Image provided by: Morrow County Museum; Heppner, OR
About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (March 14, 1968)
I HEPPNER CAZETTE Gold Pieces Unearthed at Pond (Continued from page 1) coins. Although the detector were used around the dam and other spots In the area, no more w lorn! I'd The cold pieces were found apparently In approximately the tame locution where the boys found the $5 gold pieces years ago. Some Mar Be In Dean It la possible that some of the cold that may have been hidden there has been scooped Into the dam Itself, either at the time of original construction or in the silt removing and restor a I Ion operations. Mrs. Kalph Thompson added some Interesting background on Press Campbell Thompson, Who Is believed to have hidden the cold. He was the uncle of Ralph Thompson, who Is one of Hepp ncr's well-known citizens. Press Thompson homesteaded on what is now a part of the Greenup place, and ne had a house, barn, and other buildings at or near the present pond site. A creek runs through there and springs feed the area. The homesteader Is credited by some as bringing the first sheep to the county. He also ran cattle and at one time hired quite a crew of men. While he was a bachelor, he was not a recluse. He at one time owned a general store in Heppner and was a shareholder in a bank, Mrs. Thompson said. He believed in banks but may have kept a considerable amount of gold on hand because of the distance to town and the fact that he needed It to pay his help. Money Under Rug One story Mrs. Thompson mentioned hearing Is that when men came to be paid, he rolled back a rug and took money hidden there to pay them. Eventually, Press Thompson had a stroke. He attempted to tell his brother (Ralph Thomp sons father) where the gold was hidden, but because he was paralyzed, could never reveal the location, Mrs Thompson said. Ralph Thompson was born near this place, in another can yon In the same area. The homestead site of Press Thompson was sold eventually to George Currin, then became the Kilkenny ranch, and Is now operated by the Greenups. The True West article quoted an interview with an Irrigon woman who as a ennd Knew Press Thompson and rode by his house on the way to school, On her twelfth birthday, the man gave her a $10 gold piece, She said that he told her he had been a successful miner be fore moving here and recalled that he took the coin from a wood box, about the shape and size of a cigar box. Amount in Question This article said that the treasure is reputed to be $36,000 or more, but Mrs. Thompson said that she does not under stand how anyone could know what might have been hidden there. The spot where the 28 gold coins were found Is mucky be cause of heavy water content from the underground springs. Greenup said that they were bright and shiny when located, except for a little discoloration of one or two pieces, and were all in good condition. i u Always first quality1 REDUCED THRU SATURDAY Our Own Gaymode fashion slips Half slips, Reg. $3 NOW 2.33 Full slips, Reg. $4, NOW 333 - TTMES. Thursday. March 14. 1961 The Minnesotans declined to give their names when they were contacted by the writer. They said that they did not want their pictures taken and declined all publicity. They camped at the site In their Volkswagen station wacon. Shortly after, Greenup settled with them bv d vlding the coins, and they have departed from the area. The pond and dam represent a sizeable construction, and if anvone undertook to do a trior ouch lob of searching for ad ditional treasure It would be a costly and exhaustive operation The pond is of considerably more value to Greenup than a good many times the value of gold found to date. Mrs Greenup said, "i ve proo- ably walked over that gold a hundred times." Probably the least excited of any persons about the wtioie thing are the Greenups them selves who have been bothered so much by others that it has become a nuisance to them, cut thev remain cordial and friendly when contacted on the matter at least to the home folks. Walking over the ground even brings some feeling of excite ment and one has to resist the urge to dig. j As we told John venard, man ager of the First National Bank, while walking over the site with Greenup Friday afternoon, Don t lust walk along, John: kick up some dirt." Smoker and Dance Slated at Spray Spray Rodeo Association in vites the public to its Smoker and Dance scheduled Saturday, March 23, at the Spray High School Gym, Mrs. Joann Grif fith of the association states. The smoker will feature AAU boxers of Eugene and Portland, as well as some local bouts. Ad mission will be $1.25 for adults and 75c for high school students It will start at 7:30 D.m. Dance following the smoker will feature western music, and supper will be served at inter mission by the Spray