This Week in Odessa History

100 years ago

The Odessa Record

March 8, 1918

Bachelor gets a surprise: A number of neighbors and friends planned a successful surprise party and invaded the bachelor home of Gust Nass south of town Saturday night. Just whether or not the ladies found the conditions at the Nass house bore any relation to the old time bachelor’s hall where “pots, dishes, pans and grazy commodities, ashes and pertatie skins kivered the floor,” has not been made public, but one thing is certain, that is that they all brought well filled baskets and for once in his life since he came to the Odessa country, the lord of “Bachelor’s” hall had his fill of real woman’s cooking. It is also hinted that there is a possibility that this invasion may lend him again to buying box candy, something he started several years ago and then suddenly stopped for some reason or other. Laying joking aside, however, Gust is reported to been a royal host and that it was a very enjoyable occasion. Those in attendance were:

Messieurs and Mesdames D.G. Roloff, Frank Oliver, Julius Kuest, D.E. Roloff, the Misses Martha Witt, Bertha Witt, Edna Kuest, Alma Kuest, Amanda Kuest, Mollie Janke, Elsie Albrecht Ora Oliver, Gusta Werner, Esther Roloff and Christine Wilskie, and Gotthilf Janke, Emanuel Janke, Emanuel Witt, George Greening, Jake Ills, Reinhold Roloff, Fred Walter, and Dave Gettman.

Basketball championship undecided: The first game of the Lincoln county basketball championship contest series was played at Reardan Friday night and Reardan claims a victory with the score 34 to 35. Unfortunately there was a difference in the books of the two scorers, the Edwall man’s book showing a tie 34 to 34 when the last whistle blew, so there is a possibility of having to play the game over.

In the second game at Edwall Wednesday night, Edwall easily defeated her northern rival by the score of 28 to 18. Supt. Cherry of the Odessa high schools refereed this game and reports that Edwall has developed wonderfully in speed since the team played here early in the season so that the two teams are well matched and with heavier men Edwall should stand an excellent show of bringing the championship to the south side of the county.

75 years ago

The Odessa Record

March 4, 1943

Overseas men are constantly on the alert in hopes of meeting a home town boy somewhere along the route. Ben Kuch and Clarence Kissler had one of these meetings, coming upon each other the last day before their ship landed them at Africa. They are with different outfits, so do not know when they will meet again..

Pvt. Albert Liedtke is here on sick leave from Hobbs, N. Mex., where he recently underwent an operation. He reports that just before he left camp he met Pvt. Bill Schmidt, who told him to carry his greetings to all his Odessa friends.

Pvt. Alvin Wacker writes that he has been transferred from California to Oklahoma City, with his repair squadron of the air corps.

Norman Nelson, formerly on the Odessa Record staff, now an electrician in the navy, is at Quincy, Mass., working on a new cruiser.

Ed Kiehn, seaman first class, was honored by the high school band at the tournament on Friday night, the group playing “Anchors Aweigh,” after dedicating the number to him. The large audience joined in the applause. Seaman Kiehn is having his first furlough since entering the navy 14 months ago.

Reuben Fink and George Schiewe were reelected to the school board at a quiet election on Saturday afternoon, only 23 voters turning out. The election board consisted of Rev. A. Hausauer, Carver Whelchel and Mrs. George Schiewe.

Lauron Gies, Odessa, student at Washington State college, received an athletic sweater award as junior baseball manager. Gies is a sophomore majoring in general and is a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon.

Odessa high school basketball team won the championship at the Odessa Lions club tournament Saturday night, after three straight victories, each by a wide margin.

After a very close election, Jo Ann Bresee was named the new student body president. This is the first time for two years that a girl has held the office.

Al Dormaier and Del Schafer, Odessa, were voted by the seven coaches of participating teams of the Lions club basketball tournament as members of the all tournament team. This is the second year that they have been voted on the all tournament team.

The Odessa fire department was called away from the basketball game on Thursday night to fight a roof fire at the Carl Kiehn home. Despite a heavy wind and a temperature of 11 above zero, the firemen controlled the blaze with only light damage.

