Good old days - Oct. 28, 2010

125 years ago, October 30, 1885

Chas. Mulkey, deputy Internal Revenue collector for eastern Washington, visited Colfax last week in search of smuggled opium. The search resulted in the finding of eighteen cans of the drug, which were seized.

Bogus internal revenue stamps were found on four of the cans, the remainder not being stamped at all, the stuff having been smuggled in from Victoria. The Chinese employed counsel and the seizure will be contested as irregular.

During a run of 60 days, Ringer and Manchester threshed in a strip of country about twenty-four miles long, mostly on Rebel flat, 96,080 bushels of grain. Wheat came in at more than 30 bushels per acre; barley 41 bushels per acre and oats 47 bushels. We would be pleased to receive reports, similar to the above, from other threshers.

Seven barbers find employment in this city.

Quietly and without stir, E.W. Talbott has gathered together a herd of 55 cows and proposes engaging in the dairying and cheese-making business at his ranch on the Palouse, a mile and a half below town. This is but a beginning and additions will be made as fast as the stock and material can be handled. The cheese product will be American and Swiss, a specialty made of the latter. Samples of the cheese, tested by families in this city, meet with much favor.

100 years ago, October 28, 1910

After being out a few hours the jury brought in a verdict of guilty of murder in the second degree against Lester T. Blaine for the killing of J.O. Silvey at Palouse. Attorney Brown for the defense promptly filed a motion for a new trial. It is understood that several of the jury favored a verdict of murder in the first degree, while others held that the evidence did not establish a higher crime than manslaughter. The verdict of murder in the second degree was a compromise.

This week Prosecuting Attorney Chamberlin had a warrant issued for the arrest of James Roberts, recently acquitted of the murder of Dell McConnel, on a charge of carrying a concealed weapon. To wit, the revolver with which the killing was done. But Roberts cannot be found and has probably left the country.

The auditor’s office was kept busy for a short time Wednesday morning, when five stammering young men, accompanied by as many blushing young ladies, applied for licenses to wed.

Mrs. Chas. Chamberlain was hostess at the meeting of the Priscilla Embroidery club Monday afternoon. A very pleasant time was had and all present voted Mrs. Chamberlain a very charming hostess.

75 years ago, November 1, 1935

Included in the state projects approved Friday at Washington, D.C., by the Works Progress Administration, for which a treasury warrant of $805,381 was issued, was the flood control project for which the city applied late in August. The project was granted $13,130, with the city’s sponsorship costing $1,150.

For the purpose of considering what steps may be taken to have Kamiak Butte set aside as a rural recreation reserve for a state park, a meeting was held at the city hall here Friday by committees of the Pullman, Palouse and Colfax Chambers of Commerce.

The government thermometer in Colfax at dawn Thursday of this week registered one degree below zero, a new low record for October since official readings were first made here in 1882. The old record was two above in 1919.

About twelve members of the State College Aero club took a glider to the top of Steptoe Butte Sunday and made two flights, the longest being about two hours. Attempts to establish short wave radio communication with the ground were none too successful.

50 years ago, October 27, 1960

Endicott School officials will hold an open house Sunday afternoon for the new $333,143 brick addition which was completed last summer. The one-story addition includes a gymnasium, four classrooms, a conference room, stage, kitchen, furnace room, shower rooms, laundry room, lavatories and a concession room.

Farmers throughout the wheat areas are anxious to solve the problem of re-establishing a wheat commission. Eugene Prince, Thornton, said wheat men have three objections to the house bill proposed to the legislative council. They don’t like the idea of the director of agriculture having so much power, they don’t like block voting by co-ops and they don’t like the idea of quality and quantity controls.

25 years ago, October 31, 1985

A Teamsters Union suit on behalf of 12 Whitman County Sheriff’s corrections officers was dropped Friday after attorneys for the Teamsters and the county agreed to a dismissal. The 12 employees had claimed their pay was below their proper classification. The settlement gives the employees a five percent pay increase, similar to raises for other county employees.

County and Colfax officials were upset this week to receive an order from the state Department of Revenue granting real estate tax exemption to the $1.7 million Hill-Ray Plaza retirement condominium complex in Colfax. An anticipated $24,000 in taxes to various districts will now be taken off the books. Exemption is based on a state law that exempts non-profit homes for the aged.

Palouse Conservation District’s no-tillage drill has been used for the seeding 966 acres this fall, according to Glen Cochran, drill operator.

10 years ago, October 26, 2000

Halloween decorations at the Colfax Bank of America won the Chamber of Commerce competition. Their pumpkins depict an old-fashioned banker facing robbers. The bank will receive a free entry in the chamber’s Colfax Welcome Book and the other two finalists, A to Z Recycling and the Curry Comb, will receive discounts.

Endicott Parks and Rec again received a $68,000 Paul Allen grant through the Interagency Committee. The grant will pay for improvements to the pool house and the pool.

Yosh and Nan Konishi have moved their woodworking company, Pinewood Cottage, into Rosalia from Spokane. In business for 18 years, they specialize in small, unfinished pine furniture and accessories.