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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015 Issue 4 - Memories by Dail Butler Laughery.pdfBirth, Life & Death on exhibit Dec. 8th at RHM. President’s Report by Stefanie McIrvin, Board President. Public Engagement Report by Mark Mulder. Museum Report by Elizabeth P. Stewart, Director. EDITOR’S NOTE: Dail Butler Laughery moved to Renton as a very young girl after her mother’s death in 1903. She spent her childhood in Renton and remained here until 1918, living with her paternal grandparents, James W. and Hattie W. Butler, while her father earned a living. In addition to her brother Cecil, Dail’s extended family included aunts Melba, Fae, and Alma and uncles James and Glenn; in the 1910 census, most of them were living together in a house on Park Avenue. Dail married Cecil Laughery in 1921, and would become a published poet and National Poetry Contest winner. Though Dail was here for only 15 years, it was at a critical time in the city’s history immediately following Renton’s 1901 incorporation as a fourth-class city. Mrs. Laughery felt a strong connection to the area and produced many writings about memories of her youthful days here. The following are excerpts from her reminiscences, which are housed at the Renton History Museum. DAIL BUTLER LAUGHERY I was born in Spokane County to Nellie Campbell Butler and Adrian Lloyd Butler, their third child, on February 28th, 1900. Also In This Issue... RENTON HISTORICALSOCIETY & MUSEUM Winter December 2015 Volume 46 Number 4 Continued on page 5 2 4 83 MEMORIES QUARTERLY by Dail Butler Laughery 2 | RENTON HISTORY MUSEUM BIRTH, LIFE & DEATH D octors followed the westward expansion across America. Renton’s first doctor, Dr. Abijah Beach, arrived in 1883. As Renton quickly grew he was followed by many hardworking men and women who took care of the masses. Birth, Life & Death illustrates the story of Renton’s rich medical history including Dr. Adolph Bronson, Nurse Olive Guitteau, Dr. Charles Dixon, Dr. Hugh Adams, Nurse Gertrude Adams and more. It features numerous historic photographs and antique medical tools and uniforms, many on display for the first time! From DECEMBER 8 To MAY 21 HOLIDAY GIFTS AVAILABLE AT MUSEUM Birth &Death Life NEW STATE HISTORIC SITE IN RENTON As always, the Museum has gift memberships available for purchase during this holiday season. Additionally, we have new merchandise in our gift shop. We know you’ve been waiting for a new museum t-shirt and there are now t-shirts available! We have adult sizes S-XXL and children’s sizes S-XL. The kid’s shirts have the new logo emblazoned across the front, and the adult shirts have the main logo on the back and our new initials on the front. We also have ceramic mugs for sale, as well as postcards and note cards with Renton scenes, the only selection in town. In October the F. W. Woolworth’s building at Third and Williams was listed on the Washington State Register of Historic Places, and its nomination was forwarded on to the National Register. Constructed in 1954, the Woolworth’s was specially built to be the first all self- service department store in the state. The building was designed in the International Style, a common mid-20th century architecture that relied on simplified forms and plenty of glass. Along with the J. C. Penney’s, Woolworth’s served as an anchor for a vibrant downtown until it closed in the mid-1970s. Renton Western Wear occupied the building from 1989-2013. WINTER QUARTERLY, 2015 | 3 MUSEUM REPORT QUARTERLY Winter 2015 Change is SO difficult. In the past twelve months we have lost four Museum supporters, members, and volunteers who have been near and dear to all of us. Each one fulfilled an important role in the life of the Museum, and each is irreplaceable. Councilmember Terri Briere and her husband Bill were always ready with advice and construction assistance when a facility project came up. We’re thinking of them as we prepare to renovate our lobby and offices in early 2016. Until her death in January, longtime Board of Trustees member Susie Bressan served skillfully as Chair of our