Looking Back: A Glimpse Through The Chronicle's Files page A9 December 31, 2006 Edited and compiled by Elroy King 20 Years Ago, December 31, 1986 The Fourth Street elm tree passed a physical exam of sorts and results of two core drillings has also given a more accurate guess of its age. Glenn Summers, who works at the J.H. Baxter Plant in The Dalles and has a degree in forestry, took two core drillings from the tree on Tuesday afternoon. Based on the drillings Summers estimated the tree is at least 100 years old. Neither drilling showed any sign of rotting, he said. Summers said he had anticipated finding some rotten wood and said there still might be some (located) further in the tree. Six Wasco County officials will be sworn into office by Circuit Court Judge John Jelderks on Monday morning. Of these, only Scott McKay, who was elected as a county commissioner in the November election will be new in office. He was elected for a four-year term. The others who will be sworn into office were all re-elected. They are County Clerk Sue Proffitt, County Assessor Herb Crook, County Judge Bill Hulse, County Treasurer Linda May and County Surveyor Dennis Kramer. 40 Years Ago, December 31, 1966 Trouble has been plaguing the city bus lines again and there were new rumblings this week of possible abandonment of service because of low revenue. On the basis of a request from operator Ervin Schmidt and a financial report filed at city hall, the city council at its last meeting voted to waive the usual license fee. The fee previously levied was two percent of gross revenue. For the 37th time, Frank Brumbaugh was installed as secretary-treasurer of The Dalles Kiwanis at its Thursday noon luncheon meeting at the Recreation [restaurant]. Ralph Stearns of Equitable Savings and Loan Association was installed as club president by Jack Barnes of Kennewick, Wash., recently elected as lieutenant governor in Kiwanis. Other new officers installed were Ed Urness, first vice-president; Lewis Nichols, second vice president; directors Roger Wahlgren, Pat McLoughlin, William Hawksley and Duane Peterson. 60 Years Ago, December 31, 1946 H.G. Miller resigned from the local port commission at a meeting held last night and Walter Kortge was appointed to take his place. Miller's resignation was due to a desire to retire from public activities, he said. Work on laying the new sanitary sewer line along the Brewery Grade and East Ninth Street will be resumed by the Empire Construction Co. January 2 and it should be possible to open the grade, at least to one way traffic within a week after that date it was reported today by Herman Wall, city engineer. New Year's Eve will be observed traditionally with open house and a dancing party at the Elks Club, also with an informal gathering at The Dalles Country Club. A number of groups are having small cocktail parties before attending these and other large gatherings. Many clubs are having small watch parties and groups of friends are gathering at various homes for oyster suppers and such customary observances. 80 Years Ago, December 31, 1926 Hearty congratulations from citizens of Dufur to The Dalles for its good fortune in being named as the site for the new eastern Oregon tuberculosis hospital were contained in a telegram received by President L. Barnum of the local Chamber yesterday. The telegram was signed by F.B. Engles, president of the Dufur Chamber. E.M. Ross, assistant cashier at the bank of Wasco, is in the custody of Sherman County officers today pending the answer to charges of embezzlement of a sum of money from the bank, it was reported here tonight. Ross was sought in The Dalles Tuesday evening by members of the local sheriff's force on receipt of the word from Sheriff Hugh Chrisman that the bank employee was wanted at Moro. He was last seen here about 6:30 last evening. He was apprehended sometime yesterday morning at Boardman and offered no objection to returning to Moro. 100 Years Ago, December 31, 1906 This morning Sheriff Levi Chrisman sold the property in Wasco County on which taxes for 1905 were delinquent. Buyers were not falling over each other to secure the property, but a number of pieces of land were disposed of, the highest price being $150.50 and the lowest 60 cents. The fourteen new rooms of the Schanno building which have been connected with the Hotel Albert are now ready for guests, and, with the exception of three, upon which finishing touches will be put, are being let today. Mr. Logus says he expects to have them filled in a day or so. Arthur Moses, who was arrested on the Washington side of the river for destroying property belonging to P.H. White, was brought over to the Wasco County jail by Justice Rorick last night for safekeeping and returned to the north side this afternoon for trial. Incoming and Outgoing messages protected by Trend Micro PC-cillin program