PIONEER PORTRAITS

Ten Years Ago February 22, 2001

The largest change order in the high school renovation project came to light this week, inadequate footing of soil and wood in the basement. This situation was remedied by additional contractors working at an additional cost of $73,461 but will lead to an early completion date.

The importance Corbett Mill in Huntsville played in the settling of the community is highlighted in this paper. The grist mill was built in December 1881 and January 1882. In 1955, Orville Fullerton sold the mill and water rights to the Ukiah Lumber Co, later known as the Dayton Lumber Co. Seven grist mills once flourished in the Touchet Valley.

Twenty-Five Years Ago February 13, 1986

Former and present Rainbow Girls, Eastern Stars and Masons gathered at the home of Bob and Jeannie Miller on Sunday to make plans for the 50th anniversary of Assembly No. 68 which will be held in June.

Waitsburg student body leaders spent part of Monday visiting with Republican leaders in Olympia. Students were Wendy Davis, Bobbie Jo Wilder, Brenda Gales, and Troy Larsen. They were accompanied by their teacher, Pam Nolan.

DeNova Club met on Feb. 1 at the Legion Banquet Room for a husbands' Valentine Party. Twenty-one people attended and enjoyed the delicious dinner prepared by the Rainbow Girls.

Fifty Years Ago February 10, 1960

Sharon Stradley, eighth grader, and Randy Pearson, fourth grader, place first in their grades in the Walla Walla County spelling contest Jan. 23-24. Karen Peters placed second in the eighth and Shirley Jensen, fifth grader, placed third.

Bruce Harris placed second and Sally Chase third in the annual Elks Youth Leadership contest sponosored regionally by the Elks Lodge in Walla Walla.

Local students of the Kent School of Dance will appear in a presentation of "Sleeping Beauty" on Feb. 12. Gwyn Ferguson will dance the leading roll. Other students from the area will be Barbara and Patty Bennett, Debbie and Terrie Conover, Kathy and Nancy Rose, Connie Bowman, Barbara Saxon, Joan Land and Jo-Ellen Watson.

Seventy-Five Years Ago February 14, 1936

Miss Fannie Weller has filed as candidate for school director of District No. 25-100 to succeed Frank P. Kinder whose term expires next month.

Martin and Macomber, local Ford dealers, this week leased the building known as the Waitsburg Garage for a period of two years.

The Samchatka Camp Fire Girls and gentlemen friends enjoyed a bobsled and toboggan party on Tuesday evening after school. Meeting at the home of their guardian, Mrs. Nellie Watt, the group was picked up in a bobsled and taken to the home of Phyllis Danielson where a toboggan, skiis, sleds and a bonfire awaited them.

One Hundred Years Ago February 10, 1911

Waitsburg High School defeated the Spokane High School last Friday night in Spokane in the third of the state series of interscholastic debates. Waitsburg was represented by Miss May Callahan and Cyril McClean.

The Waitsburg High School girl's basketball team defeated the Walla Walla High School girl's team Friday night by a score of 18-15. Mae Jonas and Flossie Hawks were high scorers. They will meet the girls of Milton High on Feb. 10. The local girls have three victories to their credit and no defeats.

S. F. Patton Co. has adopted the short credit system and are marking their goods on that basis.

One Hundred Twenty-Five Years Ago February 12, 1886

Next Tuesday evening, H.E. Holmes of Walla Walla will institute a Rebecca degree lodge I.O.O.F. Its cognomen will be Naoma

The railroad bridges, which have recently been finished at both crossings of the Yakima River in the canyon, were washed away the first of last week by mush ice. The one at the second crossing was entirely destroyed, and only a few timbers of the first were left standing.

Preston brothers and Parton have shipped a large amount of flour and feed to points on the Riparia Road last week. They supply the river boats with flour.

Waitsburg's new charter, we understand, passed, but when it goes into effect, or what its provisions are, is something no feller can find out.

Commissioner Babcock informs us that the work of draping the court room will begin immediately. Prominent San Francisco architects informed Mr. Babcock that heavy draperies placed at the head and foot of the hall would add much to the acoustic properties of the room. The draperies will probably be raw silk, hung on brass rods and sustained by heavy metallic rings.