fundraiser, wrangling auction items and event volunteers to create fun and profitable events. She was very much on our minds as we tried a new History-Making Party at The Red House on October 4. And now Don Custer, former Renton Mayor and long- term Museum volunteer, has also passed. Ten years ago Don spearheaded a team of volunteers who revised the popular Morda Slauson book, Renton, From Coal to Jets, and more recently he was a key volunteer on the Friends of Renton High School’s Wall of Honor initiative. We’ll be thinking of Don every time we need an answer to a Renton history question and he’s not around to help us. (See page 11 for more on Don.) Each of these men and women is precious and irreplaceable, and yet our mission to preserve and educate about Renton’s history has to be bigger than any one of us. Change goes on all around us—just look at the upheaval in the Museum’s neighborhood right now, as the Lofts at Second and Main spring up and the Pacific Glass building comes down. But the Renton History Museum’s mission and vision inspire us to find a way to look to the future as we preserve the disappearing past. When he became Mayor in 1964, Don Custer had a vision of a city with a strong community core—a library, City Hall, Community Center, and theatre—clustered around the Cedar River. His vision inspired others to help make that happen, and fifty years later, we are the beneficiaries of that willingness to embrace change, no matter how scary. And now, even as we mourn their loss, we must find a way to continue the vision that these four leaders had, of a Museum housed in a state-of-the-art historic building, one that is a steward of the past with a sustainable plan for the future, unafraid of trying new experiments that will keep us relevant to future generations. We will never forget those who gave so much of their time, energy, and spirit; we hope we can honor their memory by improving on what they started. by Elizabeth P. Stewart, Museum Director City Councilmember Terri Briere. RENTON HISTORICAL QUARTERLY Sarah Samson Graphic Design & Layout Karl Hurst City of Renton Print & Mail Services RENTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY BOARD OF TRUSTEES Stefanie McIrvin, President Kim Sweet, Vice President Laura Clawson, Treasurer Elizabeth P. Stewart, Secretary Alice Stenstrom, 2016 Lisa Wivag, 2016 Vicki Jo Utterstrom, 2017 Betsy Prather, 2018 Vinod Waghamare, 2018 MUSEUM STAFF Elizabeth P. Stewart Museum Director Sarah Samson Collection Manager Mark Mulder Public Engagement Coordinator Laurie Lent Office Aide RENTON HISTORY MUSEUM 235 MILL AVENUE S RENTON, WA 98057 P (425) 255-2330 F (425) 255-1570 HOURS: Tuesday - Saturday 10:00am - 4:00pm ADMISSION: $3 (Adult) $1 (Child) Renton Historical Society Board Member Susie Bressan. Former Mayor Don Custer emceeing our 2012 Dinner Auction. 4 | RENTON HISTORY MUSEUM PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Autumn is fundraising time for Renton nonprofits. This year the Renton Historical Society put a slightly different spin on our usual Dinner Auction by teaming up with Renton restauranteur Gene Sens. Gene very generously offered us the use of The Red House on a Sunday afternoon in October, and we jumped at the chance for a partnership with this much-loved Renton institution! We got a perfectly sunny day for our event, and almost 160 people bought tickets to enjoy tastings of wine, beer, cider, cheese, and meats, as well as a delicious Red House buffet. Gene had the chance to unveil many of the design changes he made this summer to the second floor of the restaurant, particularly the historic photos that remind diners of Old Renton. Many of our guests stayed out on the deck to listen to guitarist Angelo Pizarro and combo Jazz Horn. We sold hundreds of raffle tickets, the proceeds of which helped get us halfway to our fundraising goal for 2015. Our proceeds were more modest than at other events, but the History-Making Party helped us hit many of our other goals. Thanks in part to Gene and Red House clientele, we were able to introduce the Renton Historical Society and the Renton History Museum to many new people. Because