Newspaper articles involving Cowlitz county Washington History and Genealogy

Miscellaneous articles involving Cowlitz County Washington

May 19, 1880
Morning Oregonian, Portland Oregon

AMPUTATED-Mr. G. Bomey whose residence is on the Cowlitz prairie, W.T., cut himself so severely with an ax some time ago that his life was despired of. He was brought to this city and immediately taken to St. Vincents Hospital, and Monday evening Dr. Henry Jones amputated the limb a few inches below the hip joint. At last accounts Mr. Bomey was doing well.

May 4, 1888
Morning Oregonian, Portland Oregon

Perrie Cox and Emmett Henslee are now employed in Knapp's sawmill at Kelso, Washington territory.

June 12, 1908
The Perry Daily Chief, Perry Iowa

Mrs. Leslie Barnard started to Kelso, Washington Monday after an extended visit at the home of her father I.J. Tolbert.

February 4, 1909
The Perry Daily Chief, Perry Iowa

DR. L.O. BARNARD HAS HEAVY LOSS
Dental Office at Kelso Washington, Was Destroyed by Fire Last Week.
    Relatives in this city have received word of a serious fire which occurred at Kelso, Washington, in which Dr. L.O. Barnard, formerly of this city, was burned out.
    Dr. Barnard has been in Kelso for several years and had built up a splendid practice. His office was splendidly equipped and although a desperate effort was made to save the contents, Dr. Barnard lost all of his office furniture and instruments. The only thing saved was his diploma from the Northwestern University at Chicago and a few papers.
    Dr. Barnard left the next day for Portland where he purchased a new set of instruments and dental supplies and is once more practicing. The fire occurred on the night of Jan. 29th.

May 26, 1918
Oakland Tribune, Oakland California

SHERIFF FEARS FOR CAPTIVE
    Seattle, May 25-Sheriff Studebaker of Kelso had practically decided tonight not to return William Horner, alleged murderer of Mrs. Fred Bassett and her two children, to Cowlitz county where the crime was committed. (Check out the deaths page for more information)
    He fears a lynching might be the result. He has received a telegram from his business partner at Kelso declaring the people of Cowlitz county would surely lynch Horner if he returned there. The message advised that Horner be taken to Vancouver, Wash.
    The telegram read:
    "If Horner is brought back to Kelso now he will be lynched. Take him to Kalama or Vancouver. Crow here means business."
    Strange parallels in the deaths of the three at Kelso and the death of Fred Bassett while on a hunting trip with Horner two years ago are said to have contributed to arouse Kelso citizens.
    Bassett was killed while on a deer hunt with Horner. On his return Horner explained that Bassett accidentally killed himself. Horner was not held. Later, Horner began living at the Bassett home with the widow and her children. Recently they moved from the home at Republican to a place near Snoqualmie. About two weeks ago Horner, with the Bassett family started southward in a Ford car. On this trip Mrs. Bassett's ranch was deeded to Horner. At Kelso she and her children were shot and instantly killed while they slept in a tent.

