Some Burnett boys who know the game

Originally published in the Pacific Coast Bulletin, September 28, 1922

Numerous reasons why the Burnett Mine produces coal in large quantities are herewith reproduced. If we had the time and our space permitted, we would name them from left to right, including Big Enough, front row, left, with a pick in his hand and Bigger in the center, who, it is claimed, can eat pie from the roof of the cook house.

But anyway, joking to one side, here are some of the men who work at Burnett, and they are A-1, conscientious employees, every man jack of them.

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Historic Berry Patch restaurant recalled

Originally published in the Maple Valley Historical Society Bugle, March 2010

At the February Historical Society program, workers and diners of the famous Berry Patch restaurant, 24809 SE 235th Pl, shared their memories of chicken dinners and berry pies.

According to records, the restaurant was originally built in 1931 as the Cedar River Homestead and owned by W.R. Brehm. He had previously operated stores at Fairfax and Wilkeson. About 1935 he began operating the Brehm’s Berry Patch at the homestead in partnership with Mrs. Lulu Anderson.

The restaurant was famous for its home-cooked chicken dinners and berry pies from fruit grown on the premises. After Brehm’s death in 1945, Mrs. Anderson continued the restaurant until her death in 1968.

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Railroad officials are delaying on bridge proposition

Originally published in the Maplevalley Messenger, September 22, 1921

No definite action has yet been taken by Milwaukee to authorize overhead crossing

Two weeks have elapsed since the plans for the overhead bridge across the [Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad] at Maplevalley were approved by the county commissioners. The matter is still in the hands of the railroad and awaiting authorization from Chicago in response to a telegram sent two weeks ago.

That the bridge will be put in there cannot be a shadow of a doubt. Should the railroad fail to make a reply inside of a week, the matter will be turned over to the Department of Public Works at Olympia. They are as anxious to see this crossing eliminated as are the people of Maplevalley.

Mr. Frank R. Spinning of the Department of Public Works has promised that a hearing will be held in Maplevalley provided the railroad company does not see fit to take immediate action.

This hearing we have no doubt will result in the department taking the matter into its own hands and ordering the installation of the bridge.

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Great good will result from Mine Rescue and First Aid competition, thinks Burnett

Originally published in the Pacific Coast Bulletin, September 21, 1922

By H.E.G.

Black Diamond’s First Aid team—a fine bunch of boys who aren’t a bit discouraged over their failure to win a cup at the recent meet.

Looking back over the Mine Rescue and First Aid competitions, Burnett camp is certain, as must be all the other camps, that only great good will result from the meet, regardless of which teams won the prizes.

The really astonishing proficiency shown by the teams, and the general interest displayed, was a stimulation and an encouragement to all, and from expressions heard rescue and aid work will not be permitted to languish from now on.

We predict that not only will the work be pressed with increasing vigor in connection with routing mine operations, but that when the next meet is held there will be many more teams on the field, and many more men to choose the teams from, than in the competitions recently closed.

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Black Diamond says it’s ‘neutral’ on Cedar County

Originally published in the Voice of the Valley, September 16, 1992

By Barbara Nilson

Valley Daily News graphic by Steve Nolan.

“In order to receive enabling legislation for Cedar County,” said David Fields, spokesman, “we had to name an incorporated city as the county seat so we selected Black Diamond.”

The Black Diamond City Council met Sept. 3 to discuss the proposal and voted unanimously that they would be glad to consider the proposition. “Of course,” said Mayor Howard Botts, “it all hinges on whether Cedar County becomes a reality.”

The official view, according to Mayor Botts, is that the city is neutral on the new county, neither opposing it nor promoting it.

“We’re certainly looking at it with interest,” he said. “It would mean a big change in Black Diamond.”

