Image provided by: Morrow County Museum; Heppner, OR
About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 23, 1962)
V.' 2 HEPPNER GAZETTE-TIMES. Thursday. August i, vsat 4.000 Witnessed First Rodeo at Heppner 40 Years Ago f .......... L..J1.J .i i j. .u. Qtoor Rnninf?: A man can't live a full and By HELEN SHERMAN Organized history of the Mor row County Rodeo traces back 40 years--to 1922, when the local cowboys and cowgirls thought they could come up with their own "bucking party" after crops were in and everyone felt in the mood for a little celebrat ing. And, strangely enough, it turned out a tremendous suc cess with approximately 4,000 people attending. Files of the August 3, 1922 edition of The Gazette-Times give an interesting record of the first promotion of the Morrow County Rodeo. Its headlines read, "Initial Steps Taken to Put on Round-Up; Heppner People in Favor of Wild West Show This Fall Will Probably be Held at Same Time Tractor Caravan Visits Heppner." The story fol lows: "At a meeting on Tuesday evening, (Aug. 1, 1922) held at council chambers, the initial steps were taken to put on a rmind-un for Heppner this fall. The meeting was well attended by business men ana citizens or the town interested in the mat ter, and after considerable dis cussion a committee on arrange ments of C. W. McNamer, chair man, L. V. Gentry and C. H. Latourell. This committee will take the preliminary stops in the enterprise, such as figuring on dates, getting talent and find ing out what the expenses neces sary to putting on a creditable show will amount to, and after this is done, to call another meeting, make their report and await instructions. "The opinion expressed at the meeting was to the effect that it would require something like $1500 from the citizens and busi ness men of the community, and THE PLACE TO GO COWBOYS DURING THE flilK IS THE Wagon Wheel CAFE and LOUNGE FINE WESTERN FOODS SERVED WITH TRUE WESTERN HOSPITALITY HEPPNER if thp enteronse is handled as it should be, It should be made to pay out and repay anyl amount that is put up as a cnarantpe. It is nroDOsed to put on a three-day program, and the date will likely be about a weeK following the round-up at ren fiictnn. though this is a matter to be decided upon investigation and report of the committee." Gentry Field Selected As Site Two weeks later, dated August 17, 1922, a second report is given: "The date for Heppner's big round-up has been tentatively selected, being the last week in September, immediately follow ing the big show in Pendleton. It is expected that many of the outlaws from the Umatilla city will be present to test the skill and landing ability of the local riders. "Gentry Field has been sur veyed for the track and the work of putting in the fences, corrals and seats will commence soon, the committee only waiting for the lumber with which to ao the work. They will be assisted n this by Mr. Swisler ot i'enuie- inn an authority on tne arrange ments of grounds for a show of this kind. The committee ex pects to put in comfortable seats with room ror a large crowu "Arrancements are being made for a big '49 dance at the fair navilion. at which amuse ments to suit all tastes will be furnished. This will not he any thing like the traveling '49 show aiif nance, but will be strictly clean entertainment, although informal in nature. "All in all. as things are now shaping up. It appears that Heppner will have a round-up omn1 nnlv to the famous Pen dleton show, and since it will be much more local in its nature it should furnish better enter tainment even than the Pendle ton Round-Up." Bin Fvent Anticioated As Plans progressed through follnwine weeks, articles con tinued to stir interest, such as this one printed September 21, 1922: "RnnVn davs are drawing near, only seven more days left to dig nut' the sombreros, boots and smirs. and climb on the dapple hued pony headed for Heppner town. A big time awaits you asserts C. W. McNamer charge of arrangements, and no means are being spared to make the "wild west" contests the best ever. "Everything is ready to go. TMp hie' arena and race track at finntrv field have been put in A-l s'liane and blearhors built on the side of the natural amphi ihpnter that all mav have an Wc Join All Of Morrow County In Extending A Hearty excellent view of the perform ance. A