Spingtime in Hoquiam was full of surprises 110 years ago. Here are some tales of interest that were deemed worthy by the editor of the Aberdeen Herald in early April of 1911.

TEN DOLLARS FOR CONTEMPT — Ed. Randall Gets Additional Ten Dollars for Getting Gay With Judge Philbrick — Hoquiam, March 29 — Ed Randall, arrested Monday for using profane language on car No. 7 of the Grays Harbor Railway & Light Company’s line between Hoquiam and Aberdeen was fined $28.50, costs of $21.50, and $10 in addition for contempt of court, yesterday afternoon, by Police Judge E.A. Philbrick. Randall first asked for an attorney, decided not to hire one, and conducted his own defense. The prosecution produced five witnesses who all sworn that on March 24, last Friday, Randall had cursed Conductor Jack Graham, refused to pay 10-cents fare from Aberdeen to Hoquiam, and was forcibly ejected from the car.

Randall denied that he had used obscene language, and told of trouble he had with Conductor Graham before.

In giving judgment, Judge Philbrick said that the police were at liberty to work Randall on the street if they wished. Randall immediately replied:

“I want to tell the court right now that I will NOT work on the streets.”

“Ten dollars more for contempt of court,” said Judge Philbrick, wearily, as he again took up his pen and made a memorandum of the amount.

HOQUIAM MAN MEETS DEATH IN RUNAWAY — Hoquiam, April 2 — George Dokke was killed and his father, John Dokke, probably fatally injured in a runaway Friday. The accident that occurred on I Street, one of the principal business streets of Hoquiam was witnessed by a large crowd. The elder Dokke was driving a lumber wagon belonging to the Hoquiam Lumber & Shingle Company and his son was seated beside him. The horses became frightened at a passing street car and ran away, tearing through the business section. Bystanders made an effort to stop the team, which finally struck a telephone pole, hurling both men to the ground.

George Dokke sustained internal injuries about the head and body which resulted in his death several hours later.

RUN DOWN BY AUTO — Hoquiam, April 2— A machine operated by F. Bemrod, a representative of the Scranton Correspondence schools, with H.A. Sprague as a passenger collided with a bicycle, yesterday noon, at the corner of I and Eighth streets. The man riding the bicycle according to Mr. Sprague, was not hurt, but the bicycle was badly smashed.

The automobile was running at a slow speed, and spectators say that the accident was due to the fact that the bicyclist was riding on the wrong side of the street.

LOGGER IS KILLED WHILE FELLING TREE — Hoquiam, April 1 — Phil Barnie, a logger, about 35 years old, was killed in the Watkins logging camp on the upper Humptulips River, Wednesday, while falling a hollow tree. A section of the tree split off and hit Barnie, killing him almost instantly. The remains were brought to Hoquiam and placed in charge of the Grays Harbor Undertaking Company.

The funeral was held Friday morning from the undertaking parlors, Rev. H. Mau officiating. Internment was in the local cemetery.

Little is known of Barnie, with the exception that he owned a property in Portland and has a sister living in Wisconsin. He was a member of the Modern Woodmen.

BRANCH ESTABLISHMENT — The Chehalis Produce Company, of Aberdeen, Chehalis and the Palouse country, has opened a store in Hoquiam, the new quarters being located on Eighth Street. The company, which is headed by I.P. Callison, of Aberdeen, will conduct a general wholesale and retail feed and grain business.

The Chehalis Produce company is a concern about eight years old, the first warehouse of the company being in Chehalis. Later the Aberdeen warehouse was built. Since that time the company has been branching out and now owns several mills. — April 3, 1911

SALOON PORTER GETS $5,000 — Hoquiam, April 2 — Guy Bishop, porter in the Club Saloon, today received word that he had fallen heir to $5,000 on the death of a relative in Oregon. He left today to look after his interests.

TOO MUCH KICKING — The Aberdeen Construction Company has announced, through its president, Andrew Peterson, that when it has finished what contract work as it now has in Hoquiam, it will not bid on anymore construction work in that city. Too many kicks and complaints are said by Mr. Peterson to be the cause.

‘’Nothing but kicks and complaints have come since our company undertook work in the Hoquiam field,’’ said Mr. Peterson, when asked concerning the rumor that his company intended to leave the Hoquiam field. ‘’Ever since we have been contracting in Hoquiam, there has hardly been a day but what we have been submitted to unpleasantness of this sort.’’ — April 3, 1911

Roy Vataja is the son of Finnish immigrants who searches out odd and interesting stories from the past, so you don’t have to.