it was a different kind of event for us, folks who didn’t know anything about the Museum decided to give us a try for the first time; we’re hoping they’ll come back for more! We were also delighted to begin building a partnership with a Downtown Renton business-owner, because we’re always open to working with our Downtown friends. And we even picked up a few new members and some potential Board members. All in all, the event was a success, and we’ll be hosting another History-Making Party again sometime in 2016. Speaking of Board members, we’ll be accepting applications through the end of the year for a group of new trustees to start in January. We’ve got some exciting projects coming up in 2016, including the renovation of our Museum lobby, the development of a new strategic plan, and membership building events, so it’s a great time to join the Renton Historical Society Board. We are looking for enthusiastic community members with skills in event planning, fundraising, marketing, strategic planning, public speaking, and especially bookkeeping and/or accounting. If you’re looking for a fun volunteer opportunity that will build your leadership skills and help you learn about your community, this is the place for you! Contact Liz Stewart by email at estewart@rentonwa.gov or by phone at 425.255.2330, and we’ll get you signed up. Thanks for your support, and we’ll look forward to seeing more of you in 2016! by Stefanie McIrvin, President UPCOMING EVENTS FREE SATURDAY TOURS Every 3rd Saturday 11:00 am-12:00 pm Our knowledgeable docents lead free tours every 3rd Saturday of the month. MOVIE SCREENING: PROMISED LAND June 11 4:00-6:30 pm A documentary, Promised Land tells the story of the Duwamish and Chinook nations fight for sovereignty and federal recognition with the world. Guests of the History-Making Party enjoying Jazz Horn on the patio. Stefanie McIrvin President EXHIBIT OPENING FOR BIRTH, LIFE & DEATH December 10 5:30-7:30 pm Join us to celebrate the opening of our new exhibit Birth, Life & Death! Light refreshments will be served. Birth &Death Life Former Museum staffer Colleen Lenahan and Justin Hansen celebrating their raffle win. WINTER QUARTERLY, 2015 | 5 My mother had had inflammatory rheumatism when she was 14 years old and she developed what was then called leakage of the heart for which she had to take digitalis. She had a girl working for her, and when the girl saw the word POISON on the label of the bottle, she threw Mother’s medicine down the outside toilet. Mother must have been too weak to protest, as digitalis, which had been used for heart treatment for over a thousand years, was the only medicine which could keep Mother alive. She died on January 5, 1903 just before my third birthday. Needless to say, I have missed her all my life. WHEN IS MY BIRTHDAY? As I grew older, I noticed that everyone had a birthday, so I asked Grandmother Butler when my birthday was. Father said February 20th, an aunt said it was February 22nd and Grandmother said it was February 28th. Since no one seemed to know for sure, I remember saying, “Then I’ll take February 26th, so I can celebrate my birthday, too.” About 40 years ago, I made a trip to Spokane and went to the old Court House to look up the record. I found that a baby girl was born to Adrian and Nellie Butler on February 28, 1900. Of course I told the auditor or clerk to put my name on their record as I had been that baby. The Continued from page 1 Cover photo: Bookkeeping gate at Pacific Car & Foundry, 1918. L-R: unknown, Violet Hayes, Hazel Naud, unknown, and Dail Butler. (RHM# 1992.100.9963) MEMORIES James W. and Hattie Butler home, 211 Park Ave. N., 1918. This was the fourth house built in North Renton and was Dail Butler’s childhood home. (RHM# 1973.013.4555) 6 | RENTON HISTORY MUSEUM next year I tried to change from February 26th to 28th, but habit is strong. Some remembered the 26th, and some the 28th of the month, so ever since I have celebrated all three days and enjoy every birthday as it comes. DIPTHERIA When I was between five and six years of age, I had a very severe case of diptheria. Grandfather believed himself