Image provided by: Morrow County Museum; Heppner, OR
About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 24, 1972)
HKmrn iom:.. CAzmn timfs. tiiuimUv. August si. wrj Wl&t wm JKWt S G. 4 t uhkhink iMtiiniTV So that we may better knot ourwlvrs we attend to the past. Heppner centennial provides a timely occasion (or each of u to rrflect on the heritage that we celebrate The story of James U and Catherine liberty is unique only m its import and pre ciousness to their descen dant Aside from that, it provides an illustration in microcosm of the settlement and development of this fair country Their story, though differing in particulars, is not unlike that of any other early family. It begins in 1RR3 in County Donegal. Ireland, where James Grant Duherty was bom and raise The early Irish emigration had gained its impetus from the potato famines of 1845 and 18-tti Uy 1KK.1, emigration was old hat and conditions in Ireland had improved consid erably. The litieral F.nglish Inme Minister. Gladstone, had assumed office in IHt8 saving. "My mission is to pacify Ireland " My grand father, who was one year old at the time, was neither impressed nor pacified But he was patient enought to wail until he had turned 16 before leaving the old sod Armed only w ith the expec tancy of opportunity, he boarded the steamer Kncona. He disembaiked in New York City on Octotier 8, 1883. not yet having gained his sea legs. He stayed there just long enough to get bearings t'pon inquiry of the way to Oregon he was pointed west and straightforth headed in that direction. Horatio Alger notwithstand ing. In Eastern Oregon, mv grandfather had a benefactor. Charles Cunningham had come to I'matilla County in 1B9 and by 1KK3 w as well on his way to becoming "Mr. Sheepman". My grandfather, like many other Irish immi grants, worked for Mr. Cun ningham. In 1K87 my grand father went into the sheep business for himself on Butter creek and moved to Black Horse Canyon, a dry -bed canyon running northeasterly for some nine miles from Lexington to a point intersect ing with Sandhollow. My grandmother, three-times-a-Doherty. moved with him because they had been married in Pendleton, July 6, 18H3. By "three-times-a-Do-herty". I mean that both her parents were Dohertys (be fore marriage. Also, after marriage i. which made her twice-a-Doherty ; and marry ing my grandfather made her three-'times-a-Doherty. Any way, when my grandparents started having children there wasn't going to be any doubts that they were Dohertys. Just to be certain there were no doubts, they had thirteen. Apparently, my grandmother was patient, too. It only proves that my grandfather's expec tancy of opportunity was not without foundation. Truly. I love my grand parent's though I never knew either one of them. You'd have to respect them if you could visit Black Horse Canyon. With thirteen kids competing for what forage there was, there undoubtedly was little left for stock. Nonetheless, they did w ell enough to get the thirteen kids raised, though I've heard neighbors say that none of the thirteen were halter-broke. The rest of their story is the usual one of toil, birth and death, happiness and sorrow. But the true story herein lies not in the family itself, but in the fact that two immigrants, seeking the American Dream, came, became a part of and grew with the country. If my grandparents could gather their off-spring today, they would count over 44 grand children, 90 great-grandchildren and 6 great -great -grandchildren. They would say, "All things considered, life's been good to us." Life's still being good to us and, in a sense, my grandparents are still a part of and are still growing with the country. That's what a centennial is all about. (By Dennis Do herty.) FRANK AND CLAYTON AYERS By Justine Weattierford Two Ayers brothers were among the earliest in the county coming in w'ith ox learns Irom low a. T.W. had a squatter's claim on Big Butter Creek and Bill made his claim over on Little Butter Creek. i i James T Ayers. Bill's sn, came