Looking Back: A Glimpse Through The Chronicles Files December 14, 2003 20 Years Ago, December 14, 1983 R. Ewart Jewell has submitted a draft copy of the proposed plans for reorganization of school districts 9 and 12 to Wasco ESD Superintendent Fred Krauss. The plan can be revised before it is submitted to the ESD board for consideration as a final draft on December 21. The U.S. Supreme Court today refused to block a scheduled deposition by the Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh who failed to show up for the 10 a.m. deposition appointment in Portland. The Bhagwan had been ordered by a U.S. District Court to give a statement in a defamation suit filed on his behalf and against Wasco County rancher Rosemary McGreer. Four employees of the Wasco County Road Department are retiring after compiling a total of 117 years service. The are: Lloyd (Cork) Bailey, 33 years; Steve Bailey, 26 years; Bill Mathis, 37 years; Del McCain, 18 years. Their jobs will not be filled. 40 Years Ago, December 14, 1963 Razing of two houses is under way at Fourth and Washington streets to make way for construction of the new Williams office building. The two old houses, both of historic significance in The Dalles are the old Mitchell home on the southwest corner of the intersection and the E.M. Williams home directly to the east. Construction of a two-level building on the front part of the 100-by-100 foot property, leaving the rear for off street parking, will begin soon said Don Williams of Williams properties. Loss was estimated at close to $100,000 in a fire that destroyed Dintys truck service station at Biggs Junction early Saturday. Heavy equipment, some of it virtually new, plus other contents of the building including a valuable coin collection, owned by Harvey Hansen of Rufus [Oregon], the station operator, boosted the loss. The two story building, which burned about 4:30 a.m., had a fully furnished apartment upstairs. 60 Years Ago, December 14, 1943 Fire starting at 9:40 yesterday evening completely destroyed the large frame dwelling occupied by Mr. and Mrs. George Moore and their daughters, on what is known as the old brickyard road leading to Cherry Heights west of The Dalles. The flames originated on the roof, presumably from sparks deposited there when a chimney burned out, according to Charles Roth Jr., city fire chief, who responded with the booster truck when a silent alarm was sounded. The Dalles fire department has received the necessary priority for the purchase of a new fire truck it was announced today by Charles Roth Jr., fire chief. The priority came through 18 days after application had been made. Miss Marjory Tye, Wasco County home demonstration agent, and Nelson Lewis, assistant county agent, left yesterday for Corvallis [Oregon] to attend a meeting of county agents and home demonstration agents. W. Wray Lawrence, county agent, left over the weekend for the same sessions. 100 Years Ago, December 14, 1903 Residents up in the neighborhood of Madison street and those who make their way from the bluff down that street are determined to have a sidewalk between Third and Fourth and to that end F.W.L. Skibbe has prepared a petition which he desires that all who frequent that thoroughfare will sign. Any interested in the project are asked to call at his hotel and look over the document. In remembrance of the unselfish action of Reverend D.V. Poling in coming to their assistance at their memorial exercises the previous Sunday, the members of the Cascade Lodge B.P.O.E. attended the services at the Congregational church last night in a body. Besides there was a large congregation, which fairly packed the auditorium and class room, in the desire to hear Mr. Poling to speak on the story of Christ as told in the famous book, Ben Hur. Written permission to reprint given by The Dalles Chronicle, The Dalles, Oregon Copied and submitted by Earline Wasser Member of Columbia Gorge Genealogical Society c/o The Dalles/Wasco County Public Library 722 Court Street The Dalles, Oregon 97058 http://community.gorge.net/genealogy [Note: new website address] Browse http://historysavers.com/orwasco/ recently updated information regarding Wasco County - Links are at the bottom of page http://searches.rootsweb.com/ "Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds you plant." Robert Louis Stevenson _________________________________________________________________ Get dial-up Internet access now with our best offer: 6 months @$9.95/month! http://join.msn.com/?page=dept/dialup