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About La Grande observer. (La Grande, Or.) 1959-1968 | View Entire Issue (Nov. 2, 1959)
ERVER WEATHER Partly cloudy tonight and Tuesday; high 574 J; low to night 25-30. 52nd Issue 64th Year LA G3ANPE, ORFGON, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1959 10 Pago Fiva Cants LA GRAND DBS 3000 Firemen Battle Blazes In California United Press International More than 3,000 firemen today came close to control ling the last of a series of ma jor forest fires that destroyed an estimated 45,000 acres of valuable timber and water shed in Northern California during the weekend. The State Fire Dispatcher's of fice in Sacramento reported 80 per Rule Deaths An Accident The deaths of two Elgin teen agers Saturday is believed to have been caused by accidental carbon monoxide poisening. Specimens have been sent to the State Crime Laboratory for final analysis. No autopsy was per formed, authorties sa d. Victims were Shelia Stine, 15, and Russell Theodore Kennedy Jr. both of Eigin. The couple's car was found at around 1" : 15 Saturday morning by a group of Elgin youths who were hunting in the area. The pair had been seen Friday evening at a dance in Elgin and again at about Sam. It is believed (hat the victims were overcome by the gas which is odorless. The car, apparently out of control, left the lane leading to the girl's home, went across a a plowed field and stopped in a ditch at the edge of the field when it "high centered.'1 The engine of the car continued to run for an undetermined period and ignited grass around the vehicle. sir Bud Jones, left, crew leader for Wallowa and Union counties in the 1959 crnsus of agriculture talks with two of his census takers and gives them r bit of advice about the rough territory they have been assigned. Hazel Wilson will cover the region from the Snake River to Joseph and north to the state line. Noel Scott will visit farms in the rough territory north of Elgin. Census takers began canvassing farms this morning. Additional Pictures on Pag3 7. (Observer Photo) WHEELCHAIR? NO Dr. J. B. Gregory, 72, Carries On Medical Practice As Usual By NEIL ANDERSEN Observer Staff Writer A wheelchair is not a handicap, according to Dr. John B. Gregory. And the 72-year-old genTal practitioner should know. He has been conducting his medical prac tice, which includes minor sur gery, from a wheelchair since shortly after he fell and broke his hip last Aug. 2. The doctor had been horseback riding with his grandchildren on the fa"rm of his son, John J. Greg ory, when the accident occurred. He fell when his heci caught in a hole, fracturing the right hip. Never one to be idl leng. the doctor was out of the hospital in nine days and resumed seeing patients on Aug. 30. Two rooms were altered in Dr. Gregory's residence, 1509 Wa'nut St.. and soon were filled with patients- When the space at home was unable to meet the needs. Dr Gregory returned to his office ot Fourth Street and Spring Avenue ce.it control over the two largest timber fires still out of control in El Dorado National Forest, scene of the heaviest loss. Both of the blazes are in the I'laccrville area, a 16.000-acre fire at Ice House and a 7.600-acre fire at Jaybird. Fi:e fighters today stemmed a 14.000-acre blaze near the Yuba County community of Campton ville. The fire destroyed a forest service lookout station and sev eral cabins near the community of Pike. The three huge blazes have de stroyed nearly 40.000 acres, or 400 million board feet of timber, enough to build 23,000 standard homes. Officials have estimated damage this weekend at more than 10 million dollars. The only remaining sizeable for est fire still out of control in Northern California had burned 1.000 acres four miles west of Blocksburg in Humboldt County. With the aid of lower humidities, fire fighters were reported to have the blaze 90 per cent controlled. Forestry officials said that the high winds that whipped the flames during the weekend were expected to decrease. They hoped for control over the three remain ing blazes by late afternoon. Advise Registrants In Political Course John Su'livan, chairman of the national affairs committee of the Chamber of Commerce, has asked that anyone interested in partici pating in the non-partisan "Action Course in Practical Politics" re gister at the chamber office by Nov. 10. IT" ' A .'' 'l Zzft 'r A ?f;:' "" K rC A fa f HUM L ' mi T ROUGH ROADS AHEAD HANDICAP where he goes about his daily business with amazing speed and efficiency in his wheelchair. Miner Surgery "Once I get my foot comfortable and by a stool I can do minor surgery," Dr. Gregory said. "Several doctors in town wat ched me the first day I did sur gery sitting down. When it was" all over I recommended they try it. It's not bad at all," he said with a trace of a grin. The doctor is a robust, healthy looking man despite his confine ment to the chair. His hair is thinning and turning grey. Bright blue eyes twinkled gaily as he showed the X-rays of the "nail" used to keep his hip in p'ace. He even stood up and moved the leg around 'It doesn't hurt at all as long as I don't put any weight on it," he grinned. Dr. Gregory is married and has three children. In addition to his son, John, he has a daughter, r - .