fine assortment of wild broncos, steers, mules and bulls have been obtained and will be biought to town this week. Cow boy and cowgirl talents capable to cope with the vicious animals have also been lined up. "Liberal prizes will be award ed for events. Two Judges, Chance Wilson and Robert Cars n?r, have been appointed, who in turn will choose a third, and it is the sentiment of the man aeement that all will receive a square deal. Entries can now be made through J. J. iNys secre tary. "Friday, September 29, will be school children's day when all school children will be admitted to the show free of charge. It is planned to make this a school holiday tor the entire oay, ano the management extends an urgent invitation for all student kiddies of the county to be present. "Two dances will be In pro gress at the fair pavilions each evening. Une tor those tame in dividuals who do not care tor the boisterous amusement of the '49 dance, carried on in the ad joining pavilion. The '49 pavilion will take care of the wilder strain who would be carried hack to the davs of the six- shooter and whisky flask when each cattle owner made his own law. Plenty of old-time gamb ling games will be carried on and all may try their skill against chance in exchange for rodeo money. At the pavilions Rodeo money will be the med ium of exchange, and will be accepted for dancing and at all concessions." Declared A Huge Success After the event came the headline. "HeDDner's First Rodeo A Success, Crowds Totalling more than 4,000 Witness Wild West Production Pageant Well Managed and May Become An nual Feature Here." "The success of Heppner's first Rodeo, the fine manner in which it was handled throughout, the Saddle Horse race; Steer Roping record-breaking crowds in at tendance, have combined to en courage our folks to make the pageant an annual affair for Heppner, and there seems little doubt now but that this will be the case. "The weather conditions were ideal, following the big rain on Tuesday, and the manner in which the events at the grounds were all pulled off combined to put the large crowds in daily attendance in the best of spirits. Record crowds were in the city Friday and Saturday and more than 4,000 people witnessed the parades on the streets and the stunts on Gentry field. And then there were hundreds and hund reds of autos, parked in a semi circle entirely surrounding the track that made a grand spec tacle of itself. "A nice feature of the Rodeo was the parades each day these being especially fine on Friday and Saturday. They were led by the officials and Queen Marjorie (Miss Marjorie Clark), followed by hundreds of cow boys, cowgirls and others on horseback with the Ford cara van filling in for good measure and the band from The Dalles making good music. "No serious accidents occurred and there was no one hurt, ex cept one of the little mules from the Billy Padberg ranch, used in the bucking contest, which in some manner broke a front leg and had to be shot. "The merry-go-round and Fer ris wheel furnished much amusement for the kiddies and young folks, while others en joyed the dances in the pavilion arid helped along the Legion bovs by partaking of refresh ments at the "bar" and patron izing the various games, remind ers of events long past. "Awards were given in the fol lowing track and arena events: Bucking contest; Haii-mue cow boy race; Quarter-mile Saddle race; Relay race; Half-mile Calf Roping; Mule Riding; ano Boys' Pony race." Advertise Times. In the Gazette- A man can't live a full and satisfying life until he is pre pared to accept the unexpected as an opportunity instead of a possible source of trouble. Anonymous SEPTEMBER 1 and 2 The Welcome Mat Is Out For Morrow County's BIG SHOW YOU'RE GOING TO ENJOY ITS THRILLS AND ACTION-PACKED PROGRAM There's Always A Friendly Welcome At HEPPNER AUTO PARIS 289 N. Main Ph. 676-9232 WELCOME TO THE rqpeo SEPTEMBER 1 AND 2 AND WRANGLER'S HORSE SHOW, AUGUST 31 It's Tops In Thrilling Entertainment With High Class Performers And The Best Of Rodeo Stock THE WEST AT ITS BEST! & Columbia Basin Elec Coop. MORROW COUNTY'S Really Big Show IS THE FAIR and RODEO WE EXTEND A TRUE WESTERN WELCOME TO ALL COWBOYS AND COWGIRLS AND A FRIENDLY "HOW DY FROM THE WHEAT AND CATTLE COUNTRY TO ALL VISITORS We're Mighty Pleased To Have You Morrow County Grain Growers