wel by train little latter .and he too homesteaded near line City where his sons Frank and Clayton grew up. The children of Mr. and Mrs James T Avert were Arthur who died in ltu, Kuby (Mrs Roy Coven (of Hermiston,) Kdna (Mrs Burl I oxen i Salem, Frank, Harvey who died two years ago, and Oavton FATHER DROVE MAIL KOITK Frank and Clayton's dad worked for Joe Vey at first for tl 00 a day, then tried the sheep business on his own place He epsecially enjoyed the job of driving the mail route from Heppner to Gal loway i Fine Uty ) I'sing horses, he made the 50 mile round trip each day through diiNl. mud or snow Mr. J T. vcrs hved in Hermiston in his later years and was very proud to he able to keep his auto driver's license until he was almost SO years old He died in ISM THE BROTHERS REMEMBER Frank Ayers can recall many stories about the India ns who camped on a bench above Pww- City. Clayton recalls early attendance at the Fine City Church where he heard preacher John Hoskins grandfather of Fred Hoskins Jr.) Frank savs their great uncle T.W. Ayers employed the Vey brothers from Portu gal for $1.00 per day; then in time they bought the ranch and T W: Avers moved into Heppner and served as Mor row County Judge. Frank Ayers has no child ren; Clayton's daughter Juanita is Mrs Ray Dukek of Pendleton and his son Ray is in business here. Frank and Clayton Ayers have similar abilities. They are both mech anical and both love to grow flowers and vegetables The Frank Ayers live on Center St. where Jessie Jones and her daughter Venice Styles lived, and they have modernized the house and have the front and side yards gay with flowers and a good selection of vegetables grow ing in the small back yard The Clayton Ayers live on Gale St.. and their yard is in full bloon now; their back garden has more of most everything than they can eat, and they will be giving much to friends. Clayton has mod ernized quite a few older homes in town. These Ayers brothers have many talents and keep themselves busy always the McMillans of lexington John Taylor McMillan and his wife Margaretta Dyer McMillan came west from Mohawk, Tenn. in 1886 with eight of their nine children; the ninth, Cora (Mrs. Earl Warner) was born at Lexing ton and lives in Corvallis with her -sister Mary Lou (Mrs. George Broadley). The other children who came west are deceased, but one son's widow survives. The sons were Elbert D., George L., William P., Samuel "Gus", and John F., Mrs. "Gus" (Frances) lives in the Rose Villa Manor in Portland-she sold her Lexington home across from her mother-in-law's home to the Gene Orwicks. A daughter Elza married Mr. Pointer, and they are both deceased. The McMillans were farm ers, but William P. became a pharmacist and ran a drug store at Lexington; John F. is remembered as a builder of homes-Mrs. Trannie Barnett Parker's large home on the south-east side of town is one he built as is the house across from it where Mrs. Florence McMillan lives now, which was built for Elbert D. DURING LEXINGTON'S BOOM During the days when lex ington was a bustling com munity of many stores and homes, about half the homes were filled by McMillans, and the Beach family had many of the other homes. Mrs. Mrs. John T. McMillan (Margar etta ) is remembered as a small lady with only one arm (she had had an arm amput ated because of blood-poison-ing.thought to have been caused by poor dye in her long black gloves. ) She lived in the gray house between her dau ghter Cora Warner's home (now the Bill Marquardt home) and the apartments that the Leonards have just sold to the Wrights. The three brothers George, "Gus". and John F. farmed northweM of l-eviit.m where Scott "IVnny" MtMillan and the Nelton brothers larm now . Flbrrt IV farmed a littb? closer lo I-evington where the C C Jones are now PRESENT DESCENDANTS Still living in the county are Sittt "ivnny" McMillan and CulliM-n i Mm Buster I'ad herit children of John F. (Mrs Sy Slocuml a daughter of "Giis", and Mrs Florence McMillan who is the widow of W E , the son