Louie Orlando "Buck" Mallory in the 1950s

c. 1917

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On his World War II Draft Registration card (April 27, 1942), Louie Orlando "Buck" Mallory was described at 6 ft 3 in tall, 160 lbs, with brown eyes, black hair and a dark complexion.  He stated that he resided in Asotin, but gave his mailing address as Bartlett, Oregon, where Edith Gooding Mallory, his wife, was living.  He gave his birth date as December 12, 1896, and birth place as Merkle, Texas.  He was employed by the U. S. Forest Service in the Umatilla National Forest.  In the box for "Telephone," he replied, "Yes."

 

 

 

 

Unfortunately, the 1950s decade began with the death of his mother.  Her obituary was recorded in the Spokane Chronicle on Tuesday, February 14, 1950, page b3:

 

"Letitia Mallory"

 

"Clarkston, Wash., Feb. 14—Mrs. Letitia Mallory, 83, died Sunday at the home of her son, Owen, 411 Thirteenth, Clarkston.  She had been in poor health for the last five years.  She was born in San Saba county, Texas, November 24, 1866, and came to Clarkston from Bartlett, Ore., in 1904, where she has since made her home.  She is survived by four daughters, Mrs. J. L. Geiger, Elgin, Ore.; Mrs. J. F. Brewer, New Bedford, Mass.; Mrs. Pinckney Poor, Modesto, Calif., and Dorothy Mallory, Clarkston; four sons, Owen, Clarkston; Frank, Seattle; Lee, Yakima, and L. O. Mallory, Clarkston.  She is also survived by 19 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.  The body is at Merchant’s funeral home with arrangements pending.” 

 

The 1950 Census for Asotin, Washington, taken April 3rd, recorded that Louie O. Mallory, age 53, born in Texas, was working as a carpenter, that he was living on a farm or ranch of more than three acres on Third Street, and had lived there for over a year.  In addition, he had been employed 40 hours a week for 52 weeks during the past year, and earned $2,000 (about $26,000 in 2024 dollars).  He completed the sixth grade.

His wife, Edith E., age 42, was born in Montana, and was a homemaker.  They had three children: Oscar L, age 16, Louise P, age 11, and Leonard D, age 6, all born in Washington state.

 

Sometime shortly after the census, Buck Mallory was hired as Superintendent of Water for Asotin.  

 

Spokane Daily Chronicle, Thursday, October 19, 1950, page 5, "Carnival Date Set":

 

"  ...  L. O. Mallory, Asotin water superintendent, will attend a three-day session of a water works school Thursday through Saturday at Washington State college this week.  The school is sponsored by the college and the Association of Washington Cities.  Members of the town council are expected to attend some of the Friday sessions."

By the next year, Buck was City Marshal, but Asotin County had a population of just under 11,000 people and (according to Google) the 1950s was "a golden age of low crime."

Spokane Daily Chronicle, Thursday, February 22, 1951, page 5, "Robeson Stays On City Council":

 

“Asotin, Wash., Feb. 22—At the city council meeting Tuesday night  …  L. D. Wescott’s account of approximately $120 for rewiring the city hall was allowed.  A bid of $150 from Albert Fritzes to redecorate the city hall and library was accepted.  Mayor William H. (Bill) Anderson and Councilman Cecil Bond will meet with members of the library board to select a color scheme.  The lighting system in the city park will be put in working condition and new lights added.  City marshal L. O. (Buck) Mallory was instructed to investigate punch boards and bingo games in the business places to see if revenue stamps on them are properly canceled.”

 

The Spokesman-Review (Spokane, Washington), Wednesday, March 4, 1953, page 6, “Asotin County Fair Plans Set,":

“Asotin, Wash., March 3—Work was begun today in preparation for the annual Asotin county fair.  Construction was started on the new barn to replace temporary quarters formerly used.  In the planning of the fair Dewey Scheibe is general chairman.  The fair will include the traditional cowboy breakfast, junior and senior livestock exhibits, and general exhibits, Scheibe announced.  …  Other committees in charge of arrangements are the street dance committee, L. O. Mallory, Sherwood Branch and Eddie Garrett….”

 

Spokane Daily Chronicle, Thursday, February 18, 1954, page a3, “Canine Ordinance to Be Strengthened,”:

“Asotin, Wash., Feb. 18—The city of Asotin is considering putting some ‘teeth’ in its dog laws.  The city council heard at its Tuesday night meeting that it’s difficult to enforce the dog licensing ordinance.  Mayor W. H. Anderson named City Treasurer Ed Bucholz and City Marshal L. O. Mallory to a committee to draft an amendment to the present ordinance, and to present their proposal to the council soon.”

