110 years ago (1907)

“Either carelessness on the part of the port crew or a dastardly act by some miscreant sent the well-known harbor tug Enola off on a cruise last night with no one aboard to direct her wanderings. Shortly after the turn of the tide, people in the lower end of the city noticed the Enola gliding slowly along. The fact that she was preceding stern first caused some comment and closer investigation proved that the fires were out and the tug was adrift. Word was sent to Captain Harry Garfield who went out with a launch and proved the surmises to be true.”

“While walking along the streets last evening, a lady was insulted by two soldiers in front of a local business house. Mayor Hill overheard the insult and summoned an officer, ordered the pair arrested. Several dozen other soldiers gathered and a general riot was narrowly averted as Police officer Furlong was joined by other patrolmen and a number of citizens. The pair are now in the city Bastille awaiting a hearing.”

100 years ago (1917)

Sheriff Herstrom burns alcoholic contraband on the street in front of the County Courthouse, including 24 quarts of whiskey, four gallon jars of whiskey, a keg of Chinese white whiskey and 19 gallons of Chinese red whiskey.

83 years ago (1934)

Local mention: “The grounds of the Felgentreff home in Maynard and those of the Bowman family adjoining, are very attractive this spring. In the former the native setting of rhododendron, dogwood and Madrona combines well with the cultivated shrubs and flowers, making a most attractive whole.”

60 years ago (1957)

Bill Arey, Paul Marriott and Robbie Strain are pictured with a 121-pound halibut that Arey, 16, hooked on a hand line. The three boys beached the halibut after nearly an hour of fighting of the Shell Oil dock. Arey was fishing with whole perch as bait and 30-pound test line. “Many people here heard the explosion shortly after 10:30 on Tuesday as a jet plane broke the sound barrier while flying over the Strait of Juan de Fuca just north of Fort Worden.” Cmdr. Don DeForest said a helicopter was about to take off at Fort Worden when he heard the explosion. The report was so loud and sounded so near that he looked out to see if the helicopter had exploded.

35 years ago (1982)

The Rhododendron Festival Grand Parade attracts an estimated 23,000 people. The seventh annual Rhody fireworks show is lit from waterfront land owned by John Pickett, instead of from a barge. The $3,000 fireworks show was set off by Dr. G.T. Chuljian.

20 years ago (1997)

“Lack of trust, fear of reprisal and vague directives plague Jefferson County management, county employees said in a wide-ranging discussion Tuesday.”

“The Wooden Boat Foundation and marine trades tenants should have a long-term future at Point Hudson, according to a non-binding resolution Port of Port Townsend commissioners approved May 7.”

“Kelle’s Gym Competitive Team from Port Hadlock has completed its inaugural season with a host of honors.” Avery Africa won the Level 4 state championship for 9-year-olds. Other competitors include Hannah Burn, Hannah Nelson, Sadie Michel, Kara Spray, Kestle Riley, Blair Crittenden, Jessica Brammer, Caitlin Eldridge, Courtney Ellis, Crystal Huntingford, Alanna Rowe and Phina Pipia.

“The City of Port Townsend isn’t taking lightly complaints about the behavior of transients in town this spring. Only three days after the concept was discussed in earnest, a draft version of a new law designed to deter panhandlers from intimidating and harassing passersby was on the street.”

(Compiled by Patrick J. Sullivan. Sources: Leader Collection; Jefferson County Historical Society Museum and Research Center, 13692 Airport Cutoff Road, Port Townsend; Jefferson County Historical Society, 379-6673, jchsmuseum.org; jchswa.org, the online search site)