Peek at the Past: A look back in Mat-Su's history

As it appeared in the Sept. 25, 1952 Frontiersman

Demo-Republican

rally set

A large percentage of third division Democratic and Republican candidates is expected to appear at a joint rally, which is believed to be the first of its kind ever held in Palmer.

With the Territorial election, Oct. 14, drawing close, this will be one of the last opportunities to see and hear candidates. Republicans who plan to attend are M.D. Snodgrass, Paul Robison, Herald Stringer, Lee McKinney, Lloyd Olsen, Bert Rutherford and Dorothy Prior. Democrats who have indicated they will be on hand are Steve McCutcheon, Jack Conright, Wendall Kay, Buell Nebitt, Irene Ryan, Alfred Owen, Russell Young, A.J. Loussac and William Egan.

City sets street widths, meters to be installed

A special meeting of the city council was held to settle pressing problems confronting the water system contractors. The city had to pass an ordinance requiring certain widths of city streets so fire hydrants could be installed.

Hospital records show marked improvements

In spite of rising expenses, a decided decrease in the overall losses experienced by the Valley Hospital is noted in figures released by O.K. Kincaid, hospital manager.

Total income in dollars and cents for the 1952 period was an increase of $20,309 over the 1951 figure of $48,614.

Voters pass election ordinance 59-2

Very little interest was shown in the special election held by the city of Palmer. Only 662 people indicated wishes as to whether the city should ratify Ordinance 22, providing for annual elections in Palmer.

Of the 62 who voted, 59 were for the proposition and two were against it.

Political ads dominated the newspaper, as races for the Territorial delegate to U.S. Congress were heated. Lee Gorsuch, Bob Bartlett and many other "historical" Alaskans were in the races.

At the Co-Op in Palmer, you could buy ground beef for 73 cents a pound. The Co-Op really had everything, as you could take your ground beef home in a car bought at the same store -- a 1950 Chevrolet one-ton panel truck was $1,250 and a 1947 Studebaker was $1,000.