100 YEARS AGODec. 30, 1909

The heating apparatus for the new Litch building is in operation and the big store rooms are kept as warm as desired by the numerous registered. … Steam heat has been installed at a cost of over $3,000, the system being the same as in the courthouse.

Persons having coyote scalps or any kind of scalps will have to present the same to the county clerk within six months of killing the same and make affidavit before said clerk in order to get the bounty on the scalps; also have to have the whole hide of said animal.

A very enjoyable dance was given at the home of Carl Keeler on Swamp Creek Friday night. The whole countryside was there and a party of 14 went out from town in Baker Bros. big bus. There was good music, a good supper and all was as merry as the proverbial marriage bell till an early hour of the morning.

70 YEARS AGOJan. 3, 1939

Christmas trade was heavy in all stores in town and many lines of goods were sold low or entirely cleaned out. … Five grocery stores sold about 13,000 lbs. – or 6 1/2 tons – of candy between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

LOSTINE – Saturday night between 12:00 and 12:30 o’clock someone broke into the M. Crow and Co. store and robbed the cash register of something over $10.

High winds of holiday week interrupted the street lights of town and proved expensive to the Pacific Power and Light company. … In one gusty period 32 lamps burned out and another breeze destroyed 39 lamps. The stock on hand was exhausted by New Year’s and more were ordered in a hurry.

50 YEARS AGODec. 31, 1959

M.G. Beals, general manager of Mt. Emily Lumber Co. operations in this area, announced yesterday that the company’s mills at Enterprise will be liquidated in the next few weeks and all sawmill operations will be consolidated at the mill in Joseph. A majority of the crew of 18 at Enterprise will go on an extra shift at Joseph, where the mill will run three shifts.

A petition designed to close the new airport east of Enterprise met with a rather sad defeat last week, as both the Federal Aviation Administration and the State Board of Aeronautics rejected it.

The Post Office Department has accepted the proposal of Roy W. Daggett, Joseph, for construction and lease of a new post office building at Joseph. A new one-story masonry structure will be built on the corner of McCully and Main streets.

25 YEARS AGOJan. 3, 1985

Gov. Vic Atiyeh this week appointed Gerald Perren of Enterprise to the Oregon Tourism Council, bringing the number of Wallowa County residents on state boards to three. Earlier this year he appointed Donald Peterson of Enterprise to the Oregon Optometry Board and Eva Slinker of Wallowa Lake to the Oregon Arts Commission.

The Wallowa County Court filed a petition for judicial review of a state LCDC administrative rule, charging that county officials were not adequately informed of plans to develop a “fast track” process for siting of large destination resorts.

Paul Castilleja, Joseph Fire Chief for the past 10 years, is giving up that title to spend more time with his family.

Taxation will be the key issue in the coming Oregon legislative session, and a sales tax package will be put before voters next May, according to Rep. Bob Brogoitti (R-La Grande).