to be a “Magnetic Healer” and tried to cure my closing throat, but of course, to no avail. Grandmother finally called Aunt Fae and she came right down from their home on Riverton Heights.Since she had nurses’ training, it didn’t take her long to figure out an excuse to send Grandfather uptown. As soon as he went out the door, she called Dr. Bronson to come quickly, which he did and he administered some antitoxin. I well remember when he put the needle in my back to administer the medication. Bless him, he came back several times and gave me medicine and shots to relieve my aching throat. Then Aunt Fae would have me open my mouth and she would spray my throat with Listerine. Each time Dr. Bronson came, he would take me on his knee and hug me and give me pennies, nickels or a dime. He was such a fine understanding man, that I have always been most grateful to him. After I was married and my husband and I were living in North Renton, I was privileged to have him with me to deliver my lovely baby girl.1 FIRE AT PACIFIC CAR & FOUNDRY Since my father, Adrian Lloyd Butler, was one of the early volunteer firemen of Renton, we were all very conscious of any Cecil and Dail Butler, 1911. (RHM# 1973.013.4556) Aftermath of the fire at Seattle Car Works (later Pacific Car & Foundry), 1908. (RHM# 1973.013.4554) WINTER QUARTERLY, 2015 | 7 fire in the valley. It took six men to roll out the big old hose on the red carts, but that was their best and only way to fight fire in the early days of Renton. When the fire bells rang, everyone ran to see where the fire was located.2 One hot day in the summer of 1908 or ‘09, the fire bells rang out all over town, meaning there was a big fire somewhere. We could see the hose carts rushing over the bridge on Cedar River into North Renton so Grandmother called my Aunt Melba [Butler] at the telephone switchboard in South Renton, only to learn that the fire was north of us and over eight blocks. We all ran the eight blocks to see huge columns of grey smoke, where the Pacific Car and Foundry was located. Of course, we children were all barefooted, and I recall the warm dust of Park Avenue and as we turned to the trail leading north and east of Bennett’s Corner, how cool the green grass was as we skipped over it in our hurry.3 Grandmother, and my aunts, Alma and Fae, raced along with us, and such a fire as it was! The red, yellow, orange and blue flames raced along the timbers of the buildings, and then turned to dark billowing, forbidding grey clouds of smoke as it reached the upper air and spread out all over the valley. The flaming timbers were falling and the copper wires gleamed where the insulation had burned off. It was truly an awesome sight. Several of the hose companies were struggling to put out the fire, but most of the buildings were burned to the ground before they could get the fire under control. It looked like all of North Renton had come to help the firefighters control the flames, but the fire had had too great a head start and all they could do was to “let ‘er burn.” It was a terrific loss to the young Pacific Car and Foundry Company. They rebuilt and in later years made hundreds of box cars. I worked there in 1917 and 1918, and I remember writing an invoice for 2000 box cars for the Northern Pacific R.R. HIGH SCHOOL DAYS When I was 15 and in my sophomore year at old Renton High School, I had Miss [Estella] Kirschke for my English teacher. She spoke such beautiful English that I learned a lot under her direction. One assignment she gave us was to choose a sentence or partial sentence and make up a story about it. I chose the one that I knew no one else would choose…. Of all the stories turned in that year, mine made the High School annual. I called it, “When Freeze Out Failed.”4 That is the only Annual I ever had from high school. It was very precious to me, and I put it in the bottom of my cedar chest when I left Renton. When I got around to send[ing] for my cedar chest, I never found my Annual. Someone had picked the lock and took my Annual. I was heartbroken. When I was 16, just half way through my junior year in Renton High [in 1918], Grandmother