Image provided by: Morrow County Museum; Heppner, OR
About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 23, 1962)
2 HEPPNER GAZETTE-TIMES. Thursday, August 23. 1962 Pictures From The Past THREE OF the many who have been prominent in leadership of the rodeo during its history in Morrow county are shown above. At left is Lee Beckner, lone, now deceased, who served as president of the association for many years. Minutes kept by L. L. Gilliam, longtime secretary, show that Beckner was elected to the board in 1937. He was elected president in 1941. A story in the Gazette-Times in 1948 said, "He's still the tophand." At that time the rodeo and fair were coordinated and Beckner became chairman of the rodeo committee. He remained active until his death several years ago. Harlan McCurdy Sr. (center) is another who was very active for years. First mention of McCurdy's name in the old minutes was in 1935 and he was still active in 1948, as far as this record goes. McCurdy had charge of the parade for years. He still resides in Heppner. Harold Erwin (right), also of Heppner was onco named "Mr. Rodeo" and the Gazette-Times editorialized that it was "a honor that he richly deserved." Harold is still active with rodeo and horse show activities. t m i I , 4 1 4 f i HERE ARE four veterans of county fair and rodeo work as pictured in 1955. From left are Floyd Jones, then, as now, chairman of the rodeo committee; Eb Hughes, then chairman of the fair board; Ray Ferguson, chairman of the fair committee at that time; and Jack Loyd, member of the rodeo committee. Loya buu serves in max capacity. THE 1953 rodeo court comprised another bunch of pretty gals. In that year Elsie Bauernfeind ot Morgan (front center) was queen. Princesses were Wilma Hug, Boardman (left front); Beth Ball, Heppner (right front); Carol Ann Wigglesworth, Echo (left rear), and Pat McMillan, Lexington (right rear). 4 J I """ " ' . w ACTION has been the keynote of ths Morrow County redeo through- have been taken in the late 1940 s. The bronc rider at the right out its 41 year history, as these scenes show. At left is Vern Evaus is unidentified. Perhaps some perspective reader can supply Sr. of Heppner riding a wild one, and the photo is believed to the name. FRAMED PRETTILY by a rustic gate and fence are the comely forth (Olson) and Dorothy Wigglesworth. The Gazette-Times members of the Rodeo court of 1949. Queen Shirley Wilkinson has a good file of queen's pictures back to 1949 but those of (Rugg) is in the center of the group. Princesses from left are early days are rare. Ingrid Herman (Crawford), Betty Walker (Gentry), Faye Cuts- uik lib m n MAN, HOW those girls can ridel Here is a picture that is repeated every year at the rodeo, but by different girls. Competing furiously in a flag race are Lorraine Swaggart (left). Kite Lazinka (Healy) right, and Betty Sniethurst (Zeigler) rear. This photo apparently was taken in 1948. MORROW COUNTY rodeo courts have traditionally been noted (from left) were Judy Cochell (Payne), representing Lexington for two things, particularly: Their beauty and their riding ability. Grange); Susan Partlow, Tillicum club; Janice Martin (Wheel Some top examples of both are shown on this page from the house), Lena; and Joan Moe (Hudson), Rhea Creek. Susan past Among the attractive courts was the 1959 group above, became queen in 1960 and Joan in 1961. Queen was Sharon Cutstorth (Gorman) in the center. Frincessts
