The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

Ten Years Ago

September 7, 2006

Yesterday, Elzy Conover marketed his half crop, about five months earlier and 200 pounds lighter than typical, forced out of Blue Mountain pasture by the Columbia Complex fire. “It took a big bite,” said Larry Conover, Elzy’s son, of the economic impact the fire will have on the ranch.

Last year the Waitsburg Commercial Cub worried that traffic restrictions because of bridge construction would deter salmon lovers from making the jaunt to Waitsburg for the annual Salmon Barbecue. This year the bridge is completed and open but the Don Thomas Community Building, the traditional site of the event, is part of the Columbia Complex Incident Command Post. This year’s 49th annual Salmon Barbecue will be held at the McGregor Company, 115 Garden, and is set to begin at about 6 p.m., Saturday, September 23.

Twenty-Five Years Ago

September 5, 2016

The Times of Waitsburg has been sold to Ron and Jane Smith of Riverside, California, and they will take over management on Thursday, September 12. The paper has operated under the ownership of Anita and Tom Baker since July 1964.

Bill Stonecipher was in the office this week with a smile on his face because he had finished harvest. Seems to show on most farmers we know. But he had another mission which was to praise the volunteers serving Fire District No. 2 for their work in averting a serious blaze in the area.

Since September 1 was a Sunday, the Pioneer Fall Festival is early this year, and the Waitsburg Lions have received a letter outlining the work to be done during the next couple of weeks in preparation. Berger Chase is described as “Head Man and Permit Getter.” He delegated himself, Bob Jameson and J. W. “Buffalo Bill” Thompson on the hunting party to Montana to bring home the bacon . . . er, rather the buffalo.

Fifty Years Ago

September 1, 1966

The Commercial Club’s annual fall Salmon Bake will be held on Tuesday evening, September 13 at the Waitsburg Community Building beginning at 6:30 p.m. The cost per person will be $2.50. As in the past, this function is for adults only. Chairman Ernest Mikkelsen said that the menu for the event will be announced next week.

Mrs. Betty Richardson called this week to report that her huge pumpkin had been stolen from her garden. It was a prize specimen, grown from giant pumpkin seeds imported from California. She said that the seeds themselves were about 4 times as large as normal pumpkin seeds. She called us again Tuesday evening, somewhat relieved, to report that the purloined pumpkin had been returned safe and sound. We think she still plans to exhibit it at the Southeastern Washington Fair this weekend in Walla Walla.

Seventy-Five Year Ago

September 5, 1941

Showers every day this week so far, is playing havoc with attempts to complete the wheat harvest in this Valley. Several hundred acres of ripe peas are yet to be harvested. The apple men are anxious for sunshine to put color on their apples.

The Red Cross Sewing rooms in the First National Bank building are now open, in the charge of Mrs. Jessie Russell. A good many articles of furniture, including two sewing machines, have been donated for use in the work rooms.

Kenneth Zuger and Dorrel and Ted Jones spent Saturday, Sunday and Labor Day on Butte Creek in the Umatilla Forest Reserve on a sighing trip. Dorrel Jones came into camp dragging a 34-inch Chinook salmon which he had landed with his 5-oz. trout rod.

One Hundred Years Ago

September 8, 1916

It is school days again and the ringing of school bells reminds us that summer is about over. The registration books show that for the two Waitsburg precincts 454 voters have qualified for the primaries.

Miss Mae Singer left for Cheney Sunday where she will attend the State Normal School this fall.

Cary Prichard finished up a 28-days run with his combine last week. He cut his own crop and the crop of Lert Buroker, a total of 600 acres. Cary’s crop averaged about 40 bushels of first grade wheat.

One Hundred Twenty-Five Years Ago

September 11, 1891

Wm. Bruce and family left Monday for a pleasure trip to Medical Lake. They will be accompanied by Miss Katie Harper.

A very unusual sight was witnessed at the Columbia River the other day when four large whales came inside the bar and ascended the stream as far as Knappton. They had absolute right-of-way, all boats giving them a wide berth.

Talk about marksmanship!! The editor of this first-class family paper got up at half past one o’clock last Saturday morning, and with no other light than a small lamp and two ladies in white petticoats for reflectors, shot a skunk right between the eyes with a .22 rifle and killed the animal so dead it stunk.