1925 — 100 years ago
C. King Benton and D. L. Pierson went a-sailing Monday evening on the Columbia east of town in Mr. Benton’s new sailing boat. All was going fine when a violent gust caught the sailormen too close to the wind and the boat capsized. In an instant the sailing party became a swimming party, with both men making their best time for a handhold on the keel of the boat.
— Hood River News
While local shippers are busily engaged in getting the apricot crop on the market at prices ranging between $100 and $120 a ton, wheat farmers are looking forward to harvest with prospects of prices as high, if not higher, than a year ago.
Between 15 and 20 special cars, two special trains and countless automobiles from pleasure cars to busses, have passed through The Dalles, Portland bound for conventions.
— The Dalles Chronicle
1945 — 80 years ago
One morning last week, two county-owned grovel [sic] trucks headed out of the Trout creek pit and were traveling along the river road, when the driver of the leading truck saw a large rattlesnake slithering along near the edge of the road. He stopped his truck and left it with the object of killing the snake. Shortly afterward, driver of the second truck caught sight of the rattlesnake. But he did not stop his truck although he kept his eyes on the snake. Then truck No. 2 crashed into Truck No. 1 and for several minutes interest in the rattlesnake gave place completely to what had happened to the two trucks. Nobody was hurt, not even the rattlesnake, which took to the brush and disappeared.
— Hood River News
The Inland Navigation company barge that broke loose from its mooring Saturday, after having been towed through the Celilo canal, still is lodged on the rocks above the Wishram railroad bridge, but preparations for the first salvage attempt now have been nearly completed. The 300,000 gallon petroleum barge, which was empty at the time it broke loose, does not seem to be badly battered, according to company officials. After men were able to board it soundings were made in all compartments. Less than an inch of water was found in any compartment.
— The Dalles Chronicle
GLENWOOD, July 17 (Special) — Last Thursday the Ladies Aid was entertained by Mrs. Osmar Ladiges. A large crowd answered the roll call. Mrs. Pierce, the president had charge of the meeting and much business was transacted. They voted to help defray expenses of the Bible school. Also a committee was appointed to buy new books for the church. A new treasurer was elected. Mrs. Rosa Allen received the most votes. Mrs. Frances Shilling invited the ladies to meet with her in two weeks on July 26.
— White Salmon Enterprise
1965 — 60 years ago
Clarence McCuistion had a smile on his face and two silver-colored chunks of ore in his hand here Monday...“This means we’ve hit good commercial ore,” he said, glancing over the ore. If he’s right, the message has special meaning to “about 200 to 300” local people. McCuistion said there are that many people in Hood River area who hold stock in the corporation.
— Hood River News
Romance may triumph over regulations here Saturday with the wedding of a Washington state convict who must return to prison at Wall Walla after he testifies in a criminal trial that started this morning. Before he goes back behind a familiar set of bars, Jack Randall Jordan, 28, hopes to marry Joan Marie Graber Banning, 35, who has been here this week making arrangements. It is all strictly legal but contrary to Washington regulations which prohibit a felon from marrying in that state while serving a prison term, one official said here Thursday.
— The Dalles Chronicle
For the first time in many years, the White Salmon-Bingen area will have a summer dramatic presentation on the local level. The nights of July 30 and July 31 will see the curtain going up on The Community Players presentation of Emlyn Williams “Night Must Fall.”
— White Salmon Enterprise
1985 — 40 years ago
A city workman who received second degree burns in a natural had explosion Thursday hoped to be back to work today — with considerably less hair than before, but counting himself lucky nevertheless. Gary Lindemyer ... was working with a city crew on the installation of a water hydrant at 22nd and C streets. He was down in the hole when he struck a match to light a cigarette. Instead, the flame ignited natural gas that had pooled in the hole after escaping from a ruptured gas line.
— Hood River News
A hearings officer for the state Building Codes division Wednesday recommended civil penalties of $101,500 against the commune of Rajneeshpuram for erecting huts in violation of state and national electrical codes.
— The Dalles Chronicle
Here’s some good news for boardsailors who frequent a popular, local sailing area — the Washington Department of Transportation does not intend to close the parking area along SR 14 at Swell City in eastern Skamania Co.
Rumors have circulated among boardsailors that DOT might eliminate public parking at Swell City, but that couldn’t be farther from the truth, a spokesman indicated Tuesday ... Richardson tried to clear up some of the confusion regarding the fee charged to sailors who use the Swell City launch point. “I’ve met with the lessees of the property and interviewed as many sailors as I could, and as near as I can tell, they don’t charge for parking. They do charge a board launching fee, though. There is a difference,” he noted. “As far as we’re concerned, that’s not our interest. Our interest is the highway traffic safety. We must enforce the rules the Legislature has set down for us.”
— White Salmon Enterprise
Commented