Image provided by: Morrow County Museum; Heppner, OR
About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 19, 1959)
L I 3RARY U OF 0 EUGENE. ORE. I County-Wide Fire Control Program! einy Developed Work was started Tuesday night to develop a county-wide plan for fire control in rural areas at a meeting In Heppner of nearly a dozen Interested rural residents from all sections of the county. The group made preliminary plans lor an overall fire control program which It was hoped could eventually coordinate all available fire fighting equip ment in the southern section of the county. Included in the sug gested plan were several phases which will be worked out in the near future including coopera tion with the proposed Heppner rural fire district; a listing of all available city and farm equipment that can be used for fire fighting; a division of the county into areas for coordina tion purposes and the stationing and locating equipment. A committee from the group that met Tuesday night will meet with the county court early Heart Sunday to End Campaign February 22 is Heart Sunday and the climax of the Heart Fund drive in Morrow county, Rev John Rydgren, county chair man announced this week. High school students in all five county towns will collect door to door on that day. The chairman stated that al ready hundreds of county resi dents have helped the drive and that several volunteer collectors such as the Epsilon Sigma Alpha of lone and workers from Lex ington have completed their rur al calls. Many teenagers and adults aided the drive last weekend by attending the King and Queen of Hearts dance in Heppner. Roy alty was chosen by election with Heppner high seniors Bob Huff man and Janice Martin being crowned by Heppner mayor W C Collins. The two received cer tificates from Humphreys Drug Co. By today most businesses in the county have been contacted and those who have donated will not be contacted on Heart Sun day, Rydgren said. Nearly everyone in the county has been or will be contacted personally, though it was nec essary to reach about 100 by letter and Rydgren expressed the hope that the letters will bring good response. The chairman said that some families are giv ing at least a dollar for every heart in the family. Mrs Cosby O'Connor Taken by Death; Rites Held at lone Funeral services were held Wednesday at 2 p m at the lone Community church for Mrs Cosby Ann O'Connor, 74, who passed away, Feb 15 at Pendleton fol lowing an illness of nearly two and one-half years. She was a resident of lone. Mrs O'Connor was born July 7, 1884 in Virginia, but had made her home in this area for some time. She is survived by one son, C C O'Connor of lone and two grandchildren. The Rev Floyd Bailey offic iated at the final rites and inter ment was in the lone IOOF ceme tery. Creswick Mortuary was in charge of arrangements. Ten Complete First Aid Course Ten Heppner P-TA members have completed and passed the American National Red Cross standard course in first aid, the Morrow county chapter announ ced this week. They are Merna Lane, Beverly Oleson, Doreen Kreimeyer, Velva G Bechdolt, Edna Morris, Robert Lowe, Ralph Richmond, Don Clark, Oliver Creswick and S R Nagel. The course was made possible by the Morrow county chapter of the Red Cross. C J D Bauman is first aid chairman and Robert Abrams, instructor. " WEATHER HI 34 45 48 51 35 40 for Low 19 27 38 31 28 25 Prec. .02 Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Tuesday Wednesday .17 .74 .04 1.08; 7 in. Moisture the week week (total snowfall for ches); for February 1.37; for the year 3.99 Inches. next month to explain the pro gram and to ask that the county provide money In its next year's budget for the purchase of one or more pieces of fire equipment which would be county owned and could be used anywhere in the county where it was needed. It was felt by those present that surplus fire equipment could be available to the county at a fair ly low cost. The group agreed to support the formation of the Heppner rural fire district, for which pe titions are now being circulated, feeling that it will be very val uable to those residents within its area inasmuch as they can receive insurance reduc t i o n s from such a district. In many other areas of the county, how ever, operation of an approved fire district is practically Imposs ible because of distances, and it was felt that county equipment which could be used anywhere could be of great value, and still not be particularly expensive. It was pointed out that if the county did have one or several pieces of fire equipment, that mutual aid agreements could then be worked out with the Heppner rural district (when formed), and the cities of Hepp ner, Lexington and lone so that all areas and communities would have available all equipment when and if it was needed. Such an arrangement could meet the requirements of laws and provide all areas with much improved fire protection. Radio equipment might also be obtained through surplus channels, it was stated, to give good communication ties among all city and rural rigs. It was recommended that co ordinators be obtained for each of approximately four sections