75 years ago

October 2, 1943

The army disclosed today that in a mythical attack this week, a daring Japanese force spearheaded by bombers from three aircraft carriers was driven off western Washington and Vancouver Island after crippling many war industries.

Maj. Gen. Robert H. Lewis, commander of the northwetern sector, western defense command, said the complicated tactical problem tested communication system and the fuctioning of staffs. No troops were moved.

It was the first such “skull practice” to involve state and local civilian defense agencies in the state of Washington.

Enemy forces, aided by paratroopers who landed behind U.S. coastal fefenses, advanced as far inland as Centralia and Chehalis, Raymond, Shelton, and parts of Aberdeen and Hoquiam were left smoking ruins Towns were looted, roads mined and freight trains, and civilian vehicles ommandeered.

But they cut off their own retreat when they blew up bridges, and a combat team from Fort Lewis stopped their advance and forced them back into the sea.

October 3, 1943

Sunday. No newspaper published.

50 years ago

October 2, 1968

Cadet Frederick K. Olafson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Erling Olafson of S. Forrest Avenue in Westport, is one of more than 700 cadets who have netered their senior year at the U.S. Air Force Academy.

As he began his fourth year at the academy, Cadet Olafson was named to the Superintendent’s list for his outstanding achievement in both academic and military performance. He will be granted special privileges and wear a silver star and wreath insignia recognizing the honor accorded him by the academy superintendent.

He is a 1965 graduate of Ocosta High School.

October 3, 1968

A Hoquiam man, Floyd Parker, 31, was rescued from Bone River after a freak accident Tuesday on Highway 101 at the Bone River bridge south of South Bend.

Parker was piloting a 8-ton fork lift, when he lost control of the rig on the bridge and it crashed through the guard railing and toppled into the river with the tide near the high mark.

Two passing motorists in separate cars saw that Parker had managed to get out of the cab of his rig and was hanging on to a piling in mid-stream. They found a handy skiff on the river bank and with it they rescued Parker from his precarious position.

25 years ago

October 2, 1993

Arguably, the best player who ever wore a Black Cat uniform was one of the few in his era who actually came from Aberdeen — Jack Fournier.

Fournier lived near Market and Broadway and later in a Heron Street house where Sidney’s Restaurant now is. He grew up working in his aunt’s downtown livery stable, hauling wood from Blagen’s Mill and beer from Olympia to Aberdeen saloons, says his nephew, Henry Fournier Jr., who lives at Grayland.

He only played part of one season (1908) with the Black Cats. He was a 15-year-old catcher that year, hitting .228 and splitting part of the season between Aberdeen and Seattle.

Last he was a first baseman in the majors, playing with the White Sox, Yankees, Cardinals, Dodger and Boston Braves. In 1934 he lead the National League with 27 homers.

Fournier died in Tacoma in 1973 and is buried at Fern Hill Cemetery.

October 3, 1993

Hoquiam edged archrival ABerdeen, 16-14, 15-13, to win the Ocosta Invitational Volleyball Tournament Saturday.

“Our kids played to a real high intensity level,” said Hoquiam coach Christy Gregory, who cited her intire team for outstanding performances. “We changed our offense around and they just did a super job.”

Compiled from the archives of The Daily World by Karen Barkstrom