This Week in Odessa History

100 years ago

Commissioner G. N. Lowe pushing project. New survey shortens distance from Harrington to Krupp 9 miles, several crews at work. Completion of the graveling of the newly graded stretch of the North Central highway from Lamona six miles westerly towards Odessa, is promised within three weeks by Commissioner G.N. Lowe, who says the new road will then be thrown open to the public. The new stretch which closely parallels the great Northern from Lamona, joins the present highway near the Elian place about four miles east of Odessa. Owing to the scarcity of labor supply at present it is questionable whether the last four miles into Odessa can be completed or much more than opened this season.

The present road from the Elian place to Odessa, however, is a good highway and can serve until the county can finish the last four miles with a permanent grade, which is thought can be done not later than next season.

Thirty nine friends of the Misses Frona and Eval Richter planned a successful surprise on the young ladies at their home on Liberty hill Tuesday evening and a pleasant evening was spent in games and music after which refreshments were served. Those present were the Misses Mollie, Lydia and Ida Suchland, Anna Werner, Ida Jasman, Maggie Deife, Teckla Horn, Hilda Schatz, Saloma Doering, Katie Melcher Anna Stroh, Rose Kramer, Emma Kerstein, Pauline Schimke, Mary Weber, Esther Roloff, Luise Schneider, Martha Richter, and Reinhold Freiske, Andrew Weishaar, Dan Haase, Jack Haase, Solomon Doering, Will Raugust, Herbert Luher, Gottleib Reiman, Alfred Schimke, Otto Schneider, August Kerstein, Leonard Kerstein, Conrad Schlimmer, Henry Jeske, Andrew Jeske and Mr. and Mrs. A. Loeffelbein.

75 years ago

Marlin schools have reopened after having been closed a week on account of drifting snow, Mrs. Charlotte Conklin has resigned her English teaching position leaving a vacancy in the faculty.

Already ranking among the top in the nation for egg production per hen, Washington state farm families and many living in small towns are out to do an even better job by increasing their poultry flocks to produce more of these essential war foods.

There are 175 local boys now serving in the United States armed services.

Pvt. Joe Schlewe is home on a short furlough from his station with the army at Muroc, Calif.

Rudolph Schimke has arrived safely in North Africa, it was reported to relatives this week. His brother, John, is with the Marines in the south Pacific.

A deal was completed this week whereby R.N. Kissler, manager of the hardware department of the Odessa Trading Company, bought the fixtures and stock of the Burgan’s store here, taking possession on Monday. He will continue to handle the same line of merchandise as the Burgans’ stores and will continue to firm name for the present.

Honoring the 26 members of its congregation now in the armed forces, the Pilgrim Congregational church has built an interesting display. The service flag, its 26 stars in the shape of a cross, hangs above a panel on which are displayed the pictures of the men, arranged in a V formation.

The American Legion auxiliary will have charge of the collection of books for service men’s libraries for Odessa, it was announced by Mrs. W.P. Smith.

If any townsman or rancher has cats he does not want, he can find a home for them by letting Harvey Wederspahn know. Mr. Wederspahn states that his last cat has died and he is without a mouser.

Arthur Derr has enlisted in the navy, to give the Derr family a three service group. Howard is with the army in north Africa, Iorwerth with the Marines in the south seas.

Cpl. Fred August Stehr writes, sending a renewal of his subscription and states that he is with the motor pool at Santa Monica, and that while we were facing the cold, he was in the California rain and sunshine.

A letter was received from Pvt. Robert J. Ruff stating that he has a slightly different address and is enjoying The Record each week. He says that he enjoys working for Uncle Sam and that there are quite a number of Washington boys with him.

50 years ago

Odessa Lumber is Sold to Delbert Cook: The Odessa Lumber Co., one of the oldest business establishments in town, has been sold by Mr. and Mrs. John Deife. The new owners are Mr. and Mrs. Delbert Cook. The transaction was completed earlier this week.

The business will continue to be operated in conjunction with Cook’s Masonry.

Mr. Deife sold for reasons of health. The retiring couple plans to continue living in Odessa.

The lumber yard was started by the late G.W. Finney who laid out the townsite in 1898. Finney received the first carload of lumber in 1899. The first lumber yard office later housed The Odessa Record. The big lumber shed was built in 1901 and carried a sign, Finney and Pattee Lumber Co. Henry Phillips later joined the firm. The business was sold to John Deife and Gus Weber in May of 1948. Deife bought out Weber’s interest in 1961 and has operated the business until January of 1968.