of the county, and that a quest ionnaire be sent to all farmers asking them to list what farm- owned equipment is available for fighting. This questionnaire will be sent out shortly from the county agent's office and will also be published in the Gazette Times. Heppner fire chief, C A Rug- gles and assistant chief Robert Penland assured the group that they could expect full coopera tion from the Heppner fire de partment in any program they might develop and said they thought the organized fire de partments in the other towns would also be interested in as sisting. The Heppner department officers said that when sucn a plan is developed that all towns as well as the rural areas would receive many benefits by having equipment readily available for any need under legally consti tuted mutual aid agreements. The group plans additional work on the plan and a commit tee consisting of Andy Van Schoiack, Frank Anderson, Alec Lindsay, Ralph Crum and Robert Penland will meet with the coun ty court at its next meeting to explain it and ask the county's help in providing equipment. Chamber Opposes State Tax Plan The chamber of commerce Monday took a stand in opposit ion to several points in the state's proposed new tax program recently presented to the legis lature by Governor Mark Hat field and former governor Robert Holmes, and will advise repre sentatives and senators of their position. The main point objected to in the tax plans was the eliminat ion of exemptions currently al lowed for federal income tax paid and interest payments. Several members expressed the opinion that the proposal meant paying a tax on a tax and that if the plan were put into effect that it would do much to deter new industry and development with in Oregon. As a substitute for the gov ernor's proposed money raising measure, the chamber went on record as supporting a California style sales tax which would be applicable to all transactions ex cept the purchase of food for home consumption and a few other necessities. Copies of the recommendations were to be mailed to legislators. The group watched a film en titled 'The Oregon Trail" which told the story of early-day pio neers in Oregon. Mrs Guy Boyer of John Day and formerly of Heppner visited at the home of Mrs Josie Jones last week. Mrs Boyer was in Heppner to attend the special P TA Founders Day meeting. Stanfield Man Named New County School Head Robert Van Houte, superinten dent of schools at Stanfield, has been named the new Morrow county school administrator, the position formerly known as coun ty school superintendent. The county school board re ceived Van Houte's acceptance of a two year contract for the pos ition at a meeting held February 12 in Irngon. Van Houte has been in the Stanfield school system for sev eral years and has had 15 years school experience. He holds a masters degree in education. The administrator, who will replace Jack C Flug who has been county superintendent for five years, will take over his new duties on July 1. The county board at its meet ing also adopted a new teacher salary schedule for the coming year which provides for an over all increase of at least $500 per year In all salary brackets for county teachers. Under the new schedule the teaching scale In county schools will vary from a minimum starting salary of $4,300 per year to $6,650 for a teacher holding a masters de gree and having 10 years teach ing experience in county schools. The present minimum starting salary,, for a teacher with no experience and holding less than a BA degree is $3,800. Increases are provided for years of exper ience and the holding of a BA or BS degree, an additional 45 hours earned toward a masters degree, and the holding of a masters degree. Hundreds Expected For Elks Annual The Heppner Elks lodge will observe its 62nd anniversary Sat urday with an all day program that is expected to attract hun dreds of lodge members from this section of the state. The program will open. at 2 p m with a lodge session and Elks ladies card party. Degree work at the lodge meeting will be handled by officers of the Condon and Pendleton lodges. Dinner will be served from 6 to 7:30 at the fair pavilion and two floor shows are scheduled to fol low at the Star Theater. Dancing to the music of Wayne McGuf- fin's orchestra will complete the evening. Co-chairmen for the anniver sary are Bob Flatt and LeRoy Gardner, announced John Hart man, exalted ruler. Hospital Auxiliary Plans Membership Drive Next Week The Pioneer Memorial hospital Auxiliary will hold its annual membership drive during the last week in February, it was an nounced this week of officers of the organization. Coffee hours will be held and information tables in various public places In Heppner, Lex ington and lone will be avail able under the sponsorship of the membership committee com posed of Miss Leta Humphreys, Mrs Arnold Pieper and Mrs Nor man Nelson. The purpose of the auxiliary as stated in the by-laws is "to promote and advance the wel fare of Pioneer Memorial hospit al through ways approved by the governing board of the hos pital. This shall be accomplish ed by. interpretation of the hos nital in thA