Ten Years Ago May 18, 2001

In this issue, the community is reminded to turn back the clock on one page, while on another page a rare photo of the fire of 1911, which consumed Mosgrove's general store and the barber shop next door marks past events. On the print the Peririne-Jonas Hardware building, now the home of Waitsburg Hardware and Mercantile, the J.W. Morgan building and others along the west side of the block can be seen. Fire hoses snake across the dirt Main and Preston intersection, which was illuminated by a single street light.

Construction work is winding down on the renovation project at Waitsburg High School. Anticipated completion date is Nov. 1.

In anticipation of Halloween, The Times' invites preschoolers and others who won't be involved in the school photo opportunity to "Trick-or-Treat" from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at The Times Halloween afternoon.

Twenty-Five Years Ago October 23, 1986

George Lowery, former mill superintendent in Waitsburg for Preston-Shaffer Milling Company, visited the old mill last Thursday for the first time in many years. He had been in charge of the operation from 1941 to 1947. The mill closed in 1957.

Herman Gohlman claims he was among the first four young men to swim in the local pool when it was built. The other three were Wayne Bateman, Marvin Gohlman and Myron Harsh. Annie Glover opened the gate for the first time and there was no life guard.

Fifty Years Ago October 27, 1961

Construction of Lower Monumental Dam on the Snake River, 40 miles northeast of Waitsburg, will mean relocation of two small towns: Ayer on the south side of the river and Riparia on the north side.

Ray Peacock who has operated the Plaza Theatre for the past 15 years, has closed the business and hopes to lease or sell in the near future.

Christ Lutheran Church in Walla Walla was the scene of the double-ring ceremony, which united Miss Carolee Jantz and Kenneth Norman Jantz on Oct. 21.

Publishers in the state learn of the need for fall out shelters.

Seventy-Five Years Ago October 30, 1936

From a check made by John R. Kanz, state game protector, there were approximately 140 deer killed in the Blue Mountains south of here during the season just closed.

The 34th anniversary of Progressive Club was observed on Oct. 27th at the home of Mrs. Marcia Weir. Mrs. W.H. Wallace had charge of the dining room, assisted by Mrs. L.K. Cox, Mrs. Frank Danielson and Mrs. Chester Keiser.

James Stonecipher has an acre or two of exceptionally fine potatoes in the Spring Valley district, according to Glenn Conover who helped dig them. They are of the Netted Gem variety grown from certified seed obtained from Wisconsin. One potato was brought into this office which weighed exactly six pounds, which is some potato.

One Hundred Years Ago October 27, 1911

Ed Buroker, the contractor, has commenced the erection of a very comfortable and modern farm residence for Hon. Gustav Vollmer on what is known as Fudge land out Preston Avenue way and about one half mile east of Mr. Vollmer's Rose Glen farm. The new home will cost $3,000.

M.R. Keiser has just completed a new cement walk along his residence frontage on Main Street - 120 feet. This piece of walk completes a line of walk for eight blocks on the west side of Main Street.

The high school football team, which played Columbia College at Milton last Saturday, was decisively defeated by the score of 18 - 0. They hope for a rematch to redeem themselves.

One Hundred Twenty-Five Years Ago October 22, 1886

On Thursday evening of last week, B.H. Ormsbee, Eng., while engaged in a game of baseball and while running fell, doubling a leg under him with result to dislocate the knee joint and fracture the bone. He was confined to his bed several days and is now able to quietly move about a very little with the aid of crutches.

The total gate and office receipts at the Walla Walla County Fair last Monday amounted to $410. Good.

There is some talk of organizing an anti-tobacco league in this town.

For the first time this season, the adjacent Blue Mountains were covered with snow last Saturday morning.

C.F. Buck, of Prescott, was in the city attending the wedding on Tuesday night. If he can't get married himself, he can watch others do it.

Presiding Elder N.E. Parsons returned home yesterday after three weeks absence. He reports prosperous work throughout the district.