100 years ago

Ezra Meeker, picturesque pioneer who is well known in Pendleton and who placed the slab on the Old Oregon Trail at the end of Webb street at a celebration here some years ago, will play an important role at the celebration July 3 and 4 at the Top o’ Blue Mountains, Ezra Meeker, in years gone by, crossed the plains song with other members of that hardy, inspiring band of emigrants who wrested a practically primeval land from the Indians, and with the sweat of their brows tilled the lands, cut the forests and builded towns, until today the northwest is of the same high standard of civilization as is manifested in the other great world centers.

Meeker, who is now 33 years old, has many times driven an oxen team since that first jaunt across the great American desert. And on July 3 and 4, 1923, Meeker once more will drive a team of oxen – this time before a vast multitude, at the Old Oregon Trail pageant, in commemoration of the crossing of the Blue mountains by the first wagon train 80 years ago, and in celebration of the complete of the new Old Oregon trail over those same mountains.

50 years ago

“As first steps in new direction often do, criticism is excited,” Rep. Stafford Hansell, R-Hermiston, told the Oregon Legislature last week in a speech on the marijuana decriminalization bill.

Hansell said he went into Hermiston for a haircut Saturday morning, and the comments he had from constituents were negative. He said he has had some telephone calls over the weekend supporting him on his stand. A couple of them were concerned parents, he reported.

Earlier in the week he said he had looks of disbelief from fellow legislators when it became known that he was to carry HB 2003, the marijuana decriminalization bill. “All indicated that Stafford Hansell has finally flipped completely with the old devil winning out,” he said.

25 years ago

A long-time city employee was honored Tuesday night after an extremely short City Council meeting.

Shirley Hopper was feted with ice cream and chocolate cake made by her boss, City Attorney Pete Wells, after the council concluded the few items of business on a slim agenda.

“Shirely, we’re proud of you and we’re going to miss you,” Mayor Bob Ramig told her after staff served up cake in the jury room.

Hopper actually retired at the end of February, but has continued working to allow the city time to find a replacement. A replacement should be hired in the next few weeks, Wells said.

Hopper began working for the city as a secretary/receptionist in December 1967. Eventually providing secretarial service to every city department and many committees and commissions, she was promoted to administration secretary in 1973 and executive secretary for the legal department in 1985.