100 years ago

A loss of about $10,000 was caused David H. Nelson, big wheat farmer northwest of Pendleton this afternoon, when a field of wheat of 300 acres burned.

The exact source of the fire is not known, but it is thought that it started from the exhaust of the caterpillar that pulled the combine. Several rounds had been made on the field when the fire started, but the wheat so threshed had been hauled into the elevator on the ranch in tight beds.

The first report that reached Pendleton at noon was to the effect that the fire had started in the elevator and barn on the Nelson ranch, but this report later proved to be erroneous. No buildings were destroyed.

The fire was out before 2 o’clock, with the exception of small scattered fires in the burned area, and a sufficient force of men was on hand to take care of these flames. Many neighboring farmers rushed to the fire as quickly as possible to lend their aid and the servied of the men in helping put out the fire which was fanned by a high wind.

50 years ago

Pendleton’s Paula Echanis regards her role as princess of the Umatilla County Fair as a “learning experience.”

Paula, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Andres J. Echanis, has lived in Pendleton most of her 17 years, but she hasn’t met as many people from the surrounding areas, or learned so much about them as she would like.

“I guess meeting new people is almost everyone’s pastime,” she says, “but I enjoy it so much.

“When I go on to college, and meet strangers, I’d like to let them know the best I can about my background, my life style and my community. I think representing our county on the fair court will prove to be not only a great learning experience for myself, but an opportunity to convey my pride and love for my home to others.”

25 years ago

Eva Michael, Pette and Willie Ropert, the Dockweiler’s baby girl and the Fitzgeralds. They were just a few who were lost when their gravestones were removed.

But a Pendleton woman with a deep appreciation of history has rediscovered them and others. It took a lot of heart and hard work, but Juanita Bradshaw is sure it was worth the effort.

“You can feel it up here sometimes,” she said. “They’re so happy now that people are paying attention to them.”

Bradshaw, 72, discovered the overgrown, faceless Meacham Cemetery on the west hill of the town in the Blue Mountains after hearing about it from a waitress in a local restaurant. The two-tenths of an acre is snuggled among sparse trees and overgrown grass and weeds. A makeshift road of flattened grass and paper-plate signs are the only indications at first glance the cemetery exists.

“We have driven up the county highway out here for 20 years and never knew it was up here,” Bradshaw said. She and her husband, Tom, have a cabin in the Meacham area.