Image provided by: Morrow County Museum; Heppner, OR
About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 14, 1971)
HEPPNER GAZETTE -TIM Bartholomew Family History Bv MABT BARTHOLOMEW SETHER (The following .story was handed us by Randall Peterson and contains much Interesting history): During the past 60 years, Heppner has suffered and. sur vived two great tragedies the flood of 1903 and the fire In 1918. I do not remember the first one being only 6 weeks old at the time but I will not forget the fire. At the time, my grandmother's niece, Pearl Shep herdson, was visiting her for the summer spending part of the time with her on the home stead, part at our ranch and part in town. The fire happen ed on the 4th of July when most of the town people were cele brating at lone. It started in the early afternoon and burned much of the town unhindered. The Methodist Church and all the homes on the west side of the street from my grandmoth hnncn ovront Dr. McMurdo's ; a " (- were burned and on north and down Main Street. The I'aiace Hotel was burned and other smaller businesses. My grandmother and cousin were alone in the house and be came very excited, of course. Thov nttpmnted to save the fur niture and dragged a good deal out In the yard ana men weiu upstairs and threw bedding down the narrow stairs block ing them so they had great dif ficulty in climbing out. Howev er, the fire did not cross the street and the house suffered only from blistered paint across the front. The huge trees all along that side of the street no doubt saved it. Two young men of my father's threshing crew arrived to assist my grandmoth er but found everything under control and helped in carrying back the furniture. But the greatest tragedy of all was the big flood in June, 1903 caused by the cloudburst. Most of the water came down Willow Creekk in a great wall carrying boulders, houses, ani mals, barbed wire fences and newly cut hay. The residential district of the town was along the creek right in the path of torrent. The new steam laundry filled with heavy machinery dammed the water for a short time until a lake 20 feet deep formed and then gave way, loos ing ttie water on its victims. Some men managed to get to the hills but not many women and children. Skirts were long In those days and soon became water logged trap for the stumbling women. Many tales of bravery have been told of that terrible experience. Mrs. W. J. Leezer of Heppner later wrote in her autobiography for the "Pioneer of Oregon" that "We had a house on a hill in Heppner and during the Heppner flood our home was a refuge for a great crowd of peo ple who were washed out of their homes on the lower lev els. The flood occurred on June 14, 1903, which was a Sunday we had just finished our Sun day dinner when the storm be gan to rage. Wo had a Jersey cow below the house and I thought she would be drowned so I went out to try to rescue her, not realizing how terrific was the storm. A young boy, Leo Blackman came running toward me and told mo to go back to the house. When I did, I found so many people running to the house that I thought It must be on fire and that they were coming to help us. I soon found how ever that they were coming for safety. Trees and houses were carried along by the flood and the devastation was terrible. Two hundred people lost their lives in the flood. My house was literally packed to the very door with refugees; there were beds in every available place includ ing the bathroom. The house was so crowded that when I heard a knock on the door on Monday, I opened it and seeing two people stand ing there, said I thought it would be impossible to take them in. Then I discovered it was my daughter, who had come from St. Helen's Hall in Portland, and Bud Shipley, a Heppner boy who saw her ar rive in the devastated town. She had been able to come by train as far as lone and through the kindness of a rail road official was given a seat in a hack which brought doc tors and nurses from Portland. We had no Red Cross in those days, but we received much help. Portland sent 500 men and they did a wonderful work in helping to clear away the de bris. Pendleton came to our res- t.m nnri sont supplies. Among those who were killed