Image provided by: Morrow County Museum; Heppner, OR
About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 31, 1963)
I 1 SKARY U C F 0 5 U 1 E " , 0 "I Z . Council Considers 79th Year Heppner, Oregon, Thursday, January 31, 1963 County's aims While the county remained stunned with the worst auto mobile accident in its history and saddened by the. tragedy that struck two of its well-known lamnies, mnerai services were held this week for four victims of the two-car collision that oc curred on a treacherous curve of highway 74 two miles north of lone Friday night. The dead are Mancell Town send, 18, son of Mr. and Mrs. Hershal Townsend, lone, who was alone in one of the cars in volved; Theresa M. Brosnan, 51, of 3504 S. E. Grant, Portland; her daughter, Theresa A. Bros nan, 9, and her son, John Paul Brosnan, 11, both also of Port land. Lone survivor of the five in volved in the collision is Joseph M. Brosnan, 51, driver of one of the cars. He was taken to the Fioneer Memorial hospital with multiple injuries and his condition was critical for several days, but the report Thursday (today) was that he is making encouraging progress. Brosnan's injuries lnc 1 u d e shock, concussion, skull frac ture, broken right arm, dislo cated right elbow, three broken ribs, fractured pelvis and frac tured right leg. Funeral services for Townsend, an lone high school senior, were held in the lone Community church Monday at 2 p.m. with pastor Kenneth Robinson of Hope and Valby Luth e r a n churches officiating. Interment was in the IOOF cemetery, lone. Friends filled the sanctuary of the church, as well as the base ment, and others stood in the hallways. Recitation of the rosary for Mrs. Brosnan and the son and daughter was Tuesday at 8:30 p.m. at the Chapel of Hennessey, Goetsch and McGee, Portland, and requiem mass was Wednes day at 10 a.m. at St. Stephens church, Portland. Interment was in Mt. Calvary cemetery. The accident occurred some time between 8:30 and 8:45 p.m. after Townsend had left the lone High school gymnasium alone in his 1958 Chevrolet sedan. He participated in the ' junior var sity basketball game against Riverside High jayvees and was going to the Lewis Halvorsen place. He had just about reached his destination when the acci dent occurred. The Brosnan family was en route from Portland to visit his brother, Jerry, and family in Heppner. State Policeman Jim Gordon of Heppner who investigated the accident said that the Brosnan car apparently went into a skid as it was rounding the curve, headed south, and was evidently skidding broadside across the highway as the Townsend car approached. Officer Gordon said that the Townsend car left skid marks for 22 feet as the driver apparently applied the brakes and veered into the left lane in an attempt to avoid striking the car that was moving out of control to the east of the high way. While the entire front of the Townsend car was telescoped, indications are that the brunt of the impact was on the right front of his vehicle as it struck the Brosnan car, a late model Galaxie, full on the right side. The side of the Brosnan car was completely caved in so that the right side was pushed nearly through the passenger compart ment to the left side. Brosnan later told the officer that he estimated his speed at about 50 to 55 miles per hour as he came into the curve. He said he felt the rear end start to slide and then lost control. The officer reported that the pavement was dry. When the cars came to rest the Brosnan car was angled across the east lane of the high way, and the Townsend car was angled across the center line with its front on the west side. The Brosnan car had bounced clear around from the impact so that the damaged side was on the north. The vehicles were sep arated by about three feet at the closest point. Probably the first on the scene was H. L. Husbond, who is liv ing in Heppner. He reached the spot, going south, at just before 9 p.m. Husbond told Officer Gor don that after arriving there, he felt one of the bodies and found the wrist to be cold, indicating that the accident might have occurred at least 15 minutes ear lier. Husbond went to the Halv orsen home, which looks over the curve from its setting a few hundred yards at the west of the highway, but no one was home. He then continued on down to (Continued on Page 6) CI wsT"' HEPPNER GAZETTE-TIMES Worst Wreck Lives of THREE PERSONS in the Joseph in their family car Friday night of lone. This photo, taken the