Days of Yore for July 4, 2024
10 years ago—
Anne Osterlund, Condon graduate and local author, has received two International Latino Book Awards for her most recently published young adult novel, Salvation. The awards include Best Young Adult Latina Focused Book – English and Most Inspirational Young Adult Book. Osterlund traveled to Las Vegas to participate in the International Latino Book Awards held in conjunction with the American Library Association Conference. Salvation is available at the Gilliam County Public Library.
The Gilliam County Economic Development approved a loan to Pat and Leah Shannon in the amount of $60,500 with which to purchase the Pheasant Grill Café in Arlington. It was stipulated that the loan would be repaid within 10 years. The Pheasant had been closed for several months, and having it open in Arlington “would impact economic development in Arlington.”
25 years ago—
An early afternoon brush fire threatened parts of the town of Mitchell before being brought under control by firefighters from four different agencies. Sheriff Craig Ward said that initial investigation indicates the fire started when sparks from a burn barrel in the Huddleston Heights area of the town landed in dry grass nearby. Strong winds quickly spread the flames, and Mitchell firefighters called for assistance from other area agencies. The call for help came just as the Wheeler County Centennial parade was getting underway at Fossil. Several fire trucks pulled out of the parade to respond to the fire. A Wheeler Point tanker truck caught fire itself enroute to the fire on Highway 207S and the driver and passenger escaped without injury but the truck was destroyed.
The centennial celebration was a memorable affair in Spray. The long hours planning and putting the plans into action really paid off. One casualty of the affair was Mayor Buck Leckie who did a big job weed eating in an effort to get the village in a festive appearance. He ended up with a hernia and the prospects of back surgery. The ambulance transported him to Bend when the pain became unbearable.
50 years ago—
At the end of a hot Saturday afternoon, flames and billowing black smoke suddenly appeared at the south end of town. The Condon fire alarm sounded and Main Streets stores and establishments emptied into the streets. It wasn’t long before cars lined Highway 19 towards Fossil watching the barn owned by Gary Griffith disappear in flames.
For several months the City of Spray was having difficulty finding an available, suitable site for solid waste disposal. Robert Straub, Democratic gubernatorial candidate, solved the problem by donating a portion of his property near Spray for the disposal site. The City received the donation along with a $10 donation to the Fossil Museum.
The Rev. Clarence Franke of Mitchell is in the Pioneer Memorial Hospital in Prineville recovering from an accident last week when several of his ribs were broken. He was repairing a TV wire across the highway when a logging truck hit the wire, flinging Mr. Franke to the ground.
75 years ago—
According to word received by their sister, Mrs. Elmer Wagenaar, the Misses Grace and Alice Schott purchased the Helena Jordan Baby Shop on N.E. Lombard and Greeley streets in Portland. The shop is near the home they recently purchased. Upon ending the school year in June, the girls plan to devote their full time to running the baby shop.
A bronze plaque in a 12-ton native granite stone has been placed within two miles of the birthplace of the late Governor Earl Snell. The memorial was placed there by friends of Gilliam County’s native son, whose colorful political career placed high as one of only five Governors of Oregon to be re-elected to that office. The memorial is located on Ridge Road nine miles east of Olex, with the hills of Rock Creek in the background.
100 years ago—
From Olex News: Harvest is now pretty well started in this section, there being about five or six machines now running. As near as can be ascertained the wheat seems to be going from five to ten bushes per acre.
Harry McKinney had quite a mishap this week. He was stepped on by a mule and his foot was injured. Owing to the presence of Dr. Taylor, the local veterinary, he was saved the expense and trouble of going to The Dalles to the hospital to have it dressed. Doc reports his patient doing quite well now.
From the Condon Times 1909 —
An attempt was made to blow up a road crew over near Heppner last week. Some sticks of dynamite were placed before the wheels of the wagon they were using. The intention was that when the wagon started the wheels would explode the dynamite blowing the whole party to atoms. One of the men luckily spotted the dynamite and frustrated the dastardly attempt at wholesale murder.
At an election held last Saturday the City of Mitchell voted to bond the town for water works. Let us in all friendliness advise them to put in iron pipe. Mitchell is so situated that a gravity system can be had as the country round is plentifully supplied with springs of ice cold water.
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