For as long as Emily Wilson could remember, she had been entrusted with the stories, photographs and memories of her family.

Whether it was her curiosity or puzzle-solving skills, Wilson was unofficially designated by the family elders to keep those stories alive, and it was a task she felt compelled to execute.

With what started as a 1908 letter from a father to his daughter, Wilson of Seattle, Wash., has written a book about her family history that tells of their impact on the maritime culture of the U.S. Pacific Coast. But it also touches the history of Meeker County, too.

114 YEARS AGO: NEWS FROM THE ISSUE OF MARCH 30, 1894

The mayor of Delano, accompanied by the City Council and the editor of the Gazette, visited Litchfield Wednesday for the purpose of examining our waterworks system and electric plant. They were highly pleased with both systems. They were entertained by the council and M. E. Baum, chief of the fire department. A test of the waterworks was made and, although there was a strong wind, a streak of water was thrown to the top of the water tower, a distance of 100 feet.

114 YEARS AGO: NEWS FROM THE ISSUE OF FEB. 25, 1894

50 YEARS AGO: NEWS FROM THE ISSUE OF FEBRUARY 13, 1958

The Litchfield Shipping Association, now the oldest organization of its kind still operating in the state, will hold its 50th anniversary meeting on Feb. 17. It was organized in March 1908 and shipped 14 carloads of cattle the first year. Under the energetic manager, H.L. Halverson, the organization grew quickly. Members of the first board of directors were N. E. Christenson, Anton Olson, J.H. Lawrence and Pat Casey.

20 YEARS AGO: NEWS FROM THE ISSUE OF: JANUARY 28, 1988

Craig Hedberg, an epidemiologist with the State Department of Health, along with two technicians, took blood samples from about 40 area residents at the Civic Arena Monday night.

20 YEARS AGO: NEWS FROM THE ISSUE OF JANUARY 21, 1988

The Litchfield School Board Monday night took an initial step toward making school premises smoke free by banning smoking at all LHS athletic events. The ban will go into effect immediately. The ban, as explained Monday, would prohibit smoking in entryways and hallways during basketball games quarter breaks and would also be in effect at the Civic Arena during hockey games.

50 YEARS AGO: NEWS FROM THE ISSUE OF JANUARY 9, 1958
Fire, believed to have started in an explosion of an oil heater, damaged the interior of the District 5 School located about five miles northwest of Litchfield. The entire north side of the school and the roof were severely charred by the blaze which was discovered at about 6 p.m Friday. The school is expected to be closed all week. Eleven pupils attend and the teacher is Mrs. Eva Barnett. Fire Chief Glenn Smith estimated damage at about $2,000.

114 YEARS AGO: NEWS FROM THE ISSUE OF DECEMBER 15, 1883

50 YEARS AGO: NEWS FROM THE ISSUE OF DECEMBER 10, 1957

75 YEARS AGO: NEWS FROM THE ISSUE OF DECEMBER 3, 1932