Pomeroy Pioneer Portraits

Ten years ago

October 24, 2012

The 2012 football season has special significance since it was exactly a century ago that the young men of PHS took up the sport of football. It was on November 16, 1912, when Wagner Mast, Pomeroy’s quarterback, trotted onto the scrap of Garfield County pasture that had been crudely fashioned into gridiron playing field. Most of the Pomeroy players on the field were farm boys who had spent their lives close to home in Garfield County.

Thirty-eight people met in the courtroom on July 29, 1970, to form the Garfield County Historical Association, whose main purpose was to build and operate a museum. The grand opening was November 1, 1977, after seven years of raising funds and construction.

Twenty-five years ago

October 29, 1997

Pomeroy High junior Katie Jo McGreevy will be competing in Pullman with the Clarkston Bantam girls’ swim team. In her second year with the team, Katie Jo posted times in meets earlier this season that qualified her for the 200 freestyle, 200 individual medley, 100 butterfly, 100 freestyle, 500 freestyle and the 100 backstroke. She will have to choose two events to compete in, and she will be part of the 200 medley relay and 200 freestyle teams.

Lt. Gov. Brad Owen and his Strategies for Youth Band performed in Pomeroy last week as part of Owen’s ongoing effort to stem involvement of the state’s youth with drugs.

Fifty years ago

October 26, 1972

Mr. and Mrs. Ed Stanfill received quite a surprise Monday morning when Mrs. Stanfill opened her post office box and found a letter from the White House. Before she opened it, she thought it was a hoax, or some advertising gimmick. The letter lauded Stanfill, and it was signed in fountain pen, by President Richard Nixon. The letter reads: “Dear Mr. Stanfill: The inspiration which you give countless handicapped persons is indeed worthy of the appreciation of all our fellow citizens. I understand that, despite paralysis from polio, you have carried on a successful career as a county prosecutor and city attorney and that you maintain an interest in a number of other activities as well. This is a most welcome opportunity to commend you on your determination and for the splendid example you have set for others. With my best wishes. Sincerely, (signed) Richard Nixon.”

The first Garfield County Wheat Queen contest will be held November 1. The four girls entered in the contest are: Coni Wolf, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Wolf: Rose Mary McKeirnan, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel McKeirnan; Susan Wolf, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Philip Wolf; and Mickey Byers, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Byers. The Wheat Queen will receive a $25 Savings Bond and will advance to the District contest which will be held early in November.

Seventy-five years ago

October 30, 1947

The Seeley Theatre remained closed, following its Sunday night show, on Monday and Tuesday evenings, permitting an engineer to install new sound and moving-picture equipment costing approximately $6,500. Owner Abbie Thompson purchased this new gear several months ago and has ever since been expecting its arrival almost every day. With this new modern equipment the Seeley is now able to provide its patrons with perfect sound reproduction and projection, equal to any to be seen or heard in theatres in this area. The replaced paraphernalia is to be overhauled and shipped to a theatre owner in Montana.

The City of Pomeroy “poured $500 down the rat holes” the past week in the form of a compound known as 1080, and through the services of Paul Sauers and Associates, professional rat exterminators. They have destroyed, by actual count, 864 rats at the city dump ground, along the Pataha Creek, mill ditch and in the business district. Exterminators estimate that a like number was killed in the burrows and debris about the city dump and creek.

One hundred years ago

October 28, 1922

Expressing themselves before a meeting of the Pomeroy Commercial Club, as being favorable to the Dry Hollow Irrigation Project, in the event that it may stand the test of practical investigation, were J.H. Jackson, Harl Thornton and H.L Chard, all land owners of the proposed district. W.S. Oliphant said he was getting along well enough under present conditions and opposed the project. “I don’t propose to place myself in a position that there will be any demands against me,” he declared. “I am willing to see this movement rest and let the next generation take it up. Production is too great now considering the price of farm products.”

From School News-The annual stunt show, given under the direction of the high school student body, will be held in the high school building October 27. Some of the special features will be a school program, including radio, pie stand, candy stand, and amusement for the crowd. Prices have been reduced below those of former years. We want all to have a pleasant time at the minimum cost. Come and help us enjoy it.