100 YEARS AGO

Dec. 19, 1912

Pioneer days were brought to mind in Enterprise last Saturday when Mrs. Belle Ben made final proof on her Snake River homestead. Her land is on Cash creek, a tributary of the canyon of the great river. She has lived on it for six years, in which time she has been away only three times, twice to Enterprise and once to Lewiston. Mrs. Ben came to Enterprise on horseback.

Santa Claus is undisputed king of Wallowa County at this minute. Children in every house are waiting with anxious hearts to see what the old saint will bring them. Parents, lending themselves to the pretty description, are doing their best to bring the wishes of the little ones to realization. Santa, in a sleigh drawn by four horses, appeared at the school building Monday afternoon.

FLORA A serious and painful accident befell one of the crowd of boys who had gathered at the home of Roy Ralls of Paradise last Thursday to charivari Claude Cole and bride. The unfortunate boy was Delby Cattron, who was shot in the leg just below the knee by his own revolver as it fell from its scabbard to the ground.

IMNAHA The dust is settled for a few days on the river but not a flake of snow yet. Earlier letter: The Thanksgiving dance was a howling success with plenty of booze on the side to make things lively.

70 YEARS AGO

Dec. 17, 1942

The sale by the county last Saturday of lands foreclosed for taxes was well-attended and approximately two-fifths of the 200 parcels of real estate foreclosed were sold for approximated $24,000 total. An example of sales: David Couch of Wallowa purchased the new Henry Hill residence, formerly the Alma Parker place, five miles below Wallowa at the head of the canyon for $550; unpaid taxes amounted to $134.

This community was shocked and saddened this week when news was received that Private First Class Jerrold B. (Burke) Miller, oldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Grady Miller, had been killed in action presumedly in the Solomons. Burke was out of a group of 150, selected from 5,000, to serve as commandos.

JOSEPH Harry Mays has taken over the Sweet Shop from Ivan Williamson, leasing and buying supplies, and will operate it probably for the duration. Mr. and Mrs. Williamson are leaving to go into war production work.

50 YEARS AGO

Dec. 20, 1962

The music department of Joseph schools, under the direction of Robert C. Bork, presented their annual Christmas program Wednesday evening before a large and appreciative audience. Elizabeth Dawson was piano accompanist.

A spirited discussion of ways to improve sportsmen-stockmen relations was held at the Tuesday night meeting of the Wallowa County chapter of the Izaak Walton League. A parcel of local stockmen discussed various aspects of the problem with moderator Dick Granger, president of the Waltonians. Serving on the panel were Doug Tippett, Wilfred Daggett, Dick Rathbun, Richard Hammond, Jack McClaran, Harley Caudle and Don Wallace.

Lester Palmer, administrator of Wallowa Memorial Hospital, accepted a check Tuesday from Beta Nu chapter of Beta Sigma Phi sorority from treasurer Mrs. John Steele and president Mrs. Luther Thornburgh, to be used in the purchase of new equipment for the hospital laboratory. The equipment includes a hematocrit centrifuge.

Photo Caption This Elk the Real McCoy: Walter Brennan was recently initiated into the Enterprise Elks Lodge. The photographer caught him in a happy mood with his son, Mike, after the ceremonies.

25 YEARS AGO

Dec. 17, 1987

A driving windstorm, accompanied by winds estimated as high as 50 miles per hour, blew trees and limbs across power lines, causing widespread intermittent power outages throughout the Wallowa Valley Wednesday night, Dec. 9.

Soil Conservation Service agent Don Baldwin and Wallowa cattle rancher Steve Wolfe both agree their recent trip to Chile was a big success. During their stay, Baldwin and Wolfe focused on the no-till agricultural and cattle production techniques of the region.

Bill Williams, county executive director of the Wallowa ASCS office, has been selected to receive a state outstanding service award for his performance during the past year.

All six entrants of the Joseph wrestling team placed at the Culver Invitation Saturday: champion, Blake Carper, 130 lbs.; 2nd, Aaron Lamb (98 lbs.), Troy Davis (136 lbs.) and Kirk Tyler (157 lbs.); 3rd, Mark Nichols (115 lbs.); 5th, Sam Easley (106 lbs.).