Pomeroy Pioneer Portraits

Ten Years Ago

December 31, 2014

Dear Friends, This is my final commentary for 2014-and my first as Senate Majority Leader, the person who leads the governing group of senators. The 25 other members of our Majority Coalition Caucus gave me that title early this month when we met to elect our leadership team for 2015-16. The stage is nearly set for next year's legislative session. As of this week we know what the governor's priorities are for 2015, and they don't look very much like the things that are truly important to most families in our part of Washington.

Twenty-Five Years Ago

January 5, 2000

The cause of a fire that burned a 250-foot by 60-foot building to the ground Wednesday, Dec. 29, will be hard to determine because the structure was destroyed, county fire chief Larry Bunch said. Farm & Home's storage building, on the south side of Hwy. 12 across from Pomeroy Grange Supply's gas pumps, was fully involved when firefighters arrived at about 10 p.m.

Fifty Years Ago

January 2, 1975

Union Pacific Railroad facilities in this area have been undergoing a series of changes this fall, as both roadbed and lineside buildings have been affected. Pomeroy depot isn't one of them, however. The Pomeroy branch has undergone a number of changes. Gone are several familiar "landmarks" of the branch-the tiny elevator and the siding serving it at Chard, just west of Dodge Junction; and the remaining buildings of the old Starbuck railroad shops, and also the wye track around them-the Alto branch leading off of it having been removed last spring.

Seventy-Five Years Ago

January 5, 1950

Wheat growers in Garfield County will have an opportunity this year to see a traveling exhibit on smut control. An educational car featuring discussions and demonstrations for control of this major disease hazard of winter wheat, will be in Pomeroy on Wednesday, January 11. The railway car will hold open house at the Union Pacific station.

One Hundred Years Ago

January 3, 1925

The demand for Chinchilla rabbits far outstrips the production possibilities at the Gem fox farm pens, according to A.E. Dickson, one of the local owners of the corporation which has been in operation for several months. Only about 20 pairs of rabbits now remain, about $800 worth having been taken by purchasers in Canada, Oregon, Montana, and by local buyers. The fox farm managers expect to add to the rabbit pens in the near future.

One Hundred Twenty-Five Years Ago

December 30, 1899

One of the finest entertainments of the year was given at the Gould City school house on the twentieth. About 25 of the young people here gave a very interesting entertainment consisting of songs, dialogues, recitations, etc. After the fun some 25 nicely trimmed and well filled boxes and baskets each containing eatables enough for two, with the donors name on the inside, were offered for sale at auction and brought $34.65.