The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

Ten Years Ago

August 18, 2005

About a hundred years ago, Waitsburg businessman, E. L. Powell sold his interest in the Pioneer Supply Depot at 134 Main Street in Waitsburg to move to Spokane, where fame and fortune followed, including community service such as Spokane mayor and in the state legislature. Some 100 years later, the situation is reversed: John and Marilyn Stellwagen have migrated from Spokane to southeastern Washington and are the new owners of one of Waitsburg’s longest continuously operating businesses, though under different names through the years.

Grain harvest in the Touchet Valley is nearing completion with many of the local producers wrapping up operations over last weekend. “We’re 90% finished,” said J.E. McCaw, manager of the local branch of Northwest Grain Growers. “Another week should wrap it up. Reports of winter wheat yields have not varied from earlier reports of between 85 to 105 bushels per acre, and spring crops suffered because of the lack of moisture during critical times. The dry year contributed to lighter test weights.

Twenty-Five Years Ago

August 16, 1990

Salmon Bake Co-Chairman Ken Jantz came by the office Monday to let us know that the big event on the fall social calendar is approaching fast. It seems that after some of the participants finish harvest they have extra time to think about such activities.

Touchet Valley Grain Growers Manager Bob Abbey said Wednesday morning that harvest is about 98% complete at this time . . . The Wednesday price was $2.82, up from a recent low of $2.75.

Leading the court for the Walla Walla Frontier Days is Queen Marchand Hendrickson, daughter of Marcene and Paul Hendrickson of Dayton. This 1988 graduate of Dayton High School received her Associate of Arts degree from Walla Walla Community College and will attend EWU in Cheney this fall for work toward a BS in Dental Hygiene.

Fifty Years Ago

August 12, 1965

Centennial Chatter: Harriet Peterson has arranged an interesting display of irons from the “saddest” sad iron to the very modern steam iron. Mrs. John Liebermann has added a corner chair to the items on display. Most unusual.

Mrs. Kay Baker of Denver, Co has been visiting her brothers, Burdette Huwe, the Lyle Huwe’s and the Pete Huwe’s on her way to Alaska where she will join her husband.

Mr. and Mrs. Bob Hulce entertained Sunday in honor of his cousin, Mrs. Pete Patorious and family who has been visiting here from Spokane. Guests included Mr. and Mrs. Harlan Hulce and children, Clark Hulce, Gordon Fuhr and Bill Noyes.

Seventy-Five Years Ago

August 16, 1940

Eugene Myers and Mrs. Aleta Combs have been signed up to teach at the Huntsville School this next year again.

A Waitsburg Republican Club was organized Tuesday evening. L. A. Dyar was named president, Walter Weller, secretary; and E. L. Wheeler, treasurer.

Effective Aug. 15, children’s haircuts will be raised to 40¢ after a cost survey had been made.

Mrs. Annie Glover arrived here Tuesday from a two month’s trip to Oklahoma and Texas where she visited relatives whom she had not seen for over thirty years. On her way home she visited the Carlsbad Caverns, and then spent some time with her son Donald and wife, who are spending their vacation at a beautiful spot on the McKenzie River in Oregon.

One Hundred Years Ago

August 20, 1915

Grain threshing in this vicinity is now all but finished and many of the farmers are preparing for the hauling of their grain to the warehouse.

The engagement of Miss Bess Fishback, daughter of H. O. Fishback, state insurance commissioner at Olympia, and Earl Butler has been announced, the wedding to take place at the bride’s home in Olympia.

Word has been received of the marriage of Miss Nellie Lee of this city to Mr. Zeph Cox, formerly of this place, but now at Milner, Idaho, at Burley, Sunday, Aug. 8.

One Hundred Twenty-Five Years Ago

August 15, 1890

We understand that D. N. Smith will in a few days commence moulding a kiln of brick in this city.

David Roberts has fully recovered from his recent illness and says he feels better than before he was sick.

Today for the first time in the history of the city the treasury was empty and a warrant was marked “not paid for want of funds.”

M. E. Sapp bought his grain sacks of S. W. Smith Co. on the discount plan and sold his barley to them this week for 90 cents sacked, and received 2 cents discount on each sack; making his sack cost him only 6 cents.