Looking Back: A Glimpse Through The Chronicle’s Files July 18, 2004 20 Years Ago, July 18, 1984 A 30-year-career with The Dalles Fire Department ends this afternoon for Jack Bird and fire chief Al Jones is already worried about what the department is going to do without him. Jack Bird holds the rank of engineer in the department and is also the “master mechanic” for the department. He once held that position exclusively, but manpower shortages in recent years has forced Bird to widen his scope of activities within the department. 40 Years Ago, July 18, 1964 Mrs. Collis P. Moore of Moro [Oregon] Friday was elected a vice chairman of the Republican National Committee. It marked the second time in the history of the Republican party, an Oregonian has been elected to a national committee office. Ralph Williams of Portland served as a vice president until 1940. Mrs. Moore, national committeewoman from Oregon, was one of four vice chairmen elected. An eight-year-old girl from The Dalles, Teresa Lillard, scored three wins in the All Comers Swim meet held at Franklin High School in Portland recently. The girl, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John D. Lillard, won the half mile, mile and two mile events in the competition. The 25th anniversary of the election that formed the Northern Wasco County’s Peoples Utility District will be celebrated here August 14, Alf Wernmark of The Dalles Industrial Club said Saturday. At a meeting Friday night, it was agreed that a celebration would be held in the form of a picnic on the anniversary date at The Dalles Dam park. 60 Years Ago, July 18, 1944 Captain and Mrs. Gerald Clayton who have been serving the Salvation Army in The Dalles for 21 years, received orders yesterday to report July 27 to San Francisco where they will sail for Hawaii to take their new assignments. The name of Captain Clayton’s successor will be announced at the farewell service Sunday evening. Mr. and Mrs. D.L. “Mac” McDermott, and daughter, Barbara Ann, of Casper, Wyoming, hasve arrived in The Dalles to make their home. McDermott will be connected with the advertising department at the Chronicle. He comes here from the Casper Tribune-Herald, where he has been employed for the last few years. He has had 19 years newspaper experience in Iowa and Wyoming. The Billy Fields camp, United Spanish War Veterans and its auxiliary enjoyed their annual picnic dinner Sunday afternoon in the spacious yard of Mr. and Mrs. John Wilhelm at Hood River [Oregon]. 80 Years Ago, July 18, 1924 Objections to the charge voiced recently by a Mill Creek rancher, that the city was stealing water which rightfully belonged to farmers residing along the creek, was voiced today by L.A. Schanno and John Milne, members of the water commission. The water commission is simply adhering to the findings of the state water board, as administered by the district water master, and is taking no water to which it is not rightfully entitled, it was explained by the commissioners. One of the advertising features of The Dalles melons this year will be stickers on each melon sold through The Dalles Cooperative Growers Association, advertising them as The Dalles product, and which will be a protective measure against the promiscuous advertising of California melons as products of this district. This statement was issued by L.D. Beard of The Dalles Cooperative Association this morning. 100 Years Ago, July 18, 1904 The recorder’s court was usually dull this morning. The usual vag came before him, but the fine imposed did not swell the city’s finances, for the victim preferred to have work and free board than pay the fine. The clerk’s office was not the scene of any unusual activity today and the news gathered was not in clover. Even marriage licenses have ceased for the time and there appears to be a dearth of anything to point a moral or adorn a tale. Yesterday evening, as Dr. Reuter in his automobile, having with him his three sisters, was attempting to ascent the hill south of the Methodist church, the break [sic] refused to work, and the auto, backing with such force, that in turning the corner into Fulton street, it completely turned over. 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 Incoming and Outgoing mail protected by Trend Micro PC-cillin program