The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

Ten Years Ago

Sept. 8, 2005

An interesting and informative historical demonstration by local Lewis & Clark Expedition expert Gary Lentz is one of many events combining to entertain visitors to three days of “Trails and Tales” at the Columbia County Fairgrounds. Lentz’s historical presentation, magic, a “Builder’s Bonanza,” livestock and other attractions will greet fairgoers when the fair opens on Friday with a free fair breakfast with paid gate admission.

Commercial Club members organizing the Salmon Bake have expressed concern that salmon-loving faithful from Walla Walla will be discouraged from attending due to the detour signs posted in Walla Walla because of the Coppei Bridge replacement. The route remains open to traffic via a one-lane bypass bridge that is controlled by stop signs. Traffic from Walla Walla can easily get into Waitsburg and to the Don Thomas Community Building, the site of the Salmon Bake.

Twenty-Five Years Ago

Sept. 6, 1990

Jack Otterson, son of Nancy and Jack Otterson of Waitsburg, is on the roster of the Washington State University Cougars as a backup punter. Jack, who spent time playing for the WWCC Warriors perfecting his skills, is playing behind Jason Hansen, an outstanding kicker for the Cougs.

Lions President Neil Henze notified local members that the first meeting of the new term will be Tuesday, September 11. Plans will be finalized for the Salmon Bake and the Buffalo Barbecue at the Pioneer Fall Festival. Lions Berger Chase and W. “Buffalo Bill” Thompson journeyed to the wilds of Montana to bring back another tasty buffalo for the feed. Unlike Kit Carson and Buffalo Bill Cody, the buffalo they got was “cut and wrapped.”

Fifty Years Ago

Sept. 2, 1965

Last week we mentioned a speaking trumpet and samovar as being prizes won by the Drum and Bugle Corp. Everyone makes mistakes. Our apologies, they were won by the Waitsburg Hose Cart Company of the Fire Department. Simple matter of running the length of Main Street, pulling the hose cart and laying the hose at the same time. Winning time was 63 seconds. Names engraved on the samovar are A. Roberts, capt., King Will, H. Perkins, B. Dixon, S. Arnold, E. Atwood, W. Ingalls, J. Harsh, A. Dixon, A. D. Balderston, L. Cochran, W. Moody, and R. Roberts.

On a bright Wednesday, a week or two ago, the Times photog journeyed out into a field of Gordon Leid’s to take a few candid shots of a hard-working harvest crew. The field looked abandoned save for the three giant combines, but upon close investigation we found the crews at ease under the machinery with a round of peanut-butter sandwiches. We tried for lunch, but all that was left was a half-a-piece of berry pie in Paul E. Hofer’s lunchpail. His fork was poised above it, and for the sake of life and limb we declined his invitation to “try and get a piece of this pie!”

Seventy-Five Years Ago

Aug. 30, 1940

A trash fire got out of bounds Monday morning on the George Freeman place on Whiskey Creek southeast of this city. About 30 or 40 acres of stubble burned on the acres of pasture land on the adjoining Price place.

Miss Marjorie McCown, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. M. W. McCown, is to be married on Sept. 14 to Mr. Matt Lyons of Walla Walla.

Miss Margaret Harmon, daughter of Mrs. Winnie Moores of this city, and John Lemon of Walla Walla were married in Lewiston, Aug. 20.

One Hundred Years Ago

Sept. 3, 1915

Wm. Warwick of Aberdeen, S.D., official trail blazer for the Yellowstone Trail reached this city the latter part of last week, driving a little Metz and accompanied by his wife and daughter. Any doubt that the Yellowstone Trail would fail to hit this city can now be put aside as there is a broad yellow band at every turn of the road and crossroad from Chicago to Waitsburg.

Lena, Mary, Jake and Bill Keve have returned home for a few days rest before starting with the Jones harvest crew which will be the last of the season.

One Hundred Twenty-Five Years Ago

Aug. 29, 1890

L. T. Parker and Ag. G. Lloyd represented the Waitsburg democracy at the Tacoma and Seattle Convention this week.

We received a pleasant call on Tuesday from Rev. Theodore Hoagland, at one time and for three years minister in charge of the M. E. Church in this city. He has not been here for some time and was delighted at the growth and substantial improvements in our Burg.

D. N. Smith came down from Pomeroy on Saturday to make arrangements for burning a kiln of brick at his yard in this city. He now has a force of men at work and will be ready to burn in about four weeks.