<p>Bob Richmond, then-supervisor of the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, holds up a symbol of the criticism targeted towards the U.S. Forest Service during the Canal Fire 25 years ago. Fire managers usually enjoy a friendlier reception when they come to Wallowa County these days.</p>

100 YEARS AGO

April 13, 1914

Wallowa County is one of the most favored spots in the United States in these times of international wars and their consequences. These opinions were expressed by Duval Jackson, president of the East Oregon Lumber company on his return Monday from Kansas City. In the east the war is causing a temporary halting of industry owing to unsettled conditions abroad. , he said.

There is a prospect that exhibitions by an aeroplane may be given at the county fair this year. Secretary C.H. Zurcher of the association has been in correspondence with several concerns which employ airmen and prices have been made within reach of the fair. An airship never has been seen in the county, and without a doubt one would be a great attraction.

A decision of importance to all in the county was given by circuit court Judge J.W. Knowles in the suit brought by F.D. McCully to restrain the county from collection of Joseph city and school district taxes on his sheep on the Imnaha, though he lives in Joseph. The judge ruled the city and district cannot collect the taxes.

GROUSE The stage is heavily loaded every trip to Flora with fruits, potatoes, green beans, canned fruits, etc. The mercury has been up to 102 at this place at the highest and from 95 up for ten days; corn and garden vegetables are suffering from the continuous dry weather.

70 YEARS AGO

Aug. 10, 1944

The Enterprise Lions were hosts Tuesday night to a large delegation of local boys home on leave and furloughs: George Bornstedt MM 1-c, Ensign J.B. Conaway, Lt. Lee Strickler, Ensign Raymond Stickler, Ensign Stephen Hall, S-Sgt. Clare Hall and Gerald Homan Ph. M 2-c.

LOSTINE Since learning that President Roosevelt is not up at the William O. Douglas home up the Lostine River, the town has again resumed its normal atmosphere. But last Sunday there was a steady stream of cars which found their way to or near the Schaeffer cabins, each party determined to learn for himself if the president was in our midst.

Jim Blakely, pioneer Oregon cattleman and Indian fighter, celebrated his 92nd birthday Monday, July 31. At present a special police officer in Baker, Mr. Blakely still prefers a cow pony to an automobile for transportation. He was first elected sheriff in Prineville and later served two terms as sheriff in Wallowa County.

Approximately 100 cattlemen, their wives and persons interested in the cattle industry attended the annual meeting of the Wallowa County Cattle and Horse Raisers Association.

50 YEARS AGO

Aug. 13, 1989

An engineer for the Willamette Construction Co. of Renton, Wash., and a ski expert were in Wallowa County last weekend to determine the feasibility of building a tramway from Wallowa Lake to Aneroid Lake and to study the upper area for skiing possibilities.

The loop road from Joseph to Halfway will be completed and ready for opening in late September, according to an announcement from Ranger Don Miller at Joseph.

A three-year penitentiary sentence was handed down in circuit court Monday to Enoch Andrew Jackson who entered a plea of guilty to a charge of forgery. Jackson was charged with attempting to pass a $45 forged check at the Joseph hotel on July 25.

Photo caption Pictured are the four major winners of the 4-H Style Revue Tuesday evening at Cloverleaf Hall in connection with the 4-H Fair: Susan Coppin, reserve grand champion, and Sonya Lozier, grand champion, in the clothing division; and Laidee Ann Bissinger, grand champion, and Joan Kennedy, reserve grand champion, in the knitting division.

25 YEARS AGO

Aug. 10, 1989

Up to a half-inch of rain fell on Wallowa County during a thunderstorm Tuesday and Wednesday morning, further improving conditions on several local fires already well in hand at the beginning of the week. The countys largest fire, the 23,350 Canal Fire was officially contained at 8 pm. Tuesday. Some 3,000 firefighters and support personnel were still in the county as of press time.

A group of 65 talented youth from Oregon, Washington and Idaho converged at the Methodist campground last week to learn, to create and to perform during the second annual Eagle Cap Fine Arts Camp. Kathy Siebe of Enterprise was camp director.

EDITORIAL The U.S. Forest Service has had to fight the devastating Canal Fire on two fronts since it blew up two weeks ago on the fire lines and on the line of local public opinion. When the smoke clears, the goal on everyones part should not be to cast blame, or let bitterness fester, but to work together to avoid another Canal Fire. The resources are too valuable and the lines on both fronts too hard to build to go through this again.

Photo caption A hangmans noose with a sign sharply critical of Forest Service management of the Canal Fire was pulled down by local rangers last Thursday because of the negative message it sent to fighters on the fire line.