James Odell Jr. and Weldon Haase passed their service physicals on Tuesday, Haase being assigned to the navy and Odell to the army.

Seven mail, passenger and freight trains were held up for 10 hours Sunday morning while Great Northern railroad crews cleared away wreckage and rebuilt tracks after a collision in the south part of Wenatchee, which tore up three tracks.

Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Wacker Sr., former Odessa residents, now of Dryden, have purchased the C.H. Scrupps home in the north part of town and will move here this month to make their home.

The Lions club entertained the basketball team at its meeting on Wednesday night, together with Coach Marvin Knudson, and the referees, E.J. Wachter and Art Jeske. Other guests were George Zicha and Clarence Heimbigner.

50 years ago

The Odessa Record

March 7, 1968

Lakeview Ranch given honors for shorthorns: Two Inland Empire farms took top honors at the 54th annual Shorthorn and Polled Shorthorn Association’s Inland Empire show at StockLand Union Stockyards Friday.

Grand champion bull was shown by Lakeview Ranch, Odessa, and reserve, honors went to Welch Farms, Pasco. Welch Farms took top honors with the champion female and Lakeview received second best.

Show officials said they could not remember when two farms took both top honors and second places in a show of 60 animals.

Judge of the event was S.L. Andrews, Prosser. Lakeview Ranch is owned by Jacob Walter Jr., and Don Evavold. Welch Farms is owned by Mr. and Mrs. Cloyd Welch. Evavold and Mrs. Welch showed for their respective farms, officials said.

Both champion shorthorns were pure white and there were more white animals at this year’s show than most exhibitors could remember in years. Shorthorns may be solid red, pure white or roan.

“The Shorthorns at the Inland Empire show are the type most range cattlemen are looking for as they show large body size and good bone structure,” said Jim Westfall, Corning, Calif., Western Shorthorn field representative. He said many commercial cattle raisers are using Shorthorns and Polled Shorthorns for greater vigor and weight.

First track meet set March 16th: Fifteen Tiger trackmen are working hard preparing for the first meet on Finney field, scheduled Saturday, March 16, at 12:30. In a double dual affair, Grand Coulee faces Wilbur and Reardan takes on Odessa.

Led by seniors Tom Schafer and Jim Evavold, the squad is vigorously preparing for a 12-meet schedule, Coach Leland Boyk states.

Returning lettermen are Schafer and Evavold, seniors; and Jon Raugust, Gerald Smith, Randy Suko, Craig Holman, Tom Frick and Steve Evavold, juniors. Experienced men are Dick Suchland Gary Melcher, seniors; and Mike Hardung and Wes Melcher, sophomors. New trackmen are Karl Zacher and Jay Scrupps, juniors, and Tracy Kissler, a freshman.

25 years ago

The Odessa Record

March 4, 1993

Community mourns Jerry Weber: Jerry Weber succumbed to cancer after a long hard battle on Monday, March 1. He was 58.

Jerry was the ultimate volunteer. He gave not only his time but his entire life to others. Jerry spent countless hours working with the youth of Odessa in making them feel special. His two favorite endeavors were PeeWee Basketball and Little League. Each child was special to Jerry and they felt it. They knew he always had time for them, whether on the court, field or just on the street. Whenever Jerry sat down for five minutes, he could be spotted not only for the flat-top he has sported forever, but for all the children sitting with him. He made playing sports special and fun and he encouraged them to be the best they could be.

Not only was Jerry a volunteer for all the young people, but he gave of himself to the community, too. He ran the American Legion bingo game during Deutschesfest and each year he marched in the Deutschesfest parade with the color guard.

Gerald David Weber was born in Ritzville on June 30, 1934 to John and Lucy (Schorzman) Weber. He was raised on the family farm northwest of Ritzville and graduated from Ritzville High School in 1952.

After graduation, he attended Washington State University for one year before entering the U.S. Army. He served during the conclusion of the Korean Wars and was stationed on the island of Okinawa.

