PIONEER PORTRAITS

Ten Years Ago October 18, 2001

A sizable crowd was treated to a thank-you dinner last Saturday at Ye Town Hall, where the American Legion Auxiliary surprised its guests with a few generous donations. The Department of Natural Resources compensated the auxiliary for their efforts making sack lunches at the Lions Cookshack.

Gary Berndt, one of the first-incident commanders to arrive in Waitsburg on Sept. 18-stopped by Karen Mohneys to ask if he could "borrow" her pasture, and oh, by the way (did she) know anyone who can whip up 400 lunches by sun up on Wednesday. Karen, of course, said yes and yes. She rallied the help of 20 American Legion members assisted by 24 non-member community people. By 5 a.m., the crew had 400 lunches for the Initial Attach Team ready to go.

Local firefighters who worked the North Coppei Fire were Bert Aylward, John Brown, Brian Bush, Jim Callahan, Dan Cole, Glynn Davis, Marvin Eng, Louie Gagnon, Neil Henze, John Kenney, Jake Long, Gerald Mason, John Mason, Pat Mohney, Richard Naumann, Curtis Neal, Carl Peck, Frank Reser, Walt Warehime, Andy Winnett, Jim Young, Jesse McCaw, Jim Hickam and Colter Mohney.

Six members from the ambulance crew, members from Wing Air crew and Archer Aviation team, bus driver Pam Alexenko, DNR firefighter Bob Allbee and Jerry and Gail Harshman from J-Har Logging also received thanks.

Twenty-Five Years Ago October 16, 1986

The results of a community poll on the swimming pool, released this week by Stephanie Wyatt, indicate that local voters are mainly opposed to a brand new pool, but would be interested in rebuilding the present one .

Gov. Booth Gardner told the representation of the Washington State Penitentiary he appreciated their energy efforts. Accepting the awards in Olympia were Supt. Larry Kincheloe, Plant Manager Don Britain, Plant Mechanic Supervisor Bob Miller from Waitsburg and Associate Supt. Jim Blodgett.

Fifty Years Ago October 20, 1961

The Waitsburg PTA was asked to supply volunteer workers to aid in the registration of citizens for the Civil Defense emergency ration cards during the week of Nov. 6.

Mr. and Mrs. Will Knotgrass spent a week with Mr. and Mrs. Al Dick of Clarkston in Warm Springs, Mont., taking baths and sightseeing. They attended a buffalo round-up near Dixon.

Warm weather greeted the hunting season with the Henze party back in town by 9 o'clock with four deer. Other lucky hunters were Albert Land, Stewart Maxwell, Glynn Davis and Lloyd Perry.

Seventy-Five Years Ago October 23, 1936

Members of the Townsend Club to the number of about thirty, retired to the residence of Mr. and Mrs. J.E. Hart after the meeting last Thursday and enjoyed an oyster supper.

The annual get-together meeting of the Commercial Club will be held next Tuesday evening. There will be no dinner and their wives or lady friends are invited to attend.

The Roosevelt Caravan will appear on Main Street Friday afternoon of this week, Oct. 23 at 4 o'clock. Congressman Knute Hill and other nationally known speakers will be heard.

One Hundred Years Ago October 20, 1911

In anticipation of the electric line reaching Prescott, a number of people and the businessmen are having their places wired for the lights. It will probably be at least two months yet before the high power line reaches the city.

Mr. and Mrs. J.L. Harper left the latter part of the week for a visit to relatives and old friends in Iowa. They expect to spend a day or two in Coeur d'Alene and Spokane before starting east.

We don't often see hazelnuts growing in this part of the country, but J.D. Taggart has a fine patch of the genuine old Missouri variety which are loaded with nuts this year.

One Hundred Twenty-Five Years Ago October 15, 1886

Frank Lowden positively refused to be a candidate for legislative honors and the Democratic Central Committee last Monday put Ed Fallon's name on the ticket instead. When Frank Lowden stepped off the Democratic ticket, the strongest man on the ticket stepped off.

P.V. Crawford and his wife, who were early in the '70's citizens of Waitsburg, arrived in the city last Monday night from Eugene City, Ore. They will, if nothing happens, spend a year or more visiting friends and children east of the mountains before returning to the Webfoot country.

A number of our leading citizens left for Portland Saturday night and spent Sunday in the beautiful city of Wallula.