mm 5W 4 vw' Entered at the Post Office at Athena, Oregon, as Second-Claaa Mail Matter VOLUME 49. ATHENA, UMATILLA COUNTY, OREGON. FRIDAY MORNING, NOVEMBER 30, 1928 NUMBER 48 OPERATIONS OF SWINE COMPANY Umatilla County Farmers Are Warned To Beware of Proposition. Seme months ago the Press and other papers of the country carried announcement of the operations of a swine company "in ' nearby states, which involved an offer of high priced gilts to farmers with a contract to buy back the female progeny. The company is said to be ready for oper ations at this time in Umatilla county. Early this year Oregon State Col lege issued warnings against the out fit, but nevertheless, a number of farmers have been duped by accept ing offers of the company. "On its face the agreement seems fair enough, but a little study shows that the company cannot afford to buy back the gilts any longer than' it can re-sell these gilts to other farmers," points out Professor E. L. Potter, head of the animal husbandry department. "In other words the business must grow in geometrical ratio, and for each gilt sold this year, from four to six must be sold next year and so on until the blow-up comes." The gilts are usually purchased by the farmers at $95 each " with the understanding that the company is to purchase all suitable pigs at wean ing time at $35 each, pigs to come up to standard - of good registered animals. Activities of the swine company are said to now be centering in Umatilla, Morrow and Grant counties, but steps were taken immediately to warn the farmers of those counties of the scheme. See America First With Lewis M. Lewis A pictorial insight into some of the outstanding natural beauties of the Southwest will be offered resi dents of this community when Lewis, M. Lewis, ciriematographer, natural color photographer, traveler and lec turer of Chicago will give an illus trated lecture at High School audi torium next Thursday afternoon Dec. 6, at 2:45, on Carlsbad Cavern of New Mexico which has just recently been created a National Monument. The lecture will be illustrated with motion pictures and colored lantern slides. Carlsbad Cavern, the largest in the world, has one room two blocks wide and three-fourths of a mile long a room with a ceiling so high that all the school buildings in a large town could be piled one on top of the other and not touch the ceiling. At dusk each evening, bats pass out of the cave entrance at the rate of 175,000 a minute and this flight continues for two or three hours. Mr. Lewis described them as resembling smoke curling up from a volcano. He promises to give some interesting views and information on the bat life. This is a highly educational lecture and we as good citizens should turn out to hear him and to see one of the greatest natural wonders of our great country. Schools will be dismissed at 2:30 to permit all students to be present. Admission is free and the public is invited and asked to attend. A silver offering will be taken to help defray the speaker's expenses. , Bridge Luncheon Carrying out the popular autumn motif in decorations and menu, one of the most enjoyable and attractive luncheons of the season was given Saturday afternoon at the B. B. Richards home on Jeffrson street, when Mrs. A. A. Kimball and Mrs. Richards entertained. Colorful cards marked the places of the twenty eight guests who were seated at small tables centered with miniature glass baskets of bronze pom pom chrysanthemums. Bridge was the diversion of the afternoon, Mrs. Ralph Hassell of Pendleton making high score and Mrs. W. P. Littlejohn receiving the consolation. The host esses were assisted in serving by Mrs. O. O. Stephens, Mrs. H. H. Hill and Mrs. Fred Kershaw. Out of town guests included Mrs. James R. Bowler, Mrs. Henry Collins, Mrs. Ralph Hassell, Mrs. H. M. Hanavan, Mrs. Nat Kimball, Mrs. Joseph N. Scott, Mrs. Philo Rounds, Mrs. Sybil Snyder, Mrs. Elmer Storie, Mrs. Anna Storie and Mrs. James R. Thompson, of Pendleton, and Mrs. Maurice Hill of Walla Walla. Guests from Athena were Mrs. M. L. Watts, Mrs. W. S. Ferguson, Mrs. C. M. Eager, Mrs. H. I. Watts. Mrs. Henry Barrett, Mrs. Lloyd Michener, Mrs. Marion Han sell. Mrs. R. B. McEwen, Mrs. F. S. LeGrow. Mrs. W. P. Littlejohn, Mrs. C. L. McFadden. Mrs. Henry Dell, Mrs. Glenn Dudley, Mrs. Art Doug la. Mrs. Bert Logsdon, Mrs. Chase Carfield. High School Notes Junior News Staff Editor... John Kirk Faculty and Alumni Carl Calvert Athletics..... ...Eldon Myrick Student Body..... .Virgie Moore Classes Beatrice Hiteman Subject Classes Cecil Pambrun 1st & 2nd Grades Thelma Schrimpf 3rd & 4th Grades .:..Harold Kirk 5th & 6th Grades George Gros3 7th& 8th Grades Frances Cannon Personals! - ...Helen Foster Advisor..