PIONEER PORTRAITS

Ten Years Ago

January 12, 2012

As clear as day, Craig Funabashi remembers the first time he saw his grandmother’s Story & Clark Victorian pump organ. He was six and visiting the Seattle area with his parents from Long Beach. As they would for many years to come, he and his family traveled up to Whidbey Island for his grandmother’s Sep. 5 birthday and family reunion. They would meet at the cabin where Vangee Johnston kept the ornate wooden instrument and played many old-time Ragtime favorites for her grandkids – seven in all. Just the way Johnston had when she visited her grandparents, the Bruces, and played the same organ in the parlor of the stately Bruce Mansion. For that is where the tale of the Story & Clark begins and ends. Thanks to the generosity of Funabashi and his sister, who inherited the organ after the passing of their mother, Johnston’s daughter Carline, the turn-of-the-century instrument is back in its original place.

Twenty-Five Years Ago

January 16, 1997

With the February 1996 flood fresh on everyone’s mind and the New Year’s Eve/Day high water even more fresh, discussion by the City Council turned to consideration of establishing a budget line for flood control. Meeting Jan. 8, the most recent episode of high water was at the forefront of discussion and the possibility of raising taxes and budgeting money for flood control was brought up. Following discussion with Jim Vandemark from the EWU Task Force which developed a flood mitigation plan for the city, the need for additional funds for flood purposes was recognized. The plan, which was developed with extensive citizen input, has a number of “action items,” which will require time, personnel, and money if they are to be effective.

[Photo Caption] Prominent area farmers Jim and Geraine Hansen, observed their golden wedding anniversary at a family dinner party at the Walla Walla Country Club on January 8th. Mary Geraine Fries of Walla Walla and Jim Hansen of Waitsburg were married on Jan. 8, 1947, at St. Patrick’s Church. They met at a dance at the Marcus Whitman Hotel.

Fifty Years Ago

January 13, 1972

[Photo Caption] The three-day windstorm in the Waitsburg area capped its activities by blowing down this stack atop the boiler room at the Green Giant Company here in town. It is a rather ill wind that blows no good, however, because plant officials said that they had planned to dismantle these particular uprights anyway, and the wind got the job done ahead of schedule.

Seventy-Five Years Ago

January 17, 1947

Howard Carson, Joann Carson and Leo Cobb were the 4-H Club members from Waitsburg who were entertained by Sears, Roebuck Co. as blue ribbon winners in the annual Sears Meal Preparation, Food Preservation, and Garden contest at the Commercial Hotel in Yakima on Jan. 11.

The Waitsburg Junior Chamber of Commerce held its sixth general membership meeting Wednesday night in the Commercial Club rooms during and after a fine dinner prepared by Mrs. Jesie Light and Mrs. Ed Henley.

Miss Mary Geraine Fries and Jim E. Hansen were married at a 10 o’clock nuptial mass Wednesday of last week in St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Walla Walla.

One Hundred Years Ago

January 13, 1922

The City Council has sold Bob and Bill – the big bay team of horses that have become a familiar sight on the streets for several years. Riley Wise is the purchaser. The city expects to purchase another team soon.

Henry Walker has recently purchased a piece of land of the A. C. Dickinson estate just west of the city known as the old campgrounds consisting of 33 acres for a consideration of $6500.

A delightful time was spent Saturday night by a number of high school students on a sleigh riding party out to the home of Herman Taylor. Mr. Wise drove the sleigh and Miss Marie Anderson chaperoned the party.

One Hundred Twenty-Five Years Ago

January 15, 1897

The Walla Walla Gazette has been sold by Wilbur F. Brock, to John J. Schick of Clarion, Pa., who will immediately take charge. Mr. Schick is a newspaperman of great experience. Mr. Brock will engage in writing stories and sketches for a newspaper syndicate.

Burglars had better keep away from Alex Stewart’s place or they are pretty apt to get shot as was proven last Saturday evening. The night was dark and the thief could not be seen but Mr. Stewart took a couple of shots at him anyway which no doubt quickened that gentleman’s movements somewhat.