Pomeroy Pioneer Portraits

Ten Years Ago

March 31, 2010

Spring Farming Days, Garfield County’s annual salute to the days of animal-powered farming, will be held Saturday and Sunday at the fairgrounds. Depending on the weather, as many as 50 head of horses and mules are expected for the event.

Pomeroy Elementary Physical Education Program will sponsor a family bowling night Wednesday in the grade school gym. 176 people attended the event a few years back.

The community Good Friday service will be held in the Houser Room at Pataha Flour Mill.

Twenty-Five Years Ago

April 5, 1995

Sarah Warren was chosen a Pomeroy’s Junior Miss for 1995-96.

Pacific Power’s Walla Walla area manager stated that utility poles are not the place to attach advertising of any kind, including yard sales, and emphasized the placement of any sign on a pole is dangerous, costly and, in some cases, illegal. A pole damaged by nails or other metallic fasteners must be replaced sooner because of deterioration of the wood. The costly process ultimately becomes a part of monthly electric charges. Also, local and state ordinances might make it illegal to post any sign on a public right-of-way.

Fifty Years Ago

April 2, 1970

Over $35,000 in farm equipment, cars, trucks and miscellaneous items are being offered at the Pomeroy Jaycee consignment auction on Monday at the Garfield County fairgrounds.

This is an extra good weekend for Pomeroy shoppers as several anniversary sales events will be in progress, featuring specials, prizes and refreshments. Businesses include Jim Storey and Rich Hill at O.K. Tire Store, Loren Porter and Wendall Pederson at Obenland’s Furniture & Appliance, and Leon Gormsen and Ferd Herres at Farm & Home Supply. Jack Henley and his employees at Burch-Adams grocery are marking their first weekend of being associated with a new ordering company.

March 30 measurement of Spruce Springs snow course in the Blue Mountains revealed 73.6 inches of snow with a 26.9-inch water content.

Annual Music Booster Variety Show will be presented Saturday in the PHS auditorium. Scheduled for the family entertainment show are grade, junior and senior high school students as well as townspeople. Proceeds will be used for music camp scholarships and the purchase additional band uniforms.

Seventy-Five Years Ago

April 5, 1945

The body of Willie Pederson, 37, a resident of Pomeroy for the past three years, was found in a slough in the Clearwater river near Kamiah on Monday. Pederson left Pomeroy in his truck on December 12, 1944, for the Clearwater region and the following day his truck was found on the riverbank turned over on its side and the driver missing. The body was recovered about four miles from where the truck overturned. Foul play was first suspected but this theory has been discarded. Sheriff William Ground is of the opinion that when the truck turned over Pederson suffered a severe shock and in a dazed condition wandered into the river and drowned. He is survived by his wife and five children as well as other family members.

Lieutenant Jack Henley, pilot on a B-17, reported missing over Germany in February, is a prisoner of war according to a telegram from the war department received by his wife, Mrs. Patricia Adams Henley.

One Hundred Years Ago

April 3, 1920

“You are under arrest!” These ominous words brought the commercial club dance to a sudden halt last night, turning a scene of merriment and joy into one of consternation and terror. Night officer Hoffeditz charging the crowd with disturbing the peace, declared every man and woman under arrest and proceeded to make a list of their names. A vigorous protest was made by Chairman J.R. Stevenson and many others. It was a burning shame, they argued, to make any arrest—and to include the women was simply devilish. But the list in the officer’s hands lengthened. Women blushingly gave their names. Men ranted. Had the anti-dance sermons of the Rev. Guy Fitch Phelps bamboozled the police? Finally, after the list was perfected and solemn order restored, the guests were informed that the time of their custody would expire with the close of April 1.

Clean up, Dress Up! Make of Pomeroy the cleanest, the most sanitary, most attractive little town in the northwest. Make the spring of 1920 a Red Letter Season in the history of the city urges the Civic Club, authorized by the City Council of Pomeroy, to all property owners. April 3 is the day designated as “Clean-up Day.” Persons feeling unable to pay trash hauling bills may report to Mrs. A.E. Dickson, phone 111Y.

One Hundred Twenty-Five Years Ago

March 30, 1895

The first “bloomers” have appeared on the streets of Walla Walla, and the Bulletin says, “being something new to this generation” are causing a good deal of comment. They look neat and tasty, however, and are a “boon” for the wheelwoman.

There is no doubt but that someone set fire to the old building on Columbia street the other night, for what purpose we may never know, but it looks rather bad for the occupants of the building nearby. As much light as possible should be turned on this transaction, and nothing left undone to bring the guilty to punishment, or safety for the future may not be expected.

It is stated that a charivari, in which beer and buckshot played a prominent part in the evening’s festivities, took place near this city the other night. Particulars too meagre for extended report.

A Beet Sugar Factory is being built in Palouse City, the foundation for which is already completed. The company have a stock of half a million dollars capital, and expect to make a success of it. This will give people in the vicinity a chance to do something besides raising wheat. A creamery has also been started and the manager expects soon to have it in operation. Why would not this be a fine thing for Pomeroy as well?