Good old days - Nov. 5, 2009

125 years ago, November 7, 1884

The ladies have voted.

Judging from the returns, county candidates who took the stump in the interest of the head of the Republican ticket, were not appreciated. This is illustrated in the case of E.H. Sullivan and L.D. Wolfard, who were scratched in several precincts for that expressed reason.

Mr. Mullan, the gentleman who laid out the Mullan Road, was in the county last week. He pronounces his name Mulann.

Considerable excitement was occasioned Tuesday evening by the long continued blowing of a steam whistle in the lower end of town. For a time it was thought the saw mill was on fire, but investigation developed the fact that some small boys had attached a string to the whistle of Goude Bros.’ traction engine and, secreting themselves, were having some fun at the expense of the older heads.

C.W. Richardson and J.W. Widner, of Colton, called yesterday and left a sample of cheese, manufactured by the Colton company. The company manufactures a full cream cheddar cheese, similar to that shipped from the eastern states to Europe, and which is a much better quality than is shipped into this country.

100 years ago, November 5, 1909

An icepick is an ugly weapon. With four sharp teeth or prongs, it is used by icemen to split blocks of ice, and properly used can cut like a knife. Sheriff Carter has one in his office which will be used as evidence against Theodore Murray, who, in an encounter with W.R. Gregg at Endicott last week, is in jail awaiting results.

The two had a dispute in the back room of Henry Schmick’s saloon at the time mentioned, when Murray, so it is alleged, invited Gregg to take a walk to talk over matters. Murray apparently had no weapon, and not suspecting trouble, Gregg consented to go. When the reached the stock yards Murray suddenly pulled the icepick concealed in the folds of his coat and dealt the unsuspecting Gregg a blow over the head, following with it another, one of the blades cutting an optic in twain, destroying the sight. Gregg would have surely been killed had not assistance soon come to hand.

City Marshal Ficklin arrested Murray and later Deputy Sheriff Cole brought him to Colfax and placed him in jail. He gave the officers a great deal of trouble, fighting and kicking at every opportunity. Murray is a bartender by occupation, and Gregg formerly kept a saloon at Endicott. The latter is in the hospital, he being considered in precarious condition. Murray is about 30 years of age, small of stature and undoubtedly possessed of an ugly temper.

The town of Malden was granted the right to lay water mains through the principal street, which is now a county road. Incorporation will soon change this, but as the citizens of that burg desire to begin work on the mains at once and not for incorporation, this procedure was taken.

J.L. Neil received a telegram Saturday from Claude Hollingsworth at Billings, Mont., stating that at the Dry Farming Congress held there last week he had taken fist premium on spring wheat raised in Whitman County, and got away with the second prize offered by James J. Hill.

75 years ago, November 9, 1934

The local office of the national reemployment service in the postoffice building has received a request for data on workers in certain classifications. All who can qualify as drivers of heavy dump trucks, shovel runners, drag line operators, hoe shovel operators, trencher operators, ditcher operators and Monighan operators and many other trades are needed to work at Coulee Dam, and are advised to call at the local NRS office for a check interview.

Comes now Whitman County to take her place among other counties of the United States as the home of attractive babies. We read the three Oakesdale youngsters, Alice Marie, Norman and Shirley Jean Jones, children of Mr. and Mrs. Glen Jones, were winners in a baby picture contest at the Chicago exposition.

Walt Allen and his boys will impersonate nine beautiful (?) ladies who compose Susie’s band at the Golden Slipper hall Saturday evening. Miss Peppy Peppin, the original Minnie the Moocher, will appear as a tap dancer.

The Great Northern has laid a new cement sidewalk on the south side of Island street from the corner of the courthouse bridge to the O.-W. tacks. The old sidewalk was damaged by high water last winter.

50 years ago, November 5, 1959

Halloween pranksters had a riotous time in Colfax last Saturday night much to the concern of policemen, firemen and water department employees. From 9 p.m. to 3 a.m., 80 percent of the city’s hydrants got their best flushing-out in years, as the pranksters turned on every fire hydrant in sight. One city official quipped this week, “it’s all water under the bridge now.” Although the Halloween fun caused little permanent damage the city council decided Monday to insure against the same thing happening next year. By then they will try to pass an ordinance prohibiting the unauthorized turning-on of hydrants.

Bill Burns, 37-yearold owner of the Inland Firestone Distributors, was elected Colfax mayor Monday night by the city council succeeding Ernest Huntley who resigned last month to move to Spokane.

Jim and Glenn Cochran of the Palouse area caused their parents plenty of concern Saturday when they became overdue on a hunting trip in the Kamiak Butte region. Finally, after dark, Jim, 14, came off the mountain and called home to say he had heard from other hunters that Glenn, 12, had taken a shot at a cougar around 4 p.m. and still hadn’t been found. The word was passed to the boys’ father, Raymond, and he and others started to hunt for Glenn. At 7 p.m. they arrived at the Kamiak State park where Glenn was safe in a camp setup by a group of Pasco hunters. Glenn had missed the cougar with one shot and then made a quick retreat.

25 years ago, November 8, 1984

Sheriff Cleve Hunter said Tuesday the Whitman County Sheriff’s department does not issue traffic citations on a “quota system.” Hunter said, however, department staff members are required to fill out a “daily activities record” that lists a variety of expected on-duty activities.

Reports of a county “quota system” emerged last week as part of a ruling by the county’s civil service commission when it reinstated former Deputy Mike Cloke. One of the discarded points brought against Cloke when he was dismissed was his “low-field” activity, which the commission felt was a quota system “regardless of the euphemism used.”

The commission’s opinion and subsequent reports by Cloke and another former deputy that wagering on quota arrests was proposed resulted in another media blast at the sheriff’s office.

Stances of presidential candidates on national election issues were discussed at morning and afternoon coffee parties at the Gordon Hill home at Clear Creek Tuesday. Discussions were led by Mary Baldridge, Pullman, from an analysis of presidential statements and congressional voting records published by the Bill of Rights Legal Foundation in Olympia.

10 years ago, November 4, 1999

The importance of the “I voted” sticker is not the only thing missing this general election, the first without 11 colorful precincts where voting was not just a civic duty, but a chance to talk to your neighbors and exhibit some patriotic spirit. The Steptoe Grange Hall, Farmington Community building, Whelan Grange, Arrow Machinery, Dusty Gun Club, the Hay Station Retreat, Lamont Community Center, Malden Town Hall and McGregor’s in Thornton didn’t see any voters, as their precincts were switched to vote-by-mail elections.

Pleasant Times, a European-style tea room and antique gift shop, has re-opened its doors in Endicott after a 22-month hiatus.

Corner Chevron at Colfax has received a building permit for a 52 x 12 addition to the west side of the building.