Days of Yore: January 16, 2025

Days of Yore for January 16, 2025

10 years ago—

Another long-held family ranch in Gilliam County has sold. Known as the Rattray ranch in the Mayville area, the original holdings have been in the family for over 100 years. Five generations of Rattray families have had an opportunity to live the life of rodeo, ranching, cattle production, range and wildlife management on the ranch. Recently the ranch was sold to Western Rivers Conservancy, the conservation group that several years earlier purchased the former Murtha ranch downriver, a portion of which has become Cottonwood Canyon State Park.

The Condon High School Leadership Class and the Condon-Wheeler Knights basketball teams will host a cancer awareness night on February 7. The Knights ask that all fans wear black, so as to ‘leave cancer in the dark’. Cancer survivors will be honored, and all proceeds of the cake walk will be donated to the American Cancer Society.

25 years ago—

The former Condon Air Force base is still ‘homeless’. Up for grabs Dec. 30 at the trustee’s sale on the steps of the Gilliam County Courthouse, no one showed up to bid on the property. According to an attorney from Portland, the property owners are interested in working with the Condon community in finding an owner and use for the air base property that will be beneficial for the community.

Visiting Tom and Mary Fitzgerald Dec. 27-Jan. 3 were Dickse Fitzgerald and Horace Long of New York City. The two visitors reported they were glad to witness the New Year’s celebration in Times Square from the comfort of chairs in Twickenham!

Having recently obtained a real estate broker’s license, Cheryl Jenison has opened a real estate office at Spray – Real Estate Outback.

50 years ago—

Approximately $600 worth of car equipment and other items were taken from Mercer-Ashenfelter Garage. A new car, owned by Kenneth Humphrey of Condon, was also stolen at the same time, but it was later returned with extensive damage done to the front of the car.

Saturday, January 4, the vending machines at the Arlington Shell Service and the Chevron Station were tampered with, one was broken into. Approximately two dollars worth of change was taken from one of the machines at the Shell Station.

75 years ago—

What’s going on, on the high ridge by the old Linville school house six miles west of town? A number of army engineers have been working there a couple of weeks, but as is the case with government work, no one is permitted to tell the story.

A two-legged pig, owned by Robert G. Nill of Clarno, was featured in Ripley’s “Believe It, or Not” Wednesday. The pig, with only two front legs has learned to balance itself on its front feet. Condon folks do not question this as many who attended the Wheeler County Fair last fall saw the little pig with its mother.

Robert Straub of Spray shot himself in the foot Monday while cleaning a gun. Wilbur Straub and Dell Harris took him to John Day for medical attention.

100 years ago—

Gilliam County is $1150 richer this week through the payment of fines into the prohibition fund. Fred Edwards paid $500, J.A. Hassing $500, and Hugh St. Clair $150. All were part of the penalty for violations of the liquor laws. All these men have been released and the cells are all vacant. Hallelujah!

All Juniors passed a very delightful week with Semester exams, if it may be called delightful. At present we are all keeping shy of Mr. Winter’s office for fear he will hand us our funeral notices in the form of a semester grade in civics.

From the Condon Times 1898—

Fred A. Hale was over from Pine Creek after supplies as was compelled to bring a pack horse, as the roads are almost impassable for vehicles.

Geo. Rose and several others from this section talk of leaving for Alaska soon. We hope all of them will find enough gold to make them bow-legged packing it around.

Jay Saltzman, a prosperous young cattleman of Burnt Ranch in the Mitchell country, is spending a week in town. Jay says he means business this time sure. The girl hopes so.