of F.ltert II McMillan There are many fourth and many more fifth generation decendants of the original McMillans living in Morrow County and around the state, MRSORlS PADBERO (CATIE FRIDI.EYl Several recent visits in Catie Padlwrg's home at Lexington have brought out some interesting facts about her family and atxmt the earlier arriving Henry Pad berg family. THE FRIDLEYS Catie's parents were I.ewis Fndlev and Marietta Wood ruff Fridley who were mar ried in Missouri and came to Harrisburg, Oregon. Her fat her developed rheumatism and a din-tor recommended that Mr. Friedly move to Eastern Oregon and get out of the damp valley The family came to Social Ridge and got a homestead from Jim Brown, and their daughters attended the Social Ridge School. Catie is the oldest, her next sister. Edna is now Mrs Lars Langland of Modesto, Ca., and the youngest, Lois is Mrs. Walter Beck of Stockton, Ca. Catie married Oris Padberg at the old Padberg Ranch, then Will's, near lone in 1919. Catie. who is now 73 years old. has an unusual old carved table in her home. She says it w as "unclaimed after the 1903 Heppner flood." She relates, "My father helped gather up bodies and restore order after the flood. Peoples possessions were put together in piles for families to come claim. After quite a long time when no one claimed this old table, my father brought it home and got help in repairing it." THE PADBERGS The first Padberg, Henry came from Germany, and he settled on Rhea Creek in the 1870's. After he reached Ore gon he married Martha Riggs and their children were Wil liam, Leo. John. Louis, Mary, and Liddv. John married Delia Lieuallen. the daughter of blacksmith Ranson Lieual len. and they had two sons, Archie and Oris. Archie stay ed on the John Padberg ranch and married Susie Allstott and they had four children Archie, Vernon. Juanita. and Lola. After his first wife's death he married Mildred Tucker and thev live in Heppner. Oris Padberg worked for Turner and Van Marter for a time, then worked with Ralph Jackson's machinery shop at Lexington, then started his own machinery shop. Oris and Catie have three Children, Marial Doris, now Mrs. L.D. Vinson at Monument; Elmer Eldon of Lexington, and Charles Henry at Dayton, Wn. MRS. ERNEST HELIKER (V1DA Z1NK) Sitting out on an interesting, cool, patio and visiting with Vida Heliker and her neighbor Edith Petteys Nichoson was surely a pleasant way to spend a very hot Sunday evening. We did a lot of chatting about old times, and because I had already visited with Edith's niece, Vera Rietmann, about the Pettey's family, we didn't spend much time on them. Edith said she is expecting her very successful daughter Alice home from San Fran cisco soon, and might go back to California with her. THE ZINK COVERED WAGON Vida Zink arrived in this county in a covered wagon as a little girl when her parents came from the Willamette Valley (1889). Farmer Alfred M. Zink and his wife, the former Irene McKinley who was one of 9 children, leased the Leach Ranch out in Black horse Canyon for some years while their 6 children were young and they bought the old George J. Currin Ranch out of lone, which is part of the Ralph Crum's land now. Vida and her sister Addie who was Mrs. Claude Devine and is now W.E.Tompkins of Glenns Ferry, Idaho, are the only Zinks left CUSTODY SVM'HII.l. CRANKS Oiieol XiiU vivid memor ies of her childhood years in BUiWtiiinr i'aiti)n is lb vearlv viil l the huge Sandhill cranes that come in lo the Lent h Ranch Dayton O llsde. the Oregon Author of Yamsi, made these cranes famous ida recalls thai many years ago when these cranes slowed several ll.t-e in the county, one struck Imle l"earl Wright iMrs Joe IVvinei at her family home near Ruggs and pecked out one of her eves ERNEST HELIKER Ernest Heliker came west from southern Michigan lo the U-wis & (lark Fair in Port land in 16 He and his friends were advised to come lo Heppner to find work, and they tiought train tickets with their last funds Ernest stayed but his friends went east again