- Miss Mildred Bateman . . Editorial ;.Y: y - ThnnkKcivinsr - dav once ' more ar rives, and our thoughts are filled with just how much turkey ana other Thanksgiving delicacies we can stow away and not pay the pen alty of a stomach-ache for the' rest of the week. How many of us think Wfc tn" the 'real reason for Thanks giving day, and of . what we should feel thankful for now; we ao not have to fear the Indians war-cry as the Pilgrims did, nor do we have to go out with a flintlock rifle to procure our Thanksgiving dinner, and for tVint too son we nueht to feel thank ful. We, the American people, should feel thankful for the advantages oi our government and educational op portunities. But there -is an old say ing that the road to a man's heart is through his stomach, so to reach his thankfulness VOU have to stuff his stomach full of rich, indigestible food; then he can sit arouna uie nre anH vawn and erouch because what he ate didn't exactly agree with him. Let us hope that ' there are some broadminded people who are really thankful for things they should . be thankful about. - Athletics . ' The following men turned out for basket ball: Arthur Crowley, Oral Michener, Ralph McEwen, Edwin Mc Ewen, Harold Kirk, Wayne Pittman, Wayne Pinkerton, George Pittman, Wpldnn Bell. Eldon Mvrick. Curtis Duffield, Lee Foster, James Wilson, Roland Wilson. Jack Moore, Herbert Reeder, Walter Huffman, and Leland Jenkins. . ,. .. - .. -,. - Faculty Miss Bateman left Thursday after noon, November 22, to attend the an nual University of Oregon homecom ing festivities at Eueene. What with a football game, parade, luncheon, and rally, it is no wonder that sne reports having a very enjoyable time. Miss Brvant. accompanied by Mr. and Mrs. Harold Fredrick, motored to Pendleton Friday evening. Entertainment The high school held an assembly Friday morning, Novmebr 23. A student body meeting was called by Eldon Myrick, president of the stu dent body. After this, a few songs were sung under ' the leardership of Mrs. Ralph McEwen, who was substi tuting for Miss Bateman. The high school was honored by some women debators from Whitman college Monday afternoon, November 26. Their debate was: Resolved that Mussolini has been a benefit to Italy. After the debate, a vote of the school was taken, and the affirma tive side received the majority. The debate was one of a series of prac tice debates which Whitman college is holding at the various high schools. The purpose of these debates is both for practice for the contestants and for arousing interest in high schools inthe new style of cross-questioning debate. Subject Classes The second perfect drill paper in Typing I was written by Jack Dow. Personals Ila and Lawrence Carlile have left for Herford, Oregon. 3 o' 4 Bridge Club Members of the 3 o' 4 Bridge club motored to the country home of Mrs. Ravella Lieuallen Thursday after noon. The occasion was most enjoy able, a feature being the presence of all members first time since or ganization of the club. Chrysan themums were used effectively about the rooms and delicious refreshments were served by the hostess at the tea hour. Mrs.'C. L. McFadden receiv ed the award for high score, and Mrs. Laurence Pinkerton was the recipient of the consolation prize. Entertained at Country Club Mrs. M. L. Watts entertained the members of -the Athena Bridge Club at luncheon at the Walla Walla Country Club Thanksgiving after noon. Colorful authmn . flowers furnished the keynote in the decora tion scheme and menu. Following luncheon, the guests enjoyed playing bridge. Mrs. Fred Kershaw holding high score and Mrs. R. B. McEwen receiving the consolation. Mrs. S. J. Bowles was the only guest aside from the club members. ymmmkmi torn P?m e an ou fa" this glorious land of freedom. and of peace. ' J We tkank You for its Karvest true, and for the. years increase J In KealtK end wealth of wisdom. Lord, we KffcTOUT. Kearts to TKee If . I And tKank You for our year of peace and great prosperity. -rir-TOii' v ill" Give Thanks That Are So Greatly Due It Is told that n Scotsman made at one time a road through the rough hills of the highlands and at the top of the last height hewed a stone Into a seat and inscribed thereon, "Rest and Be Thankful." In this spirit also la Thanksgiving day appointed, at the peak of the year as nature has fash ioned it, for rest and the strengthen lng of the spirit and for the giving of thanks where thanks are so greatly due, Don Rose, writing In the Philadel phia Ledger, reminds bis readers. Three centuries ago the wherewithal of the first Thanksgiving feast was provided by four Pilgrims with blun derbusses, who in one day "killed as many fowl as served the company al most a week." In less dramatic fash Ion the turkey of today comes to our board, though his persistence over a week In the various reincarnations of cold pickings, hash and soup is a cus tom well established. The turkey, let It be noted, Is in all respects a fitting offering, having pure American an cestry and no entangling alliances with birds of other feather. In Hallowed Memory. Out of the past this feast Is hal lowed by long and honorable history, nnlmagincd by the Pilgrim fathers, who stirred batter and peeled potatoes under the orders of the Pilgrim moth ers. Its first observance was In rea sonable peace, with Indians enough and to spare, but no unpleasantness. Later occasions were spiced and pep pered with unfriendly arrows, and the Indian sign of a feathered barb in the stout plank door Interrupted many a peaceful meal. The Indian sign no longer marks our threshold; it Is trans ferred .to father's pocketbook, where It leaves' a scar deep and ominous enough, though one endured with cheerfulness. Man is nn adaptable creature. For most of the jerr he Is content and well fed on a breakfiist of hasty eggs and coffee rashly Inhaled, a lunch snatched on the run and a dinner dis creet and digestible, but on high days and holidays his capacity Is thrice multiplied. Thanksgiving dinner Is no mere meal; It is n symphony in food stuffs ; an epic cf eatables; a pano rama of riie (itnmal u.nl vegetable king doms. Us calculated harmonies, the fruit of long years of feminine wis dom, convert even the cynic and dys peptic Into a valiant trencherman. l temptations and opportunities must call on the special Providence that Is kind to overzealous ambition If "good digestion is to wait on appetite and health on both." The fact that we survive It marks this marvel; that there Is no dlgestant like good com pany; no spice like good talk and laughter; no appetite like that which attends the warmth of opened hearts. Gifts Beyond Price. This is a universal feast that knows no creed. "It is good to give thanks unto the Lord"; it Is good for all men to find gratitude on special occasion for the grace that knows no occasion The free gifts are the greatest gifts the high privilege of life, the knowl edge of the loveliness of the varied world, the unmeasured wealth of love around us. For these we give thanks, for it Is by their mystic alchemy that success and peace and strength are made worth while. Thanksgiving Is not a human habit, which Is a fact little to our credit. For this we shall probably be forgiven, as we are forgiven so much, If the habit of remembrance lives on. The gods have always boen kind to human happiness, and when our Thanksgiving Is adorned with good cheer, with laughter, with "sports of strength and skill" and with the companionship of those we love, we practice an ancient custom and a true one. There have been many creeds, many peoples, many strange habits and observances. But never In the history of the world nor In any race or country bave men for gotten the Joy of the harvest nor failed to honor the eternal faithful ness of the changing seasons. Remember Only Mercies. So we may forget the faint hazard of abdominal repentance on the mor row and forget also the cold winds of the young winter and the coal bills that settle like birds of prey on the budget of November. Instead, we may "think of our mercies," as preached old Uncle Tom, and remember old friends and the distant ones of our family, and remember also to give a helping hand with the dishes that will soon be piled so high. So for this day the latchstrlng Is out, the fire bums bright on the hearth, the family Is home again and the p:isi and future do homage to the present. Loneliness we shut out of doors with the shivering trees and the wind-swept streets, and happiness Is complete In the full circle of familiar ami friendly faces. And more tlian these are with us, for the heart of all America knows today one happiness, and the history of her people for 309 years Is renewed In the countless homes that are her glory and her bulwark. Athena Boy Scouts (By Scoutmaster LeRoy) All aboard for the big convention at Lewiston this week-end was well responded to for there were more boys wanted to go than we could ar range for. We are sending three regular dele gates and three others as alternates. Each boy will have a special phase of the work to report on and all are to get all they can to help make the troop better. Solista Pickett passed four more requirements on his way to Second class rank and will be ready for the Honor at the next regular Court of Honor session. The regular delegates for the Con vention are Lowell