The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

Ten Years Ago April 24, 2003

Instead of announcing the 2003 Days of Real Sport parade, David McConnell, the "Voice of Waitsburg," and his wife Jill, will be its Parade Marshals, giving this year's parade one of those unique Waitsburg twists. It promises to be a different view of the parade than the McConnells have seen from their perch next to City Hall since the early 1960's. In fact, being honored as parade marshal will mark the first time in decades in which the deep, mellifluous tones of Mc- Connell's voice will not be heard as riders, bands, wagons, floats and other entries parade through downtown Waitsburg to open the weekend of horse racing, juicy Lions Club ham- burgers, sunshine (most of the time) and other festivities. McConnell voiced his final trademark "Theeeeeere they go!" to start the 1997 Queen's Derby but he continued announcing the parade until 2002. "It will be fun," McConnell said of the role reversal.

Twenty-Five Years Ago April 21, 1988

Waitsburg Commercial Club discussed a date for the an- nual Spring Picnic at the meeting Tuesday. The picnic nor- mally follows the Days of Real Sport, but May 17th, the third Tuesday in May, is before. President Roger Hevel said he would leave determination of the date up to the Picnic Com- mittee. Loyal Baker said that Doug Shaw and Mike Hubbard have been working on the cannery building project, and that he hoped to have Shaw at Commercial Club on May 3 for a program. Morris Kurth reported that the new stand for the Towne Hall tv has been installed and painted. The stand has a security lock which will prevent "borrowing". Kurth said that the connection for the cable hookup has been installed, but not joined to the system yet. J. W. "Buffalo Bill" Thompson said that he has been so busy hauling gravel (To fulfill cam- paign promises) that he hasn't had time to do it yet.

Fifty Years Ago April 26, 1963

Waitsburg 4-H Livestock Club attended the Walla Walla County Preview at the Exposition Building in Walla Walla Saturday, April 20 when Larry Conover placed second in Livestock Judging with 457.7 point out of a possible 500. He will receive a silver medal for his accuracy. Donna Harris placed fourth with 455.6 points; Jan Bloor was twelfth with 437.8 points. Howard Smith, Jr. of the 4-H Hereford Dogies Club placed sixth; and Carol Hinchliffe tied for 15th place in the contest. There were 144 county 4-H members participat- ing.

Seventy-Five Years Ago April 29, 1938

The Waitsburg School Band, under the capable direction of C. S. Malone, came home Saturday evening with second honors for Class "B" bands in competition at the annual Inland Empire Music Festival at Cheney, Wash., Friday and Saturday.

County Commissioners Monday afternoon approved a project for resurfacing three miles of the Wilson Hollow Road, southeast of the city. The project will involve and ex- penditure of $1500.

Mrs. Fred Ogden entertained the No No No Club at 1 o'clock dessert bridge Monday afternoon. Mrs. Robert Col- lins and Mrs. John Kanz won prizes.

Dr. R. L. Bailey reports the arrival of a girl to Dr. and Mrs. R. C. Hill, Wednesday evening at Brining Hospital, Dayton. The young lady weighted 6 ½ pounds at birth.

The Progressive Club is presenting its annual music week program on Monday evening, May 2, in the high school auditorium. Featured on the program will be Ira Lockney, Willard Pollard, Dorothy Gohlman, Kathleen Gerking and a quartet composed of Claude Hand, Jr., Wayne Fullerton, Glenn Conover and Chester Keiser.

Russell Thompson lost his right arm Tuesday afternoon while working on a road improvement job now underway on the Lower Walla Walla road.

One Hundred Years Ago May 2, 1913

Last Wednesday evening the large barn on the Hungate farm about five miles southwest of this city was consumed by fire, burning 28 head of young work mules and five head of horses, besides harness, saddles, 30 or 40 tons of hay, feed, barley etc.

The County Auditor Saturday paid out the first $15 bounty of the year for a timber wolf, and S. Coe of Jasper Mountain, was the nimrod to receive payment for slaying the ferocious beast. In addition to the wolf hide, Mr. Coe pre- sented 11 coyote hides for which he received the sum of $11, making a total of $26 income for one hunting trip.

Born - at the farm home three miles west of this city, Friday, April 25, to Mr. and Mrs. M. Mikkelsen, a son.

John Minnick arrived home this week from the last lap of his eastern trip after an absence of several months. He says he had a delightful trip as a whole, but that Eastern Washing- ton looks good to him.

One Hundred Years Ago April 27, 1888

L. Hammer and family of Huntsville passed through the city yesterday on their way to Portland to spend a few weeks. They went by team and will camp out.

Mrs. Anna M. Palmer left on Tuesday morning for Spokane Falls to attend the W.C.T.U. convention which met there yesterday.

Miss Marietta Wickersham has purchased Mrs. Sapp's millinery business. She took possession of the same last Saturday.

Joe Harper and Will Shaffer arrived home from the Big Bend last Friday evening looking bronzed and healthy.

Abel White is today moving his fine horses into his new stable by the bridge.

Any person who will purchase a lot in Small's Addition to Waitsburg, of the value of $75 will be give an adjoining lot. This offer to hold good for the next 60 days. Will guarantee that every lot can be irrigated. For further particulars call upon Ingraham & Sanders.