Good old days - July 15, 2010

125 years ago, July 17, 1885

Frank Dickerson, the hardware merchant, has invented an infernal machine for destroying squirrels. It consists of a bellows about twenty inches long, upon which is placed a funnel of about the same length, into which is put a quantity of burning rags and some sulphur. A responsible farmer who used one of these machines said he dug twenty-three dead squirrels out of one hole.

Sexton & Codd completed dissolution and division of property this week along the following basis: William Codd takes the Colfax mill, collecting all amounts due and paying all indebtedness of the firm at this place, while the Palouse City and Mission mills form Martin J. Sexton’s portion. We wish the gentlemen success in their individual ventures.

Gabel’s warehouse at Steptoe landing on Snake River will be completed in time to receive the coming crop. A first-class wagon road has been constructed down the canyon, making the landing easy of access, and it promises to be a shipping point of no little importance.

100 years ago, July 15, 1910

The condition of the water in the Palouse River should be investigated. It is green in color and offensive in odor. Many believe this condition is brought about by the dam of the Potlatch Lumber company. Two or three times a week the dam gates are opened and the rush of water spreads outside the river channel. As soon as the gates are closed, puddles of water are left standing along the banks of the river, upon which a green scum soon forms. The next time the gates are opened this scum is washed into the channel and brought on down. The water in the river is not conducive to the health of man or beast.

Sam Philipus, a Greek laborer on the Milwaukee railroad near Rock Lake last Sunday got into a row with one of his countryman and cut him so badly with a knife that he will probably die. The victim is at a hospital in Spokane. Philipus is in the county jail.

D.L. Kemper was confined to his home the first of the week with a threatened attack of typhoid fever, but was up and around at this writing.

A stranger by the name of Ben Erickson was found dead under a warehouse at LaCrosse Tuesday. He had hung himself by attaching a rope to a sill is the opinion of Acting Coroner Anderson. The body was found a few inches above the ground. It is not known if the man has any relatives. A search of his clothes disclosed a purse containing $50.90.

J.L. Neil and E.J. Peschan left Monday for an automobile trip through the Big Bend country for the purpose of inspecting the crop conditions.

75 years ago, July 19, 1935

Harvesting started this week around LaCrosse and will be in full swing late next week. The intense heat wave that hit last week in this section of the county caught the late spring wheat “in the dough,” when the kernels are soft and still filling out and did considerable damage.

Lease on additional land between the ball park and the Oregon-Washington railroad tracks, which will make possible an expansion of the rodeo grounds, was virtually assured Tuesday when Clarence Bruning, representing the city park board, came to an agreement with representatives of the railroad.

A cash deal was culminated Wednesday which will bring another sizeable payroll to Colfax, when C.W. McFarland sold his grain warehouse to the Rogers Brothers Seed Company of Chicago.

Blaming heavy and prolonged drinking for his early morning suicide attempt, Amos Hansen, 27-year old transient is recovering in the county jail. He was picked up by deputies at about 3 a.m. Saturday three miles out on the old Colfax-Palouse road with blood running from both wrists, having been gashed with a safety razor blade.

50 years ago, July 14, 1960

Four occupants of a runaway pickup truck which plunged into the Palouse River are recovering in St. Ignatius hospital. The breaks of the truck gave out on cemetery hill. Police Chief Robert Lenz said he saw the truck cross the Canyon and Main Street intersection at above 50 miles per hour.

The Wilcox district fire truck will be stationed at the Alex Teade ranch during the current season and farmers needing its services should telephone in case of emergency.

Dr. John L. Hardy of Endicott, member of the Washington State Board of Medical Examiners, will leave this weekend for Seattle, where he will help conduct the state board medical examinsations at the University of Washington medcial School during the week.

25 years ago, July 18, 1985

Members of High Line TV Cable systems in Colfax voted Tuesday night to table for six months a proposal to merge with Colfax Cable TV. The meeting room in the public service building was packed with over 120 High Line members for the sometimes stormy session.

A program to spray about 13,000 acres of rangeland in the Ewan and Rock Lake area will hopefully eradicate or at least control an infestat5ion of grasshoppers in about a five mile radius.

The county’s police dog program may be more of a financial liability than the Sheriff’s department can afford, newly appointed Sheriff Steve Tomson told county commissioners Monday. Tomson has been exploring the possibility of setting up a mutual aid contract with Pullman to share the dog program.

10 years ago, July 13, 2000

Martin Hendrickson, retired Garfield-area farmer, gave the signal to flip the switch on the refurbished Whitman County Courthouse clock at a ceremony Friday.

Deputies Saturday night apprehended at least 30 juveniles, most from the Colfax area, at a kegger beer party at a residence on Highway 194 near the top of the Almota grade. Age of the youngsters ranged from 12 up.

Colfax police Monday received a report that three vehicles in the school district fleet were damaged by rock throwers, probably over the weekend.

The ranger at Wawawai County Park reported to the sheriff’s office Monday afternoon the attempted theft of a park fee box. The report was logged as malicious mischief.