Good old days - Sept. 3, 2009

125 years ago, Sept. 5, 1884

Groaning granaries avail the farmers nothing when the price of wheat touches the cost of production mark, as at present. In view of this state of affairs, we are advised that Palouse farmers, who can and will hold their grain for better prices. It appears they cannot do otherwise, or better. Many will tide over with borrowed money rather than sell at present prices. While we deprecate the seeming necessity of additional debt burdens by our farmers, this proposition presents the only feasible solution of the situation in many cases, provided the necessary funds are available.

100 years ago, Sept. 3, 1909

Fire is once again destroying millions of feet of standing timber in Washington and the Northwest. Despite increased precautions, this vast resource of the state is suffering destruction and it is estimated that, to date, forests to the value of $5,000,000 have been burned since June. The Washington Forest Fire Association is sending out appeals for greater caution. Among other things they say: “Don’t toss away burning matches or tobacco. Don’t make a campfire in leaves, rotten wood or against logs, where it may spread or where you cannot be sure it is out.”

Never leave a fire until it is out. Don’t burn your slashings in the dry season without a permit. Put out any fire you find, if you can. If you can’t, notify the fire warden, some other public officer or the land owner.

75 years ago, Sept. 7, 1934

Circling the country around Colfax starting at the Tom Chryst ranch at Wilcox, Fay Hubbard and Mario Ochs Sunday tested wild, bucking horses and selected part of the 20 head of local stock that will be mounted during the Colfax Round-up September 21-22. In addition, there will be the Hanna string from Plaza for outside riders.

Some of the Chryst horses were considered good enough to send to the Pendleton Round-Up where, if they are used, their owners get $10 a day for each and if they make the northwest championships, $20 each.

50 years ago, Sept. 3, 1959

One of the attractions scheduled for the forthcoming Palouse Empire Fair, one novelty that is bound to stand out will be the chickens that lay the colored eggs.

This unique breed, sometimes called the Easter egg chicken, will be on display for the three-day show, exhibited by Faye Hubbard and his wife who run the Winona Egg company.

According to Ross “Chief” Pellerin, fair publicity chief, these chickens don’t ever fail, and he guarantees a cage full of blue, green, olive-green, pink, and red eggs. However, Chief didn’t go so far as to claim the birds will kick through with anything chartreuse or polka-dotted.

These chickens are reported to be quite consistent, although the eggs are small.

“You’ve heard the story about the goose that layed the golden egg. Well, these Easter chickens are better yet,” says chief.

25 years ago, Sept. 6, 1984

After a couple of soggy years, the board and department heads are hoping for good weather and an even bigger crowd at the 1984 Palouse Empire Fair. Theme for this year’s fair is “Thanks for the Memories,” reflected in a number of exhibits and events.

“We’re all ready to go,” said fair board president Hubert Prince of Thornton. “We’re looking for the weather to cooperate this year. It doesn’t look too good now, but maybe with luck it will be clear. The new manager and fair secretary have done a real good job.”

10 years ago, Sept. 2, 1999

The new addition to the Whitman Hospital and Medical Center is in place after arriving in eight pieces last week. The eight segments were assembled in a modular building which was placed on a prepared foundation by a crew from Pacific Mobile Structures of Chehalis.

A crane was used to put the eight pieces onto their prepared foundation in a 12-hour span over two days, according to Jim Heilsburg, chief operating officer for the hospital.

The end product is a 50 X 110 building which will have 5,500 feet of floor space.

In the tradition of Chevy trucks and Dodge Neons, the famous rolling wheat fields of the Palouse have been selected as a backdrop for a Porsche Boxster advertisement, scheduled to be photographed near the top of Steptoe Butte this weekend. The production company has paid the department’s fee of $200 a day in order to photograph sunset and sunrise shots from Steptoe Butte.