nnhlip. through ser- I vice to the hospital and primar-jo uy io nursing nome paiienis, anu ' through fund raisin? in a man-1 ner satisfying to the hospital governing board and in harmony with the planning of the com- j TTllinifv" . ... General meetings of the whole body are held quarterly alter' nating between Heppner, Lexing ton and lone, and the executive committee meets monthly. HOLIDAY MONDAY Washington's birthday, which falls on Sunday, Feb 22, will be observed Monday as a legal holi day by the post office, state, county and federal offices. There will be no mail delivery or dis patch that day. Banks and nearly all business es will be open however. HEPPNER. Copies 10 Cents EARLY-DAY COUNTY TEACHERS Heppner P-TA. All taught in Moirow county schools in the early 1900's and told of their ex periences. They are, front row, from left, Miss Opal Briggs, Mrs Delia Corson, Mrs Alfred Troedson, Mrs R B Rice. Back row, Mrs Walter Beckett, Mrs Lee Scrivner, Mrs Guy Boyer, Mrs Anne Smouse, Mrs Mae Campbell, Mrs Sam Turner, and Mrs Edna Turner. (Photo by Vic Kreimeyer) State Sets Hearing On County School Reorganization The report of the Morrow coun ty school reorganization commit tee was filed Monday in Salem with the state department of ed ucation and the state board has set Saturday, March 7 at 2 p m as the time for a public hearing on the program. The hearing will be held In the" multipurpose room of the Heppner grade school. A legal notice of the hearing is published elsewhere In today's paper. The purpose of the hearing Is to afford residents of the Mor row county school district, or any other interested person, a chance to be heard with reference to the final comprehensive reorgan ization plan effecting the county school district as adopted by the county reorganization committee. Basically, the county reorgani zation committee recommended that the entire county be estab lished as one administrative dis trict. This is very similar to the county unit plan adopted by the voters last November, but the administrative law does provide some safeguards not included in the county unit law. The March 7 hearing will be conducted by representatives of the state board of education and could possibly be the final step in the county's school reorgani zation program. HARRY BAIRD Iq Walla Man n L LI I O rreOCh Mere The First Christian church of "ePPn? r ,ls conducting a preach- iiifcimjr vvtpi. uuv ,,.j., rr.on tnm tvk , 23 through March 6. Harry Baird, pastor of the Central Christian church of Walla Walla will be the guest speaker. Mr Baird is recognized through out the Northwest as an excep tional speaker. He is a native of Oregon and a graduate of Northwest Christian college and holds BD and MA degrees from Butler University. Special music for the mission will be furnished by the Junior and adult choirs and Individual members. The public Is Invited. i 1 .a.. .:j.,..JA ILk'tciLlJk were feted at a special Centennial program last week at the FORMER COUNTY TEACHERS TELL P-TA OF OLD-TIME EXPERIENCES Twelve former (or present) school teachers of Morrow county reminisced at the Heppner P-TA Founders Day program last Wed nesday which was based on the Centennial theme. One of the teachers, Mrs R B Rice of Heppner, served as mis tress of ceremonies and Intro duced the teachers all of whom taught somewhere in the county in the early 1900's. Mrs Rice her self began teaching in 1907 at the Hodson school and district 59. Mrs Delia Corson, the senior of the group, taught several years before the turn of the cen tury. Mrs Edna Turner, one of two still teaching, announced that the current year would be her last, and that it would make 32 years in the profession for her. Mrs Lena Kelly began teaching in 1918 and has the record of 33 years to date. Another was Mrs Guy Boyer, now of John Day, who recalled of being lost at night In the mountains on horseback and having to dismantle part of a barbed wire fence to return home. Other memories Included being a P-TA president In 1924 and having 60 youngsters at one time in a school. Miss Opal Briggs was wear ing her high school graduation gown of China silk which had been made by her mother. She explained that actually she grad uated from high school twice because after her graduation In 1907 another year was added to the high school curriculum and she returned to complete her fourth year. Mrs Mae Campbell recounted days when she taught school six miles from where she lived and how she rode horseback to school and stayed there during the week. Mrs Walter Beckett began teaching in 1903 in Wisconsin and came to Morrow county in 1908. She told how she added $10 per month to her salary by doing the janitor work at the school. Mrs Sam Turner taught at several schools including Hod son, Blackhorse district 17 and Buttcrcreek. Mrs Anne Smouse began teach ing near Heppner In 1903 and her salary was $25 or $35 a month. She taught at Eightmile Center and later in high school. Mrs Lee Scrivner began teach ing in 1914 and taught for three years and she declared that in her opinion the many teachers marrying the farmers improved the country. Mrs Alfred Troedson came to Oregon from Pennsylvania where