raging in our midst. With the present state of affairs, with the stock markets uncertain; with skirts growing daily longer, and the days growing daily shorter; with hard times getting harder; with even the waters of Puget Sound showing a lack of constancy, this matter must be settled. Were it the lower class alone that is involved it would be bad enough, but even our professional men seem to be embroiled in this war of opinion. It hardly seems necessary to state that even the inhabitants of the deep are involved, for the question is, no less – What is the proper way to smoke salmon? There seems to be one point which these smokers agree, and that is that you should smoke only the big ones, ten, twelve or fifteen pounders. Another point of agreement is that with the present low price of the fish that smoked salmon should form a large part of the diet of us Islanders this winter. Comes forth that legal light, Alex Stewart and says: - “Smoke only the big dog salmon, ten, pounds or heavier. Salt for twelve to eighteen hours, then slime or wash the fish in their own brine; use no water. Hang up to drip a short time, then smoke for about three days, ending with a good hot smoke if you wish a good kippering, ready to eat. Use green alder wood. In cutting the fish divide in halves and don’t disturb the dorsal.” Now comes an expert that should be qualified to throw light on any subject, for he has been at it for many years. Keeper of the Lights, W.S. Denny tells us that the proper way to smoke salmon is thusly: - “Prepare heavy fish by splitting down back, take out the backbone, except about three inches near the tail, remove “insides”, wash, and salt heavy with half ground salt. Leave in salt 3 or 4 hours, according to size of fish. Spread out by placing sticks across. Hang up and let drain over night. Place in a slow fire of beach or dry alder wood and avoid as little heat as possible, hanging up by strings drawn through the fish near the tail, where backbone was not taken out. Avoid hot fire, or meat will slough out of the skin. Remember, if success is to crown your efforts the caudle must be left undisturbed.” It is altogether probable that there are any number of unexpected salmon smoking experts on the Island who can throw light on this ancient and accepted subject. We have heard the rumor that Phil Greene possesses deep knowledge; the Coy Meredith can offer some suggestions; the Old Man Edson has illustrations that will help settle the question; that Tim Clark is an authority; that Theo Berry knows a man that can beat the world smoking salmon; that Ollie Van is working on a model of a new type of smoke house; that C.L. Garner has referred the matter to old Peter Puget himself; that Elmer Harmeling has taken up spiritualism so that he can get first hand information from Pilchuck Julia herself; that a salmon-smoking arts course in our new high school; etc., etc. Be this as it may, no matter whether you favor the caudle, dorsal or pectoral method, this matter must be settled as soon as we get the election out of the way!