In the flood were my niece, Mrs. Robert Hynd, and her two child ren. Mr. Hynd was found three miles from the bodies of his wife and children. Mr. Hynd while almost overcome, he was resuscitated. After the flood. Heppner peo ple were always frightened by ES, Thursday. January 14. IVTX tioaw rain and mads it a practice to come to our house when a storm tnreaienea. The number of dead amount art in nnn fourth of the DOPUla Hon of the city. Not even the larger and more publicized Johnstown flood of 1889 took such a proportionately great number of its inhabitants. Fred Coe Bartholomew was a young man of 19 at this time. Ha had arrived in town the day before on his return from school at the Columbia College in Mil ton. He was with hi father in the Methodist Church when the flood struck. His recollections arc 'The day before the flood I came by train from Columbia College at Milton and the next day, Sunday, June 1, 1903 at 2:30, I was at Sunday School at the South Methodist Church a Sunday School that my la ther instituted which he pat terned after a like school he at tended by the Moody Institute In rhlrapo. Cards were nrlnted and given to eacn pupil in at tendance and upon arrival, the card was presented to me at the door and punched for records and any child who did not miss a Sunday for a year was taken for a train ride to Petty's Grove for the day and a picnic. I will never forget the last Sunday before this excursion u.-h th time for the cards to be looked at to see who got a ticket for the train ride and the picnic of course, very few had every Sunday punched out but my father went to the parents of the child and of course each parent would dig up and all were taken. But the Sunday of the flood when Sunday School was out at 3:30, an awful hard rain and hail was coming down and all the sixty children were not permitted to leave In the storm and it was figured out that these children, if they had been at home, at least 23 would hnvn hwn drowned. Most of these children had no home to go to and were taken to Moun tain House on the hill for the tirno twin r. waltiner for the news of their parents. This was sure a sad time lor me crying, and screaming youngsters and it was always In the night be fore parents who were not drowned came on the scene. For days and weeks the mon ey was coming in for the help of the flood victims. As I re member it totaled something like 65 thousand. My father was chosen to distribute as best as could be to the homeless and needy. The people that had been drowned were washed down the creek and were bur ied in the hail that was as big as small marbles and were froz en stiff and it was 5 or 6 days before they were dug out. I drove a team from the liv ery stable of Sam Meadow's barn. It was a hack and the bodies as were carried out were placed three wide in the bot tom row and then two on top and the sixth on top and I rush ed thorn to the morgue where they were washed and identi fied. I made 19 trips and then it was days before they thought they had them all accounted for. It was some time before these frozen bodies were clean ed as it seemed they were so frozen and stiff". My mother has clippings from' the Portland papers of the re-1 ports of the people of Oregon j and other states for the vic tims of the flood, and which they echo far and wide. Meet ings were called in Portland and committees appointed to gather contributions and to send men and supplies to the relief of the town. Among oth er tilings a note is made of sending 100 coffins. Since the railroad was washed out, Lex ington was made headquarters for all supplies being shipped in. The papers were iinea wun accounts of heroism, rescues, and near rescues. Much monev was contributed both in Portland and to the au thorities in Heonner. The com mittee in Portland and to the authorities there, use a great Heal to buv supplies of an kinds and to hire men to work in Heppner cleaning debris and hnrvini? the dead. Every effort was made to do this quickly to avoid contaminating and water supply. A report in the Sept ember 11, 03 issue or tne ure gonian by the Heppner commit tee acknowledges all receipts and lists every contribution and everv disbursement of the mon ey received there. This amount