a
HEPFNER GAZETTE-TIMES, Thursday. Julf II. J96I
THE
HEPFNER
GAZETTE-TIMES
Chaff ani Chatter
Wes Sherman
Heppner. Oregon 97836
MORROW COUNTT'S NEWSPAPER
... . .. . ....... m i i n
The Heppner Gazette wiabiiiinea i"rcn i',11Jn:. i."? "eF"7 Irish of Morrow County" b.-en
Time estaDiisnea rtovemoer ao. kwi. whwumicu "uuwj timed with St. Patrick Day.
HAD THE publication of "Sham
rock and Shepherds: The
1912.
I iaCl NIWlPAMt
lltHIII
SOCIATION
NATIONAL NIWSPAPII
WESLET A. SHERMAN
HELEN E. SHERMAN .
ARNOLD RAYMOND
Shop Foreman
Printer
CAIL BURKENBINE
Society
Circulation
surely there would have been
spontaneous celebration and
parade in Heppner, stirring the
Wearers of the Ureen!
Judge John Kilkenny has writ
ten the article and it is pub
lished in the June issue of the
EDITOR AND PUBLISHER Oregon Historical Quarterly.
ccrw-iTT- rrm?: writ Mrs. josepnine Aianoney Bauer
ASSOCIATE PUBU5HEH .. lllt-lln i ,,
REGGIE PASCAL I (0 the editor (elsewhere on this
Linotype Operator pace). The iudce thouchtfullv
RANDY STILLMAN sent us a copy.
Apprentice I It In ull nnrtnrstiwl that thp
rressman Irish had a verv sifirniflcant cart
in the development of Morrow
Subscription Kates: $4.50 Year. Single Copy 10 Cents. Published county, and one hears many
Every Thursday and Entered at the Post Office at Heppner, Oregon, talcs of the past, some of which
as Second Class Matter. testify that it took men of sturdy
Office Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. temperament from Old Ireland
until noon Saturday.
Meeting Nature's Challenge
Those dedicated to forest fire prevention have shown re
markable progress In educating the public to be careful
with camp fires and cigarettes in forest areas.
But they have no such influence over the caprices of
nature. When searing weather sets In and the thunderheads
boll up to result In bolts of lightning, the result can be
catastrophe.
A multiplicity of strikes, such as came this past week
end, can ignite fires in many places, and they bring a frenzy
of activity as those charged with safeguarding forest lands
rise to meet the challenge.
But how fortunate we are that both governmental and
private forces are ready! What an amazingly good Job they
do in combatting these fires with the odds stacked against
them adverse weather, rough terrain, enveloping smoke, lack
of access, and long distances to travel.
But through the years, those who are attached to the
forests have gained wisdom. They know when trouble is
coming, they have trained to meet it, they have developed
equipment and methods to do the Job, and they have a
special kind of courage and resourcefulness to face the hot,
grueling and wearisome work that each fire brings.
Were it not for the fact that federal, state and private
foresters are so well prepared for these fire emergencies,
the situation as of this moment could be terrifying here.
Perhaps some 30 fires were set in the Heppner Ranger
district and in the Kinzua area by lightning. Two are still
major problems, but they are keeping things very well in
check, considering the hazardous circumstances.
Were it not for the work of these fire fighters, a much
more terrible toll would be taken in our valuable forest
lands, and our economy would be staggered.
Even as the fire burns, Kinzua Corporation Is making
plans for salvage operations to begin Just as soon as the
area cools enough to get on the land. Plans are underway,
too, for reforestation of the blackened area, illustrating the
dedication of an enlightened company to the sustained yield
concept.
While man is helpless to prevent the power thrusts of
nature that sometimes do him damage, his indomitable spirit,
as exemplified by the woodsmen in this area, will not give
up. He comes fighting back, and he utilizes nature's other
mysterious powers to restore, reproduce and repair the dam
age done.
Unfortunate Conflict
Remember the collision of the Andrea Doria and the
Stockholm off the East Coast of the U. S. some years back?
Each of the ships' officers knew the other was there, and
there were miles of unblemished ocean around them, but by
some bizarre coincidence and perhaps human error they
crashed Just the same, sending the Andrea Doria to the bot
tom, where the luxury Italian liner still reposes.
