100 years ago (1916 — Oak Harbor News)
Paper, and everything made of paper, with the exception of postage stamps, had increased in price “by leaps and bounds.” The price of newsprint had advanced to $6.50 per one hundred in ream lots, nearly double what it had been a few months prior. “Parlous times indeed for these newspaper publishers and printers.”
A page-one article detailed the happenings of 12-year-old Miss Ora Tiedemann’s birthday party. Nineteen girls were in attendance, all of whom were listed by name. Ora received many “pretty birthday gifts.”
A brief article proclaimed the Czar of Russia to be the “wealthiest man in all the world, far richer than John D. Rockefeller.” His annual income was said to be an estimated $37,500,000.
White Schooley, a young man from Everett, drowned in the water at the Langley bathing beach. His brother James unsuccessfully attempted to save him, as did his brother-in-law Elmer Finch. James “barely escaped” to shore, as did Finch. Finch arrived in an unconscious condition and revived with the “valuable service” of a “young lady swimmer whose name the reporter did not learn.” Doctors worked for nearly two hours to revive White.
An Oak Harbor man, Ben Fern, was willing to pay $10 for one young buck deer. His 2-year-old buck had recently died of a head abscess. Fern also had five does in his care.
75 years ago (1941 — Farm Bureau News)
A prominent page-one article announced the death of Mrs. B. Beeksma, age 68. Beeksma had been born in the province of Friesland, Netherlands, in 1873, and had emigrated from The Netherlands to Canada in 1909, moving to Oak Harbor two years later. Beeksma, whose maiden name was Adriane De Haan, had been in poor health for several months prior to her passing.
Another prominent article announced the death of Peter L. Berkhof, “one of this community’s most revered and loved citizens.” Berkhof had served as deacon of the Oak Harbor Reformed Church for 25 years. He was born in 1873 at Epe, Gelderland, Netherlands. In 1910, he and his wife migrated to Canada and settled in Alberta. They moved to Oak Harbor in 1925 when that settlement broke up.
The qualifying rounds for the Third Annual Whidby Island Salmon Sweepstakes were about to close. The finals were to be fished from the resorts at Bush Point and Mutiny. $500 worth of prizes would be awarded at the close of the event.
An advertisement for Murray’s Drug Store touted two-packs of 16-count cigarettes for 31 cents.
50 years ago (1966 — Whidbey News-Times)
The nation’s second-highest award, the Navy Cross, was to be presented to Lt. Brian E. Westin, who was attached to Heavy Attack Squadron 123 at NAS Whidbey Island. He received the Cross for an act of “extraordinary heroism” April 27, 1966, when he had been serving as a bombardier-navigator during a daylight bombing run over North Vietnam and went to great lengths to save the life of an aircraft pilot severely injured by ground fire.
Naval Air Station Whidbey Island was scheduled to receive its first A 6A Intruder aircraft. The first three Intruders were set to arrive during ceremonies to be held at the base. Numerous military and civilian dignitaries were expected to attend.
The state gained access to a two and-a-half mile stretch of state-owned tideland on Useless Bay. Without an access for years prior, the public had to travel over private property to reach the area just north of Maxwelton.
The Cavalier advertised Hawaiian shirts on sale for $3.47 each, a discount from the usual $5.95. Velour jackets were advertised at a discounted price of $9.95. Food-Town advertised TV dinners at 49 cents each, and Kool Aid at 3 cents a packet.
25 years ago (1991 — Whidbey News-Times)
James G. Alexander, a second-class petty officer stationed at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station, pleaded innocent to charges of second-degree murder and second-degree criminal mistreatment in connection with the death of his 20-month-old son, whom Alexander had allegedly beaten unconscious. The baby’s cause of death was listed as “cerebral herniation and cerebral edema caused by blunt impact.” The child also had damage to his pancreas and gall bladder. The criminal mistreatment charge was related to the alleged abuse of his 3-year-old stepson, who also suffered bruising to the pancreas and abdomen, according to court documents.
So many Island County taxpayers challenged the county’s property tax re-evaluations that the county’s tax system became overtaxed. Approximately 1,270 property owners filed appeals with the Island County Board of Equalization, challenging the county assessor’s appraisals, for tax purposes, of their homes.
Island County was in the midst of a revenue shortage, and department heads were asked to come up with ways to save money. According to a memo distributed by Gordon Koetje, then-chairman of the board of commissioners, the goal was to reduce costs by 10 percent.
