W. H. Kerhli, ex wrestler now president of Oregon Poultry & Pet Stock Association, poses with the Grand Champion, a 12-pound Brahma Cockerel, at the 34th Annual Tacoma Poultry Show held in the old Mohr Building. The cockerel was entered by George Green of Kirkland. (T. Times, 12/31/1937, p. 14).

Kerhli, W. H.; Tacoma Poultry Show (Tacoma); Poultry; Chickens; Animal shows--Tacoma--1930-1940; Roosters;

Mattson kidnapping case. Two boys standing on a path leading up the hillside below the Mattson home. Photograph ordered by the Seattle Star. On a peaceful post-Christmas night in 1936, the Mattson children and a family friend were watching area motorists drive up to view the Christmas light display in the front yard of the Mattson home at 4605 No. Verde. An armed and masked man broke in through a rear entrance of the home and seized Charles Mattson, the smallest of the group of children. He left a ransom note for $28,000. He then, it is believed, carried Charles down this path behind the Mattson home, down a steep bluff to Ruston Way and a waiting get away car driven by an accomplice. (T. Times 12/28/1936 - 1/25/1937, pg. 1)

Kidnappings--Tacoma--1930-1940; Mattson, Charles--Kidnappings;

Mattson kidnapping case. View of Ruston Way and Commencement Bay from hillside below the Mattson home. On December 27, 1936, an armed intruder abducted ten year old Charles Mattson from his parents' home at 4605 No. Verde. He then carried the boy down the steep cliff behind the home leading to Ruston Way and the waterfront. A ransom note was left behind at the crime scene, demanding $28,000. Up to this point, no less than 12 well publicized kidnappings had occurred since the 1934 kidnapping of the Lindbergh baby. The previous year, 1935, young George Weyerhaeuser had been kidnapped and returned following payment of the ransom. Charles Mattson was murdered and his body dumped in a wooded area 200 feet off of the Edmonds-Everett Highway, 6 miles south of Everett. Despite an extensive manhunt, and numerous suspects, his murderer was never found. (T. Times 12/28/1936- 1/25, 1937, pg. 1)

Kidnappings--Tacoma--1930-1940; Mattson, Charles--Kidnappings;

Members of the 161st Infantry of the Washington National Guard, bayonets ready, attempt to control the crowd of striking lumber mill workers and supporters gathering at the intersection of 11th & A streets to oppose the Guard's presence and the City Council's rule requiring all gatherings to have a permit from the council. The National Guard arrived in Tacoma June 23rd, 1935 to protect workers returning to the mills on the Tideflats. Violence against the strikebreakers was common. On July 12, 1935, the confrontation erupted into a 4 1/2 hour battle on the streets of Tacoma. (TDL 7/13/1935, pg 1) TPL-8787

Labor unions--Tacoma; Lumber & Sawmill Workers Local 2633 (Tacoma); Lumber industry--Tacoma--1930-1940; Strikes--Tacoma--1930-1940; Demonstrations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Washington National Guard, 161st Infantry (Wash.);

Using tear gas and fixed bayonets, the Washington National Guard confronted a crowd of approximately 500 striking lumber mill workers and their supporters at the corner of South 11th and A Streets on July 12, 1935. The National Guard had been called out by Governor Clarence Martin to protect the replacement workers who had been hired to help break the strike. The gas was largely ineffectual, with protestors flinging the canisters back at the Guard. One gas bomb picked up by strikers was thrown into a Guard truck and caused other bombs to explode, setting the truck on fire. The truck was destroyed before the fire department could reach it through the crowds. (TDL 7/13/1935, pg 1) TPL-8772

Labor unions--Tacoma; Lumber & Sawmill Workers Local 2633 (Tacoma); Lumber industry--Tacoma--1930-1940; Strikes--Tacoma--1930-1940; Demonstrations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Washington National Guard, 161st Infantry (Wash.);