-.! rrsr ' - i " - I Uv U 1. I" :-;h; -A til WU It - - " tk.-, 4 ...4 J., i . . YJ s . i t- 1 BOY SCOUT AWARDS Paul Jenkins, Mt. Emily Boy Scout executive, left, presents Life awards to Ivan Hib bert, Troop 113: John Wallsinger, Troop 109; Lynn Waite. Troop 113. and A. B. (Spud) Olson, institutional representative of Post and Troop 114. Presbyterian Church, during Boy Scout court of honor at LDS church Friday niyht. (Observer) Court Of Honor Here Sees Many Awards Tendered To Mt. Emily District officials ofi the Boy Scouts of America were present at a court of honor held at the LDS church here Friday night during which special award and recognition were given I!oy Scouts and their leaders. Paul Jenkins, district P,oy Scout executive, served as master of ceremonies for the colorful af fair which saw Boy Scouts in at tendance also from Union. One of the features of the ninhl was the second annual uniform inspection under the direction of Jack I.ew, district commission er, and Brill Lee, Bob Wilkins and Bob Orr. Jenkins told the parents pres ent why a uniform inspection was necessary and explained this par V ifyii S:i Vf7i- k rx-i!'V'- ,., .. ,.,,- yf '" ; ""' 18' : ; ' . i !as a,;i,:M''' I " A!'a" S A,U'T , ,;-'- ;V f, llW , " ,' - - - 'w (A ' hrX T-"V'" a' ," I : y.f- i ri P'm- "rf ,k was rvUl : fP'it i 'f -r" A .4i.(r,K ne- i It'.rt'.- - r"f 'f Vi.N..? - J " ",rwl .if' If A lN Mrs. Kntherin MrFarl.md. and another son. Itoherl, ho is just The doctor with photograi and grandch. hang pictures his granddauhl ent for draw Horses Horses in the doctor once had bred saddle three roe son's farm along wnn ancuana colts for his grandchildren. W.ih the children's pictures' there are photographs of his son John as tride the horses that wore shown throughout the country. The doctor was born in Ala bama and received his medical degree from the Iniversity of Alabama. He practiced for two years in Birmingham before he moved to Wallowa County. He See GREGORY Poe Five s desk is cluttered I ..... ' J M i -S I ph, 0f h,s ch.ldr.nl r-' V j1. J;-., s. f I ... r i Idren. on no wans s- rfi I'Jtm IT!. U r 11 I rtf horses drawn by 1 1?" , ; . ' f JH. .VllVI U Sk 1 ! I er who has a tal 1,V . V V' YIML kW7i " I I I play an important role l's 'tjfJi l3 ILVt , si t I s life- l"e doctor - .-',.' XK:- V S ll a stable of American j I , i V iiM . I 11 I hoi-s-s. H.sim Keeps r J I, 'I 'i I I J I .stored horses on his ,i ' u ?S-Al?. fcVO'il ll f ticular phase of the Scouting pro gram. Troop 114. sponsored by the Olson In Charge I'n ,l toiian .church, opened the Conduct iui the court of honor program under the direction of was A. It. (Spud) Olson, institu-! .': outnia-ter I.. Kejnolds and 01 tional representative, Post and'on. Troop 114. Presbyterian church As-Mins l ew in uniform in This included recognition nl ,;,tic.n ,.r(. Krank Mathia Post Tenderfoc.ts, awards to Second n, advisor: it Wilkins, assist- and First Class S'-outs. Star.;,,, a,h,M,r , p,(!, no, and B. awards and the Life and Silvei t ee. Ti , op i assistant scout mas- Palin. !,,.r. l.ee Kevnolds ac a talk on! . , . . , . ;. , . , , , Awardi Presented the llov Sei ut .lamhoree. while I.ou Kvler. council president,' Awards were presented to the stressed the personal awards as! V ernreesch, Troop 113; Keith a membership incentive. ! ''""'Hhrey. Troop 115; Tork Kvler made n sncoial orosen H'"' Ir""P 5: K"""''' lation in Troon nf Union, snon .r,.H l,v ll,.. V....r:.n nf Kore.L II U--.,... ... lUr. f,r hnir.ii ll. ,,"... r-h ti.e'ir t,,,.-.! '. Four Traffic Arrests Here , ..I'"' Nehcl er, Troop 113; Wayne t.a (.!! P. re(iL-.l - v, ,,s,Vn.sk(,W; ;,, Steven teen-age driver or operatn a. fc ' , , d mi. tor vehicle without tail lights , k Tr(' G3 E(lwar)f or license plates Saturday night . member of The youth as stopped 1 on charge. Avenue at 9:20 p.m. lie was re-, Jroop leased on ? 0 had. ,,,,li:i. and John Wallsinser. Troop Ifchard I). Vevgandt HO" Anderson. Cherry St.. was arrested , president of Union Stake of the crating a motor vehicle "l o t a driver s license C.ff.ci-rs si. p- ufe awa.d; Ivan Mibl)r,, Troop peu uic uiii-i i... ilpm- " Wasrdt'aS"IOn " :. . Koland H-shor. w. was arros -o on charges of vagrancy Saturday! afternoon at Adams Avenue and Depot Street. His bail was set at Hearings on all oa,os were schmul'd f""- 3 P-ni. today. t A . ti nil Iff v p. , j j I A v. " .'W' f hViar.n 'mmm ti.;,-, -s--... - iLJ DOCTOR, IN A WHEELCHAIR Dr. John R. Gregory continues to conduct his medical practice from a wheelchair alhoth he ft 11 and broke his hip last August. I)r. Gregory is 72 years old and has practiced medicine in Union and Wallowa counties since 1909. The doctor has giv en up hi; favorite pastime, horseback riditifi. until the hip mends. (Observer Photo) I Boy Scouts The prmrain is as follows: i ' ;i Troop K5, and Troop ! 