Good old days - Feb. 11, 2010

125 years ago

February 13, 1885

Wednesday morning at about one o’clock the horrible cry of “Fire! Fire!” was sounded on the streets of Colfax, and the citizens awakened from their slumbers to find the large two-story furniture and undertaking establishment of Frank McDonough in flames.

Within fifteen minutes of the first alarm the flames burst through the roof and sides of the building, the heat driving away the fire crew workers, who by that time had increased to a considerable number, and their attention was turned to Henry Liddle’s residence, which adjoins the furniture store, and succeeded in saving everything it contained, even the carpets from the floors.

The fire probably started from a defective flue located in about the center of Mr. McDonough’s store.

Mr. McDonough places his loss on building and stock at $11,000, which was insured for $3,000.

Jno. Foley, a sheep herder, was up before Justice Porter Tuesday on a charge of drunk and disorderly and was fined five dollars.

A brewery is to be established next spring at Mr. Weiner’s on Union flat, about eight miles from Wawawai.

100 years ago

February 11, 1910

The city council Monday introduced ordinances providing drastic regulation of saloons and the closing of places of amusement on Sundays.

The saloon ordinance prohibits the sale of intoxicating liquor to minors, habitual drunkards or any persons already intoxicated and provides for the closing of saloons on Sundays and on election days.

It prohibits the playing of any games in the saloons or the maintaining of lunch counters or the serving of eatables in saloons.

It also prohibits the keeping in saloons of pool, billiard or card tables.

The other ordinance prohibits the opening of theatres, moving picture shows, billiard or pool rooms, bowling alleys and card rooms on Sundays.

The ordinance was referred to the committee on judiciary.

County commissioners have accepted plans prepared by Wm. Swain, Pullman architect, for the buildings for the new poor farm. The plans call for a two-story building, brick, with stone finishings, modern throughout, and steam heated.

75 years ago

February 8, 1935

W.E. McGee, clerk of the Winona school district pleaded guilty of grand larceny for writing a fraudulent voucher on school funds for $11.80 to George Clayton, whose name he forged as payee as an endorser. Within an hour of submitting his plea before Judge R.L. McCroskey, he was on his way to the state penitentiary at Walla Walla to spend from one to 15 years.

Floyd Hickman’s 1930 Ford roadster was stolen from in front of the Busse apartments sometime after 1:30 a.m. Saturday. It had not been found up to Thursday noon.

Fog caused an accident on the Central Ferry highway near the John Hinnenkamp place Sunday night, in which a car driven by A.E. Aylward, Kennewick, was damaged and a horse killed when Aylward turned out to avoid hitting two other horses that were on his side of the road.

50 years ago

February 11, 1960

A raise in pay for Whitman County road department employees was indicated last Wednesday when the commissioners met with all departments in a special grievance session. Meanwhile, another union organization meeting for road workers has been planned for tomorrow night.

Heavy rains during the past week have plagued Colfax and county road crews and sent millions of tons of prime Palouse topsoil down swollen streams.

Incumbent Mayor Bill Burns led the three-man race for mayor of Colfax at Tuesday’s primary. Runner-up was Guy Streamer.

25 years ago

February 7, 1985

Annexation of approximately three acres of abandoned Great Northern railroad right-of-way in the Walla Walla Highway area of northwest Colfax was given the go-ahead by city council members Jan. 7. Future development at the site would incorporate access needs to a tip of property owned by the county parks department.

Robert “Mac” Crow of Oakesdale was appointed to the WSU board of regents last week by Gov. Booth Gardner. He is the 13th “backyard” board member from Whitman County.

10 years ago

February 10, 2000

Whitman County Red Cross office, long a Main Street fixture in Colfax, has been moved to the Gladish Community Building in Pullman.

Colfax fire crews were called out Sunday morning by a fryer fire at Excell Foods. The department’s alarm board sounded at 5:42 a.m. when a fryer in the bakery ignited. The automatic fire suppressant system in the hood over the fryer activated and extinguished the blaze before fire crews arrived.

After an initial question over whether or not the Jan. 31 county commissioners’ meeting was legal, county Auditor Dave Repp paid claims totaling $336,000 last Wednesday morning.