towed to Heppner, shows torce ... Mix---- i7T-sKi-?" Jl ' FRONT of the car in which Mancell Townsend, 18, of lone met! death Friday night was telescoped in the collision with the Joseph Brosnan car. (G-T Photo) Soil Conservation Meet Bills Film and Speaker Progress reports, a motion pic ture film, a speaker and refresh ments are on the agenda of the annual meeting of the Heppner Soil Conservation district, set Tuesday, February 5, starting at 7:30 p. m. in the Lexington Grange hall. The public is invited to the meeting to hear of coming ob jectives of the district and to learn of accomplishments of 1962, Ralph Richards, soil conser vationist, states. Dr. Grant Blanch, of the de partment of agricultural eco nomics, Oregon State University, will speak on taxes and resource development at the meeting. He appeared recently as a member of the tax panel at the annual meeting of the Morrow County Livestock Growers association. Showing of the film, "Water for a Nation," will open the pro gram at 7:30, and Chairman Ray mond French will preside. One of the features of the evening will be the presentation of the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company's conservation award to Elmer and Roger Palmer, 1902 Conservation Men of the Year for Morrow county. During the business session, GOP Dinner Slated At $2.50; Demos, $25 Morrow County Republica n s will convene at Stefani's restaur ant in lone for their annual Lin coln Day dinner on February 12, it is announced by Don Turner, Morrow County Re p u b 1 i c a n chairman. Following the 7:00 p. m. din ner will be a discussion of the 1962 election and organization plans for the 1964 campaign, in cluding a review of prospective candidates. The identity of the guest speaker will be made known at a later date. Tickets for the dinner, $2.50 per plate for Republicans and Independents, $25.00 for Demo crats and others, may be obtain ed by calling or writing Herman Winter, Hotel Heppner, or Art Stefani, Jr., lone. Recreation Building Fo ur Brosnan family of Portland died in the collision two miles north same night after the car was of the impact (G-T Photo) French will give a progress re port, Richards will present a machinery report, Raymond Lun dell will give the financial re port, and another report will tell of watershed activities. Refreshments will be served with the compliments of Lexing ton Implement Co. and Bristow's Grocery of lone. Original supervisors of the Heppner soil conservation dis trict were Henry Peterson, John Wightman, O. E. Wright, W. E. Hughes and O. W. Cutsforth. Others who have served as supervisors are Charles Carlson, New't O'Harra, and Donald Peterson. Present supervisors are French, Lundell, Alvin Wage n blast, Robert Jepsen and Kenneth Tur ner. This will be the 19th annual meeting of the district, and the Conservation Man of the Year award extends back to 1948. Winners of the honor during that time are as follows: 1948, Riet mann Bros., lone; 1949, Frank Anderson, Heppner; 1950, W. W. Bechdolt and sons, Hardman; 1951, Dr. Woodruff, Portland; 1952, Mankin and Bunch, Lexing ton; 1953, Kenneth Peck, Hep pner; 1954, Paul Brown, Heppner; 1955, Donald Peterson, Ion e ; 1956, Nelson Bros., Lexington; 1957, Burton Peck, Lexington1 1958, Jack Sumner, Heppnei; 1959, Raymond Lundell, lone; 1960, John Graves, Hardman; 1961, Vernon Munkers; and 1962, Elmer Palmer & Son, Heppner. During the four years of the local soil conservation district speech contest, winners have been Clifford Green, 1959; Toin Glass, 1960; Beverly Davidson, 1961; and Martha Doherty, 1962. Martha won the state champion ship and Beverly was third in the state in the previous year. It is emphasized that everyone interested in the conservation of natural resources is invited to the annual meeting. Business people stress the importance of the meeting with their full page message on page six, section two of this paper, which also lists a few of the accomplish ments of the district during 1902. Number 48 10 Cents Governor Hatfield Sends Condolences Gov. and Mrs. Mark Hat field sent a telegram of con dolence to Mrs. John Brosnan, Heppner, grandmother of children killed in the 2-car collision at lone Friday night and mother-in-law of Mrs. Theresa Brosnan, who was also a victim in the accident. Mrs. John Brosnan is a good friend of Mrs. Hatfie Id's mother. Wintry Blast Hits Area Again; Snow Six Inches Winter vented its chilling blast on Morrow county again this week with snow reaching a depth