Image provided by: Morrow County Museum; Heppner, OR
About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 20, 1975)
Page 6, THE GAZETTE-TIMES, Heppner, Ore., Thursday, Feb. ale of Gillam-Bisbee building recalls its past By Justine Weatherford The sale of the Gilliam Bisbee Building by Claude Buschke to Larry Prock of lone last week is causing "old timers" to recall some his tory. In the folders full of clip pings and notes that Rachel Harnett has collected at the Morrow County Museum, one is able to find a great amount of material on the two families. Bisbee and Gilliam, and facts concerning the building bearing their names. The firm, of Gilliam and Bisbee was formerly Gilliam and Coffey and was begun by Frank Gilliam and a man named Coffey in 1887. After a few years Gilliam's brother-in-law. Timothy Bisbee, bought Coffey's interest. The firm grew and prospered in the location where the Degree of Honor Building now stands, just north of the First National Bank. An old Heppner newspaper states that in the late summer of 1918. "Gilliam and Bisbee Hardware purchased the Vic Groshen's corner (at South Main and West May Streets) where they contemplate the erection of a modern business building. They will begin construction next spring." Groshen operated a "pas time." His son. Vic. became Heppner city engineer, and his grandson Vic is a state policeman in this area. An Aug. 7. 1919 paper reports. "The new two-story building which is being con structed for the pioneer firm of Gilliam and Bisbee on the southeast corner of Main and May streets is rising rapidly under the supervision of contractor T. G. Denissee. The new building, when complet ed, will be one of the most thoroughly modern in the city. The estimated cost is in the neighborhood of $50,000. The entire building will be given over to a general line of hardware, every inch of floor space being occupied by the ouneafe. It will be one of the largest stores of its kind in Eastern Oregon." Another mention of the building that year states, "The Wells Barber Shop is temporarily located in the front of the Gilliam and Bisbee Hardware Store. Its former quarters in the Morrow Block will give way soon to a new concrete structure which Pat terson and Son will start building." The sons of Frank Gilliam and Timothy Bisbee came into the store beginning in 1900 with Lou Bisbee. then Leonard Gilliam and next Clinton Gilliam. Earl Gilliam joined the firm around 909. These Bisbee-Gilliam men were cou- Church Directory METHODIST SS 9.45 a.m. Worship 11 a.m. LUTHERAN SS 9:45 a m. Worship a am. Children Choir, 9:30 a m . CHRISTIAN SS 9:45 a.m. Worship n a.m. Even. Serv 7:30 p.m. NAZARENE SS io a.m. Worship 11 a.m. Even. Serv 6 p.m. EPISCOPAL Communion 8 a.m SS 9:45 a.m. Worship n a.m. Adult Ed 10 a.m. ASSEMBLY OF GOD SS 9:45 a.m. Worship 11 a.m. Sun. Eve. service 7:00 Bible Study .... Wed., 7 p.m. SEVENTH-DAYADVENTIST Sabbath School ... . 9:30a.m. Worship 11 a.m. CATHOLIC Catechism .... Mon. & Wed. Worship: Heppner, Sun 11a.m. Saturday 6:30 p.m. lone. Sun 8:45 a.m. Saturday worship, 6:30 p.m., St. Patricks CHURCH OF CHRIST. Lex ington SS 9:45 Church ... 11:00 Sun. Eve 7:30 Bible Study. Wed 7:30 INTERFAITH FELLOWSHIP Bible Study, Wed., 10 a.m 340 Baratt Blvd. Sponsored as a community i service by i LEBUSHSHOP I L sins and were related to many "first families." Clinton left about 1918 and Leonard, Earl and Lou continued their part nership with the only change in ownership before they sold out being that Mrs. Earl Gilliam (Mae) joined them as a partner about 1918. Earl devoted most of his time to the plumbing department and the shop: Lou was pretty much in charge of the store; Leonard devoted his time to bookkeep ing: when Mae entered the firm she kept books and acted as a clerk. In 1955 Claude Buschke bought the firm's inventory and leased the building. In l0 he bought the building. Claude and his first wife, Margaret, operated the hard ware business until 1965 when they auctioned the inventory and quit business. They also remodeled it to house state and federal offices. John Key had been associated with Claude before Mrs. Buschke bought his interest, making it a husband and wife partner ship. The 1965 auction sale dis posed of the firm's stock and many of the fixtures. The auction was managed by Donald Kennedy. Portland auctioneer. In 1967 Case Furniture Co. moved to the first floor location. Mrs. Harnett has gotten together folders of facts on the Bisbee and Gilliam families. She has preserved copies of Timothy Bisbee s diary which chronicles happenings from 1875 through 1878. and a day-bv-day diary written by