<p>This old photo shows three men admiring what was then the newest refrigerator model on the market, and which many of our readers no doubt remember from their childhoods. The “1939” on the sign probably refers to the year of the model, though we don’t know for sure. Does anyone recognize the three gentlemen in the photograph?</p>

100 YEARS AGO

April 23, 1914

Among the effects of the late A.C. Smith found last week after the death of Mrs. Smith were the incorporation papers of the company which built the first road into Wallowa County, the Grande Ronde and Wallowa Wagon Road and Bridge Company. They drew up and signed their papers for the company Sept. 20, 1871. The bridge and road were not built until four years later, and formed the first route by which wagons could be brought into this country.

LOSTINE Last Sunday several chinook salmon were caught in the Wallowa River near Lostine. These are the first fish of this species seen in this vicinity since the dam at Minam was constructed and their capture is the result of the clearing away of all obstructions in the fish way by Game Warden Jackson.

Ortho Botts and Miss Della Curry, well known young people of Flora, were married at the home of W.W. White of Enterprise at 8 p.m. April 16, Rev. W.P. Samms officiating. The slight girlish figure of the bride dressed in a robe of white china silk and the groom in his suit of black made a beautiful picture.

A horse power lawn mower is to be provided for cutting the courthouse lawn. The lawn is so large and the grass so heavy that one man would be kept busy nearly all the time in the summer cutting it with an ordinary hand mower.

70 YEARS AGO

April 20, 1944

Word has been received that Sgt. Chester Hayes was wounded in action and has been in a hospital. No details have been received. Sgt. Hayes has been a turret gunner on a B-17 Flying Fortress. He was stationed in Italy.

A deal was closed last week in which Mrs. Welty Mitchell sold her 160 acre ranch east of Joseph to Roy W. Daggett. The place, which was homesteaded by John Martin, was purchased 42 years ago by Mrs. Mitchells husband Herman, now deceased.

WALLOWA H.M. Thomson, inventor and developer of the Sun Rayed dairy feed process, has leased space of the Satisfaction Cereal Co. in the building known as the Wallowa roller mills and has opened a retail feed store.

Despite the snow flurries last Saturday, Mr. and Mrs. J.R. Wagner went fishing in Clear Creek west of town and returned with 14 beauties, all good size and some extra large, measuring up to 19 inches. Most of these are being kept on ice for the day their children come home to help enjoy them. Mrs. Tom Williamson displayed four large trout in the window of Keltner and Skaggs shortly after the season opened. These she caught from a boat on the lake.

50 YEARS AGO

April 23, 1964

Sue Ann McGraw, an 18-year-old senior from Wallowa High School, was chosen Miss Wallowa County by a panel of six judges at the conclusion of a two-day show sponsored by the Enterprise Lions Club. Mrs. Alice Harris, Oregons Mother of the Year, placed a royal crown on her head before a cheering crowd of almost 400 people in the Enterprise High School gymnasium. First runner-up was Elaina Perez; 2nd runner-up, Nancy Wilcox; and 3rd runner-up, Cathy Ann Tippett.

The recently appointed seven-member Wallowa County Planning Commission, consisting of temporary chairman A.L. Duckett, Lee Roberts, Joe McClaran, Crawford Oveson, Malcolm Dawson, Joe Haun and Morris Pratt, met at the courthouse Friday, April 17.

The Nez Perce Motel on South River Street has been sold by Dallas Makin to Robert Fletscher and Dr. Lyle Ham, it was announced this week.

IMNAHA Jean Stubblefield kept Chuck and Joe Warnock Friday afternoon, as Grant and Barbara had to go after hay. They brought Wilma Warnock back home with them. She had been staying in the valley for several days.

25 YEARS AGO

April 20, 1989

Any decision to salvage timber burned in last summers Tepee Butte fire may ultimately rest on a judges ruling later this spring. By June the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco may deliver a decision on an appeal brought by environmental groups that challenge the comprehensive management plan for the Hells Canyon NRA.

Last weekend 15 different families from Oregon, Washington and Idaho inaugurated the 1989 overnight camping season at Wallowa Lake State Park in what promises to be a very busy summer, according to Larry Miller, state park manager. Park space of all kinds during Chief Joseph Days has been booked solid since Jan. 12.

Top winners announced at the Joseph FFA banquet Monday ere Richard Durfee, Star Greenhand; Jill Stilson, Star Chapter Farmer; Jeff Wood, James Witty Friendship Award; and Cory Boswell, DeKalb Award. New Joseph FFA officers installed were Kim Hook, president; Kristin McCulloch, vice president; Candy Boswell, secretary; Heath Kellerman, treasurer; Stephanie Tippett, reporter; and Jill Stilson, sentinel.

Cloverleaf Hall will be the scene of the annual Cowboy Poets program Saturday, April 29, in conjunction with the Wallowa Valley Festival of Arts. New this year will be Dan and Carole Jarvis. Master of ceremonies for this years program will be local veterinarian/longhorn breeder Fred Bornstedt.