November 1930

November 6, 1930

Restaurant Moves Into New Quarters – The Leslie restaurant is now installed in its new quarters, and work is moving rapidly for the completion of an indoors miniature golf course in the rest of the building. Partitions are being torn out and a large space cleared for the eighteen hole course that will be as complete as any of the city courses. The restaurant is equipped with a steam table, and is complete in detail, with several booths, in addition to the lunch counter.
Organizing Campaign – On Wednesday Mrs. Rosa Klingenberg, executive secretary of the Anti-Tuberculosis League of King County visited the Island for the purpose of making a survey of the field preparation to launching the seal sale campaign. The Island is to be divided into four sections, and a chairman appointed in each district to have charge of the selling of the seals. The proceeds from this sale go toward fighting tuberculosis in our state, and each year the Island people have purchased generously of the seals, in this way doing their part.
Light Poles Being Painted – D. Gibbins is painting the standards of the new street lights recently installed in Vashon. This will add materially to their appearance, and although Mr. Gibbins refused to follow the suggestion of the editor to use green paint, with pink trimmings, we heartily approve of the decision of the Business Men’s Club in the selection of the black paint…(and that is no indication that the village is in mourning, either).
Island Polls Heavier Vote Than Expected – Contrary to all expectations a large number turned out to vote on the Island at Tuesday’s election, there being 813 votes cast. The perfect weather was a contributing factor, as well as the interest in the measures appearing on the ballot. In all precincts Democratic candidates received very few votes, Dockton polling proportionately the heaviest party vote. With one precinct missing the Island returns show the following returns on the measures voted on: Bridge Bonds – 229 For, 298 Against; Legislative Reapportionment – 289 for, 198 Against; District Power Bill – 293 For, 429 Against; Salaries of Legislators – 211 For, 304 Against; Appointment of Legislative Vacancies – 282 For, 197 Against; Tax Amendments – 350 For, 144 Against.
Three Young Men Arrested In Burton – From Burton comes a story that residents of that village feel should be given publicity. Three young men, old enough to know better, and who have the influence to set an example for the younger people, were arrested last Friday evening by the deputy sheriff, who caught them in the act of destroying public property. They were brought before Judge Armbruster for trial. All plead guilty and were given a stiff fine and suspended sentence, on condition that they repair the damage they had done. This latter they have done. Public and private property must be protected. Occasionally the pranks of minors can be overlooked, but when grown men maliciously destroy there can be apparently no reason for a display of leniency.
Vashon Island Man Breaks Track Record At The U. Of W. – Merritt Corbin, sophomore, and varsity runner at the University of Washington, set a new record for the cross country. Merritt ran the2.8 miles in 14.04, clipping six seconds from the past record. Merritt Corbin formerly of Vashon High, has distinguished himself through effort and Vashon Island can be proud to have such a representative of merit at the university.
New Road To Burton – Recently work was completed on a new piece of road work near Burton. This new road is an extension of the Bay View road, and serves, among other pieces of property, that of Peter Smith, Kenneth Van House and S.W. Thompson. During the past summer Mr. Thompson has sold several beach lots to city people for summer homes, and this new road makes all of these lots now accessible. Much credit is due our Island road supervisor, C.M. Ruhlen, as this road was built out of maintenance funds. The roads of the Island are in good condition, yet Mr. Ruhlen has managed so carefully that the work has been done at a minimum of cost.
Vashon High School Drops Game 25-0 – Team Looks Good Even In Defeat – Joe Green Hurts His Bad Shoulder Again – Buckley’s Passing Attach Dazzles.
Burton News Items – Matt Morrissey has over sixty holly trees set out on his home place and Burton lot by his meat market, most of them planted at the latter place, all doing fine and in several years will be a beauty spot as well as adding to his shekels.
Burton News Items – A party from Tacoma has leased the Burton Hotel and will have it in operation by the last of this week. This will be good news for all and will supply a much needed want that has been lacking for a long time. More next week.
The Question Must Be Settled – Editor Vashon News-Record – The question, if and when, settled, will be settled by payment to me of $50,000.00 damages for libel. The insinuation that I am working on a “model of a new type of smoke house” is scurrilous falsehood of the meanest, lowest origin. The intimation that I am working is libel. The intimation that I am working on a smoke house is gross libel. I demand reparation for great loss of business and humiliation of spirit through this unjust, false and malicious statement. Aside from my own feelings in this matter, consider those of the real inventor. The Rev. H.G. Ward is our community inventor and is undoubtedly behind this great innovation which is destined to revolutionize the salmon-smoking industry of the world. I beg of you, give some honor to the prophet in his own country. I never invented anything but excuses and time after time, in actual use, they proved absolutely worthless. I know nothing more about inventing than do you about conducting a newspaper. But that is not all. Just a few days ago I was down at the Cascades of the Columbia. I saw the noble Red Man, perhaps two hundred of him, snatching the frisky salmon from its element with his dip nets. I saw his ignoble wife, two hundred of her, preparing the salmon for winter use in a mass of squalid shacks which would have made excellent hog pens if they were torn down and re-built of new lumber on new ground. I saw Pilchuck Julia’s great great granddaughter smoking salmon – a guarantee that it was being done in the absolutely correct manner. The stench – I beg your pardon – the aroma was something never to be forgotten in this world and to endure for untold ages in the next. Smoked salmon as an article of human diet? I am not interested, never, forever and ever. Amen. – O.S.V.
Cove, Cedarhurst and Colvos Items – Mr. A. Zimmerman has opened a garage in the building adjoining Townes store at Colvos. Mr. Zimmerman has had considerable experience in repairing cars, having worked in the Island Garage, and in Seattle.
News-Record Has New Manager – Chas. J. Denny arrived this week from Payette, Idaho, where he has been employed on the force of the Payette Enterprise for the past four years. He will have charge of the mechanical end of the operation of the News-Record, and will also serve in the capacity of manager. Mr. Denny is a young man of ability and will be a valuable addition to the community. He has had an all-round experience that will make him fit in particularly well in a country shop.
Meadowsweet Dairy Installs Large Ice Cream Cabinet – As further indication of their faith in business on Vashon Island, as carried on by their representative, W.P. Vermeulen, the Meadowsweet Dairy, of Tacoma, this week completed the installation of a large ice cream cabinet at Mr. Vermeulen’s dairy at Southern Heights. By this means a large amount of ice cream can be kept on hand, and orders filled within a very short time. Heretofore it has been necessary to phone all orders to Tacoma, and in many cases this has meant an irritating delay to customers. Mr. Vermeulen has been the local representative of the Meadowsweet Dairy for about two years. Beginning first by distributing mild over a small route at the South End he has enlarged his territory, and with the help of his sons is now serving the entire Island, distributing practically all of the products of this Tacoma firm.

