Pioneer Portraits

Ten Years Ago-July 3, 2008

A proposed Flood Emergency Action Plan was explored by Mayor Markeeta Little Wolf and councilmen Larry Johnson, Larry Clinton and Leroy Cunningham at a council workshop June 25. Reviewing a Corps of Engineers-developed plan of attack in event of flooding from Coppei Creek, the Touchet River, or both were also Alan Schroeder, representing the City’s engineering firm Anderson-Perry, and Dan Katsel, Director of Public Works.

Photo caption: The Waitsburg participants in the Weller Library Summer Reading program enjoyed a hands-on presentation by Cindy Stradring who brought her beloved pony on June 19. Cindy gave the kids a presentation on horse care and encouraged them to continue their summer reading and perhaps explore a few books on horses! The program on July 10 will be---BEES. With Susan Hosticks.

Twenty Five Years Ago-June 24, 1993

Squirrels are driving Kenneth Powers nuts. For years and especially for the past six months, the 65 year old Dayton man says, the pesky rodents have been gnawing on telephone and electrical lines to his South Third Street home. The retired heavy equipment operator told the mayor and City Council June 22, that he is at the end of his rope. In the past six months, he said, U. S. West has been out to his home four times to repair the lines.

She calls them “my favorite hobbies” but the Washington Association of School Administrators says Faith Thorn’s hobbies have helped hundreds of youngsters build their spelling skills and self-confidence .Recently, Thorn of Dayton, a former English teacher, was awarded two honors for her works with the Blue Mountain and Bi-state League’s local and district written spelling and speech competitions. Thorn has been a volunteer language arts tutor for Dayton elementary school’s talented and gifted program. She was a teacher in Dayton in the early 1940’s.

Fifty Years Ago-June 27, 1968

The political pot begin to boil in Walla Walla county this week as Lee Mantz Jr. of Waitsburg threw his hat in the ring as Democratic candidate for County Commissioner spot for District 2. Lee Mantz, Jr. was born in Walla Walla, graduated from Wa-Hi and attended Whitman College. During WW II he was a member of the Air Fforce enlisted reserve, flying for United Air Lines during the war.. Lee is well known for his participation in the “Neighbors Four”, a Lions Club quartet that has entertained many people in this area or the past three years

Photo caption: Waitsburg Campfire Girls: Advisors, Mrs. Carl Smith, Mrs. Richard Pettichord. Left to right, Krista Archer, Linda Smith, Rosemary Wood, Susan Danforth, Sherry Sickles, Laurie Smith, Cindy Hiatt, Cindy Pettichord, Teresa Hulce and Linda Smith..

Sevemty Five Years Ago-July 2, 1943

Grain harvesting in Walla Walla County will be from 10 days to two weeks late in starting , a survey of producers and dealers made late the past week indicates.

The Bozeman Canning Co is faced this week with a heavy influx of peas which brings a need for a large number of men workers.

One hundred and fifty men from the Walla Walla Air Base picnicking at the Lewis and Clark State Park Saturday.

Merril Cox of Long Beach Calif, is visiting this week with friends in Waitsburg.

Mr. and Mrs D. C. Moch have heard from their son Delbert telling them of his earning a medal for marksmanship in rifle practice and expert work on machine guns.

One Hundred Years Ago-July 5, 1918

Alexander Atkinson, father of N. B. Atkinson of this city, passed away at the Atkinson home, Preston Ave, Thursday morning, June 27th at the age of 84 years, 9 months, and 5 days.

MR. J. H. Wardrip, who recently purchased what is known as the W. W. Rice place east of this city was the host at a family reunion Saturday June 22. All the children and grandchildren were present totaling 20, and this date will long remain a green spot in the memory of the Wardrip family.

Mrs. Loette Gohlman of Harrington, Wash, accompanied by her daughter Aylene and sons Wayne Herman and Marvin, drove down the latter part of last week and are visiting Mrs. Gohlman’s sister, Mrs. W. E. McKinney and family a few days.

Ernest Brown arrived back to us (Coppei) Saturday from his homestead near Boardman, Ore. He expects to put in the harvest around Waitsburg and then return to his homestead.

One Hundred Twenty Five Years Ago

July 7, 1893

A. M. Johnson has purchased a half-interest with Arthur Roberts, in a well digging machine.

Harry Mills has accepted a position as tonsorial artist with Miner lewis. Harry now has a wife and baby and they will occupy the Houtchen residence on Preston Ave.

Never in the history of this country were hobos so numerous as they are now.

The family of J. H. Morrow went into Mountain Camp on Thrusday, and will remain till about the first of September.

The United Presbyterians of this city and vicinity spent the Fourth in the beautiful grove on A. W. Philips place on the Coppei. They had a splendid literary program, a real old fashioned dinner, and all in all, a rousing good time.