This week in Odessa history

100 years ago

April 23, 1920

A special meeting of the Odessa town council met to approve the drilling of a second well to ensure the town’s water supply. Three dry seasons and a lack of snow failed to fill underground streams that some had once thought were inexhaustible. Adequate fire protection was also cited as a factor in the decision.

Mr. Streiter at the Odessa schools is the track coach for a group of enthusiastic boys with talent. Herbert Luher may be an Olympian in the discus one day if he continues to improve. He had a throw of 90 feet, considered very good for a boy of his age and size. William Michaelson has proved to be an all-around athlete. Dan Heimbigner is a sprinter who finished the half-mile run in 2.37 minutes wearing overalls and tennis shoes. He also sprinted the 221 in 29 seconds.

75 years ago

April 19, 1945

At the house dress contest at the Odessa Grange on Friday night, Mrs. Joe C. Laney won first place.

Odessa stores closed during the funeral services for President Franklin D. Roosevelt Saturday afternoon, and the Lions Club’s public address system was used to carry the radio broadcasts during that period.

Two more of the pioneer frame structures of the community are being razed this week, including one that was the first store building of Odessa.

The first jury session of Lincoln County Superior Court in two years will convene May 14 at 9:30 a.m., when 60 persons have been ordered to report for jury duty.

50 years ago

April 23, 1970

Judy Haase of Spokane, daughter of Ulla Sivara, Spokane, and Harvey H. Haase, Seattle, was married to Jerry Burghard on April 14 in Albuquerque, N.M. Burghard had just returned after spending 22 months in Viet Nam. Mr. and Mrs. Herb Burghard attended their son’s wedding.

Odessa’s young, inexperienced trackmen tied for 8th place with 19 points in Ritzville’s 24-team annual invitational. Junior Ric Thompson placed second in the javelin and sixth in the pole vault to score nine points. Freshman Keith Cronrath led for 7½ laps to win the two-mile run by 150 yards in the excellent time of 10 minutes, 31 seconds, scoring 10 points. Spectators, athletes and officials broke into applause as he sprinted the last 220 yards, said coach Lee Boyk.

25 years ago

April 20, 1995

Farmer Fred Allington visited one of his fields Saturday and encountered someone loading cut pieces of mainline pipe into the back of a pickup. At first the man claimed that he owned the field, but after Allington said he was the owner, the man then said he was in need of money and would put all of the pipe back if Allington would agree not to inform the authorities. At that point a second man came out from behind some rocks where he had been concealed. He left the scene and reported the crime to the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office. Officials and private citizens engaged in a manhunt for the two robbers, who were eventually apprehended near Coulee City.