November 13, 1930

Old Tree Yields Heavily – A remarkable record has been set by a quince tree planted on the McCormick fruit farm some thirty years ago. On ordinary soil this tree would have been past its prime, whereas its yield this fall was 950 pounds, a remarkably heavy yield for a quince tree even in full bearing.
Mr. F.L. Wellington, artist at Oak Harbor, Washington, visited Thursday with our Burton artist, Norman Edson, and found him so busy with Christmas orders that he shortened his visit and passed on with the remark that he was glad to find his friend too busy to talk.
The headlines in last week’s issue of the News-Record, “Three Young Men Arrested at Burton”, brought forth the query, who were they? When found out they were Vashon young men, the Burton correspondent was ordered to see that the mistake was rectified or be shot at sunrise. Life is so sweet, hence this correction.
Vashon Island High School News – Kitsap League for Basketball – Athletic fans will be interested to know that the Vashon Island high school has been admitted to the Kitsap County League for basketball. In this league there will not be so many problems to meet as there were in the King County League since the schools are not as great in distance, are more nearly the size of Vashon and have similar transportation problems.
Burton Grammar School Notes – The Good Citizen’s Club – The Intermediate room at the Consolidated school has organized a Good Citizen’s club. Everyone in the room is a member. The officers are: Evelyn Barger, president; Harry Ollard, vice-president; Blanche Petree, secretary; Roy Rasmussen, treasurer; Mary Meilson, judge; and Joe Little, chief of police. We have a club meeting once a week. Our club has a bank, loaned to us by Joe Milligan. Each pupil brings his dues to school and Roy looks after the money and puts it into the bank. All the members of our club have filled out the Garden Patch Health cards, and sent them in to the Garden Patch lady in Seattle. When our new badges come we will wear them with our club colors, which are green and gold. F.S., P.B and A.H. – 4th grade.
With several hard frosts, the violent rain and wind storm of Tuesday night it would seem that winter was at least on the way.
Mr. Billie Scales received the worst of an argument with one of his horses last Saturday and as a result is wearing his arm in a sling. His elbow was badly fractured by the kick received from the animal.
Maury Notes – Tuesday and Wednesday the men of the community laid the shingles on the Maury Hall while the ladies was that they were well fed. Many thanks to those who helped.

November 20, 1930

Will Publish Paper One Day Early – Weather conditions permitting the News-Record folks are planning on eating Thanksgiving dinner with friends and relatives in Payette, Idaho. This will be the first time in ten years that the editor has enjoyed the privilege of being with the home folks on that holiday. We ask the co-operation of our advertisers and correspondents in getting the paper out a day early. All copy should be in the News-Record office not later than noon on Tuesday.
Young Cherry Orchard Set Out – The work of planting the first five acres to Montmorency cherry trees has been practically completed on the old Powers place, purchased this summer by Harry Gordon. Eventually there will be twenty acres of sour cherries planted. Elmer Harmeling is directing the work of planting the young trees, which are stock from his ranch south of Center. This stock is taken from his orchard which has been making such remarkable yields in the past eight years.
Norman Edson Swamped With Orders For Pictures – Our local artist, Norman Edson, reports that for the past several weeks he has been too busy turning out orders to even eat or sleep regularly. This is refreshing in the face of the prevalent complaint of dull times. It would seem that city stores were anticipating the usual holiday rush. For the first time it has been the good fortune of the News-Record shop to handle a line of the Norman Edson line of pictures, greeting cards and calendars. No more suitable or seasonable gift could be imagined than one of the Edson pictures, cards or calendars, which when framed would continue to give pleasure for a long time.
Hit By Automobile – Stepping on the pavement from behind a car last Sunday morning, Roberta Dowling was struck by another car, and dragged some distance. Although unconscious when picked up, she was not seriously injured. The bruises and shock she sustained, however, are sufficient to keep her in bed for some time.
Vashon Grammar School Notes – Roberta Dowling, who was injured on her way to Sunday school last Sunday will be out of school for some time.
New Extension Will Soon Be Completed – A new four pole extension being built by the P.S.P. & L. Company will soon be giving electrical service to the Hendricksen and Huston families at the top of the Ellisport hill. The phone service has been improved by the installation of several new circuits in the system for the redistribution of the heavy load of some of the lines. This will cut down the number of parties being served from one line, in several cases. These new circuits include one to Cove, two to Vashon, and one to both Colvos and Maury Island.
Burton News Items – Mr. D. Fitzpatrick is enlarging his dairy plant and installing some of the most modern sanitary equipment. He will have an output of 500 gallons of milk daily which amount will be increased during the summer season. With several other dairies on the Island, there must be a lot of “contented cows” that furnish milk not sold in tin cans.
Mr. and Mrs. Harris Ward are again at liberty, having emerged from quarantine last Friday. On Friday they celebrated by going to Seattle to meet Mrs. Ward’s sister, Lois Clark.
A “crime wave” does not worry the E.H. Millers one little bit, for they feel they are well protected. The new gardener, J.W. Stokes, was formerly a member of the Canadian Mounted Police, and the past week they acquired a new police dog, a grandson of Strongheart. The next thing we’ll be addressing Mr. Miller as sergeant.