This somehow comes to mind when we think of the
conflict of the Shrine A-2 and B football game in Pendle
ton and the Morrow county Rodeo in Heppner two of the
major summer attractions of this area. Each organization
knows of the other, and they always have tried to avoid con
flict of dates. But suddenly now it is discovered, with the
events just about 1 months away, that they are going to
be held on the same date. A "crash" is inevitable.
The Shrlners, the Morrow fair board and the rodeo com
mittee know that this is not a happy situation.
The events will compete against each other for crowds,
and their parades will be vieing for entries. Normally, the
rodeo parade gets numerous entries from Pendleton, includ
ing the Main Street Cowboys, the Pendleton Round-Up court
and others. Chances are, however, that these groups will not
be able to come to Heppner this year.
This area, on the other hand, has been a staunch sup
porter of the Shrine game with ticket sales reported by Dr.
L. D. Tibbies running as high as $1200 some years. Certain
ly the rodeo will eat into this figure for the 1968 event, es
pecially in view of the fact that there are no Morrow county
boys playing in the game.
In setting up the dates, the Shriners have certain limi
tations that restrict their dates, and so does the rodeo. The
latter must be out of the way before State Fair starts. So
maybe this year this is just one of those unfortunate circum
stances that couldn't be avoided. However, in the future the
groups might check with each other before setting dates,
thereby avoiding a collision. One may not send the other
"to the bottom" but the conflict could dent and damage both
of them for crowds and gate receipts.
The local committees avoided the date of August 17 this
year, apparently thinking that the Shrine game was on that
date. Only a few days ago, when publicity started to come
out, was it realized that both the game and the rodeo are
on August 24, with the rodeo continuing August 25.
Chamber of Commerce here, sponsors of the parade,
showed concern at the meeting Monday as members discussed
the situation. A letter has been sent to the Shrine chair
man suggesting that if at all possible the Shrine parade be
held late in the day with the hope that many, who are in
terested in both, might take part in the morning parade
here.
In future years, the respective organizations should get
their "radar" working better to avoid another collision.
to meet the rough and rugged
conditions that our earlier clti
zens often faced here.
This historical article points
out that Heppner High school's
athletic teams were known as
the "Irish" for more than l
quarter of a century.
Those of us in the Johnny
come-lately class, however, are
not so inclined to realize the
xtent of the Irish Influence un
til such an article as "Shamrock
and Shepherds" makes it clear.
If one but adds an "O" ahead
of many of the names still
prominent here, he gets the
point. Apparently many famil
les have dropped the "O as
time went on, but Judge Kil
kenny tells how the "O'Doher
tys," the "O'Mahoneys," the
OFarrellvs (Farley)." the "O'
Kennys" and many more wan
dering Celts have been on the
move, ever westward.
Ah. 'tis fortunate for us, in
deed, that a good many of them
settled here!
Included with this 48-page
article are 30 pages of family
names of the Irish in Morrow
county with brief sketches of
each family, an invaluable census.
A number of historical pic
tures are Included: Main street
In Henpner. 1898: a picture of
the city taken in 1893; one of
a rabbit drive with about 1000
dead rabbits heaped in a pile;
Kilkenny Hinton Creek ranch in
1914; and the cover, wrapping
around to the back, is devoted
to "turn of the century sheep
shearers in eastern Oregon."
We can only surmise that these
mieht be from Morrow county,
now. tnere may be manv
who would like copies of this.
Those interested should write
Oregon Historical Quarterly.
1230 S. W. Park Avenue. Port
land, Oregon 97205. Price is $2
per copy,
In his note to us, Judge Kil
kenny states that this article is
an abbreviated version of his
work, but it is one that will
be cherished.
"Shamrocks and Shepherds"
starts witn this bit ot verse:
"Blue are the mountains of
Morrow,
Green are its valleys and hills,
Lofty its peaks, and erassv
its plains
Its winters mean blizzards
and chills.
Then come the springs and
tne summers,
- With sunshine and flowers ga
lore. The livestock are fat and the
wheat fields are brown,
Thank God for abundance,
and more."
Sure, and it's enough to make
us wish our name was "O'Sher
man." Oh, we've got a good bit
of Old Erin in us, for sure, but
somehow some Scotch got mix
ed in there, too along with
some Dutch and English and
that's a rather vitrolic mixture.
