Pioneer Portraits - July 30, 2015

Ten Years Ago

August 4, 2005

Yields of fall-planted wheat are higher than expected, reports J.E. McCaw, manager of the local branch of Northwest Grain Growers. Small grains harvest in the Touchet Valley area is over half completed, he estimated. “Fall yields are coming in higher than expected,” McCaw said. “We’re hearing yields everywhere from 85 bushels per acre up to 105. Considering we’ve had six inches less rain this year since last year, that’s very good.”

Simply by framing in old garage bay doors and spiffing up the interior, Columbia County Farm Bureau has turned the corner Cenex gas station into a combination convenience/farm store. “We want to focus on what we do best, which is the farm supply business,” said Marc Hodges, General Manager of Columbia County Farm Bureau.

Twenty-Five Years Ago

August 2, 1990

Two Waitsburg girls won buckles at the 1990 Pioneer Posse Summer Series July 18. Stephanie Smith, daughter of Howard and Marilou Smith, won the 7 and under stake racing buckle. Sandra Conover, daughter of Larry and Pam Conover, won the 16 and over pole bending awardMarshal’s Memo: man bought items at local store expecting to use credit card on July 24. Became abusive when he was told he had to pay cash. Finally offered to leave a package which he said contained a gold ankle bracelet worth $80. Store clerk called officer to verify contents of package. Gold anklet verified.

Fifty Years Ago

July 29, 1965

A destructive blast of wind which reached tornado velocities raced down “Hoop-em-up Hollow” last Sunday afternoon wreaking damage on farms and trees. Fortunately there were no serious personal injuries. Bev Harper said that she watched the progress of the wind as it made its way up the hollow, ventured out on top of the fields above them, and then turned to race destructively down the draw. Large mature locust trees, 40-50 feet high were uprooted. Harpers, Griffins, and Kenneys lost trees, shingles, windows, and peace of mind as the dirty gust tore thought the gulch.

After the big blow at “Hoop-em-Up-Hollow” Sunday night, a large sheet of metal roofing material was prophetically wrapped around a sign north of Ron Kenney’s house. The sign: Safety Zone.

Good citizen award of the week must go to Lyle Huwe who has been spending his spare weekend time aboard a “Cat” trying to hack away at the huge pile of mud which is still lying heavily over Waitsburg’s City Park.

Seventy-Five Years Ago

August 2, 1940

While huckleberries are not as plentiful as expected from prospects earlier in the season, a good many persistent pickers who seem to know where to go are bringing in berries for canning and some are offered for sale.

Plans for Waitsburg’s Annual Community Exhibit are now getting well under way, and the date is Saturday afternoon and evening, Au. 24, which will be here ere we know it.

Mrs. Roy Bains brought in two ripe figs, of the yellow variety, to our office one day last week, and we have them on display in our show window. Mr. and Mrs. Bains planted a fig sapling in their garden this spring, several blooms developed, and three figs ripened.

G. R. Fisher and family recently moved from Waitsburg to Dayton. Mr. Fisher is agent for the Northern Pacific Railway.

One Hundred Years Ago

August 6, 1915

The Ford Motor Co. of Detroit announces a reduction of $50 on the list price of their cars, effective August 2, 1915. The new prices will be $390 for run-about and $440 for touring car F.O.B. Detroit.

Ray Steele, game warden for this district, assisted by Forrest Carpenter, Walter and Lawrence Weller, planted 30,000 cut throat trout fry in the Coppei and in the Green Fork of the Touchet above Thayer’s Mill, Sunday.

One Hundred Twenty-Five Years Ago

August 1, 1890

Last Wednesday, as Mrs. Times was patching her husband’s pants, a yellow jacket got onto her, right between her clothing, and socked its javelin into her left anatomy to its full length. She jumped and ran yelling “Fire! Fire!” till she ran around the whole neighborhood. But then it did hurt; no mistake about that, as anyone who has ever been stung can testify. In a few minutes that left anatomy began to enlarge, and kept on enlarging till it was twice its natural size, and she could hardly walk for 2 days.

Lewis Cox made a trip to his ranch on Union Flat in Whitman County and returned abou the best pleased man we have seen this season. He left a little bowed down, lest his crop was injured by the hot winds, but he was agreeably disappointed. He found on his place the finest wheat, oats and barley, he ever saw grow. No wonder he feels good.