June 13, 1921
Oakland Tribune, Oakland California

POSSE HUNTS SWAMPS FOR ROY GARDNER
Fugitive Convict's Companion Captured At Kelso, Wash; Mail Bandit Is Believed to Be in the Same Vicinity
Pyron Tells of Escape of the Pair From Guards While On Train Bound North to McNeil's Island Prison
    Portland, Ore., June 13-The manhunt for Roy Gardner, mail bandit, continued today in the woods and swamps in the Castle Rock-Kelso region.
    Following the capture of Norris Pyron, Gardner's pal, late yesterday it was confidently believed today that Gardener could not be far off.
    The officers still are without any definite indication, however, as to Gardner's whereabouts. Reports that he was surrounded in a swamp near Kelso, Wash., thus far have produced nothing more tangible than "reports." Nothing in the way of actual proof that he is there has been brought to life.
    Pyron's capture was unsensational. It was a bloodless victory for W.A. Pratt of Kelso, civilian member of one of the small posse divisions which are working all through the wild country.
SPENT SATURDAY NIGHT IN FARMER'S BARN.
    Pyron stayed Saturday night at the home of F.L. Stocks, near Kelso. Stocks didn't know he had given shelter to the notorious visitor, since Pyron had modestly retired to the barn, until his son Nelson phoned to Kelso and notified the authorities that Pyron was following the course of the Cowlitz river.
    Direction of Pratt's posse was changed to this supposed trail and shortly after the posse picked up Pyron's trail, following it through the heavy timber and up along the tracks. Pratt moved forward alone, while two of his companions stationed themselves as lookouts atop a box car on a siding.
    Pratt noticed a movement in the tall grass a short distance along the spur and challenged the waving alfalfa.
    "Come out," he called, "and come with your mitts up."
    "I'm coming," walled a tremulous voice. "For God's sake, don't shoot-I'm not Gardner."
    Pyron had a fully loaded .38 caliber revolver, but fight was far from his mind.
FLED IN DARK FROM BANDIT COMPANION
    "I left Gardner just after we be-- it," Pyron tremblingly declared. "I didn't want to escape, but Gardner made me. Then he told me that he'd kill me if I didn't resist capture. I didn't want to fight, so I turned around and ran away from him in the dark."
    Pyron showed by his manner that Gardner's fast company was distasteful to him. He gave an account of the escape.
    "My guard and I went into the smoking compartment." he said. "While we were gone, Gardner told me he and his guard went into the washroom, where Gardner stuck him up with a concealed gun. He had his shackles on his guard when I got back to the stateroom, and it was easy for him to pull the same ting on my guard.
    "He made me go with him and we struck north. When he told me we would fight if overtaken, I couldn't stand it. I left him and came back toward Kelso."
    Pyron was lodged in the Kelso jail last night and probably will be taken on north McNeil Island penitentiary today, where he will serve a long term for counterfeiting.

June 13, 1921
The Atlanta Constitution, Atlanta Georgia
ESCAPED PRISONER RECAPTURED SUNDAY
Castle Rock, Wash., June 12-Norris H. Pyron, counterfeiter, who escaped from a train here early today while being taken to McNeil's island prison, was recaptured last today. He offered no resistance. No reports have been received regarding Roy Gardner, mail robber, who escaped with Pyron.

January 4, 1923
Decatur Review, Decatur Illinois

THINK THIRTY DEAD IN BRIDGE COLLAPSE
Kelso, Washington, Scene of Tragedy as Old Suspension Bridge Buckles.
    Kelso, Wash., Jan. 4- Names of eight missing persons were known while estimates of the number lost ran as high as 30 when rescue parties resumed today their search of the wreckage strewn flood waters of the Cowlitz river into which the old suspension bridge here, bearing scores of men and women, collapsed at five o'clock last night.
    From fifty to 100 pedestrians, one truce and at least ten passenger automobiles were on the bridge when it fell. The structure gave way in the midst of a traffic jam caused by a stalled car.
MANY RESCUED
    Most of the persons on the bridge were thrown into the swirling river and many were picked up by boats or swam ashore. After darkness efforts to recover bodies were futile, though the river steamer Pomona breasted the swift current during the night to play a search light over the scene. But early this morning no bodies had been found.
    Of those rescued one was fatally hurt and died this morning. Six others were taken from the water seriously hurt.
RELATIVES FRANTIC
    Early today there was a rush of frantic relatives seeking some word of lost loved ones.
    The exact death toll may not be known for several days as the swollen waters of the Cowlitz river and the Columbia into which it flows about two miles below the city, may swirl bodies many miles.
CABLE BUCKLES
    The bridge connected east and west Kelso. A cable support buckled and the bridge threw trucks, autos, and wagons and their passengers into the torrent, swollen by recent floods. Many leaped to safety as the span sank.
    Had the bridge collapsed a few minutes earlier, the loss of life would have been greatly multiplied. During the afternoon, workmen had been making repairs upon the draw which was partially raised at times.
    Exploration of the wreckage was not attempted last night, owing to a fear that bodies which might be caught among the timbers would be released and carried away in the darkness. This was begun with daylight and an endeavor was also made to grapple for submerged automobiles in which bodies might be held.
ESTIMATE 40 SAVED
    The estimate of the number rescued from the river was 40. J.F. Hamilton a construction engineer, commented.
    "Some will say that the height of the river and the log jam that had accumulated against it weakened the structure and caused it to collapse I cannot agree with this for only a few days ago I inspected the piers and they were not weakened. It was the cable which broke for some unknown reason possibly at the impact of a heavy jar."
    Scant as the warning was at the snapping of the cable, many pedestrians on the bridge raced to safety and in one or two instances automobiles were backed away as the chasm gapped before them.

