Pioneer Portraits

Ten Years Ago

October 4, 2007

Wheat producers and the grain industry saw another historic wheat price set Monday when soft white wheat closed at $10.02. As of press deadline Tuesday afternoon, wheat had closed at $9.87. “It still hasn’t rained in Australia,” said J.E. McCaw, local manager of the Northwest Grain Growers Waitsburg branch. “There is continued world-wide demand for wheat.”

After sustaining a $250 loss during the 2006 Salmon Barbecue, the Waitsburg Commercial Club redoubled its marketing efforts and planning, and netted nearly $9,000 in profits with the 2007 event. There were 712 paying customers served at the Sept. 22 event.

Sixteen members gathered at the home of Sherrill Conover on Thursday, September 27, 2007. The co-hostess for the evening was Betty Roberts. The meeting was called to order by Big Chief Barbara Burres. The first order of business was installation of officers. Dona Jean Smith, Bi Chief; Jean Miller, Little Chief; Gwen Gobel, Scribum; Velma Sickles, Wampumier, Ivadell Nordheim, Recordum and Ruth Peterson, Smoke Signaler.

Twenty-Five Years Ago

October 1, 1992

Waitsburg’s Ron Carlson wants to beautify the west side of Main Street’s business section now. Carlson, a member of the city’s tree committee, addressed the City Council last week, asking for support to put trees along the west side of Main. Earlier this year, Carlson planted European Hornbeam trees on the east side of the street, from Bank of the West to the Touchet River. Now he would like to do the same on the other side of the street.

Photo caption: A wheat variety trial conducted by the McGregor Co. is being seeded to 12 varieties of wheat on a plot belonging to Jack McCaw near Waitsburg. Pat McConnell, left, manager of the local McGregor plant and Steve Reinertsen, Colfax, director of research and development for McGregor, walk behind the cat driven by Lyle Nagle, Colfax, McGregor employee.

Fifty Years Ago

September 28, 1967

Filing for the school board closed Friday night with only two candidates filing for the three positions open. Jack McCaw filed for District 3. he was appointed to the position following the resignation of Lee Mantz, Jr. Robert Danforth has filed for District 5, which has been held by William Payne. Payne did not file for re-election.

Lewis Neace was among those students cited by Whitman College to receive Honors at Entrance at the fall convocation last week. Honors at Entrance recognize preparatory school records of outstanding ability and achievement and they are presented in anticipation of distinguished performance in college.

Mr. and s. Bill Wardrip and Mrs. Edith Smith have returned from a coastal trip. They went by Pendleton, Ore., and visited Mrs. R. E. Kittrell, formerly of Waitsburg. She still lives in their trailer house with an elderly lady. She looks surprisingly well, and seems her same jolly self.

Waitsburg football team got multiple inches of sports space in the U-B this week. Robert Maib received “Player of the Week” award for his 200-yard rushing performance against Warden last Friday.

Seventy-Five Years Ago

October 4, 1942

Embarking at the mouth of the Tucannon River near Starbuck early Saturday morning, Jack Cyr and his son, Jack Jr. had a thrilling 11-hour trip down the Snake River in an aluminum canoe. They arrived at the Burbank bridge and were met by Mrs. Cyr, who had driven them to Starbuck in the morning.

Mr. and Mrs. Green Trump will celebrate their golden wedding anniversary on Sunday, Oct. 13 with reception at the Christian Church from 2 to 4 o’clock. Friends are invited to attend.

One Hundred Years Ago

October 5, 1917

Homer Michelson, the well-known horseshoer of this city has purchased the blacksmith shop and tools formerly owned by R. Howard and Son, and has moved into his new location.

We have heard indirectly that Maj. Ed. Kimmel, a former Waitsburg boy, has received the appointment of Colonel and will probably be stationed with the Artillery.

Last Tuesday, Miss Carolyn Bickelhaupt a sophomore at W. H. S., sprained her ankle quite seriously, and at the advice of a physician has not attended school. She hopes to resume school work soon.

The Sewing Classes at Preston Hall are “doing their bit” to help the Red Cross. They are making useful articles that will be appreciated by the soldier boys who have gone to war.

One Hundred Twenty-Five Years Ago

October 7, 1892

The two biggest boys in school (Waitsburg Academy) got whipped on Tuesday. The professor thrashed them with a raw-hide.

The Ladies Library Association having rented their building to the prohibitionists, the Republican Club will meet hereafter in the Opera House.

Frank Nalder received first premium for the best sack of spring wheat at the Walla Walla Fair. He will be represented at the World’s Fair with some samples of barley.

A. C. Dickinson informs us that for the first time in 20 years his whole family, eight children, were together at dinner yesterday. These eight children represent 27 grandchildren.