Pomeroy Pioneer Portraits

Ten Years Ago

November 4, 2009

Using your brain as a diagnostic tool instead of just ordering a bunch of tests is what it takes serving in a small, rural community, according to Dr. Glenn Houser, Garfield County Hospital District’s new physician.

Pomeroy Community Center, a non-profit service organization, has purchased the Seeley Theatre and Opera House from Dixon Land of Pomeroy, according to Lisa Lund, president of the Center’s Board of Directors. The community center is planning on the “historic restoration, preservation and future operation of a valued community asset,” she said.

Twenty-Five Years Ago

November 2, 1994

The elevator on the planned site of a senior citizen housing facility east of the post office was pulled down last week. According to information in the February 26, 1942, issue of the East Washingtonian, the elevator was built by Robinson Warehouse Company in time for the wheat crop that summer. Capacity of the elevator was 160,000 bushels and had ground dimensions of 60 x 62 feet and was cribbed up to the eaves at 65 feet.

Fifty Years Ago

October 30, 1969

Ronald L. Chard, Pomeroy postmaster for the past 35 years, last day of work will be Friday, Oct. 31. Chard, a Pomeroy native and graduate of PHS and WSU, began his duties as postmaster on September 1, 1934. Many local persons will attest to the fact that he has been a good postmaster because of his friendliness and helpfulness.

The trek has started in the great annual Blue Mountain search, the elusive object being the mighty elk which once again becomes legal game on Nov. 1.

Pomeroy high school students are in the midst of Homecoming Week activities which will be climaxed this Friday at halftime of the Pirate-Waitsburg game. The traditional powderpuff game will be waged between the junior and senior girls on Thursday evening. Friday afternoon all students will meet in front of the school and march to the courthouse lawn where a short rally will be held. The Pep club is selling homecoming mums for “mother, alumni or girlfriend”. At halftime the band, drill team and Pep club will march on the field, the floats will be presented in order of placing and royalty announced. The homecoming dance will be held at the grade school after the game.

Seventy-Five Years Ago

November 2, 1944

Elk hunters in droves began arriving in Pomeroy Monday and by Tuesday afternoon Main Street was crowded with men and even women wearing the traditional red hats. By evening, however, most of the hunters had hit the trail for the Blue Mountains traveling mainly in trucks, many bearing Spokane, Whitman, Yakima, Benton and Walla Walla plates.

The Lewiston high school Bengals and the Pomeroy Pirates will tangle in their first football contest of the season on the Pomeroy playground Friday afternoon.

A bazaar and dance that will be sponsored by the Tucannon Valley grange will be held at the Marengo school house on November 24. Starbuck music. The public is cordially invited. A quilt will be given away.

A V five-cent piece found by Jim Brown in the ashes of the fire that destroyed Pomeroy 44 years ago, 1900, found its way back to Pomeroy yesterday in a letter sent to the East Washingtonian. The nickel, coined in 1897, still shows the effects of the fire and is on display at the E.W. office.

One Hundred Years Ago.

November 1, 1919

The high school has organized an orchestra which is progressing very nicely and is composed of sixteen pieces. Any one from either grade or parochial school desiring to join should do so at an early date.

The boys and girls at the high school are taking the required amount of physical training, which is twenty minutes twice a week. Those who are taking it for credit are taking twice the amount required and are playing basketball.

One Hundred Twenty-Five Years Ago

November 3, 1894

W. Dickson has purchased Mr. Berkley’s “Mayview Store” and will resume the business in the grocery line.

S.T. Briggs, who has been so ill with typhoid fever, is improving, as is John Nelson’s oldest son.

Mrs. E.A. DeBow was called back to Viola this week by a telegram announcing that Miss Lela was seriously ill with typhoid fever.

The Sunday School is progressing. Quite a full house and good interest. Mrs. Carrie Miller deprived us of our Supt. last Sunday which deed of kindness we did not appreciate.

Mr. Frank Morrison is going to feed his large wheat crop to cattle and hogs. Of the latter he has the finest drove in the county.