Lost Trail Stories 'Episode #5'

No Democrats or Socialists Need Apply

Chehalis, Wash., November 12, 1914 In their desire to make a clean sweep for the republicans in the recent election, the electors in one precinct elected a dead man to office. W. M. Crow, candidate for constable, was accidentally killed two weeks before election.


Died in the Wool Treehuggers

Washington, D.C, November 19, 1914 It is said that the German invaders of Belgium, whatever else they may have destroyed, have been careful not to injure park trees. The cavalrymen, so a report goes, are forbidden to tie their horses to trees for fear that the animals will gnaw the bark. Germany was the first nation to apply forestry on a large scale, some of the crown forests having been under scientific management for over a hundred years.


Power Grid Updated

Eureka, November 5, 1904 The registration books for this election district closed with a total of 326 names on record. Of this number Eureka has 215, Marston 69 and Gateway 42. Allowing for removals and those who failed to register, the showing indicates there are 300 voters now on the Plains, which, with the usual estimate of 5 to 1 gives us an approximate population of 1500.There is no good reason to doubt that in a few years Eureka precinct alone will have 500 voters.


Class Act

Eureka, November 19, 1914 A. T. Purdy is now making his route in a fine new dairy wagon, manufactured by the W.C. Thompson blacksmith and wagon shop. The new outfit is conveniently built and presents a neat and tasty appearance. Mr. Purdy had made many progressive improvements in his dairy and believes that it pays to give his patrons clean and up-to-date service.


So Much for Sustained Yield

Lincoln County, Wash., November 19, 1914 Lincoln County, Wash., November 19, 1914 – The only elk ever known to have been seen in Lincoln county, strayed onto the farm of Carl Schultz where it was shot by him.


More BTUs than She Bargained for

Butte, November 19, 1914 Mrs. Phillip Morgan was probably fatally injured at her home when the kitchen stove exploded shortly after she put in a stick of wood, in which apparently a stick of dynamite had been placed.


Meager Wages Set

Eureka, November 26, 1914 The town council met in special session to authorize the filling with sand the approaches to the new steel bridge across Tobacco river on Dewey avenue. The council authorized Street Commissioner Carlson to secure the necessary men and teams and proceed with the work without delay. Wages to be paid were fixed at 30 cents per hour per man, and 55 cents per hour per man and team.


Twisted Logic

Kalispell, November 26, 1914 The Kalispell Malting and Brewing Co. wishes people to consider that it is an interesting fact that the soldiers of Belgium, Germany and England, now undergoing such trials of endurance on the battlefields, are of the nations also known as the greatest consumers of beer. Surely they cannot be called weaklings.


Song Goes Platinum

Eureka, November 26, 1914 “It’s a Long, Long Way to Tipperary” will be sung by Mr. Grandon at the Majestic theatre Thursday and Friday nights. This song, which swept through England, is the song hit of the London season. The song has quite a story attached to it. Refused by almost every publisher in London, one finally had the temerity to publish it, and as a result is reaping a golden harvest, publishing 10,000 copies daily, and unable to keep up the demands of the public for more. After the song became popular in London it leaped the sea to the camps and trenches of the English soldiers and jackies on the firing line, and is the march song of the European war, played by the bands and sung, even in hospitals. Don’t fail to hear this song at the Majestic. Everyone will be whistling it and singing it in a week.


Make It Someone Else’s Problem

Eureka, November 26, 1914 G. M. Gleason, a transient, was arrested by Chief of Police Carlson on suspicion of having stolen goods in his possession. The suspect was found selling rubber shoes to laborers at the mill and to parties around town for $1 the pair. Upon investigation it was found that the goods had been stolen from the Sauerbier store and that in the aggregate ten pairs had been taken. Gleason, when he realized that the game was up, confessed to the officer and made a clean breast of the deal, telling how he had entered the store by the rear door at opportune times, taking several pairs at a time. When arraigned in Judge Waller’s court, Gleason plead guilty and was fined ten dollars and was given a jail sentence of ten days. As he had no money with which to pay his fine he was released under suspended sentence and ordered to leave town.


Industrial and Mechanical Notes

1914 Much of the best wall paper is made, in part, from leather waste. Leather pads have been patented to protect the knees of persons who kneel at work. An ash can to which a handle can be attached to convert it into a lawn roller has been patented. One of the newest uses of aluminum is the manufacture of soles for shoes for men who work in wet places. Scientists in both Germany and France are seriously trying to ascertain if there is any value in the divining rod for locating underground water and metals.


Ride, Shoot and Die

Ottawa, November 26, 1914 Canada will increase the number of men under arms to 108,000 by the end of the year. An arrangement has been made by the British war office whereby the British government will purchase field guns needed by the Canadian troops. In the western provinces of Canada large numbers of men anxious to serve as mounted troops are available. They are excellent riders and good shots, and the government has made special effort to arrange that their services be utilized. Inasmuch as cavalrymen on the European battle line have been dismounted to fight in the trenches, the mounted Canadians will likely be sent to Egypt.


Eleven Will Swing after Referendum Fails

Phoenix, November 26, 1914 Eleven men, six of them Americans and five Mexicans, will be hanged in Florence penitentiary in one day, December 19, for murder. The people of the state pronounced their doom by voting against the abolishment of the death penalty November 3.

Gary Montgomery

About the Author: Gary Montgomery, a resident to the Tobacco Valley for over four decades, has worked in a variety of vocations common to the area including logging, saw mills, Christmas trees, public education, U. S. Forest Service, ranching and operating his own photo processing and printing business. For the last 23 years he has largely written and published a quarterly historical magazine called The Trail and formerly the Tobacco Plains Journal. Along with articles reprinted from historical newspapers, vintage photographs, personal diaries and other remembrances, he has interviewed over 115 oldtimers, each one with his or her unique view of history, both local and international. Montgomery can be contacted via his website: www.thetrailmag.com.

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