Image provided by: Morrow County Museum; Heppner, OR
About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 15, 1999)
__ _ _ _ _ _ . ^ , 1 • x L . J « - , Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, December 15 , 1999 - THREE Bill Lowe to celebrate 100th birthday ione Booster Club hosts basketball bonanza The Ione Booster Club hosted the lone Basketball Bonanza on December 10-11. On Friday, the Ione men defeated Willamina, 81-72. Mark McElligott led the C ardinal effort with 26 points, and 83 percent from the free throw line. McElligott also had three steals and pushed off 10 assists. Brad Bumght contributed 24 points and led the Ione team with 13 rebounds. Senior Jacob Neiffer did an exceptional job tor the Cardinals, shooting 100 percent from the three point region. The Ione men returned on Saturday to take on Sherman County, losing the championship game, 49-55. Mark McElligott led the Ione team again, scoring 14 points. McElligott brought in eight rebounds, blocked four of Students in Lea Calvert's class at Heppner Elementary School help Bill Lowe celebrate his upcoming 100th birthday at Pioneer Memorial Nursing Home Tuesday. By Merlyn Robinson Blowing out the candles for his 100th birthday is "a piece of cake" for Bill Lowe, who was bom December 20, 1899. Despite his much younger appearance, Lowe is Morrow County's sole surviving World War I veteran. He has also survived a rugged pioneer-type lifestyle and lived through the hardships encountered during the drought years and the depression of the 1930s Lowe was bom in Durham, England, where his grandparents, the Lowes and the Hynds had prosperous, neighboring farms. The Hynd grandparents left that comfortable lifestyle in northern England and adventurously struck out for the new world in 1884. At first they settled in eastern Canada. But after Lowe's uncles, Jack and Will Hynd, visited their cousin Robert Hynd, a Scottish businessman in Heppner, they moved their families to Morrow County in 1886.. Like other emigrants they herded sheep for others until they could lease and then purchased land. Eventually they established a large sheep operation near Cecil. Today, this is the headquarters of the Krebs Ranches operated by descendants of the Hynd, Lowe and Krebs pioneers. • Bill's mother, Jennie Hynd, was only 16 when she was sent back to England to take care of two elderly, single aunts. In 1897 she married Lowe's father, Thomas Lowe. They had six children of which four lived long lives. Lowe’s sister, Annie Lowe Krebs (recently deceased) also lived past her 100th birthday. Their younger sister, Minnie Lowe, is now 96. . Bill’s father had promised his wife that they too would emigrate to America so she could be reunited with her family. So when Bill was 14 they sold their ranch, equipment and livestock at auction. Their personal possessions were crated and sent by ship across the Atlantic and around South America's Cape Horn to Portland. In those days there was no Panama Canal. The family experienced a stormy Atlantic crossing as seasick passengers. Due to rough seas their ship was forced to lay over in Nova Scotia, lengthening a voyage that in that era normally took eight days. In New York, they boarded an emigrant train that belched coal smoke as it slowly chugged across the United States headed for Oregon. But sadly Jennie never got to again hug her parents as they had both passed away before she returned to Cecil. While his family stayed with relatives, Thomas Lowe traveled about Oregon looking for a place to settle. He finally decided on Cecil and purchased the store/post office building there which was sadly in need of renovation. He envisioned a prosperous business at the site where emigrant trains paused for a rest while following well- worn Oregon Trail wagon ruts to the Willamette Valley. A well was .dug and windmill and a reservoir were erected. The rear of the building was renovated into family living quarters. Outside paint job and the addition of a false front gave the store a "modem day" look.. • Thomas Lowe envisioned a prosperous trade from homesteaders and 3 c?<a wayfarers before there was a road following the Columbia River. In addition to being store keeper, postmaster and a notary public, he operated a grain elevator, was the station agent and pumped water for the Union Pacific Railroad steam locomotives. Children in those days were expected to contribute to the family's income Although there was a schoolhouse at Cecil, young men like Bill seldom completed formal education Before he was a teenager, Bill's introduction to a rugged Western lifestyle began by herding sheep for his uncle, Jack Hynd, Sr. Summers were spent herding sheep in the local mountains. And in succeeding years, they were often trailed to mountain ranges near John Day, Baker City or the Wallowas. As more areas became homesteaded and fenced, sheep were taken by train to Montana for the summer in later years. Horses and dogs became Bill's companions during those earlier days. One of his favorite horses was Sport, who also became attached to Bill. To acquire mounts and for lack of other entertainment, Bill and other young men would trap wild horses that ran free in the desert area close to home. Abundant Willow trees along the creek supplied material for a corral in this otherwise treeless region. It was customary to ride these broncs until they quit bucking if the rider didn’t get bucked off. Needless to say, there were numerous human injuries. But few people went to a doctor in those days Splints for broken bones were homemade and flaxseed poultices, horse liniment and sheep dip, plus castor oil were common remedies. However Bill's western ways were interrupted when World War I began. He