Visit the Columbia Pacific Heritage Museum to learn more about local history! Open Wednesday-Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. For more information, see columbiapacificheritagemuseum.org.

May Happenings in History

May 5, 1865: Decoration Day was first observed in the United States, with the tradition of decorating Civil War soldiers’ graves, with flowers. The date was later moved to May 30th and included American graves from both World War I and World War II. This date became better known as Memorial Day. In 1971, Congress moved Memorial Day to the last Monday in May, thus creating a three-day holiday weekend. On Memorial Day we decorate the graves of all veterans to remember their sacrifice and service.

May 10, 1869: The newly constructed tracks of the Union Pacific and Central Pacific railways were first linked at Promontory Point, Utah. To celebrate the joining of the two railroads, a golden spike was driven by Leland Stanford, president of the Central Pacific Railway. According to newspaper accounts, he missed the spike on his first swing. This miss, brought laughter from the men who had driven tens of thousands of spikes themselves, constructing the railroad.

May 17, 1875: The first Kentucky Derby horse race took place at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky.

The Local Pages

May 4, 1905, The Pacific Journal: “Captain Simpson Waits for his Missing Son and Ship, Son May Dread his Father’s Rath: Continued Absence of the Schooner Chehalis, in Charge of Captain Edgar Simpson, May Be Explained By Fact that the Father Awaits the Recreant Son

What has become of Capt. Edgar Simpson and his white-winged bird, the schooner Chehalis? One hundred days out from Cebu, Philippine Islands, and six weeks overdue at South Bend port, Capt. A.M. Simpson fears that both son and boat have been lost at sea. For several days the elder Simpson has almost haunted the waters of the Willapa Harbor, but no news of the recreant ship has come to reward his faithful vigil.

The younger Simpson cleared his vessel from the Oriental port under auspicious circumstances, yet marked by an incident which may be responsible for his present continued absence. According to a report received from Cebu, the master of the vessel tried to kidnap three native girls, and it is now intimated that the son is seeking to avoid his father’s wrath.

One report is to the effect that the boat did show up off the Willapa Harbor bar, remaining just long enough for young Simpson to learn that his father was waiting for him ashore, and that it then put off for another port. This, however, is given very little credence. Young Simpson’s experience in Oriental waters, cost him 1200 American dollars, not counting the experience. With the maidens safely locked in one of the big vessel’s lockers, the Chehalis attempted to leave the island, but scarcely had she reached the open, before a cry was raised by the natives. The girls had been missed and the treachery was discovered.

The overhauling of the vessel was an exciting one. A revenue cutter was first sent in pursuit, but a search of the boat failed to divulge the missing women.

Then a native justice hearing of the affair took up the chase. Securing a small launch, the big ship was a second time overhauled, but this time the attempt was productive of better results.

Cuddled in a small locker, the girls were finally found. Capt. Simpson pleaded ignorance and insisted on being allowed to resume his journey, but the justice was obdurate and ordered the skipper back to land. Hastily assembling his court, the justice charged Simpson with abduction and fined him $1,200.”

May 6, 1921, The Ilwaco Tribune: “Two Illicit Stills Are Found This Week:

The past week has been an open season for illicit stills and Deputy Sheriff E.F. Wood has succeeded in getting his hands on two together with a small amount of liquor and mash.

The first arrest was made out on the Sandridge Road on last Friday. Ernest Kroll had been operating a still but when Mr. Wood found it, it was reposing peacefully in a pig pen. Some liquor and mash was also found. Kroll was later arrested and brought before Judge Hanselman who assessed a fine of $250.

Monday of this week, Paul Phelps, who operates a barber shop in the old Sprague house, was arrested and a search of his place disclosed a still carefully hidden away in a trunk. No liquor was found, but there was mash yet clinging to the sides of the still, indicating that it had been used. Phelps maintains that he used the affair for sterilizing his towels. His trial will come up today and County Attorney Murray will come over from South Bend to assist in the prosecution. Phelps is charged with having a still in his possession.”

May 20, 1921, Chinook Observer: “County Grants License for a River Ferry:

The proceedings of the Pacific County Commissioners contain several important orders and resolutions affecting the new ferry service across the Columbia River between Astoria and McGowan…it appears that the commissioners have granted the Astoria-North Beach Ferry Co. an exclusive five-year license, fixing the yearly fee at $50, granted the company a bonus of $400 a year for five years, accepted the bid of Henry Makela of Astoria of $1,597.75 for the construction of a slip at the McGowan dock, but holding back his check pending a satisfactory arrangement for the use of the dock, and accepted Mr. Makela’s bid of $14,750.00 for the building of the Fort Columbia trestle…The license granted requires the ferry company to maintain the following year-round service: From June 1st to Sept. 30th at least three round trips each day; from Oct 1st till Oct. 31st, at least two round trips each day; from Nov. 1st till May 31st of each year, at least two round trips each week.

The following schedule of rates were approved: Pedestrians, 50 cents each; passengers and occupants of vehicles, except the driver thereof of each, ___cents; children over five and under 12 years of age, half fare; each vehicle of less than 2500 lbs. weight, $3.25; each vehicle of 2500 lbs. weight and over, $3.75; each animal not attached to a vehicle for the purpose of drawing the same, except pets carried or led on strap by owner, $2.00 each.

Capt. Elfving states that his ferry services will commence on May 28th.”