100 years ago
Famed orator and politician William Jennings Bryan stopped in Vancouver on Sept. 12, 1924. Spotted buying tomatoes by Weigel’s Cash Grocery owner George H. Weigel, Bryan was “in the best of spirits and health.” Handshaking and “a few minutes of conversation” occurred before Bryan left for a speaking engagement in Seattle.
75 years ago
In September 1949, 26 state game department employees spread rotenone in Lacamas Lake to rid it of scrap fish. Fourteen boats distributed 20,000 pounds of the poisoning agent over 360 acres of water. It took about 90 minutes before the small fish began rising to the surface. In short order, larger species also floated up. Spectators, equipped with nets, dipped fish from the bank. It took five or six weeks for the poison to completely leave the lake.
50 years ago
On Sept. 9, 1974, Columbian reporters interviewed Vancouverites about President Gerald Ford granting a pardon to ex-President Richard Nixon over Watergate. Ford had issued the pardon the day prior. Most locals felt it was unjust Nixon received a pardon because of the responsibilities he held as chief executive. Others were undecided. Some respondents, citing weariness over Watergate and a desire to focus on more pressing issues such as inflation, expressed passive acceptance.
25 years ago
The 28th annual Vancouver Sausage Festival took place Sept. 10-12, 1999, at St. Joseph Catholic Church. It featured 10,000 ears of corn and 5,400 pounds of sausage, as well as local vendors and entertainers. Festivalgoers could enjoy the encased meat on a stick, in a bun, as a sandwich with mustard or sauerkraut, or just by itself. Proceeds would benefit St. Joseph Catholic School.
Katie Bush is public historian at the Clark County Historical Museum.