of 6.2 inches in Hepp ner and temperature dropping below zero on at least one night. As of press time Thursday a light rain was falling with the threat of it freezing and creat ing a glaze of ice on highways and over the landscape. The temperature of one degree below zero Tuesday night, low for the week in Heppner, was far from a season's record. The mercury dropped to 11 degrees below on the night of January 10. The snow that came to slow down activities in the area was nonetheless welcomed by many. Ralph Richards in a snow sur vey taken at North Jones Prairie on Monday reported the depth as only 8.2 inches as compared with 24.2 inches in 1962. This year's snowpack was the low for the past 10-year period and less than a fifth as much as the high in 1956 when it was 45.8 inches. In 1961 it was iil.a inches, and the 10-year average is 24 inches. Water content of the snow as of Monday was 1.15 inches. At the same time in 1&S2 it was 6.7 inches, and in 1961, five inches. High year was in 1958 when it was 12.8 inches and tnis year is low. In Heppner, 1M inches of snow fell on Sunday with .10 water content, according to L. L. Gil liam, weather observer. Mon day brought three inches with ,20 water content and luesday added another -8 inch with .03 water content. Wednesday con tributed .9 inch with .09 water content. Manager Al Lamb of Morrow County Grain Growers said, "The snow is wonderful." Earlier freezes without appreciable snow took a toll on barley that had been planted in the fall. How ever, the hardier wheat prob ably was not hurt as badly. This new covering of snow which may be as deep as eight inches in some parts of the county will not only give the planted crop protection from freezes but will contribute needed moisture. On the recreation front, too, the snow made friends. Arbuckle Mountain Ski club, which had waited for snow for some time, will now proceed with its plans for ski classes, starting Satur day at the course. Kids quickly got out their sleds and headed for hillsides. Ice skaters have been enjoying the frozen ponds for some time. But for those who have to travel roads and highways every day, the snow and cold remained a nuisance, and the man in the street has occasion to mutter some complaints about the chilly weather. Report for the week by Ob server Gilliam is as follows: Hi Lo Prec. Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday 32 24 38 11 41 15 34 18 23 10 20 -1 16 9 1.5" snow 3.0" snow .8" snow .8" snow More Than Attend Opening More than 300 persons attend ed the grand opening of Case Furniture store Saturday, Arnie Hedman and Gil Lujan, new owners, report. Mrs. Jerry (Joyce) Nielsen won the grand prize, a $64.50 dinette set, in the door prize drawing. Second prize, a $29.95 pole lamp, was won by Mrs. Bert (Genevieve) Corbin. Third, a $9.95 lamp, went to Mrs. Floyd Hutchins, and fourth, a gallon of Sherwin-Williams paint, was won by Mrs. W. E. (Florence) McMillan. Many fellow businessmen and others ' sent plants and flowers for the opening event. Hedman and Lujan were pleased with the response and the reception by the public. They expressed appreciation to all who had a hand in making the grand opening a success, Proposal Group Tells Plan, Need For Facility Proposal for a city bond issue for construction of a theater bowling alley recreation build ing was asked by leaders of a community committee at a spec ial meeting of the city council Wednesday night. At the same time, petitions bearing t h e names of some 200 citizens ask ing for the bond election were turned over to the council. Clarence Rosewall, spokesman for the committee, presented figures to show that estimated cost of the proposed concrete block structure would be $195, 000. On a 20-year repayment plan, payments on the princi pal would average $9,750 per year. Interest figured at 3 for 20 years would be $G0,000, av eraging $3,000 per year for the 20-year period. Thus, it was estimated that $12,750 annually would be re quired to retire the bonds. It is estimated that theater rental would bring $150 per month and rental of the 8-lane bowling alley would bring $550 per month or $700 monthly in come. Un an annual basis this would be $8,400, Rosewall point ed out. Estimated tax on the build ing, which would be required be cause it would be used as a commercial venture although municipally-owned, would be $1,421 annually and estimated insurance charge would be $1, 275 annually. When these amounts are deducted from the income, the