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Pioneer Resident
Laid to Rest Here
Monday Afternoon
A. L. Ayers Ended
Own Life During
Despondent Spell
Apparently despondent over fail
ing health, Alfred L. Ayers, pio
neer citizen of Morrow county,
ended his life Friday evening by
shooting himself in the head with a
"32 caliber revolver. The act was
committed shortly after going to
oea ana rouowing a slight stroke
earlier in the evening.
Mr. Ayers made his home with
his niece, Mrs. Percy Hughes, at
Lena, coming there in 1940 follow
ing the death of his wife in Port
land. He enjoyed working about
the place, helping with the chores
and gardening, feeling that he was
more or less independent so long
as he could carry on. In recent
months he showed signs of failing
hefelth and this worried him as he
did not want to become a burden
to anyone. Friday evening, after
performing a small chore, he sat
down to rest and found he could
not cross his legs, indicating that
he had suffered a slight stroke.
Mrs. Hughes and Mrs. Arthur
Hughes, who was visiting there,
insisted that he go to bed. He fi
nally accedkd to their urging and
-was helped to his room.
Marvin Gammell, employe at the
Arthur Hughes ranch, had come
down to take Mrs. Hughes and little
son home. Mrs. Fercy Hughes in
sisted that they all stay there that
night fas she felt the need of as
sistance in case Mr. Ayers should
have a recurrence of the attack.
Gammell was asked to sleep in a
room adjoining that of the sick
man and to notify Mrs Hughes if
help was needed. Hearing Mr. Ay
ers moving around. Mrs. Hughes
called to ask if she could help him.
He replied that he was hunting an
aspirin. He was given the aspirin
and made comfortable in bed. Not
long after Mrs. Hughes returned to
her room she agjain heard a dis
turbance upstairs as if some one
had fallen. She called to young
Gammell to go see and upon en
tering Mr. Ayers' room found him
on the floor dead.
Funeral services were held at 2
p. m. Monday in the Masonic hall,
with Archdeacon Neville Blunt
Continued on Page Eight
AAA Community
Meetings Dec. 4-5
The annual AAA community
election meetings to be held Dec.
4 and 5 in Morrow county com
munities, are doubly important to
all farmers this year, Henry Baker,
chairman of the county AAA com
mittee, reminded today.
In addition to naming committee
men to run their farm program
for the coming year, farmers at
tending will consider methods of
using AAA practice payments to
get the best results in meeting agri
cultural problems of each commu
nity. Booked for discusion are pro
spective 1945 provisions for prac
tices such as weed control, drain
age, wafer conservation, pasture
improvement and range manage
ment. Other program features for the
meeting include presentation of the
latest information on 1945 produc
tion goals, and discussion of sup
port prices and other prospects and
problems for the year ahead.
VETERAN HOME ON LEAVE
Paul S. Beardsley, F2c arrived
in Heppner Saurday to spend the
fCreater part of his 30 dlay leave
with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jesse
Beardsley. Paul has but recently
returned from active duty in the
South Pacific.
Heppner, Oregon, Thursday, November 23, 1944
Normandy Invasion Story Told by One
Who Had a Part in the Great Battle
It is the privilege of the Gazette
Times to present its readers with
a ringside seat, play-by-play, auth
entic account of the Alied invasion
of the Normandy coast. Written by
one who was there, it is a vivid
graphic portrayal of one of the
great military feats of the present
war. It is the story of a Heppner
boy's participation in the opening
offensive to free Europe from the
Nazi menace. Due to its length it
may be necessary to run the story
in two installments.
By BILLY COCHELL
Chief Musician, USN
You have heard and read ac
counts of the invasion of Norman
coast areas by Allied forces of the
air land sea, and the landing as
saults by those various inter-re-latjed
forces of our armies against
the Nazi Occupational Wehrmacht.
Those accounts, considerably
more than vivid in the phraseology
and tonal-color used by expert an
nouncers and top-flight journalists,
have given you people the grand
est sort of thrill and excitement.
We are grimly proud of the intrepid
execution of the multiple duties
placed upon the shoulders of Am
erican figjhjting forces of all
branches of our service. It was as
Teacher Shortage
Presents Problem
To Entire Nation
A shortage of 130 teachers in the
Portland school system is typical
of the problem facing education
authorities throughout the natiO'.,
Mrs. Lucy Rodgers told members of
Heppner chamber of commerce at
Monday's luncheon. The situation
in Portland is quite similar to that
of other sections of the state, al
though Morrow county, Mrs. Rod
gers stated, has been quite fortu
nate thus far in filling the teacher
ranks.
Mrs. Rodgers attended a com
mittee meeting in Portland the' past
week-end where the teacher prob
lem was taken up in earnest. It
had been the hope of the Oregon
State Teachers association that the
proposed constitutional amendment
fostered by that group would pass
in the recent election. Since it did
not, !a new effort will havte to be
put forth to cope with the teacher
situation. It was pointed out that
getting teachers from other states is
merely a "rob Peter to pay Paul"
deal and that eventually each state
will have to depend upon its own
colleges for its educators.
