Clark County History: Vancouver mayor went missing way back when By Martin Middlewood, for The Columbian
Published: February 28, 2021, 6:02am
Share: Mayor Percival addresses 8,000 soldiers in front of the recently completed Spruce Production Mill in February 1918. The mill processed the lightweight, flexible wood needed for planes. Of the crowd attending, 2,400 soldiers worked at the mill. The rest came from around the Pacific Northwest. The Spruce Production Division commanded 25,000 soldiers. Three years after his speech before this crowd, well-liked Mayor Percival disappeared, throwing all of Clark County into a tizzy. (Contributed by Clark County History Museum)
Grover R. Percival was so well-liked that a competitor nominated him to complete the term of retiring Vancouver Mayor Milton Evans. A unanimous vote propelled Percival into office in November 1917. As a councilman, Percival supported the Interstate Bridge project. Just 14 years earlier, he moved h