FIRST REPORTS of the grain
being harvested in the north
are not very encouraging. The
crop is pretty light, although
a few good reports are filtering
in.
But you would never see the
countryside more beautiful at
harvest time than It is now. In
taking a trip to the river Sun
day we were Impressed with the
many hues of brown, ranging
from the lleht almost tan to
dark chocolute browns. The
Gaines wheat and barley are a
light contrast to the Moro and
Omar which is a deep hue in Its
ripened state. And off in the
distance, the worked fallow
fields bring out an even darker
cast to the harmonizing blend
of browns.
Never could a camera capture
the full beauty of this sight as
it is visible to the human eve,
stretching in a vast panorama
in a random checkerboard Dat
tern with the rolling rangeland
hills forming a backdrop them
selves another hue of brown.
As the harvest moves south
ward, it is to be hoped that
from this beauty will come
bounty of a better crop than
at first appears.
TO THE EDITOR
Morrow's Irish
To the Editor:
The other day I received a
surnrUe ulft in (he mail which
thrilled me no end. It was the
June issue of the OREGON HIS
TOXICAL QUARTERLY and it
contain things which proved so
Interesting that It "rolled oaeK
the universe" for 30 years.
The first chapter U written
bv John F. Kilkenny and is en
titled "Shamrocks and Shep
herds: The Irish of Morrow
County".
In this nostalgic article the
Irish of yesteryear In Morrow
county, Gilliam County and a
corner of Umatilla county are
described In detail accompanied
by photographs, the first one
being picture of John S. Kil
kenny from the author's collec
tion. There are also pictures ot
the Jim Carty's. the Jerrv Bros
nan's, the Mike Kenny's, John
Sheridun and a picture of the
(k'orce Currln house and fam
ily In Heppner. among other.
The Hon. John F. Kilkenny
describes the O'Brady's; O'Bren
nan (Tommy Brennan, a Ions
hko blacksmith in Heppner);
OBreslin; Cunningham; Duller
tys; Jack Dundnss; O'Farrelly
( Farley ; Filzpatrlck; O'llealy;
Hlrl; Hughes; OLennun; UMa
honev (P. W. Mahonev. an at
torney of Heppner 1; Monti nan;
Walter E. Moore and on and on
It Is a "must" for residents
of the above mentioned conn
tie and should be In every II
brarv for reference.
I'm still walking on "Cloud
Nine" and happy I have a
friend in the Oregon Historical
Society.
Josephine Mahonev Baker
2545 S. W. Terwilllger,
Portland. 97201
COMMUNITY
BILLBOARD
Thanks, Anyway
To the Editor:
A word of thanks is In order
for the manv people who con
tributed hours of their time in
an effort to place on the No
vember ballot the Irvln Mann
OEA sponsored initiative allow.
ing the legislature to implement
a trial tax plan in the state.
Even thouch the camoaicn
fell some 17,000 signatures short
of the required number, the
acquisition of 31,000 signatures
in less than a three-month per
iod was a clear indication of in
terest in the proposal, and those
individuals who contributed
much of their time to the pro
gram should be assured that
continued efforts will be made
to have the measure placed on
the ballot at some future date.
John D. Danielson
Government Relations Director
1530 S. W. Taylor St. I
Portland, Oregon 97205
The Rhyming Philosopher
COUNSEL
ARE YOU FEELING WEARY? IS LIFE DULL AND DREARY?
THE WORLD LOVES A WINNER, BUT YOU'RE NOT THE
ONE?
THERE'S A SIMPLE SOLUTION:
START YOUR OWN REVOLUTION
HAVE FUN?
ARE TROUBLES INCREASING WHILE TOIL IS UNCEASING?
YOU NEVER CATCH UP AND YOUR WORK IS NEVER DONE?
IF YOU'RE DOWN, DON'T JUST MUTTEH,
BUT GET OUT OF THE GUTTER
HAVE FUN?
DO YOU FACE CONDITIONS THAT NEED SIX MAGICIANS?
DO BURDENS YOU CARRY WEIGH NEARLY A TON?
DUMP THE WHOLE SITUATION,
TAKE A PROPER VACATION
HAVE FUN?