Which is not to say things weren't sometimes tense during the 1950s.  It was only five years after World War II and the beginning of the Cold War between NATO with the United States on one side, and the Warsaw Pact led by the Soviet Union on the other.  Senator Joseph McCarthy began anti-communist hearings, and the Korean War started.  There was military buildup on both sides of the Cold War, including the testing of nuclear bombs.  Kids in schools were taught to "Duck and Cover."  Then there was Sputnik and Fidel Castro, and starting out the 1960s, the building of the Berlin Wall.

The Spokesman-Review, Friday, June 11, 1954, page 6, “Scanning Wives Too Busy to Gab,":

"Asotin, Wash., June 10—Housewives have abandoned chatting over the back fence during their leisure hours and taken to scanning the skies for airplanes.  E. R. Tyler, Asotin county skywatch coordinator, said the new ground observer corps system which went into effect Monday is working out satisfactorily.  Wifes, working shifts, are on duty from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m. and report aircraft by telephone.  Day captains are Mrs. W. H. Anderson, Mrs. V. S. Goucher, Mrs. Wade Moore, Mrs. Cleo Williams, Mrs. E. R. Tyler, and L. O. Mallory."

 

Spokane Daily Chronicle, Wednesday, June 16, 1954, page 5, “Home Observers To Watch Skies,”:

“Asotin, Wash., June 16—Asotin ground observers worked out details yesterday to do sky-watching from their homes as a means of solving the problem of getting workers.  Any planes or unidentified objects spotted in the skies will be reported immediately from the homes to the Spokane filter center, according to Frank Raney, chief observer.  Day captains taking part in the meeting were Mrs. E. R. Tyler, Mrs. Wade Moore, Mrs. V. S. Goucher, Mrs. Paul Brooks, L. O. Mallory, Mrs. W. H. Anderson and Mrs. Cleo Williams.  Other officials of the ground observer corps here are: E. R. Tyler, county coordinator; Hugh Curry, chief of communications; Dewey Scheibe, county director and Wade Moore, supervisor of the Asotin post.”
 

Despite what was going on in the rest of the world, however, things in Asotin went on pretty much as usual. 

 

Spokane Daily Chronicle, Wednesday, October 27, 1954, page a8, “Lions Club Sets Party Saturday,”:

“Asotin, Wash., Oct. 27—Asotin Lions club will have a Halloween party Saturday for all children up through the eighth grade at the Lions club building.  The program, starting at 7 p.m., will include games, prizes for costumes, refreshments and other activities ‘designed to demonstrate that good fun does not depend on destruction of property,’ according to Committeeman Clair Wamsley.  Town Marshal L. O. Mallory is chairman and Judge Ira McKenzie and Wamsley are on his committee.”

The Spokesman-Review, Thursday, November 25, 1954, page 6, “No More Goats, Plea of Asotin,”:

“Asotin, Wash., Nov. 24—This community has enough goats, thank you.  A few days ago, four goats which lived across Snake river from Asotin and entertained residents with their frolicking were shot by a hunter.  News of the incident resulted in an appeal for goats to replace those which were killed.  L. O. Mallory, who sent out the appeal, now has 15 goats and he thinks that is enough.  A total of $33 has been raised by Asotin residents as a reward for information leading to the arrest of the hunter who killed the original four goats.”

 

In 1956, Buck was tapped to fill the post of Justice of the Peace and Police Judge, which had become vacant.  He held the office for many years.

Spokane Daily Chronicle, Friday, July 20, 1956, page a3, “Political Races Developing Among Asotin Candidates,”:

“…  The justice automatically becomes…police judge.  …  One post—that of Asotin precinct justice of the peace—had no candidates last evening.  L. O. Mallory now is serving in that capacity by recent appointment to succeed Ira McKenzie.”

Spokane Daily Chronicle, Saturday, July 21, 1956, page 5, “Three Men File Their Candidacy,”:

“Asotin, Wash., July 21—Three men filed for Asotin county offices during yesterday’s final day for declaring candidacies for the September 11 primary.  L. O. Mallory, who has been serving since July 1 as justice of peace of Asotin precinct by appointment, filed to retain that post….”

 

And things went on, as usual...

 

Spokane Daily Chronicle, Wednesday, March 27, 1957, page 5, “Low Flying Brings $25 Fine to Pilot,”:

“Asotin, Wash., March 27—Pilot Dick Tigges of Clarkston was fined $25 in Asotin Justice L. O. Mallory’s court for flying too low.  Sheriff’s officers said the Clarkston flier ‘buzzed’ fishermen on land and in boat on the Snake river near Asotin on Sunday.  The flier said he did not get closer than 50 to 100 feet from anyone.”

