The East Oregonian advertises its printing prowess in the paper’s Oct. 24, 1923, edition.

100 years ago

Damage, the amount of which no estimate could be secured, was done to The Peoples Warehouse, H. W. Collins and the Dickson estate last night in a fire in the basement under the Collins office. The damage to the estate was that caused to the building and is estimated about $2,000.

The damage to H. W. Collins he estimated at about $2,000. The loss to The Peoples Warehouse was from fire, smoke and water, and no estimate was available today, either from the management of the store, or the fire insurance men who were working on the case. It is probably that the smoke loss will be heavier than the loss either by fire or water.

Short Circuit Thought Cause

While the origin of the blaze has not been absolutely determined, the belief has been expressed that a short circuit of electric light wires near the east wall of the basement was its cause. Mayor Fee declared this morning that an examination of the basement led him to this conclusion. Fire Chief Ringold declared it as his opinion that a short circuit was probably the cause of the fire but he would not positively classify the blaze as having had this origin.

75 years ago

A six-year program for Columbia basin development will be drawn up by interested state and federal agencies, the Columbia basin interagency committee decided Friday.

In a brief session aimed at getting all agencies working in the co-ordinated planning program, the group set the objective at accomplishments which can be achieved in the next six years. They include planning on agriculture, soil erosion, forest cover, flood control, navigation, irrigation and power.

A major meeting of the committee will be held here Nov. 10 when the corps of engineers’ comprehensive report of recommendations will be presented. The report was authorized by congress and has been five years in preparation. It is said to be the most comprehensive planning report ever made on an American river basin. Details are expected to be made public one or two days before the meeting.

25 years ago

There’s nothing quite like being eyeball to eyeball with a bird of prey.

Intelligence gleams through their sharp gaze: the stare-down of a hunter. Just as you recall you’re a mammal without talons, powerful wings pump and they’re gone.

Such an up-close view of wildlife will be offered this afternoon as Blue Mountain Wildlife holds its first open house at its new location near McKay Reservoir.

The open house is a major fund-raiser for the non-profit rehabilitation group, which receives no state or federal support. It’s “strictly funded by donations and memberships,” said Lynn Tompkins, who has been rehabilitating wildlife for 10 years with the help of her husband, Bob.

Visitors can tour the facility’s two new flight pens and meet some of the residents, as well as give Blue Mountain Wildlife from “moral and financial support,” said Tompkins.