1 n' members Fl d Shen irilllir liCasiCV, ftllUll I Waite. liob Hrevles, Dennis Coop l"r and Jidin Huntsman. Charles Snyder, institutional represen tative, I. inns club, was in charge f irst Class awards: Pat Gavin. Troop 114: Uusty I.ew. Troop 114; , . .. ,,rown. ton' in charge. Eagle Palm award: Brill Lee. Explorer Post 110. with C. Rich- J Noel,- Jr. committee member 1 the r-t. in charge. Merit Badge, Merit badges wont to the fol i. .lowing: Kuss.ll Browning, for clolh. rrv True, for .....L. ,arrv Ammons. " , ' . .: ., , K.l llslling, ClOin. anu aamuei Miller, for rowing, cloth all in Troop 111). Unicn. fee COURT Page Five Legal Threat Against City in New Sewaae Plant Site Elk Hunter Accidentally Shoots Self Cordon Hoffor, 2a. is reported i in t'H-Hi condition at the Grande Hondo Hospitil here after suf fcring a gunshot wound in the leg while hunting late ystcrday af ternoon in the Palmer Junction area. State Police said that the wound was caused by a .44 magnum pis tol, rainier junction is auuui 10 miles north of Elgin. The victim was brought to La Grande by the Klttin first aid car. School Bus Driver Safety Meet Here A county-wide school bus driv ers' safety conference will be held at the La Grande High School audio visual room at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. County School Superintendent Wilbur Osterloh said that I. M. Luman. director of transportation. Slate Deportment of Kducation.- Salem, will conduct the confab. It is expected that all school bus drivers throughout the county as well as administrators in charge of the bus program and local and Slate Police representatives will be present. School Heads Confer In Salem Wednesday A state-wide county superin tendents' meeting will be held in Salem Wednesday under auspices of the State Department of Kd uc.it ion. The legislative committee of the county superintendents associa tion will report at this meeting according to Wilbur Osterloh, I'ni on County school superintendent. Van Doren Says His TV Quiz Shows 'Rigged WASHINGTON H'PH Charles Van Doren made a "soul-searching confession" today, all his TV quiz appearances were rigged from beginning to end. The 33-ycar-old English instruc tor who won fame and $120,0(10 on the now defunct show "21," made a clean breast of his "deception" during 90 minutes of sometimes emotional testimony before a House subcommittee. Changing his previous story of innocence because "I could no longer lie,-' Van Uoren admitted under oath that he followed a script written in advance and that he didn't even tell the truth to his lawyer or a grand jury. Van Doren was dry-eyed and somber as he read a prepared statement to the subcommittee but tears welled in his eyes when he was questioned by members. i JOHN PETTLEY Humorist Will Address Knife, Fork Membership John Pettley, I.ondon-born En glishman who visited the United States in 19-16 to study applica tions of Meteorology to movie making and promptly fell in love with the country, will be the guest speaker to address the lo cal Knife and Fork club Wednes day night at 7 at the Sacajawca Hotel. Pettley returned to his native England after a year here but stayed there only a year. Back he came to America, acquired an American wife (now has a fam ily of four) and has lived here since 1948. He admits American customs and manners stumped him but briefly. They're the greatest in the world he brags and would n't chanRc them for those of any other nation. He will talk to members here on the subject "An Englishman at Large in Am erica," which is a humorous re cital nf his early experiences in the United States. - ' All; The Way Van Doren, whose ' brow-mop ping gestures in the quiz show's isolation booth were known to millions of TV viewers, said "I was involved, deeply involved in a deception." "I have deceived my friends and I had millions of them," he added. The quiz whiz said that Produ cer Albert Ereedman supplied him with questions and with some of the answers, before each of his 14 appearances. He said that Ereedman and Co-Producer Dan Enright were the only persons who knew his appearances were re hearsed. Van Doren said that he asked Freedman to "let me go on the program honestly, without receiv ing help" but was told "that was impossible." Mediators Try Again WASHINGTON (UPH -Federal mediators moved back into the deadlocked steel negotiations to day, but put off for the time being any joint bargaining sessions with union and management officials. 