RANDLE
Mrs. Malissa Gardner, aged 85, a resident of Randle for 15 years, died Saturday of last week at 1 o'clock p. m. She had been sick for some months. She was the widow of William Gardner, a pioneer on the middle fork of the Toutle river, where they took up a homestead in early years. After selling the homestead, they moved to Yakima, then to Centralia, where Mr. Gardner died. The widow and her son then moved to Randle, where they have resided ever since. Mr. Gardner is buried in Centralia and Mrs. Gardner's body was taken to Centralia for burial. She left a brother living on the Toutle river and a sister in Longview, as well as her son. Burial was this week. She was an ardent member of the Methodist church and a great favorite with the people here.
This has been a very dreary eason [stet] at Randle, as all schools, churches and celebrations have been closed, lest there be an epidemic of the ufl [stet].
There have been several cases of chicken pox among the school children for the last three weeks, none being sick enough to require medical attendance.
School will reopen Monday, December 30, and close for one day's vacation New Year's day.
Saturday night the wind and rain blew a gale and timber was down in many places. No accidents were reported, but the Cora bridge line was out all night. This was followed by warm springlike days which followed the cold weather of 20 degrees above zero. Randle seems to have been a warm spot.
The Randle picture house has been closed until spring, while either a new or muchly altered playhouse has been expected.
Rev. O. L. Anthony, while the church has been closed, is cavationing with Mrs. Anthony with friends at Longview.
Source: The Advocate, 26 December 1940, page 2. Microfilm available at Washington State Library, 6880 Capitol Boulevard South, Tumwater, Washington 98512
Transcribed by Kathryn Lester