Two lumber workers watching an overhead crane move timbers, as the St. Paul & Tacoma lumber yard roars back into life after the settlement of a 13 week strike. Twenty two area mill operators agreed to meet employee demands for a 50 cent minimum wage, a 40 hour week, an 8 hour day, time and one half for overtime, reemployment of striking workers and recognition of the union. (T. Times 8/5/1935, pg.1)

Labor unions--Tacoma; Lumber & Sawmill Workers Local 2633 (Tacoma); Lumber industry--Tacoma--1930-1940; Strikes--Tacoma--1930-1940; St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co. (Tacoma);

On November 23, 1936, an avalanche swept down the mountainside in the evening darkness, completely destroying the Puget Sound Power & Light company power generating plant at Electron, on the upper south fork of the Puyallup River. The landslide broke the four gigantic metal tubes that carried water from the dam above the plant down the mountain, sending a terrific torrent of water through the power house. Although the plant sustained over $1 million in damage, none of the plant employees were badly injured. The generating plant was eventually re-built. (Puyallup Valley Tribune 11/24/1936 p.1)

Landslides--Electron; Avalanches--Electron; Disasters--Electron--1930-1940; Puget Sound Power & Light Co. (Electron);

Double launching of two new U.S. Navy Destroyers, "Cushing" and "Perkins" at Navy Yard Shipbuilding dock on December 31, 1935. Huge crowds lined both sides of the waterway; some were standing in front of wooden buildings while others were seated on benches. The crowd at the Navy Yard launching was estimated at 8,000. (Bremerton Sun).

Launchings--Bremerton--1930-1940; Spectators--Bremerton;

Launching of two new U.S. Navy Destroyers, "Cushing" and "Perkins," at Bremerton Navy Yard shipbuilding dock on December 31, 1935. Over 8,000 people stood to watch the double christening. Miss Katherine A. Cushing, Adm. T.T. Craven, Mrs. Isabel Anderson, and Governor Clarence D. Martin were among the participants. (Bremerton Sun).

Launchings--Bremerton--1930-1940; Warships--Bremerton--1930-1940;

In November of 1937 Lewis Law, 1610 North 6th Street in Tacoma, finished work on the violin that he had started making around 1931. The head utility man at the Pierce County Courthouse, and a musician, he had always wanted a violin of his own. He purchased a small supply of California sugar-pine, and when not repairing courthouse equipment or playing the organ, he was busy in his workshop with chisels and saw. He worked all of the pieces with the exception of the scroll, tail piece and strings. An accomplished organist, Mr. Law installed the 5,000 pipe organ at the First Presbyterian Church, 20 Tacoma Avenue South. (T. Times 11/4/1937, p.8)

Law, Lewis; Violins;

ca. 1937. Men working on flood lights at Lincoln Bowl. (filed with Argentum)

Lincoln Bowl (Tacoma); Athletic fields--Tacoma;

ca. 1937. Man on transformer platform working on flood lights at Lincoln Bowl. (T. Times)

Lincoln Bowl (Tacoma); Athletic fields--Tacoma; Lighting--Tacoma;

Lincoln Citizen's Club at Union Ave., S. Tacoma Way and 38th Street. Seven men stand on small piece of land they want paved to facilitate the connection from Pacific Highway (S. Tac. Way) to 38th. A new graded road had been created connecting the two and the business men wanted a tip of city owned land knocked off, making the road a natural curve. Old City Contagious Hospital in background. (T. Times 3/23/37 p. 1)

Lincoln Citizens Club (Tacoma); Street maintenance & repair--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Lincoln High School 1937 Graduation Ceremonies at the Armory. Straight on view of crowd and stage.