'Trick Or Treat' Is Nightmare United Press International Officials totaled up the dam age today from a scries of vic ious pranks and tragic accidents that turned Halloween Into a day of needless death and destruction in many parts of the country. Trick or treat pranks got out of hand in Shrcveport. Ls., whore a bomb was set off at a Roman Catholic church, and Fremont, Calif., whore, someone put nausea pills in children's candy. Children at Fremont came home with the usual assortments of candy, apples, popcorn and cookies. But many of them also had some- mysterious pills. After gobbling them, the young sters began vomiting and suffered stomach cramps. Five of the children were violently sick, doc tors said. Pills Traced Te Dentist Officers questioned the children and traced the pills to a promi nent Fremont dentist. He denied the accusations but police said he faced charges of malicious mischief. A crowd of 130 men and boys turned Halloween into a night mare for the one-man police force in Arkona. Ont. The mob spent the night throwing rocks and eggs at passing enrs and sotting bon By GRADY PANNELL Observer Staff Writer Threats of legal action ag ainst the city of La Grande were ringing in the ears of commissioners today as the municipal governing body prepared to meet with irate property owners at Island City tonight. A battle over location of a pro posed new sewage treatment plant on a 230 acre plot in the county, which the city has taken an option on to purchase, is the focal point of contention. County land owners are virtually "up in arms" over the city's de sire to relocate its sewage facili ty northeast of the present treat ment facility just east of town. Charges of "sneaks" and "un derhanded methods" have been le vied against the city fathers after it was disclosed just several day ago that a lagoon-type oxidation pond facility would be construct. ed on the 230 acres out in the county near Island City. ' City Votes Friday The entire matter hinges, how ever, on whether or not La Grande's voters will take kindly to the issue and vote favorably on a KJfiO.nno bond issue for a new sewage plant (oxidation ponds) at a special election Friday. With county property owners, whose land is adjacent and near the 230 acres, so stirred up over the matter the vote could be un' favorable, some city officials pointed out this morning. Among those county residents who are leading the fight against the location and type of sewage facility are Dr. F. M. Kovach, Mrs. Joseph Kidd and Mrs. A. K. Gibson. Dr. Kovach pointed out to The Observer that such a facility would lower property values and possibly bring in undesirable int dustry. "Who wants to live next door to a sewage plant?" he asked. Lack Of Hard Pan Mrs. Gibson doubted that a la goon system for sewage would work in the valley. She said that lack of a hardpan would create contamination of ground waters through seepage'."" "The cost of lagoons would be cheaper, but money the city would have to use in defending against lawsuits by county property own ers would run high," Mrs. Gibson advised. Mrs. Kidd said her property was next to the proposed sewage site, and this she didn't like. "I have a lot of things to say about the issue, and the city com missioners will definitely hear from me tonight," she said. The Island City meeting is sche duled for 7:30 o'clock at the Farm Bureau hall. It shapes up as "Cus ter's Last Stand." Railroads In Proposals To Powerful Union CHICAGO (UPI) The rail roads today handed five big op erating brotherhoods proposals for a full overhaul of work rules to wipe out "featherbedding'' and strengthen the industry in its bat tic for economic survival. Union leaders said counter-proposals . would be formulated at meetings of individual brother' hood committees in Chicago start ing Nov. 11. For Some fires on the main street. v . Elsewhere, youngsters dropped pumpkins on motorists' cars and in one case sent a bulldozer crash ing into a homo. Criminals, too, took advantage of the spook-filled holiday. rour thugs wearing Halloween costumes forced their way into a home near Pontiac, Mich., terror ir.ed a babysitter and ransacked the place. At least two children were killed by cars during Halloween festivities Saturday night, two little girls were criminally as saulted and three youths were shot. It-year-eld Killed A city electrician at Cahnute. Kan., Charles Doudna. shot and killed Jim McCune, IS, an honor student and star athlete. Doudna said he caught McCune and a group of youngsters tipping over a park bench and thought it was his duty to protect city property: At Pomona, Calif., two other youngsters were shot after yell ing "trick or treat" at a young man. In House, Tex., three smalt daughters of a doctor were killed from a fire believed started by a Halloween jack-o-lantern left on aa upholstered chair in a dining