PIONEER PORTRAITS

Ten Years Ago July 19, 2001

Honoring Ernest and Dorothy Kison's years of dedication to the community, Waitsburg's new gymnasium will be officially named Kison Court.

A large crowd enjoyed a "One of a Kind" potluck picnic hosted by Andy, Denise, Jessie and Micah Winnett. With great food and great music, everyone had a great time!

Twenty-Five Years Ago July 17. 1986

Darlene and Walt Norman of Prescott celebrated their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary, enjoyed relatives visiting and a family reunion all in the month of June.

Work is progressing at the Waitsburg Grocery store, which had planned to open this weekend but was prevented by problems in the cooler. However, the doors will be open Monday, according to manager Dan Cole.

Preliminary results of a poll regarding keeping the city jail in town finds that the feeling is to keep the jail in place although it isn't used. Public sentiment says "keep it."

Fifty Years Ago July 21, 1961

Bruce Brunton left July 18 for Gridley, Calif., near Sacramento where he will be employed by the Cling Peach Advisory Board as a peach grader.

The postal department has recently issued a commemorative stamp in memory of the late Senator George W. Norris of Nebraska. Sen. Norris was the grandfather of Mrs. Glen Hofer of Waitsburg.

Wednesday evening at 6:30, the local Green Giant plant brought to close a 44-day pack, the longest since Green Giant purchased the plant.

Seventy-Five Years Ago July 24, 1936

Waitsburg's WPA project of first importance is the clearing of the channel of the Touchet River through this city, and the construction of rock and dirt embankments reinforced with heavy wauer wire.

Robert, son of Mr. and Mrs. PO Hastings was given a surprise party on Saturday evening in honor of his birthday. A group of young people enjoyed the occasion with him and refreshments were served.

We understand that Alfred Hales, sheep man from Pasco, is erecting a new cabin at his summer camp near Twin Battes in the Umatilla Forest Reserve beyond Godman Springs.

One Hundred Years Ago July 21, 1911

A machine known as the "automatic hoe-down" which, it is said will do the work of six men in the harvest fields, is being manufactured by the Gilbert Hunt Manufacturing Co.

Grain bags took a jump to eight cents Thursday, both the penitentiary bags and those quoted by local dealers being placed on the market at this figure.

Wes Lloyd, who has been trying out a gasoline thrashing machine, has been compelled to give it up as there was not enough power to do the work.

One Hundred Twenty-Five Years Ago July 16, 1886

The members of the Oxford League had a fine time at the social at Mr. David Roberts' residence, given by Miss Maggie Roberts. What would the league do without Maggie?

According to the latest returns, the California wheat crop will be the largest ever raised. Over 70,000,000 bushels will be harvested leaving 60,000,000 bushels or 2,000,000 tons for export.

Quite a site was created in Prescott a few days past by the appearance of a demented woman with three children. She claimed to have walked 500 miles from Ft. Colville.

When interrogated as to her name, she said she had none, had lost it. She used considerable "cuss" language and at length became quiet unruly and Mr. Temple thought proper to urge her to proceed to Walla Walla with him which she declined with fisticuff emphasis and left one of his eyes dressed in mourning.

She also bade the little boy do battle for her which he did with a hearty good will, banging bystanders to right and left with a trusty tin pail. Wm. Tice wears a betokening badge on his brow, given by the boy.

That Waitsburg is a desirable city in which to live and locate it is by necessary to state that with a population of 700, she has four splendid churches and public schools with capacity for 300 students well managed. Has no saloons, no drunkenness.