Good Old Days 4/14/2011

125 years ago

April 16, 1886

Every cross-roads country newspaper is just now teeming with deep, thoughtful and wise editorials on the “lessons of the times,” and each one places our country on the very verge of destruction. This nation has been afflicted with just such false prophets ever since it won its independence. They are shallow-brained, wordy simpletons.

The disappearance of William Warner, simultaneously with the judicial decision that he stole $1,400,000 of Grant and Ward’s assets, proves the general correctness of public opinion. The public opined a year ago that there was something intensely crooked about a man who suddenly branches out as a millionaire, with a palace and shooting box, on a capital of two cents.

The iron for 23 miles of railroad, from Spokane Falls to Farmington, is on the way, and the contract for 20 miles more, to be delivered in May, has been let. The bonds of the company, guaranteed by the Northern Pacific, were sold to August Belmont, in New York for 85 cents. They bear 7 percent interest. The contract for grading, etc., calls for the completion of the road by next August.

100 years ago

April 14, 1911

The I. B. Harris Horse Show last Saturday was a notable event. It was a success in all respects. Old Sol shone out in all his splendor, the best equines of all breeds were here, and the people in great masses filled the streets intent on seeing and being seen.

While the number of horses in line did not quite equal the display of last year still there is a reason for this easily explained. Even fine horse flesh cannot be spared from the farm at all times, particularly from distant points. Phil Cox’s stud of horses for example, was missed this year. Mr. Cox, when spoken to about it, said the absence of horse flesh belonging to him could not be avoided, as much as he desired to have them here.

The Palouse country, once the home of the pie bald, glass-eyed cayuse, which served a useful purpose during his day and generation has been transplanted by the Coach, the Clyde, the Shire, the Percheron and the Belgian. These are the best strains in Europe coming here at great expense- until we have as fine horse flesh, in all probability, as can be found on the American continent.

Children fishing near Lavista, on the Milwaukee railway at the edge of Rock Lake, reported Sunday the finding of a dead man at the water’s edge. Coroner Bruning investigated and found that the man had died while fishing. The finding of the body brought into action the first automobile hearse in Whitman County, as Coroner Bruning attached a steel receiving case on the rear of A. E. King’s auto and Mr. King made a record run to Lavista.

Twelve men assisted in carrying the body up the steep bank to the Milwaukee track. The unfortunate man kept track of the days of the month in a well kept day book by checking each day, the last check being March 22. Indications are that he died at least a week before being found.

75 years ago

April 10, 1936

At the request of relatives, who suspicioned foul play, the body of William Roeffler, found hanging in the granary on his farm near Malden, March 24, was exhumed from the Pine City cemetery Tuesday and brought here for an autopsy at the Bruning mortuary.

It was conducted by Coroner John Evans, who said that Dr. R. J. Skaife, county health officer, and Dr. Mitchell, city health officer, found no sings of external or internal violence. Dr. Mitchell stated that vital organs were taken to the State college for analysis by Dean Todd.

After Roeffler’s body was found by Merle Crites and Orville Ames, An investigation was made and declared that the death was a suicide and had died from strangulation. The body was reburied late Tuesday.

50 years ago

April 13, 1961

Fire gutted a farmhouse in Thornton early last Thursday morning, completely destroying the wooden frame building which would have been the home of newlyweds this week on the Chet Nelson ranch west of Cashup flat. John Dretke, Rosalia fire chief, estimated the damage at $10,000. The cause of fire is not yet known. A television set had been moved in to the house Wednesday evening and had been connected.

FBI officials are investigating burglary of the Lamont Bank of St. John in which $66 was taken in petty cash either Saturday or Sunday from a walk-in vault and 98 safety deposit boxes were ransacked, Sheriff Mike Humphreys said.

Rob Mossions, Colfax High School English instructor, has been awarded a Fulbright grant to attend the University of Helsinski in Finland for one year. During the year he will teach American language and literature and will study at the Finnish seat of learning. He has been granted a year’s leave of absence by the Colfax school board. He will be one of three American scholars who will go to Finland for the next school year on Fulbright grants, which are provided by the State department. The grants are named after the Arkansas senator, William Fulbright, who sponsored legislation setting up a system of grants and scholarships for brilliant American students and scholars.

25 years ago

April 10, 1986

Whereabouts of Barbara Dils Call, 28-year-old WSU zoology student who was the subject of a search along the Snake River last week, was still unknown as of Wednesday morning, according to Undersheriff Dalton Lewey. After the search for Call was ended last Tuesday, Sheriff’s officers learned she had been seen in the Lewiston area and had hitched a ride with a trucker to Boise using the name of Rita Cooper.

Lack of an endorsement from the Army Corps of Engineers has weakened the chances of Congress ever passing a bill to fund construction of a road along the Snake River from Wawawaii to Lower Granite Dam. The road link is being pushed by county and Port of Whitman officials, but lack of the corps endorsement could hurt, according to Thad Lightfoot, a member of Rep.Tom Foley’s staff in Washington, D.C.

Owners of property which will be crossed by Washington Water Power lines from the Shawnee substation are less than enthusiastic about signing easements, according to farmers and property owners contacted by the Gazette Tuesday.

10 years ago

April 5, 2001

The hard work and endurance of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia from Glen Riddle, Pa., the religious order which founded St. Joseph’s Academy in Tekoa, was recorded in a feature story written by Bonita Lawhead of Tekoa. The sisters came west with $30 in the summer of 1992 to start the academy, which was founded to instruct children of families moving into the area.

The last classes were conducted in the spring of 1950, and the academy building burned down in 1955.

Lawhead’s feature story noted the observance to dedicate a prayer garden with a statue of St. Francis of Assisi in front of Sacred Heart Catholic Church at Tekoq the previous October. Bishop William Weigand of Sacramento and two of his brothers, Harold and Bob, who attended the school in its last years, attended the ceremony along with three of the sisters who taught there.