The Way We Were

Feb. 14, 1924

Last Saturday, Dr. Anna Brown Kearsley reported a case of typhoid fever to the Wrangell Board of Health, the patient being James Nolan. The general impression prevailing in Wrangell last week was that W.D. Grant, Mrs. Stephen D. Grant and James Nolan were all suffering from the same malady, as they had all attended the late C.E. Weber during his fatal illness. Therefore, Dr. Kearsley’s diagnosis of the case of Mr. Nolan naturally carried significance that extended beyond the individual case reported. Under these circumstances, together with the high mortality of typhoid, the Board of Health deemed it advisable to send for an outside diagnostician.

Feb. 11, 1949

In Wrangell this morning, the low temperature was 5 above. The low temperature so far this winter occurred on Dec. 8, at 2 below zero. The highest temperature this month was 24 above on Feb. 2, when the groundhog saw his shadow. As to snowfall, November delivered 27 inches; December, 71 inches; January, 35 inches, and so far in February, 16 inches, making a total of 149 inches with plenty of chances more may be added before folks start thinking about Easter bonnets.

Feb. 13, 1974

Wrangell’s new library has been adjudged complete by the city, but a move-in is going to be delayed to see if funds for new furnishings can be secured, City Manager Herb McNabb said this week. Original plans were to move from the old library this month, using existing shelving and furnishings, but the city has decided to hold off, McNabb said, in hopes of having an “all new” facility. “We are seeking funds now from the state through federal sources,” the manager said. He said $18,000 would provide new shelving and furnishings, and expressed optimism over Wrangell’s chances of securing the funding. “It doesn’t make sense to move all the old things over from the present library into the present library into the brand-new facility and then move them back out again,” said McNabb. He said a delay in moving of up to 60 days is anticipated.

Feb. 11, 1999

The Wrangell City Council in a special meeting Feb. 3 made an about-face in its decision regarding acceptance of the Nolan grant for the Civic Center/Museum. Changing tactics from the previous vote to put acceptance of the gift on a special election ballot, the council instead voted to accept the $6 million gift from the estate of James and Elsie Nolan. Factors contributing to the change of mind included some confusion on the part of council members about exactly what issue was to be put on the ballot. Mayor Bill Privett further said the project seemed to have generated disagreement in the community and thought that the responsibility was with the council to start the healing process.