November 27, 1930

Big Cabaret On New Year’s Eve – The secret is out! The big surprise for New Year’s Eve is to be a real up-to-date cabaret, under the sponsorship of the Vashon Orthopedic Auxiliary. This is the first time we have had an opportunity to enjoy an event of this kind here at home, so start planning for a wonderful time, watching the old year out and the young 1931 come in.
Burton Hotel Re-Opened Recently By Seattle Man – After having been closed for the past two or three years the Burton Hotel has been re-opened under the management of Mr. Andy Pestolis, formerly of Seattle. Mr. Pestolis, with many years of experience in hotel management in Seattle, is busily engaged in directing the complete renovation, and refurnishing of his new property. Much has been accomplished in the past two weeks he has been in possession. The dining room and restaurant are in full running order, and excellent meals and short orders are now being served. The cook is a man of wide experience who can meet the demands of the most exacting. Four bed rooms are now completely refurnished and renovated, and by spring Mr. Pestolis expects to have fourteen rooms and several apartments ready. He anticipates plenty of business, and states that he has already enjoyed more patronage than he had any reason to hope for. In addition to supplying the Island with year-round hotel facilities Mr. Pestolis will specialize in catering, and will be able to handle not only parties but banquets as well. Mr. Pestolis decided upon the Island after due consideration and feels that he and his wife have made no mistake in casting their lot at Burton.
Attend Good Roads Meeting – Last week Vashon Island was represented at the meeting in Wenatchee of the Goods Roads Association by E. H. Miller, for the State Chamber of Commerce, and R.W.F. Martin and Chas. VanOlinda of the local Commercial Club. They were accompanied by Mrs. Miller. The party left Seattle Thursday and returned Sunday.
New Island Venture – An interesting experiment in home production is being tried out by two Vashon Heights women with considerable success. Impressed with the perfection of Island fruits for preserving Mrs. Adele Adams, and Miss Cecil Anderson began experimenting early in the summer. Both experts in canning for home consumption they conceived the idea that they could convert their skill into profit, and have developed a line of preserves, jellies, relishes, etc., that would make old Epicuris himself weep, or rise out of his grave. Just now the two ladies are preparing, for the Christmas trade, attractively decorated Christmas baskets of their “out of the usual” line of products, and through the sale of which they are giving Vashon Island fruits to the public in the most delectable form that could possibly be conceived. We predict a full measure of success, for the surest way to appeal to the world is through its stomach, and what Mrs. Adams and Miss Anderson are giving to the world has the added charm of being “almost too pretty to eat.”
Error In Dates – We haven’t just figured out who was to blame, but to save argument we’ll say we were. At any rate the Masonic card party is to be at 8 o’clock Saturday evening, December 6th, at the Masonic Hall, Burton. The incorrect date was published in the News-Record of last week. Tickets for this party are on sale by “Tim” Clark, C.J. Ramquist, R.W.F Martin, Dr. Coutts, Coy Meredith, Art Poultney and O.A. Kalland.
Japanese Of Island To Sponsor Program – On December 5th a program will be given in the auditorium of the Vashon grammar school. This affair will be sponsored by the Japanese of the Island, and numbers will also be furnished by pupils of the grammar school. The funds realized from the evening’s entertainment will go to replenish the sadly depleted library of the school.
Vashon High School News – Phonograph In Use – Miss Milly Lawen is developing rhythm in her typing classes to the tunes of rhythm records played on the old phonograph. With these merry tunes to follow the students find their fingers dancing over the keys in spite of themselves.
Burton News Items – Two old land marks of Burton, lights used on a chaise here some thirty years ago, are being installed at the post office and lighted by electricity, a mixing of the ancient and modern style of dispensing light.
Advertisement – Just Opened – West Side Garage. A.W. Zimmerman, Prop. Colvos, Wash., Next Door to Towne’s Store. Red 1231.
As soon as office space can be secured the Northwestern Automobile Association will open headquarters on the Island. Jack Collier is the local representative.
Work is progressing nicely on the 18 hole indoor golf course now being installed in the building recently vacated by the Cash & Carry Grocery.
Jack Collier, local representative of Sparkman and McClean, Seattle realtors, recently sold a tract of waterfront included in the Burton Acres tract, to Dr. E.A. Bokien, of Seattle. Dr. Bokien will build a fine home there, but will reverse the usual order of things and occupy it during the winter, rather than the summer.
Notice – Another of those famous chicken dinners will be given by the Lisabeula ladies at their local church Saturday evening, December 6th. Dinner will be service from 6 o’clock until all food is exhausted. Mrs. Shattuck promises you an unlimited supply of biscuits, hot from the oven. Dinner will be followed by an auction sale of aprons, fancy work, etc.

