Page 3, THE GAZETTE-TIMES, Heppner, OR, Thursday, Feb. U. 19TO
FAMILIES OF ELLA
By Justine Weatherford
Ella, OR, a busy pioneer community of Morrow County
was located near Wells Springs on the Old Oregon TraU about
7 miles east of Cecil. Now iU location is near the south corner
of the U.S. Navy bombing range. The name "Ella" was
chosen to please Ella Oviatt, a daughter of John Frank Oviatt
the community blacksmith, at the time the Ella post office
was established in April 1882. The post office was
discontinued September 1910. Ella Oviatt married E.J. Lord.
Her parents had come to Morrow County from Sheridan, OR.
in 1879; Ella's sister Rita Merle Happold resided In Heppner
until her death In 1958.
In the 1880s several families lived there, and some of their
decendents have been writing to the county museum for
information about them and the community. Mrs. Harnett
has not collected a great deal of information, but cheerfully
sends what she has.
About 1960 when the Morrow County Extension units
prepared the booklet "Yesteryears of Morrow" they were
able to gather some first hand information about Ella. It was
a changing place for horse-drawn coaches that ran from
Castle Rock (on the Columbia west of where Boardman is
located today) to Heppner by way of Blackhorse Canyon. Mr.
Oviatt, Ella's father, was also instrumental In the
construction of the community school (Ella School No. 16).
"Yesteryears" slates the John R. Lord family which came
from Maine, after serving in the Confederate Army as a
doctor, were leaders In the community. It lists early settlers
as' John Handy; Johna Troedson, who purchased land from
Handy and lived there 40 years; Charles Jaynet who settled
in Six Mile Canyon about mile from Ella Center and later
sold his holdings to Johanees Troedson; the Van Cleves who
settled on the Oregon Trail near Ella on what is now the
Charles Doherty ranch; and William Parsons who settled
south of Ella.
The Ella school was built In 1888 with lumber hauled from a
mill at Hardman. W.B, Beach held Sunday School and
preached there shortly after it was built. The community's
first teacher was Clarence Shurte who boarded with the
Wishard familv and later married Florence Wiahard. Other
teachers were'Miss Etta Reed. Charles Reed, Delia Reed
Corson. Some cf Mrs. Corson's pupils were Carl F. Troedson,
Clara and Ann Troedson Smouse, Joe and Edward Handy,
Elmer, Nora and Claude Crow and Earl Lord.
In 1900 some people of the area still recalled when the
famous trail master Ezra Meeker came through Ella in 1980
or 1909 on his second passage west and again by automobile
A yellowing, undated newspaper story written by Idus
Raines, Forest Grove, OR. tells of a visit to Ella some years
ago She went ot there with one of the Grliybill sisters of
lone (Ida Graybill is 94 and Ione's oldest citizen). They
visited the old school yard and found some of the rock
foundation of the school building which burned several years
writes. "In 1905 R.R. Grabill was active on the school
board. Miss Alda Byham was the teacher that year, and Miss
Grace Davis taught there in 1908. Miss Byham became Mrs.
j. A. Troedson.
Carl W Troedson. died in 1972. He was the son of Johannes
Troedson and although he never married he established the
Troedson Scholarship Fund which has helped deserving
young people of the county go to college.
Families who have ranches in the Ella area today Include:
Ou.rla Doherty who is on the old Johan Troedson place.,
Arthur "Sam" Crawford Just east of Ella where his father
Wate Crawford was until his death last year; Bob Rietraann
at Ella Butte, Roy and Art Lindstrom on the Clock place.
Eric Anderson on the former Ed Rietmann Troedson place.
Dave Baker on the Old Gorger Ranch, and John Proudfoot on
the Gorger homestead.
Today this pioneer farming community has only a green
and white roadside sign marking its location on the Ella Road
and the Old Oregon Trail.
2X6-2X8-2X10
ftyrxflt toti Yew tenstJif
68 ptr thousand .
ALSOCLOSEOUTON
Prtttur Tnsttd Petti
Doutis Fir 5 In. tept ri 9
nHxevisrusT ,3M csch
HsmvtlcfUfy Hwy. U7-1223
2 - 4D SALE
ii
$10.95 Per gal. In 55 's
It
NEW STOCK
II
6 lb. Butyl Ester
let us have your orders now
before the price Increase.
N
Pettyjohn Oil Co.
lone, Oregon
422-7254
Bicentonninl Forum
CONTROLLING THE
ECONOMY
"The economic royalists
complain that we seek to
overthrow the Institutions of
America. What they really
complain of is that we seek to
take away their power. Our
allegiance to American Insti
tutions requires the overthrow
of this kind of power."
FVanklin D. Roosevelt.
