150 years ago
1874
Election judges: The following persons have been appointed judges of election for two years: Kings Valley — Samuel Rice, Gabriel Long, James Harris. Philomath — SK Brown Sr.; John C. Wells; G.G. Newton. Tum Tum — E.H. Baber, John H. Yantis, George W. Cross. (Excerpts from an item published April 11, 1874, in the Weekly Corvallis Gazette).
Kings Valley: Mr. Fish, of King’s Valley, reports everything lively in the farming line over there. He says every available acre of ground is being plowed and prepared for grain. He thinks the coming crop will be far the largest ever raised in the valley. (Published April 11, 1874, in the Weekly Corvallis Gazette)
125 years ago
1899
Teacher resignation: Miss Julia Taylor, formerly of the Albany public schools, has resigned her position as teacher in the Toledo school on account of the illness of her mother, who resides at Philomath. (Excerpt from an item published April 14, 1899, in the Lincoln County Leader, Toledo).
Philomath death: Taylor — In Philomath on Tuesday, April 11, 1899, of a complication of Bright’s disease and heart trouble after an illness of six or seven months, Mrs. Margaret Hill Taylor, at the age of 54 years, 9 mos. and 5 days. The deceased was a former resident of Linn county, mother of Miss Julia Taylor, formerly of Albany schools, and was a woman beloved and esteemed by a large circle of friends. (Published April 14, 1899, in the State Rights Democrat, Albany).
100 years ago
1924
Contest winner: Minnie Tatom, of the sophomore class of the Philomath high school, was winner of the oratorical contest on the constitution of the United States, which was held at the high school Friday afternoon. The other contestants were Agnes Wood and Nora Yoder. The judges were: Rev. J.D. Nisewouder, Rev. E.W. Dettwiler and Mrs. O.T. Olson. (Published April 9, 1924, in the Corvallis Gazette-Times).
College president: Dr. H. Dixon Boughter has returned to Philomath after a trip east to Dayton, Ohio, where he went a few weeks ago in the interest of the Philomath College of which institution he is president. He attended a conference of the Board of Education of the United Brethren church.
75 years ago
1949
Earthquake strikes: Residents of this area along with those of a 500-mile Pacific coast region stretch from Puget Sound south into Oregon experienced one of the worst earthquakes in the history of this part of the country since it was first settled 138 years ago. Lights in Corvallis suspended from the ceilings swayed as many of the larger buildings of this area rocked during the quake that began about 11:55 a.m. Wednesday and lasted for at least 45 seconds. Reports coming from Puget Sound area, especially from cities of Olympia, Tacoma and Seattle, reveal that at least eight persons were killed in the quake and that damage to property ran into the untold millions of dollars. (Published April 14, 1949, in the Benton County Herald).
40 years ago
1984
Lawsuit ruling: Donna Rae Moos, mother of Steven Moos who was killed in a 1982 car crash, won a $251,000 court settlement in a suit against a tavern and a Corvallis woman, who was sentenced to a five-year prison term in connection with the death. Steven Moos, 17, a standout student-athlete at Philomath High School, was killed Aug. 4, 1982, after the car in which he was driving was struck on the left front side by an oncoming vehicle. Moos was driving westbound on his way home from an American Legion baseball game when the accident occurred shortly after midnight near Dairy Mart on Philomath Boulevard. (Excerpts from an item published April 11, 1984, in the Benton Bulletin).