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Issaquah victorious at First Aid competitions held at Black Diamond

Originally published in the Pacific Coast Bulletin, September 14, 1922

Participants in big First Aid meet held at Black Diamond. Group picture of all teams in First Aid meet: Left to right, front row: Ed Kaminsky, Ed Poch, Robert Wallace, I.L. Clarke, George Kothe, Mark Bowers, B.F. Snook, George Halliday, W. P. Bowie, Harold Lloyd, E. Wendt, J.H. O’Reilly. Second row, Ted Rouse, S.B. Potts, Arthur Strankeman, G.L. Edwards, F.A. Connell, Theo Gustofson, C.W. Eidemiller, Alfred Waites, R. Signani, R. Moar, Ed Dichaud, J. McKim, G.M. MacMillan, George F. Schanz. Back row, Martin Taylor, Walter Pogota, L.W. Emery, Thomas Steele, John Eck, Syd Evans, Gus Edstrom, Thos. Chadbourne, J. Craugey, Jack Kimmaman.

Issaquah made almost a clean sweep of the prizes at the postponed First Aid meet at Black Diamond on last Sunday afternoon, winning first place in all but one event.

As with the Mine Rescue tests held at Burnett on the previous Monday, however, the contests were remarkably close, Burnett, Newcastle, Black Diamond, Fairfax and Carbonado, the other teams entered in the competition, all receiving high scores.

A difference of less than five points separated the lowest from the highest team in any of the problems, and in no instance did any of the entrants receive a rating below 90 percent.

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‘Girlie Club’ of 1962 Seattle Fair opens as family recreation center

Originally published in the Voice of the Valley, September 13, 1989

By Mary Pagni-Leavitt

Ravensdale’s Gracie Hansen building at long last abounds with life. The Southeast District Recreation Office of King County Parks and Recreation is now conducting classes there. A grand opening for the remodeled facility will be held Saturday, September 16, from 12 noon to 5 p.m.

Remember Gracie Hansen’s famous Paradise International Club at the 1962 Seattle World’s Fair

After a long period of inactivity and repeated assaults by weather and vandals at its present location in Ravensdale and an extended period of construction delays, it’s again going to be a place to go for fun and entertainment.

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Carbonado becomes Pacific Coast operation

Originally published in the Pacific Coast Bulletin, September 12, 1924

Carbonado coal bunkers and tipple: Deep down in the canyon of the Carbon River, and some distance down the stream from the mine tunnel entrances, is situated the bunkers and tipple of Carbonado Mine. The topography of the place fortunately permits the use of gravity to a very large extent in the handling of the coal.

On Tuesday, September 16, the Carbonado mine will become a part of the Pacific Coast Coal Company. The acquisition of this famous old property rounds out the holdings of this company by bringing in one of the largest deposits of high grade steam, gas and coking coal in the state.

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Shelter, board begin to rise

Originally published in the Voice of the Valley, September 11, 1974

Up it goes! The long-awaited reader board and bus shelter is on its way! Lions’ Club workers hope to have it completed soon.

Last Saturday found Johnny Markus and his Maple Valley Lions’ Club crew working vigorously on the long-awaited bus shelter and reader board in central Maple Valley.

Top, from left to right, in the picture are Kim Markus, Hank Gartrell, and Jim Bain. Below are Gary Habenicht and Johnny Markus. Mike Davis, not in the picture, also worked on the project.

The shelter now can be used as protection from rain and weather. It is expected to be fully completed within the next two weeks. It was a joint Lions-community project.

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Plans for bridge approved today by commissioners

Originally published in the Maplevalley Messenger, September 8, 1921

Overhead crossing plans get official O.K. from board of county commissioners

Plans for the overhead bridge across the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad at Maplevalley, which were prepared by the county engineer’s office, were approved and declared an emergency by the county commissioners today.

An estimate on the work from the engineer’s office places the probable cost of bridge and fill at $7,000.

The Seattle office of the Milwaukee has also approved the plans and a telegram has been sent to Chicago requesting authority to go ahead with the work.

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