was told that I wasn’t going to pass anyway, so she took me out of school and put me to work for $12 a month helping a neighbor who was ill. Needless to say, I cried when I had to turn my books in, and I cried all the way home. I wanted so much to graduate with my class. I have been trying all my life to make up for that last year and a half that I missed so long ago. Continued on page 10 Friendship Club, ca. 1924. Includes members of the Renton High School classes of 1918 and 1919. Dail Butler Laughery is top row, right, holding her daughter Nellie. (RHM# 1992.100.3567) 8 | RENTON HISTORY MUSEUM Hello! In the few weeks since I began work at the museum I have already had the pleasure of meeting many of the people who make the Renton History Museum such an amazing resource for this city. From daily visitors and school groups, to volunteers and city employees, I have been continually impressed by the community that exists around this museum. I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself to those of you who I may not have had the opportunity to meet. My name is Mark Mulder and I am the new Public Engagement Coordinator for the Renton History Museum. Born and raised in Michigan, I moved to Washington in 2008 when my wife took a teaching position in Tacoma. I finished a history degree at Pacific Lutheran University where I focused my studies on early 20th-century history, specifically World War I, World War II, and the Holocaust. While attending PLU I began working at the Holocaust Center of Humanity in Seattle (formerly the Washington State Holocaust Education Resource Center) in the Education Department. My responsibilities quickly expanded to collection management, working with interns and volunteers, and helping with fundraisers. My experience working at the Holocaust Center led me to the University of Washington, where I earned an PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT REPORT by Mark Mulder, Public Engagement Coordinator M.A. in Museology in 2014. After graduation I took a job as the Vice President of Retail for Schilling Cider, which was a fun position in many ways, but made me miss the museum world. This summer I left that job and began the process that led me here. Currently, my wife Julie is a teacher at Lakeridge Elementary in the Renton School District, and we have recently relocated to Renton from Seattle. As if a new job and a move weren’t enough, we are expecting our first child at the end of December! I am a huge soccer fan, I read a lot of fantasy and science fiction, and I love the outdoors. I really enjoy going on adventures and traveling, and the Pacific Northwest has become one of my favorite places in the world. I have had the privilege to study, travel, and live around the globe, and the PNW has more to offer than perhaps anywhere I have ever been. I also have two sassy dogs. As the Public Engagement Coordinator, I consider it my responsibility to make sure the Renton History Museum is a useful, fun, and informative place for you and our community. If you are interested in volunteering, or if you simply want to talk to me about the museum, please don’t hesitate to reach out! Mark and his wife Julie, a Renton School District teacher. Mark Mulder Public Engagement Coordinator Mark working at the Holocaust Center of Humanity in Seattle. Mark’s two dogs, Emmet and Walter. WINTER QUARTERLY, 2015 | 9 MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS August 13, 2015 - November 15, 2015 Wayne H. Armstrong Al & Shirley Armstrong Don & Pearl Burrows Ed & Mary Jean Cooks Sarah Jane Hisey & Howard Nelson Ted & Gerry McLendon Robert & Gilda Youngquist Bill Belmondo Marlys Aliment Anonymous Al & Shirley Armstrong Ed & Mary Jean Cooks Sarah Jane Hisey & Howard Nelson Shirley Phinney Rachel Thomas George Bill Wendell & Cleo Forgaard Donna Rae (Balzarini) Burton Wendell & Cleo Forgaard Betty Sipila Mario & Victor Tonda Walter Cockrill Wendell & Cleo Forgaard Donald Ward Custer Cheryl Adamscheck Carol Howard Aguayo Louie & Pam Barei Greg & Carrie Bergquist Carolyn & Will Calhoun Don & Carmel Camerini Sharon & Ron Clymer Darold & Gloria Cooter Bill & Eleanor