Image provided by: Morrow County Museum; Heppner, OR
About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 26, 1939)
OREGON HISTORICAL SOCIETY PUBLIC AUDITOR! U v PORTLAND. O:- 1 Volume 56, Number 33 Heppner, Oregon, Thursday, October 26, 1939 Subscription $2.00 a Year Fete Pioneers At Big Reunion Dinner at Lexington More Attend After noon Program; Old est Residents Cited Lexington was host to more than 600 people last Saturday on the oc casion of the annual pioneers re union. The community dinner which was served at 12:30 o'clock attracted at least 600 hungry souls and dur ing the afternoon the total was swelled bv the arrival of others who did not participate in the din ner. Heading the list of early pioneers, as well as being the oldest persons in attendance, were William Thom as of lone and Mrs. Sarah Booher, both of whom are past 93 years of age and still getting around on their own power. Mr. Thomas came to lower Willow creek, then a part of Umatilla county, in 1881. He home steaded at Cecil and lived contin uously on the place until about 10 years ago when he gave it up and moved to lone. While the ranks of the original pioneers have been nearly depleted, theer were present Saturday several who have resided in the county in excess of 50 years. One of this num ber, C. W. Valentine, stated that he homesteaded his present homesite in Sourdough canyon in 1883. Ralph Benge settled the same year on the land which until recently was his home on Social ridge. Valentine also stated that to his knowledge there are but two original homesteaders now living on Willow creek who were here when he came. One of these, A. L. Florence, still lives on his original place above Heppner, The other settler is Dan Summers of Lexington. Numerous other "old timers" were present who remem bered the days when cattle men of this district ranged their stock on the unfenced prairies and hills from the Blue mountains in Morrow county as far north and west as Ellensburg, Wash. Following the dinner there was a period of visiting until about 3 p. m. when George Peck, acting as master of ceremonies, called the group to gether for the following program: Community singing, "Long, Long Trail," "Love's Old Sweet Song" and "America;" prayer, Rev. Cecil Warner, Hermiston; oboe solo, Peggy Tamblyn, Heppner; tap dancing, Yvonne Bleakman and Teddy Fer guson, Heppner; baritone horn solo, Hugh Crawford, Heppner; girls sex tettet of Lexington school under di rection of Mrs. Juanita Carmichael one-minute silence honoring de parted pioneers; vocal numbers by Russell McNeill, accompanied by Mrs. McNeill; History of Lexington- read by Darlene Biddle, Lexington address, Rev. R. C. Young, Heppner, and violin numbers by Maurice Johnson, accompanied by Marjorie Parker, Heppner. Old time dancing was enjoyed from 6 until 9 p. m., following which the hall was turned over to the younger generation for popular dancing. Among pioneers attending who had reached the three-quarter cen tury mark were Laura Scott 75, T. W. Cutsforth 80, W. F. Barnett 81, R. W. Turner 78, Nettie Davis 78 (mo ther of the first white child born in Lexington), Mrs. E. Sanderson 81, Mrs. W. R. Munkers 81, J. Piper 85; C. W. Valentine 77, French Bur roughs 82, Cora Burroughs 75, T, Barnett 78 (mayor of Lexington) Olive Swaggart 80, Ben Buschke 75, E. K. Campbell 82, J. L. Yeager 84, M. R. Morgan 81, W. T. Craig 77, W, J. Blake 75, R. L. Benge 75, Al Flor ence 81, Marion Evans 84, Leon W, Briggs 80, Mrs. Martha Wright 75 and Mrs. May Turner 75. Pioneers registered who are fifty years or older numbered 170. Deer Season Closes; Birds Out as Elk Enter Last big "putsch" of local gun toters was made into the realm of the famous muletails the first of the week to take advantage of last days' hunting before the season's close yesterday. A slight snowfall in the timber the last two days aided hunters who added to the large number of kills made earlier in the season. Come Sunday, bird seekers will be through for the season. They enjoyed an extra 15 days of hunt ing through attorney's overruling eligibility of the previously set sea son, but hunting in the last period has not proved nearly so lucrative as that in the first period. As the bird season goes out, however, the elk season enters and what with op portunity also now afforded for bag ging ducks, nimrods still have a lot of sport ahead of them. Reports in dicate elk plentiful in open territory in this county. Sale at Doherty Ranch Draws Crowd All districts of Morrow county and sections of Umatilla and Grant counties - were represented at the sale held at the Dan Doherty place 11 miles northeast of Lexington, Wednesday. Even the state of Wash ington was represented by H. S, Shattuck and sons of Bickleton who were interested in the livestock of ferings. All articles and livestock offered were auctioned off at satisfactory prices. Horses, mules, cattle, sheep, haying machinery, wagons, an auto truck, harness, saddle, packing equipment, and even sheep pen pan els and watering troughs were in eluded in the ranch equipment com prising the estate of the late Dan C, Doherty. V. R. Runnion was the auctioneer and E. Harvey Miller acted as clerk, Free lunch was served at noon. City Refunding Bonds Sell at Low Interest City dads report a favorable mar ket existing for the sale of $5000 re funding bonds that were put on the block last Saturday evening. Tripp & McClearey, Portland brokers, took