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Tag: History

Horrible Murder!! – The Case of the Aged Bride

Horrible Murder!! – The Case of the Aged Bride

From the desk of Marlys Rudeen I will admit to a weakness for a murder mystery – but one from the early 1920’s with shady characters, a missing trunk, divers in Lake Union, forgery, fraud and general unsavoriness?  Well, that’s irresistible.  And all done up in purple prose by the Seattle Star?  Even better! Feel free to follow the story yourself by looking at the Seattle Star in Chronicling America (http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn87093407/issues/1921/).  I’ve listed the dates and pages below. May 25,…

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WSL Updates for June 11, 2015

WSL Updates for June 11, 2015

Volume 11, June 11, 2015 for the WSL Updates mailing list Topics include: 1) MAKE HISTORY COME ALIVE WITH ZINES! 2) PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT GRANTS 3) BOOK YOUR BANK PILOT PROGRAM OPPORTUNITY 4) NORTHWEST ELEARN CONFERENCE 2015 5) JUNE IS GLBT BOOK MONTH 6) FREE CE OPPORTUNITIES NEXT WEEK ————————————————————————————————————— 1) MAKE HISTORY COME ALIVE WITH ZINES! Washington State Library, a division of the Office of the Secretary of State, is sponsoring the 1st Annual Historical Zine Contest with co-sponsors Washington…

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Thurs. December 11th Book Talk – JOHN TORNOW

Thurs. December 11th Book Talk – JOHN TORNOW

Courtesy of the Author   Washington State Library will host author Bill Lindstrom at a book talk featuring his recently published novel John Tornow: Villain or Victim? The untold story of the “Wildman of the Wynooche”. “The book is about John Tornow, alleged killer of six men. The author introduces a far more compassionate individual seeking to be left alone in the solace of the woods he so much enjoyed.” –XLibris, publisher. Join us for this fascinating book talk: Thursday,…

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October 1st Event – Audio Archaeology at Madigan Army Hospital’s Radio Station

October 1st Event – Audio Archaeology at Madigan Army Hospital’s Radio Station

In this Washington State Archaeology Month presentation, Dale Sadler and Duane Colt Denfeld of Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) Cultural Resources Program will examine a fascinating part of Washington State’s history that was discovered during renovations in 2011 at Madigan Army Medical Center on JBLM in Pierce County. At that time thousands of phonograph records and other musical artifacts were found hidden behind a gymnasium wall.

50 years of preserving and exploring in the North Cascades of Washington.

50 years of preserving and exploring in the North Cascades of Washington.

From the desk of Sean Lanksbury, PNW & Special Collections Librarian A small selection of resources tracing 50 years of preserving and exploring in the North Cascades of Washington. On September 3, 1964 President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the wilderness act as a result of pressure from national and state level citizens and organizations who shared similar concerns about the protection of the United States uninhabited environments amidst increasing industrialization and population growth.  Four years following that act, the North Cascades National…

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Spokane – Wide Open Town?

Spokane – Wide Open Town?

From the desk of Marlys Rudeen. While looking through issues of the Newport Miner for 1907, I came across the following quote – “Poor old Spokane has had to bow to the inevitable, and beginning next Sunday the lid will be jammed down so hard that visitors will hardly recognize the town. Mayor Moore has issued an order calling for the closing of all saloons on Sunday and abolishing the notorious cribs and concert halls.” Jan. 9, 1908, p. 5…

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William Gohl – Not a Nice Man

William Gohl – Not a Nice Man

From the desk of Marlys Rudeen One of the most notorious citizens of Aberdeen in the early 20th century was William Gohl. While he might have listed his occupation as agent for the Sailors’ Union of the Pacific, his real job included such duties as graft, theft, extortion, arson, and murder. The local paper, the Aberdeen Herald, documents some of Gohl’s history through his trial and conviction for two murders in 1910. You can follow the story through the newspaper…

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New Archives feature helps teachers & students

New Archives feature helps teachers & students

(Map courtesy of Washington State Library) Several of our divisions and programs have much to offer teachers and students. A recent addition to the State Archives webpage features items from throughout the OSOS website that focus on history so they can be used in classrooms. Included are links to online exhibits, Legacy Project oral histories, classic Washington history books and historic newspapers from the State Library, and photos, maps and other documents from the State Archives. The Teachers and Students…

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NW Card File Starts the Journey to Online Access

NW Card File Starts the Journey to Online Access

From the desk of Steve Willis, Central Library Services Program Manager of the Washington State Library: What do these people have in common? John Anderson – the Swedish immigrant who served as a consulting engineer in the construction of the USS Monitor and after the Civil War settled in King County, where he continued to tinker and invent. Grover Andrews – “The Destroying Angel” who was a leader the Morrisite Colony in the Waitsburg region in the 1880s. Donald Archer –…

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