Good old days - Oct. 8, 2009

125 years ago, Oct. 10, 1884

It has been charged that the Gazette has changed its position on the railroad question since the territorial convention. This we deny, and next week will publish the proceedings of the Farmer’s Association, show the position each prominent member took, and prove that the Gazette has been and is consistent. We will show that the Republican platform takes the same position as did the association they are bound to support the republican platform and the nominee of the party.

Boise Statesman – Early last Sunday morning a white man mounted on a gray horse and leading a smaller animal, apparently heavily packed, passed through Boise City from the south.

He avoided the principal streets and kept up near the barracks, and there he paused a moment to adjust the pack on the animal he was leading.

Just at this time several soldiers on a youthful sojourn in the city, returning from a night’s frolic, came upon the dismounted equestrian and noticed that the “pack” he was trying to cinch securely was no less than a Chinese woman.

They were not a little surprised, but before their curiosity was satisfied, the stranger mounted and hastened on.

This incident tallies with an abduction recently reported.

The incoming Lundy stage, says the Bodie Free Press, was stopped yesterday.

A man with a gun in each hand told the driver to halt, which demand was promptly complied with.

When asked what was wanted, the stranger said, “You know.”

Thinking he wanted Wells, Fargo and Co.’s express box, it was thrown down to him, but to the driver’s surprise the stranger returned it. A Chinawoman, the only passenger, was what the stranger wanted. She was taken off the wagon by force and made such a resistance that she was beaten over the head with a six-shooter. A horse was nearby, on to which the celestial female was carefully packed and taken over the hills.

100 years ago, Oct. 8, 1909

The Whitman County Sunday School Association will meet in Colfax Thursday and Friday, October 21 and 22. There will be a big parade of all Sunday schools on Friday at 4 p.m. Prosecuting Attorney Chamberlin will be grand marshal. A banquet will follow the parade in the Armory at 6 p.m. F. C. Knapp of Chicago and General Secretary C. J. Boppell will both be present and speak.

The baby show was a drawing card at the fair yesterday afternoon, the prizes being awarded to the following babies: Under one year, first prize, Katherine McCroskey, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert McCroskey, second prize, Lasca Huffman, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Will Huffman.

75 years ago, Oct. 12, 1934

Sheriff W. I. Dailey returned to state college students at Pullman Monday morning $248 in cash, an overcoat, safety razor outfit, a billfold, a hat and a fountain pen and pencil set, all of which were stolen last week from five fraternity houses.

The lost articles were brought here Sunday by Sheriff Dailey who went to Medford, Ore., to retrieve them from H. Rose and Joseph Eckstrum fraternity houses at the University at Moscow and at Oregon State college at Corvallis.

50 years ago, Oct. 8, 1959

Only $35,000 more and she’ll be all mine!”

That’s what Colfax school district patrons can say about their attractive elementary school building today. Clerk Sumner Perkins of the school board pointed out this week.

The $35,000 is the amount outstanding of the $300,000 in bonds approved by the electorate in 1945 for the school. Perkins said the board plans to complete redemption of the bonds in 1961, four years ahead of schedule.

A payment of $17,000 will be made during 1960 and a final payment of $18,000 is scheduled for 1961.

25 years ago, Oct. 11, 1984

Michael Patrick McPherson has applied to the Washington State Liquor control board for a class CD license to sell wine and bottled beer only for on-premises consumption in conjunction with food sales at Wheatland Lanes, Colfax.

10 years ago, October 7, 1999

The Colfax McDonald Park project, which was hitting a cash shortage three weeks ago, received an injection of good news this week when city officials learned the project could be in line for a $69,000 Paul Allen grant.

The city will have to trim its original Allen grant proposal before it can stake a claim to the grant.

City Administrator Lewis Griffin told city council members Monday night that $69,000 remained in Allen funds for this particular district in the state. Colfax, as the second-place finisher among 10 applicants, can stake a claim to the funds.