Looking Back: A Glimpse Through The Chronicle’s Files November 9, 2003 20 Years Ago, November 16, 1983 A five-alarm fire destroyed three businesses in the 1200 block of Kelly Avenue early today. There were no injuries. Lost in the fire were the Morrell Business Machines, 1207 Kelly Avenue; the Pirates Chest, a second hand store operated by the Wasco County Humane Society, next door to the north and a craft shop operated by Loretta Powell, located next door to the south. 40 Years Ago, November 16, 1963 In response to questions put to her by enforcement officers, as well as in her signed confession, Mary Lucile Karnes has told of efforts to start fires at various points in addition to the blaze that destroyed two business places Sunday on West Ninth Street. The fire early Sunday morning destroyed Ninth Street Supermarket and Sawyer’s Variety Store, with loss exceeding a quarter of a million dollars. John Shipley of Moro (Oregon) was elected president of the Sherman County Wheat Growers Association, affiliated with Oregon Wheat Growers League, at the annual meeting Friday night at which members heard reports and passed a number of resolutions. Sessions were held at the courthouse in the courtroom. Other officers named were Charles Burnett, vice president; and Tommy Thompson, secretary, both of Moro. Retiring president Hildred Zell of Wasco (Oregon) presided at the all day meeting. 60 Years Ago, November 16, 1943 William Ralph Bellinger, 28, said to be a drug addict, this morning was bound to the Wasco grand jury, in default of $3500 bail charged with robbery by force. Wylie Russ Hill, 18, a hitchhiker with him at the time, was held as a material witness in default of $1000 bail. Bellinger is charged with being the man, who, on Sunday morning entered Donnell’s drug store, and, placing his right hand in his pocket to simulate a gun, pointed it a M.Z. Donnell, proprietor, with a demand that he turn over all narcotics under the threat of death. The combined glee clubs and choruses of the junior-senior high schools will be presented in the annual Thanksgiving vespers service at the auditorium of The Dalles High School on the Sunday before Thanksgiving under the direction of Miss Myrtle Schmidt, head of the vocal music department. The choruses include 150 voices, both boys and girls. There will be no instrumental numbers this year because of the illness this fall of C. Robert White, head of instrumental music. 80 Years Ago, November 16, 1923 Negotiations have been completed whereby the United States forestry department will soon place on the market approximately two billion feet of virgin pine and fir timber, which lies in the forest reserve south of Friend (Oregon). This announcement, of such import to The Dalles and Wasco County, was made this morning by Congressman N.J. Sinnott upon returning from Portland where he and John G. Heimrich were engaged in a conference with United States District Forester George H. Cecil. 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.oregonlive.com/cc/genealogy 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 _________________________________________________________________ Compare high-speed Internet plans, starting at $26.95. https://broadband.msn.com (Prices may vary by service area.)