A Look Back in Time: 'Are We Civilized?' screened in Centralia; Bob Oke Game Farm opened; Packwood mother gives birth to twins after car crash in deputy's car

In this installment of A Look Back in Time, the Saturday, June 13, 1936, edition of The Chronicle featured a story about First Christian Church members in Centralia preparing to screen "Are We Civilized?" The film follows the life of a European World War I veteran living in the U.S. as he returns to Europe and tries talking about freedom and liberty, only to face pushback from government authorities at their church.

The Centralia game bird farm, now known as the Bob Oke Game Farm, saw its first pheasants arrive after farm construction was completed, according to the Thursday, June 13, 1946, edition of The Chronicle.

And in the Monday, June 13, 1966, edition of The Chronicle, it was reported that Packwood resident Doris Smith gave birth to twins after surviving a car crash just outside of Packwood in a Lewis County Sheriff's Office deputy cruiser that was taking her to the hospital.

The Sunday, June 13, 1976, edition of The Chronicle was not in the archives, so stories from the Saturday, June 12, 1976, edition have been featured instead.

A Look Back in Time is compiled using Chronicle microfilm archives, along with digital archives on newspapers.com.

Saturday, June 13, 1936

-Members of the First Christian Church in Centralia were preparing to screen the "long-heralded Edwin Carewe production, 'Are We Civilized?'" on Tuesday, The Chronicle reported. Starring William Farnum and Anita Louise, the film follows the life of a European World War I veteran living in the U.S. as he returns to Europe and tries talking about freedom and liberty, only to face pushback from government authorities. Historians consider "Are We Civilized?" a veiled attack on the German Nazi Party, in power since 1933, as the government authorities depicted were clearly based on Nazis, though the Nazi Party itself was not named in the film. "One of the mightiest film dramas of all time, 'Are We Civilized?' is a scathing, yet entertaining, indictment of war and intolerance. Based on the theme that ignorance, superstition, greed and intolerance have always been the greatest enemies of civilization throughout the ages, it shows how mankind defeats these forces through freedom of speech and freedom of press. In addition to its all-star cast, 'Are We Civilized?' features more than 25,000 persons in atmosphere roles. The picture has been filmed on a magnificent scale, with lavish and spectacular backgrounds. It has received the highest praise, from critics and authorities in religious, education and political circles, ever accorded a motion picture. In a recent showing at the White House, it was witnessed and applauded by President Roosevelt endorsed and praised the production in a nationwide radio broadcast. 'Are We Civilized?' is first of a series of feature films released by the newly-formed Edwin Carewe Pictures Corporation for exclusive showings in churches, schools, clubrooms and civic auditoriums throughout the country. It inaugurates a nationwide presentation of instructional film entertainment. There will be no admission charge."

-A "light logging trailer," along with a 1,500-pound "work horse" were listed for sale in The Chronicle's classifieds for $125.

Thursday, June 13, 1946

-The newly completed Centralia game bird farm in Fords Prairie- now known as the Bob Oke Game Farm - was finally raising game birds, The Chronicle reported. "Pheasants at the Centralia game bird farm on Fords Prairie sun themselves under pleasant surroundings at what is described as the most modern hatchery of this type in the state. Top photo shows the main buildings at the farm. In the background are the caretakers' homes, and the buildings where pheasants are hatched. In the foreground are a small pen and building where birds are kept until they are approximately 10 weeks old, when they are set out in larger fields to mature. Many such pens dot the landscape on the farm's 213 acres." Named after a former state senator and run by the Washington state Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), the Bob Oke Game Farm continued hatching pheasants, averaging between 40,000 to 45,000 birds raised annually, over the past 80 years. However, that also meant decades of pheasant manure covering the fields and being absorbed into the ground. In 2021, Centralia city staff started noticing spikes in nitrate levels in the city's aquifers through well testing in and around Fords Prairie. High nitrate levels in water are hazardous, especially to infants and those with pre-existing health conditions, and chronic nitrate exposure can lead to increased cancer risk and other birth defects. Initially, WDFW officials denied the possibility of the increased nitrate levels being linked to the pheasants' manure, suggesting residents surrounding the farm may have had leaking septic tanks. This prompted city officials to partner with Lewis County officials and local state representatives to try to pass House Bill 2343, which would have increased water-quality standards for state-run game farms. HB 2343 failed to advance past a state Senate committee during the legislative session earlier this year as previously reported by The Chronicle, and was not signed into law. In the state's 2026 capital budget, a $50,000 proviso was earmarked to support relocation of the Bob Oke Game Farm while directing the WDFW to find possible alternate locations. In a March 31, 2026 news release, WDFW Director Kelly Susewind stated the total number of birds at the farm has been reduced by 40% and planted poplar trees to help remove nitrates from the soil, along with creating a manure management plan. "WDFW is committed to managing the game farm responsibly on-site and would like to evaluate more cost-effective alternatives in addition to relocation," Susewind said in the release.

