Serving Whitman County since 1877

Good old days - Dec. 23, 2010

125 years ago, December 25, 1885

The Gazette prize watermelon will be cut today. Who wants a slice?

A petition is being circulated and quite numerously signed in Farmington praying the territorial legislature grant the people an opportunity to vote on the question of prohibition.

A new school has been completed in district No. 80, a few miles north of Garfield, and school will soon begin with J.A. Crumbacher as teacher.

During the past week Messrs. Bleeker, Spencer and Hoare have been carrying on a lively cannonading among the rocks just back the Methodist Church. They were l blasting to procure material for their new brick building on Mill street.

100 years ago, December 23, 1910

The wooden trestle near Rosalia, known as the half mile trestle, is to be replaced by a ground road bed. The large tunnel which recently caved in, necessitating the building of a temporary road around the hill, is to be opened into a railroad cut and the ground from this used to fill the trestle site.

The water main leading from the receiving well has been leaking and a s a result the city water has been muddy for a number of days. A car load of new pipe has arrived and the trouble will be ended as soon as a new main can be laid.

Whitman County will lose one senator as the result of new census returns when the new apportionment is made. Spokane will get another senator and another representative, and Yakima will be entitled to one in each house also.

75 years ago, December 27, 1935

A restraining order was issued in superior court this week which prevents the disposal of a building and grocery stock at Lamont by Cecil N. Sarchet, pending a hearing on the suit of T.V. Sarchet to obtain possession of the building, its fixtures and stock. It is alleged that the Sarchets formed a partnership in September, 1932, the plaintiff advancing the money, and that the sale of the real estate and business to A.L. Phelps has been blocked by the defendant.

A car stolen from a Colton garage early Monday was found abandoned on the higway two miles west of the town before Sheriff Carson J. Walker and Deputy W.W. Nicley had time to get there. The car had been left at the garage for motor repair and was cast aside, it is thought, because the engine failed to perform.

An overheated stove in the basement of the home of T.A. Sanders on Mill street Sunday noon was the cause of an alarm to which firemen responded. Only slight smoke damage was reported.

50 years ago, December 22, 1960

Jim Stack, 64, Colfax editor, forefeited $15 bond in Justice Evan Bunker’s court Wednesday on a charge of failure to yield right of way. Stack was arrested following an accident Nov. 17 by Police Chief Bob Lenz which involved three cars.

Colfax Elks golf course officials are on the lookout for a “pro” for the local links after the resignation of Ron Olson, who has accepted a similar position with the new Tekoa Golf Club.

A resolution of approval for the installation of a fertilizer plant for Palouse Ammonia in the vicinity of A street along the South Palouse was granted by city council Monday.

25 years ago, December 26, 1985

Tim DuBois, son of Mr. and Mrs. Dean DuBois of Endicott, managed to find his way home after being disoriented and lost for four hours in darkness and fog while cross country skiing in the hills near Endicott.

A proposal to build an RV park on the Palouse Empire fairground and survey drawing of the park were presented at the fair association’s annual meeting. The proposed park would have hook-up facilities for 30 vehicles. Colfax Chamber of Commerce is looking into grant options to fund sewer, water and electrical hookups and restrooms.

Palouse hired Jodi Cook as an animal control officer to begin work immediately. Palouse dog owners must have a current year registration tag attached to their dog’s neck. Tags may be purchased from the city treasurer with one dollar for a male dog and two dollars for a female dog. 10 years ago, December 21, 2000

Whitman County commissioner Nora Mae Keifer gave citizens of Oakesdale an early Christmas present by paying $227.02 in back taxes on a vacant lot that will be turned into a park.

Police Chief Barney Buckley told the city council there is nothing on the city’s books relating to the use of motorized scooters on city streets. The mini-scooter trend now includes scooters with gas or electric motors, and the city has now begun to consider a policy.

Whitman County Commissioners approved a $30,498,375 budget for 2001. The budget is smaller than last year’s but will require the county use about $226,000 from its reserves to balance.

 

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