<p>This wintertime photo is identified only as "Troy, Oregon, very early 1900s.”</p>

100 YEARS AGO

Dec. 12, 1912

A new bank is being organized in Lostine. The stock has been informally pledged and, it is expected, will be subscribed in full this week.

Two smooth-spoken swindlers were canvassing Enterprise and Joseph last week for magazine subscriptions. The operations of the pair came to the notice of Deputy Chas. E. Crow. Meanwhile, the two canvassers has made their escape. Those who subscribed to magazines through the fleeting visitors will probably hear no more of their investments.

FLORA Christmas vacation and festivities will soon be here and already the atmosphere is surcharged with the spirit of the occasion. The stores of Paradise, Flora and Troy are displaying enough toys and presents to delight the eye and fascinate the heart of every boy and girl, man and woman in the North End.

The interior of the depot at Enterprise is being shined up. The waiting room has been parted and a drinking fountain has been put in. Material is on hand for a platform beside the tracks and a big addition to the freight warehouse.

70 YEARS AGO

Dec. 10, 1942

A.B. Miller, sheriff of Wallowa County for the past 18 years, is a candidate for the office of U.S. Marshal of the state of Oregon. Congressman Walter M. Pierce has indicated his support of Mr. Miller and other party leaders have also endorsed him.

As a result of the fine support accorded the Wallowa Volunteer Firemens organization in their benefit dance last Saturday night, funds were provided the department to continue the protection work in the Wallowa community started last year. It has resulted in substantial savings in insurance rates.

Milton Sasser, who is herding sheep on the Snake, was inspired to write a poem about his life in Hells Canyon and send it in to us. He finds sheep herding quite a problem and says he is more than willing to fight the Japs whenever Uncle Sam calls him.

AROUND TOWN Jack Harmon, banker, farmer and baseball fan, has come into possession of a unique trophy. Walter Brennan, who played in the picture recently filmed portraying the baseball career of the great Lou Gehrig, had the members of the Yankee ball club autograph a baseball, and he has presented this autographed ball to Jack.

50 YEARS AGO

Dec. 13, 1962

Construction of a half million fish passage research project on the Grande Ronde River five miles above Troy was announced this week by the Portland office of the U.S. Bureau of Commercial Fisheries. Work has already started on the project. It is part of a Columbia River research project to find the best way by which adult and young fish can get around power dams and reservoirs.

Bud Lewis, chairman of the committee in charge of arrangements for the distribution of Christmas baskets to needy families in the county, issued a plea this week for people to turn in at once the names of families, who should receive baskets. So far only about 50 families have been listed and it is estimated about 150 should be receiving.

IMNAHA Jeff Huffman and Grant Warnock went to the Beeler place to stay overnight to ride the beef pasture looking for more cattle as several of the ranchers are out a few head of cattle yet.

Gamma Theta held a meeting at the home of Mrs. Bill Tippett, at which time plans were made for Santa Claus coming to Wallowa. He will appear on Main Street and a special section will be roped off in order that the small children have a better opportunity to see him.

25 YEARS AGO

Dec. 10, 1987

Protection of the water quality of Wallowa Lake seemed to be on the minds of most county residents who testified at a DEQ hearing at the Joseph Civic Center Dec. 2. Approximately 70 people attended the hearing, held in response to the city of Josephs request to increase the mass discharge load from its sewage treatment plant in connection with lagoon and expansion project now under way.

With their paintbrushes stirring, an industrious group of Wallowa women are putting the final touches on hundreds of Christmas presents at the The Berry Basket this week. The wholesale business is selling decorative items to gift shops throughout the Northwest, and to retailers in California, Utah, New Florida and New Jersey.

After county budget problems eliminated the animal control officer position this summer, members of the Wallowa County Humane Society have been plagued by a steady stream of calls about animal control problems, which they have no authority.

CORNWELLS CORNER When one of us neighbors sees a chartreuse bird with shocking pink bill swaying on our lilac bush, we quickly call E.H. Van Van Blaricom. He can probably tell us, too. For Van is a true naturalist and probably best described as the Birdman of Upper Prairie Creek.