she taught for $26 a month which included $2 extra for be ing a normal school graduate. In other business, Miss Mar guerite Glavey, P-TA historian, gave a synopsis of local P-TA history since its organization in 1943 and president Ken Keeling displayed a map dating back to 1906 that showed 48 school dis tricts at that time. It was announced that the P TA minstrel show will be held April 10 and 11 and Ralph Rich mond, Cub Scout representative reported on the status of the club. Mrs Jack Loyd was com plimented for her work as safe Heppner, Oregon, Thursday, February 19, 1959 n ej ty chairman and much of the work to procure the portable traffic signal light was credited to her. Mrs Velva Bechdolt, Mrs Oli ver Creswick and L E Dick were named to the nominating com mittee. Following the program a sliver tea was served by the fourth grade room mothers, Mrs Elmer Schmidt, Mrs James Angell, Mrs Kenneth Peck, Mrs Arnold Mel by and Mrs Gerry Daggett. Mrs Ed Gonty and Mrs Kemp Dick presided at the table. Pendleton Woman Dies Here Friday Mrs Anna M Harthrong, 79, of Pendleton died last Thursday In Pioneer Memorial hospital. She had suffered a heart attack early in the week while she was vis iting here at the home of her daughter, Mrs J R Huffman. Mrs Harthrong was prominent in Pendleton civic affairs for many years having been a court reporter and working In the dis trict attorney's office. She was also prominent In the real estate and Insurance business there. Funeral services were held Monday at Pendleton. She is survived by her daugh ter, four grandchildren and two sisters. Al Bunch Delegate At Farmers Union Meet The Morrow County Farmers Union met at the home of Mr and Mrs Al Bunch on February 11, with 16 members present. Bunch gave a report of the Farmers Union convention which he and Mrs Bunch attended In Salem last week. He was the voting delegate from the Mor row County Union and was on the policy and action committee at the convention. 'i ,i t M BIG COUGAR Jeff Walker of Heppner is shown with a 162Va pound cougar he bagged last Thursday in the Copple creek area near Scritsmeier's mill. It measured over six feet from tip to tail and was one of the heaviest ever seen in this area. The hair was extremely thick and the cat, which was esti mated at from 8 to 10 years old, was In excellent condition. Walker raw the tracks Wednesday evening and began track ing the animal with his four dogs Thursday morning. About five hours and 8 or 9 miles later ho brought it down with on shot from a 22 pistol. The cat Is shown banging alongside Gilliam & Bisbee's and In a short time it probably bad more pictures taken of itself than most any animal in Heppner! history. (GT Photo) TS M SS 75th Year, Number 50 Snow Layer On County Deepens During Past Week Snow, rain, and more snow has been the weather menu during most of the past week in nearly all sections of the county, and, in fact most of Eastern Oregon. Since Saturday a total of sev en inches of snow has fallen on Heppner with considerabley heavier falls reported in the higher elevations. Most of the moisture to fall in the area along the Columbia came down in the form of rain. Rain fell nearly continuously here Monday then by evening turned to snow to cover Heppner and most of the surrounding area with about five and one half inches by Tuesday morning. In the higher country towards Condon as much as 12 inches has been reported. Light snow continued to fall in Heppner all day Tuesday and Wednesday to add to the soft, mushy layer which contained nearly a full Inch of water In measurements taken at the Hep pner weather station. Monday night's snow was extremely heavy and wet and there were a few reports of broken limbs and downed phone and power lines, but there was no general disruption of power or communi cations. Roads in all directions were kept plowed, but travel on high way 30 toward Portland was said to be hazardous. Weather fore casts told of more storms on the way and little chance for much of weather change with in the next couple of days. Morrow Bangs lest Leads E Oregon Morrow county, the first one east of the Cascades to achieve a modified certified brucellosis free status, is also the first In eastern Oregon to reach recer tification. The new certificate was recent ly sent to Salem from Washing ton, D C, and from there for warded to the county extension agent at Heppner. Word from the state depart- ment of agriculture and Dt A G Beagle, the federal veterinarian at Salem, gives these testing fig ures as the basis for recertifi- cation: 282 herds with 9,844 cat tle of which 14 in 8 herds were reactors. However, in the last three years, a total or 40D neras wun 18,393 cattle were tested. In the three vears, 245 reactors were found In 51 herds. Total number of cattle in the reactor herds was 4,624. In the same three years, Mor row county cattlemen suDmu- ted 5,889 calves for vaccination. The calves were from 255 herds. Calfhood vaccination in the county has greatly increased from 1956, when only 665 calves in 40 herds were vaccinated. In 1957, 2,724 calves from 111 herds were vaccinated, and last year, 2,500 calves from 104 herds. Si A - A iff : , Y-Af