was still a British subject, since he didn't receive his U.S. citizenship until 1924. Although he was only 16, he was inducted into the British Army and sent to Quebec, Canada. By ship he was taken to Wales. He was trained as a cook because young men under 18 weren't sent to the front lines. But, regardless of location all troops stationed in France suffered deprivation with a diet of mutton and potatoes and a shortage of coal for cooking and heating. But Bill's worst experience was when German prisoners - assigned to help with the cooking-deliberately used mustard gaS to poiSdri fh'e. soup consumed by British soldiers. About 45 men. in Bill's regiment died. Bill survived, although he suffered ld$s of teeth, a stomach abscess and facial skin damage. Another tragedy for Bill was the loss of his intended bride, a nurse with the British troops. She died of pneumonia after inhaling some of that terrible mustard gas. Bill remains a bachelor and adeptly managed his own home in Heppner in later years. However his attentive family is a lifelong favorite niece, Carleen West, and her husband, Jim, along with other West family members At the war's end. Bill and others were discharged in Wales. "We were given a new suit of clothes, a little money and a kick in the butt," says Bill. Once again he sailed across the Atlantic, rode a troop train to Portland and headed for home. An experienced sheepman, he went into business with a Scotsman, Alex Branda. For three years they had about 10,000 ewes which they wintered and lambed in Sandhollow. He also # «ad up through the third quarter when Sherman County scored 11 points to lone's seven points in the fourth quarter. Ione returned on Saturday to take on the Hermiston JV team. Nikki McElligott again led the lone team with 22 points. McElligott also led with 14 rebounds. Camie Bumght contributed seven points, had four steals and dished out four assists. The lone ladies were unable to successfully complete several attempts at the free throw line, shooting only 38 percent. Sherman County's shooting attempts, robbed five balls and dished up seven assists. Cory Bennetto did another noteworthy performance on the boards, leading along with McElligott in rebounds. The Ione Varsity girls played Sherman County on Friday, losing to the Huskies in a tight game, 30-34. Senior Nikki McElligott led the Ione ladies with 22 points, 16 rebounds and seven steals Camie Bumght led the Lady Cardinal team with assists, lone stayed within two points Lexington Baptist to present play Lexington Baptist Church will will also be featured. The program will conclude present a Christmas play on Sunday, December 19, at 11 with a Christmas message by Pastor Glenn Anderson. a.m. Lexington Baptist is located The story of Christ's birth will be retold through narration, at 170 S "B" Street in acting and special music. Lexington. Everyone is invited to attend Special instrumental music including violins, cello and flute this special service. herded and lambed for Jack Hynd, Sr., before the drought years and the 1930s Depression dealt a major blow to the sheep industry in Morrow County. Bill went to Portland where his parents then lived and became a barber. For several years he cut hair at 50 cents per head. But he missed the lifestyle of Eastern Oregon where he could hunt and fish with his friends. After moving to Heppner he continued to barber. He retired from that occupation. When Pioneer Memorial Hospital opened in 1953, he became actively involved with the operation. His brother, Bob Lowe, now deceased, was overseer and maintenance person. Bill was also on hand, doing everything from cooking to repairs and acting as ambulance driver. "I didn't know I'd end up here," says Bill, who now resides in the hospital's nursing home. He says that he is well treated, but, with his sharp mind, he undoubtedly has some optional management ideas. This hardy centenarian once survived a ruptured appendix in an isolated Montana sheep camp, being bitten by a rattlesnake and being mauled by a bear, in addition to numerous horseback wrecks. As the new millennium approaches, it’s fair to say that "they just don't make them like that anymore." Daniel Van Schoiack (djerllfied rP u b lie cAeeau niant A va ila b le f o r y e a r-e n d tax p la n n in g , g e n e ra l le d g e r, co m p u ter set up a n d assistance Call 676-9971 to arrange for an appointment. December 17th ~ Friday GIVING TREE DINNER. Bring in a new, unwrapped toy and receive a free spaghetti and meatball dinner prepared by Ernie and Jeanine Dilley. Dinner starts at 6 p.m. December 18th ~ Saturday TOM <SP JERRY PARTY. Will also be servin g BBQ New York stea k s and o y ste r s for dinner, sta rtin g at 6 p.m. Music by Tim Cundell later in the evening. B IN G O O N W ED N ESD AY S! N O W STA RTIN G AT 7 :3 0 p .m . a d ^ d ^ o d^ HEPPNER ELKS 358 676-9181 ^ o d fq d T Q d ^ id ^ id ^ ^ ia 142 North Main "Where Friends Meet" d ^ d^ i f u va PUNCH $1,100 in Gift Certificates GIVEN AWAY! © ®, © © $ 5 5 0 GRAND PRIZE P ic k u p y o u r p u n c h c a r d t o d a y h r shafting with as a t p a r t i c i p a t i n g b u s in e s s e s 4 - $25 Gift Certificate Participating Winners Each Week! Merchants ALL ENTRIES ELIGIBLE FOR $550 GRAND PRIZE! Pick up punch cards at participating merchants, get “punched” while you shop. Deposit filled cards at any participating store. Drawing held each Monday for $25 gif) certificates. All cards are eligible for the Grand Prize Drawing on Monday, Dec. 27. GRAND PRIZE DRA WING on DECEMBER 27th Gardner’s Men’s Wear Coast to Coast Les Schwab Tires Peterson’s Jewelers Lott’s Electric Shoe Box Central Red Apple Market Pettyjohn’s MCGG Court Street Market Murray Drugs/Country Rose *
