DAYS OF YORE: July 18, 2024

Days of Yore for July 18, 2024

10 years ago—

In perhaps one of the most extensive investigations involving troopers of the Oregon State Police Fish & Wildlife Division, a Bend area man was recently sentenced to multiple misdemeanor and felony charges related to illegal guiding and hunting activities in central Oregon. In total, 23 people have been charged for more than 200 counts filed in Wheeler County. In October of 2012, an OSP Fish & Wildlife trooper received an anonymous tip about alleged illegal guiding and hunting activities in Wheeler County. The initial tip only provided a first name of the suspect, but as the investigation progressed Alan Roy Aronson, age 43, from Bend, was identified.

Wild and wooly were the Summer Night Fights at Fossil Saturday night. Mixed Martial Arts competitors came from as far away as Seattle to compete in the ring. The event drew a large and spirited crowd, which included some of the firefighters bivouacked at Fossil while fighting the Waterman Complex fires. Summer Night Fights is a fundraiser sponsored by the Wheeler County Fair Board to support the fair which will celebrate its 100th anniversary next month.

25 years ago—

Jim Adams has been sworn in as the new member of the Spray City Council. This fills out the council membership. Thanks should be sent his way for taking this necessary but headachey job.

The fire departments in Sherman County are at an all time low with volunteer fire fighters. Each department from Rufus to Kent is experiencing a critical shortage in volunteers. Shawn Payne, Sherman County emergency manager states, “A big share of the problem is that there are so many regulations to follow to become and continue as a firefighter. While the regulations are important, and there for our protection, but really quite unrealistic for volunteers.”

50 years ago—

The body of Dale Duane Hoskinson, who disappeared while boating on the John Day River on or about December 10, was discovered July 16 by a BLM survey crew. The body was located about 120 feet from the river bank, approximately three miles north of the Cottonwood Bridge on Highway 206.

There will be three new school superintendents in the area for the upcoming school year. Dr. Larry Jones, new superintendent of Arlington schools, and in Mitchell Mr. Glenn Scofield will serve as superintendent. Mr. Doug Hoskens moves from the Fossil School District to Spray where he takes the reins as superintendent.

75 years ago—

From Kinzua News: Don Ostrander was painfully injured when a cat he was driving at the Howard Mortimore ranch near Fossil, turned over on a steep hillside, pinning him underneath. He received a badly mangled ear and severe burns on the feet besides numerous cuts and bruises. He was taken to the doctor in Fossil for treatment then brought on home. He is able to walk on crutches.

While Barbara Logan, Karen Farley and Karen Hayes were riding at the Arlington rodeo grounds they heard a commotion and the girls investigated. They saw a rattle snake which they killed with boards. Barbara cut off the seven rattles with a piece of broken glass and brought them home as evidence.

100 years ago—

In order that Pem Brown may not have to explain the black eye that he is wearing nor the swollen cheek that goes with it, we hasten to explain that it was only a collision on the baseball diamond at Heppner last week that caused it. The other player was Wick Parrish – but Wick is immune to black eyes, except the feminine!

A covey of orphan China pheasants “taken up” by Scott Brown recently and cared for until they could fly, have reverted to their wild state, and have left the ranch – to make their own way in the pheasant world. When snow gets deep next winter and food short, they may return – sorry prodigals.

From the Condon Times 1909 —

The Igo Telephone co. has completed their line and now have eleven telephones in operation. The instruments are first class and were purchased from the Home Telephone Co. The line is about 17 miles long. The following farms are connected: Chas. Peugh, B.E. Froman, Z.C. Ebbert, Herbert Johnson, Walter Farrar, George Schott, Cliff Maley, Oscar Maley, John Couture, E. Curran and Loui Comini.

Howard Tobey returned from Portland where he disposed of the culls of his sheep to a local purchaser. The rest of his band he sold to Eastern buyers at Shaniko. He also sold his wool at the later place for 11 ½ cents a pound. Mr. Tobey had a splendid diamond ring in his pocket for Mrs. Tobey and we noticed he kept a good tight grasp on it while he was showing it to us. You can draw your own conclusions.