OBITS A. Fern Rynearson DEATHS Leathers, Elsa M. Days gone by 100 years ago today L. Gault of Pilot Rock, brought in a band of sheep Saturday from that place, and will ship them to Seattle. They have already been contracted for by local buyers there, and will be slaughtered. They are in prime condition and fat and are some that Mr. Gault has fed. There are two carloads in all, and the price received for the live weight averages a little over $5 per head. 50 years ago today Athena - Growers endorsed the application of the Northwest Canners Association made to the Trans Continental Freight Bureau requesting reduction in freight rates cast on canned peas. "There has been an increase of 70 percent in freight rates on canned peas from this area since June 30, 1946." said John H. Carkin, counsel and director, department rail transportation, Oregon Public Utilities Commission. He pointed out that the Northwest produces one-fourth of all the canned peas produced in the United States. 25 years ago today Jim Sturgis may quit working someday, but probably not before 1977. At 85, Sturgis has been given a two-year contract to continue as curator of the museum at Blue Mountain Community College in Pendleton. His job will be to describe and catalogue the thousands of pictures and artifacts in the museum depicting the history of Umatilla County. It may be a little presumptive, but Sturgis could well be the oldest person in the state employed by any public agency on a contract basis.