Glance Back

Glance Back (From The Washington Evening Journal, Friday, Jan. 7, 2005)

10 YEARS AGO

The Washington City Council agreed to spend $1,250 for a downtown assessment that would be conducted by the Iowa Department of Economic Development (IDED).

Washington High School Principal Francis Johnston received a call at 5:30 this morning that parts of the high school were flooded.

Charles Hotle has released his 12th book, Dutch Creek, a history not just of a township, but a community.

Although Melissa Murray, who is nearly 7, said that she wanted to wait until she was 10 years old to cut her hair, she and her mother, Debbie Murray, donated their hair to Locks of Love, an organization that uses donated hair to make wigs for children who, due to illness, have lost their hair.

20 YEARS AGO

A massive fire which threatened an entire city block in Winfield?s central business district is still under investigation today by the state fire marshal?s office.

One hurdle has been cleared and two remain before Taste of China, a restaurant on the city square, will be allowed to serve alcohol.

30 YEARS AGO

The end of 1984 also marks the end of Dick Hotle?s 39-year hog-buying career. Hotle, 65, of Washington went to work March 1, 1946, as a commissioned hog buyer for Oscar Mayer Foods Corp.

Paul V. Shearer and Douglas L. Tindal, Washington attorneys, have announced a change in the name of their firm to Shearer and Tindal, effective Jan. 1. They are the surviving partners of the law firm, Stewart, Shearer, Owen and Tindal.

Elmer Schneider was elected chairman of the Washington County Board of Supervisors, today as the board reorganized for the new year. The rural Riverside Democrat is in the midst of his third term on the board and succeeds Bob Pearson as chair.

40 YEARS AGO

Ralph Marshall of Washington was elected chairman of the Washington County Board of Supervisors, as officials at the courthouse settle into a new year. Elmer Schneider of Riverside, the first Democrat on the board in several decades, was officially seated along with Marshall.

Mr. and Mrs. Marian Logan and daughter Inga left for New York, Friday. From there, they will fly to Brazil, where they will be residing the next three years. Mr. Logan will be employed there as a representative of Pioneer Seed Company.

The year just ended will be significant in local history in at least one respect: it may be the first year in which there were more deaths than births in Washington County. The number of births here reflected the declining national birth rate and hit an apparent all-time low of 213 in 1974, down 44 from 1973. Deaths in the county jumped, however, to 221 last year, 40 more than in 1973.

50 YEARS AGO

Nancy Baker, a student at America Schools in Chicago, has completed her courses and received her high school diploma.