PIONEER PORTRAITS

Ten Years Ago

September 23, 2010

People want to know what Jan Cronkhite will do now that she’s retired from her post of 32 years as director of the Weller Public Library on Main Street in downtown Waitsburg. “I don’t have any plans,” the longtime resident said Monday.

“The WP high school volleyball coaches have been suspended for the remainder of the season,” Waitsburg Superintendent Dr. Carol Clarke and Prescott Superintendent Dr. Bill Jordan said in a prepared statement. The coaching staff was suspended pending an investigation into allegations that they created an atmosphere of harassment, intimidation and bullying.

Barely a week after it was unveiled, Keith McMaster’s statue of the stationmaster near the historic train depot in Dayton was desecrated. An acidic liquid, perhaps Coke or Pepsi, was dumped over it leaving splotches on the statue’s head, and the carefully crafted, bronze eyeglasses were twisted and cracked.

Twenty-Five Years Ago

October 26, 1995

Mrs. Lindsey’s Pumpkin Patch, at the home of Waitsburg Elementary School teacher Dinah Lindsey in Waitsburg reminds us that Halloween is just around the corner. Motorists are reminded to be extra careful next Tuesday, Oct. 31 as little trick-or-treaters will be walking the streets in search of goodies.

The City Council of Waitsburg, reacting to complaints of teenagers harassing elderly people downtown, has tightened the town’s year-old curfew for people under 17.

A gathering place for teenagers in Waitsburg, the phone booth in front of the library, is moving—to in front of the police station. Local police have claimed that drug dealing has been conducted over that phone in the past.

Waitsburg City Council is talking about fixing up the upstairs of City Hall for the marshal’s office. The topic came up last week. A councilmember said that the marshall, who has a small office in City Hall, could use more space and suggested the city look into spending about $7,000 on heat pumps to heat the second floor of City Hall.

Fifty Years Ago

November 5, 1970

A check for $65,000 was presented to Whitman College Wednesday as part of a gift from the late Mrs. Ida Rose Stonecipher. “Ida Rose Stonecipher was motivated in the making of these generous gifts by the long time friendship with and great admiration and respect for both former Whitman President Penrose and Mrs. Penrose,” Sherwood said, “Mrs. Stonecipher had no children, but was deeply interested in the education of our youth.”

Mr. and Mrs. Gary Thomas of Puyallup are the parents of a 7 pound daughter born November 4. Mr. and Mrs. Don Thomas are grandparents.

Ideas are like children, your own are wonderful.

Seventy-Five Years Ago

November 9, 1945

Boy Scouts from the Walla Walla area will participate in the General Wainwright Memorial Sat. morning at 10:30 a.m.

Flurries of snow fell Wednesday between moments of sunshine, but by evening no snow remained on the ground although it seems quite certain that winter has arrived earlier than usual.

Richard Webber celebrated his seventh birthday when 12 friends enjoyed a party at his home. Games, birthday cake and ice cream were enjoyed.

Mary Hirsch, Monte Shaffer, Jim Cresswell, Bus Conover [sic], Bob Jacobsen and Bob Loundagin have organized a dance band at the high school.

One Hundred Years Ago

November 12, 1920

Charles Preston was in town this week from Portland looking after some business interests. Charles’ old schoolmates find it difficult to call him “Bones” anymore, as he has “filled out,” so in recent years that nickname is a misnomer.

A fire burning at “Rose Glen” the beautiful country home of the Hon. Gustav Vollmer, east of town last Saturday at noon caused much excitement downtown.

A reception was given to Rev. R.O. Williams and family, the new pastor of the Presbyterian Church Friday evening.

One Hundred Twenty-Five Years Ago

November 15, 1895

Mrs. Maggie Perin has opened a private boarding house on Preston Avenue, the first house on the south side of the street east of the bridge.

Born in this city, November 12 to Frank McKinney and wife, a son.

Within the last two weeks many hundreds of acres have been sown in wheat, the recent rains having put the gound in excellent condition for such work.

A thief or thieves stole some spareribs from Dr. Butler’s kitchen last Sunday night.