the issue as low bidders. Interest of 3-4 percent was asked on two $1000s, expiring one each in 1944 and 1945, and 3 percent on three $1000s, expiring one each in 1946, 1947 and 1948. Several bids were received, all of which were in close proximity. Some offered a bonus but asked 2Vi per cent interest straight through. ATTEND REUNION Among out-of-town people at tending the pioneers reunion at Lex ington last Saturday were Glen Davis and family of Bend, Ruth Barnett and Mr. and Mrs.. Clyde Wells of Pendleton, Mr. and Mrs. Guy Shaw and sons of Hermiston, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Barnhouse and daughter of Antone, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Campbell and daughters of Wallowa, Mrs. Wilcox and Mrs. Allstott of Hermiston, George Payne of Athena, Harvey Booher and fam ily of Condon, Mr. and Mrs. Law rence Slocum and family of Hepp ner, Mr. and Mrs. Warren Green and daughter of Sunnyside, and Mr. Green's mother of Camas, Wash. GAME HEAD COMING Frank Wire, supervisor of state game commission, will again favor Morrow county hunting grounds when he takes his annual elk hunt. He and party were granted use of Tupper ranger station for their camp by F. F. Wehmeyer, local ranger, Mr. Wire and party chose Heppner as their base of operations for op ening of the bird season recently. . Mr. Wire will be accompanied by Charles Leach, state game commis sioner, and they will be the guests of J. Logie Richardson, president Morrow County Hunters and Ang lers club. Interest Rate on Wheat Loans Cut From 4 to 3 Percent 434,244 Bushels Pledged in County; Insurance Popular Interest rates on government wheat loans to farmers will be re duced from four percent to three percent, effective November 1, ac cording to word received by E. H. Miller, chairman of the Morrow County Agricultural Conservation committee. Farmers who have taken out loans prior to November 1 will pay the four percent rate until that date, and three percent thereafter until maturity or liquidation of the" loan. Loans have been made on 433,244 bushels of wheat in Morrow county this year, Miller said, amounting to $281,421.48. Any farmer taking part in the 1939 AAA program may take out a federal loan on his wheat at any time prior to December 31. The loans will run to April 30, 1940, al though the farmer has the privilege of withdrawing his wheat from loan before that date. Considerable impetus has been given the crop insurance program this year also, Miller said. Appli cations now in for next year's crop protection number 231, covering 50, 000 acres. Thirty-six applications had been received by the same date last year, and a total of 14,000 acres was insured for the entire last crop year. Community AAA representatives are meeting at the county office today preparatory' to holding the various community AAA elections slated for tomorrow. Hunter Loses Then Finds Watch, Only To Lose $70 Roll Fate in variety visited one out side hunting party in rapid suc cession here this week. Douglas Ober and son came to town from their hunt Tuesday morning only to find that the fath er was missing his 17-jewel watch. They returned to their camp site and found it. Having but shortly again arrived in town, the son went to the car to get his father's billfold, containing $70 in cash, from a coat pocket. He placed it in his rear overall pocket only to dis cover when he went to take it out that the bottom of the pocket was torn, through which forgotten rent the wallet had apparently slipped out. Search has failed to reveal its whereabouts since. FIRST AAA CHECKS ARRIVE TODAY First checks to farmers for com pliance under 1939 AAA program arrived this morning, says the coun ty office. Recipients of these checks are being notified immediately. AND THE RAINS CAME Morrow county's over extended summer period came to a close with a bang this week. Freezing temper' atures at Heppner the last two nights were accompanied by advent of snow in the higher country. Light showers have visited most of the county the last two days, drawing softer lines in the stern faces of farmers whose crops are in and who have been fearful of disaster should the drouth be overly prolonged. NEW CCC BOYS ARRIVE One hundred and ten new CCC recruits disembarked here from Wednesday morning's train. Thirty five were retained at the local camp to fill the quota for October enroll ment period and 75 were taken on to the camp at Monument. Old Heads Impressed at Rodeo Meeting Large attendance of interested persons at the Rodeo organization meeting at the Elks hall Monday evening broke down objections of fered to further service and reelect ed all directors from last year with exception of E. R. Schaffer who had previously expressed definite un willingness to serve further. Ralph Jackson was the new director nam ed. Those held over are Henry Aik en, JLen J-i. liilliam, Je iJecuner, Harlan McCurdy, L. E. Bisbee and Dr. R. C. Lawrence. A meeting of directors will be held shortly to elect officers from their number. That danger of not having exper ienced men to keep the organiza tion functioning may be averted in future years, the group moved to amend the by-laws to provide for staggering election of directors in future. Under the motion two di rectors would be elected the first year, two the second year, and three the third year, all to serve for three year terms. Austin Gentry Was Long Resident Austin Gentry, 70, succumbed to a