PIONEER PORTRAITS

Ten Years Ago

November 7, 2013

On November 8, 1899, a 30-foot high arch draped in patriotic colors stood in the center of Waitsburg's Main Street. A bell – brought from the Philippines – hung from the center of the arch and was rung continuously by a boy dressed as Uncle Sam and a girl dressed as Columbia. A crowd welcomed home the soldiers of Waitsburg's Company K as they passed ceremonially beneath the arch before taking part in a town-wide celebration that included a banquet, fireworks, and a dance. On Friday, 87-year-old William "Bill" V. Hinchliffe will celebrate the 114th anniversary of that welcome home by speaking at a Veterans Day Assembly at Waitsburg High School. The story strikes a personal chord with Hinchliffe whose father, William Hinchliffe (no middle initial) was the last surviving Waitsburg veteran of Company K. In 1898, the 19-year-old William Hinchliffe lied about his age and volunteered with Company K to fight in the Spanish-American war.

Twenty-Five Years Ago

November 12, 1998

Lifelong Waitsburg residents Sam Wills and Don Wills were among the numerous Waitsburg boys who went overseas during World War II and then returned to Waitsburg where they have lived and worked and are now spending their retirement. Both long-time fixtures in the community, Sam can be seen cruising around town in his red Chevrolet, "keeping an eye on things," and Don also putts around town in his Toyota pickup, making sure all is well at Ye Towne Hall, among other things. Last week Sam was saddened with the passing of his wife of 51 years, Ethel, 82. When the United States entered the war in December, 1941, Sam was working on the construction of the cannery here in Waitsburg, a place he would eventually spend his career working until retirement when Green Giant closed the facility in 1982.

Fifty Years Ago

November 8, 1973

[Photo Caption] Jim Nelson, left, Green Giant Regional Production Manager, watches while Bob Jameson, Green Giant Plant Superintendent presents a $1500 check to Don "Buck" Hinchliffe, chairman of the Waitsburg Ambulance Service board. The check paid off the balance owed on the new rig, after a fund-raising period of four months, five days.

Seventy-Five Years Ago

November 12, 1948

Stanley Seaton, and his uncle Jim Gardner, returned Sunday night from Godman Springs with an elk. Stan took his snow plane into the mountains as far as Table Rock.

Mr. and Mrs. Lee Mantz Jr. have moved into their new home which is nearly completed. They expect to have it finished by Thanksgiving.

Chicken dinner, floor show and bingo are the features of the Grange benefit party Friday evening. Danny Murphy of Walla Walla will be featured in the floor show which is included in the price of the dinner.

One Hundred Years Ago

November 16, 1923

Mr. and Mrs. O. E. Clark and Mr. and Mrs. L. R. Perrine returned Sunday from Portland where they spent several days last week attending the Livestock Exhibition and visiting relatives.

James and Clyde Crawford of Shedd, Oregon, cousins of O. M. and H. D. Conover, left Friday for their home after spending a couple of days visiting their kinsmen. The Crawford brothers have been helping harvest wheat in Alberta Canada, but with the mercury flirting around zero, they decided to "beat it" for home.

Chas. J. Weller of Wilson Creek, Wash. came down Monday on a short business trip and to see his mother, Mrs. Mary Weller and sister, Miss Fannie.

One Hundred Twenty-Five Years Ago

November 18, 1898

The High School enrollment was brought up to 47 this week by the enrollment this week of Artie Harsh and Leroy Honeycutt. Several other pupils enrolled in different classes so the books show a total enrollment of nearly 270.

A very pleasant party was given at the country home of Miss Ethel Miller of near Bolles on last Friday evening. Several couples of young people from this city attended.

The youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. Tom Kinder aged about 7 years, had the misfortune to break a leg on Sunday of this week.