December 1930

December 4, 1930

All Aboard For A Nigh Of Whoopee! – Up to Thursday noon, more than 100 reservations had been made for the big and snappy cabaret and dinner dance to be given in the high school gymnasium New Year’s Eve under the sponsorship of the Vashon Orthopedic Auxiliary. Less than 100 reservations remain open. The rush for tables forecasts one of the most successful and brilliant social events in the history of the Island. It will be an evening of sparkling gaiety, mirth and festivity, with a sumptuous four-course dinner, cabaret features between courses, singing, dancing, specialty numbers, all snappy and up to the minute, and how? The gathering will laugh the Old Year out and the New Year in. The proceeds from the affair are to help raise the $16,000 needed by the Orthopedic hospital in Seattle to complete this year’s work. The hospital has sent out an S.O.S. and the Vashon Auxiliary has wirelessed back: “Vashon will be there with the berries!”
Laundry Route Sold – Inadvertently the fact was omitted from our columns that the Rightway Laundry of Tacoma, has transferred their route to the Superior Service Laundry, also of Tacoma. We have no details of the transaction, but understand that practically no change in service is to result, and that the new driver will continue to give practically the same service as has been rendered by Lynn Baker during the past year and a half.
Welfare Club In South District – Members of the road crews of the South District have formed a Welfare Club to aid the needy during the present time of distress. Each member pledges himself to give one day’s wage each month for relief work. On Saturday night a banquet and dance was given at the Kent high school at which the work of organization was completed. Those attending from here were Mr. and Mrs. Ben Metting, Mr. and Mrs. O’Malley, Fred Kingsbury, Mrs. Bittle, Bob and Fanny Marshall, Al Roen, C.M. Ruhlen, Mr. Bain and E.E. Stone.
First Dance To Be Given In High School Auditorium – Under the auspices of the Vashon Island Commercial Club the first dance in the auditorium of the new high school is to be staged Saturday evening, December 20th. The public is invited to attend. Their support will help out the student body, as all money realized will go to meet certain obligations assumed during the past few months. There will be cards for those who wish to attend this affair, yet do no care for dancing.
Japanese Program At Vashon Grammar School – With a hundred new books for the Vashon grammar school library as their goal, the Japanese patrons of District 176, have been working hard for the past two weeks preparing the program they are giving Friday evening of this week, December 5. Walter Steen, the capable caretaker of the building has enlarged the stage, and prepared the proper setting for the decorations and lighting designed, and installed under the direction of Mr. N. Hoshi. All details of arrangements have been attended to by Mr. Hoshi and his co-workers. Mr. S. Sasaki, a gifted soloist, with his wife, who will play his accompaniments, will be out from Seattle. A dancing instructor from the city has been out several times to train the Japanese girls. With characteristic thoroughness every detail of the program has been attended to.
Vashon High School News – Library Replenished – A few of the new books, which were ordered for the library have arrived. Those now on the shelves are: “Parnassus on Wheels,” Christopher Morley. “Plays,” John Galsworthy. “Moby Dick,” Herman Melville. “Death Comes for the Archbishop,” Willa Cather. “The Middle of the Road,” Philip Gibbs. “Green Mansions,” W.H. Hudson. “Royal Road to Romance,” Richard Halliburton. “Outline of History,” H.G. Wells. “Fairy Lands of the South Sea,” James Norman Hall. “An Indian Journey,” Waldemar Bansels. “Revolt in the Desert,” T.E. Lawrence. “Junior Home Problems,” Kinyan-Hopkins. “Table Service and Decoration,” Lillian M. Gunn. “Applied Business English,” Hubert A. Hagar. “Applied Business Correspondence” Rupert P. SoRelle.
A.E. Eden, and sons spent Friday and Saturday visiting the Marshes and looking after their scallop boat which operates out of Cove.
Ted Howe is making rapid progress with the decoration of the new indoor miniature golf course nearing completion in the building recently vacated by the Cash and Carry grocery and the Leslie restaurant.
The Houghton Dairy is now making deliveries in record time with a new Dodge delivery, purchased from the Met-Cro agency.

