Looking Back

100 years ago

Local municipalities observed Friday, Aug. 10 as a holiday in observance of President Warren G. Harding’s funeral.

Farmers reported averaged of close to 35 bushels per acre during wheat harvest.

Two young girls bearing the Reinbold name drowned near what is now Detillion Campground.

A 13-year-old Wilbur boy named Pennington was arrested, “it being alleged the lad stole a horse from Creston several weeks ago.” He apparently rode to Lincoln and told locals he had ridden from Texas on horseback.

75 years ago

A sign was erected near the Rocklyn post office detailing where each local farmer lived.

Davenport city councilmen breathed a sigh of relief that the city’s new $20,000 well was working correctly.

Well-known farmer Robert Sheffels died in the hospital after spending four weeks there following a heart attack while driving in his wheat fields.

50 years ago

Sheriff Don Furbush was told by a farmer that rustlers were stealing, shooting and slaughtering calves due to the high price of beef.

The Davenport community float, featuring Miss Davenport Jane Hein, attendants Penny Thompson and Karlene Larson and chaperones Steve and Elma Wright, earned the grand prize at the Penticton, B.C. Peach Festival.

Gene Curtice officially resigned as Davenport police chief.

25 years ago

A wildfire burned through 800 to 1,00 acres in Snook Canyon north of Davenport.

After Mel Cronrath died suddenly, sons Mitch and Mike Cronrath headed out to work in their barley field when friends and fellow farmers arrived soon after to help them harvest the field.

Superintendent Mark Stedman presented a later approved budget of $1.7 million to the Harrington School Board.

10 years ago

Mayor Sherman Johnson and challenger Randy Baker advanced to the November general election in the race for Reardan mayor, while Leanne Merkel and incumbent Joy Howard advanced in a race for town council.

Virginia Henderson was surprised to see a moose in her south Reardan front yard.

150 to 200 gallons of ammonia spilled on State Highway 23 two miles south of Harrington, resulting in a brief highway closure.