This Week in Odessa History

100 years ago

From the Odessa Record

August 6, 1914

A transient arrived by train Sunday, with heavy grips, fishing rod, and well dressed appearance. He attempted to make purchases Monday by check and succeeded in some stores. He had his purchases timed so he could catch No. 1 out of town, but the train was three hours late. Investigation identified the man as a known crook and the train was stopped at Wilson Creek, the man removed and brought back to Odessa. He made good his damages here but was held for coast officers.

The new settler program has more than 11,000 acres of land offered for sale in the Odessa area, at prices ranging from $11 to $35 an acre.

Irby school will adopt a new system of cooperation in helping children get their education. A carrier will be employed to make trips to gather and return the children each day. The eight mile route will come thin a quarter of a mile of any farmhouse. About 25 new children will be added, bringing the total number to 100. A bus, similar to those used for the city hotels, has been purchased for this purpose.

Lincoln county has filed a notice of foreclusure of tax liens against some 1000 defendants, owners of lots in Waukesha, near Odessa.

Wheat reached a high mark yesterday with an offer of 75 cents for Bluestem and 70 cents for red wheat. A war scare in Europe is responsible for the upward trend.

75 years ago

From The Odessa Record August 3, 1939

An Overalls and Apron Dance or “hayseed” ball is promised for Odessa on Saturday night, the dance to be at the city hall with new music. The management promises a free straw for every dancer, in keeping with the costumes. The event will be the second of a series of harvest dances.

Farm-to-market roads have suffered greatly from wheat hauling, the dry year having created a condition favorable to breaking. At Ruff the condition of the highway is so bad that farmers are hauling to Moody, Warden and Wheeler, rather than attempt the haul to Ruff.

Visitors in that area from Odessa report that the Marlin-Ruff highway is in poor condition. Bad washboard conditions are found on most of the rural roads, with little chance for correction until a rain falls.

Harvest operations were hampered by hot days. The record hot spell of the past week created unique conditions for those harvesting in this area. Men and machines suffered alike. During the weekend, while the weather raged, harvest hands were in demand. Dozens of men were affected by the heat, making it necessary to lay off. Machine men and sack sewers were hard to find.

The horse drawn combines found working extremely difficult. Jacob H. Melcher had a horse drop and was unable to save the animal. Most tractor outfits were able to keep moving, but some found difficulties, it was seen. At the Ed Geissler ranch, during one of the hottest days, the babbit in tractor bearings got too hot and started running out, requiring a re-pouring.

E.M. Hemmerling found his harvest delayed when a breaking connecting rod pierced the side of the tractor block and entered the fuel pump. New parts were the required need.

Among those who were unfortunate in their choice of emplyment during the heat wave were the mechanics from Birges garage, who answered a call to weld a 75 foot spout for the new Bluestem warehouse. Using the track as a guide, they sweltered under the boiling sun, the heat of the welding equipment adding its share.

Machinery used in the harvest became so hot that it was almost impossible to touch the metal surface.

The second of Odessa’s harvest Saturdays proved quiet, with many fewer people on the streets than had been there the week before. The dance at the city hall drew a fair crowd. Hot weather had taken its toll from the laborers during the week and most of them were content to retire early. Only one arrest was made, a young warehouseman, for disturbing the peace. He was released at a justice court hearing Monday. 50 years ago

From the Odessa Record

August 6, 1964

Many friends and relatives joined to celebrate the Golden Wedding anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. Jocob Ott, pioneers of Irby. The reception was held on the lawn of the Walter Ott home.All of Mr. and Mrs. Ott’s 10 children and all 38 grandchildren were able to attend. It was the first time in 14 years that all 10 of the Ott children had been able to be home at the same time.

The famly reunion began with an outdoor waffle, pancake and ham breakfast followed by an outdoor Sunday school and church service, led by the Rev. John Birchard of the English Congregational church of Odessa. Four of the grandchildren were baptized at the service.

A scheduled tour of the hills took the grandchildren to “Tracy’s Cave” and varous craters around Irby. The reception followed from 4 to 6 p.m. with several hundred out of town and local guests and relatives attending. A tasty lunch of ham, five varieties of bread, celery, ice cream, cake, lemonade and coffee was served.

Some Irby old-timers saw each other for the first time in 50 years. Many came back to the place of their birth or where they had spent happy childhood years.

25 years ago

From The Odessa Record

August 3, 1989

The new Odessa High School cheerleading squad took time for a brief practice on the lawn of head cheerleader Kaylene Plinski. Other cheerleaders were Sherry Gustafson, Holly Bell, Julie Zagelow and Melinda Dammel; and they were practicing just prior to leaving for this summer’s cheer camp at Central Washington University in Ellensburg.

The summer recreation program is sponsoring a trip for seniors to Manito Park and “Cheer Camp for Little Girls’ in the city park.There will be a week of free swimming for adults; teen and adult volleyball will be in the evenings; and a potluck party will be held on the final day for all participants and their families.

10 years ago

From The Odessa Record

July 22, 2004

The school district had a hearing on the budget for the 2004-2005 school year. Superintendent Doug Johnson outlined the reasons for the financial crunch which not only Odessa schools, but nearly all schools everywhere are having to deal with.

“In simple terms, enrollment is down and expenses are up,” Johnson said.

The Odessa school budget this year is based on a conservative count of 233 full time students. The shrinking K-12 enrollment is illustrated by the fact that there were 32 graduating high school seniors last June, who will be replaced by an estimated 16 first-graders this September.