High school student body. Adult ad mission is $1.25 and high school students are admitted for $1 each. In past years, these events have drawn good support from the Heppner area, and this is very much appreciated, Mrs. Griffith said. Funds are used in promotion of the Spray rodeo which will be in May. Kathy Melby Serves On Dance Court Kathy Melby, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Melby, was presented as a member of the Intercollegiate Knight court of Pacific University at the recent IK Ball. Miss Melby, one of five final ists in the IK Duchess Pageant, is a freshman at Pacific major ing in music education. The five finalists were cho sen from 11 contestants by members of the Intercollegiate Knights. The young women were rated on personality, char acter, talent, beauty, and con versational ability. STORE HOURS 9 A.M .to 6 P.M. Private Parties Offer to Buy Impoundment Site A grouD of private Investors haa offered to buy the Kelly Prairie site for a fish Impound ment and hold It until such a time as the county Is able to exercise an option to purchase the site, County Judge- Paul Jones said Mondav. Purchase price of the property is $45,000. The judce suid the Investors recognized the Import ance of the reservoir project to Morrow county and made the offer in the hope of seeing; the project culminated. Recently the Bureau or out door Itecreutlon said that It could not participate with fed eral funds, which had been counted on by the county and the State Game Commission, be cause It was felt that this would obligate the U. S. Forest Service to maintain recreational and sanitary facilities due to the fact that 85 of the shoreline of the some 500 acre lake would be on National Forest lands. Un til that time It appeared that development of the site would start within a year or two. The Judge said that the coun ty court is considering the pro posal of the private persons. Meanwhile, the court met one day last week with representa tives of the State Game Com mission to see what could be done towards development of the project, and one thing sug gested during the meeting was that the county acquire the property. The present option on the property expires April 4. The county court is also con tinuing to explore the possibil ity that an impoundment at Penland Prairie be developed as an alternative to Kelly. This would be only about 150 acres, about a third the size of the proposed Kelly impoundment but five times as large as Bull Prairie reservoir. A number of meetings have been held with the Forest Serv ice on the proposals, and ad ditional negotiations are being held with them, the Judge said. Also In the way of recreation al development, the court Is planning to arrange a meeting in the near future with the Corps of Engineers, State Game Agents Glen Ward and Jack Me land, and representatives of the Boardman Park district concern ing the proposal that the coun ty take over the park and boat basin at Willows. The park will be formed with the rising of the Umatilla reservoir ot John Day Dam, and construction work is now in progress on the park by the Corps or Engineers. Colleen Pinckney Dies in Kennewick Mrs. Robert (Colleen) Pinck ney, 40, sister of E. H. (Tad) Miller, Jr., of Lexington, died unexpectedly at her home on Monday, March 4, apparently irom a heart ailment. Funeral services were Thurs day, March 7, at the Einans Memorial chapel, Richland Wash. Mrs. Pinckney was born and reared in Heppner and received her elementary and secondary education in Lexington and Heppner schools. She was a Graduate of Hennnpr Hiph scnoot, She had suffered from a heart 1 ailment but only recently had undergone a medical checkup and appeared to be in good con dition. She was home alone at the time of her death, since her husband was working, and died in bed, her brother said. Surviving are the husband, Robert Pinckney of Kennewick; two sons, Ronald, a freshman at Willamette University, and Scott, a sophomore at Kenne wick Hleh school; her father, E, Harvey Miller, of Portland; two brothers, Tad Miller of Lexing ton and James B. Miller of Pen dleton; and a sister, Miss Mar ian Miller, who teaches at Ore gon College, Monmouth. HOSPITAL NEWS Patients who were admitted to Pioneer Memorial hospital dm- inp the Dast week, and are still receving medical care, are the following: Bill Brannon, Hepp ner: Jim Lindsay, lone; Thorn as Steagall, Lexington; Marvin Massey, Olex; Elsa Mott, Hepp ner. and Marv Glavev. Heppner. Those who received medical care, and were later dismissed, were Pauline Gates, Arlington, and Helen Salter, lone, trans ferred to Pendleton hospital. Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin B. Hamilton of Spray are parents of a second daughter, Cheryl Renee, born on Friday, March 8, weighing 6 lb., 8 oz. She joins a sister at home. Grandparents are Virginia Kopcinsky of KS tacada, and Leonard Kopcinsky of Prineville, and Mr. and Mrs. Al Pentecost of Condon. POWER CONTROL ELECTRIC MOTOR SERVICE WE REPAIRS Electric Motors Power Tools Hydraulic Jacks Alemito Equipment 421 S.E. 4th Pendleton Phooe 278-5862 Friend of Mike Benge Writes from Vietnam No further Information has been received here on Mike Benge, who has been reported missing in Vietnam since the Viet Cong overran Ban Me Thuout, where he was station ed, according to his sister, Mrs. Matt Hughes. A letter to Mrs. Terrel Benge from Gerald C. Hltkey, howev er, explains details that occur red prior to the time that the lone man was reported missing Hickey. who worked with the Rand Corporation and was serv ing in Vietnam, had been a friend of Benge's for four years. The letter, written under date of February 13, is as follows: Your son, Mike, may have mentioned mv name In letters from Ban Me Thuot. We have been friends for the past four years, and during mv field trips to Kontum In 1SKM-65 and since then to Ban Me Thuot, I've seen a lot of Mike. He was a great help to me In gathering data on the social and economic as pects of the Highlanders' soci eties. In Ban Me Thuot he al ways extended the warmest hospitality, and at the time of the attack on January 31, I shared a room with him. The day before, we had all gone to Buon Kram where his adoptive father, Y Bham Nie and his wife broke out the lars of rice wine and invited us to eat with them. Among the Highlanders, both at Kontum and Ban Me Thuot, Mike was very much liked, and he did a great deal for the vil lagers. In fact, he did a tremon dous Job for the American gov ernment, and if we had more people like him, I don't think things would have gotten this bad. Mike did many things In an unconventional way, but he achieved a lot more than most U. S. government people do. Among the Americans who have been around a long time (like me), Mike Is known as one of the most effective people in the provinces. "It was his great concern for the Rhade that made him try to get to Buon Ale the morning alter the attack. During the at tack we were behind sandbags on the balcony (Mike had ar ranged a defense of the villa), and it was clear that Buon Ale A, south or Ban Me inuot, was the scene of heavy fighting. "First thing the next morn ing, Mike got into one of the Scouts and disappeared. We fig ured that he went to Buon Ale A as he had many Rhade friends there. As the day wore on (we were busy trying to or ganize the refugees coming in from areas of Ban Me Thuot that were burning) we began to worry, particularly since Buon Ale-A was not accessible fight ing continued in that area. I left Ban Me Thuot for Nhatrang late the following afternoon, and there still was no news of Mike. It was only when I got back to Saigon on February 3 that I heard about Mike being captured and the sad news about the missionaries in Buon Ale-A. FLEETSIDE PICKUP (MODEL 06t special savings on Pickups and Chcvy-vansl I Mswati sea Meton CEiswobft Conipsisiy "I have a very strong feeling that he will not be harmed; the fact that It was announced by Radio Hanoi Is reassuring, for they never have done anything to any of the civilian captives. Also, they undoubtedly are well aware that Mike la very well liked among the Rhade, both in Ban Me Thuot and in the vil lages, and to do him harm would be very adverse propa ganda for the Viet Cong. It may sound strange, but the Viet Cong probably appreciate the good projects that Mike has re alized. In the long run, his good reputation will be his best pro tection. "Do hae courage, and don't let yourself become discouraged. People here will do all they can to get Mike released. If there is anything I can do for you, please do not hesitate to ask, and I will pass on any news we get concerning; Mike. Plans Underway For Church Auction A planning meeting of com mittee chairmen and other workers for the lone United Church of Christ's sixth annual Auction and Barbecue Dinner was held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Keith Rea, co-chairmen, Monday night, March 4. This annual event is schedul ed for Saturday, June 1, at Wil lows Grange hall, with the auc tion to begin at 10:30 a.m. Be gun in 19G3, it has become a most successful program and is looked forward to each year. A special attraction again this year will be the Country Store, with many handmade articles and homebaked foods, plus boutique articles. Chairman of the Country Store is Mrs. Gar ry Tullis, with Mrs. Clell Rea in charge of food, and Mrs. Le- land McKinney in charge of i fancy work. Articles for auction are need ed and anyone desiring to con tribute merchandise, old or new, is asked to contact Bill Riet- mann, 422-72; Don Bristow, 422-7122: Lindsay Kincaid, 422- 7418, or Eldon Tucker, 422-7182. Articles