Days of Yore: December 19, 2024

Days of Yore for December 19, 2024

10 years ago—

Staff at Cottonwood Canyon State Park will host the park’s second annual First Day Hike on January 1. The hike will be led by park rangers and will focus on the development of Oregon’s newest park from cattle ranch to future development. The hike is two miles on uneven ground.

North Gilliam County Rural Fire Protection District firefighters were pleased to take delivery of two new wildland brush trucks. The purchase of the trucks has been planned for two years and will enable firefighters to fight with a limited number of firefighters.

25 years ago—

A doe has been harassing people of Mitchell. Deputy Will Osborn has been asking who the doe has attacked. If she attacks any more people, she will be turned out in the Ochocos away from town.

Boyd Harris and Jon Hankins formerly sold real estate for the late Jack Steiwer from the Steiwer Real Estate office at Fossil. They have recently joined Mountain Valley Land Company of Boardman. By combining the two companies, the marketing area has increased and internet service is now available. Both companies have been in business for over 25 years.

The Service Creek Café will not close for the winter because Sharon Mars has leased it! It will be open Friday through Sunday every week and she is going to provide a place for eating and for dinner meetings.

50 years ago—

Gene Hartill is in serious condition and was to undergo surgery in The Dalles after accidentally shooting himself in the leg. Hartill, who is employed by Larry Wade at Lost Valley, was chopping wood when he saw a coyote. As he grabbed for his 30-30, he slipped in the mud and shot himself in the lower leg. He lost consciousness for a time and when he woke, dragged himself to his pickup and managed to drive to the Wade ranch.

75 years ago—

In a real estate transaction recently consummated, Mr. and Mrs. Adolph Shaffer purchased 5,000 acres of grazing land in Grant County between Wall Creek and Monument.

The City Cleaners opened for business again after a five-month shutdown because of the fire that destroyed the plant on July 14. George McKay, owner, has all new equipment and the building has been enlarged and measures taken to prevent another fire. Assisting McKay are Mrs. Gertha Parman, who has been with him since the business started, and his niece, Mary McFarlane.

Mrs. Joe Worlein is helping out at the Kinzua Mercantile during the Christmas rush.

100 years ago—

From the Oregonian: He isn’t much of a conversationalist but he is reckoned as a mighty nervy sheriff, is Elmer Montague, who looks after the peace and dignity of the State of Oregon in Gilliam County. Sheriff Montague is registered at the Hotel Oregon from Condon.

Also from the Oregonian: “When I left home a wool buyer had arrived in town, ready to contract for next year’s wool, which is still on the backs of the sheep. I didn’t learn what price the buyer was offering,” said L.L. Steiwer, in the banking business at Fossil, Ore. Most of the wool in that region goes out through Condon, and last year about 1,250,000 pounds were handled in the latter town.

E.R. Fatland received a wire from V.L. Hamlin, manager for Jimmy Anderson, that the latter will wrestle Jack Kennedy in Condon this Saturday. This is a return match, with Kennedy winning over Anderson on Armistice Day in one of the best wrestling bouts seen here in a long time.

From the Condon Times 1910—

The bazaar given by the U Go I Go Club was a grand success and the good ladies that worked so hard are to be congratulated. Their display of articles were so tempting that those who saw could not refrain from digging up the dollars. The Boston baked beans would put the Massachusetts ladies themselves to the blush. Something like $90 was cleared and everybody is happy.

The two Condon barber shops have decided to bring down the price of a hair cut to 25 cents instead of 35 cents. Tonic will cost 10 cents and massage 35 cents.

Oscar Maley was in town from his ranch and wishes the public to know that he will have 25 fat dressed turkeys for sale at the S.B. Barker Co.’s store on Dec. 20. The price will not be high we can assure you that.