100 YEARS AGO

March 5, 1914

Four young men narrowly escaped burning to death last Thursday night in the old house at Red Fir. The boys leaped through a small window in the second story, leaving behind their beds, wagons, sheets and clothing. The four were Edgar and Bart Barnes, Irvin Moyes and another young man accompanying them from the north end.

A day for planting shade trees along the streets of Enterprise will be set aside next month, if plans considered Monday night by the council are carried through. The only objection was that raised by Councilman Craig, who said stock must be kept out of the streets if young trees are to grow.

Homesteaders and sheepmen clashed this week in two lawsuits (involving trespass by sheep) in justice court in Enterprise. A verdict for the homesteader was given in each case. The defendant, the Davin & Michellod Sheep & Land Co., is likely to carry the cases to the Supreme Court if it loses in the circuit court appeals.

The largest alfalfa cutter in the county in fact the largest size manufactured has been installed by Dobbin and Falconer on F.W. Falconers Prairie creek ranch where the firm is feeding sheep. The machine will handle from 40 to 75 tons of hay a day.

70 YEARS AGO

March 2, 1944

The entire community was profoundly shocked Tuesday morning by the news that John D. Laird, prominent farmer of Prairie Creek and county commissioner, had passed away suddenly at his home, apparently as the result of heart attack induced by acute indigestion.

Mrs. Sam Marks received word last week her brother Sgt. William Doak is a prisoner of war. Shortly after the first of the year he was reported missing after failing to return from a bombing mission over Germany on Dec. 29. Sgt. Doak enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force shortly before Pearl Harbor and participated in more than 30 bombing missions before he joined the American Air Force.

WALLOWA Bowman Hicks Lumber Company will resume its night shift in the sawmill next Monday. A number of women are to be re-employed because of the manpower shortage, the women replacing men in the planer who go back on the sawmill side.

ALDER SLOPE About 15 men went on a coyote hunt Sunday afternoon and reported a good time even though they werent successful in finding any coyotes. A few men rode horseback. No new tracks were found so the coyotes must have read the paper last week.

50 YEARS AGO

March 5, 1964

Final approval of the new $270,000 federal building to be built in Enterprise has been given by Bernard Boutin, administrator of the General Service Administration, Congressman Al Ullman told the Chieftain yesterday. Final selection of a site is to be made by March 15.

Whether Enterprise will hold a jubilee celebration this year to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the incorporation of the city will be decided at a meeting later this month, it was announced at a Chamber of Commerce meeting Monday night at the Davis Café.

EDITORIAL An organized community effort could undoubtedly make Wallowa County far more attractive to tourists. We would suggest that a full-time tourist headquarters be established here during the summer months, managed by a genial and enthusiastic booster of the county.

JOSEPH Kevin Warnock, 5-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. W.E. Warnock, fell and broke his left leg last Sunday while skiing at the Eagle Cap Ski Club run. He has his leg in a cast from the hip to his toes and will be on crutches for the first six weeks, then will be on a walking cast.

25 YEARS AGO

March 2, 1989

Controversy is developing over a historic and rugged road from Wallowa to Troy now that a prominent Northwest businessman is seeking to close it to the public. An expected request by Shilo Ranch owner Mark Hemstreet to have the county vacate the rough and steep Powwatka Road, which runs the length of his extensive holdings, has resulted in a petition by neighboring landowners to keep the road open.

A request to remove agricultural land west of Enterprise from exclusive farm use zoning met with inaction by the Wallowa County Planning Commission Tuesday night. The citys proposed plan would include the creation of a commercial view zone limited to restaurants, offices, condominiums and other structures dependent on having a view of the mountains and valley.

Three members of Future Farmers of America in Wallowa County have been selected to receive the prestigious State Farmer Degree. They are Cory Boswell, Joseph, and Kirsten Hough and Kreg Coggins, Enterprise.

Three county wrestlers emerged as Class A state champions, and Enterprise took home the third-place team trophy at this years state tournament held at Western Oregon State College. Jo-His Kirk Tyler became a two-time state champion at the 152-pound weight class, and Savages Jason Gissel (189-pounds) and Brant Corak (130-pounds) were state titlists at their weight classes.