Lincoln High School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1930-1940; Graduation ceremonies--Tacoma--1930-1940; State Armory (Tacoma);

Lincoln High School shop teacher Ned Ubben, right, watched in December of 1937 as Irene Kuhne and Otto Robinson mended two of the items given to needy families in Tacoma by the school's students. Maintaining a tradition started in 1922 by The Lincoln News, the school's student publication, Lincoln students filled 66 Christmas baskets with food and toys. The baskets were then distributed to families selected from a list provided by the state welfare bureau. (T. Times 12-21-1937, p. 12)

Lincoln High School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1930-1940; Students--Tacoma--1930-1940; Community service--Tacoma--1930-1940; Christmas gifts; Toys; Teachers--Tacoma--1930-1940; Ubben, Ned; Kuhne, Irene; Robinson, Otto;

In December of 1937, Peggy Bently and Lucille Rudd (order not known) were "Santa's Twins" at Lincoln High School. The two young men are Harold Oswald (left) and Gordon Ambrose. Peggy and Lucille were the organizing force behind the Lincoln News' efforts to provide a Merry Christmas to 66 needy families in Tacoma. In a tradition begun in 1922, food, toys and clothing were collected by Lincoln High School students and distributed in gift baskets to families in need selected by Tacoma's social service agencies. Used toys that were donated were repaired in the Lincoln High School metal and wood shops, and clothes was repaired or sewn in the school's home economics classes. (T. Times 12-21-1937, p. 12)

Lincoln High School (Tacoma); Students--Tacoma--1930-1940; Community service--Tacoma--1930-1940; Christmas gifts; Toys; Bently, Peggy; Rudd, Lucille; Oswald, Harold; Ambrose, Gordon;

William Hardie, the Lincoln High School track coach, posed with five of his track men in September of 1937. By the end of the year, the Lincoln Abes track team had won the state track title for the third consecutive year. With six returning letterman for the 1937-38 team, coach Hardie was hoping to make it four in a row. In the back row are, left to right, Hardie, Rankin, Wilcox and Sharp. Kneeling in front are Harold H. Berndt (left) and Lincoln's best "sprint man" Tommy Jones (right). At the state competition in Pullman, "Hurrying" Harold Berndt finished first in the 100 and 200 yard dashes and was high point man for the tournament. (T. Times 5/19/1937, pg 3; 5/24/1937, pg. 11-Berndt & tourney results) (Additional identification provided by a reader)

Lincoln High School (Tacoma); Track athletics--Tacoma--1930-1940; Runners (Sports)--Tacoma--1930-1940; Running; Hardie, William; Berndt, Harold H.; Jones, Tommy;

ca. 1937. Lions Club convention delegates at the Winthrop Hotel circa 1937. Several men gathered around the registrar's table. (T. Times).

Lions Club (Tacoma); Clubs--Tacoma--1930-1940; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Meetings--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Baby John Lynn sitting in front of the fireplace with his pet dog. Photograph taken for family Christmas card.

Lynn, John; Dogs; Children & animals; Fireplaces;

Beatrice (Mrs. Harry) Houdini, on right, discussing a piece of patterned fabric with another woman, most likely Addie (Mrs. Ray) Gamble and Edward Saint. Edward Saint was Mrs. Houdini's personal secretary, a magician of note and the author of "The Life of Houdini," which was being produced as a film by Paramount in the fall. The piece of fabric is very likely a tea towel. In 1930, Beatrice Houdini ran "Mrs. Harry Houdini's Rendezvous," a tea room, in New York City. (T. Times).

Magicians; Houdini, Harry--Family; Houdini, Beatrice; Saint, Edward; Gamble, Addie;

Ed Mason with the model of the Canadian Pacific Lines flagship "Empress of Britain " that he finished in 1936. Sixteen year old Mason was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles W. Mason, 2501 No. Washington Street. The Canadian Pacific Lines supplied him a set of plans for the ship from which he constructed the model over three years. Mason spent about three hours a day working on the model with files, tin snips, hammer and glue pots. The hull was made of white pine and the super structure of metal. The scale was 1/16 inch to a foot and the two lower decks, although not visible completely, were equipped and to scale. The real ship was used as a troop transport during the early phase of WWII, and sunk off Ireland in October of 1940. (T. Times 12/21/1936)

Mason, Ed; Model ships;