"When hundreds of millions
of dollars are given to bank
rupt railroads, failing defense
manufacturers, shipping in
terests and the like, the words
'welfare' or 'relief are not
used Instead, such things are
done to 'strengthen the econo
my.' " Earl Warren.
The government of business
has become the business of the
government. From the begin
ning, government assisted in
the economic development of
this country, but for much of
our history, "free competi
tion" was not just a slogan but
a reality. Nothing not even
the depression of 1873, the
conduct of the Robber Barons,
or the deepending disaffection
of the workers spurred ef
fective government action
against what Teddy Roosevelt
called the "malefactors of
great wealth" until the
Great Depression hit America
with oceanic force. "Leave
well enough alone" no longer
seemed sufficient. Now gov
ernment is deeply Involved in
controling and regulating bus
iness not only to protect con
sumers but also to reduce
risks to businessmen. Are
these proper functions for
government? When does gov
ernment control become in
terference in free enterprise?
When does business interfere
with free government? Does
government paperwork create
a burden that drives small
businesses out of the market?
Does regulation set standards
only big firms can meet? The
government significantly sup
ports business by means of
subsidies, price supports, tax
breaks, depletion allowances,
and purchasing power. Should
it also insist on a voice in the
'' management? What has sup
port done to our, notions of,
competition, the market
place, free enterprise?
Theodore Roosevelt creates
a Department of Commerce
and Labor and a Bureau of
Corporations in 1903 to inves
tigate business corporations.
His first victory as a trust
buster comes against North
ern Securities Company which
controls the Northern Pacific
and several other railroads.
The Supreme Court rules in
1904 that Northern Securities
is a combination in restraint of
trade.
On Oct. 29. 1929, the stock
market crashes and stock
losses total SIS billion in 1929.
Under FDR and the New Deal,
banking and finance are
reformed; the Federal Depo
sit Insurance Corporation is
set up to insure bank deposits ;
all securities are required to
be registered; the Securities
and Exchange Commission is
given broad powers to regu
late stock exchanges.
XX. "3T
1971 Vega 2 dr, cpe, blue needs right front fender
Blue Book $1350.00 Sale $693.00
1972 Dodge Colt j S1895.00
J dr, 4 speed, low mileage, gold, very clean
WJDafun Pickup J "0-09
1968 Chev, c 10. ton. p. "mw S1595.00
1973 Ford Maverick $2795.00
I dr. sport cpe, air, low mileage
25 new pickups & cars In stock many
styles & colors to choose from
Marbro Datson
UAi-J 274-0330
2902
LEXINGTON ft VICINITY
By 8.E. NoUon
Lexington is situated nine
miles northwest of Heppner,
on the O R. k Railroad. Willow
Creek flows through the town
and furnishes water for the
irrigating orchards and gar
dens and also for the flouring
mill. The region about Lex
ington is a farming country.
The land the famous bunch
grass land. The soil being of
volcanic origin, is practically
inexhaustible. The longer it is
cultivated, the better it seems
to be as vegetable matter
which remains after the crops
are removed seems to be the
thing needed to improve the
condition of the soil.
Wheat is the principal crop.
The yield for the 1901 summer
fallow land was 15-25 bushels
per acre, the average being
about 18 bushels. The volun
teer crop ranged from 8-14
bushels per acre, averaging
near 10 bushels. Although the
season was unusually dry at
the time the grain was filling,
the quality of the wheat was
good. With a little more favor
able season, the yield would be
considerably increased and
the quality somewhat improv
ed. While the yield is not so
large in this section, as in
some portions of the wheat
growing regions, the returns
to the farmer are quite
satisfactory when the amount
of labor necessary to produce
a crop is taken into considera
tion. It would be hard to find a
region in which a man could
cultivate more land than he
can here. When these facts are
taken into consideration, we
think, this section will com
pare favorably with sections
which boast of larger yields.
Barley is grown here and
boasts of yields from 20-25
bushels per acre. It is usually
of excellent quality. Rye and
oats are grown here and the
yields are light. On the land
that can be irrigated, alfalfa
produces three crops a year
The aggregate yield is from
68 tons per acre, and the
quality is first class.
A fine quality of fruit can be
produced in abundance on
land that can be irrigated.
Apples, plums, prunes, peach
es, cherries and all kinds of
small fruit do well.
Stock raising receives some
attention in this section, but as
most land has been converted
inlo farm land, this is not as
profitable an industry as It
was a few years ago. The
winters are so mild that stock
require very little attention
during this season.
The prices of land area
steadily increasing and those
desiring to purchase land
would do well to do so now.
Lexington has two churches,
the M E. church, south and the
Congregational. The Christian
Church will probably be
organized in the near future.
The pride of the town is the
elegant four room school
house. The building occupies
an excellent site, and is
surrounded by ample ground,
which are enclosed by a sub
stantial fence. Three teachers
are now employed in the
school, but in the near future
the fourth room will be occu
pied. Miss Ada Gentry is the
principal of the school.