ed to $61,106.95. But sne uoes COTJE ELECTRIC I Motor Rewind a 1 I INDUSTRIAL - OOMMERCIAll FARM AND HOME J "Vndlrton 376-77K-g lWlv In his backvabp at Warwickshire, tna Jtrp kuborn buiit OW) iTMf ilONMM TANOfM BlCVCie tifft! A09T 32 FKT 100, WtlSHiNS SOOO POUNDS, IT CAtWItS 14 PA3SeHfit3 A ttNTURV A0O, SNOW REMOVAL WA foBiooen IN SOM6 OHE9 BECAUSE IT INTERFERED WITH SLEIGHING V(HjJ United Transportation Union. not have any reports of the money received in Portland nor of their expenditures. According to the report quoted, some $1500 remained in Portland after all avnonut were nald and it was ci nid tn form the nucleus of a fund for a similar disas ter. People of Morrow county to this day recall with horror the great Heppner flood. Floods are still all too common for in Feb ruary, 1963, there was a small one which filled people's yards with mud and recalled to many the results of the 1903 flood. The population of Heppner has changed during 60 years but the stories go on. And the mass gave in the Heppner cemetery is a grim reminder "Lest we forget." Jack Sumner Named Grand Conductor Jack Sumner has been named Grand Conductor for the Grand Lodge of the Independent Or der of Odd Fellows. He is serv ing this year under Ben O. Young of Portland who is the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Oregon. Jack has had the opportunity to travel over the state with Mr. Young. CLASP ENVELOPE in a var 12x15 V4 on sale at The Gazette lety ol sizes from 6&x9V4 to Times. Ph. 676-9228. Customer Pay Days Every day is payday afour dealership. How about you? Want to cash an extra paycheck? It's simple. International Harvester Company will send you a fat paycheck if you buy during Customer Pay Days. Get a $50 paycheck if you buy an International Cadet 60 riding mower ... a whopping $100 paycheck with any model Cub Cadet tractor or Cub 154 Lo-Boy tractor. See us today for all details. Remember, your special paycheck is only the beginning of your payoff. The performance and convenience you'll enjoy as an International owner will pay off for years to come. M S3 HAILED A3 AN'ACRlM. FAMILY CAA. TMB v-c, AU1Ont0 costs about zJ Dion AMD cut DO CAMPSCIL "CWCKBT- Jj- 'can CMM u NORTH. NAM Ot- ClAUS, SAY 9 Ml 9 , sua i RAILffOAO IfNOO repriceratiok car BOWLING KoMm Kue Keglers Tooin W L M S 40 24 a 39 25 .1 38 25 Noil 29 35 tin R 26 38 No. 2 19 44 High Ind. Game Iris Camp bell, 177: High Ind. Series Iris Campbell, 499; High Team Game No. 1, 551; High Team Series No. 4, 1588. Tuesday Nite Owls Team W L Cal's Cafe 3 1 Fiesta Bowl V 2 2 Ed Dick 2 2 MiLadies 2 2 Gardner's Bristow's Market 1 3 uicti Tnrt flame Pam John ston, 181; High Ind. Series Pam Johnston, 478; High Team Game Cal's Cafe, 639; High Team Series Cal's caie, isji. Mr. mid Mrs. Hal Sunday ol McMinnvllle are here auring the holiday vacation with her naronts. Mr. and Mrs. Barton Clark. On Sunday, Mr. and Mrs. Sunday, with her Drotner ana sister-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Ned Clark, went to Tollgate sKiing, (IIA FROM OR NORTH, NAM N O ClAUS, SAY 9 Mf 9 SOHHAV "n-i v sol yoY- ask about $ s1 roL'.'eB'SiNc. Your Friendly Local Cooperative Lexington AGENDA SCHOOL DIST. fUaulotr Board Mevtiatf 7:30 pA, Jan. It, Lwdagtoa Morrow County School District 1-1 1. Call meeting to order, Chairman Jark Sumner 2. Minutes of December 10, regular meeting 3 Financial rerjort 4. Delegations, if any 5. Superintendent's Report, 6. Old Business 1. Consider 1971-72 scnoot calendar 7. New Business 1. Consider 30 passenger dim bids 2. Approve contracts for new certified personnel 3. Consider contract renewals for administrators (execu tive session) a. Mr. Bier One year contract b. Mr. Brandon one year contract 4. Receive classified employ ees salary requests 5. Consider need for special board meeting 6. Consider need for special education program at Heppner Elem. 7. Consider budget Items School dismissal grades 7 12 for Small Schools Pro gram Feb. 3 8. Reports 1. Teacher consultation meet ' ingMr. Sumner 1. Meet with PEC committee 7:30 p.m., Jan. 13, luversiae 2. Next regular meeting, Feb. 15, 1971, 7:30, Riverside High School 3. Budget message, Tuesday, Jan. 26, 7:30 p.m., District Office Cecil Rill of Heppner recently returned