This Week in Odessa History

Perhaps the most colorful and at the same time poignant events throughout history of Odessa was the coming and going of “Odessa University,” largely a product of the imagination of Henry Clough.

Clough and “Odessa University” made news not only in The Odessa Record but throughout the Pacific Northwest in 1909. The following article in The Odessa Record of April 2, 1910, tells of his travails:

Henry Clough, the aged gentleman who looks after the destinies of the “Odessa University,” which at present consists of a rocky butte three miles east of Odessa, on which a couple of small shacks stand, was “pinched” by Spokane police last week for offering LL.D. degrees in Spokane at $1 per degree.

For several years past, Clough has been soliciting subscriptions from all parts of the united States, the money to be used in founding a modern institution of learning on his land east of Odessa. To all outward appearances, his appeals have resulted in bringing in very little actual cash, and the little money he has received he has converted to his own use in providing himself with the actual necessities of life.

He has one of the buildings on his place stacked full of government statistical records, which he had received from time to time in wagon load lots from Washington, D.C.

The old man lives a secluded life, and little is known of his personal affairs, as he does not seem disposed to take people into his confidence. He has never asked for local aid, although it is known that during the past year or so he has many times been close to the verge of want.

Last Friday, while in Spokane, he was summoned to the central police office for an explanation of his conduct in taking up subscriptions of money from various sources for a school of learning. Police stated complaints had come in that Clough was soliciting funds from Spokane merchants to help him establish a university.

Clough was jailed briefly but later released. In an interview at the police station, he told the Inland Herald he would continue to sell law degrees for only $1 each, and while he might not live to see Odessa University as a success. It would nevertheless be a sure thing.

The police, however, say Clough will have to show them or quit selling LL.s for $1 on the streets of Spokane.

100 Years Ago

From The Odessa Record

March 21, 1913

“We like Odessa, so will you” has been adopted as a slogan by the Odessa Commercial Club, and will be used on the club’s stationery and literature in the future. The publicity committee, consisting of H.C. Phillips, K.R. Edmunds, Dr. Ganson, E.J. Kriegler and Fred Thiel, is preparing the matter for a six-page folder containing information about Odessa and the Odessa country, which will be used for general distribution.

Ed Koth was here from Spokane Monday and has made arrangements to reenter business in Odessa, going in with the Michaelsen boys, under the firm name of Michaelsen Bros. & Koth. Julius Michaelsen and Mr. Koth are in Spokane this week buying a stock for the new store. The new firm will carry a stock of dry goods, shoes, clothing, groceries and shelf hardware and expect to have their store open for business about April 1.

75 Years Ago

From The Odessa Record

March 24,1938

Mrs. Emma Jean Napier, Odessa; Adam Bartalamay, Odessa; Mrs. Mary Nichols, Wilbur; Jacob Fichtenberg, Rocklyn; Herman Meier, Creston, and Mikkel G.N. Dissing, Wilbur, were admitted to United States citizenship at the spring naturalization hearings conducted by Edgar R. Bonsell, Spokane, naturalization examiner, in superior court.

Spring was forgotten for part of the week in Odessa, starting on Friday, when the heaviest wind storm of the season blew steadily all day, following a rainfall of .32 inches the night before.

Tuesday afternoon saw a snow storm break and cover the ground with a light covering of slushy snow. Spring regained its influence on Wednesday, drying up the moisture and presenting a bright day.

On Sunday night the temperature dropped to 20 degrees above zero, the equal of which was reached only two days during the past winter.

50 Years Ago

From The Odessa Record

March 21,1963

The livery barn of a pioneer town was the center of interest for the farmers of the community There you could rent a team and buggy for trips to the outlying ranches, find feed and shelter for teams while in town.

The usual equipment for a livery barn was three driving teams and a heavy team of dray horses. A dray wagon and various choices in buggies were available. Room was kept in the barn for rental stalls and a parking yard for farm teams.

Farmers loved to sit in the warm office of the livery barn, swapping yarns, unless an overwhelming thirst caused them to leave their team and hit for the nearest saloon. Should a farmer be required to stay in town overnight, he would take his team to the stall in the livery barn, and as likely as not, make his own bed in the hay mow.

As near as we can find out, the first livery barn was built by a Mr. Kennedy on the site of the present Grange Supply store. Later the Bigham brothers, pioneer horsemen, started another on a site near the creek bank, where the Bartalamay homes are located.

Fire ended the tenure of many such businesses. With the coming of the early automobiles, the livery barns found themselves being used to house these vehicles, and the operator was forced to become somewhat of a mechanic. Blacksmiths too found themselves started in the auto repairing business.

25 Years Ago

From The Odessa Record

March 24, 1988

The economic development battle of the Small Cities of the Inland Northwest will continue March 29 when Washington Water Power’s economic development groups brings its “Small Cities Summits” program to Odessa.

“The Odessa Summit will focus on how small cities can develop new strategies to compete against retail leakage and the out-migration of their young people,” said WWP project coordinator Joe Tortorelli. “The smaller cities have great potential to create opportunities for small businesses who market their unique products to regional, national and international markets.”

10 Years Ago

From The Odessa Record

March 27, 2003

There were 120 members of the community present on Sunday, March 16, as the four young women, Kelsie Luiten, Kimberly Jeske, Jena Meise and Amanda Finkbeiner vied for the title of Miss Odessa. When the program was finished Luiten had been chosen the winner and received a $50 scholastic scholarship and a $425 scholarship.

Princesses Meise, Jeske and Finkbeiner won $350 scholarships plus Jeske won the Inspiration Award.