PIONEER PORTRAITS

Fifteen Years Ago

March 25, 2010

[Photo caption] Full Steam Ahead: Braving a rainy Sunday afternoon, members of the Pacific Railcar Operators (PRO) from as far away as Missoula and the San Francisco Bay Area come down the Blue Mountain railroad tracks near Bolles between Waitsburg and Prescott. Twenty-six of the "speeders" that are equipped with 16-inch steel wheels and powered by two-cylinder engines for speeds up to 25 miles per hour made the day trip back and forth between Walla Walla and Dayton. At least a dozen of the motor cars will return to Dayton in June to give rides during All Wheels Weekend raising money for the restoration of Dayton historical railroad depot.

Twenty-Five Years Ago

March 23, 2000

Another of Waitsburg's "worker bees" has been recognized for dedication to the community's senior population, diligence in her involvement in church, civic and fraternal organizations and for the many "hats" she wears in upholding those commitments she has made to making "One of a Kind" Waitsburg a better place to live. Rose Engelbrite was presented with the Commercial Club Community Service Award at the organization's Annual Banquet Tuesday. "I feel she more than deserves this honor, since she has always been involved in the many community activities that make Waitsburg "One of a Kind," said one nomination letter.

Fifty Years Ago

March 27, 1975

Waitsburg Cardinals finished fourth in the SEW "A" League, but first in the all-stars competition as David Smith and Kirk Huwe took two spots on the first team. Neil Henze (6-5 center) was given honorable mention as the lone Wait-Hi senior on the select squad. Junior David Smith (5-10 guard) had an average of 15.7 points per game and was the floor leader for the Redbirds. His outside jumper and accuracy on lay in steals helped the Cards winning edge in several games. Huwe, also a junior at 6-3, played forward for Waitsburg. He was one of the top rebounders for Wait-Hi, and also popped through a 13.7 point per game average. His rebounding was nearly even with the scoring, as he cleared an average of 13.8 per game.

Seventy-Five Years Ago

March 31, 1950

Henry Roberts has sold his farm in Weller Canyon to Lewis Patton and has purchased a larger acreage near Pilot Rock, Or.

Richard Pettichord received the free throw basketball trophy at the basketball banquet Tuesday evening. Rod Dilts was winner for the B squad. Neil Maxwell received the sportsmanship award.

One Hundred Years Ago

April 3, 1925

Word comes from Dayton that Columbia County is busily engaged in planning for an egg marketing cooperative association.

Will Wardrip accompanied by Chas. Thonney of Dixie, returned Saturday from a trip up above Potlatch, Id. Where Mr. Wardrip took his truck to get a load of bridge construction tools belonging to Contractor Thonney.

Little Adelle Conover, the 2 1/2-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Glen Conover, fell from the porch last Wednesday at the farm home of Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Abbey and fractured a bone of one leg. The Dorcas Society was spending the afternoon at the Abbey home and several children were playing outside when the accident happened.

One Hundred Twenty-Five Years Ago

April 6, 1900

Our annual city election took place Monday of this week and proved to be a lively affair and one of the most hotly contested. There were two tickets in the field, the citizens ticket and the businessmen's ticket. The businessmen's ticket was elected in full except for one councilman and the treasurer. J. H. Morrow was elected mayor. There were 204 votes cast out of 224 registered votes.

Elmer Stonecipher has purchased the old Harmon farm of 223 acres, seven miles north of Waitsburg including the farming implements, six horses and harnesses, 14 hogs and 100 chickens. Consideration, $32 per acre.