PIONEER PORTRAITS

Ten Years Ago

June 27, 2013

Wesley Hoskins grew up on a farm on Whetstone creek in the 1920s and 30s. During those years he witnessed some amazing changes. In 1930, there was no electricity on the farm. By 1940, the REA co-op had brought electricity to farmers on the Whetstone, and throughout Columbia County. In 1930, Hoskins' family – and all their neighbors – plowed, harrowed, and harvested wheat using draft horses or mules. By 1940, many farmers in Columbia County were using Caterpillar tractors. Hoskins, who turned 90 in March, was in Dayton this week with copies of his new book, "An Organic Childhood." In it, he chronicles his years growing up on the Whetstone farm and attending the one-room Whetstone School. He describes, in wonderful detail, wheat farming practices in the 1930s, and in almost as much detail, he recounts Saturday nights in downtown Dayton and his years attending Dayton High School, where he graduated in 1940.

Twenty-Five Years Ago

July 2, 1998

A good-sized group turned out to wish long-time Walla Wall Farmers Co-op Manager Justin Mayberry a happy retirement last Tuesday as he drew the curtain on 41 years of service to the local agricultural business. People from Waitsburg, Walla Walla, Eureka, and, of course, Prescott stopped by the co-op to wish Mayberry the best. Mayberry, 65, was initially hired to drive gas truck for the Co-op, but a short time later, back in 1957, found himself in the shop, "fixin' tires, and greasin' cars" and that's where he remained. Mayberry's retirement gift from the Co-op was a fine mantle clock with an engraved plate commemorating his long service. His family first moved to Prescot when he was 10 in 1943. Mayberry graduated from Prescott High School in 1951 and attended Washington State College for a year before joining the Marine Corps for a three-year stint.

Fifty Years Ago

June 28, 1973

[Photo Caption] Swimming pool staff for the Summer of '73 are manager Debbie McCown, right, and assistant Jackie Davis, left. These two young ladies are working with swim classes and have formed a team to compete in other meets in the valley.

Seventy-Five Years Ago

July 2, 1948

Navy pilots reported sighting wreckage of a plane Tuesday, June 22, 50 miles west of Yakima which is believed to be that of the light private place missing ten days piloted by Jim Henry, son of Mr. and Mrs. Joe Henry.

A yard and garden contest sponsored by the Waitsburg Garden Club was announced by president L. A. Dyar with judging to be July 1. Last year's winner was Mrs. Lillian Smith.

Mr. Henry Reimers and his wife left this week for a motor trip to Yellowstone Park.

One Hundred Years Ago

July 6, 1923

Moore Bros. extensive apple growers, whose orchards are located just northeast of town, this week let the contract for the erection of a modern packing and storage warehouse to be 60 x 100 feet, frost proof with a full concrete basement.

Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Bateman of Dayton came to Waitsburg early Sunday morning to join George Bateman and family on a pleasure trip to Lewiston where they spent the day.

The Waitsburg band spent July Fourth at the Prescott celebration where the boys played concerts during the day in the grove. A number of Waitsburgers also enjoyed the hospitality of our neighboring town. Prescott had an interesting program and there was a good attendance.

One Hundred Twenty-Five Years Ago

July 8, 1898

P. M. Tucker has about completed the extensive repairing he has been doing on his livery stable. When finished he will have a very serviceable barn.

Delbert Hart and family left on Thursday evening for Spokane after visiting several weeks here with Mr. Hart's parents, Mr. And Mrs. Frank Hart.

Fielding Nalder arrived home from Pullman last Saturday to spend the Fourth with his parents. He rode the entire distance on his wheel.