100 YEARS AGOJune 2, 1910

A company recently organized has already begun extensive preparations to make Wallowa Lake one of the greatest inland summer resorts in the west. … Already 75 tents are on the ground at the disposition of those who arrive at the lake for a summer outing, and various amusements are being put in. As soon as possible a large hotel and cottages will be built.

C.S. Haney left Monday morning for Lostine, where he went in the interests of his mill business. The new mill is now ready to begin operation and will run steadily once started.

A team of mules belonging to R.L. Day got away from one of Mr. Day’s drivers near Lostine Wednesday. The driver telephoned for Chauffer Vergere, who responded in his automobile to overtake the runaways. The mules, however, had got with a bunch of horses and could not be caught.

J.F. McCoy, well-known rancher from the Imnaha district, is properly enthusiastic over the outlook for that district and the entire county. He stated that the time is near when the larger ranches will be divided into smaller tracts.

70 YEARS AGOJune 6, 1940

Eugene Pallette, 51, will soon retire from making moving pictures, it was reported in Hollywood. This is confirmed by letters received recently by friends in Enterprise to whom he has written that he hopes to come to his great Imnaha ranch to remain from the fall and winter. … He has made a thousand pictures in his 30 years on the screen.

TROY – A heavy downpour of rain visited this part of the country Thursday evening. In some districts it was accompanied by wind and hail, which did a lot of damage to gardens and fruit. … A torrent of water came down the ravine above town to the north with such force as to bring huge boulders down the hill.

Much curiosity was aroused on Main Street Tuesday noon by the detention of a carload of gypsies by Corp. George M. Rogers and Policeman John Hanson. … Mr. Workman said that one of the women had picked his pocket and got away with $8.

Cool, partly cloudy, weather failed to discourage young swimmers on the opening of the city pool Monday. Delbert Denney, in charge, filled the pool a few days before and the water was quite comfortable.

50 YEARS AGOJune 2, 1960

Radio station KWVR went on the air Tuesday with a regular schedule of broadcasting from 1340 on the dial. Assisting the owner-manager, Gene Wilson, are his wife, Virginia, receptionist, and Brian Hepler, salesman.

Lester Palmer, new administrator of Wallowa Memorial Hospital, took over the management of the hospital on May 18. Palmer is from Council, Idaho, where he was manager of the Community Hospital for 10 years.

The many friends of Ben Weathers will gather to play tribute to his services to Wallowa County at a testimonial potluck dinner sponsored by the Joseph Civic Center Monday. Ben is considered to be one of the best informed historians on Wallowa County, where he has been active in business, civic and fraternal organizations for 58 years.

The 14 state ballot measures that will be on the general election ballot in November would, among other things: establish daylight savings time in Oregon, allow prosecution by information (written charges) or indictment; allow those with less than six months residency in Oregon to vote for U.S. President; require judges to retire at age 75; and allow the legislature to set up machinery to continue local and state government in case of enemy attack.

25 YEARS AGOJune 6, 1986

Wallowa County officially joined with seven other counties last week to form the new state of Eastern Oregon – “An Independent State of Mind.” Lee Perkins, owner of KWVR radio, was selected by the Wallowa County Chamber of Commerce to serve as state representative to the Eastern Oregon Legislature, which will convene in Baker, the new capital, sometime between now and the first January.

A poetic choice was made when the Joseph Chamber of Commerce selected Frank McCully as grand marshal of the 40th annual Chief Joseph Days celebration. McCully’s own past is deeply woven into the history of Wallowa County, the Nez Perce Indians and the beginnings of Chief Joseph Days, binding the three together.

Dr. Robert Blackburn, M.D., Joseph, announced Monday that he is turning over his practice to Dr. Michael Driver of Enterprise, effective Monday, June 10.

Wallowa County’s jail budget is taking a beating. In January, the cost of transportation and housing prisoners in jails outside the county was more than $8,000. The budget has a projected overrun of more than $30,000 for fiscal 1984-85.