Yesteryears
1924 — 100 years ago
Ed Lage put in a SOS call for aid on Monday afternoon, when he found that his orchard had been invaded by what, at first glance, looked like about one thousand crows. The birds were taken samples of his prunes and after the first peck, dropped them to the ground and got busy on others. Before help arrived the birds had stripped all fruit from the tops of the trees. In town, J. G. Vogt, R. V. Foreman, Larry Boyd and B. L. Hyland answered the call to arms and with shotguns and shells speeded (sic) out to the Lage Ranch at Pine Grove. They bagged enough of the thieving birds to make many a blackbird pie, and finally the invaders realized the odds were all against them, and they retired — probably to another orchard. — Hood River News
Forming the perfect “Star and Crescent,” the moon and the planet Venus gave a little astronomical exhibition of their own yesterday, which caused many local people to turn their faces heavenward in the belief that Mars and the moon were about to collide. — The Dalles Chronicle
Its circus day in The Dalles. It didn’t take a street parade to let all the youngsters know about it either. They were on hand to give moral support to the “bull gang” that unloaded the circus train at an early hour this morning. Then they trekked over to the place where the big top was being raised. — The Dalles Chronicle
Mrs. Pearl Coberth, wife of Dr. Thompson Coberth, and Miss Laura Stiles, swam the Columbia river from the dip to the north bank in 14 minutes and 20 seconds this morning. Several men swimmers, including Kneut Wernmark, lifeguard at the dip, have crossed over and back in record time, it was reported this morning. — The Dalles Chronicle
The result of the bond election on Tuesday was most gratifying to those in charge of the school work. The tally showed 72 votes in favor of the bonds and none against. This shows a unanimity of feeling in regard to the school improvements seldom encountered.
As a word of explanation it may be stated that this election was merely a repetition of the one held on June 21st, and was found necessary on account of a technical error in posting the notice for the previous election. — White Salmon Enterprise
1944 — 80 years ago
Because of an order authorized by Public Utilities Commissioner G. H. Flagg, Oregon personnel now being discharged from the United States army, the navy, the Marines or the Coast Guard will be able to reach their homes with more of their discharge pay in their pockets. Flagg approved a plan that will allow discharged personnel to travel at half fare on all railroads. The rate takes effect September 1, with the usual privilege of completing the journey in 30 days. His action will have the approval of the Interstate Commerce Commission, Mr. Flagg is assured and it likely to be places in effect by all other state commissions. The military branches are said to be discharging thousands of men at this time, as well as sending home those who have completed hospitalization. — Hood River News
Lost, strayed or stolen, one siren! H. R. Robinson, county fire marshal, discovered yesterday, on making a run to the Endersby district, that the siren on his fire truck was missing. In view of the difficulty of replacing the siren, he asked today that anyone finding it return it to the city fire department, which in turn will restore the apparatus to the fire marshal. — The Dalles Chronicle
Despite the fact that trucks now are hauling wheat from the huge outdoor pile at the west end of the Continental Grain Growers elevator at the local port, and storing this grain in leased facilities at Big Eddy, the pile of grain is growing constantly. O. W. Gustafson, port manager, estimated today that 60,000 bushels of wheat now are stored on the ground outside the elevator, which is filled to its 500,000 bushel capacity. — The Dalles Chronicle
Wasco county peaches and prunes, to be served Thursday noon at a “clinic luncheon to be held at the Waldorf - Astoria in New York, were picked up this morning by a United Air Lines truck, for transportation to Portland. — The Dalles Chronicle
1964 — 60 years ago
Hood River’s average income per capita and per family compares unfavorably with the rest of Oregon, the West and United States as a whole, figures compiled by Chamber-Port manager George Bartch reveal. Hood River’s per capita income amounts to $1,733. This compares with $2,035 for the state of Oregon and $2,103 for the United States. Washington’s is $2,178 and California’s $2,535. The only Western state similar to the Hood River figure in that of Idaho, $1,756. The Hood River figure is also similar to that of West Virginia, part of the famed Appalachia depressed area, which Bartch quoted at $1,662 per capita income. — Hood River News
Wasco County’s sweet cherry crop grossed an estimated $2,206,246 this year, Jack Theines, county extension agent, said Friday. This value was realized on a total estimated crop of 7,882 tons. Frost injury was the main reason for a decline of nearly $1 million in the crop this year. — The Dalles Chronicle
The Dalles closed out its “crop year” today, the end of August, with only 10.5 inches of moisture received in the form of rain and snow during the past 12 months. This compares with average annual precipitation of 13.79, a figure revised downward from earlier averages well above 15 inches. — The Dalles Chronicle
Public Utility District No. 1 of Klickitat County has awarded a bid to Sierra Electric Company, Inc. 9005 S. W. Commercia, Tigard, for the construction and conversion of a powerline north of Goldendale, Washington. Sierra’s bid was for $71,072.83.