December 11, 1930

Unique Program Well Attended – One of the most unique entertainments ever given on Vashon Island was presented last Friday evening by Japanese patrons of District 176 and pupils of the school. The evening’s program consisted of music and speaking, with Mr. S. Sasaki, leader of one of Seattle’s choirs, acting as master of ceremonies and interpreter. Mrs. N. Hoshi spoke in her native tongue, and Tom Yoshimura, a graduate of the Vashon school, spoke in behalf of the American-born Japanese. Most delightfully surprising were the two groups of native dances, the first by a group of grammar school girls, and the second by a group of high school girls. Music for these dances was furnished by Mrs. U. Nichiyori, who sang, accompanying herself on the samisen.
Cove, Cedarhurst and Colvos Items – The West Side Water Company held its annual meeting at the Columbia School, December 1st. Mr. A. Rockness and Mr. Conrad Anderson were elected as trustees. After the general meeting the trustees met and elected officers for the coming year. D.S. Siegrist was elected president, August Johansen, vice-president, and R.E. Stafford, secretary-treasurer. At the meeting of the Water Company the electric lights, recently installed in the schoolhouse were used for the first time.
Burton News Items – Steve Landers of Burton and M. Dunsford of Ellisport left the Island Monday with twelve hundred Christmas trees, to sell in California. They will continue on to Los Angeles even though sold out in the northern part of the state, and will not be home until after Christmas. Here’s hoping they bring back an empty truck and a full purse.
The last of the three Vashon College building burned to the ground Saturday evening about nine o’clock in one of the most spectacular fires ever witnessed here, and we have had a few this last year. If the building was set on fire purposely, and some think it was, a better time could not have been selected, as there was no wind to blow the flames to nearby buildings. The college building just burned was built about 1895. Vashon College was in a flourishing condition until the fire of 1906 took the dormitory, many of the student did not return after the holidays, the attendance wanes and the school went down.
Vashon Island High School News – Accident – The North End school bus, driven by Mr. Walls, was slightly damaged in an accident last Friday, December 5. The bus was hit by a car coming from the opposite direction. The right fender was dented and the side of the bus grazed.
Evidently there is something new under the sun. A few years ago we felt that scarlet fever was a most dangerous childhood disease, and now on the Island there has appeared several cases so light that diagnosis is almost impossible. Who says the world isn’t getting better?
This week the Met-Cro garage sold a ton and a half truck to O.H. Kalland. The body for it is being built by Deb Harrington, who has built practically all of the bodies on the Auto Freight trucks, as well as those of the Beall Greenhouse Company.
While completing a job of wood sawing last Tuesday A.J. Marsh, of Cove had the misfortune to lose three fingers. They were cut off at the middle joint.
Midget Golf Course To Open Saturday – The Midget Golf Course in the Middling block at Vashon is practically complete, and will be open to the public on next Saturday, December 13th. This is an up-to-date 18 hole course, and Mr. Middling and Mr. Leslie have spared no effort in making it attractive. While there will be no special features on the opening day it is anticipated that during the winter a series of tournaments will be played off, and the place bids fair to furnish a lot of amusement for the people of the Island during the rainy weather this winter. This course compares favorably with many found in the city. The interior decorations are quite the most elaborate ever attempted on the Island. The color scheme is blue and gold, a background of blue, with gold stippling being employed on the walls. There are a number of Hawaiian scenes, the work of Ted Howe, that are extremely realistic. The eighteen hole, in fact, is in a volcano. The Hawaiian idea is carried out in all of the decorations. Mr. Middling and Mr. Leslie are to be commended for their faith in the Island, and have demonstrated their enterprise in making the investment the building of this course has represented. It is gratifying that with no other place of amusement available they have provided a means of good, wholesome fun for the Island folks.