-A two-bedroom with two boats and 175 feet of water-front access on Offut Lake near Tenino was listed for sale in The Chronicle's classifieds for $4,500. Five rooms in a partly-furnished seven-bedroom home at 1309 Windsor Ave. in Centralia were listed for rent for $40 a month.

Wednesday, June 13, 1956

-Former state Rep. Arthur Cory "dealt out a solid blow to the State Department of Institutions, under fire the past month for the firing of Green Hill Superintendent Bob Venemon" earlier that day, The Chronicle reported. "In Chehalis, Arthur S. Cory, who was a member of the committee on state institutions in the House and of the legislative joint committee for 10 years, called on members of the State Council for Children and Youth to 'insist upon full cooperation of the Department of Institutions' or resign en masse. Cory made the request in an open letter addressed to Mrs. (Mary) Nordfors, Tacoma, council chairman, and W.L. Thraikill, Spokane, vice chairman, after attending the recent hearing at the State Training School for Boys here. 'Like many others, I do not see how your self respect will allow you all to remain as members of the council, unable to perform the duties assigned to you by law." State officials going all the way up to the governor's advisors had been critical of State Department of Institutions Director Thomas A. Harris, who fired Venemon without consulting the State Council for Children and Youth, according to the Friday, June 8, 1956 edition of the Peninsula Daily News. "Harris said, 'no one is fonder of Bob Venemon than I am,' but he said, 'it is a well known fact that there are people in jobs that somehow they are not geared to.'"

-A three-room home with an orchard, barn and woodshed on 22 acres of cleared land near Dryad was listed for sale in The Chronicle's classifieds for $3,500. A two-room furnished apartment with housekeeping at 853 Gertrude St. in Chehalis was listed for rent for $35 a month.

Monday, June 13, 1966

-Packwood resident Doris Smith luckily gave birth to twins at the Springer Clinic in Randle on Saturday after being injured in a car crash when the Lewis County Sheriff's Office patrol car taking her to the hospital, driven by deputy David L. Reynolds, was hit by another car, The Chronicle reported. "State troopers said a car driven by Eugene T. Martin, 56, Richland, collided with Deputy David L. Reynolds' speeding car on the White Pass Highway a quarter of a mile west of Packwood at 9:05 p.m. Deputy Reynolds had the red warning light and siren going on his patrol car at the time of the accident, troopers said. In addition to Deputy Reynolds and the mother, Mrs. Asa (Doris) Smith, 36, others injured included Martin, and two passengers in his car, Grace McLaren, Tacoma, and Delila Martin, Richland. Mrs. Smith suffered severe cuts on both knees, which required 39 stitches to close, and bruises on her chest and forehead. She gave birth to the first son at 10:30 p.m. and the second at 11:12 p.m. The babies weighed in at six pounds, and six pounds, one ounce. An estimated $1,200 damage was caused to the deputy's car and $1,600 damage to Martin's auto. Both were 1965-model vehicles. Troopers said investigation is continuing Monday in the accident. Dr. James D. Springer listed Mrs. Smith in satisfactory condition Monday morning. Deputy Reynolds was hospitalized in Morton, where he was listed in good condition Monday. The others were treated and released." Eugene was eventually charged with failure to yield the right of way to an emergency vehicle after investigators determined he ignored Reynolds' light and siren as Reynolds came up behind him, according to The Thursday, June 16, 1966, edition of The Chronicle.