lingering illness at the hospital in The Dalles about 9 o'clock Sunday evening. Mr. Gentry, who had spent most of his life in and around Hepp ner as a member of a pioneer fam ily, had been taken to The Dalles several weeks before for treatment in the course of his illness. Funeral rites were conducted from Phelps Funeral Home chapel be ginning at 10:30 this morning with Martin B. Clark, Christian minister, officiating, with interment in Ma sonic cemetery. Among outside rel atives attending were a brother, El mer Gentry, and son of Colfax, Wn., and sister,' Mrs: Sarah Ward of Vale. Many frjends of the family attended Francis Austin Gentry was born in Madison county, Iowa, December 15, 18G8, the son of F. M. and Nancy (Shaeffer) Gentry. He came to this county with the family when a boy and had resided here continuously since, following ranching. Surviving besides the brother and sister above named are brothers M. T. Gentry of this city and Loren Gentry of Al berta, B. C, and sister, Mrs. Mary Parcell of Spokane, Wash. Closed Forest Areas Open; Fire Force Cut Notification was received from the state office last week of the opening of all forest areas that had been closed to smoking or camp-fire building. The fire control force, maintained throughout the fire season, has been temporarily relieved from service pending weather conditions, an nounces F. F. Wehmeyer, ranger. MEETS KRAFT HEADS Logie Richardson returned home Tuesday morning from Bridal Veil where the evening previous he was privileged to meet Messrs. C. H. and L. H. Kraft, head men in the Kraft Cheese organization, who were on tour of coast interests of the com pany from the Chicago headquar ters. Richardson has acted as local agent for Bridal Veil Lumber and Box company, subsidiary of Kraft Cheese. Plans were discussed af fecting future expansion of the lum ber company's local interests, Rich ardson said. ARLINGTON HERE TOMORROW Heppner"s Mustangs will play their third Upper Columbia league football game here tomorrow with Arlington furnishing the opposition. The game will start at 3 o'clock. So far Heppner leads the league with out a defeat, but it is expected Ar lington will give some tough compe tition. MISSIONARY GROUP TO MEET Christian Womens Missionary so ciety will meet at 2:30 o'clock next Wednesday afternoon at the home of Mrs. E. R. Huston. Lions Meet Gives Impetus to Civic Co-Operative Effort Various Groups Present Projects; Visitors Speak Reports of community improve ment projects from various organiza tions were woven into a centralized theme for the Lions club program at Hotel Heppner, Monday noon, under direction of M. L. Case, pres ident. Judge Bert Johnson brought re port of Inland Ebpire Waterways association work and developments from the meeting at Walla Walla on Wednesday last week, urging im portance of development of river transportation as of great Import ance to all of Morrow county. Their work for a milk fund for indigent children of the first and second grades, for a part-time nurse for Morrow county, and for a public park and playground was told by Miss Rase Leibbrand as president of Business and Professional Wo mens club. As secretary of Heppner Garden club, Miss Leibbrand also told of that club's project for a park and playground on Main street. Mrs. Lucy E. Rodgers, county school superintendent, urged com munity support for school programs in touching on National Education week, to be celebrated November 2-11. Miss Mary Mclntyre of Hardman and Clayton Wright of Heppner were introduced by B. C. Pinckney, local branch manager, as the out standing 4-H club boy and girl who recently attended Pacific Interna tional Livestock exposition as guests of First National Bank of Portland in recognition of their accomplish ments. Guests present from whom re marks were heard included C. W. Smith, "assistant state leader of county agents from Corvallis and one-timle pitesident of the local Lions; J. G. Barratt,. Charles Bar low, George Peck and Mrs. Chris Brown. Tom Wells, as entertainment chairman of the Elks, announced the benefit dance for LaVerne Van Marter to be held at the Elks hall, November 4. Grand Officer Gets Large Greeting Here Mrs. Dora E. Stipe, worthy grand matron, Order of Eastern Star for Oregon, was given a large recep tion on her official visit to Ruth chapter in special session here last Thursday evening. Mrs. Stipes' home is at Beaverton. Other grand and past grand officers, distinguished visitors and out of town guests were present for the occasion. Mrs. Fay Ferguson, worthy ma tron of Ruth chapter, presided. An informal hour with refreshments followed the lodge session. Roster of evening's visitors included: Hazel E. Folsom, Pendleton, past worthy grand matron; Ida Peters, Pendleton,' grand Esther; Marelda Stengham, Elgin, grand Martha; Hat tie Wightman, Heppner, grand rep resentative of Rhode Island; Jack Folsom, Pendleton, worthy patron Bushee chapter No. 19; Violet Lieu allen, Pendleton, worthy matron Bushee chapter No. 19; Lois Kent, Rainier; Bonnie Day, Lucile Hen riksen, Mr. and Mrs. R. C. Cowper waite, Mabel Wilson, Niety John son, Clementine Ingram and Vona Breed, all of Pendleton. Presiding over refreshments were Gertrude Parker, Charlotte Gordon and Ealor Huston. Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Denny left by car last Friday to attend the San Francisco world fair, expecting to journey farther south also before returning home.