April 18, 2024
10 years ago—
Marnie Fitzsimmons continues her experience in South America where she is studying in Quito, Ecuador. She has recently visited Machu Picchu in Peru and has spent some time on the Amazon River. Following several months of an incredible experience, she is expected home again at the end of the school year.
A plane wreck occurred west of Condon April 12 that sent an Aurora pilot to OHSU in Portland with serious injuries. According to the Gilliam County Sheriff’s Office, two airplanes had landed on Chukar Flat on the John Day River. They camped overnight, and next day decided to take a flight around the area. Both planes landed on Pipeline Ridge west of Condon, but in taking off pilot John Chlopek crashed his 1953 Piper Cub. Within two hours after the crash, Life Flight had arrived at the scene, picked up the injured pilot and was enroute to OHSU.
25 years ago—
A large crowd enjoyed the spring-like weather last Sunday and the annual activity of the Spray Grange auction at Spray. As he has for the past 18 years, Frank Bettencourt of Triad Auctioneers donated his services for the fund-raising event.
The Wheeler County Sheriff’s Department, and officers from two other law enforcement jurisdictions, made one arrest and seized a portable methamphetamine manufacturing operation near Bear Hollow Park.
Pat and Myrna Bohannon of Twickenham moved to Seattle April 4. They will live there while Pat waits for a lung donor for a lung transplant. While they are gone, Jackie Miller will stay at their house. We all wish Pat good luck.
50 years ago—
Last Saturday evening, Gary Phillips became the 5,000th pizza customer at Alice’s Place. He was awarded $25.00 in merchandise after it was announced that his pizza was the 5,000th pizza made. As a junior at Condon High School, it will probably not take too long for Gary to consume his $25.00!
Children and youth from Kindergarten through 8th grade classes of the Fossil Methodist Church staged a “bake in” last Saturday. The purpose of this event was to provide an extra bit of Easter cheer for some of the older citizens of Fossil. Nearly 30 youth participated and 28 plates of decorated cookies were distributed throughout the community.
After many years of lying on the ground outside the church building, the bell of the Fossil United Methodist Church now hangs in a tower designed by Don Chase. Geo. and Maurice Dunn, Fermer Plank, Lee Brooks and any willing passersby were enlisted to assist Don in completing the tower. The bell was removed from its original supports when the church was remodeled in 1952-53 and has been stored on the ground since then. On Easter Sunday the bell will be ringing again after being idle for over 21 years.
75 years ago—
The highlight of the week for Spray people was a journey to the county seat where they attended the Jesse Vaughan and Dean Straube trials for possession of elk meat which was said to have lacked proper game commission tags. The jury was out only a short time and brought a verdict of not guilty, for lack of evidence.
W.M. Eubanks was a surprised man the other day when the Arlington city marshal, Clarence Miller, returned his brand new shotgun to him before he knew it had been stolen. A transient saw the gun in the unlocked car of Mr. Eubanks and took it. All might not have turned out as it did, if the fellow had not tried to sell the gun to the marshal. Mr. Eubanks did not press charges.
Mrs. Lola Nelson, who had been helping at the Hotel Condon Café left Tuesday for Fossil to open her new restaurant. Her daughter, Mrs. Vernon Miller, helper her move.
100 years ago—
Calvin Hanna was arrested at Moro upon complaint of G.M. York of Gwendolen, charged with stealing a mule colt. Sheriff Montague went to Moro and brought Hanna to Condon. When the case came to court it was dismissed. It appears that Hanna was merely employed to drive a bunch of livestock to Sherman County. Among them was a mule colt which York claimed, but when the matter came before the Justice of the Peace, it was shown York had no claim.
Mr. and Mrs. Beeson of Arlington were in Canyon City Monday. Mr. Beeson is in the garage business at Arlington, and formerly in business at Fossil. With the completion of the John Day highway, Mr. Beeson believes that Wheeler and Grant counties will see a great amount of tourist travel. Not only the shorter distance across the state, but the magnificent scenery and the wonderful fossil beds will attract many a tourist on pleasure bent.
From the Condon Times 1909 —
The Condon Athletic Club presented their vaudeville at Fossil Friday night to the largest audience the city on Butte Creek has ever witnessed. Ten of the embers of the Condon Cornet Band being in the city, an excellent open air concert was given prior to the show. The acting company are all loud in their praise of the Fossil people and also of the excellent dancing floor in the Steiwer hall.
Mayville Circle met Thursday at the usual time and place, and neighbor Mrs. Anthony of Fossil joined us. A spicy program was given and several conundrums were given and guessed.
L.D. Bosworth got tired of Skowhegan, Maine, his old home, and bobbed up in Condon. Like any other good fellows, L.D. is entirely welcome.
Reader Comments(0)