Western Cold Storage was major business in 1941

E-mail from Cheryl

Facts from the past gleaned from the Moses Lake Herald, Columbia Basin Herald and The Neppel Record by Cheryl (Driggs) Elkins:

From the Moses Lake Herald on July 31, 1941:

Western Cold Storage

Under the able management of R.W. Smith and C.H. Reisner for the past three years, the Western Cold Storage Plant Here has become one of the leading business institutions of Moses Lake and draws its customers from a wide scope of territory.

It is equipped to store about 100,000 bushels of grain, which is bonded and insured. Potato men of the area also find it very desirable to sort and store many hundred bushels of potatoes each year. The second story is used every fall for sorting and packing apples and getting them ready for the market.

Another good feature is the locker service where meat, fruit, etc., can be frozen and preserved for as long a time as desired.

The Western Cold Storage is indeed a growing business and a real asset to Moses Lake.

Oiling completed

Frank Lees, county road supervisor, reports that the county road crew has just completed oiling four miles from the state highway to the Mae Post office.

Nine out for fire drill

By constant practice and drilling, the Volunteer Fire Department is becoming more efficient every day. Nine members turned out to the Wednesday night fire drill this week.

Several patches of weeds and cheat grass were burned off under the protection of the fire boys, which tends to lessen the fire hazard in the village. Fire Chief George Hochstatter is very proud of this volunteer fire company and is anxious to improve its efficiency.

Grant County Sportsmen Picnic

The Grant County Sportsmen Picnic was held at the Harris Beach on Blue Lake last Sunday. Many from this section attended in the predatory contest sponsored by the association including the following lads from the Moses Lake District.

Herbert Schmidt, Wheeler, 114,175 points, a .22 caliber rifle. Tom Dills, Wheeler, 99,725 points, sleeping bag. Donald Goodwin, Mae, 44,775 points, fishing pole.

Sammy Hockstetter, Moses Lake, 28,125, baseball mitt. Herbert Hockstetter, Moses Lake 5 cell spotlight. Edwin Ruff, wheeler, 15,800 points, fishing tackle box. Herbert spies, Wheeler, 9,575 points, flashlight.

Dennis note: In the July 31, 1941 edition of the Moses Lake Herald, the spelling of the name Hochstetter was with a K, instead of an H. So, did the reporter make a mistake or did the family change the spelling of the name?

Thank you!!!

The following letter was received this week from Hugh Blonk, assistant director of information for the Bureau of Reclamation at Coulee Dam, Wash.

Mr. G.D. Arnold, Moses Lake, Wash.

Dear Glenn, Noted with extreme interest an article in the Wenatchee Daily World stating that you and Mrs. Arnold would publish a paper in Moses Lake.

I wish to take this opportunity to wish you both much success in your new venture. If we of this office can be of any help to you at any time don’t hesitate to write us. Sincerely yours, Division of Information.

From the CBH on Nov. 11, 1975:

Guard schedules visit by recruiter

Dale Harrell, Coast Guard Recruiter from Yakima will be at the Sage & Sands Motel in Moses Lake Thursday.

Thursday he will also be at Quincy, Ephrata and Soap Lake high schools. On Friday, he will be at Moses Lake and Othello high schools.

Permit sale opens

Officials of the Wenatchee National Forest today reminded potential Christmas tree cutters that a limited number of $1 individual permits are being issued by Forest Ranger districts.

Permits, which must be obtained in advance of cutting, entitle the holder to cut one tree on designated National Forest areas.

Individuals who wish to cut trees on private land must, under state law, obtain permission from the landowner and must have a bill of sale with them when transporting such trees.

Christmas tree cutters are reminded that many forest areas are already wet or snowy. Vehicles should have good treaded tires and carry chains, a shovel and a good jack just in case they are needed. Clothing should be suitable to ward off cold and wet weather.

Coin show announced

The Tri-City Coin Club will sponsor its 15th Atomic Coin Pow Wow at the Red Lion Motor Inn, 2525 N. Chase, in Pasco on Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 15 and 16.

There will be exhibits of coins, currency and metals. Dealers from the northwest will operate tables for buying and selling.

Admission is free. Doors will be open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.the