75 years ago
March 29, 1943
Fire believed to have been started by sparks from a welding operation, caused damage estimated at from $8,000 to $10,000 early last night at the E.K. Bishop mill, Junction City, halting operation of the plant temporarily.
Workmen yesterday were engaged in welding a part of the big crane and it is believed that a fragment of heated metal smoldered in sawdust and caused the fire to start several hours later. The plant had been “wet down” after completion of the welding operation but apparently the water failed to cool the metal spark.
The plant’s big crane, a portion of the resaw mill and the yard were damaged.
March 30, 1943
With the Hoquiam Eagles lodge last night honoring aerie veterans of 30 years or more, Superior Judge William E. Campbell reminisced of early days of Hoquiam.
He said the first Grays Harbor settlers were cattle ranchers and their ranges extended from Montesano to Point Grenville. He told of George Emerson’s coming to Hoquiam in 1881, construction of the first mill in 1882 and the Simpson shipyard which turned out the first schoolner, Pioneer.
50 years ago
March 29, 1968
The U.S. Command maintained tight secrecy today in its search for a $6 million F111A fighter-bomber missing and apparently shot down in Communist territory in North Vietnam. There were fears the plane with its billion dollars worth of secrets may have fallen into Communist hands.
March 30, 1968
Ocean Shores marina and charter fishing base and 13 acres of adjacent waterfront property have been sold for $1,000,000, it was announced today by Leck Miller, general manager of the big resort area.
The price matches exactly the amount paid for the entire Ocean Shores peninsula when it was purchased as an undeveloped cattle ranch, in 1960. The marina, including all restaurants, moorage and fueling facilities was sold by Ocean Shores Estates, Inc., to the newly formed group — Ocean Shores Marina Properties.
25 years ago
March 29, 1993
Agriculture Secretary Mike Espy says his firsthand look at a timber community and a chat with its leaders convince him it’s time to resolve the debate over logging in the Northwest.
Espy was in Aberdeen and Hoquiam for about three hours Sunday to “listen, look and learn and to see what I can see so I can report to President Clinton” before Friday’s forest conference in Portland.
Hoquiam Mayor Phyllis Shrauger, who learned today that she is one of the participants invited to the conference table with Clinton, said, “I told (Epsy) that as far as my city is concerned they are too late. The bomb has already dropped,” referring to the closure of the ITT Rayonier/International Paper Co. complex.
March 30, 1993
• A federal mediator stepped in Monday to head off a strike at Oakhurst Convalescent Center in Elma. Union officials reset the strike deadline to 5 a.m. Thursday.
The 11th hour move marks the second time the union, which represents about 140 Oakhurst employees, has delayed a walk-out since it threatened a strike in February. Union officials say employees make an average of $5.90 a hour and the existing health plan costs about $240 a month with the center footing $89 of that.
• Academy Award winners announced last night: Best Picture, “Unforgiven;” Best Actress Emma Thompson for “Howard’s End;” Best Actor Al Pacino for “Scent of a Woman;” Best Director, Clint Eastwood for “Unforgiven.”
Compiled from the archives of The Daily World by Karen Barkstrom
