PIONEER PORTRAITS

Ten Years Ago June 26, 2003

After 58 years as a gathering place and "watering hole" for local veterans, the American Legion Post No. 35 is closing its club as of Saturday, June 28, announced Ivan Keve and Wal- ter Harris, two members of the local post. When the club's problems were first reported in March, Legionnaires opted to keep the facitiy open through June to take advantage of the people in town for the Days of Real Sport and the Alumni Banquet, rather than close it at the end of the first quarter, March 31. But both those events were "flat," Keve said. "It was a bad deal all around," commented Harris. The club will wind up operation about $7500 in the red compared to 2002. Closing near the end of June coincides with a fiscal quarter, Keve said. The Legion Post will continue to meet and be a contributing organization in the community, the two World War II veterans said. The Legion and its Auxiliary will move to Ye Towne Hall.

Twenty-Five Years Ago June 30, 1988

Waitsburg resident Rick Ferguson has been elected to a three-year term on the executive committee of the Wash- ington State Grange. Ferguson, 40, was declared the winner following election exercises held June 22 at the 99th annual convention of the state grange held June 19-23 at Whitworth College in Spokane. Ferguson is a rural mail carrier and operator of Ferguson-Gagnon Industries, Inc., a firm special- izing in television and appliance repair. Rick and his wife, Theresa, have been active in the Grange on local, state and national levels. He serves as deputy state master in Columbia County and presently is treasurer of their Waitsburg Grange No. 1, and assistant steward of Columbia County Pomona Grange. Rick has previously held the office of master in both Granges.

Fifty Years Ago June 28, 1963

More than 65 ancient autos from all parts of the Northwest paraded down Waitsburg Main street as part of the Northwest Fun Festival Saturday. Mrs. Alberta Dooly of Prescott, whose interest in the Walla Walla County Historical Auto Club has extended over a period of several years, was grand marshal of the parade, riding in the lead car and wearing clothes of the Gay 90's. Roy Reed, Waitsburg city councilman, welcomed the group on Main Street in the absence of Mayor Albert Land. Walla Walla City Manager Leland Kraft thanked Waitsburg for their hospitality as a meeting place for the Historical Car Club before the tour went on to Walla Walla. David McConnell of the Waitsburg Lions Club announced the visitors over the loud speaker in the center of Main and Second Street where the many historical cars were parked on lower Main. The group had lunch at the Don Thomas ranch enroute to Walla Walla. A highlight of the day was the air-to-ground refueling of Eagle's 1915 Model T. This took place near the Don Thomas ranch and was believed to be the second time in history it has been done. Kermit Jones of the Waitsburg Helicopter Co. used the equipment and piloted the helicopter which was about 25 feet above the car which traveled at 15 miles an hour during the refueling. It was an entirely successful operation and took about 10 minutes to fill the tank.

Seventy-Five Years Ago June 24, 1938

Mr. and Mrs. George Samuels returned Tuesday eve- ning from Browning, Mont. where they have been visiting at the home of their daughter, Mrs. Frances Johnson for the past ten days.

Mrs. Chester Keiser and daughters, Virginia Rinehart, Miss Adelle Conover and Mrs. Lelia McKinney left Sunday for Spokane and Twin Lakes where the girls will attend the Junior Conference. Mrs. Keiser and her mother will visit friends in Newport before returning home.

Lawrence Minnick visited relatives in Waitsburg and cininity Monday. He arrived home from Cambridge, Mass., where he recently completed his law course at Harvard Uni- versity. His wife and sister, Erma Minnick, arrived Wednes- day. Lawrence drove a new truck here for his father, Walter Minnick.

One Hundred Years Ago June 27, 1913

On Wednesday evening at 8 o'clock at the home of the bride's parents, Dayton, elmer Dunlap of this city and Miss Sue Weatherford of Dayton were united in marriage by Rev. Mr. Gilmore of the Congregational Church in the presence of a few friends and relatives.

W. E. McKinney has had a combined harvester built during the past winter along lines suggested by himself which it is expected will do better work in heavy grain on rough ground, at least. The new combine has a 40-horse power Buf- falo gasoline engine. The separator is a 40" machine with 32" cylinder. The header has a 18 foot cut and will require but 27 head of horses or mules to draw it.

The Preston Hall, under course of construction, is now showing definite shape. The brick work is now well up past the first story.

One Hundred Twenty-Five Years Ago June 22, 1888

There were 204 campers tented on the campgrounds at Dayton last Saturday.

Our esteemed friend, James D. White now, in com- pany with his family, rides in a fine carriage purchased from Austin-Wilkinson & Co.

Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Dumas left Wednesday for Walla Walla where they will remain until September when they will return to take positions in our public schools.

Mrs. O. M. Conover, nee Lydia Dickinson, arrived from Sedalia on Thursday on a visit to her parents and friends. She was accompanied by her daughter, Miss Myrtle and will remain until after the Fourth.

Had L. B. Sanders not been attending camp meeting on the day of the wind storm, his $600 mare would have been killed, for the barn blew down, two heavy timbers falling across where they mare stood when in the barn.