Image provided by: Morrow County Museum; Heppner, OR
About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 24, 1972)
v. f ! , I in II i " : ' ' ft ( ,0 - 1 Y -A ll.'l iu-r I-.ipiiiium lvtirnn 19 M.irurie ( lark It trim el .51 "i 4 - 1 J ' ' !M5atn.H. Mahnnex I". !""'r''r ""U r ! t ! I vv ! 1 I .Mariene retsch Longgo.d I tj: I I I - I sjJL I vided by the association, liarjorie now resides in .ew York. She was the Grand Marshall of the 1371 Hepp Juan Moe Hudson ner Rodeo Parade. I li ff-r" f I If ) . -. : ) :t I v ...-.i?T.--.r..- - ' r v i n: irrsr- kMMt I - i ii iii l'l.Vi Sharon ( uiMurth (.minai. L-V' A. 1 D 1 I A ' ,i Mar hUkriim I illlvi'nil - Sandra Eubanks Hudrifiui- In 1922 Heppner business men, headed bL.V. Gentry, C.W. McXame'r and C.K. Latourell organized the first Heppner Rixieo. It dS established on hat as call ed Gentry Field. Bleachers and a race track v.ere built and it was held during the last week in September fol io in? the Pendleton Round Up. Four thousand witness ed the first sho of three days. Lances were heideach night at the pavilion, as well as games of chance. Mar jorie Clark Ridings as chosen as queen of this first sho'. She was twelve years old at the time. She pre sided at the head of the pa rade that was held each day. She woreabrownriding skirt, boots, and hat that were tro- I his V fS. Itwi t.rna l.ynn VMniiitKi 1323. Ea Padwrg Grif fith was chosen for queen of the 1923 Keppner show by the Rodeo board htaded b C.W. XlcNamer. Eva wa; a top rid- r and a poi-d ham! with (tie lariat. She wore the same riding habit as .!ar jorie and her horse was a dappled gray named "Ted." The attendants chosen b;. the Queen were Bea Gentrv and Jane Allstott. L.Y. Gentry earned the flag. The top rider of the show was Jack Terr. Eva remembers the then long trip to Pendleton, where the Court rode in a car in the parade there Eva now resides in Heppner, Ore. 1324. Alice Eietmann Pe terson, selected as Queen of the 1 924 Heppner Rodeo was an excellant horsewoman and was complimented onlier rid ing. At the time Alice was Queen, there were no atten dants or special activities. The Queen would ride in the parade and Grand Entry, and appear at the dances. Ker chaperone was her sister-in-law, Juanita Rietmann. Alice remembers a most amusing incident when they were both locked in their hotel room. Minus phones, Alice boosted Juanita up so she could call to a cowboy in the hall. The manager was obtained and the door had to be taken off its hinges. Alice now resides in The Ealles, Ore. 1923. Mae Kilkenny, dau ghter of John and Rose Ann Kilkenny of HintonCreek. was crowned the Queen of the Hep pner Rodeo in 1925. The Ealles band provided the usic for the Parade head ed by Queen Mae I. Mae wore a white riding skirt and among her attendants were Cecilia Kenn Buckman. Mae Kilkenny Liilivend re sided in Alameda, California at the time of her death. 1926. Eva Wilcox, the dau ghter of P.B. Wilcox of Lex ington, was ruier of the 1926 Rodeo. Her attendants were Doris Wilcox, her sister, and Katherine Bisbee. This year a grandstand was built and 500 reserve seat tickets were for sale ahead of the event. New events that jear were the pony express race, Ro man race and the derby. The i latter tod a purse of S100 jf and was won by V.F. Swag-f gart. Eva now resides at Potiatch, Idaho. 1927. Katherine Bisbee, Queen of the 1327 Heppner Rodeo, remembers the ef forts of the board members such as McNamer, Stf-rline section compiled In Don RobllUu'li. (iepplhT Fryear, Len Gilnun and Jack French. Lloyd Madison was a local talent who rode tuck in;' halls, cows and ponies fur exhibition if tiiere were slack moments in the shiw. Tin. Lerrv was top rider of thi 1927 show. Queen Kath arine 1 alsu wore the brown skirt, boits and hat hand d down by the association with a blouse, scarf and a pair of beautifully btaded fringed Indian gloves given to her by her uncle, Bill Bvymer. (Cath erine was a good ruhr and broke and trained tier own mare, Fed Imp. To ijuote Kay, she said Queens inthost days didn't get past the city limits. She remeniU rs wat ching Rodeos iron, the Lack of her horse accompanied by other ridt-rs including Jane Allstott, Ediii Lovgren and Lois Reid Winchester, from the vantage point of the sou thwest part of the arena. Kat herine is now in Waldport, Ore. where she teaches scho ol. 1328. The Queer, selected in 1928 was inez Hayes, now Mrs. Larry Gentry, who lives near H'rpprer, Ore. Inez was brought up on a ranch and easily filled the role of a hard riding Queen. She has since participated in many Heppner Rodeo Parades. The Princesses selected by her were Mae Grostiens, Kather ine Bisbee and Roxy Sperry ;sister of the Queen). Inez wore a light buskskin riding outfit and rode a sorrel geld ing named Beldy, who Inez broke and trained. Dances then were held in the old Fair Pavilion where the mu seum is now. Top rider was H.R. Hayworthand there were 89 participants. 