net income would be $2,704 annually. Applied against the bond Issue, the an nual payments would be approx imately $10,046, according to the tentative figures. Estimated millage levy to city residents to finance the bond issue, then, would be 6.1 mills. Rosewall said that to a tax payer owning property valued at $6000, the tax increase by the proposal would be 76c per month. For one with $9000 property val ue, it would be $1.14 per month; for $12,000, $1.53 per month and for $15,000, $1.92 per month. According to the tentative plans the structure, which would separate the bowling lanes and the theater by a concourse, would be located on property be tween Chase street and Willow Creek, behind Hotel Heppner. The committe has secured an option on the plot of ground which is 88 feet wide and 1U feet long. Design would make it possible to use each part of the build ing independently from the other, although it is expected that both would be under the same private management, oper ating under lease from tne city. Screen of the theater would be at one end of the long struc ture, and pins of the bowling lanes would be at the other end. Wesley Korman, architect, was present at the meeting to show tentative sketches of the struc ture and to answer questions. The concourse would be located 3V2 feet below ground level to allow for slope of the theater, and a ramp would go up one side of the building to make it possible for invalids to enter. Steps would go up to the con course from the opposite side of the structure. One unusual feature proposed for the theater is that it use a tvoe of seating referred to as the "continental pattern" by the architect. Under this plan there would be no center aisles, but only side aisles. However, four feet of space would be provided between rows of seats, thus, in essence, maKing eacn row an aisle. Korman said that his plans ncoroorate no lavish designs nor expensive materials for the structure. It would be built of concrete block, and these would be exposed both inside and out side of the bowling alley. In the (Continued on Page 6) Cutsforths Land Tanks after Battling Snowstorm There wasn't a drop of gaso ine to spare when Orville Cuts forth, accompanied by his wife, Barbara, and Mr. and Mrs. Georee Rugg, landed Tues day at the Cutsforth ranch, Lex ington, after the lour had taKen an airplane trip to Nevada and Arizona in Orville's airplane. The motor conked out just as they were sitting down for the landing. However by pitching the plane more sharply the pilot got the motor going again for enough power to land in the seven or eight inches of snow. Thev had returned from Las Vegas and stopped for gasoline at Reno. However, the attendant there didn't fill the tanks full, unknown to the pilot. Even so, they would have had enough to make the trip home witn ease had It not been for heavy snow encountered. Cutsforth flew as low as 25 feet from the ground over much of the flat and desert country following the yellow stripe of the highway as he headed to wards Burns. However, Burns was socked in and so they head ed northwest towards Redmond, setting the plane on automatic . t - ' I . - ;- ' flr-lfii feKsnf QUEEN Sandra Eubanks Picked As 1963 Rodeo Queen Sandra Eubanks. Drettv lone high school senior and a skilled horsewoman, will return to Mor row county rodeo court as Oueen of the 1963 Rodeo after serving as a princess in the court in 1961. Queen Sandra was chosen for the honor Wednesday night at a meeting of the Morrow County Rodeo board. Princesses will be chosen by various sponsoring county groups at a later date. The rodeo will be held this year on August 31 and Septem ber 1, the week following the Morrow county fair. It was de cided at this meeting of tJie board that the program will be essentially the same as for last year. However, the half-mile race will be eliminated and a quarter-mile open race will be substituted for it. The registered quarterhorse race will be retain ed. A purse will be established on the head and heel team event which last year was strictly a PTA to Sponsor Jim Conway Show Jim Conway, Outdoor Sports man for KGW-TV, Portland, will present a 2-hour color and sound motion picture in Heppner on Wednesday, February 27, at 8 p.m. under the sponsorship of the Heppner Parent-Teacher as sociation, it was announced af ter the Wednesday night PTA meeting. Proceeds of the benefit show will go towards PTA activities. In the movie, Conway, who is seen regularly on his TV pro