Dixon Vicki Dallosto & Rob Elliott Angelina Della Rossa Linda Della Rossa Robert & Karen Edwards Wendell & Cleo Forgaard Attilio & Jean Franceschina Wanda Franceschina Richard & Judith Lucotch and Bernice Nichols Joe & Martha Mackenzie Beatrice Mathewson Nancy Monahan Shirley Phinney Jim & Joy Poff Laureen Ross & Earl Higginbotham Sarah & Wil Samson Mark & Barbara Santos-Johnson Jana Tobacco Mario & Victor Tonda Rosemary Wehrman Robert & Gilda Youngquist Gary Gotti Greg & Carrie Bergquist Jim Hurner, Sr. Wendell & Cleo Forgaard Jean “Hill” Johnson Wendell & Cleo Forgaard Donald L. Marbet Greg & Carrie Bergquist Karen Medgard Sidebotham Shirley Phinney, Tim Phinney, Debbie Hagen Louis R. Traverso Richard & Judith Lucotch Mario & Victor Tonda Jim Vangel Wendell & Cleo Forgaard Dollie “Flaherty ” White Sharon & Ron Clymer MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS OF $100 OR MORE Lindy Aliment Eda & Teresa Pozzobon William Belmondo Craig Hiserman & Freddie Foulke Donald Ward Custer Norman & Carol Abrahamson Ben & Geri Bush Karren Emmons Don & Judy Gunderson Gerald & Mary Marsh Arline McCready Dr. Blayne Perleth Eda & Teresa Pozzobon Milton Fiamengo Ted & Gerry McLendon MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS OF $500 OR MORE Donald Ward Custer H. A. & Janet Blencoe Lydia & Steve Delmore GENERAL CONTRIBUTIONS Marjorie Avolio Janet Belmondo Joan Clark Jeffrey Conner Margaret Feaster Don & Judy Gunderson Dan & Elizabeth Hemenway Sarah Jane Hisey Arthur Jarvis Claudette Lorimor Beatrice Mathewson King Parker Shirley Phinney Mary Sutter Kim & Greg Sweet Michael & Pamela Teal Martha Wine Marlene Winter GENERAL CONTRIBUTIONS OF $100 OR MORE Jim & Char Baker Glenn Garrett Dan & Elizabeth Hemenway Bob & Phyllis Hunt Denis & Patty Law Marian Schultz GENERAL CONTRIBUTIONS OF $500 OR MORE Kim & Greg Sweet MATCHING GIFT CONTRIBUTION Cheryl Adamscheck Boeing Matching Gift Program Glenn Garrett Boeing Matching Gift Program Bob Hunt Boeing Matching Gift Program IN-KIND CONTRIBUTIONS Stefanie & Ryan McIrvin NEW MEMBERS Jill & Jerry Devenport Lyly Fisher Dee Thierry Ed Torkelson & Kathy Kearney Vinod Waghamare BENEFACTOR MEMBERS Shirley Lindberg GIFT MEMBERSHIP DONORS Judy Leu 7TH GRADERS VISIT MUSEUM In October and November the Museum hosted 423 7th graders from Dimmitt, McKnight, and Nelsen Middle Schools. As part of their Family and Consumer Science class, students visited with Mayor Law, the Fire and Police Departments, King County Library System, 1st Financial NW Bank, and the Renton Senior Activity Center. Volunteer Shirley Phinney & her great-grandson. 10 | RENTON HISTORY MUSEUM GRANDMOTHER ELECTED COUNCILWOMAN On January 7, 1919, Grandmother was installed for a one year term as Councilman for the City of Renton. To my knowledge, she had been elected to be the first Councilwoman in the State of Washington.5 We had spent the day in Seattle, and when we returned home, much to her surprise, she had been elected Councilman. She always said, “Here I go to spend a day in Seattle, a perfectly happy and respected woman, and when I got home I found myself elected as Councilman!” HENRY MOSES I first saw Henry Moses in 1912 as he stepped through the wire fence that separated his family’s land from the high school property. I had been elected Captain of the girls’ team and I always had two Lieutenants[,] and the boys who had been elected went with us to learn new games and new marches under Professor Leper, who came out from Seattle every Friday to teach the school’s many children. One time when my husband and I stopped to see Henry and his wife, Chrissie, he said he first saw me in 1911 when we moved to the Hardie Place about a city block down the Black River from his place. Anyway, we became friends for a lifetime and both Henry and Chrissie wrote me many letters… Everyone in Renton liked Henry as a boy, as a man and a friend. He was such a good honest person. He was so well- liked at school that they named their football and basketball teams the Renton Indians which the school still uses. He took part in any sport that was played in the old Renton High gym. He also played the