December 18, 1930

Vashon Island Man Killed by Automobile – The community of Vashon was shocked last Thursday evening to learn of the death of B. Matsumoto. While leading a horse along the highway, just south of the Gorsuch road about 5:30, Matsumoto was struck by a light Ford car, driven by Allen Pruit, and injured so badly that death occurred about four hours later. According to the story of Bob Hatley, Matsumoto was leading the horse on the left side of the pavement, coming south toward his home. Bob passed him, and a short distance farther met the Pruit boy who was driving with only one light. Realizing that the boy had not turned out for Matsumoto Hatley stopped his car, and went back. The Ford had not slackened speed, and struck Matsumoto with full force. Both legs were broken, skull fractured, in addition to internal injuries. This injured man was placed in the delivery truck Hatley was driving, the doctor was summoned, and all done that was possible to save him, but he died in the ambulance at the dock, while on the way to a Seattle hospital. Since no complaint was filed by the members of the Matsumoto family, no charges will be made against the driver of the death car as Matsumoto was on the wrong side of the pavement and was carrying no light.
New Indoor Golf Course Now Open – Much enthusiasm is being expressed over the possibilities of the latest amusement on the Island, the indoor golf course opened at Vashon last Saturday. The course is cleverly arranged, with enough hazards to make it interesting. One can play in a well-lighted, well ventilated room to the accompaniment of the best radio music offered, and can have a good time and a lot of fun at a minimum expense. As proof that the owners of the course, Bob Middling and Geo. Leslie, are chivalrous gentlemen they have invited the ladies of the Island to be their guests on Mondays and Thursdays, when they can play free of charge.
New Officers Elected For Commercial Club – Last Thursday evening the Commercial Club elected officers for the coming year. Those who will direct the activities of the organization are Dr. F.H. Grandy, president; Alex Stewart, vice-president; Chas. VanOlinda, treasurer and R.W.F. Martin, secretary. A new board of directors is to be appointed, and it is anticipated that regular work will begin soon after the new year. The new president expects to begin an aggressive program of activities that will result in much good to the entire Island. While president of the Burton Improvement Club, Dr. Grandy proved that he had an unfailing fund of energy, and expects to awaken new life and interest in the Commercial Club that will prove it a real, wide-awake organization.
High School Play Well Presented – A large and enthusiastic audience last Friday evening greeted the all-school cast which presented the first play to be given in the new high school. Many were the laughs provoked by the irrepressible Patsy, (the part taken by Margaret Peterson), although equally side-splitting was the realistic weeping of her mother, as portrayed by Mary Snell. One could almost hear the tears splash. The entire play was well presented, and the characters taken in a remarkably fine manner, despite the youth of the actors. The flowers presented to Miss Lawen, at the close of the performance by the cast, were but a small token of the verbal flowers tendered her in praise of her good work with the students. “The Patsy”, according to the sentiment expressed by many in the audience was the best performance that has been given on the Island. The new curtain and stage equipment added much to the effectiveness of the play, and are surely an incentive to hard work on the part of the student body to get them paid for.
Night School – At a recent meeting of those interested in establishing a night school the subject was gone over carefully and discussed from every angle. It was decided to petition the high school board to establish such a school. The following courses of study were chosen as being the most practical to offer for the first year, namely business essentials, English, typing, public speaking, review of common branches and citizenship. The registration fee will be $2.00 per person for the eight weeks course.
Vashon Island High School News – Successful Play – “The Patsy,” the three act comedy given by the Vashon Island high school last Friday was voted by many who saw it as the most outstanding production they have ever seen given by amateur performers. More than five hundred people went away chuckling, some telling each other, “not to cry over spilt milk because there is enough water in it already.” The curtain, cyclorama set and lighting fixtures made effective stage equipment. Miss Molly Lawen deserves acclaim for her untiring efforts in presenting this fine entertainment to the public.
Mrs. Moe and Gordon are all right again after the accident when their car slipped over the steep bank near Ramquist’s. The road is narrow. One car was parked, while the driver was fixing a tire, and the other two cars met, leaving Gordon too little room to pass.
Patrons of Tim’s Place need not be alarmed at Tim’s absence from the store. He is not really ill, merely suffering from an exaggerated case of golf fever, that will probably not prove fatal. While Tim is in search of health and happiness in the wide open spaces of Maury Island, Irene is dispensing coffee to tired business men, and gifts to frenzied shoppers.
Association Acts Quickly – Considerable favorable comment was made concerning the prompt and efficient manner in which the Northwest Automobile Association handled the interests of their client in last week’s fatal automobile accident. Jack Collier, local representative was on the scene within ten minutes, a complete investigation was made and ambulance service to a Seattle hospital provided for on the first boat reaching the Island. The following day a check was in the hands of the family of the assured. While money cannot pay for the loss of a human life it does help to relieve some of the worries that lack of it causes.
W.S. Bentley has purchased from the county, the brick that was in the Vashon College building lately destroyed by fire; also the boiler. Whoever removes any of the brick hereafter without Mr. Bentley’s consent will receive a few brick bats and be boiled in oil, the big boiler being still usable.