-A two-bedroom home with a barn, other outbuildings and machinery on a "160 acre ranch," was listed for sale in The Chronicle's classifieds for $36,000. A one-bedroom apartment "with cooking" in downtown Chehalis was listed for rent for $40 a month.

Saturday, June 12, 1976

-Chronicle staff writer Susan Palmer saw former Beatle Paul McCartney perform with his new band Wings at the Kingdome in Seattle earlier that week, The Chronicle reported. "Fans had camped outside the stadium two days in advance of the show to assure themselves of a front row view. Others began to line up four or five hours beforehand. Solemn policemen guarded gate entrances, occasionally frisking a blue-jeaned fan. They got little response to their question, 'Have any alcohol or narcotics on you?' Once inside the massive circular stadium, the crowd let loose. Fireworks, balloons and frisbees sailed freely above the sea of spectators. Anxious fans started up chants, hollering and stomping, urging McCartney to appear. Spirits were high and harmonious - everyone shared the evening's purpose - to hear the lyrical wizard play and say it again. McCartney's production was worth the wait. Overhead lights went out, Wings burst on stage in a colorful cloud of smoke. Laser light beams, projected onto a suspended steel ball, transformed the arched ceiling into a starry summer night, while McCartney sang soulfully, '... reach for the stars, Venus and Mars are alright tonight.' Most of McCartney's numbers, like the opening one, were recorded with Wings after the Beatles broke up. McCartney has built a large following on his own. Unlike the other Beatles, he seems to have retained some of the stylish innocence that marked the band when they first broke onto the rock-n-roll scene around 1964. His breezy musical flair, tempered with lyrical sophistication has landed him several gold albums ($1 million worth of sales) and put his current hit 'Silly Love Song' high on the pop charts. Despite McCartney's success as a single performer, a few die-hards still hope the Beatles will reunite. When McCartney crooned 'Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away...' the crowd was carried on a nostalgic, emotional wave into the past, back to Beatlemania, back to when the entire youthful world was in love with four musicians from England. The love affair lasted a long time. The overwhelming roar of more than 67,000 appreciative fans that greeted McCartney each time he broke into an old Beatles tune, testifies to the immortal quality achieved by the group in their music. McCartney's 21-city U.S. tour comes 10 years after the Beatles last performed together here."

-A four-bedroom "ranch house" with a two-car garage and a new barn on 22 acres of land "overlooking Lake Mayfield" was listed for sale in The Chronicle's classifieds for $40,000. A two-bedroom mobile home in Rochester was listed for rent for $160 a month.

Friday, June 13, 1986

-Local amateur astronomers were preparing to host a telescope viewing "star party" on Saturday at Alexander Park in Chehalis, The Chronicle reported. "The party, which will begin at sunset, is being sponsored by the Southwest Washington Astronomical Society. It is open to the public and several large telescopes will be available, say sponsors, who pointed out that Venus and Mars are currently discernible by the naked eye. The stargazers expect to see galaxies and nebulae through the telescopes."

-KELA Radio Vice President Ted Chytil spoke at a Chehalis Kiwanis Club meeting at Roy's Western Buffet, The Chronicle reported. "Chytil related the historical development of the radio station that will observe its 50th birthday in the Twin Cities next year. Bill Tilton, chief engineer and the senior employee at the station with 39 years of service, was the program chairman. Ray Byrd, president-elect, presided at the luncheon meeting in the absence of Terry Holmes, club president."

-A 2,100-square-foot home with a three-car garage with a guest room with its own bathroom on five acres of fenced land with fruit and decorative trees located at 3076 state Route 508 east of Onalaska was listed for sale in The Chronicle's classifieds for $115,500. A furnished two-bedroom home in Adna was listed for rent for $300 a month.

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