C. W. Barlow was called1 upon to
make report of the county clerks'
convention in Portland last week.
He said one proposal receiving fa
vorable comment was that from the
secretary of state's office relative
to closing filing date for candidates
for office 60 days prior to election
date instead of 45 days. It is con
tended that a person contemplating
running for office shoud know at
least 60 days prior to election as
well as 45 days whether he or she
wants to file. It also is the belief
of the clerks that they should have
more time for making up the poll
books, feeling that a change of re
gistration closing date will make no
difference to voters inasmuch as
many of them wait unti the last
day to register regardless of what
the date may be.
Henry Mattson of Marion county
was chosen president of the assoc
iation for the ensuing year; C. W.
Barlow of Morrow county, vice
president, and Edna M. Pitzer of
Polk county, secretary-treasurer.
o
A SON IS BORN
Born to Mr. and Mrs. Eugene
Stone Monday, Nov. 20, at the Cor-
da Saling home, an 8V4 pound boy.
the English say "A bloddy good
show," and this effort on my part
to record some of the highlights of
the action should not be compared
with the accounts that were so ex
pertly prepared for public consump
tion. I pray the indulgence of more
than "poetic license."
As in all such closely coordinated
efforts of inter-related groups of
our forces, and' cooperative allied
units, a lot of stress was placed on
training. Our maneuvers were rig
orous and tedious, but withal, there
was constantly in our minds the
realization that, as our damage
control offiefcr stated, "This is a
big-league afifair! We are out of the
bush-leagues, every pitch has a po
tential pay-off in this game with
lives directly in tliie balance."
We were prepared for any even
tuality, literally. The entire crew
was "briefed" on the locality in
volved after we had entered a
state of "sealed-ship." We were in
formed of our duties and the pro
gression of the action phases as
planned. It was comprehensive and
everyone reacted, to the "reality
of -invasion" in the most heartening
manner. The morale hit an alltime
high peak and the crew was in
amazingly fine, spirits. "This is it."
That particular feeling of hearts
Current Tax Roll
86 Percent Paid
Sheriff John Futyen reported
Tuesday morning that the 1944
45 tax roll was 86 percent col
- - Jected as of Nov. 15, the last day
taxes may be paid without pen
ally. Since that time at least one
percent more has been collected,
making a good record, the tax
officer opines. The 1943-44 roll
now is but little over two percent
delinquent.
The 1944-45 roll toaled $240,
233.38, of which $206,927.31 was
in the hands of the sheriff by
Nov. 15.
GRANGE SENDS $80 TO
CAMP ANDi HOSPITAL COUNCIL
Rhea Creek grange cleared $80 at
a benefit' dance held at thle grange
hall Saturday night, (all of which
has been turned over to the Blue
Mountain Camp and Hospital com
mittee. At the request of the grange
$50 will be used in the purchase of
a phonograph for McCaw General
hospital at Walla Walla and $30 to
the navy hospital at Pasco.
Speaking for the council, Mrs.
Ralph Thompson praised the grange
for its generous gift, stating that
such donations as this help to keep
Morrow county well to the front in
contributing to the support of the
hospital welfare work. Since last
been made to the hospital "tele
week several contributions have
phone home" fund, and with
Christmas time approaching there
will be neled of a good substantial
purse for this cause. A check for
$50 was fclso received to be used
exclusively for colored Wacs and
Waves for Christmas.
TRUCK APPLICATIONS
DUE BEFORE DEC 15
In the next few days application
blanks for gas renewals will be
sent to every truck and pickup
owner. These must be filled in and
returned to the local OPA office
before they can fill the next quar
ter's gas quota.
All applications must be in the
hands of the rationing board by
Dec. 15 but should be returned at
once to expedite the process. Ap
plications may be mailed or return
ed personally.
Fleet owners must call at the
OPA office and (pick up their own
tickets as they are too large to
be mailed
and minds; the consciousness of
life; and the possibilities involved
in the course of our destined act.
ion, absolutely defies description
in just so many words. Definitely,
for most of us, it was a crisis emo
tionally. Keyed to do a task which
could actually demand our very
lives, interesting observations were
made of my personal reactions and
I sensed, as did others, the change
in the attitude of the men toward
each other. I can't describe ihr
sense of awareness one ifeels for
his as.se ciates and surroundings. Its
a tremendous phenomenon, ste.ted
simply.
We were enroute to the invasion
coast, of course, when the news
that Invasion Day (H-hour) had
been postponed 24 hours. The news
did us no particular benefit, cer
tainly, as most of us were amazed
that the predetermined time could
be changed. Acceptance of the de
lay was rather a disappointing in
cident, but no more than an inci
dent, and nothing seemed the worse
for the practically imperceptible in
crease of anxiety over weather con
ditions. Looking back, it wasn't
very important.