Ernst loved horses and farm life He and his friends first worked at stamping wool in the huge wool sacks, very hot work which provided funds tor the other boys to go east Ernest then found work in a livery stable in Heppner where he had charge of harnesses. Then he drove stages to Monument and Hamilton for awhile. He went to farmwork and worked for the Padhcrgs for a lime. In 1912 when he and Vida were wed. Ernest was working at the Howard Lane Pastime. TO SADDLE BL'TTE RANCH After a few years the Helikers bought the Saddle Butte Ranch which their son Don Heliker is oix-rating today They also have a daughter Harriet who was Mrs Lundell and is now Mrs. Bolman and is working as a bookkeeper in Seattle. Vida has been living on 2nd St. in lone for some time in an interesting old house, built by Tom Davidson about 1903 surrounded by lively trees and flowers that her green thumb keeps in fine shape. She has a lively interest in so many things and a quick memory of many friends and many hap penings. Her husband Ernest died in Oct. 1961. MR. AND MRS. RAY WRIGHT My visit with Pay and Eva Wright in their modern home at the base of Heppner's east hill was most pleasing. They have lived there since 1965 when Ray Wright decided to retire, and they found Carl Thorpe ready to sell this attractive home. The first Wrights were Albert and his wife Julia who came in the early 1870's to establish a small dynasty out Ruggs way. The family is now in the fifth generation, or in some cases the sixth genera tion. Albert and Julia had three sons and two daughters. Their first child Julia married Tim Bisbee who wrote an interesting diary. The elder son Silas and his son and grandson farmed the old place; the son was Orian who married Pearl La Trace, and their son Albert and his family live there now. ..Albert's bro thers Bob and Clayton are in Hermiston. THE ANSON WRIGHTS Anson the third son who farmed in Hay Canyon, bought the George Noble place just above Ruggs where Ray and Eva farmed and where their daughter Beth's husband Barton Clark and son Ned Clark farm today. Before buying the Noble ranch Anson lived up Julia's Fork one winter in a small canyon just below the Anson Wright Park. Here Anson built a little old log cabin which his son Ray says still stands there. the middle Albert Wright son, George, who lived near Lone Rock died before 1920. The younger daughter, Effie, married Frank Gilliam and their offspring, Ona, Earl, and Hazel (Mrs. Charles Vaughn) are still in Heppner. A son Leonard.a long-time weather facts keeper died several years ago.and his son Don Gilliam carries on with the weather statistics and works with the M.C.G.G.at Lex ington. Anson Wright had three sons mature, Clyde, Ray, and Walt. Clyde farmed a place pur chased from the Farnsworths which adjoins the Barton Clark place and on which Clyde's son Harold now lives Harold's son Kenneth runs the Ruggs Store with his wife Judy Smith Wright, the dau ghter of the Glenn Smiths. The Walt Wrights live further up toward Hardman, to the left of the highway, and they have two daughters, Patsy and Janet. i Picture Courtesy of O. L. Matheny MKKIFI SIMHtS It is iiili-rvkling that two Wfifclil ixMik. Clyde alld Ray, ntaitu-d sikti-rn, Mary and Ft a t 'aiu Hie daughters ol Fiiglithman John CiiNin who tMimcsteaded below Monu men I Ft a C.iX'ii ad Ray Wright w-re married w years ago this year in Hardman by Minisier J I. Swill They re call that alter the wedding eery one gathered at Eva s sister Alice s i.Mrs George Mi Dul lie for a big dinner The Rav Wright's daughter IVth's hutaid. Barton Hark is the son ol Noah Clark who farmed at Figbtnule The (lark's son Ned and his family are with them on the ranch, their daughter Nmula (Mrs Hal Sundav is at Prmeville Tv: Holding the ball is Altha Devin Kirk, the captain of the 1916 girls basketball team Bill Morgan was coach. Seated the first team from left : Neva Haves McArgue, Lorraine Groshens Vinton. Murial McCartv Runmon. mgr. Gladys Wattenburger. Second team standing' Marcia Winnard Nicholson. Cecile Stevens Musgrave. Pearl LeTrace Wright and Cecile Devore Hoyt. (No one seems to know Gladys Wattenburger's married name.) 