Spokane Daily Chronicle, Saturday, November 2, 1957, page 3, “Hunter Forfeits Bond,”:

“Asotin, Wash., Nov. 2—A Spokane hunter, H. C. Stockman, forfeited a $35 bond in Justice L. O. (Buck) Mallory’s court at Asotin yesterday.  Stockman was cited by Game Protector Roy Clark on October 30 for allegedly carrying a loaded rifle in his car while hunting in the Blue mountains of Asotin county.”

 

Spokane Daily Chronicle, Wednesday, March 5, 1958, page 5, “Youth Found Guilty,”:

“Asotin, Wash., March 5—Justice L. O. Mallory in Asotin yesterday found John D. Shaughnessy, 17, Lewiston, guilty of reckless driving and fined him $100 plus costs.  Shaughnessy’s drivers’ license was suspended for six months.  The young motorist, who was cited by Washington State Patrolman Doyle Pounder two miles north of Asotin, had pleaded not guilty.”

Spokane Daily Chronicle, Wednesday, June 25, 1958, page b3, “Lions Book Asotin Rite,”:

“Asotin, Wash., June 25—The Asotin Lions club will install new officers at a ladies’ night dinner program Friday evening in the club hall.  Retiring President Forrest Floch will be replaced by Sherwood Branch.  Other new officers will be Chuck Wilson, first vice president; Ed Bucholz, second vice president; Stanley Ausman, third vice president; Dewey Scheibe, secretary-treasurer; Ken Hollenbeck, tail twister; L. O. Mallory, lion tamer and Lee Maxwell and Arnold Kimble, directors.  District Governor Ingvar Petersen of Clarkston will be installing officer.”
(Tail Twister is chairman of the pep committee, Lion Tamer has a lot of duties including being in charge of club property and proper placement of people and things during meetings, greeting people and maintaining order with the help of the Tail Twister.)

 

Spokane Daily Chronicle, Tuesday, November 25, 1958, page 5, “Gust Topples Old Glory,”:

“Asotin, Wash., Nov. 25—A gust of wind blew the American flag down from the Asotin county courthouse yesterday.  Sheriff Hugh Curry and Justice of the Peace L. O. Mallory were checking through the building and town of Asotin in search of someone who could climb up the small round pole atop the courthouse.  The strong wind had blown loose a cable used in raising the flag, and the cable came out of its pulley at the uper [sic] end of the pole.  Needed was someone to ‘shinny’ up the pole and rethread the cable through the pulley.”

 

c. 1961

The Spokesman-Review, Saturday, February 7, 1959, page 1, “Asotin Judge Fines Himself,”:

“Asotin, Wash., Feb. 6. (AP)—The town judge appeared before himself on his own charges today, then slapped a $50 fine against himself.  The charge?  Permitting an unauthorized person to operate an automobile within the town limits.  The judge, L. O. Mallory, let his 15-year-old son use the family car the night before to go to a dance.  The youth was involved in an accident.  Minimum driving age here is 16.”

Buck Mallory passed away on July 7, 1966.

 

Spokane Daily Chronicle, Saturday July 9, 1966, page 3, “Louis O. Mallory Service Monday,”:

“Clarkston, Wash.—Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Monday at Merchant Funeral Home for Louis O. Mallory, 69, Asotin County Police Court judge and justice of the peace the last 10 years.  Judge Mallory died in a Spokane Hospital Thursday.  He was born Dec. 12, 1896 at Maytown, Tex., and came to Lewiston in 1903 with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin F. Mallory.  A year later they moved to Grouse Flats.  He lived there and at Barlett [sic], Ore., for many years.  He was a farmer, trapper and a guide at Bartlett and Grouse Flats and had interests in a sawmill at Grouse Flats.  He married Edith E. Gooding at Enterprise, Ore., Aug. 30, 1930.  They lived at Bartlett and Grouse Flats until 1949 when they moved to Asotin.  He was city marshal, street and water superintendent and was appointed justice of the peace and Police Court judge in 1956.  He was a member of the Magistrates Association and the Lewis-Clark Peace Officers Association.  Survivors beside his wife, at Asotin; two sons, Oscar, Lincoln, Neb., and Leonard, Asotin; one daughter, Mrs. Guy (Louise) Osborne, Omaha, Neb.; four sisters, Mrs. Norma Geiger, Pendleton, Ore.; Mrs. Lila Brewer, New Bedford, Mass., and Dorothy Mallory and Mrs. Leona Poor, both Glendora, Calif.; three brothers, Frank, Belle Fourche, S. D.; Owen, Los Angeles, and Lee, Yakima, Wash., and two grandchildren.  The Rev. Donald Krogh of Asotin will officiate with burial in Vineland Cemetery.”