can be picked up any time from now on and will be stored until auction date. Fun for the children and adults also will be furnished by Norman Nelson, who is again i supplying his Model T Ford for free rides for the youngsters. High school youth are planning a fish pond, plus a snack bar, with Mrs. Norman Nelson as chairman. Mrs. Pete Canno- chairman of the antique sale, nas already collected some valuable an tiques, and requests that any one who wishes to donate an tiques that need repairs should get in touch with her. Mrs. Bui Kietmann and Mrs. Bob Rietmann, chairmen of tick et sales, state that prices for CE10934) yObJ' QiniEullOILfE? i -siiS- wmmmwiH te save on 12-ton Fleetside pickups! Buy now for special sale savings on a Fleet side Job Tamer like the one shown above. Equipped with big B-foot box, Six or V8 engine, custom comfort end appearance equipment, chrome hub caps, chrome front bumper. Also available at special savings: power steering and power brakes; 292 Six engine and 4-speed transmission; 396 V8 and automatic 3-speed transmission; Soft Ray glass, air conditioning and radio- ' plus: Full coH spring ride, Job-tailored power? double-strong construction, functional truck styling. Gel more pickup, more equip ment, at special savings now! your Chevrolet dealer for Heppner, Oregon 97836 Lincoln City Has Better 'Soaker' When the Gazette-Times re cently proclaimed 2X Inch of rain on Monday, February 19, as "No Joke, Good Soak" in a weather report headline, It caught the eye of Mrs. Fred (Betty) Clmbel of Lincoln City, and she has sent a clip ping from the paper there. On the same day, February 19. Lincoln City had 4.33 inch es of rain. (How lucky can you get!) In two previous days, a total of 2.73 Inches was recorded. Total rainfall for the week was 7.06. "We could well have used your headline but no one felt like joking on Monday the 19th," she said. "Do you know we've become so acquainted it really has to pour before we take too much notice." The Glmbels, former Hepp ner residents, send best re cards to their many friends here. Fred Gimbel is with Pa cific Power Company and was formerly lineman-agent here. the barbecue dinner to be serv ed at noon will be $1.75 for adults and hleh school students, $1.00 for grade school children, and no charge for pre-school children. Other committee chairmen be sides those mentioned, are Mil ton Morgan, arrangements: Fete Cannon and Alfred Nelson, bar becue: the church deaconness- es, dinner; Mrs. Bob Jepsen, pub licity; Earl McCabe, meat wrap ping, and Koy w. Linosirom, meat carving. Pvt. Ron Croker Completes Training Marine Private Ronald L. Cro ker, son of Mr. and Mrs. James More Always... Eugene 215 Coburg Road RESTAURANT WITH 24-HOUfll COFFEE SHOP CHEVY Save on 12-ton Chevy-Vans! Get special sale savings on H-ton Chevy?, Vans equipped with big 230-cu.-ln. Six en-, gine, chrome hub caps, chrome bumpers,' custom equipment, front stabilizer bar, left end right side Junior West Coast mirrors Specify either Chevy-Van 108 with 108"; wheelbase and 256 cu. ft of cargo space, or Chevy-Van 90 with 90" wheelbase and 209 cu. ft of cargo space. Pick your way to save. There's never been a better time to buyl plus: Tough, all-welded unitized body-frame de sign, big 4x4' cargo doors, easy-riding, tapered leaf spring, easy-handling ball gear steering. Get n ore delivery van value! Golden Anniversary savings nor Groups Combine Efforts to Stage Spring Carnival Spring is Just around the corner, and with it comes plans for the annual Band Carnival, which will be held this year on Saturday, April 20, announces Mrs. Wallace Wolff, president of the Heppner Elementary PTA. This annual spring fund rais ing event will be co-sponsored by the Elementary school PTA unit, the high school PTA, and the Heppner school bands, under the direction of Arnie Hodman. The carnival provides some thing for everyone In the fam ily, with a family dinner being planned for 5:30 P.m.. with the carnival following from 6:30-10 o'clock. A dance is being plan ned from 10-1 a.m., with music to be announced at a later date. Committees for the scheduled events have not yet been an nounced. Proceeds derived from the evening's efforts will be divided between the band, the high school PTA and the grade school PTA units for scholarships and other needed student uses. Publicity committee assigned to promote public attention to this year's carnival are Mrs. Robert Laughlin, who will make and distribute posters, Mrs. Wolff, and Mrs. Forrest Burken bine. H. Croker of Monument, com pleted two weeks of training un der simulated combat conditions in the fundamentals of day and night patroling, employment of infantry weapons, survival methods and assault tactics at Camp Pendleton, Calif, Fun, ivuv. Phone: (503) 342-5181 - VAN 108 (MODEL GS11305). 38-3764-
