25 YEARS AGO

June 22, 1999

Denver DeVoe highlighted the Old West with his crafty creations.

The 78-year-old Hermiston man tapped into his trade experience to craft steel horse bits and stirrups. DeVoe would first heat hoof rasp steel, which he compared to a heavy steel file, and then shape it to his liking. Next, he would ground heavy file-like teeth smoothly to leave a slick patterned imprint. And then to add a bit of variety, he finished the pieces with a bronze overlay.

DeVoe said this was not just for style — it also added comfort as the bronze increases saliva and keeps moisture in the horse’s mouth. He said it usually takes about 10 hours to complete a full set of spurs and bits.

The Oklahoma native moved to Hermiston 50 years prior and worked as a millwright and machinist for 30 years before retiring in 1982. During the latter portion of his career, DeVoe built a backyard hobby shop. Since retiring, he said he spends most of his time in that shop.

50 YEARS AGO

June 20, 1974

After 26 years, L. Waid DeVore recently cashed out his banking career. The 65-year-old served as the senior vice president of Inland Empire Bank in Hermiston. He was more than just that, though, as fellow employees and city residents testified to his honorable character.

“His leaving the bank will be like losing an arm — nothing will seem the same,” Tootie Redwine, a bank employee, said.

“Twice he gave me advice that helped me save my business,” Woody Starrett added. “He’s just the finest man in Hermiston.”

Inland Empire President A.H. Norton said such compliments reflected how DeVore conducted business.

“Waid’s never made any enemies and that’s rare in this business,” Norton said.

DeVore grew up in Nebraska and worked at the Federal Reserve Bank in Omaha. He left that comfortable position to pursue greater challenges and ended up in Hermiston, where he joined the First National Bank before transferring to Inland Empire Bank in 1953.

Although DeVore was unsure of how his new retirement lifestyle would play out, he knew Hermiston would remain his home.

“We’ve got the nicest town in Eastern Oregon,” he said. “And most of my friends are right here.”

75 YEARS AGO

June 23, 1949

Stanfield would soon see steam, steel and smokestacks with plans for a Union Pacific railroad terminal.

This large freight station would be built at Hinkle, about two miles west of Stanfield. The details and timeline were still being ironed out, but Union Pacific President A.E. Stoddard said construction would likely begin before winter.

He recently traveled with two of his vice presidents from Omaha to study the Hinkle site and discuss its potential. Concerns were raised about the impact on existing freight lines, but Stoddard was confident it would not harm the mainline terminals in Pendleton and The Dalles. Stoddard promised quality service during a Hermiston Chamber of Commerce meeting.

“We want to keep a first class railroad for you and within another year will be able to give you better freight service,” he said. “I can’t promise you any fancy, fast passenger trains to Chicago but we’ll maintain our schedules. We’ll go to any reasonable length to help you.”

90 YEARS AGO

June 21, 1934

As Eastern Oregon faced a sudden infestation of black widow spiders, a local insect expert worked to calm fears.

Don C. Mote, the entomologist at the Oregon Experiment Station, had been flooded with questions regarding identifying the eight-legged arachnids and bite side effects. Mote said their distinctive features included a glossy black body and round pea-sized abdomen, long and strong black legs that stick up above the back and red markings on the lower abdomen of females. He said these red markings do not always look like hourglasses and suggested people exercise caution with all red markings. Mote said while the bites are not usually fatal, there were a few deaths in the Southwest.

Although the spiders help keep insect populations under control, Mote advised Oregonians to kill any black spider.