PIONEER PORTRAITS

Ten Years Ago

January 7, 2010

Sheriff’s deputies chased a 21-year-old man through a Waitsburg neighborhood, then surrounded his residence with guns drawn for nearly three hours Saturday before obtaining a search warrant that allowed them to enter the house and make an arrest.

[Photo caption] At six foot eleven inches, Blake Brown is the tallest student-athlete in any high school in Washington state, and he is working to become a member of the Waitsburg-Prescott basketball squad.

The Times has made its first move into the cyber age with the launch of a page on Facebook. Simply type http://www.facebook.com/waitsburgtimes in your browser for free access to updates, pictures, or other fans’ comments and discussions. In the spring, the Times plans to expand its cyber presence with a website. It has already purchased the domain name and will begin construction in March or April 2010.

Twenty-Five Years Ago

December 29, 1994

It appears the Walla Walla County commissioners will approve a tenth of a percent sales tax increase for law enforcement purposes.

[Photo caption] Students from Waitsburg Elementary School’s kindergarten, first, second, and sixth grades performed a holiday play, Bob Humbug the Christmas Grump, during the school’s Christmas program Dec. 20 in the high school auditorium. The third, fourth and fifth grades performed holiday music.

If you would like to sound like a cow, elk, a deer in distress, a coyote howling to its kin, a wild turkey gobbling or an antelope buck snorting, Bruce Hancock’s Call-M-All, might be the instrument for you. The “all-in-one” game call, according to Hancock of Walla Walla, is the first and only one of its kind in the country.

Fifty Years Ago

January 1, 1970

Plans for a Waitsburg ambulance board progressed this past week with new members from the fire department, city council and Commercial Club being added to the list.

[Photo caption] Waitsburg’s Martin Huffman does a mid-court ballet step while blocking a shot made by Touchet’s Ron Heckathorn (44). Jumping behind Martin is Gary Kellison for the Indians (22) and Steve Worden (42). Scott Cresswell (21) is visible through Martin’s legs and Verlyn Smith is at right.

We look to the New Year with a heartfelt hope that soon the spirit of enduring peace will spread to all men of all nations around the world.

A one-car accident north of Waitsburg caused an approximate $900 damage to a sedan driven by Jack L. Roberts, 19, of Waitsburg. Jack was northbound on the Alto Road at 12:01 a.m. December 30 when he went into a broadside skid due to icy road conditions. The vehicle went off the road, struck the bank and rolled over. There were no injuries.

Seventy-Five Years Ago

January 5, 1945

At a Scout Court of Honor held in Waitsburg last Thursday, Bill Zuger was given his first class award, and Freddie Rankin and David Dilts received their Tenderfoot badge according to Dick Gosney, Scoutmaster.

A farm machinery repair school will meet for the first time on Tuesday evening with Gerald Vollmer as instructor in charge.

Miles Brunton and Homer Reed purchased the Touchet Valley Hardware on January 2 and will operate as a partnership. Harold Roberts will continue as manager for the present.

"Land prices in the Pacific Northwest are rising as rapidly as in World War I," Rex E. of Agriculture post-war program committee for the Northwest, told the agricultural extension service at W.S.C.

One Hundred Years Ago

January 9, 1920

Marion Bailey, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. D.P. Bailey, entertained in honor of her 8th birthday last Friday, January 2nd, with a doll party. Those present were: Frances Samuels, Bernadine Wiseman, Ralph Shuford, Velma Starr, Margaret Cutting, Arnold Shuford, Erma Shuham, Marie Snodgrass, Paul Bailey, Will Vollmer. Dainty refreshments were served and little Miss Bailey received a number of pretty presents.

The Exchange Bank has just turned their old electric-driven adding machine in on what is considered the last word in the Burroughs adding machine.

About three-inches of snow fell Monday protecting the ground somewhat from the colder weather that has prevailed since.

One Hundred Twenty-Five Years Ago

January 4, 1895

The first sound of sleigh bells in this neck of the woods this season were heard on Wednesday.

The ladies of the Huntsville W.C.T.U. held a New Year meeting in the public school at 2 p.m. January 1, 1895. An interesting program, consisting of recitations, select readings and singing, was rendered to the evident enjoyment of those present.

County, State, and School warrants taken at par, at Schwabacher Co. Store, Walla Walla—half cash, half trade.

Dr. R. E. Butler was in the city from Weston on Tuesday. He will probably relocate here and take the place and practice of Dr. C. L. Stubbs who expects to leave for Chicago to remain.