Frank Gilliam for the com plete year of 1884. Timothy was the first Bis bee in the area. He married Julia Wright, daughter of pioneer Albert Wright. His son. Louis Evans Bisbee, was associated with the firm of Gilliam and Bisbee for more than 50 years. Kay Bisbee. Lou's daughter, is a teacher at Waldport. Or., and often visits friends here. She has contri buted much to the museum and public library. Some notes published after Lou Bisbee s death tell, "Gil liam and Bisbee pumped the first gasoline in Heppner. Lou 20, 1975 Bisbee stayed with the firm as it weathered fire, flood and the depression to help serve this community. He served on the city council under three mayors. The horror of the aftermath of the Heppner Flood was a vivid memory to him, but he spoke of it rarely. He knew the original citizen, Henry Heppner, and most of the pioneers. With his passing the trout at Bull Prairie could rest a little easier." The first Gilliam in area history was Colonel Cornelius Gilliam whose historic jour neys crossed the north coun try. He came to Oregon from North Carolina in 1884. In 1847. just after the Whitman Mas sacre. Territorial Governor Abernathy organized a regi ment of 500 men to wage an aggressive war against the Indians. Cornelius was chosen as leader. The regimental motto was "If our Colonel can stand it, we can." The Colonel was known as a democratic leader who shared every hardship with "his boys." Details of the campaign against the Indians have been published in several history books. Colonel Gilliam was accidcntly killed near Well Springs, east and north of lone, on March 20. 1884 as he and his men were returning to Oregon City to report to Governor Abernathy after their work near Walla Walla. In IS'. a thousand persons went to Wells Springs to dedicate a plaque to Colonel Gilliam. Leslie Scott, editor and publisher of The Oregon iart. was the principal speak er. Wells Springs was the main claim to fame this area had in the days of the Oregon Trail, and it has been neglect ed since the 192fi ceremony. The next Gilliam. Frank, a grand-nephew of the Colonel, contributed a great deal to the growth of Heppner. He was horn on a donated land claim near Damascus in Clackamas County in 1854. He was 16 when he came to this county with his Uncle William Gil liam Frank married Effie J. Wright in 1882. . Three of their children. Miss Ona Gilliam. Mrs. Charles Vaughn i Hazel) and Earl HEPPNER ELKS B.P.O.E. No. 358 79i!i ANNUAL February 22, 1975 Registration at the Old Ford Garage beginning at 11 A.M. Ladies Champagne Tea (St. Patrick's Parish Hall) at 1:30 p.m. Lodge and Initiation of New Members at 2 p.m. Seafood Smorgasbord 5:30 to 8 p.m. music by 4m j BELINDA ANN and THE LE0NNIG FAMILY (Roger, Lorraine & Ron) 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. $8 per person Breakfast will be served at 2 a.m. -$2 per person ELK AND OUT OF TOWN GUESTS ONLY! (Membership Cards Will Be Checked At the Door Gilliam are presently patients at the Pioneer Memorial Hospital. Frank Gilliam was the mayor of Heppner at the time of the 1903 flood and for many years following. He was the local weather observer from 1911 to 1923. Then, his son Leonard took the responsi bility, which is now being discharged by lximard's son, Don. an employee of the Morrow County Grain Gro wers. The Gilliam men have been active in the Masonic orders for generations and concerned and involved in community projects. Two of Heppner 's historic homes were occupied by the Bishoe and Gilliam families. The old Bisbee home is now owned by (he Durwood Tashes. It is on the road below the lleppner-Kuggs highway south of town The old Frank Gilliam home was until re cently occupied by Miss Ona Gilliam. It stands on a large lot nt the coi ner of Church and Jones Streets IONE lilt WD SJl MtKS Willows Grange Hall was filled ith square (lancers Friday night It was the lone (ii and Squares' annual Valen tine's Dance. Seven squares and sexeral on -lookers joined in the fun Dancers came from Itichland. Pendleton. Ilermis lon and Condon. Guest caller. I'hil Jameson of Pendleton, joined local caller Darrell Wilson in calling the squares wmmmmmmammmsmmBSMmmammmMBmmmMa ILaBL .i:.' S. Main BUSINESS Pendleton. Oregon I MACHINES Phone ;:., Furniture Typewriters Richard Wellman ( alculalors Cash Registers Owner-Manager Copy Machines JctTY HainCS Adding Machines Co-Owner Dictating equipment , 'V- ---- ' ;) TWO SURPRISED PARENTS were Mr. and Mrs. Orville Shorts. Star Route. Spray. Ore., when Mrs. Shorts gave birth to twin sons at Pioneer Memorial Hospital, Feb. 12. Nobody siisH-cled twins! The first son. Jason Lee, was !orn at 9:16 a in : Jimmy I a at 9:34 They weighed 3 lbs., 12 os., and 4 lls , 4' i os . resjKvtively They join a sister, Crystal Dawn, S wars old This is the first set of (wins born in the Shorts family, also the first sons. The parents are ranchers near Mitchell. The father, noting the boys were bom on Lincoln's Birthday, was elated' "Great! We now have a future president and a future vice-president!" 