The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

Ten Years Ago

July 14, 2005

Retirement agrees with retired postal employees Lupe and Sandra Torres of Waitsburg and it shows on the radiant smiles that emanate warmly from their faces. The couple have turned their hobby into a relaxed retirement business and since May 18 “Nothing New Antiques, Collectibles and Fine Arts” has been attracting visitors to its newly refurbished digs at 214 Main Street Waitsburg.

Coincidence brought two Seattle artists to Waitsburg and they’ve jumped at the chance to buy the Waitsburg IOOF Building, especially after about two decades of restoring similar properties in Seattle only to see their benefactors send them packing when the work is done. Jim German, 44, and his fiancé Claire Johnston, 40, are new property owners and residents of Waitsburg, making their home in the old Odd Fellows Building, most recently the location of the Silver Moon Café’ and Lottie Belle’s, now defunct restaurants.

Twenty-Five Years Ago

July 19, 1990

Marshal’s Memos: Report of cows being held in pickup in a pasture making noise on July 11. Owner contacted and asked to see if he could quiet them down. He went to try.

Complaint about dog chained up with no water and food on July 11. Report also indicated that dog had been shaved. Deputy found that it was on a 15-foot chain, with access to dog house, shade tree and water bucket. Dog judged by deputy to be slightly overweight. Deputy judged that the shave was to make animal more comfortable in hot weather. Complaint considered as unfounded.

The Port of Walla Walla announced today The McGregor Company will lease six acres of airport property to operate a fertilizer, chemical, and application equipment business. The McGregor Company is a 42 year old family owned business that serves farmers of the interior northwest. The firm has 300 employees and serves 24 farm communities.

Fifty Years Ago

July 15, 1965

Waitsburg Green Giant employee Orville Webster, of Dayton, collected two suggestion system awards and received $45. He received a $25 check for suggesting a new system for removing ice and frozen product from the tunnel freezer belt. A $20 award was received for suggesting that an attachment be made to fit grease guns which will pack certain bearings with grease.

Photo caption: Frank Zuger has a bountiful supply of clematis blooms climbing his patio trellis, and the Times photographer just happened by last Friday evening for a picture of the flowers. Mr Zuger, who is well-known for his gardening talents, says that this outstanding plant was quite scrawny until he added a pungent solution of rotten sawdust to the roots. Mr. Zuger is well-known in other circles as an authority on Magpies and their nesting habits.

Seventy-Five Years Ago

July 19, 1940

Evidence that mechanization has not entirely supplanted the horse in army favor was given in the announcement Saturday that Maj. F. W. Loester of San Mateo, Ca. would be in this territory soon for the purpose of inspecting and purchasing horses for army use.

Now is the time to make the loop trip on the Skyline drive for greatest comfort, best road conditions and enjoyment of mountain scenery.

Gail Talbot, who is harvesting with the Clifford Leid outfit, had the misfortune to have a foot painfully bruised Wednesday, when it was caught in the machine.

One Hundred Years Ago

July 23, 1915

Samuel and Bailey, undertakers, this week received their new funeral car and it is certainly a beautiful hearse. In fact it is said to be the most modern vehicle of its kind this side of Seattle. The car is built on a brandnew Buick chassis, with 37 h. p.

Marvin Lloyd, son of G. M. Lloyd, met with a serious accident about 5 o’clock Saturday afternoon when his right hand was caught in the knives of a big power sausage machine in his father’s meat market and three fingers were so badly mangled that they had to be amputated immediately.

Emerson Loundagin, of theTimes force, is rusticating this week somewhere along the classic banks of Mill Creek. He used his newly purchased Ford as a means of transportation and was accompanied by Cleve Hooker.

One Hundred Twenty Five Years Ago

July 18, 1880

A new school house has been completed near Frank Nalders’ place on the Coppei. School will begin there the first Monday in August, probably with Miss Grace Ramsey as teacher.

Died at Junction City, Ore. May 13, David Wilson, aged 78 years. Mr. Wilson was the father of Isaac Wilson of this city and at one time lived in Walla Walla County. He settled the place now owned by A. Stewart, and it was for him that Wilson Hollow was named.

Frank Nalder says he is authorized by Chas. Russell of Walla Walla to pay $1 a hundred for oats, and furnish sacks and twine for same. This is certainly a good price, and farmers who refuse to sell at this price deserve to take less and probably will.