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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (June 20, 2013)
8 history june20 2013 Senior Stars: Vernonia and the Oregon State Police The Vernonia community has a long and sto- ried tradition with the Oregon State Police (OSP). Over the years, several persons have served with the OSP who have had ties to Vernonia, most notably Holly V. Holcomb, Jr. who was the Superintendent. Former Vernonia resident Jerry Hays, a veteran of OSP himself, provided the following information to Vernonia’s Voice, about Vernonia ties to OSP. History of the Oregon State Police The Oregon State Police was formed in 1931 with a total of 112 officers. Most of the officers were transferred from various fragmented enforcement agencies. The majority came from the old State Traffic Department. The rest came from other state agencies that were responsible for fish laws, game laws, forestry, prohibition, criminal and arson laws. The primary rea- son for the change was to combine all these agencies into one organization that was better trained, more ef- ficient and fiscally responsible. The agency now has six divisions with 655 sworn employees and six support sections with 600 support staff. The six divisions provide state wide support in Patrol, Criminal Investigations, Fish and he joined the Oregon State Police as a patrolman until Wildlife, Forensics, Medical Examiners and Gaming 1943 when he enlisted in the service during World War Enforcement. II. He was a pilot in the Pacific the- Six former Vernonia residents ater attaining the rank of Captain and were members of the OSP. Some earning several air medals. In 1946 he were full time career members, others returned to OSP and worked his way worked part-time. This is quite a large through the ranks, becoming Superin- number from such a small community. tendent in 1966. While serving as Su- perintendent he was shot and killed on Vernonians of the Oregon State Po- the steps of the Public Service Build- lice ing in Salem in November 1975 by a The member that is best former disgruntled employee. He was known was Superintendent Holly V. married and had two daughters. In Holcomb, Jr. Holcomb moved to Ver- 1988 the State Police established the nonia when he was six. His father was “Holly V. Holcomb Award” which is employed at the Oregon-American presented to officers who distinguish mill in the planer mill section, working themselves in a heroic manner. his way to supervisor. Holly graduated Holly V. Holcomb, Jr. from Vernonia High School in 1935 and John R. “Jack” Heenan was born in worked for the Oregon-American woods crew while he Vernonia in 1923 and attended local schools. His father attended Oregon State College (OSU) from 1935-39. worked for Oregon-American on the train crew until He was an outstanding athlete and three year letterman the mill closed. After graduation Jack Heenan joined playing quarterback for the Beavers. After graduation continued on page 17 The Good Ol ’ Days By Tobie Finzel Museum News The museum’s summer hours began the first Friday of June and will continue through Quilt Fair weekend in mid-September In addition to Saturdays and Sundays, the museum will be open Fridays from 1 – 4 pm. Museum volunteers welcome the additional visitors during the beautiful summer months that bring bicyclists, motorcyclists, campers, and vacationers to Vernonia. We are pleased to have an intern this summer. Rachel Brown is studying history in college and agreed to spend some of her vacation time helping us update and digitize our artifact tags. The informational labels for our older artifacts were typewritten back in the 1960s and have faded with age. The new tags are being prepared by computer and printed in a larger font for improved readability. Rachel’s help is greatly appreciated. Ms. Rogers sixth grade class for the Vernonia Middle School visited the museum in early June as part of their local history curriculum. The students enjoyed seeing the artifacts and pictures of early Vernonia and learned a little more about life in Vernonia several the current holiday, local resident Virgil Powell, his wife and children spent the 3 rd , 4 th and 5 th in Tillamook, Garibaldi, Barview, and Rockaway, returning home by the way of Seaside. The article stated that they had a wonderful time generations ago. at Rockaway but the Seaside coast was too crowded with people and not even Independence Days of Yore Although the summer months enough room to park a car. Some things were busy ones for the early day haven’t changed! Vernonians, there was also time for some fun and relaxation. Just as we do From Virgil Powell’s Diary today, the Fourth of July was celebrated Virgil Powell was a long-time resident with community events. A July 1925 who had a farm in the Upper Nehalem article in the Vernonia Eagle described Valley between Natal and Pittsburg. the 1882 Fourth of July gathering in Each year from 1906 until 1955, he kept Mist: “At that time there were merely a regular diary of his activities. These trails through the woods and people excerpts from July 1917 show Powell’s lived several miles apart. The chief practice of taking a holiday trip for the means of transportation was horseback Fourth as a break from all the chores of due to the lack of roads. About fifty the farm started well before 1925: people participated in the festivities, the children amusing themselves at games Tuesday, July 3: Left 6.30 A.M. and swings. A community outdoor went up got Parkers and went down picnic was one of the features of the to Seaside. Got there about 4.30 occasion. Nelson Cole of Mist made a P.M. Cloudy in morning but very speech on the caption of Independence good in afternoon. Day.” The same issue of the Eagle Wednesday, July 4: Was in also recalled an 1883 picnic in Natal Seaside, Gearhart and Cannon held in Nels Peterson’s barn. People Beach all day. Rained awful hard from Vernonia and Mist attended the early in morning but very good entertainment that consisted of fireworks, dancing, a picnic in the afternoon, and a during the day. midnight dinner at Mr. Peterson’s, the dance lasting all night. Roads had been Thursday, July 5: Left Seaside built and more families had moved to the 9 A.M. and got home 10 P.M. Had area. The paper also noted that during all kinds of tire trouble. Rained a For fast cash! 010412 Vacation Bible School June 24th thru 28th 9am-12:15 Vernonia Christian Church 410 North Street, Vernonia Ages: “going into” Kindergarten thru 6th grade Cost: Free 2245 Baseline St., Cornelius (Across from Fred Meyer) 503-530-8119 State Licensed PB-0388 Open everyday at 9 a.m. Register early at: www.vacationbibleschool.com/vernoniavbs or call Susan Mullikin at 503-429-0181 or 503-369-3245 little but pretty fair day. Sunday, July 8: Raked, shocked and cut hay all day. Very hot in forenoon but cloudy in afternoon and looks very much like rain. Thursday, July 12: Hauled hay all day and got considerable hauled. Awful hot all day. Ora came over. Thursday, July 13: Finished hauling hay 11 A.M. Just fooled around in afternoon. Cultivated potatoes after supper till 8.30 P.M. Awful hot all day. The Vernonia Pioneer Museum is located at E. 511 Bridge Street and is open from 1 to 4 pm on Saturdays and Sundays (excluding holidays) all year. From June through mid-September, the museum is also open on Fridays from 1 – 4 pm. There is no charge for admission but donations are always welcome. Become a member of the museum for an annual $5 fee to receive the periodic newsletter, and if you are a Facebook user, check out the new Vernonia Pioneer Museum page created by Bill Langmaid. The museum volunteers are always pleased to enlist additional volunteers to help hold the museum open and assist in other ways. Please stop by and let one of the volunteers know of your interest in helping out. VERNONIA E C I V SER PAIR & RE Warranty on all parts and labor Now offering 2 and 4 wheel alignments 58605 NEHALEM HWY. S. Next to Storage, Too 503/429/7972
