Pomeroy Pioneer Portraits

Ten Years Ago

May 15, 2013

Pomeroy Elementary School's kindergarten class held a Mother's Day Tea on Thursday in the Elementary library, honoring mothers and grandmothers with handmade hats and gifts, iced tea and lemonade. Kindergarten teacher Elizabeth Waldher provided treats for the students and their guests. Mrs. Waldher, whose mother was her special guest, said the kinders spent time "learning about good manners and why they are important" as part of the event planning.

Garfield County Sheriff's Office will conduct enhanced enforcement of seatbelt use laws from May 20 through June 2, according to Undersheriff Drew Hyer. The extra patrols will be on the road after 4 p.m., Hyer said, and there will be "zero tolerance" for not using seatbelts, adopting the "Click it or ticket" campaign for seatbelt usage.

Twenty Five Years Ago

May 13, 1998

After 17 years in the Garfield County Superior Court Clerk's office, Betty Capwell retired the first of the month. Betty had served as deputy clerk for 12 years under Doris Landkammer and has served as clerk since 1993, when Doris retired. Linda Bartels, Betty's deputy, was appointed clerk.

A change in U.S. Postal Service policy will mean that 80 Garfield County residents will no longer have to pay an annual fee for a post office box. Pomeroy Postmaster Bill Chandler said free post office box service will be provided to customers residing or conducting business within a quarter-mile of rural post offices, and who are ineligible for any other form of carrier delivery service.

Fifty Years Ago

May 10, 1973

The all-too-short visit of 130 Japanese students and chaperones is rapidly drawing to a close, with the visit of the Nez Perce Indians from Lapwai the last major activity slated. The cultural show, the parade and evening show put on by the Japanese last week turned out the largest crowds in years in Pomeroy, with the possible exception of some of the basketball games last year. Hundreds of people attended the cultural show which featured the many arts and crafts of Japanese life.

The Facilities Review Committee of the Tri-County Health Planning Council will conduct a public meeting Wednesday, May 16, in the courthouse. Public comments on the proposed 40-bed county nursing home will be solicited.

Seventy Five Years Ago

May 13, 1948

Rain which began falling early Saturday morning and continuing incessantly throughout the entire day, 1.03 inches to be exact, made it necessary for the management of the Garfield County Fair Association to cancel its scheduled Pomeroy Downs two-day race meet last Saturday and Sunday. The dripping rains turned the race track and adjacent grounds into a gooey, rain-soaked quagmire, making it utterly impossible for the horses to run on the track. Plans are now under way to hold a race meet June 12 and 13 in conjunction with the Pioneer Picnic.

"Clem", a pet dog belonging to Lawrence LeGore, saved his master from hours of untold agony last Tuesday after he was dragged over boulders and a cliff by his saddle horse in the rugged mountain country in the vicinity of Hell's Lodge on the upper Snake River. As a result of being thrown from his horse and dragged over a cliff, LeGore suffered a broken leg. He tied a piece of his shirt to Clem and sent him homeward for help. The dog carried out his errand as directed. Clem is now a hero, admired by all of the folks who reside on the Snake River this side of Hell's Canyon.

One Hundred Years Ago

May 12, 1923

"Dokkies" almost 100 strong came from Dayton, Waitsburg and Walla Walla and claimed the town Thursday afternoon and 'til late at night. City Attorney A.G. Farley, after refusing to "cooperate" was locked in jail, but made his escape by breaking through the sheet-iron roof, thus proving himself to be more expert at making a quick and easy get-away than any of the hundreds who had been there before. Mr. Farley was recaptured while hiding in the balcony of the Meyers harness shop and required to sign the application, pay the fee and submit to the necessary operation. Seventeen candidates were caught and inducted into the impress service. A good dinner was served at 6 o'clock by the auxiliary of the Congregational church.

A stranger here dropped in to report how he had been misdirected as to the road out of Dayton to Pomeroy, and sent across the Marengo hill. He had not been told of the hills, he said, and wore out his brakes coming down into the valley and his courage coming up out of it.

One Hundred Twenty Five Years Ago

May 14, 1898

Mayview News Items-Walter Richardson, having changed his mail to this place, may now justly be viewed as a Mayviewite.

Father Kearns was greatly surprised on his recent visit to Pomeroy to learn that the Catholic people of this place had raised $900 to pay on the church debt. This will cut the debt down to about $600, and enable the church to employ a pastor who will devote his entire time to the work in this place. By an intelligent co-operation of the members of the church, it has recently been lifted from a weak and straggling condition to an active and strong organization, and under a helpful and zealous leadership of a resident pastor, their prospects for the future will be flattering indeed.