While we can't help question the authenticity of this photo showing Wallowa Lake’s fabled but elusive monster being harvested, we are borrowing it, with permission, from The Jo Hard Times, Joseph Hardware’s tongue-in-cheek newsletter. According to the Times, this photo was provided by JHT’s own Tyler Houck as proof that his ancestor, Tyberious Esteban Houck, “brought Wally in on a 6 lb. test and finished him off with a tommy gun” in 1922.

100 YEARS AGO

May 15, 1913

Graduations exercises were held in Enterprise last night in the Baptist Church. The graduates were Glenn Wagner, valedictorian, Hattie T. Mitchell, Hazel L. Payne and Delbert K. Mitchell. Diplomas were also presented to 18 students who had passed the eighth grade examination. The commencement was the farewell to the county high school, but no words were wasted over regrets, for all knew the future of the Enterprise district high school was abundantly assured.

Shearing is now started at Sam Litchs plant northeast of Enterprise. This is the first plant in the county to open. W.H. Durham has rented it and has engaged a union crew from the Sheepshearers Union of North America with headquarters in Butte, Mont.

Two more new automobiles came into the county this week. They were for L.C. Johnson of Imnaha and A.W. Courtney of Lostine. Mr. Johnsons purchase makes two cars on the Imnaha, W.P. Warnock having bought one earlier in the season. These sales make 12 new Ford cars Rodger Brothers have sold this spring.

G.P. Faught is shipping 2500 bushels of wheat from Enterprise this week, after holding it over from last fall and thus making a clean $500. In the fall the buyers offered 54 cents a bushel for it. Now it sells for 74 cents, a gain of 20 cents a bushel.

70 YEARS AGO

May 13, 1943

Commencement week at Wallowa High School will begin Sunday with baccalaureate services and the commencement program is scheduled Wednesday at 8 p.m. The following seniors will receive diplomas: valedictorian Rachel Ann Tulley, salutatorian Amy Lou Bratt, Bernice Allen, Wayne Armon, Kenneth Barklow, Lyle Berry, Leuese Branson, Margaret Carlson, Thelma Clausen, Ruth Hale, Gene Hayes, Shirley Hetrick, Irvin Koptka, Jimmie Litchfield, Gene Lively, Blanch Palmer, Billy Poulson, Frances Sunnar, Melvin Scott, Jack Shine, Wenonah Victor, Billy Womack, Elmo Wortman and Fred Zielke.

Winter returned (or lingered on) in Wallowa County the past week. Temperatures dropped Sunday night and a considerable amount of snow fell both in the valley and the mountains.

POWWATKA Dick Shafer reports the coyotes are working in his sheep pretty badly. He is spending most of his time with the sheep.

50 YEARS AGO

May 15, 1963

Billy Evans, 41, the object of an extensive manhunt in the Shamrock ridge area 30 miles north of Enterprise since a double murder was committed in Clarkston Monday, May 6, shot and killed himself shortly after 7 p.m. Sunday at his cabin on Shamrock. His cabin had been riddled by high-powered rifle bullets poured into it by Sheriff Mark Marks who covered State Police officers Doc Nelson and Dean Harrison as they dashed to the cabin to flush Evans out.

Plans for a nursing home addition to the Wallowa Memorial Hospital received a major setback last Thursday when bids on the project were opened at the courthouse. The low bid, submitted by Bechtel Bros. of La Grande, was $244,976 or approximately $45,000 more than estimated and available for the main construction contract.

Photo caption Pictured here are the happy recipients of the outstanding athletic awards presented at the annual EHS Lettermans Banquet. Winners are: George Waer, wrestling; Larry Aschenbrenner, track; Ron Wagner, basketball; Howard Talbott, student-athlete; Sam Marks, football; and Dan Hays, Desire Award.

25 YEARS AGO

May 12, 1988

The first suits in Oregon to challenge the legality of retail gasoline sales by card-operated systems were filed in Wallowa County Circuit Court Monday by District Attorney Rahn Hostetter. The two complaints seek to enjoin Wallowa County Grain Growers and D.B. Anderson Inc. from continuing to sell gasoline at retail from self-serve card-operated pumps in Enterprise and Lostine.

Concern over the escalating cost of providing rural health care is the focus of a two-day symposium that will bring about 50 physicians, administrators and legislators to the Joseph Civic Center Friday and Saturday.

After years of promoting local businesses and undertaking efforts to improve the health of the countys economy, the Wallowa County Chamber of Commerce is in danger of dying for lack of financial support.

Photo Caption Auctioneer Roger Nedrow, backed by Lion Russ Ruonavaara, makes a sale April 30 during the Lions Club Auction, which netted the club a record $5,449 for scholarships.