1929. The first time that a Queen's picture appeared in the Heppner paper was that of Reita Neal Bibby. Her reign in 1929 was an out standing year. Top-rid' rwjs Turk Greenough. ReiUVs at tendants that year were Ruth Fai SteaEairriougTierfy - - - ... , - ., t Inez Ita.vet. Peterson, Cecilia Kenny and Inez Hayes, Queen the pre vious year. Reita was a beautiful rider. In hi r white buckskin outfit on her white hors. , Appy. she presented an outstanding picture when he: horst reared as she was introduced in the middle of the arena. 1929 was the first year that an amplifying system was installed and used. Reita and Luke Bibby resided on a ranch near Iie pner for many years prior to her da!h. 1930. Arleta Farrens Ufcim, daughter ol Helen T. Farrens, of Lexington, was selected by the Rodeo buurd. The Princesses chosen by her were N:ae Gentry and Mary Mullahan. Walter Bonifer was top rider. Arleta pre sently resides in San Jose, Ca. 1931. Margaret Becket Buschke was Queen of the Heppner Rodeo in 1931. Her princesses were PatMonahan and Mae Duhertj. Buel High was top rider. She and her husband Claude lived on ranches near Heppner; in later years managed a hard ware store before her death. 1932. Mae Gentry was Que en of the 1932 Rodeo. Her attendants were Gwen Evans, Katherine Bisbee and Kath erine Cleveland. Bud Cal vin was top rider. She lived in Larkspur, Ca. before her death. 1933. Dorothy Doherty, 17 year-old-daughter of Mr. and Mrs. B.P. Doherty of Sand Hollow, Margaret brosnan of J ( fin-aenr .SMaKgarl I. !' " '1 M! MnlfLZtrtm It-"' lm Nr.) liitiln f Lena, Ediu Lindstromof lone and Ruth Dmi't'sofLt'xmgUm, Mai- UihtTty of Khca The crowninp ri-rrnioiiit'S ere hold on ttK' opening of rmleo, when Ouet-n Dorothy as lifted to the throne. Que en Jean Frazior of the Pendleton Round-up was of ficially welcomed as an ho nored guest. Banners ere displayed on Main Street and the Heuuner Band held a con cerUn the street that morn ing. When Queen Jean arriv ed, the white-uniformed band swung around ttie corner and in their wake, Mayor Ander son and Hodeo vice-presidents Herb French, D.A. Wil son and Henry Aiken, formed a mounted escort to the brig htly decorated oen automo bile which rode C.W. McNa mer, honorary president of Podeo, the Queenly Court and the Hound-up Queen After the parade, the court and nieniluTs of the bund were served a Imftet luncheon at the Elks That evening, the dance held at the pavilion saw Queen Dorothy receive the golden crown and those of her court, crown ot silver. Queen Dorothy also tiecame the attendant of Queen Jean Fraier of the llound-up thut vear 1934. By this time girls were selected to represent different communities to be on the court. The girls se lected in 1934 were Dimple Crabtree from Willows Grange in loiu Erma Lane from Lexington trange, Lil lian Carter from Spray, Beth Wright from Rhea Cm. Gra nge and Mary Cunh tromthe Lena Grange. The ammer dances were held at the big Pavilion in Heppner and ad mission to each dance was good for one vote for one of the girls to be Queen. Af ter the last dance about two weeks before the rodeo, the tickets were counted and the Queen announced. Queen Dimple wore her leather skirt trimmed in black fringe with a white sa tin blouse. The princesses wore black pants and hats with white shirts. Activities then were centered only about the Heppner Rodeo. Top ri der was Kenneth Depew. Dim ple and her husband Archie Munkers live on a ranch be tween Heppner and Lexington. 1933. Ilene Kenny, daugh ter of Mr. and Mrs. John Kenny of Heppner, and a can didate from Lexington won the Queen Contest for 1935. Her attendants were Eileen Farley, Willows Grange; Maxine McCurdy, Rhea Creek Grange; and Camille Stanley, Lena Grange. As a leading contestant Miss Kenny was a guest of honor at the Ckiah July 4th celebration and was honored at theQueen's Dance prior to the rodeo. The Que en and her Court were gue sts at several luncheons of various groups in the area. An invitation was extended to Queen Ilene to ride in the Pendleton Round-up parade as guest of Queen Helen Hansen of Pendleton. Henry Aiken as Rodeo Association President acted aschaperone for the group. 