From the Dayton Chronicle archives

Ten Years Ago

May 30, 2012

A new biking and walking trail utilizes a steep hillside above the Port of Columbia. Walkers and bikers alike have a new course west of town to explore this summer, thanks to the efforts of Doug Hinds.

It was announced at the May 21 Fair Board meeting, the Columbia County Fair will receive approximately $27,542 from the state fair fund for the 122nd Columbia County Fair to be held September 7-9, 2012.

Twenty-Five Years Ago

May 28, 1997

Kiwanis funds campers; Meadwood is a summer residential camp/clinic for children with speech and hearing delays. It is an intense two week, 24 hours-per-day, 7 days-per-week therapy program for boys and girls, ages 6 to 16, who have been referred by their public school and language pathologist. The Dayton Kiwanis provided $500 to the Dayton schools for a scholarship to send a youth or youths to this camp.

Fifty Years Ago

June 1, 1972

Two evenings of rodeo action May 26-27 during the 54th Dayton Days drew a total of 126 cowboys from throughout the state, neighboring states and provinces. The two nights of action were conducted under the auspices of the Washington Rodeo Association and featured stock supplied by the Flying 5 Contractors.

The betting handle was $31,988, and the daily double paid off more the $200 each day.

Mrs. Harold (Esther) Beatty of Dayton was honored by family and friends following her pinning and graduation from Walla Walla Community College with an Associate Degree in Nursing. During a church reception honoring graduates, she received a Bible to mark the occasion.

Guy Spalinger, native son of Dayton and water superintendent of the community, rode in place of honor as the Parade Marshal, during the 54th annual Dayton Days celebration.

It was announced by Colonel Richard M. Connell, district engineer for the Walla Walla District, Corps of Engineers, solid gates were placed in front of the slotted bulkheads and the water is now going over the spillways of the dams to assist in the fish migration.

Seventy-Five Years Ago

May 29, 1947

Dayton will graduate sixty-two in the class of ’47. Salutatory address by Miss Francis Roe; Valedictory address by Betty Jo Hanger.

Bull Trout is a game fish now. An announcement Monday by Game Protector W.T. Wooten, the despised bull trout becomes a game fish in the state of Washington. The new code says that it shall be unlawful to carry in your car a loaded rifle or shotgun.

Art Hanger has sold Hanger’s Mill on South Fourth Street to John D. Giard of Walla Walla. The mill was established in 1924 by the late Ott Hanger and operated by him and his son, Art, until his death. Since then has been operated by Art and his son, Jim. The mill employed an average of 16 men and usually cuts about two million feet of lumber.

One Hundred Years Ago

May 31, 1922

The state tax on gasoline will be raised from one to three cents a gallon under the legislative program and will be placed in final form for submission to Governor Hart.

Fully two hundred persons gathered at the Dittemore school house Sunday to hold a fellowship and memorial service.

B.F. Owsley, recently convicted in the complicity in the theft and shipment of wheat from a warehouse, was sentenced by Judge E.C. Mills from two to 15 years in the penitentiary at Walla Walla. Fay Broughton pleaded guilty to complicity in the same affair, and a witness against Owsley, is serving a term in the penitentiary for his part in the alleged offense.

One Hundred Twenty-Five Years Ago

May 29, 1897

The last of the Indian companies of the United States army, stationed at Fort Sill, O.T., is to be disbanded. This marks the end of the effort to make efficient soldiers out of the war-like aborigines of the frontier. The only Indian troops is composed of fifty of Geronimo’s Apache warriors. Though they will cease to be regular soldiers of the United States, these Indians will not leave the military service.

The Washington & Columbia River Ry. Co. announces that the reduced rates for the A.O.U.W. basket picnic to be held in Waitsburg June 5. Tickets will be good returning on any regular train June 6.