The PUD has signed a contract with the American Telephone and Telegraph Company to provide service which will be located in the Simcoe Mountains north of Goldendale, and The Dalles Mountain south of Goldendale. — White Salmon Enterprise
1984 — 40 years ago
Football news for Cascade Locks Pirates this year isn’t that prospects are good or bad — they’re nonexistent. A hurried round of phone calls to boys in the top four grades who would be eligible to play this fall, Coach Larry Cramblett and Principal Dave Sears concluded reluctantly to call off football at Cascade Locks for the first time in recent memory because there aren’t enough players. There are 24 boys in grades nine through 12, but only seven of those expressed interest in turning out for football. “We didn’t want to pressure anyone,” said Sears. “When we contacted them, we asked if there was any possibility they would turn out, and there was just not the interest.” Since Cascade Locks plays in an eight-man league, the Pirates wouldn’t even have had enough to field a full team, let alone have substitutes in the event that one of the regulars was injured. — Hood River News
Canisters of a corrosive and possibly explosive chemical found in the Deschutes National Forest near Camp Sherman were to be moved to the Arlington chemical waste disposal site in northeastern Oregon last week. Jefferson County sheriff’s deputy Mark Foster said the site where at least 20 canisters of sulfur trioxide were found Aug. 5 has been closed off ... A camper searching for firewood reportedly found the canisters under a slash pile. — The Dalles Chronicle
The final day of the 1984 summer pool schedule drew crowds of area youths to the White Salmon facility. Although youths are not normally allowed to use inner tubes in the pool, manager Nancy Walker permitted them the final day. The pool officially closed at 5 p.m. Monday in anticipation of the first day of school Wednesday. — White Salmon Enterprise
2004 — 20 years ago
School supply donations are being sought in two campaigns in Hood River.
Project Pencil: Hood River County School District is asking for support for Oregon National Guard troops working in Iraq who have asked for donations of school supplies. Command Sgt. Major Brunk Conley, who teaches math and chemistry at Stayton High School, has put out a statewide call for students supplies for the 650 schools that the troops have renovated in Iraq. He is asking for: pencils, notebooks, ballpoint pens, metric rulers, chalk, sticky note pads, erasers, pencil bags, but no crayons — they will melt in transit. — Hood River News
Some of Wasco County’s smallest towns will soon have leading telecommunications technology, with the help of U.S. agricultural loans. — The Dalles Chronicle
Global Headlines
1924
Prince Foils Debs And Doting Mamas
Germans Set Hopes On “Lady Luck”
Brother Of Late Russian Czar Is Taken By Soviet
Moving Bog Engulfs Part Of Irish Farm
1944
Jap Propaganda Hits High Mark In Broadcast
Germans Reported in Full Flight From North France
Bulgaria Breaks With Hitler as Balkan Entente Falls
American Army Within 100 Miles of German Frontier
1964
Catholic Student Executed By Mob
Turks Postpone Troop Rotation
1984
70 die in fire aboard jetliner
2004
Rebel Iraqi cleric asks for end to fighting
Kidnappers release seven Kuwaiti trucking firm
employees in Iraq
Hostages perish as Russians storm building
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