9."6 Patricia Norden 1936. Genevieve HannaCor hln, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Ha una. wasclmseii Queen of 193C. Hanius were early ranchers on HintonCre ek, and the ranch is still operated by Genevieve's sis ter and family, Mr. and Mrs. Don Bennett. Queen Gene vieve brought upon tin ranch, rode horses from an early age. As Queen, she was at tired in a white leather riilmg skirt, white blouse, hat and black boots. The Princesses ere Frances Rugg, Harriet Heliker and Betty Doherty. These girls wore Black Jai pur riding pants with white blouses, black hats and boots. Gen resides in Hep ner now. 1937. This was the year for Betty Bergevin Carney's reign. Mrs. Gartx y now liv es in San Jose, Calif. 1938. Maxine McCurdy Gil man, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harlan McCurdy, Sr., was winner of the dance vo tes to be the 1938 Queen. The Court of Queen Maxine was Florene Becket, Cecilia Hcaly, Joyce Carlson and Ev elyn Kirk. RE1GIM Maxine wore the traditional outfit of that time, white lea ther skirt and vest trimmed in black with white boots and hat. Her court was attired, in black corduroy riding ski rts, black boots, hats and sa tin shirts. Henry Aiken was president and he and his wife chaperoned the court. Among the best known riders of that day were Kenneth and Lloyd Depew of L'kiah. Pat Owens was the top rider of the show, in 1936 the Morrow County Fair and Rodeo was characterized as the largest Oregon Sheep Show east of the Cascades. Maxine is now living in Long Beach, Calif. 1939. Cecilia Healy, daugh ter of Mr. and Mrs. John Healy of Butter Creek, was appointed as queen. Healys were long-time ranchers of this area and the ranch where she was raised is still oper ated by the Healy Brothers, Tom and Bill. The princes ses of Queen Cecilia's court were Kathryn Thompson, Do rothy Howell, Constance In stone and Dorothy Brady. Ce cilia wore the traditional out fit; white leather riding skirt, with black fringe, vest, white blouse, white hat and black boots. The late Henry Aiken was president of the Rodeo Association then. Cecilia now resides in Portland, Ore. 1940. Marjorie Parker (Mrs. Fred Hill), who now lives in Portland, was Queen of the 1940 rodeo. Wright Anderson 1955 C arrol 1941. Kathryn Thompson Webb, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Thompson Was Queen of the 1941 Heppner Fair and Rodeo. Princesses were Colleer.Kilkeiiny Green up, Frances Wilkinson Os lund, Pat t. inert Pettyjohn and Rita Robinson Caverhill. Lee Beckner Was president of the Rodeo that y-aer. Kath ryn was a beautiful Queen dressed in the white riding outfit and the court was an exceptionally outstanding bunch of riders. Winners of events during this Rodeo were George Nelson, Sonny Turenian, Cecil Bedford, Gut Cast, Shorty Ruthedge, Loyd Depew, Jow Talbot, Jack HiH yer, Lloyd Lowe, D. Berge vin, Pat Fi.sk. Ivan Apple gate, Curtis Tarwattr and Walt McKitrick. Interesting ly, many of these winners have children competing in to days shows. Kathryn and her husband, Paul Webb, Jr., reside at Walla Walla, wa. 1945. World War II inter vened and the Heppner Rodeo was not held for three years. In 1943 Colleen Kilkenny Gre enup, daughter of a true Irish family, was chosen queen. The Kilkenny ranch, on H in tern Creek, raised many fine horses. Colleen was the last queen to wear the beautiful white leather riding skirt out fit. Her princesses, Joan Hisler, Darlene Biddle, Jo Ann Graves and Dorothy Bergstrom were dressed in white shirts and black trou sers, hats and boots. Mrs. Lee Beckner and Mrs. Ruth Nutting were chapeones. Men responsible for reor ganizing and putting the show back together after the war were Lee Beckner, president; Bob Runnion, dance director; Buzz Fisk, arena director; Ebb Hughes, stock Direc tor; and Cliff Dougherty, gr ounds nanager. Harold Er wtn was one of the pickup men, Claude Nutting was an nouncer, and Harley Tucker furnished the stock. Jerry Ambler was all-around cow boy. 1946. Larlene Biddle was chosen Queen late in the spring of 1946. The Court was taken to Pendleton to se lect outfits by chaperones Mrs. Clyde Nutting and Mrs. Lee Beckner. This year it was deemed that a change be made in riding attire from skirts to riding pants. Out fits were soon found for the court, consisting of Jean Hanna Bennett, Betty Smeth urst Zeagler, Betty Lovgren Way and Gwen Coleman Healy. Ann M igglesworth Meredith
