100 years ago

For the week ending Aug. 19, 1906

WESTERN CROOK TEACHERS RECEIVE THE HIGHEST MARKINGS IN EXAMINATIONS

Superintendent Dinwiddie reports that at a recent teacher’s institute held at Prineville, Miss Marion Weist claimed the honor of passing the final examinations with an average of 94 1/2 percent. She not only stood highest in the examinations but also in the normal courses. Miss Weist is a resident of Bend and a teacher in the Bend public schools.

Second honors went to another Western Crook young lady, Miss Harader of Cline Falls. Her average was only a trifle lower than Miss Weist, being 94 5/12.

This is not the first time, however, that Bend and Western Crook have taken similar honors. When Miss Ruth Reid took the examination about a year and a half ago she also passed with the highest percent of any of those taking the examination. Miss Reid is principal of the Bend schools. Such results as these show that Bend’s teachers rank equally with the best in the county.

PARENTS ARE INVITED

The school board and teachers of the Bend district are planning to have special exercises when the fine new building is opened to use on the morning of September 3. An invitation is therefore extended to all parents to be present and assist in dedicating Bend’s new school house to the education of her youths.

The new building is rapidly nearing completion. Nick Weider is doing the painting and oiling the floors, George Brosterhouse is putting in the blackboards and later with the assistance of Tom Triplett will put down the seats. Outside work of building the walks and steps is also being done.

75 YEARS AGO

For the week ending Aug. 19, 1931

AUNT KATE GETS OFFICIAL RATING AS ”SWEETHEART”

Mrs. Kate Rockwell of Bend is ”official sweetheart” of the sourdough stampede, now being held in Portland, and was duly initiated into her hostess role by being kissed by Mayor George Baker.

In speaking at the Yukon banquet, held last night, Mrs. Rockwell invited all the sourdoughs to visit Central Oregon, and Bend in particular, ”to see a real country with real people.”

”AUNT KATE” BACK FROM CONVENTION

Bend in the not distant future may discover that it is to be host to the Alaska Sourdoughs, veterans of the gold rush of some 30 years ago, in annual convention, it is indicated by information from Mrs. Kate Rockwell, who returned last night from the 1931 convention in Portland. Los Angeles, Bend and Calgary were mentioned for the 1932 convention, but Mrs. Rockwell reminded the veterans of the Yukon that at their 1930 meeting in Seattle they pledged their support to Calgary. Following Mrs. Rockwell’s reminder, Calgary was named, with Los Angeles receiving only 30 votes.

However, Mrs. Rockwell told the Sourdoughs that at sometime in the near future Bend would be ready to entertain the veterans of the rush to the far north and that when they came here they would find a hospitality unequaled in any place in the world, with the exception of Alaska.

Mrs. Rockwell was official ”sweetheart” of the 1931 convention and led the grand march at the Alaska-Yukon ball.

50 YEARS AGO

For the week ending Aug. 19, 1956

A LINK WITH HISTORY

Antelope, southern Wasco county town that had a proud pioneer history even before Bend was founded, is to have its main street paved before long.

It will be the village’s first surfaced street.

State highway department engineers are studying the project, and expect to give it full approval. The pavement will be along the pioneer road through the rangeland town. It will cover a 2000 foot section.

Over that street in early days rolled the freight for the upstart town of Bend, in the isolated upper Deschutes country. North along that dusty avenue moved freight teams with their musical bells, headed for the world’s largest wool market, Shaniko.

Herds of cattle from inland ranges bellowed and churned clouds of dust as they trampled over that street, also headed for the end of rails at Shaniko.

Occasionally flocks of sheep added their noise and their dust to the avenue, a small link on the long road from the interior range country to Shaniko.

And now Antelope, its heyday apparently in the past, is to have a fine surfaced street, as through traffic bypasses the pioneer town and rolls over the Cow Canyon route to the west.

Progress is coming to Antelope a bit late, but not too late to settle the dust.

25 YEARS AGO

For the week ending Aug. 19, 1981

AREA RESIDENTS RATTLED BY SALE

ANTELOPE – This community is a bit shaken by the recent change in ownership of the Big Muddy Ranch, about 12 miles east of town.

Antelope school was filled with people, mostly living in or around town, at a joint meeting of the Jefferson and Wasco county courts. Also present were county district attorneys, planners and sheriffs.

They were here to discuss the development of the ranch which is split between the two counties.

The ranch was sold last month to the Chidvilas Rajneesh Meditation Center.

Sheela Silverman, who manages the ranch with her husband, is president of the corporation. The ranch’s name has been changed to Ville de Rajneesh Ranch.

The group drew attention recently when it was joined by Shannon Jo Ryan, daughter of Leo Ryan, the California congressman killed by followers of Peoples Temple cult leader Jim Jones in Guyanna in 1978. She had gone to Rajneesh’s ashram in Poona, India to be interviewed for acceptance into the group.

Ryan said Rajneesh bears no resemblance to Jones and the spiritual leader denies that his following is a cult.

Neighbors expressed concern about the impact ranch children will have on Antelope and Ashwood schools, the possible decline of property values near Antelope because of rumored land sales to the ranch owners, and possible commercial activity on the ranch including the sale of books, video tapes, and photographs. They were also worried about the number of mobile home permits issued by Jefferson County without public notice.

A rumor that the Antelope store might be sold to the ranch is not true at this time, the store owner said. There have been discussions with Silverman and her husband about buying the store, but no firm offer has been made, he said.

An Antelope woman said she was concerned that the ranch owners would begin selling printed material now distributed through the Rajneesh center. She said she considers the material pornographic.

Mayor Margaret Hill, who had a brochure advertising items from the center, said if not pornographic the material was ”at least far out.”

Wasco County district attorney Bernard Smith said, ”They’re going to be required to abide by the law. They aren’t going to be harassed.

If they meet requirements they will be given permits (to install about 15 mobile homes).”