Flashback: Redmond man dies in Nevada in 1949; Businesses burglarized; Fair, expo center move toward completion

Published 12:00 am Thursday, May 16, 2024

100 Years Ago

May 22, 1924 — The 8th grade makes record

A remarkable record was established by the Redmond eighth grade students who took the state examinations this week. With 26 in the class, only one fell below 90 in their general averages. One member of the class, Wilma Buckley, received a grade of 98 percent.

County Superintendent Thompson, who conducted the examinations, says that this is the best record he has knowledge of. The Terrebonne and La Pine eighth grades, he said, were also of high standards in their averages, but for 26 pupils to have only one below 90 is exceptional.

… Mr. Thompson said that the students showed uniformly good grades in all studies, particularly good in grammar and arithmetic.

75 Years Ago

May 19, 1949 — Bill Damewood killed in Nevada

The body of Bill Eldon Damewood, 24, has been flown here from Contact, Nev., and funeral services will be held Friday afternoon at 2 o’clock from the Redmond Christian church. Interment will be in the Redmond cemetery.

Damewood was killed in a jeep accident Sunday, May 15, at Contact, where he had been working. He is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. C. E. Damewood of Prineville, two brothers, Lyle D, of Contact. Nev., and Gene of Prineville, his grandparents, Mrs. Margie Sturdevant of Prineville and Mr. and Mrs. J. E, Damewood of Gold Hill, and a number of aunts and uncles.

Bill Damewood was born at Dorena on March 26, 1925, but had lived most of his life in central Oregon. He attended Redmond union high school and served in the marine corps for three years, including two years in China.

Zacher mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

50 Years Ago

May 22, 1974 — Businesses burglarized

Three burglaries and a theft netted a sizeable chunk of loot and kept Redmond police busy over the weekend.

The greatest loss was suffered by Deschutes Farmers Co-op. An undisclosed amount of money was taken from the safe. Entry was gained by cutting a hole in the fence, then forcing the rear door. The culprits attacked the safe with a wide range of tools, including a sledgehammer, wedge, screwdriver and car jack, before it gave up cash drawers containing the money.

The burglars also broke into the scale house and tire center and went through the offices and desks, but apparently took nothing. The burglary occurred sometime between when the co-op, located at 106 E. Evergreen Ave., closed Friday evening, and reopened at 7 a.m. Monday.

Police discovered a second burglary Friday night. Oscar’s Texaco Servicenter, owned by Oscar Ketchum, had been entered by breaking the glass on the south shop door. Stolen was a radio, four tires, a scope, timing light, tin snips and wrench with a combined value of $351.50.

Apparently sometime early Saturday morning burglars struck Redmond Motor Supply, 728 N. Sixth St. After breaking out the south office window, the culprits ransacked the office and stole a tape deck player valued at $52.95.

Entering through an open door sometime Friday night, thieves took two of four kegs of beer from the Veterans of Foreign Wars hall.

25 Years Ago

May 19, 1999 — Fair, expo center move toward completion

With the busy summer season quickly approaching, the project manager for the Deschutes County Fair and Expo Center feels confident the facility will be ready.

“Short of a strike or a bolt of lightning, we’re looking pretty good for using those facilities,” said Elton Gregory, president of the Deschutes County Fair Board.

Originally, the county’s specifications called for the general contractor, Kirby Nagelhaut, to be finished by May 1. However, an extension was granted because of frigid weather during the winter, which slowed progress. Another was granted because of a change order for the seating in the covered arena.

Gregory expects the arena, and other buildings on the fairgrounds, will be ready to receive an occupancy permit from the City of Redmond by June 4 or 5.

That will be in time for the 120,000-square-foot arena’s inaugural events, the graduation ceremonies of Redmond and Mountain View high schools June 10 and 11.

Some buildings have been substantially complete for some time. The first were the administration building and the 14,000-square-foot High Desert Events Center. That second building has been in use since February.

Gregory said the maintenance building and hay barn are finished. Asphalt work on the grounds has also been signed off. In addition, most of the livestock barns are done or nearly done.

Several buildings are being used even though the fair board hasn’t signed final acceptance on them. Gregory said pressure to use the facilities has been high. So they have been opened with an occupancy permit, but before the “punch list” detailing all items in the contract has been completed.