Jenkins, George Pittman and Solista Pickett. The alternates are Robert Campbell, Wendell Shigley and Walter Edger. Lowell Jenkins will specialize on first aid, George on patrol work and Sol will specialize on patrol leaders duties. Our next big hike will be to Thorn Hollow and from there up Buckaroo canyon for the day. This is planned for Saturday, December eighth. Every scout and boy or man that is interested in scouting is invited to go. Art Douglas has charge of the ar rangements for transportation and activities for the day and further in formation may be secured from him or the scoutmaster. We are soon to register the troop and we want to be sure and register every boy in the district that is in terested in scouting, so get lined up soon. Our hall is soon to be converted in to a basket ball hall and we are ex pecting several good teams . AGED TRA IL BLAZER El MEEKER, ILL "Lots of Unfinished Work Yet," Says Defiant Old Patriarch. -. Seattle. Ezra Meeker, pioneer of the Pacific 'northwest, lay seriously ill in his bed in. a hotel here tonight. It was the second and, according to attending physicians, probably the last illness of the 97-year-old patriarch. His condition was too critical to permit his being moved to a hospital. For two months last summer the white-haired trail blazer was ill in the Ford hospital at Detroit. That illness, his physicians said, hastened the general weakness from which he suffers now. To one of his three daughters, who are in constant attendance upon him Meeker whispered today, "I have lots of unfinished work. I'm not quite ready to go." Meeker came to Pugef sound from Indiana when Seattle was a settle ment of 20 log cabins. In 1906, 54 years after the start of his westward journey, Meeker, with an ox team and covered wagon returned over the Old Oregon trail, marking it with monu ments. He was received by Presi dent Roosevelt. He made a second trip in 1910 and a few years ago recrossed the route by airplane. Calmly awaiting the end, Ezra Meeker, 98 year old ox-team pioneer, lay in a hotel. A few days at most possibly a few hours, separate the aged man from death, his physician and son-in-law, Dr. C. L. Templeton, believes. Meeker had roused from a state of coma, into which he sank last night. He was somewhat weaker. Yester day afternoon he called his grandson and attorney, J. H. Templeton, to his bedside to settle his affairs. "Nothing in; this world can save him," Dr. Tenipleton said. Johnny Hines In "The Wright Idea" Johnny Hines, First National's sparkling comedian, will be seen at the Standard Theatre tomorrow night in "The Wright Idea," his fastest and most hilarious comedies of the season. With Louise Lorraine and Edmund Breese heading the big sup porting cast of clean fun-makers, Johnny will be found in his element tomorrow night when he takes you beyond the the-mile limit and in troduces you to a bunch of bad men. Sunday night Clara Bow, the "It" girl will star in "Red Hair" in the role of Miss Bubbles McCoy. As a foil for the irrespressible Bubbles three great character actors, Law rence, Grant, Claude King and Wil liam Austin have been given lead ing parts. Many of the sequences of "Red Hair" are done in technicolor, and for colorful effect, this process has never been used to such advantage. Voters Defeat Tax Proposal Two to One Considerable interest was manifest ed in the election held Monday to vote on the special tax proposal for Union High School District No. 7. The legal voters of the district de feated the proposed tax two to one. A total of 101 votes was cast, 34 voting for the measure and 67 voted against it. The polls opened at the school house at two o'clock in the afternoon and closed at 7 p. m. The election board was comprised of women, those serving were Mrs. W. W. McPherson, Mrs. J. F. Ker shaw, Mrs. Bryce Baker, Mrs. H. A. Barrett and Mrs. W. P. Littlejohn. Chinks From Game Farm Disposition of 216 China pheasants from state game farm near Pendleton was made by Marion Hansell and Glenn Dudley Monday. In company with a state game farm employe who brought the pheasants here in crates on an auto truck, the birds were lib erated at selected tracts of land which afford desirable cover and feeding range. Had a Good Crop Cliff Banitder was up from hU Cold Springs ranch Saturday. His fall sown wheat is up and looking fine says Mr. Banister. He threshed 600 acres of wheat this fall and it averaged a little over 37 bushels per acre, and he recently disposed of his crop. Athena Shooters Win Turks Athena shooters have won their share of turkeys for Thanksgiving at the different shooting matches held over the week-end. The Helix and Pendleton matches were well attend ed. .