Pomeroy Pioneer Portraits

Ten Years Ago

February 23, 2011

Tory Knebel is No. 1 after winning the 160-lb. championship match at the State B-2B wrestling tournament. With only four wrestlers participating—Knebel, Wyatt Jenkins, Austin Reisdorph and Jacob Moore—the Pirate team placed fourth among the 31 teams.

Twenty-Five Years Ago

February 28, 1996

Losses from damage in Garfield County from floods Feb. 6 through 10 is estimated at close to $4.3 million.

Pirate girls earned a trip to state when Brooke Warren rebounded a shot and scored as time ran out, defeating Colton 32-31.

The Election Division of the Washington Secretary of State office apparently learned its lesson in the 1992 presidential preference primary. The state’s first presidential primary was held as a closed election and voters had to declare party preference to receive a ballot with only that party’s candidates. The result was a meager 11 percent turnout statewide. The 1996 ballot is “unaffiliated” and means voters have the option of receiving a ballot based on their preferred party, declaring they’re unaffiliated or not declaring anything.

Fifty Years Ago

February 25, 1971

Pomeroy defeated Colfax, 59-53, in a playoff game to take the Southeast Washington League basketball title.

William Young has been appointed postmaster, replacing Ronald Chard, who retired in October.

Members of the State Senate urged Congress to provide emergency funds so the construction at Lower Granite Dam will not be delayed.

Seventy-Five Years Ago

February 21, 1946

Overland Greyhound buses began operating through Pomeroy for the first time Monday in 140 days, following the settlement of a drivers’ strike that went into effect on October 1, 1945.

A public initiation of no less than 100 members into Thomas Jackson Graham Post No. 38, American Legion, veterans of World War II, will be held in the high school auditorium. The general public is cordially invited to witness the impressive ceremonies. A uniformed drill team from Walla Walla will be in charge of the initiation.

No less than 500 people attended the “Family Party Show” consisting of vaudeville acts, music, comedy and motion pictures, sponsored by McKeirnan Hardware & Implement Co., International Harvester dealers, in the Maple Hall.

One Hundred Years Ago

February 26, 1921

A minimum wage scale recently fixed in Walla Walla county was adopted as follows: Single men, $40 per month, board and room. Married men, $60 to $70, house to be furnished. Tractor operators, $4 per day, board, and room. Cooks, $30 per month.

E.V. Kuykendall, chairman of the Public Service Commission and former state senator from Garfield County and pioneer attorney of Pomeroy, has been selected as Director of the Department of Public Works by Governor Hart.

Ground was broken Wednesday for the foundation of the new Methodist Church.

One Hundred Twenty-Five Years Ago

February 22, 1896

Probably the most brilliant and elaborate wedding that ever took place in our city was that celebrated at the pleasant home of Mr. and Mrs. C.H. Seeley, when their daughter, Miss Kathleen and Mr. Robert E. Allen were joined in the holy bans. The beautiful floral decorations were imported from Oregon and surpassed anything of the kind ever seen in the city.

Nick Thoma has re-opened his chop mill in the lower part of town.

Arrangements were completed this week by which Wm. Siegrist secures control of the Pomeroy flour mill and will take possession in a day or two.

Harry St. George is opening up a billiard room in the Mulkey building. He will also have temperance drinks, confectionery, etc. for sale.

A good sewing machine for sale. Will trade for stock. Enquire of H.E. Farnsworth.

The old people’s dance, given at Tom Bond’s last Monday evening, was a pleasant affair. Some of the Mayviewites got a permit to go home, and they went.

Ed. Taylor is putting in a fish wheel on Snake river.

Perhaps no one in Garfield County received a heavier valentine than John Fields’, presented by his wife—a son, weight ten lbs.

W.J. Rummens was in the vicinity buying fat cows last week, the price paid being 2c per pound gross.

Two young farmers, A.A. Halterman and Ralph Melton, both well-known residents of the Skyhock neighborhood, had an altercation Tuesday evening, over the right to the use of a shed or stall, and Melton used a neck yoke on Halterman’s head with telling effect. It seems that Halterman had entered the stable presumably for the purpose of untying Melton’s horses and driving them away from the disputed property, when Melton attacked him, striking him several times on the head with the heavy weapon and inflicting serious, and for a time it was supposed, fatal injuries. Halterman was able to move about sometime after receiving the blow, but was found to be unconscious and taken to the house where he has ever since remained in critical condition. Dr. Gose, the attending physician, now thinks he will recover. We sincerely hope “Alf” may pull through as he has always been a straightforward, law-abiding citizen. Melton came to town and was bound over in the sum of $1,000 to appear before the Superior Court.