Looking Back

100 years ago

The price of Bluestem and early Baart wheat advanced on Thursday to $1.47 bushel, an increase of 5 cents a bushel. This is the highest wheat has been here this year. It is estimated that about 25% of this year’s crop is unsold and remains in the farmer’s home storage.

Frank Laughbon, county traffic officer is riding around on a new Harley Davidson motorcycle secured last week after the county commissioners decided it was better to buy a new machine than to continue to try and fix the old one.

The rains of the past few days have been a boon to a number of small water and power plants. The long dry spell seriously reduced the water supply of a number of communities.

75 years ago

Jerry Walter is exhibiting a Shorthorn steer at the Pacific International exposition at Portland. Lloyd and Ralph Axtell of Wilbur will show a shorthorn and Hereford. These two drove to Portland earlier this week taking the Walter animal with them.

Lincoln County’s livestock judging team won first place in the competition held at the State Fair in Yakima. Harold Janett of Rocklyn, Gerald Brommer of Reardan and Jim Guhlke of Waukon won out over 12 of the best judging teams in the state.

Members of the Knights of Pythias lodge found themselves without a meeting place, after the demolition of their former meeting place, Lewis Hall. In exchange for a donation to the building fund they will be meeting at Memorial hall.

50 years ago

The Davenport Chamber of Commerce heard from Roger Lyle and the plans to remodel Memorial Hall which was erected after World War II as a memorial to servicemen. The improvements were proposed by Kathi Lilje, an interior design graduate from WSU. The improvements are projected to cost between $15,000 and $20,000.

Ben Eschelbarger will take over as the new manager for Reardan Grain Growers after the resignation of Lawrence Carstens. Escelbarger holds an agricultural economics degree from WSU. He and his family are currently in search of housing in Reardan.

Blowing dust caused road closures on Interstate 90 between Ritzville and Moses Lake. Advisories were put out not to travel the Odessa-Wilbur highway as well. The freshly cultivated fields caused the area to have a thick brown haze which led to several accidents.

25 years ago

Museum and Visitor information centers around the county saw significantly lower numbers of guests this year around the county. Davenport saw 817 less people this year that the year before. Officials are looking into better signage and advertising.

Wayne Badgley retires from the Davenport Fire Department after 24 years as chief. After moving to Moccasin Bay, 14 miles north of town, his response time has increased significantly and Badgley states the first few minutes of a fire are the most important.

The Odessa City Council unanimously voted to adopt Plan C for the realignment of Highway 21 through town. This puts an end to the stalemate between the city and the state highway department.

10 years ago

LIA, aka Lincoln in Action, a group of young people with a mission of improving the county’s health status plan to bring “Rachel’s Challenge” to students within the county. Rachel’s Challenge according to it’s website is a national non-profit organization dedicated to creating safe, connected school environments where learning and teaching are maximized.

Odessa Superintendent and School board members made it known at their recent meeting that the traditional Homecoming Bonfire will not happen this year or in the future. After someone tampered with the pile made for the fire neighboring property was damaged and the school’s insurance company said “no more!”

The Big Red Barn Farmer’s Market in Davenport hosted a Farm-to-Table event. Local Chefs prepared a five course meal with all the food provided by the market vendors and nothing traveled more than 45 miles to be prepared. The dinner was attended by 38 folks.