The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

Ten Years Ago

August 23, 2007

Photo caption: Slowly the mule-drawn wagon carrying the casket of Kenneth G. Smith climbed the gently sloping hill at the Waitsburg City Cemetery, conveying the prominent wheat rancher and Quarterhorse enthusiast to his final resting place. Friends and Family attended the graveside service last Wednesday, officiated by Rev. Bret Moser, to bid farewell to Smith who, after military service in World War II, assumed management of the family farm at a young age. His hand in guiding and supporting the Days of Real Sport was understated but crucial to the event over the years. Jay Thomas and his cousin Joe Thomas drove the wagon carrying Smith.

As the Class of 2014 continues its academic trek from the Elementary School to graduation some day, each one who was a member of Pam Conover’s Fifth Grade shares the common bond of having been a friend of Rodrigo Espana. Each classmate of the deceased 10-year-old, who died last December a victim of “The Choking Game, will see the Persian Witchhazel tree grow in height and spread its canopy of shade-giving leaves over a humble piece of asalt on which is mounted a simple bronze plaque.

Twenty-Five Years Ago

August 20, 1992

Waitsburg bus driver Cathy Abel was taking a course this week to allow her to train other bus drivers. Jim Young, the retired school maintenance chief, has been the trainer of new drivers for the school. The course work is required for a person to become certified to train bus drivers. Abel has been a bus driver for Waitsburg schools for about four years.

Waitsburg High School social studies teacher Mike White has been recommended for the job of district athletic director, a job he held for many years while the coach of the Cardinal boys basketball team. White had been athletic director from 1986 to 1990, when principal Dan Butler assumed the duties. White has taught in Waitsburg since August 1974.

Fifty Years Ago

August 17, 1967

Sherrie Donnelly and Julie Stonecipher received a second place award in their division of song leader competition at the 1967 cheerleader conference on the CWSC campus in Ellensburg last week. Ann Payne and Linda Johnson attended the cheerleading sessions of the conference.

A patio potluck was enjoyed Sunday afternoon at the home of Mr. and MRs. Roland Baker when 41 relatives and friends gathered for the day.

Seventy-Five Years Ago

August 21, 1942

Mrs. Alfred Hales can match ear stories with anyone. She was alone at the Hales Cabin last week near the ranger station at Twin Buttes where the Hales have heir sheep, when a hungry bear attempted to kill one of her baby lambs in the corral. Mrs. Hales started to scare the bear away but the bear scared Mrs. Hales, resulting in a sprained ankle.

The safest course for civilians in the event of air raids or other enemy action against Washington State is not to take flight but to rely on the safety of their own homes.

Dolly Jones of the United States Coast Guard is home on furlough arriving Tuesday evening for a visit with his mother, Mrs. Maggie Wardrip.

Jones has been stationed at Dutch Harbor and near Kiska at the time the Japs let loose of the dynamite.

One Hundred Years Ago

August 23, 1917

Mrs. C. E. Shaffer accompanied by her son Mount returned a few days from an auto trip to the Burnt River Country in Oregon, her birth place and where she lived until the massacre of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. V. Scott by the Indians fifty years ago.

Our farmers are rushing their grain into the warehouses as fast as possible. Some have their grain all hauled and others are putting it in almost as fast as it is threshed.

By an overwhelming vote of 191 in favor of and 12 against, the issuing of $50,000 in bonds for a new water supply was authorized by the citizens of this city Monday.

One Hundred Twenty-Five Years Ago

August 26, 1892

David Roberts is representeing Waitsburg at the democratic state convention this week. He is an out and out free trader.

The flies may not be any thicker this season than usual, but they certainly are more numerous.

A man whose name we did not learn, was held up in broad daylight about a mile below town on Saturday afternoon, and robbed of his pants which contained $4.10 in hard cash.

Last Friday night members of Touchet Lodge No. 5, IOOF were surprised and delighted when under “the good of the order” J. L. Harper came lugging in an elegant upholstered walnut chair for the Noble Grand and presented it to the Lodge with the compliments of J. W. Morgan. It will be a thing of beauty and a joy forever.