150 years ago
1874
Republican nominations: At the head of our paper, to day, we place the names of the candidates nominated for the various offices by the County Republican Convention, last Saturday. … N.W. Allen, of Philomath, is well and favorably known to the citizens of this county, and will make an efficient Representative, if elected. Perhaps but few better. … Jas. Chambers, King’s Valley, is the youngest man on the Legislative ticket — but is a fine scholar and has had considerable experience in public business, and, if elected, will acquit himself with credit. … County Commissioner — David King, near Philomath, also farmer, a man of undoubted integrity and honesty and is well qualified for the position. He has heretofore served the county very acceptably in this position. … Supt. Common Schools — R.E. Williams, Principal of Philomath College. He is a ripe scholar, and eminently fitted for the position. … Surveyor — H.N. Bowman, Summit. Is an old resident of this county, and is, perhaps, as good a man as could have been chosen for the place. (Excerpts from an article published April 4, 1874, in the Corvallis Gazette).
125 years ago
1899
School statistics: Benton County — Supt. G.W. Denman reports 2,460 children of school age in his county, 1,240 being males and 1,220 females; of this number 568 boys and 544 girls were enrolled in their home schools, while thirty-eight attended school away from their districts; twenty-four girls and twenty-seven boys attending the schools, were under 6 years old. The average daily attendance in the county is given at 1,363. Ninety-one teachers were employed, of which only twenty-two were males, the latter receiving an average monthly salary of $41.50, and the females $27.70, while the superintendent receives $1,000 per annum. The county has fifty-seven districts and school houses. … Fifty-one districts are supplied with Webster’s dictionaries. (Published April 2, 1899, in the Oregon Statesman, Salem).
100 years ago
1924
Band concerts: The high school band is being worked into good action under the direction of H.S. McCurley. Last year, the C.H.S. band was classed as one of the best high school bands in the state, this year even better. … Two concerts are being planned by the band: one at Philomath and at Corvallis. They are to be given sometime in April. With the new music, these concerts will be of the very best class and will give the people who attend their money’s worth. (Published April 1, 1924, in the Corvallis Gazette-Times).
Postmaster opening: Four residents of Philomath have recently taken the examination for the position of postmaster at Philomath, the examination being given at the Corvallis postoffice. The applicants are Mrs. Jennie Smith, Mrs. Glyde Cone Schreiber, a former Corvallis girl, Earl Brown and Frank Plunkett. The new appointee will assume his or her office June 4. (Published April 3, 1924, in the Corvallis Gazette-Times).
75 years ago
1949
Gopher poisoning: Red clover leaves treated with strychnine at the rate of one ounce of strychnine to 10 pounds of red clover leaves is an effective means of poisoning gophers. This information was given to 75 north Benton county farmers by Donald C. Dickey of the professional rodent control service of Eugene during a rodent control meeting held on the A.L. Guerber farm Friday, March 25. Baits for poisoning gophers should be placed in the main runway in order that gophers may find the material. Red clover leaves prove much more effective with the treating of strychnine than any other type of legume leaves due to the hairy condition of the bottom side of the leaf. However, other types of legume leaves can be used; also carrots, parsnips or potatoes can be treated with strychnine and placed in runways and prove as a very effective means of poisoning gophers. (Published March 31, 1949, in the Benton County Herald).
40 years ago
1984
Frolic changes: Several changes, including a new name, rodeo arena and parade route, are planned for the 1984 Philomath Frolic to be held June 5-11, according to several members of the Frolic committee. The Philomath Western Frolic, Inc. has changed its name to Philomath Frolic and Rodeo, Inc., said Frolic committee member Jerry Millis. In addition, plans are in the works for Philomath Frolic and Rodeo, Inc., to build a permanent rodeo arena in time for this year’s event. The rodeo arena will be located on land owned by Skirvin Farms, Inc., in the field southwest of the gravel airstrip, which connects with Applegate Street near the 13th Street crossing. The Frolic rodeo and carnival has been held at that location the past two years. Paul Skirvin, chairman of the Frolic rodeo committee and part-owner of the land, said Skirvin Farms are donating the site for the arena free for two years. “The past two years they (Philomath Western Frolic, Inc.) have had to rent an arena, which has cost them a lot of money. So we decided let’s just build our own arena and give them the land free for two years,” Skirvin said. “Philomath has been awful good to me, there’s no reason I can’t help them out some,” he added. (Published April 4, 1984, in the Benton Bulletin).