75 years ago

May 2, 1942

A grandson of Samuel Benn, founder of Aberdeen, has been cited for gallantry in action on Bataan and awarded the silver star decoration. He is William A. Wappenstein, who was born here about 45 years ago, and who, since going to the Philippines to fight, has been promoted from major to colonel.

Copies of Colonel Wappenstein’s citations were received this week by Mrs. Ray Brasfield, Aberdeen, from the soldier’s mother, Mrs. Minnie Wappenstein, both of whom are daughters of Samuel Benn.

May 3, 1942

Sunday, no newspaper published

50 years ago

May 2, 1967

When ball players climb into their uniforms and spikes, friendships — for the nonce — cease.

Legion teammates during the summer and close friends the year around, Aberdeen’s Walt Failor and Hoquiam’s Tom LaForest met as SWW Conference opponents yesterday for the final time of their three-sport careers.

And it was — naturally — La Forest, in his last conference turn at bat against his friendly rival, who pasted a two-run, sixth-inning single to ruin Failor’s no-hit bid, as well as his shutout, and force the big right-hander to settle for a one-hit 5-2 win over the Grizzlies at Olympia Stadium.

For Failor, making his first start of the season after losing nearly a month to basketball, weekend visits to college campuses and weather, it was still a highly impressive mound debut.

May 3, 1967

• Five years of water fluoridation in Montesano have produced an impressive 72 percent reduction in tooth decay among children of the 6-year age level, it was disclosed today by Dr. Olin E. Hoffman, head of the Dental Healing Section, State Department of Health.

Dr. Hoffman’s announcement was made following the tabulations of a survey conducted the week of March 12 when he with the help of local dentists Dr. Donald Walker and Dr. L.E. Nixon, examined the teeth of 1,150 children in the Montesano School District.

• Olympic Drug is holding a gala reopening at its new location at 108 E. Wishkah St. in Aberdeen. The drug store moved from the old facility at the Grand Central Market because it needed more space. According to part owner Jim Browder, the new location has about three times the space the old one had.

25 years ago

May 2, 1992

Rob R. Blined, 556 South Main Street in Elma, was found guilty Friday of armed bank robbery and was sentenced to pay $50,000 and complete 10,000 hours of community service.

The entire courtroom proceedings, jury deliberations and sentencing took 50 minutes at Elma Middle School. The verdict brought an enthusiast “Yes!” from the prosecutor’s table, accompanied by high-fives among the “attorneys” seated there.

“They all did a great job of pulling out the pertinent facts,” said Judge Art Blauvelt, who usually presides over Elma and McCleary Municipal Courts.

The fictional case was created by teacher Rob Ohashi for his four Washington State History classes, who are studying the state court system.

May 3, 1992

Thursday, May 7, marks the 200th anniversary of Capt. Robert Gray’s discovery of the harbor which now bears his name and organizers of the local International Maritime Bicentennial celebration are busy putting the finishing touches on what they say will be the best party of the last two centuries.

“I’m excited about it and I don’t excite easily,” said Seaport Chairman Brandon Ford.

On Thursday, the tall ship Lady Washington will depart from Westport, heading out to the ocean. At 1 p.m. the ship will come back across the bar, recreating Gray’s fateful discovery.

Crew members said they are sworn to secrecy about who, if indeed anyone, will play the part of Robert Gray for the reenactment.

Compiled from the archives of The Daily World by Karen Barkstrom