Pomeroy Pioneer Portraits

Ten Years Ago

June 5, 2013

Pomeroy Spinners will bring back The Frog Hollow Band for the second consecutive year for the dance on Saturday, June 8 at 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., at Spinners Maple Hall. The dance is usually the biggest of the year and caps off the Pioneer-Tumbleweed weekend. "These guys were phenomenal last year," Spinners president Larry Ledgerwood said, recalling that those attending last year's dance were asking the club to return in 2012. The band is based out of Walla Walla and has entertained in front of crowds as large as 4,000 strong, Larry said. The Frog Hollow Band performs their own original material that is country and southern rock driven, along with a mix of popular covers.

Twenty-four seniors in Pomeroy High School's Class of 2013 will receive diplomas at the school's 122nd commencement ceremony Saturday, June 8, in the high school gym. School district music director Marcus Pederson will lead the band in the traditional "Pomp and Circumstance" processional as the class takes its place on the stage.

Twenty-Five Years Ago

June 3, 1998

Pomeroy High School junior Kelan McKeirnan won a state Class B track title Saturday at Eastern Washington University in Cheney, winning the 3,200 meter race in 10:06.1. Kelan also won medals in the 400 meter dash, placing third in 51.36, and placing third in the 1600 meter race in 4:36.81. Pirates participating in the state meet but not qualifying for the finals in their events were Erin McCabe, Ernie Gerber, Jessica Warren and Missy Gardner.

If it looks like there isn't much more that could be taken out of the 10th St. wing of Pomeroy Elementary, that's because there isn't. School district superintendent Terry Brandon said last week that demolition work in the wing was almost complete. Several interior walls had to be taken down in the wing so they could be replaced with concrete-masonry seismic-shear walls, now required by code for earthquake resistance.

Fifty Years Ago

June 7, 1973

More than $79 was raised recently be members of Mrs. Bill (Marguerite) Rathbun's Sixth Graders-the Class of 1979. Recipient of the proceeds from the two-month long effort is Garfield County Historical Society's museum fund. Society President Oscar Victor recently visited the class to receive the money in ceremonial fashion. Members of the class started the drive on March 19 and finished up on May 17 with presentation of the check. Goal of $79 was easily exceeded.

A hearing, open to the public, is slated for Wednesday night, June 6, on a proposal for an emergency air strip for Garfield County near Pomeroy. The emergency strip proposed would be a lighted, all weather strip, affording emergency air needs for Garfield County, and also for surrounding areas such as Pullman, Walla Walla or Lewiston, in case of fog. A petition being circulated this week will be presented to the county commissioners to show the extent of interest in the project.

Seventy-Five Years Ago

June 3, 1948

Undaunted by the rain-out of the earlier date for the Pomeroy Downs race meet, the Garfield County Fair association has chosen June 12-13 for a second try. Reigning over the two-day festivities will be Queen Maxine Crawford of Pomeroy and her two attendants, Helen Jean Koller of Mayview and Violet Wernecke, also of Pomeroy. The fair board is planning a full program of races for each day, with the Pomeroy Derby taking the spotlight position. Reports from other race meets in the Blue Mountain Circuit indicate there will be plenty of competition among the thoroughbreds at the finish line.

Pomeroy golfers "chipped in" and have purchased a beautiful $75 trophy from Lee's Jewelry store that is to be dedicated to the memory of the late James A. Butler. The trophy stands 31 inches in height and is made of Sun-Ray metal mounted on a genuine walnut base. The late Mr. Butler was an ardent follower of the Scotch game and it was through his efforts more than anyone else that Pomeroy today has such an attractive golf course.

One Hundred Years Ago

June 2, 1923

The will of Mary Denny Ashby, which was filed recently in the office of County Clerk Miss Edith Hall, leaves to the city of Pomeroy, after the death of her sister, Mrs. Alice F. Greub, the brick dwelling-house and its contents, for use as a public library. The will provides that certain things in the house, including the taxidermy collection owned formerly by Denny Ashby, and the library and pictures of the Ashby family, be kept intact; also that the library be named the "Denny Ashby Library," and that this name be inscribed on a plate and placed on the building.

Recently C.E. Kuykendall came upon a leaf of a hotel register used by the Stine House in Walla Walla many years ago. It contained a full ad of the Holmes drug store and Mr. Kuykendall mailed it to Mr. H.E. Holmes, who is now a widely known resale druggist of Seattle. A few days later Mr. Kuykendall received a letter, thanking him for sending the ad and stating: "In 1876 before Mr. Pomeroy had platted his ranch in the town which is named Pomeroy, I slept in his hay mow going to and coming from the place of Camas prairie when the Nez Perce Indians were on the war-path. Can say I have reason to remember Pomeroy."

One Hundred and Twenty-Five Years Ago

June 4, 1898

Thursday Capt. Harry St. George received the following telegram from Adjutant General W.T. Canton: "Garfield County will be recognized in the present call for volunteers. We expect the details of the call here by Saturday. Have your company ready and full." The foregoing is in reply to a letter written to the adjutant by Capt. St. George, requesting that his company be given an opportunity to enlist. We hope that the war will be short, that the boys will all come back and the home circles be united. The Washingtonian will endeavor to keep the community informed of the whereabouts, conditions and circumstances connected with Co. "E" during their absence from home.

Floyd Campbell, who is out on his wheel to beat the long distance record of the world, passed through Pomeroy this morning. He exhibited a letter from Gov. McConnell, recommending him as a good citizen and expert rider. He wanted money to help pay expenses of the trip and said he left Moscow with only five cents in his pocket. Campbell says he will visit every state capitol in the union, and will cover 38,700 miles, before making a permanent stop. He is 20 years old and weighs 167 pounds.