December 25, 1930

Steal Proceeds Of Benefit Dance – Last Saturday evening the little community of Dockton was given a taste of outlawry that sounds like the mainland. A dance given to raise funds to improve the Dockton Community Hall, the building in which residents of the little village spend so many happy hours in community gatherings, was particularly well attended. The building is in need of re-shingling, and the news that proceeds from the affair would go for this purpose brought out an even larger crown than usual. At the close of the evening’s enjoyment everyone with the exception of Mr. and Mrs. A.J. Stuckey had gone home. Mrs. Stuckey’s purse, with the proceeds of the evening was lying on a table, when suddenly the light switch was pulled and a man dashed into the hall, snatched up the purse, and escaped in a Ford roadster that was waiting. The whole thing happened so utterly without warning that there was no possibility of recognizing the perpetrator of the outrage.
Vashon Island Again Represented – As we read of the delight of the throngs who visited the newly decorated County-City Building, when it was opened to the public last Sunday we were glad that Vashon Island had a part in the beauty of the decorations. When the offices of the mayor of Seattle were being planned for, Norman Edson was approached by the firm doing the work, and asked about furnishing two large pictures. He was requested to appear with samples and suggestions, but being too busy with Christmas work he replied that he could not appear before them “in person”, but that if they were interested they could go to a certain art store in Seattle, select the subjects they most fancied and he would deliver the pictures on time, even though the time limit was rather short. Much to his surprise he was given the order in preference to several Seattle artists who were eager for it. The pictures, five feet long by thirty inches wide, were finished in record time, and will delight the hundreds who constantly visit the offices of his honor, the mayor.
Burton Again Has Outdoor Christmas Tree – Again Burton has come to the fore with a huge Christmas tree, to emphasize the fact that that village believes in showing the proper Yuletide spirit. This is the third year that a brilliantly lighted tree has graced the square in Burton. With its multi-colored lights the tree can be seen for a long way, from the hill back of Burton, from the north, and particularly from the dock, as the Tacoma boats land. The tree is a testimonial of the spirit constantly displayed by the Burton Improvement Club who are responsible for its erection and decoration. This club is wide-awake and aggressive and does not overlook any opportunity for keeping Burton in the foreground. It is hoped that next year there may be many such outdoor Christmas trees in the various communities, following the custom that is being almost universally established.
Unique Christmas Decorations – One of the most unique Christmas decorations on the Island is that of the two large holly trees in front of the Presbyterian church at Vashon. The custom of decorating these two trees with strings of bright lights was established by Rev. Hugh Armstrong, about five years ago, and has been following each year since. Each year the holly trees are growing larger and present a lovelier sight. It is doubtful if he who planted the trees originally thought, as he did it of the pleasure they would give each year to all who passed by the church at Christmas time.
Burton News Items – The Community Christmas tree in Burton is in place and alight with beautiful colored lights to gladden the hearts of all and remind us of the Christmas spirit.
A dance was held at the Dockton Community Hall last Saturday night for the purpose of raising money to re-shingle the building, but evidently some person or persons decided they needed the money worse than the hall needed a new roof. After the dance was over the lights were switched out and the proceeds, amounting to over $40 was stolen. The residents of Dockton feel that every effort should be made to apprehend the guilty persons.
Cross’ Landing Notes – “It pays to be tall,” says Vern Smith, who is center on the basketball team at the high school. Vern is 6 feet and jumps four feet.

Vashon History

Timeline

Newspaper Summary 1930

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

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1930 Vashon Island News-Record Summary (Mike Sudduth)

January 1930

January 2, 1930

January 9, 1930

January 16, 1930

January 23, 1930

January 30, 1930

February 1930

February 13, 1930

February 20, 1930

February 27, 1930

March 1930

March 6, 1930

March 13, 1930

March 20, 1930

March 27, 1930

April 1930

April 3, 1930

April 10, 1930

April 17, 1930

April 24, 1930

May 1930

May 1, 1930

May 8, 1930

May 15, 1930

May 22, 1930

May 29, 1930

June 1930

June 5, 1930

June 12, 1930

June 19, 1930

June 26, 1930

July 1930

July 3, 1930

July 10, 1930

July 17, 1930

July 24, 1930

July 31, 1930

August 1930

August 7, 1930

August 14, 1930

August 21, 1930

August 28, 1930

September 1930

September 4, 1930

September 11, 1930

September 18, 1930

September 25, 1930

October 1930

October 2, 1930

October 9, 1930

October 16, 1930

October 23, 1930

October 30, 1930

November 1930

November 6, 1930

November 13, 1930

November 20, 1930

November 27, 1930

December 1930

December 4, 1930

December 11, 1930

December 18, 1930

December 25, 1930

Vashon History

Vashon History