This Week in Odessa History

Odessa merchants and business operators put considerable effort into their preparations for the holiday season 95 years ago.

Here is the report by The Odessa Record in its issue of December 14, 1928:

The business section of Odessa is “dolled up” for Christmas.

The decorations, both for the streets and the stores, are the most elaborate ever seen here, which shows there is a real Christmas spirit in the air.

The Odessa Commercial Club Decorations committee, consisting of E.J. Wachter, Ed Koth, H.G. Cordes and Fred Schuman, did the “sky work,” stringing the cedar rope across First Avenue at intersections. At the center of each string inside a wreath of cedar trimmed with red and green holly, hangs a large Christmas bell, a marked improvement over the decorative effects of former years.

The big tree from the center of the street proved to be a disappointment. It had evidently been cut from a cluster of trees, and some of its branches on one side had been dwarfed, so the committee decided to order a more symmetrical tree, which will be here to be set up tomorrow.

As this is written, the setting of the big tee and the stringing of the colored electric lights is all the work, which remains from the decoration committee.

The business houses have decorations which are more elaborate than usual. More time was probably put in on those of the Odessa Drug Store than any other place in town, but that place has some close competition at Burgan’s, which as usual is festooned with evergreens from the forest. The First National and Farmers & Merchants Banks, Michaelsen & Koth, W.H. Luher’s Piggly Wiggly, Odessa Bakery, Odessa hardware & Implement Company, Brooks Cafe, Club Cafe, Odessa trading Company, H.H. Strate, the Purity Store, the Men’s Shop and the Maytag Shop have fine decorations. Some are miniature Christmas trees. Christmas greens or other decorations, most of which stand out at night with beautiful electric effects.

All these Christmas reminders with the splendid stocks of beautiful and practical gifts carried in Odessa has a tendency to stimulate the Christmas spirit, and practically every merchant in town reports his Christmas trade this year is the best in the history of his store.

100 Years Ago

From The Odessa Record

December 20, 1912

“The Case of Jennie Brice,” a story running in Everybody’s Magazine, formed the basis of an interesting mock trial, which was held at the Odessa Opera House Wednesday evening, under the direction of the trustees of the Presbyterian church. The scene of the story is laid in Pittsburgh, Pa., in the year 1907. Jennie Brice, an actress disappears, and her husband, Philip Ladley, a playwriter, is arrested and charged with her murder. In the trial Jenks, as Philip Ladley, appeared as the prisoner at the bar. Attorney W. M. Nevins acted as prosecutor and Attorney F.J. Hoagland was substituted for L.S. Harrison as counsel for defendant. Mayor O.F. Minch presided as judge of the court. A jury consisting of six men and six women was impaneled to decide the question of the guilt or innocence of the defendant.

At the conclusion of the testimony, the attorneys made their addresses to the jury, after which the court gave his instructions covering the law and the case was submitted to the jury. Upon retiring the jury chose Mrs. E.J. Jenks as foreman, and after a short deliberation, brought in a verdict of “Not Guilty.”

The trial was put on by the trustees of the Presbyterian church with the hope of winning one of the liberal cash prizes offered by Everybody’s Magazine in this state and throughout the nation for the best solution of this great disappearance case, the story of which is concluded in the next issue of that magazine.

75 Years Ago

From The Odessa Record

December 9,1937

Three men had to be rescued from the burning building, two so badly burned that it was necessary to send them to a Spokane hospital, when an afternoon blaze destroyed the Odessa Hotel on Tuesday afternoon.

So rapidly did the flames spread that the entire upstairs was ablaze when the fire was discovered. The volunteer fire department responded, doing good work inholding the blaze down and preventing it from spreading to adjoining buildings.

Two truck drivers, W. Lane and H. Reilly, asleep in the building, awakened to find themselves hemmed in by the fire, succeeded in getting to a porch roof where they were removed and taken to the office of Dr. Bonney.

Al Wagner, fireman, succeeded in rescuing another man, who had fought his way to a window and attracted attention. He was almost overcome by smoke when found.

The hotel building, consisting of a brick structure with wooden annex, contained 28 rooms and housekeeping apartments. It was one of the oldest buildings in the community and long a landmark.

25 Years Ago

From The Odessa Record

December 10, 1987

Odessa Memorial Hospital and Dr. James Cornell are participating with the Lions Club eye bank in the donation of eyes, a hospital spokesman said early this week.

“All eyes, no matter what age or condition, are accepted,” said the spokesman, explaining they are used for cornea transplants or for research.

Cornel, it was revealed, has recently accepted the first set of eyes here at Odessa for the eye bank.

10 Years Ago

From The Odessa Record

December 12, 2002

Odessa’s 21st annual Christmas Fest, the harbinger of the holiday season, was back in the spirit of the occasion this year.

All 50 vendor tables had been reserved, and there were only two no-shows, said to have been caused by poor weather where they were coming from.

Santa Claus rode to Christmas Fest 2002 on the Odessa Fire Department’s truck. At the Community Center he greeted youngsters who were waiting to have their pictures taken with him. The Fest featured music, entertainment and plenty of good food.

The Odessa’ Town Council Monday night adopted a budget for 2003 of $4,360,573.83, down slightly from last years $4,595,506.99 budget.

Mayor Carl Ryan, summarizing the budget, explained that it includes about $2,000,000 to complete the Highway 21 realignment through Odessa. Most of this amount is covered by state funding.