Days of Yore: October 3, 2024

Days of Yore for October 3, 2024

10 years ago—

Some upsetting news for a few residents of Fossil who own chickens is that dogs have been slaughtering chickens in at least two areas of town. Dog owners are encouraged to keep dogs at home. Some who have chickens depend on egg money for part of their income and losing chickens is costly.

25 years ago—

From Mitchell Madness by 5th and 6th graders: A few weeks ago the Elsea family’s black lab jumped out of their truck on Highway 26. Luckily the poor pup did not break any bones, but it has a bad limp in his right hind leg. The lab is making a slow recovery, but he is starting to put some pressure on it.

Doug and Connie Perkins of Spray were returning home from Bend at about 9:00 p.m. and were a mile or two above Ed Greninger’s place on the Parrish Creek Road when they encountered a big herd of elk milling around. Around a turn in the road they saw a big mountain lion attacking a spike elk. The elk veered off the road with the cougar following – back on the road came the elk and down the road he ran. Connie felt the elk would have been a victim if their pickup noise had not caused a distraction.

Gerald Ward and Dick Westmoreland are painting the upper eaves of the Wheeler County Courthouse. They are using a ‘cherry picker’ apparatus to reach the heights of their work, and one day last week, once stretched to the eaves it failed, temporarily, to lower the workers.

50 years ago—

Vera McCulloch, who did a good job of keeping the Fossil Museum open through the summer, reports that 2,196 visitors have signed the register. Visitors from other countries include: Germany, England, Argentina, Chile, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico and Isle of Guernsey.

Dave and Jane Stirewalt went to Portland to attend the fall opening of the Portland Art Museum’s Rental Sales Gallery. Jane was represented in the show by four paintings: The Old Kem Barry House at Twickenham, the Stirewalt Homestead, Pine Creek School, and a scene at the French ranch. In the past two years, 17 paintings of Wheeler County scenes have been shown at the museum gallery. “I think Portland likes Wheeler County,” commented Mrs. Stirewalt.

From Kinzua Klips: Leaving for college this week were Theresa Hyatt for Monmouth, Darrell Spivey and Kent Bell for Eastern Oregon and Randy Hulett to Treasure Valley in Ontario.

75 years ago—

Mickey Flax of Portland took over the management of the Happy Canyon Café in Arlington from Miss Ruby Johnson who has had its active management for the past three months. Mickey’s brother, Joe, of Boston, Mass. will join him in the near future to help take care of the business.

The barn on the Lester Harrison ranch in Lost Valley was full to over-flowing when neighbors, friends and acquaintances came from far and near to attend the first barn dance to be held in the county for many a year. Samples orchestra came from Kinzua and played old fashioned numbers and many dancers got home just as the sun was coming up. A bountiful potluck supper was served at midnight and report has it that the guests consumed over 20 gallons of coffee.

Spotting the speeding car of Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Brown near Rufus, the Stork delivered to them a baby girl, Susan Kathryn.

100 years ago—

The birth of a litter of pure bred pigs in Wheeler County is of more importance to Fossil Journal readers than the divorce of a grand duke or the murder of a movie star somewhere else.

“Married men are like Fords,” says Ernest Fatland. “You can tell them by their clutch!”

Ideal weather prevailed for the dedication of the memorial arch at the Henderson Pioneer Picnic Grounds. About 175 people were present from Condon, Mayville, Fossil, Service Creek, Dayville and other communities. W.J. Edwards, president of the Pioneer Association, presided. Edwards announced that according to the by-laws anyone who came to Eastern Oregon before 1904 is eligible for membership.

From the Condon Times 1909—

Arthur Seale found Ida Downer’s watch which was advertised in the last issue. He found the watch on the road to Ferry Canyon, and like a gentleman returned it to the owner. You see it pays after all to advertise. If you lose anything, come to the Times office and if honest people find your property it will be returned, but if a rogue gets it don’t blame us.

Charley Williams, the barber, brought up his little daughter, Clara, to stay with him in Condon. She is a sweet little lassie.

If you owe Hunt the Hardware Man on note or account, he wants you to pay up at once. If you can’t find him when in town leave the money at Condon National Bank, its receipt will be as good as Hunts.