Fire destroys shop, equipment hay at Melchers

Fire Wednesday evening, Jan. 24, destroyed a building, equipment and hay valued at approximately $20,000, according to statistics compiled by the local Rural Fire department. A shop building was burned to the ground. In it were tools, equipment, a pickup, a deep freeze, air compressor, etc. A corral also burned along with a major portion of a 40-ton stack of hay.

The fire report was turned in here just after 6 p.m. last Wednesday. Two trucks and a tanker were taken to the scene approximately 20 miles southwest of Odessa. Trucks from the Ritzville Rural department were also called.

Fighting in a high wind, men on the scene could only contain the blaze which was well under way by the time equipment arrived. Nearby gas storage tanks were kept wet down and saved.

Cause of the blaze has not been determined. The Melchers were at home at the time.

25 years ago

The Odessa Record

February 4, 1993

School, hospital levy issues approved by wide margins: Odessa voters enthusiastically supported two levy issues in an election Tuesday, assuring continued operation and maintenance funding for Odessa schools and Lincoln Hospital District #1.

Passage of the levies also means that Odessa’s health care facilities will be able to fund repairs and remodeling mandated by new state and federal regulations.

In the hospital ballot, 87 percent of the voters approved a $360,000 special levy. There were 313 votes for and 47 against with 51 absentee ballots still to be counted on Wednesday morning.

In the school election, the vote was 294 for and 66 against, giving an approval percentage of 81.7.

A year ago, in the passage of a $375,000 hospital levy, 85 percent of the voters approved, and in the school levy for $365,000 the figure was 76.4 percent.

Well over 60 percent of voters went to the polls, an indication of continuing support by the community, school and hospital district officials noted.

In past years voters have always rallied to keep the hospital afloat. And in those years, the hospital district has had to struggle with increasing costs and low utilization of Odessa Memorial Hospital. In addition to the levy, the district had to borrow on the following year’s anticipated levy income to survive.

During the past year, however, both the hospital and the Odessa Clinic, with the arrival of a new permanent physician, Dr. Linda Powell, have experienced new highs in patient visits. Despite this turn-around and a brighter financial position at the end of 1992, hospital district officials still are concerned about mounting operating and maintenance costs and a burden presented by new state and federal health care reforms which require remodeling and modifications of facilities.

“We are happy to see the community support is as strong as every, even though the hospital district is in a better financial position than in previous years,” said hospital district administrator Carol Schott. “The passage of the levy this week will allow us to go ahead with the needed improvements at the hospital,” she said.

Voters’ support of the school levy was hailed by Odessa school superintendent Steven L., Smedley.

“We’re extremely pleased at the news of the passage of the levy,” he said. “The approval by the voters shows the positive relationship which exists between the school staff, the students and the community. We work very well together and we hope to build on this good relationship to provide the best possible education for Odessa students.”

In addition to maintaining a high quality of education, Smedley said, the levy will provide funds for needed school plant improvements and for a funding a growing number of school activities and services which the state no longer provides.

The school levy, collectible in 1994, represents a $10,000 increase over the one approved by voters a year ago. Smedley said the increase is due mainly to inflation.

Among the services at the school which the levy will help pay for are the lunch program, the gifted-student program.

Levy funds also are used to purchase various equipment and supplies and this year, Smedley said, there will probably have to be a roof replacement on a part of the school plant.

Albert ‘Bud’ King to be sentenced April 9. Guilty plea entered in marijuana case: Albert E. “Bud” King, of Odessa, last Friday pleaded guilty to drug and income tax charges stemming from a raid by federal agents at his ranch four miles east of Odessa last September in which a marijuana crip valued at $20 million was uncovered.

The Odessa-area rancher appeared in U.S. District Court before to plead guilty to a count of conspiracy to manufacturing more than 1,000 marijuana plants and to a count of subscribing to a false income tax return.

King waived his right to have the case presented to a federal grand jury. He will be sentenced on April 9, the U.S. Attorney’s office said.

“Formal sentencing has been set for April 9, and King will remain free on his own recognizance subject to certain travel and other conditions pending sentencing,” U.S. Attorney William D. Hyslop stated. “At the time of sentencing and if King cooperates with the government pursuant to the plea agreement, the government will recommend to the court that King be imprisoned for five years and be fined $15,000, “ said Hyslop.

Under a plea bargain, King has agreed to testify against eight co-defendants who are being tried in March allegedly being part of a major drug ring.

“This is not the end of this case,” said Hyslop. “To date, eight other defendants have been indicted and are facing trial in March. With in excess of 5,400 marijuana plants found growing at the ranch and knowing that some had already been harvested, this remains the largest marijuana-growing operation stopped in the State of Washington. Investigation of the case is ongoing, and the expected testimony of Albert King should be very helpful in the prosecution of any others involved,” said Hyslop.