Vice President Richard Nixon shakes the hand of George Forbes Jr., son of Paine Field airport manager and Mrs. George Forbes, following the vice president’s arrival on a chartered plane to speak at a Everett campaign rally on Oct. 31, 1958. (Jim Leo / Herald file / Everett Public Library)

Vice President Richard Nixon shakes the hand of George Forbes Jr., son of Paine Field airport manager and Mrs. George Forbes, following the vice president’s arrival on a chartered plane to speak at a Everett campaign rally on Oct. 31, 1958. (Jim Leo / Herald file / Everett Public Library)

Richard Nixon flies to Everett for Halloween

“Vice President Richard M. Nixon has a pleasing good-looking face, with dark, sparkling eyes.”

EVERETT — Already a lame duck, dogged by a deep recession and weakened by the Soviet Union’s launch the previous year of Sputnik, President Dwight D. Eisenhower sent an emissary to Washington to rally Republican voters in advance of the 1958 mid-term elections.

Vice President Richard M. Nixon’s Friday, Oct. 31, visit to Everett marked the vice president’s last speech before the Tuesday vote in what had been a cross-country campaign on behalf of state and federal GOP candidates.

At Paine Field, a delegation of about 150, including dignitaries, politicians, press and law enforcement, waited to greet the vice president’s chartered plane that night, which also happened to be Halloween.

“Vice President Richard M. Nixon has a pleasing good-looking face, with dark, sparkling eyes and features not nearly as bold as they appear in photographs,” declared one two front-page stories in the next day’s Herald chronicling his visit.

A large crowd from Everett, Seattle, Bellingham, and all over the state turn out at the Civic Auditorium in Everett to hear Vice President Richard M. Nixon’s speech on Oct. 31, 1958). (Jim Leo / Herald file / Everett Public Library)

A large crowd from Everett, Seattle, Bellingham, and all over the state turn out at the Civic Auditorium in Everett to hear Vice President Richard M. Nixon’s speech on Oct. 31, 1958). (Jim Leo / Herald file / Everett Public Library)

Soon after his arrival at the airport, Nixon spotted children dressed in costumes, made a point to greet them and say that one of the things his daughters, Julie, 10, and Tricia, 12, hated most on their trip was to miss trick or treating.

“He was visibly pleased when reporters told him arrangements were made in Seattle for his daughters to spend some time making the rounds there,” the Herald reported.

Nixon also came prepared for autograph seekers like Chari Precht, 7, and her sister, Rosemary, 10, turning to Secret Service agents to provide both girls with stylish cards engraved with the words, ‘The Vice President of the United States of America” and bearing Nixon’s signature in ink.

He also took time to shake the hand of “our youngest backer,” Michael Lee Haddock, age eight months, who was nestled in his father’s arms.

From the airport, a motorcade whisked Nixon downtown to the Civic Center. There, a rally with an overflow crowd of 2,500 and being broadcast on a five-station radio network already was underway.

Vice President Nixon gives a speech at the Civic Auditorium in Everett on Oct. 31, 1958. (Jim Leo / Herald file / Everett Public Library)

Vice President Nixon gives a speech at the Civic Auditorium in Everett on Oct. 31, 1958. (Jim Leo / Herald file / Everett Public Library)

Nixon roused the gathering with talk of a rebounding economy, a strong foreign policy and containing the threat of Communism. He also pandered a bit, noting Everett’s outstanding football teams of the past, singling out the “immortal” George Wilson, who starred at the University of Washington in the 1920s, and Enoch Bagshaw, a one-time Everett High coach who helmed UW in the same era.

In a Herald interview after his speech, the vice president commended, “the very-responsive audience obviously well versed in national affairs.”

“They didn’t miss a trick,” he said. “And that’s no malarkey.”

Nixon left that night for Seattle and departed with his family the next day for Alaska, which just a few months later would be admitted into the Union as the 49th state.

The election proved disastrous for the GOP, with Democrats gaining 49 House seats and 16 Senate seats cementing their majorities. Republicans did not regain control of the House until 1994 and the Senate until 1980.

Vice President Richard Nixon was met at Paine field in Everett on Oct. 31, 1958, by Congressman Westland, State Republican Chairman Arnold Wang, Mrs. Neal Tourtelotte, national committeewoman, and Mrs. John Hodgins, state committeewoman. (Jim Leo / Herald file / Everett Public Library)

Vice President Richard Nixon was met at Paine field in Everett on Oct. 31, 1958, by Congressman Westland, State Republican Chairman Arnold Wang, Mrs. Neal Tourtelotte, national committeewoman, and Mrs. John Hodgins, state committeewoman. (Jim Leo / Herald file / Everett Public Library)

Talk to us

More in Local News

Marysville firefighters respond to a 12-year-old boy who fell down a well Tuesday May 30, 2023 in Marysville, Washington. (Photo provided by Marysville Fire District)
Marysville firefighters save boy who fell 20 feet into well

The 12-year-old child held himself up by grabbing on to a plastic pipe while firefighters worked to save him.

Highway 9 is set to be closed in both directions for a week as construction crews build a roundabout at the intersection with Vernon Road. (Washington State Department of Transportation)
Weeklong closure coming to Highway 9 section in Lake Stevens

Travelers should expect delays or find another way from Friday to Thursday between Highway 204 and Lundeen Parkway.

Students arriving off the bus get in line to score some waffles during a free pancake and waffle breakfast at Lowell Elementary School on Friday, May 26, 2023, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
800 free pancakes at Everett’s Lowell Elementary feed the masses

The annual breakfast was started to connect the community and the school, as well as to get people to interact.

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring speaks at the groundbreaking event for the I-5/SR 529 Interchange project on Tuesday, May 23, 2023 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
$123M project starting on Highway 529 interchange, I-5 HOV lane

A reader wondered why the highway had a lane closure despite not seeing work done. Crews were waiting on the weather.

Justin Bell was convicted earlier this month of first-degree assault for a December 2017 shooting outside a Value Village in Everett. (Caleb Hutton / Herald file)
Court: Snohomish County jurors’ opaque masks didn’t taint verdict

During the pandemic, Justin Bell, 32, went on trial for a shooting. Bell claims his right to an impartial jury was violated.

Gary Fontes uprights a tree that fell over in front of The Fontes Manor — a miniature handmade bed and breakfast — on Friday, May 12, 2023, at his home near Silver Lake in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett’s mini-Frank Lloyd Wright builds neighborhood of extra tiny homes

A tiny lighthouse, a spooky mansion and more: Gary Fontes’ miniature world of architectural wonders is one-twelfth the size of real life.

Will Steffener
Inslee appoints Steffener as Superior Court judge

Attorney Will Steffener will replace Snohomish County Superior Court Judge Janice Ellis, who is retiring in June.

The M/V Puyallup docks at the Edmonds waterfront on Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2020 in Edmonds. The ferry along with the passenger loading walkway were struck by lightning last week. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Tune in for virtual meeting on Edmonds-Kingston ferry

The series of Washington State Ferries meetings are for updates and public comment. A recording is available online.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Mountlake Terrace in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Lawsuit: Defective inhaler led to death of Mountlake Terrace man

Pharmaceutical company Perrigo recalled inhalers in September 2020. Months earlier, Antonio Fritz Sr. picked one up at a pharmacy.

Most Read