150 years ago
1874
Powder burnt: Lafayette Wilson, sixteen years old, son of Bush Wilson, Clerk of Benton county, met with a serious accident on Saturday last. He had gone across the river gunning. He had just fired off his shotgun, and was in the act of reloading. As the charge in his flask did not hold enough once full for a load, he had poured a quantity of powder into his right hand; he then proceeded to pour the powder from the flask into the gun barrel, when the powder from the heat of the barrel or some cause exploded burning young Wilson from his neck to the crown of his head, and exploding the powder held in his hand. His face was somewhat blistered, his eyebrows, eyewinkers and his hair scorched, but not as bad as at first reported or feared. He will be all right in a few days. Muzzle loaders are not the kind of guns anyhow — they are out of fashion. (Published March 14, 1874, in the Albany Register).
125 years ago
1899
Off to Wren: Wm. Alexander went to Wren Wednesday morning to be present with the parties who were that day to divide the old home farm in Kings Valley. (Published March 17, 1899, in the Lincoln County Leader, Toledo).
Name change: The name of Dusty in Benton county is to be changed back to Bellfountain. Why not call it Dusty in the summer and Bellfountain in the winter. The names might be appropriate then in their seasons. (Published March 17, 1899, in the State Rights Democrat, Albany).
100 years ago
1924
Essay contest: The essay contest which was given by the Philomath State Bank has closed and the following are announced as winners: First prize, Loree McDonald; second prize, Delpha Leopold; third prize, Claire Trenholm. (Published March 17, 1924, in the Corvallis Gazette-Times).
Legion basketball: Albany’s American Legion team covered itself still more deeply with glory last night when it took the powerful Philomath basketball team into camp by a 26 to 15 score. The Philomath five was made up of the best material from the town and college combined. Tomorrow night at the Albany armory the two teams will play a return engagement which promises to be a real battle. Last night Philomath was lacking the services of one man who is rated as a star, but who will be in tomorrow night’s lineup. … Philomath had defeated Mill City, Lebanon and other teams of high calibre, and with its collegians alone played Albany college a close one. (Published March 13, 1924, in the Semi-Weekly Democrat, Albany)
75 years ago
1949
Annexation vote: An annexation vote on about seven blocks on the south and the east fringe of the town of Philomath is being called for Friday. Residents of the town will cast their votes at the city hall from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. Those living in the fringe area will cast their votes at an office building near the Clifford Gee residence. The election was ordered by the Philomath city council on February 14, following a petition from a group living in the area outside the city limits. To be effective the vote must be in favor of the annexation in both the city and also in the fringe area. (Published March 17, 1949, in the Benton County Herald).
40 years ago
1984
Bus service: Bus service will once again be available for Philomath and some rural Benton County residents. Russell Brown, 37, with permission of the Oregon Public Utility Commission will begin operating the Mt. Xing Transit Company between Corvallis and Newport, beginning April 2. The service will fill the void left by Greyhound, which halted the run last year. (Published March 14, 1984, in the Benton Bulletin).
Jaycee auxiliary: A newly formed Philomath Jaycee women’s auxiliary will install its elected officers at a noon meeting Monday, March 19, at the Pizza Bank. Elected auxiliary officers on Feb. 27 were Debi VanGeest, secretary treasurer; Lori Tunison, state director; Rita Bell, vice president; and Laurie Rowley, president. (Published March 14, 1984, in the Benton Bulletin).