gram, will show the best selec tions of three years filming of hunting and fishing, including 30-lb. lakers in Canada, 40-lb. salmon in Terrace, B. C, steel head on flies in Sustant Lake, B. C, 7-ft. sturgeons in Snake River, bottom fish of Depoe Bay, steelhead of Toutle River, Wn., Atlantic salmon in Mud Lake, marlin in Hawaii, Kamloops at Kulek, Alaska, moose hunting of Alaska, pheasant hunting in Oregon, elk hunting in the Ida ho primitive area, and duck hunting In Oregon. Admission to the film will be $1.25 for adults, and 75c for stu dents and children. Plane with Dry pilot on the Redmond radio beam as they neared that town. They heard from the radio that Madras was clear, so went north from Redmond, breaking out of the snow. With weather conditions much better, they continued on home, arriving just as the tanks ran dry. However, Cutsforth said that it would have been possible to land most anywhere along the route and felt that he could have put the plane down on the high way if necessary. He took the Ruggs to the Wool Growers meeting at Las Vegas and then to a hearing at Tucson, Ariz. While in that state they stopped and visited the Garnett Barratts at Mesa and found them enthusiastic about living in the Southwest. Others from Morrow county were rather num erous there, vacationing from the cold weather, Cutsforth said. They found land values high in Arizona with Cutsforth re porting that property "not as good as the bomb range" posted for sale at $4400 per acre. The quartet was gone 10 days on the trip. SANDRA EUBANKS jackpot event, it was decided. Tickets for the rodeo will be the same price as those of last year. Queen Sandra, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Eubanks of lone, has won many prizes in rodeos. Her gelding, "Sonny," was nam ed grand champion of the Pa cific International Livestock Ex position in 1961 and she received a trophy together with some $500 in prize money. She recently won a trorjhv for all-around senior girl in the Ore gon, Washington and Idaho jun ior Rodeo Asscoiation in compe tition the past year, as well as silver buckles in barrel racing and other competitive events. Queen Sandra has appeared on a horse In every Heppner fair and rodeo since she was five years old. One of her first Important titles was that of all-around jun ior cowgirl of the Northwest in 1960. She won 17 silver buckles and six trophies for her per formances. Queen Sandra has al so been in the courts in rodeos at Condon, Fossil and last year in Arlington. Prominent in activities at lone High school, Sandra has served as cheer leader, a member of the band, chorus and Girls League and Is active in dramatics. Out side activities include the 4-H club with work particularly in saddle clubs and Order of Rain bow for Girls. Chairman Floyd Jones pre sided at the board meeting, first of the year for the rodeo. Alfred Troedson Passes Thursday Johan Alfred Troedson. 87. known to his friends as "Al," died Thursday morning (today) In Pioneer Memorial hospital af ter being in ill health for some time, He was a member of a family which homesteaded in the Mor gan area in 1895, and he farm ed in that area for 49 years be fore coming to Heppner to retire In 1944. On July 4, 1905, he was mar ried to Alta Byham of Guys Mills, Pa., at Morgan. She pre ceded him in death on Decem ber 27, 1961. Mr. Troedson was a longtime member of the Heppner Meth odist church and was a charter member of Morgan IOOF lodge. covering a period of 66 years. He was alsoji member of the Lex ington Grange. Mr. Troedson had suffered a stroke recently, resulting In his hospitalization. Funeral services will be Sat urday, February 2, at 2 p.m. in the Heppner Methodist church with the Rev. Melvin Dixon of ficiating and interment will be In the IOOF cemetery, lone. Con tributions may be made to the Heart Fund In lieu of flowers at the request of the family. Creswick Mortuary Is in charge of arrangements. Survivors include a daughter, Frances Putnam of Heppner; eight grandchildren; four great grandchildren; and a number of cousins residing in this area. State Superintendent Tours School Plant Mr. Charles Hansard, state superintendent of secondary ed ucation, Salem, was a visitor at Heppner High school Wednesday. Primary purpose of his coming was to tour the new Heppner Lexington high school plant now under construction. Accompanying Mr. Hansard through the new building were members of the high school stu dent council and Mr. Gordon Pratt, principal.
