Pomeroy Pioneer Portraits

Ten Years Ago

February 13, 2013

Seventy years ago to this day, on Feb. 13, 1943, Pomeroy residents Marjorie Robertson and Marston Fitzsimmons were married in the Methodist Church here. The couple will celebrate their 70th anniversary with a family celebration. Marston and Marjorie were in Pomeroy High School's Class of 1940. Marjorie sang in the school glee club and that's where Marston first noticed her. "She sang in an operetta and I played violin in the school orchestra," he recalled.

During the month of February, stop by the Denny Ashby Library and select a wrapped book from the display to check out. Take it home, unwrap it, read, and enjoy. If you don't like the book, simply return it to the library-its feelings won't be hurt. A short "personal ad" on the front of each book will give hints about its identity but each title is otherwise wrapped and shrouded in mystery. There will be a mixture of fiction and nonfiction with a nod towards Valentine's Day, Librarian Lillian Heytvelt said, but there will also be a mixture of other genres as well.

Twenty-Five Years Ago

February 11, 1998

HUGS, Helpers United to Give Support, was the name adopted by the new volunteer group for Garfield County Hospital District. The group was welcomed by district administrator Harry Aubert, and social services director Heath Walters gave attendees application forms and discussed the process of forming a hospital-based volunteer group. Nancy Herres and Corky Slaybaugh were elected co-chairwomen of the group. HUGS' first project will be organizing the district's 50th anniversary celebration.

Jessica Henry, flanked by her parents Eileen and John Henry signed a national letter of intent to attend the University of Memphis on a full-ride scholarship for five years and play volleyball for the Tigers. Also attending the ceremony were counselor Fred Knebel, Principal Jim Kowalkowski, athletic director Bob Kirk, volleyball head coach Jim Greene, and assistant volleyball coach Matt Gorman. Kirk said Jessica's athletic scholarship was the first given to a Pomeroy student to play for a Division I-A university.

Fifty Years Ago

February 8, 1973

Rail shipments of grain slowed to a snail's pace in this area during January because of a backlog of unloaded cars on the coast. As of last week, embargoes of rail cars were lifted at Puget Sound ports, but only one terminal in the Portland area was receiving cars. Instead of car shortage, in this case is was grain wholesalers failing to unload cars and get them on their way again, railroad officials announced, noting that if the cars were unloaded and the embargo lifted, there would be plenty of cars available. As it has been, cars available couldn't be shipped anyhow.

Weather is cooperating with the Mt. Misery Drifters Snowmobilers, in their efforts to put on snowmobile races Sunday in the Blue Mountains. Bob Grim announced this week that there is about 18 inches of hardpack snow and four inches of powder on top on the race track which should make for great snowmobile racing. The track is located well outside the forest on Sunflower Glade, about 3½ miles down Willow Springs Road.

Seventy Five Years Ago

February 12, 1948

Sometime Saturday night, a boldfaced individual or individuals displaying by their action nerve equal to that of large city gunmen, killed and dressed out one of Harry Linden's registered three-year-old Hereford cows within a half mile of the Linden Central Ferry farm home and within 20 feet of the state highway. They carted off the two hindquarters and the shoulders of the animal, leaving the remainder of the carcass lying on the ground where they had made their kill. It was no doubt a hurry-up job for fear of being caught.

To accommodate an increasing number of telephone users in the towns of Dayton, Pomeroy and Waitsburg, the telephone company will put out a separate telephone directory covering these towns and the nearby vicinity. The new telephone directory will for the first time have its own classified section. In prior years, business firms have been listed in the classified section at the end of the Walla Walla telephone directory.

One Hundred Years Ago

February 10, 1922

Whether we are going to have winter weather strung out to last several weeks or not is no longer a question. The groundhog has settled the matter for the next six weeks, at least. The sleepy old gentleman must have seen his shadow many times last Friday, if he came out often or stayed out long. The fine weather which brought out the birds and the bees, freshened pastures and caused the birds to begin nesting-as John Lees said they did, at the warehouses-show that Mr. Groundhog was just saving up so as to have an excuse for violence later on. So, after sulking through a spring-like season that is supposed to be half wintered by Candlemass day, the old fellow assumes a sportive mood and indulges in a frolic that brings discontent to all but himself.

Mrs. D.E. Smith reports a freak egg, which was laid by a Rhode Island red pullet. It measured 8 by 6 ¾ inches and contained three yolks.

On Saturday, February 10, the General Cattle and Horse association of the cooperative Umatilla-Wenaha national forest reserve will hold its fifth annual convention at Walla Walla, at the commercial club. All cowmen are specially requested to be present and hear the leading cattle question discussed by men of note.

One Hundred Twenty Five Years Ago

February 12, 1898

Lawrence Lee was knocked down by a vicious horse Tuesday and falling on his elbow suffered a dislocation of the right shoulder. Lawrence is one of our good citizens and all will hope he may soon recover. Several broken bones this week resulted from the careless handling of horses. It seems as though our young men might profit by the experience of others and be more cautious.

Tukannon Tips-The Jackson brothers have resumed work on their mining claim, and the time is not far distant when the Tukannon mines will be known both far and wide.

Mayview Items-Arrangements are about completed by which a blacksmith shop will be built onto the land of Jan Ruark near the Chapel school house.