June 20, 1925
Oakland Tribune, Oakland California

Editor's Murder Laid To Political Fight
By United Press
Leased wire to Tribune
Kelso, Wash., June 20-Police today were confident that the murder last night of Thomas Dovery, publisher of the Cowlitz County News, was the outgrowth of a bitter political struggle here.
He was slain by a bullet which was fired through his neck at close range. His collar was soiled by powder burns. The bullet severed the jugular vein and it was apparent he died instantly. There was no evidence of a struggle.

July 11, 1925
The Helena Independent, Helena Montana

KELSO, WASHINGTON, BOASTS OF REAL MURDEROUS RUM WAR
    Kelso, Wash., July 10. This town has a population of 8000 citizens and two mayors. It is a river port, hauling goods of all description, not excluding booze.
    A quiet village to look at but to live in, right now, it's not quiet at all. Threats of murder, Detectives, Mysterious persons. And the two mayors-
    One day Thomas Dovery, editor of the Cowlitz County Weekly News, told somebody that he planed to publish an expose of the booze traffic through Kelso.
    Two hours later Dovery was found murdered, shot down in the street. (To read a notice of his death please check out the death page)
    News of his murder reached A. Ruric Todd, who had left the town when the people had removed him from the mayor's chair on charges of graft. Todd hurriedly returned to Kelso with the avowed purpose of avenging the death of Dovery, his close friend. The first thing he did was to set himself up as "mayor."
    Nat Smith, who was elected in his place, rules the city hall and supposedly the town; but Todd, whose offices are in an apartment, claims he is rightful mayor and that he's running the town. He has appointed officers from treasurer down to dog catcher and intimates that he'll use force if it's necessary to win recognition as mayor.
    In the meantime detectives have found $75,000 worth of booze abandoned on a barge; and they have traced a $200,000 shipment over which Dovery is supposed to have been slain.
    What will happen when Todd actually makes a bid for the mayor's chair, and what will happen when detectives find out who killed the editor are questions that are keeping this town awake.
    There is talk of who may be next-and some believe martial law may be the only solution of Kelso's trouble.
(Photo:Left, Thomas Dovery, Right, A. Ruric Todd, Bottom, office of Weekly News)

November 10, 1925
Oakland Tribune, Oakland California

SQUAW RISKS LIFE IN LEAP FOR VANITY BOX
Kelso, Wash., Nov. 5- Katie Sunburn, an Indian girl, is a modern flapper. Katie lost her vanity case off a landing float in the Cowlitz river here and jumped in after it. Police rescued her, screaming, as she clung to the side of a boat. The officers declined to dive for the make-up box, as Katie requested.

March 11, 1926
The Helena Independent, Helena Montana

DAMAGE SUITS COME OF EDITOR'S MURDER
Seattle, March 10.-The Seattle Times reported today that A. Ruric Todd has filed two damage suits for $100,000 each as a sequel to the slaying of Thomas Dovery, an editor in Kelso, June 19. Todd was formerly mayor of Kelso. Todd's suits, filed yesterday in the Cowlitz county superior court, named five former councilmen as one set of defendants, and State Senator Barnes Superior Court Judge McKenney and T.H. Fisk, a lawyer, as the others.
The plaintiff, who was accused of criminal libel in connection with his comments on the killing, alleged conspiracy to ruin his reputation.

October 12, 1927
The Iowa Recorder, Greene Iowa

Mrs. Grant Gibson left for her home at Kelso, Washington, Sunday noon, after a three month's visit to her people, the John Mott family.

March 14, 1928
The Iowa Recorder, Greene Iowa

Mr. and Mrs. Grant Gibson arrived from Kelso, Washington, Friday, being called here by the illness of her father, John Mott.

April 11, 1928
The Bee, Danville Virginia

KNOWS HER JEWELRY
Longview, Wash-Butter and egg men know from experience that a chicken loves jewels, but whoever heard of one of the farmyard variety possessing a similar taste? A hen owned by Mrs. Charles Miller of castle Rock, Wash, upon being dissected for culinary purposes, disclosed a $250 diamond lodged in her giazard. Mrs. Miller had lost it several weeks before.

