PIONEER PORTRAITS

Ten Years Ago December 6, 2001

Hometown Christmas ushers in the holiday season, with a variety of local performers and booths. There was something for every interest, young and old.

Police have no leads in the disappearance of a 50-year-old Waitsburg business owner who has been missing since Oct. 24.

Vance Orchard explores the story of Loafer's Bench in this issue. "The steps of Weller Public Library, once Waitsburg's City jail and, before that, The Exchange Bank, still bear the sign prohibiting loafers from blocking people accessing a once busy place of business."

Twenty-Five Years Ago December 4, 1986

Five Waitsburg athletes made the All-Conference teams following the football and volleyball seasons. Debbie Davis and Becky Daniel were named to the Blue Mountain volleyball first team and Tammie Warehime to the second team. Jack Otterson was named to the football team for both offense and defense. Lyle Harshman was named to the second team.

The Whitman Sesquicentennial year was marked by many varied events including a ceremony observing the Whitman Massacre at the Great Grave at the Whitman Mission Historical Site. Vance Orchard and Armand Mintorn, representative of the Confederated Tribes of Umatilla, were speakers.

Fifty Years Ago December 8, 1961

Bill Payne was re-elected president of the Waitsburg Rural Telephone Company at their annual meeting Saturday afternoon, with Vaughn Hubbard vice-president: Julia Davis, secretary treasurer: Jim Hansen, director for another three-year term. Ed Lawrence and John Egli are hold-over directors.

Mr. and Mrs. Donald Harris entertained 10 couples at a midnight supper after the Sonita Club dance Saturday night.

Lynn Mantz placed second in the Elk's Leadership contest, which was judged in Walla Walla Saturday. She will receive a $50 gift certificate.

Seventy-Five Years Ago December 11, 1936

Andrew Keve was named to the all-star basketball team on the first string. Bobby Rhay was named to the second string.

Miss Helen Sanders and Mrs. Emory Atkinson were married Friday, Dec. 4 in Colfax. The Rev. Lew Benson read the ceremony in the presence of a few intimate friends and family.

Mrs. C.H. Florea joined Mr. Florea here from Luray, Kansas, a few days ago and they have rented the Mrs. Glaspell residence on Willard Street. Mrs. Florea is managers of the Headquarters Club barber shop.

One Hundred Years Ago December 15, 1911

Miss Idella Mae Jonas and Mr. Henry M. Conover were married at the home of the bride's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Jonas.

Born - In this county at the farm home near Colville Springs, Saturday, December 9th, to Mr. and Mrs. Orrin Carpenter, a son.

E.E. Stimmel has just stared a dairy at his large acreage in the southern part of the city. John Meinberg who has conducted a dairy here for many years, has disposed of his cows so the opportunity was ripe for the opening of a new dairy. Mr. Stimmel has taken out a state license and is deserving of the patronage of the general public.

One Hundred Twenty-Five Years Ago December 3, 1886

The Times office now has a "cabinet" all same Walla Walla Statesman. Our "cabinet" being younger is, of course smaller than that of the Statesman. At present our "cabinet" consists of a big tooth, a piece of marble from the Wallowa quarry, two specimens of ore from Coeur d'Alene, the rock Wm. Fudged knocked us on the head with, the first pieces of iron ever turned in Waitsburg on Brand & Smith's lathe, and a lot of dust. That's all.

H.J. Abbey last Wednesday purchased a fine double carriage and now he and his handsome wife and beautiful children ride in comfort behind and elegant pair of steppers.

Miss Laura Preston went to Walla Walla last Tuesday to enter Whitman College.

O.M. Conover is now at Larine, W.T. engaged in building a new sawmill.

Drs. Allen and Hudgin last Tuesday removed the tonsils from the throat of little Clara Morrow.