Returning from the service, he attended Kinman Business College for one year.

On June 22, 1957, he married Beverly Ann Hennings, of Ritzville.

For several years they lived and worked in Ritzville before Jerry was hired by Wonder Bread. He worked for Wonder Bread as a deliveryman for 13 years.

During those first 10 years, Jerry and Bev had four children: William Walter Weber born April 1, 1958, Debra Ann born June 29, 1959, Edward David Weber born April 18, 1961 and Lawrence John Weber born June 1, 1967.

In 1970 Jerry went to work on the family farm, where he worked for the next 15 years. While working on the farm, he also sold machinery for the Grange Supply of Odessa.

In 1989 Jerry went to work for the Odessa School District. He served as custodian and bus driver up until his recent illness. He always had a “Hi, how you doin?” for everyone. He could be found working around school with students following behind.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Bev; sons Bill (Karen) of Odessa, Eddie of Yucapai, Calif. and Larry of Brewster (and fiancé Kelly Schafer); his daughter Debra (Terry) of Wenatchee; six grandchildren Curtis, Tony, Jessie, Khristofer, Janelle and Jeff; five surviving brothers Ernest of George, Peter of Quincy, Thomas of Renton, Michael of Ritzville and Jack of Brush Prairie, Wash .; sister-in-law Evelyn Weber of Odessa, and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and friends.

There will be a memorial celebration for students and parents in the multi-purpose room. This was a personal request from Jerry and his family to provide a positive experience for the students. The celebration is not connected with the school except that it is being held there with some school personnel helping. The school is asking that all students be accompanied by their parents. Jerry felt some students may want to spend time with their parents before or after the memorial to talk about what took place.

The church service will be at 2 p.m. with Pastor James Dowdy officiating. Interment will be at the Odessa Cemetery with the American Legion color-guard participating. Deric Schmierer and Gordon Neale will play taps.

Plans started for new mall: Plans for the project were announced this week by Donald E. Walter, editor and publisher of The Odessa Record, who purchased the property last October and moved the offices of The Record to the corner section of the building.

This left the west half of the building facing First Avenue vacant. A large retail space fronting Division Street, directly behind The Record’s office, will be included in the new mall.

The planned retail facility will occupy about 2,300 square feet of floor space in Odessa’s first and oldest brick commercial building at the southwest corner of First Avenue and Division Street.

At the same time he announced plans for the mall, Walter also said that the building has been renamed Record Square. In recent years it has been known as the Bonney Building. The Record has occupied space in the building for the past 11 years, and the newspaper was also one of the first tenants when the building was opened as the First National Bank Building in 1901.

Schedule for the opening of the mall is not definite, although it is planned to have shops and services operational by Deutschesfest in September, Walter said. Tenants are being invited to locate in the mall, with space available at low rental rates. It is expected that a mall association will be formed, with business operators occupying space participating in the decision making of mall activities.

A tentative lineup of retail activities to be included in the mall include a book store and office supply store which will be an operation of The Record, a basic apparel store, fabric shop, craft and antique shop, art gallery, a package wine and cheese shop and an espresso bar.

In addition to these commercial enterprises the mall will house the Odessa Visitor Information Center. This is expected to attract tourists to the building. It is hoped that Odessa-made food specialties and crafts will be displayed and sold in the mall.

Walter emphasized that none of the stores in the mall will be in competition with existing retail businesses in Odessa. Rather, the mall shops will be planned to complement the present retail mix downtown.

In preparation for the new retail activity, some structural changes will be made in Record Square. The partitions separating the former office of The Record and the retail space fronting Division Street will be removed, providing an L-shaped layout.

For the time being, there will be only cosmetic modifications on the interior and exterior of the building. The long-range plan is to restore the building under historic preservation provisions, Walter said. This would include the removal of several coats of paint on the exterior brick walls. These were built of native adobe, and give the building a distinctive appearance typical of business structures in Odessa’s first years at the beginning of the century.