drums in the high school band. He was an expert swimmer and no one could manipulate his old dug out canoe as well. He would float down the Black River with the swift current, while standing up in his canoe, which I thought was a wonderful feat in itself. He had many friends, but one of his best friends was Dave Pugh all through school and until Dave died.6 I liked to walk the trails around the mountains on either side of Renton, and many times I would see them along the same trail. A few years ago when my husband and I stopped to see Henry and Chrissie, Henry asked Chrissie to get something in the bedroom that they had been saving for me. It was a beautiful Indian basket made by Henry’s aunt, Chief Seattle’s niece.7 His aunt had entered the basket in the San Francisco Fair in 1915 and it had won second place of all baskets entered. So we are very thankful and proud that Henry and Chrissie both wanted us to have it. I wrote a poem, My Indian Basket, to thank them for their precious gift. Needless to say, we treasure it very highly and appreciate it so very much. It is really a work of art she created, while weaving the common reeds that were found along the shores and marshes of Lake Washington. In 1968, the old Renton High School pupils had a special evening in honor of Henry Moses. There were around three hundred there, and we all enjoyed seeing him. He gave a talk, saying that, “All of us here in this room tonight are the pioneers of Renton.” How right he was, but how few of us realized the fact! There we were, all ready to celebrate his special evening and he realized more than any of us, how fleeting is our time on earth. Continued from page 7 ENDNOTES 1 Dail Butler married Cecil Laughery on October 22, 1921 and her first child, Cecil, was born a year later. Her first daughter, Nellie Marie, was born in 1924. Dail had three other children, all sons: Bill, Richard, and Jack. 2 The historical record is silent on this fire, although our collection includes one photo of its aftermath. It was the lack of an organized response to a horrific fire in Renton in 1899 that stimulated the drive to become a city; the Renton Volunteer Fire Department was started soon after that. Joe Wood took over as Chief in 1906 and served until his death in 1932. In 1907 the Seattle Car Manufacturing Co. (later Pacific Car & Foundry) selected a North Renton site for an expansion, and that same summer, as construction progressed in Renton, the Seattle factory burned to the ground. 3 Bill Bennett operated a grocery store at the corner of Third Street North and Park Avenue, just a couple blocks from the then-Seattle Car & Foundry Co. 4 The Museum’s collection includes the 1917 Renton High School annual. There is no class list for the sophomores, but Dail’s story appears in the sophomore section of the annual. 5 Dail’s grandmother Hattie M. Butler was in fact the first female City Councilmember in the state of Washington. “First Woman Councilman Dies,” Renton Chronicle, 19 October 1939, p.1. 6 Later in life David J. Pugh served as Renton City Councilmember from 1945 to 1947 and was Streets Commissioner at the time of his death. “Death Takes David J. Pugh of Renton,” Renton Chronicle, ca. 10 October 1956, n.p. 7 Henry Moses’s aunt was Lucy Keokuk. Renton City Councilmember Hattie Butler, ca. 1920s. (RHM# 1981.102.1519) Basket made by Henry Moses’s aunt Lucy Keokuk, ca. 1915. (RHM# 1984.026.001) WINTER QUARTERLY, 2015 | 11 On October 29 the City of Renton and the Renton Historical Society lost an irreplaceable leader: former Mayor Donald Ward Custer. Born in Renton on November 5, 1935, Mayor Custer was the first of Dorothy Thompson and Donald N. Custer’s three sons. He grew up in Renton, running the streets in overalls with his friends. He graduated from Renton High School in 1953. His entry in the 1953 Illahee annual was the longest of any senior; he was involved in academic clubs, drama, choir, Torch Club, track, and on and on. Don began his political career by running for—and losing—student body president. After high school Don attended the University of Washington and graduated with a degree in Marketing. In 1962 he secured a seat on Renton’s City Council. He served for two years before running for Mayor and winning. At 28 he MEMBERSHIP FORM Please select a membership level: Individual $30 Student/Senior $20 Family $40 Benefactor $75 Patron $150 Business/Corporate $175 Life membership $750 Basic memberships Sustaining memberships Name: Address: Phone: Payment information Visa or MC #: Exp. date: Signature: Please make checks payable to the Renton Historical Society. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation! Your donations help us provide new exhibits and exciting programs. Donation: $ ME M B E R S H I P L E V E L S Ba s i c m e m b e r s h i p s Ty p e An n u a l C o s t Be n e f i t s In d i v i d u a l $3 0 • F r e e a d m i s s i o n t o t h e M u s e u m • F r e e q u a r t e r l y n e w s l e t t e r s • F r e e a d m i s s i o n t o t h e C u l t u r a l E v e n t s & S p e a k e r P r o g r a m s • I n v i t a t i o n s t o e x h i b i t o p e n i n g s a n d t h e a n n u a l m e e t i n g • 1 5 % d i s c o u n t a t t h e M u s e u m s h o p St u d e n t / S e n i o r $2 0 Al l t h e b e n e f i t s o f a n i n d i v i d u a l m e m b e r s h i p St u d e n t s : a n y o n e w i t h a s t u d e n t I D S e n i o r s : a g e 6 2 + Fa m i l y $4 0 Al l t h e b e n e f i t s o f a n i n d i v i d u a l m e m b e r s h i p p l u s : • F r e e a d m i s s i o n f o r t w o a d u l t s & c h i l d r e n Su s t a i n i n g m e m b e r s h i p s Be n e f a c t o r $7 5 Al l t h e b e n e f i t s o f a n i n d i v i d u a l m e m b e r s h i p p l u s : • 2 f r e e v i s i t o r p a s s e s • R H M p i n • R e c o g n i t i o n i n t h e q u a r t e r l y n e w s l e t t e r Pa t r o n $1 5 0 Al l t h e b e n e f i t s o f a n i n d i v i d u a l m e m b e r s h i p p l u s : • 5 f r e e v i s i t o r p a s s e s • R H M p i n • 1 f r e e d i g i t a l i m a g e * ( a n n u a l l y ) • I n v i t a t i o n t o a “ B e h i n d t h e S c e n e s ” e v e n t • R e c o g n i t i o n i n t h e q u a r t e r l y n e w s l e t t e r • T h a n k y o u c a r d Bu s i n e s s / C o r p o r a t e $1 7 5 Al l t h e b e n e f i t s o f a n i n d i v i d u a l m e m b e r s h i p , t h e b e n e f i t s o f a Pa t r o n m e m b e r s h i p , p l u s : • O n e t i m e 2 0 % d i s c o u n t o n r o o m r e n t a l Li f e $7 5 0 Al l t h e b e n e f i t s o f a n i n d i v i d u a l m e m b e r s h i p p l u s : • 5 f r e e v i s i t o r p a s s e s • R H M p i n • 5 f r e e d i g i t a l i m a g e s * ( l i f e t i m e ) • I n v i t a t i o n t o a “ B e h i n d t h e S c e n e s ” e v e n t • O n e t i m e 2 0 % d i s c o u n t o n r o o m r e n t a l • R e c o g n i t i o n i n t h e q u a r t e r l y n e w s l e t t e r • T h a n k y o u c a r d *C o v e r s t h e $ 1 5 u s e f e e p e r i m a g e . I t d o e s n o t c o v e r t h e r i g h t s f e e w h i c h i s c h a r g e d s e p a r a t e l y . Renton History Museum 235 Mill Avenue South Renton, WA 98057 Phone: 425.255.2330 Fax: 425.255.1570 rentonhistory.org FORMER MAYOR DON CUSTER PASSES Former Mayor Custer with former Mayor Charles Delaurenti, Mayor Barbara Shinpoch, and former Mayor Avery Garrett, 1982. (RHM# 2007.035.075) was—and remains—Renton’s youngest Mayor. His mayoral service was marked by major City real estate acquisitions and development, including the City Hall at 200 Mill and the current downtown library. Don served one term as Mayor; he later sat on the Renton Municipal Arts and Renton Parks Commissions. In his later years he was a faithful volunteer with Friends of Renton High School and the Renton Historical Society, and a proud instructor at Green River Community College. Don was a Renton history expert and enthusiast, who was always willing to help the Museum by sharing his passion. His wealth of knowledge and his sense of humor will be very much missed, here and in the rest of the City. Don (L) and his brothers Alec and Bert Custer, ca. 1941. (RHM# 2000.127.8409) Renton Historical Society 235 Mill Avenue South Renton, WA 98057 Renton Fire Station #1 with holiday decorations, 1948. (RHM# 1981.071.1529) IN HINDSIGHT...