WHILE THERE'S VERY FEW BATTLES THAT CANNOT BE
WON,
EXCEPT LIFE'S GETTING SHORTER AND SHORTER
HAVE FUN?
HARRY W. FLETCHER
Coming Events
YOUTH RECREATION
PROGRAM
High School Gymnasium
Mondays and Wednesdays, 7
9 p.m. Planned recreation
SIDEWALK BAZAAR DAYS
Friday and Saturday, July 12
and 13
Downtown Heppner
Join in the fun; look for
creat bargains
Support the home town mer
chant and organization!!
Something for everyone at
terrlllc savings!
REBEKAH I OOF PICNIC
Annual Summer Picnic, Cuts
forth Park
Sunday, July 14, 12 noon
Coffee, ice cream and pop
turnisnea
Families und friends invited
MORROW COUNTY PICNIC
Laurelhurst Park, Portland
Sunday, August 4, picnic din
ner, noon
All present and former Coun
ty residents and families in-
ed
FAIR & RODEO DANCE
First Princess Dance, Satur
day, July 13, honoring Prin
cess Marcia Jones
Heppner Fair Pavilion, 9:30
1:00 Music by The Western Gen
tlemen, Condon
Dance honoring Princess Sue
Llien Greenup
Saturday, July 20
Music by Tommy B. & Chain
Reactions, Hood River
SPONSORED AS A PUBLIC
SERVICE BY
C. A. RUGGLES
Insurance Agency
P. O. Box 247 PH. 678-9625
Heppner
Pioneer
Ponderings
Mr. and Mrs. Larry Martin, on
two week's vacation from their
home in Moro, have been vis
iting at the home of her moth
er. Mrs. Ellen Campbell. The
Martins. accompanying her
brother and sister-in-law, Mr.
and Mrs. Dennis Campbell and
Mrs. Campbell's two brothers,
Mark and Mike of Longview,
Wn., spent several days fishing
and camping at Meadow Creek,
located in the Blue Mountains.
Returning to Heppner for a few
days, the group then traveled
to Portland, from where the
Campbells returned her brothers
to their home in Longview and
the Martins spent time visiting
his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Doug
las Martin at Warren.
Mr. and Mrs. Lyle Matteson
returned from two weeks vaca
tion Friday, spending the first
week at East Lake with Del
vin Matteson and Cecilia Mat
teson. They spent a second
week at Colfax, Wn., visiting
with a son-in-law and daugh
ter, Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Parks.
Delvin Matteson and Cecilia
Matteson returned to East Lake
where thev were ioined bv her
son-in-law and daughter. Mr.
and Mrs. Bill Scott, of Heppner,
and another son-in-law and
daughter. Mr. and Mrs. Bill
Lynch, of Springfield. None of
tne vacationers learned that the
Matteson's brother, Lawrence,
had died here suddenly July 4
until they returned home. I
By W. S. CAVERHILL
Our Loss elf Confidence
Much is being said and writ
ten about the "creditability
gap" and growing disrespect for
law and order. Various reasons
are being assigned for it, pov
erty, ignorance, afluence, a
changing economy, and political
chicanery. Perhaps, each of them
contributes something to our so
cial unrest and over economic
dismay.
Our beginning as a nation
began in turbulence, but out of
it came a strong concept of gov
ernment, among the men who
formed it time has marked some
as statesmen. Today, the best
title a man's spirit for high of
fice can except from the pub
lic is "a polished politician."
In our complex society he can
expect no more. Only a dictator
has a chance to display states
manship. Problems must be re
solved by compromise, and each
compromise creates an element
of suspicion. As these elements
grow, a large part of our peo
ple tag all politicians "crooks."
There is no place in our mix
ture of interests for a states
man to operate. We wouldn't
let him. I
ft
MORROW COUNTY
FAIR and RODEO
SATURDAY
JULY 13
9:30 p.m. to 1 a.m.
MUSIC BY
The
Western Gentlemen
CONDON
ADMISSION
$1.50
- . . r irl,..- t j I, urn iirtmni ,
AJJMl
I ' V ' ' 1 ' ' '!
I I h "'
rson
Honoring Princess
MARCIA JONES
FA
MORROW COUNTY
PAVflL
HEPPNER