Bis omi
BTfnTTTD
In the business line tne store
of Nichols and Leach stands
first. It is a good business
house that would be a credit to
a much larger town. It has a
floor space of 2500 feet. They
carry a complete line of dry
goods, staples and fancy gro
ceries, boots, shoes, hard
ware, patent medicines,
paints and oils.
Dave Porter is proprietor of
a neat little .confectionary
store. He has built up a
thriving business.
We have two good hotels.
One owned and managed by
Charles Barnett and the other
Mrs. Sommers. The traveling
public are well taken care of
at these hotels.
Uncle Sam's representative
at the post office is Mrs. E.J.
McAllister.
Our vulcan is J.R. White, he
hasv well equipped black
smith and wagon shop. He is a
first class workman and does
a good business.
J.M. White is the proprietor
of the livery stable.
The Lexington Flouring Mill
is owned and operated by
Joseph Burgoyne. His Snow
flake Flower is such a favorite
with the people that he is
ui;able to meet the demand.
The large warehouse at this
place is owned by Mrs. Jane
Penland. It is managed by Mr.
W.P. McMillan, who is a
thoroughly competent man in
this line. The warehouse han
dled about 110,000 bushels of
wheat this season, and 130,000
in 1900. The difference in
acreage sown in the region
tributary to Lexington. Mr.
McMillan does a good buiness
in fuel, posts, etc.
W.B. McAlister is one of the
oldest residents in the town.
He has brought wheat in the
market here for twelve sea
sons. He is notary public and
deals in real estate.
Lexington has the popula
tion of about 200, and is
making a steady growth.
WELL DRILLING
ATTINTION FAIMItS I MNCHItS
Of lASTIIMOtfCON
"WE CAN CUT IT"
WMLICE VJILL DHILLIiiG
Cll PtlMWiM -' WW
Am
12:00 1:00
1:00-1:45
1J9'1
1:45-2.15
0lit9.iC
2 . 15-2 . 0
2:45-3:00.
3:00-4:00
4:0Q
"HL J "Zl J "4 . "i ' .j-" 1
Students of Heppner High School In Construction Class 2 are putting wooden
Ses on the roof of the Democrat Gulch schoolhouse. The students are
nteS Tin construction and this is part of their training program. The
ErStor is Ed Heimstra. From the left, Rob Eckman. Mike Orwick. Doug
Harris, Dave Brandhagen and John McLean.
Truchcrs insurance
Legislation slated for the
next session of the Oregon
legislature, proposed associa
tion insurance plans and other
issues of vital importance to
members are expected to be
discussed at a meeting of the
Northeast Oregon Chapter of
the Oregon Log Truckers
Association at Dave's Wood
shed Restaurant, LaGrande,
Saturday, Feb. 21, according
to Larry Cribbs, chapter
president.
Members attending the 6:30
OTIOM FABE1EB
You are cordially invited to attend an all day fertilizer,
chemical and feed seminar, Friday, February 20, at the lone
hTseon will start at 10:00 a.m. sharp, with lunch on us. A
social hour is scheduled to begin at 4:00 p.m.
PROGRAM
10:00-10:05 . . Welcome & Introductions
10:05-10:30 Chemical Fallow
10:30-11:15 . . Importance of Sulphur in
the Fertilizer Program
11:15-12:00 Soil
Lunch
GTC Feed D'vislon Kay Knudsfl
Chemical FOllOW With PaulMallory-
Ww:mn.oi rw Dist. Sales RepresentaUve
Paraquat onho chemical
BayfOlan Urry BoydSaW. Manager
r HcMU chemical Co.
Co,,ee
Panel Discussion
.Social Hour
p.m. meeting are expected to
discuss specific legislation
which is likely to be introduc
ed into the next Oregon legis
lature, and hear reports con
cerning proposed Association
group pension and dental
insurance plans.
Other items of business
SPRING TUNE-UP SPECIAL
Complete Eagine Taae-np $24.95
Includes: Includes parts
Adjust Valves all type Is
Replace valve cover gaskets all type 2s up to 1971
Replace points
Replace spark plugs $34 S5
Check compression
Clean air cleaner All other types
Adjust fan belt -
Adjust carburetor Tires 22J!10
Adjust emission control from
devices Includes mounting
X J Highway 395 South Pendleton 276-3611
.Herb Ekstrom. Jr.
Testing. . . .
L SIEiV
422-728?
J
expected to be discussed will
include the selection of a
chapter "first lady" to repre
sent the local organization at
the association's upcoming
Spring Conference In Eugene,
and the nomination of OLTA
State officers to take place at
the conference.
S
iT
S i s I
Marr Waddoups-Marr Waddoupa
4 Associates
I