Pomeroy Pioneer Portraits

Ten Years Ago

April 24, 2013

If the 700 and 800 blocks of Main St. in downtown Pomeroy appear a little more "open", it's likely because the trees on both sides of the two blocks have been cut down. Alesia Ruchert, managing director of South East Washington Development Association (SEWEDA) in Garfield County, said the logging was "a purposeful step in preparing for the installation of 14 historic light poles on two blocks of Main Street, as part of the Downtown Revitalization Master Plan adopted by the Pomeroy City Council in 2005."

Pomeroy Gun Club wrapped up the 2013 winter competition on April 7. Trophies were awarded to shooters based on the 10-week competition. In the 12-and-under age group Anna Dinsmore was the girl's winner and Wyatt Keller was the boys winner. The winners in the sub-junior age group were Pearl Blachly for the girls; Tristen Mullins new shooter; Jared Starin singles; Kyle Hyer handicap; and Clayton King high overall.

Twenty-Five Years Ago

April 22, 1998

Tracy Wren simply followed some family footsteps on a path that led her to becoming a 1998 Lewiston Round-up Princess. The Pomeroy High School senior's mom Barb Wren was the Round-up queen in 1970 and Tracy's sister Jennifer O'Toole was queen of the 1991 event. "I was behind the scenes when my sister was the queen, and I was saddling horses, handing her clothes and shoveling manure," Tracy recalled with a big smile. "I wanted to be on the other side of that."

Kristen Maltby was chosen Pomeroy's 1998-99 Junior Miss at Saturday's program at the high school. First runner up is Amy Kowalkowski and second runner up is Kelsie Wolf. Kristen placed first in the panel evaluation phase of the competition. Amy was first in the creative and performing arts portion, and in the physical fitness segment. Kelsie received the scholastic achievement award. Other category winners were Jennifer Dixon in presence and composure and Katie Jo McGreevy for spirit of Junior Miss.

Fifty Years Ago

April 19, 1973

A Disney production "Snowball Express" opens the new season at Seeley Theatre in Pomeroy, owners Floyd and Mary Koberstein announced this week. The show plays Easter Sunday and Monday, April 22 and 23, and stars Dean Jones and Nancy Olson. A short, "The Magic of Walt Disney World," is also scheduled. Mrs. Koberstein announced that coming attractions include: "Living Free", "The Cowboys", "Stanley", "What's Up, Doc?", and "Sword in the Stone". "Due to the rising price in product and transportation we have been forced to make a change in the admissions-adults $1.50 and children 75 cents", she added.

Fishing season opened Sunday with mixed success for area anglers who took to the Tucannon Lakes and to the Snake River in large numbers, while slightly fewer than last year tried the streams. Eastern Washington recorded an apparent record number of fishermen on opening day, despite cold temperatures and a stiff wind. In Southeast Washington the weather was somewhat better.

Seventy-Five Years Ago

April 22, 1948

Fire, believed to have been started from spontaneous combustion, damaged the back porch of Mrs. Henry Krouse's home on Columbia Street Sunday morning. The main portion of the house was damaged by smoke. The fire, it is believed, started in an oiled dust mop that stood in the direct rays of the sun as it shone through a window. The fire was discovered by Mrs. Krouse, mother of Fire Chief Leslie Krouse. The city fire department responded promptly to a call, subduing the flames soon after their arrival on the scene.

At the state Futre Farmer meeting held in Pullman last week five boys from Pomeroy received the state farmer degree., the highest honor the state association can confer. Ivan Bingman, son of Mr. and Mrs. Bob Bingman; Jim Gwinn, son fo Mr. and Mrs. Pearl Gwinn; Johnnie Becker, son of Mr. and Mrs. Tom Becker; Jim Shelton, son of Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Shelton, and Bert Slaybaugh, son of Mr. and Mrs. Matt Slaybaugh, were the successful candidate from the Pomeroy chapter awarded their state farmer keys.

One Hundred Years Ago

April 21, 1922

Frank Kucklick is held for trial in the superior court on an information filed by Prosecuting Attorney C.A. McCabe. Kucklick is charged with having pulled a gun on Henry Freeburn, with a threat to shoot him. It seems Freeburn and Kucklick had some words over a settlement, and that Kucklick made his appearance at the Freeburn place, and after requesting a settlement on his own terms, which was refused, made the gun play.

Austin Henry fell off the running board of June Stallcop's car Saturday night, on his head and was unconscious for 24 hours, but has now recovered.

Soldiers of fortune-young and old, both men and women-are still flocking to Oatman, in Mohave county Arizona, to prospect for gold, and many of them are finding it. The Oatman gold fields are the most active on the North American continent and the bloom is not yet off the first rush. Weather-beaten adventurers who got the word while digging away in far-away parts of the world like Africa are arriving with all the enthusiasm of their first hunt.

One Hundred Twenty-Five Years Ago

April 23, 1898

Some hints as to the ventilation of houses, churches and schools may be needing in and around Pomeroy, as well as in other places. The attention and attraction of congregations would be promoted if you were to mix more freely the truth with oxygen. Nothing makes a sermon more dull, and men and women more sleepy (except dull sermons) than carbonic acid.

The little kindergarten pupils observed the anniversary of the birthday of Frederick Frobel, the eminent German educator, and founder of the system of the "new education." There were inspiring juvenile songs, prepared for the occasion, flags were in evidence everywhere, and it is sagely reported by one of the children that they "hollered hurrah eleven times!"