home from sr.. Anrnony i. Donintnn where he under went corrective surgery on his ankle. The surgery was to repair an old injury as a result of a broken foot. Mr. kiu was m hncnit-ii for a week and is re ported to be making a good re covery. "Jusl keep In mind she's my girl and I'm calling lime." or EXPLORER jjgjjL, paychecks Mb nd Mrs. SUv Nous of Duranw. Colo., made a surprise vlalt her with her parenU dur ing the Chrlstmu holidays Thw an atudenta at Fort Lewis College. Mrs. Mauas, the former Frances Abrams naa cauea nur grandmother, Mrs. Sara Morrow lonisTon iiBijoffiQijnojQrfiayiu Appliances RICK'S HOUSE OF DISCOUNT "If We Don't Have It Son of a Gun!" 2133 N. 1st Hermiston Pn. 567-8UWJ Home of Norsre Appliances Appliances Furniture Air Conditioning New & Used Automotive CAMPBELL MOTORS Sales & Service Gremlin. Hornet. Ambaaaador Co-plate Line of Toyotaa Car Pickups and 4-Wheel Drlra Body and Fender Repair PalnUnf Auto Glasa Service Hermiston Ph. 667-8930 GRIFFIN GODWIN AUTO YARD useu tars . Everythlnf In Automotive and rr trta New Used Rebuilds Wholesale Tne noma 01 una -. road-tested Darta" Troy Griffin Sam ft Chris Hod win Herm.-McNary Hwy. Ph. 6S7-W11 Floor Covering: STARRETT'S DECOR CENTER Carpet, Drapery, Paint Formica, Linoleum, Wallpaper Expert Installation Free Estmiates 1000 N. First Hermiston. Oregon Phone 667-6334 Moving BEKINS call SINCE 1891 world wide moving COLLECT and storage GO MAC MOVING AND STORAGE 140 S. W. 11th Hermiston Herm. 567-5175 Pend. 267-135" Call on the Professionals Harold Godwin Bob McAhern Call 676-9228 for Directory Ad Rates Pharmacy HERMISTON DRUG 114 Main Ph. 567-3072 "Your Family Drug Store" FOUNTAIN RECORD DEPT. PRESCRIPTION DEPT. Gifts For All Occasions CALL THE GAZETTE-TIMES FOR DIRECTORY AD RATES 676-9228 Ready-Mix UMATILLA READY-MIX 2 Locations , Hermiston and Umatilla 330 W. Elm Always at Your Service With Concrete for Home and Business Crushed Rock Feed Bunks Misc. Concrete Products and Accessories Equipment CAMPBELL EQUIPMENT. INC. Hermiston 567-6529 Franchised Dealer for Sales ft Service Ford. New Holland, Melroe Bobcat. Harvestore, Radio Dispatched Service Trucks Tires 0.b K. TIRE STORE HERMISTON Specializing in Brakes, Alignment and Balancing Wide Tires, Fiber Glass and Radial "Rres Pickup, Truck Farm Tires Shocks and Batteries 17 Years Fast Photography Lyons Studios 620 N. 1st St. Hermiston. Oregon Phone 567-6346 Weddlnus Commercial Portraits Photography The House of Lyons'1 Louis Lyons. Photographer Upholstery All Furniture Trucks tt Tractors Booths Upholstery Reasonable Prices Quality Work Free Estimates OS B. Main Street . .. Hermiston. Oregtm 17838 Ph- T-r to tell her they wert coming to surprise her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Bob Abrams. While here they went on to Everett to visit the grandpar ents, Mr. nd Mrs. R. M. Ab-rams. Automobiles Rohrman Ford Ford Since 1930 Ph. 567-3291 Hermiston, Oregon Boats Harry Phillips Company Herm.-MoNary Hwy. Ph. 567-5982 or 567-8343 Boats Motors Trailers Sales and Service DATSUN DEALER "Open 7 Days A Week To Serve You" You Can Insert Your Advertising Message for A Low Rate Call 676-9228 MEADE'S FLOOR COVERING 900 N. 1st Phone 567-6212 Carpeting Draperies Paints Floor Covering Wall Tile We Install everything but the paint LARSEN TRANSFER CO, 'Home Of the Hppy Movers" 3122 N. First Hermiston. Ore. Marvin Fleldsted Ph. 567-8333 Agent United Van Lines Plumbing & Heating Traner's Plbg. & Htg. Sheet Metal Carrier Heating & Cooling Hermiston McJNary Hwy. Ph. 567-5670 Evenings 5C7-5714 Radiator Service JONES RADIATOR SERVICE o Auto Truck Tractor o Repairing and Recorlns Serving this nrea for 18 Tears Distributor of Hayden Transmission Coolers Flex-A-Llte Fans Ph- 567-0173 or oof-oai Stationery TOUR COMPLETE STATIONERT STORE Magnetic Siens Books Art supplies -Picture Frame Name Plates n A M VS. ConvlnK ARTS! STATIONERY office SuppUes Dependable Service Radio and TV LEE'S RADIO and TV CLINIC 200 S. W. 11th Ph. 567-8413 Complete Television Service Rentals And Sales "Electronics Is our business not a sideline". MOTOBOLA. gEMTTH SYIiVaJflA Glass Hermiston Glass Cur -d Windshields Safety-Glass Mirrors TeL wr-em 10 Hermiston Ave. Hermlstoa. Ore. 2?f) -sr '- r LMfflJ