July 11, 1928
The Iowa Recorder, Greene Iowa

Mr. and Mrs. Grant Gibson, who have been here since March, have returned home to Kelso, Washington.

June 13, 1929
Soda Springs Chieftain, Soda Springs Idaho

Mr. and Mrs. C.D. Scott of Kelso, Washington, were visiting friends in Soda Wednesday evening. Mrs. Scott and daughter Virginia will visit Mr. and Mrs. W.J. Newman at Conda a few weeks, while Mr. Scott returned to Kelso Monday.

Mrs. and Mrs. C.D. Scott and little daughters arrived in Conda Saturday to visit Mrs. Scott's mother, Mrs. J.W. Newman, Mr. Scott leaving Sunday for his home in Kelso, Washington.

July 3, 1929
Hayward Review, Hayward California

Mrs. A.F. Hanson and daughters, Louise and Doris, returned Tuesday evening from a 10 days' visit with Mrs. Hanson's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Buker at Castle Rock, Washington.

July 18, 1929
Soda Springs Chieftain, Soda Springs Idaho

Mrs. Ruby Scott left Wednesday morning for her home at Kelso, Washington, after a six weeks visit with parents and friends. She was accompanied as far as Boise by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. J.W. Newman, of Conda.

October 10, 1929
The Helena Independent, Helena Montana

WASHINGTON SHERIFF BRINGS REQUISITION PAPERS FOR TWO MEN
    Sheriff C.B. Dill of Kelso, Cowlitz county, Washington, was at Governor Erickson's office yesterday securing an order on requisition papers for two men, Wesley Flinn and Ellis Crawford, charged with grand larceny at Kelso, to enable him to take them from the jail at Great Falls, where they were lodged, and return them to Kelso for prosecution.
    The men went with a constable, George Homan, according to the requisition papers, to serve a search warrant on I.D. Fleming, suspected of dealing in booze. They seized 720 quarts of beer and Homan made a return to the court of only 80 quarts, the papers said and is in jail at Kelso, awaiting prosecution.
    Flinn and Crawford fled the state and were arrested at Great Falls, and held for the Washington authorities. They are accused of stealing liquor valued at $250

March 8, 1932
Nevada State Journal, Reno Nevada

COLD PLUNGE FOLLOWS THEATER ATTENDANCE
    Kelso, Wash., March 7-Mrs. Verna Skinner wife of a groceryman, saw a movie thriller last night. She went home to bed and had a nightmare.
    Early this morning she arose and walked 700 feet across a highway bridge-in her sleep- and plunged into the flood-swollen Cowlitz river.
    The cold immersion awoke her. She swan to some boomsticks and clung for 15 minutes. Patrolman Harry Koff rescued her.

May 22, 1932
Nevada State Journal, Reno Nevada

Tangled Lines Caught Salmon.
Kelso, Wash.-Pearl Anderson and Phil Heaward were fishing for the salmon near each other in the Cowlitz river. Their lines became entangled, much to the disgust of each. Then a big Chinook ran into the tangled lines, became so enmeshed he was hauled ashore and divided between the two anglers.

August 16, 1934
Soda Springs Sun, Soda Springs Idaho

Mr. and Mrs. C.H. Scott of Kelso, Washington, were visiting with Mrs. Scott's parents, Mr. and Mrs. J.W. Newman, of Conda. They left Wednesday for their home. Mrs. Della Lapping accompanied them as far as Burley to visit elatives. Mrs. Lapping expects to return to Conda Saturday, where she will visit with her sister, Mrs. Newman.

January 24, 1936
The Daily Herald

Charles Wolf and Robert Schaeffer, who for the past year have been at CCC camp at Waterloo, Ill., have been transferred the past week to Kelso, Washington.

April 15, 1936
Ironwood Daily Globe, Ironwood Michigan

Mrs. Fred Carpenter and family returned from Kelso Washington, Saturday evening where they spent the past two weeks with her brother in law and sister, Mr. and Mrs. Al Greenwood.

August 19, 1941
Helena Independent, Helena Montana

Vacation is not loafing time for Peggy Klaus, 16, high school sophomore at Kelso, Wash. Donning caulked boots, Peggy joins a husky crew of lumber jacks and works on log booms on Cowlitz River. And she keeps up with the men in creditable fashion.

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