Anyone remember the book published by The Daily World back in 2001, On The Harbor: From Black Friday to Nirvana? It was a collection of 23 major news pieces throughout the history of Grays Harbor starting with the Black Friday fire of 1903 and ending with the Nirvana phenomenon. I always found the book interesting, because, hey, it's nice to know your hometown has some colorful, scandalous history and claims to fame. Anyhow, I saw the book on my parents' book shelf the other day and I couldn't resist grabbing it for a Grays Harbor history refresher.
I've plucked five of the most interesting stories from the book and highlighted them for you on this not-so-historical Friday. Consider this your Harbor history lesson.
5) Aberdeen's on fire! Literally. The town actually burned down 3 separate times between 1887 and 1903, with 1903's blaze being the notorious Black Friday Fire. As a result of that final fire, the city council finally adopted a building policy that only allowed for brick buildings. Thank goodness the brothels and saloons didn't have to risk fire after that fateful year! I find it slightly disturbing that the fire was only stopped because a man had buried a stash of dynamite in front of the local hospital and dug up the dynamite to blow up his house to slow the blaze. Who buries dynamite in front of a hospital?
4) I'm going to need a steamship.... in 17 days. No problem for the Grays Harbor Motorship Corporation! In 1918 GHMC was commissioned to build a 4,000 ton steam ship for WWI, and they completed the job in just 17 days using 24-hour labor. Did the ship ever make it to war? Not a chance; the war ended on 11/11/18 before the ship could ever make it to it's destination. Besides, they built it so fast, the wood started to dry out and the seams split, rendering it useless much quicker than other ships of it's kind.
3) Someone killed the Law. Laura Law, that is. Ah yes, Aberdeen's most sensational murder. In January 1940, 25 year old Laura Law, the wife of labor leader Dick Law, is found murdered in her living room, with her 3-year old son sleeping in the other room. The killer was never found, and controversy surrounds the who and why of the case. Some believe it had everything to do with her husband's wave-making in the labor community and his possible communist ties (communism in Grays Harbor!). Perhaps one of his enemies? Who would go that far?! I vote that someone keep looking into this case...there has to be an answer!
2) Crazy people existed, even in 1913. They just lived in the woods back then. Yep, John Turnow, the Wild Man of the Wynoochee is a notable, murderous harborite alright. When he was just 10, little Johnny T almost died from the black measels. While he pulled out of the sickness, he was never the same. He became quiet (and creepy), honing his marskman skills and spending extended time in the woods. As an adult he shot a dog, then his two nephews in 1911. He also (allegedly) shot a game warden and a deputy. He was finally killed in 1913 when a search party was able to locate him during their manhunt. They tied his corpse to a tree and took pictures. I'm glad our law enforcement doesn't do that anymore!
1) Oh, brothel. Yes, Aberdeen was once considered one of the nation's most "wide-open" cities. Brothels had an entire district to themselves! And the best part? Women ran them! Madams made good money- one notable madam even drove a purple convertible through town and another allegedly shot her pimp (you go girl! she was acquitted). One of Aberdeen's final madams made a good $150,000 for herself- and that was before 1930. The funniest part about it all? The social morays of shopping for women in these times: housewives shopped in the morning, businesswomen shopped in the afternoon and working girls shopped late afternoon. I'm still confused - aren't working girls kind of like businesswomen? Glad I'm not in that era- I'd get myself all mixed up!
So there; I hope you're a little bit more tuned in to the rich historical past of our little community. If not, go make some history of your own!
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