1 S 1 1" I MtENTS Visitors in the Culsforth home last week included their daughter Donna who was home from the Opportunity Si liool at Redmond, and son Gene Heliker who flew home from Redding. Pa Gene is UMhng his father. Don Heli ker. who is hospitahetl in Pendleton. j .vL - - -I . i i i W .V .Vj. -., ,.. 0 Automotive SMKKItFI.I. CHEVROLET. SH EFNEV FUNERAL DR. E. K. SCIIAFFITZ INC. HOME OplomelrM . Nextlo Hotel Heppner jYvyWTmmT Pre-arrangemenl. dUtanl entrance, f removal. .Serving lone, I Heppner. Lexington. 7MIM llrppner Licensed funeral director Complete Sale -Service , ' ' PhySClanS-SurgeonS, IrdiMain . . llermUton Heppner )lt. I). TIHM F,S p Furniture osteopath phyicin and Building Supplies I surgeon I . ' l National Bank Bldg. SEE US FOR ALL YOl'R rrZZZZl&ZX Re..;S.2IS Off.US-SSII building supplies. - I- fl J I v r I Ue feature Boysen Paint J HLi"M 1 I, GERALD ., JONfc.H, M. D. ' .'hvlrlan and Surgeon Tl MM I M l.l'MKMU'O. I IS K. Ilurtburl. Hour: Tim Moore. Mgr. See us before you buy your Mon. thru Thur.,.m. l i:'SKI)rion27 6:;i color TV or kterroiyftlem. l2;.Tp.m.: I :M p.m.- i p.m.; I'KNDI.KTON WII.COXR RNlfl KK r'rl.. la ni.-1 p.m. ANnAITI.IANCK.S llermUton. Ore . ITSIS Cafes Lounges D,,Mfj : 251 W. llermUton Ave. Printing Cl.SI.Ol'.N;KCAH-: Mn-ZIOHIermUton AILTYI'K , . u in.! . JJiL OP PRINTING .v. Specialist in mixed drink p-- . , v.: and fine food. GSStSTl M WII.A KNYK.I.OI'KK . fl drink U-Mf!tnilUJ MOSTSIZKS -5M3 Heppner .New - l ed (aZKTTK-TIMM . Furniture-Appliance Construction Radiator Service Authorlied Norge Dealer l aiimi. m. It IV Kit II KM) r AKMr.KS. CONSTRI CTION CO. 2.'(K N. First, llermUton JONKS RADIATOR 587-K960 Sl R ,( K Concrete Aggregate ; ( rushed Hock Furnace Service Now I the lime logel your Drain Rot k - harveM equipment ready asphalt I'aving Dfck'S belorelhf rush eow. F.xcavating and (irading Fi RNACK skrvick Sewing Machines llrrmiston, Oregon We service nearly all type of Phone 567-2121 furnace; also tales and . . v . . ervlce on new heating air Sale A Service conditioning unit. Drugs, prescriptions iw nwm ll'lu DICK IIASBROl'CK make, and model, IIKRMISTON DRl 0 :HqSNVI3.h Pendleton iMH.ASH Free Prescription Insurance Mail Service Approved Singer Dealer Open a.m. to 7 p.m. TI'KMF'H VANMittn 28.Maln (;iftforalloccain. i BRYANT Pendleton Z1.-2352 ... MkhtL General Insurance iMainst. Ph. 567-3072 Title Insurance Floor Covering m-,.,t RUGGI.KS-BOYCE MORROW COUNTY seating insurance agency abstract and title to 67625 Heppner MAR FLOOR COVERING Ray Boyce 87-53H4 Till lnur.nce . ,, , , Office In Peter Rldg. Carpel, Linoleum, (eramic . . . Tile. Kitchen Cabinet Real Estate ,.,, Free Estimate . JESS MASON ...... .,. . . Licensed Real Estate Broker All Work Guaranteed for ...... u Farm and Home Service tfTTSi Matt Hughe AJJri 422 Linden Way ED HUNT, Salesman (SO jj" fi7-!IIIK Heppner 889-K452 TSu - Monuments r KEMIG FLOOR COVERING 'FT Eternal Markers brome, ..,., Carpet, draperies, linoleum granite, Installation. Vases. UMATILLA READY-MIX counter top, ceramic tile, C'emelary grave markers. k " flooring, lundrle Open every weekday, SWEENEY MORTUARY and Saturdays and Sale-Installation Sunday if neceisary. Serving lone, Heppner, .no S.W. Ilth Butter Creek -Lexington Phone S78S4M Hwy. llermUton , or 67-(il Heppner K-8I4 , v.AM.y BEGINS SUNDAY FEB. !1 Remember to turn your clocks ahead so you won't be late for church or other appointments. Not the usual time of year for this event but like holidays, nothing la ai usual. Warning 1975 Personal Property Returns are due prior to March 3, 1975. There is a penalty for late filing. No second reminders will be sent out by the Morrow County Asses sor's Office. Everett Harshman, Assessor. WHO DOES IT? HAS IT? Service Directory Funeral Home ADVISORY HOARD MEMBERS NAMED The county court announced that eight new members have been appointed to serve on the Morrow County Mental Health Advisory Board. Appointees are: Heppner teachen Ken Lemley and Duane Nelffer; teglstered nurses Sue Ellen Greenup and Sheridan Tarnasky; labor representatives Dean Connor and Dallas llarsin of Kintua Corporation; Rev. Neil King, Roardman; Jim Frazier of Sabre Farms and Carlene West, lone. Optometrist