'o Martin Reid, owner of garage, and Carl Cason, U nion Oil distributor. Garage was across the street from the present Library. About 1927. AUGUST 26-27. HEPPNER WELCOME, FRIENDS, TO THE 'FASTEST SHOW IN THE WEST" It's Western Atmosphere and color at it's best. You'll see some of the West's greatest cowboys competing for prize money in all the spectacular rodeo events. LVUrf t snuvv la virrcncm set Togetherness - liM.FIHFRNFSS ionl and shoes have lieen akMNialcd in lU-ppner since I'MiS It slatted Ihcil as (only tn. bv Fdniond and Edward liniitv Thev wrre sons of Mrs Mane Gouty who hud brought the Uivs Irom Belgium when lliev were voting Their father dutl when "the boys were very small Ed father. Edward Nich olas who learned to repair shoes in Belgium by the lure he us 12 years old W hen they came to port land lo visit Mrs Gouty Sister, Antoinette Samoile, they planned to stay onlv long enough lo learn the Englikh language and then go back lo Belgium, where Mr. Gouty taught school While thev were in portland. Edward spent some time in the Seattle Tacoma area working in a shoe factory and a sawmill. .-i I' a i to d0 o0 Hold On IT'S TIME Iiaiii r iMrrrnrilT rr-i- nriJCR All! 4 Your Friendly Local Cooperative Lexington, Oregon Gontys and ShoesIn Heppner Since 1905 They came no from Port land In isit the ic Groshcns. Iliry liked the area so well Ihev decided lo stay Edmund hinl graduated from the I'niv ersily ol Pans He was interested in taxidermy He'd sIhhiI a rubit then stulf il so it would look natural. The two brothers went into business together in shoe repair and selling shoes. Their place of business was next to the Frog Pond Saloon where (he Shell Station now stands Heppner was a booming, miming town After a few years. Kdmoml and his moth er went back lo Portland. Edward stayed in Heppner where be married Ellen Mar latt They had two sons, Edmund Edward Ed Gouty of llcppneri and Thomas of Seattle, and so started the second generation of shoe men What was Heppner like in those days? About every two blocks was a little building housing n fire hose cart. Chuck holes in the street were a fool deep. All the kids rode bicycles. A family outing was a day "down in the sands." They'd pack a picnic lunch and hunt jack rabbits in the area of Junicr Canyon. Ed has lived in the house at the end of Gale St. all of his lile except for about a year after he wus first married. Ed started working in the store when he was nine years old. The shoe shop has been at home in various locations. At GONTY'S HAVE ADDED MORE SHOES TO THEIR 43rd SEMI-ANNUAL) i 2mn i SEM SMI PARDNER FOR THE one lime ll wus in Dr. McMui do's former office. The Mute shop wn on the ground level floor and the shoe repairing was done down stairs Ed can remember how his Dad would run upstairs to wait on customers. Mrs. Gonly ran the store In I9IH when her husband was very ill The shoe store was where Miluidies is now when the old Palace Motel burned down. The heal from the fire broke the windows and curled the shoes- in the window. All the Ironls had to he replaced The old fronts had gingerbread similar to the interesting front of Jimmy Thomson's Groc ery Store. Gilliam and Bisbee was then where the First National Bank is now. Ed married Eleanor Hem rich in I9:IC when he leased the business from his dad. Ed has sold shoes from high top lace and button shoes to very mod of today's shoppers. The pattern of customers has not changed. He says, "a partic ular man is no worse than a particular woman!". Ed is the happiest when he is working with woods or fixing a motor. The entire family likes the out-of-doot-s which in..i..rf. es camping and rockhounding. They have four children: Ray of Seattle, Evie who is Mrs. Terry Blevins of I'kiah.and Tom and Doug at home. Mrs Gonty has a wide range of interests that include craf ts, sewing, ceramics, garden ing and helping others. A i nun a )