Tacoma City Council at (Old) City Hall. Mayor George Smitley at right center, by window. Portrait of Mayor A.V. Fawcett on wall, now hangs in Rare Book Room of Tacoma Public Library. (T.Times)

Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Smitley, George A., 1872-1956;

Girl representing the Disabled American Veterans pins a Forget-Me-Not or "Buddy Poppy" on Mayor George A. Smitley at his office in (Old) City Hall. Miss Viola Wilson is holding a handful of paper poppies as she fastens the Forget-Me-Not to Mr. Smitley's lapel. Mr. Smitley helped to kick off the annual Forget-Me-Not sale by purchasing the first flower from Miss Wilson, who is the daughter of state disabled veterans commander Virgil Wilson. It was noted in the Tacoma Times article attached to the sepia September 25, 1935, photograph, that Mr. Wilson was seriously ill in a Seattle hospital suffering from the effects of wounds received in the war. ALBUM 11. (T. Times, 9-26-35, p. 5)

Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Smitley, George A., 1872-1956; Fund raising--Tacoma--1930-1940; Patriotic societies--Tacoma; Veterans' organizations--Tacoma; Wilson, Viola;

On November 6, 1935, Bremerton's mayor J.A. McGillivray was photographed receiving a "Forget-Me-Not," a little blue lapel flower, from young volunteer Dorothy Harris. Miss Harris, carrying a basket and a handful of the "forget-me-nots," was wearing a special volunteer worker's cap. The sale was sponsored by the Bremerton chapter No. 5 Disabled American Veterans. Proceeds from the sale of the flowers were used for emergency relief, employment and rehabilitation service for war-time disabled veterans and their dependents. (Bremerton Sun 11/8/1935, pg. 1).

McGillivray, J.A.; Harris, Dorothy; Disabled American Veterans, Bremerton Chapter No. 5 (Bremerton); Fund raising--Bremerton--1930-1940;

Two students in Natalie Blix's first grade class at McKinley School play house in the miniature home built by the class. Creative teacher Miss Blix used the construction to teach the children vocabulary. While they constructed the small building, they learned the names of tools and construction methods and how to recognize them in print. (T.Times,10-16-1937, p. 1].

McKinley School (Tacoma); School children--Tacoma--1930-1940; Public schools--Tacoma--1930-1940; Children's playhouses;

ca. 1937. Unidentified man wearing cardigan sitting in chair in this circa 1937 photograph.

Men--1930-1940; Men--Clothing & dress--1930-1940;

Third Division Review held at Fort Lewis May 13, 1937. Soldiers march with rifles over their shoulders in front of military and government officials. (T. Times, 5/14/1937, pg. 1)

Military parades & ceremonies--Fort Lewis;

Military officers and dignitaries in the reviewing stand at Fort Lewis during the May 13, 1937 review of the Third Division. It is worth noting that the army still used covered wagons pulled by mules to transport supplies (far left). (T. Times 5/14/1937, pg. 1)

Military parades & ceremonies--Fort Lewis;

Photographs of the Third Division Review held at Fort Lewis May 13, 1937 with various public officials and high ranking officers in attendance. In this picture, troops march before the reviewing stand as planes zoom overhead. (T.Times 5/14/1937, pg. 1)

Military parades & ceremonies--Fort Lewis; Fighter planes--1930-1940;

Governors Review at Fort Lewis. Six military tanks in parade at this point; courtesy of either the 3rd Tank Co. or 41st Tank Co. Each tank has two men standing in the hull. A dirigible from the 3rd Balloon Co. is suspended overhead throughout the review. The U.S. Army put on a show of military force when it gathered 14,000 troops to pass in review before the governors of Washington, Oregon and Montana. Major General George A. White, commander of the 41st Division, was in charge of troop activity. 7518 men were from the national guard; Oregon sent the most, over 3000. (T .Times, 8-21-37, p. 1, 8-23-37, p. 1)

Military parades & ceremonies--Fort Lewis; Tanks (Military science)--Fort Lewis;