Good old days - Dec. 31, 2009

125 years ago, Jan. 9, 1885

At their session last week the county commissioners transacted very little business besides the approval of the bonds of the new officers and the payment of bills. The sum of $6,386.25 was refunded to the Oregon Improvement Company, being the sum taxed in ’81, when the company had no title to lands in this county.

On last Thursday evening- as usual after the Gazette had gone to press- Mr. Hugh Roger’s house on the island caught fire from a defective flue. The fire company were promptly on hand, but a few buckets of water rendered their services unnecessary.

100 years ago, Dec. 31, 1909

From the Oroville Gazette in the Okanogan it is learned that a drift on the 500 foot level of the Ruby mine near Nighthawk shows an extensive and rich ore shoot. Work has recently been resumed on the Ruby and the management feels greatly elated over the result. It will be remembered that T.A. Hubbell and G. W. Conner were in Colfax several months ago in the interest of this mine, offering stock at a low figure for further development. The result of further development will be watched with interest by many.

The Oroville Gazette says that the Ruby mine is located on the precipitous side of the north slope of the spur of mountains topped by huge Chopaca, directly on the line of the railroad, some five miles beyond Nighthawk. Work has been in progress on the property, at times continuous for months, for seven or eight years.

There is probably more underground development on the Ruby, in the nature of tunnels, drifts, cross-cuts, upraises and winzes than any mining property in the Okanogan. Some of it runs very high in gold and silver.

There seems to be a few fur-bearing animals left in Whitman County after all. Last Sunday some young men living at or near Glenwood, six miles up the North Palouse river from Colfax, captured 27 coons and six mink. Of the coons they located a family and got a bunch. The same day section Voreman McCollister of Glenwood secured three coons.

75 years ago, Jan. 4, 1935

Washington wheat growers in 23 counties and corn-hog growers in 37 counties are expected to receive approximately $6,230,114 in adjustment payments before Christmas.

The total will include second 1933 and the first 1934 corn-hog payments, already being received in several counties. Receipt of these payments will bring the total adjustment payments made in the state to about $10,618,933.

Buy vigorous chicks bred to lay large numbers of large eggs, is the advice of W. D. Buchanan, State college extension poultryman, to those who will soon be purchasing stock to build up their flocks. Good chicks inherit practically all the qualities which later make for high producing pullets and hens.

50 years ago, Dec. 31, 1959

The “do-it-yourself” system of assessing personal property will be replaced in Whitman County next month with personal calls by field deputies on all property owners other than farmers, Assessor Paul Slusser announced today.

Storekeepers, manufacturers, and others will be asked to give the deputies a complete list of their equipment, fixtures and inventory and the new price on the items listed. From the listing, the assessor’s staff will use depreciation schedules obtained from the State Tax Commission to determine the current market value of the equipment involved.

A $345,000 loan for the Lacrosse Telephone Co. was approved Tuesday morning by the Rural Electrification Administration in Washington D.C.

The loan will make possible a centralized dial telephone system for the communities of LaCrosse, Endicott, Winona and Hooper with approximately 390 subscriptions. Approval of the loan also paves the way for negotiations to be completed for the merger of the Endicott Farmers Telephone Co. with the LaCrosse firm.

25 years ago, Jan. 3, 1985

Road crews, wrecker services and law officers have been literally snowed under over the past week with all hands working long hours to keep motorists moving.”

“We’re working 24 hours a day, eight days a week,” Bob Luft of Colfax Body Shop said Friday.

“We’ve got everything that drives out there,” said Russ Shorten, state highway road department supervisor. “Do you know where we can get an extra snow plow?”

Kay Hunter at the Sheriff’s office said the department responded to 17 accidents Wednesday through Sunday and so many vehicles were in the ditch, the deputies didn’t try to issue complaints.

County engineer Marv Carrol said Monday most county roads were open. Rotary plows were still working at Kamiak Butte, Bald Butte north of Colton and along the Idaho line from Palouse to Pullman.

10 years ago, Dec. 30, 1999

As the 1900s came to a close this week, the Gazette asked several long-time county residents to reflect on the major events and changes that have marked the 20th century.

Those born in the first quarter of the 20th century all agreed that they have witnessed some of the most dramatic changes in history.

“How will we ever top this last century?” wondered Gerald Druffel, who has lived in the Uniontown area all of his 77 years. “I know we will, but it’s hard to believe.”

Many people remember when the primary form of transportation was fueled by a bale of hay or some oats. Now rocket fuel is used to blast shuttles into orbit.

When asked to consider the biggest event or change that occurred in the past century, the responses ranged from the advances in farming equipment to medical breakthroughs such as organ transplants.

“With my port background, I’d have to say the biggest change has been the development of the river system with the dams, and all the benefits to transportation for agriculture and the electric power they provide,” said Druffel, a former long-time Port of Whitman commissioner. “We have also seen tremendous changes in communication, transportation, and the comforts of life.”