As has been so often recorded by
the news monitors at homa, there
Continuufl on Page Five
Huston Accorded
Highest Vote in
Heppner Election
As promised wdek before last,
the Gazette Times stayed on .e
job until the mystery of the Hep
pner city electtion was unraveled
which didn't require much unrav
eling. A little inquiry led the news
sleu(.h to the office of E. R Huston,
city recorder, where the ballot box
was found and the vote already
tabulated.
According to the count. Huston
received the highest vote accorded
iany of the city officials. He beat
City Treasurer W. O. Dix out by
two votes. 391389. Mayor J. O.
Turner was returned . to office at
the request of 380 voters. Council
men received the following votes:
L. E. Bisbee 383; Dr. L. D. Tibbies,
382; D. A. Wilson 361; Charles
Vaughn 386.
There were some write-ins, but
withal, the incumbent officials
were without competition.
Some of the electees had indi
cated that they were not candidates
and thus' far have not indicated
whether they will serve, although
it is believed tHey will continue
without a break in the present
regime.
District Meeting of
Scouts Scheduled
Scouters and Cub leaders of
Morrow county will hold a district
meeting in Lexington, at 7:30 Wed
nesday evening, Dec. 6. All troop
and pack committeemen and cub
masters and scoutmasters will at
tend the meeting.
The purpose of the meeting will
be to outline plans for scouting
and cubbing for the year of 1945.
Since the Scouts were included in
the recent Morrow county war fund
campaign, it will not be necessary
to conduct a drive for finances
next year, and the Scout leaders
will thus be able to give more time
and energy to working directly
with the boys.
Kenneth Hickenbottom, assistant
scout executive of the Blue Moun
tain council, will officiate at the
meeting in Lexington.
CONDITION STILL GRAVE
Latest reports on the condition of
Mrs. M. L. Case are not very en
couraging. Mr. Case has been with
her since last week. She is a patient
in a hospital at Th Dalles.
Volume 61 , Number 35H:
County's Quota of
Sixth War Loan
Cut to $300,1
Official Opening
Here Scheduled for
Monday, Nov. 27
Moivow ury gained! $10,000
on the sixth vter loan quota during
the week, with the figure now de-,
finitely set at $300,000. This infor
matics came tha latter part of the
week to P. W. Mahoney, county
war finance chairman, and was an
nounce -1 at the kick-off dinner held
at the Luclas T'Imc Friday evening.
Mahoney explained that the
$300,000 has been divided in three
groups, $150,000 of which has been
set aside as the E bond quota, $60,
000 by corporations, $90,000 for
other types to be taken by indiv
iduals. According to Kenneth G. Martin,
executive manager of the Oregon
w)ar finance committee, farm quo
tas are 1 being suggested by war
bond officials end is it expected
that Oregon farmers will subscribe
$12,650,000 in the present campaign.
Morrow county'., suggested fa nr
goal is $125,00C. .
Oregon's quota in the present
drive is $10i,UO0,0C3. The quota for
E bonds is set at $34,000,000; sales
to individuals (all series) includ
ing EO, $62,000,000, and corpora-
tions, $45,000,000.
Plans for handling the campaign
were outlined by Mahoney and B.
C. Pinckney. With the object of
spreading the committee work
more generally over the county,
representatives of the schools and
granges were invited to the dinner
and it was explained that a greater
effort will be made to increase in
livid ual sales. To do this with the
minimum of travel it was felt that
school people can contact many
families tlvrough the children, while
the farm section can be quite
thoroughly covered by grange
committees.
Personal solicitation will be
withheld until Dec. 5 to give pur
chasers an opportunity to come in
and buy. If by that time the quota
lacks considerable of being taken
up, the solicitors will take to the
field It is the expressed hope of
the finance committee that a con
certed dtive will not have to be
mfade. All purchases of war bonds
since Nov. 1 will apply on the coun
ty quota.
The list of gulasts at the dinner
incuded Mr. and Mrs. P. W. Ma
honey, B. C. Pinckney, John Berg
strom, E. E. Rugg, Mrs. Bethel
Taylor, principal of the Lexington
school, Mrs. Oscar Rippee, repr -senting
Mrs. Lucy Rodgers, Jean
Turner representing the Heppner
high school student body, Charles
B. Cox, Arnold Ebert, Don Strait,
representing Heppner teachers, Mr.
and Mrs. George Linn representing
Boardman school and community
and O. G. Crawford. R. B. Rice and
D. M. Ward, representing Lexing
ton grange, came in later.
BAZAAR, DINNER PLANNED
BY WILLOWS GRANGE
Willows grange at lone has cho
sen Saturday evening, Nov. 25. as
the date for staging the annual ba
zaar and dinner. The bazaar will
open at the grange hall at 5 o'clock
and dinner will be served from 6
to 8 p. m. Ftancy work and apron
sale will continue through the eve
ning. Dancing and concessions will
be a feature of entertainment later
in the evening.
VISITING IN PORTLAND
Mrs. John Skuzeski plans to be
away from her duties at the Hepp
ner Cleaners while he has a little
visit with her relatives in Port
land. She will be away a week or
ten daysa.
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