Pomeroy Pioneer Portraits

Ten Years Ago

April 21, 2010

Garfield County Hospital District filed a request for technical assistance with the Washington State Department of Health to get a clear understanding of the expectations from the department. The district’s position is that as old as the facility is there is simply no way certain current standards can be met without extensive and costly renovation of the existing structure.

The Washington Department of Ecology is seeking public comment on a report describing ways to improve water quality of the Tucannon River and Pataha Creek, which drain into the Snake River. The actions outlined in the report are to protect, restore, and preserve water quality.

Twenty-Five Years Ago

April 26, 1995

When Garfield County residents call in to the Pomeroy Police Department and Sheriff’s Department, and are asked necessary questions, the dispatchers hope they’ll hear less frequently the words they hate: “That’s none of your **** business! Just get the ambulance here!”

Pomeroy Elementary School students raised $3,836.91 in the Jump Rope for Heart event at the school held in March.

Fifty Years Ago

April 23, 1970

Mr. and Mrs. Verle Johnson, former managers of the Pirates Den and Blue Mountain Recreation Center in Pomeroy announced that the new managers of the establishment are Don Lyon and Vern Zumwalt, both of Lewiston. The Pirates Den name has been changed to Picadilly Palace and remodeling plans include adding a pizza house.

John Kennedy, the last remaining resident on the river road up from Wawawai grade, is to be out by May 1.The latest word received was that Kennedy, who has known no other home than the river ranch condemned by the corps, has not yet found another place to move his cattle.

Numerous sportsmen’s groups are protesting the closure of the entire road upriver from Wawawai grade. Garfield County commissioners unofficially appear hopeful that something can be worked out so that fishermen and picnickers can continue to obtain access to at least part of the last remaining stretch of free-flowing Snake River in this county.

Seventy-Five Years Ago

April 26, 1945

A heavy turnover in teachers is expected this year, particularly in the high school, and to date few applications have been received by the school board or inquiries as to vacancies. During normal times the Pomeroy board has more applicants than they have positions to fill.

The task of purchasing the necessary right-of-way for the reconstruction of the main state highway west of Pomeroy from the city limits to the Garfield-Columbia county line near Chard station is practically completed.

Approximately 100 farmers attended a hearing conducted in the courthouse by the War Food Administration, Washington Wage Board, with the possibility of establishing a wage ceiling on farm labor in Garfield County.

Senior citizens of Washington are going to have their pay raised next Tuesday when the $50 old age assistance grants passed by the 1945 legislature become effective.

One Hundred Years Ago

April 24, 1920

In the second of the tri-county games to be played by the local team, Pomeroy beat Prescott last week and defeated the Waitsburg here by a score of 7 to 5. The ball with which the game was opened was dropped to the diamond by F.W. Hungate, in his plane at an altitude of 2500 feet.

The baseball season for the high school started off in big league style with a 3-3, 13 inning against Washtucna.

Mrs. H.H. Cardwell spoke to the school on Civic Improvement, making special mention of care of flowers, respecting the rights of others; seeding and filling in the grounds of the grade school and the question of a swimming pool.

The year 1920 starts off well in precipitation, the amount having reached 9.83 inches in Pomeroy, up to the present time, which is considerably in excess of the normal for the first four months.

With a percentage of 900, the Pomeroy-Lewiston group of shooters leads in the tournament of eastern Washington towns. Out of 12 shoots the local aggregation scored 9 victories and two ties.

One Hundred Twenty-Five Years Ago

April 20, 1895

The Kickapoo Medicine Co. advertises a free show to be given in Seeley’s Opera House, by ten or a dozen Indians. It will begin Monday evening next, and according to the bills, will last “one week only.”

James Lasytir has reduced the price of baths to 25 cents a “swim,” hot or cold. Jimmy’s apartments for bathing are neatly furnished, and his facilities are unsurpassed in the city.

Ed. Pomeroy wants it distinctly understood that anyone who shall hereafter dump trash or filth on his property in Wilson’s addition will be prosecuted. That part of town has served as a dumping ground for the rubbish of the city until it has become an eyesore to the residents nearby.

The bicycle has come to stay, hard times or good, and the bloomer might as well be accepted as a fixed institution which ridicule cannot destroy.

Tom Burlingame leaves Thursday with a drove of 700 range cattle, bound for Montana. They will be put on board the cars at Uniontown.

Preacher Sweeney won his case against the Pacific Coast Elevator Co., receiving $2,268 for damage to grain while in the hands of the company.

Parties wanting seed try can get same by calling at Pomeroy Savings Bank.

Jochin Lubking’s grain crop consists of 1100 acres sown principally to barley. Mr. L. says he would now be several thousand dollars ahead if he had raised barley instead of wheat in ’93 and ’94.

Wm. Gammon got 3 ½ cents a pound gross for a car of hogs shipped to Seattle this week.