100 YEARS AGO

July 5, 1917

Rising consumption rates for gasoline are believed to be the culprit causing a shortage in Wallowa County. The supply at Standard Oil’s station was exhausted recently and it was not known when the next delivery would be made. Sales of gasoline have doubled year over year for the past two years.

Mrs. Jones won the “fat ladies” race and W. S. Strickler won the “fat mans” race at festivities held at Enterprise’s new city park July 4. Everywhere the day was observed in a quieter mood than most years because of the war.

Dr. J. E. Woodell of La Grande, a chiropractor, has been in Enterprise and is thinking of coming here to locate. He has been looking over the town with W. A. Dunn.

Three teachers have been hired by the Flora School District for the coming school year –– Miss Bessie Conley, Mrs. N. Lines and Mrs. Marion Eddlemon. A new principal will be moving here from Missouri.

70 YEARS AGO

July 3, 1947

Wallowa County Graingrowers has begun construction on a new 70,000 bushel grain elevator in Wallowa. According to manager W. S. Strickler, the facility will go a long way toward relieving pressure on the Joseph and Enterprise locations.

A. O. Dalgleish has been named president of the Los Club. Morris Knapp will serve as Vice President. The club purchased an incubator for the hospital in the past year.

Former resident Weldon R. Ralls, now of Walla Walla, Wash., was beaten and robbed in Portland. He lost $120.

50 YEARS AGO

July 4, 1957

On invitation from the Young Oregonians group in Portland, Lawrence Rowe took two of his accordion pupils, Ricky Catheart and Tommy Strickler, to Portland where they appeared on a television show.

Wallowa Lake Lodge is hosting concerts by Winnie Mac on the Hammond Console organ Wednesday and Saturday evenings. Great for dancing!

Joseph Theater will be showing Walter Brennan’s movie, “Tammy and the Bachelor” with Debby Reynolds. In 1940, Brennan purchased the 12,000-acre Lightning Creek Ranch, 20 miles south of Joseph. He built the Indian Lodge Motel, a movie theater and a variety store in Joseph, and visits regularly between film roles.

25 YEARS AGO

July 2, 1992

A missing signature on the application for the planned fireworks display on Wallowa Lake almost resulted in the cancellation of the Fourth of July event this year. Parking will be at a premium, so carpooling is recommended.

The opening of Jerry’s Main Street Market in Joseph by the time Chief Joseph Days Rodeo arrives is very much in doubt. The store was devastated by fire, which began in a deep fat fryer in March.

Performances of the melodrama “Heaven Will Protect the Working Girl” began on an outdoor stage in Joseph. The audience voluntarily sat through a rain storm to find out whodunit. Brandon Powers, Stuart Vencill and Dayne Terry played the lead roles.