From the Dayton Chronicle archives

Ten Years Ago

Four local World War II veterans, USMC veteran Bob Budig, U.S. Army veterans Lowell Richter and Fred Gritman of Dayton, and US Navy veteran Jack McCaw of Waitsburg, flew to Washington D.C. through Inland Northwest Honor Flight to view memorials honoring their military service. The veterans and their caregivers met at the Spokane Airport to join Honor Flight which flew the 162 passengers to Washington D.C. and back home.

Twenty-Five Years Ago

September 30, 1998

The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation are now the owners of the 8,411.11 acre tract of land in southwestern Columbia County known locally as the Rainwater Ranch. The Tribes purchased the property for $3.9 million using funding provided by the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) through contracts negotiated under the Interim Washington Wildlife Mitigation Agreement.

Cadet Sergeant Jeptha Livingston White, 17, son of Mrs. Rebecca B. Martin and a senior at the Mare Military Academy, was recently named to the President's List for maintaining an academic grade-point average of 3.75 or above for the fourth quarter during the 1997-98 school year.

The Motor Car Operator West (MOW), a club with over 300 members from northern California, was in town. The ride on the railroads at an average speed for 20-22 mph and each member must take a safety test to drive on the tracks.

Fifty Years Ago

October 4, 1973

Joe Groom recently opened his real estate office, will be known as the Groom Agency, at 228 E. Main. Groom has represented the Jefferis Agency of Walla Walla in this area for the last three years and will continue to sell for them any listings that they have locally.

An official board meeting on the Columbia County Tussock Moth infestation was held by the Columbia County Board of Commissioners to outline the degree of Tussock Moth infestation in the area, damage to infected timbered areas and related ecological factor and solution to eradicate the insect menace that has affected nearly 50 percent of all timbered lands in southeastern Washington. The commissioner noting the seriousness of the infestation is demanding prompt action by state and federal authorities to protect Columbia County from future loss.

Seventy-Five Years Ago

September 30, 1948

Home For Burial....the body of Clyde Richard Woodworth, killed in action on the Philippine island of Mindanao in 1945, has been returned home. Funeral services are scheduled at Rogg and Watson Chapel, with graveside services under the auspices of Frank E. Bauers Post, American Legion. Woodworth and seven other students were drafted before finishing high school and is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Roy Woodworth. Before his last campaign, he met Alvin Basel, John McCaw and Louis Ellis, who were the very last of his hometown contacts.

Dayton's Volunteer Firemen who have provided a great service through the last dozen years keeping down losses from fire are... George Hill, Chief Ray Brown, Fred Schuening, Woodrow Beckley, Bob Budig, Dale Gebhart, Marion Miller, Herb Becker, Fred Meyer, Assistant Chief Clive Badgley, Bob Mickelson, Stuart Wilson, Capt. James Burke, Capt. Fred Robanski, Vyrl McQuary and Henry Briener.

Four girls, Sally Douglas, Phyllis Crabb, Janis Fletcher and Shirley Ewing, have been chosen to represent Columbia County at the Yakima State Fair judging contest. Out of 16 girls competing in the Columbia County Home Economics judging contest Sally Douglas hid high score of 525 out of a possible 600.

One Hundred Years Ago

October, 1923

No issues available.

One Hundred Twenty-Five Years Ago

September 30, 1898

Do You Want a Boy. --- A boy wants a home in the city so that he can attend school. Will do chores for his board. Enquire at the office.

Lewis Hatley, who arrived in the city from Pierce City, Idaho, has some fine samples of ore that assay $400 per ton. He has the disposition of five claims.

Wm. Eaton is building a new house on his farm which will add much to the comforts of farm life and has decided not to come to town this winter, preferring to improve the farm first, which is a good idea.