The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

Ten Years Ago

October 1, 2009

[Photo caption] Here’s what’s believed to be the entire student body of Spring Valley School, circa 1928. From left, Jim Stonecipher, Lola Mae Walker, Roberta Stonecipher, Jack Clodius, Claire Conover, Margaret Clodius and Margaret Testerman. The teacher’s name is unknown at this time.

[Photo caption] Waitsburg is again “One of a Kind.” Bill Clemens, right, of Pacific Power, presented a check for $1,000 to Mayor Markeeta Little Wolf and City Clerk Randy Hinchliffe recently, making the City of Waitsburg the only local recipient of grant funds from the PacifiCorp Foundation this year. The City applied for the grant under the foundation’s “civic, community and organizations not covered in other categories” grant program, which includes environmental and ecological groups, justice and law, housing and urban renewal, neighborhood or community -based groups, and state and local government agencies. The City will probably devote the money to place pea gravel around the swings and merry-go-round in Preston Park, Hinchliffe said.

Twenty-Five Years Ago

September 22, 1994

[Photo caption] About 1,000 people turned up for some of the best salmon anywhere at the annual Commercial Club Salmon Barbecue Sept. 15 in Waitsburg. At top, fieldhouse is packed with diners while, at bottom, cooks Neil Henze, right and Gaylan Stephenson prepare what everyone is waiting for.

A survey of graduates of Waitsburg High school over the past five years shows that more than half—53 percent—are in college or taking some kind of academic training. High school principal Dan Butler presented the results of the survey to members of the school board last week. He said the rest are either in the military—26 percent—or in jobs—21 percent.

Fifty Years Ago

September 25, 1969

Lotsa smoke, little fire last Sunday. An early Sunday morning blaze that was bound to get more coverage than a usual Waitsburg fire took place in an upper bedroom of the Tom Baker home on Coppei Ave. Only victim of a smouldering mattress was a sick white cat, “Chauncey.” Attempts to break the feline’s fever with a turned-up electric blanket and a night light were the apparent sources of the blaze. Fire damage was confined to the mattress, but there was extensive smoke damage throughout the house.

This is a special week for Waitsburg! The annual Commercial Club Salmon Barbecue will be held in the Community Building at the Race Track on Thursday evening, September 25.

Seventy-Five Years Ago

September 29, 1944

The oil work this year on county roads is for maintenance only and county dust coats constitute the oiling program this year.

In celebration of their 50th wedding anniversary Sept. 24th Mr. and Mrs. Walter Talbott were given a dinner and a reception in the Huntsville school auditorium Sunday from 1 to 5 o’clock.

The Waitsburg Schools and Parent-Teacher Association are sponsoring a community fair to be held in the Bailey building Friday evening Sept. 29 and Saturday afternoon Sept. 30.

Post-war planning and discussions of current issues made up a lively business session of the Commercial Club Tuesday evening.

One Hundred Years Ago

October 3, 1919

This county seems to be gaining an unenviable reputation of producing the smuttiest wheat in this state.

Friday evening at about 7:30 o’clock fire was discovered in the G. M. Lloyd slaughterhouse, and the building and its entire contents were consumed within a very short time.

Miss Nellie Atkinson, daughter of the Hon. and Mrs. N.B. Atkinson and Gene Ray, son of Mr. And Mrs. Al Ray of Prescott, were married Saturday afternoon in Dayton.

Samuel W. Southard Post No. 35, American Legion, perfected their organization Monday night. R. C. Steele is post commander.

One Hundred Twenty-Five Years Ago

September 8, 1894

John Sampson will open his meat market next Monday. He will occupy the building formerly occupied by D. E. Martin two doors north of the First National Bank.

William and Miss Ada Phillips and Ed Kimmell left on Tuesday for Pullman to enter the Agricultural College.

Hon. Jack Frost swooped down on this port of the moral vineyard like a thousand bricks last Saturday night and “nipped in the bud” many tender plants.

Mrs. Lydia Wiggins is building a front to her residence near the Hunt depot, and will arrange to keep borders.