Good Old Days - Nov. 17, 2011

125 years ago

November 19, 1886

A church and a store are under construction at Elberton.

From the number of needle guns visible on the streets of Colfax last Saturday one might have supposed the Indians had broken out. Upon inquiry, we learned that the guns in question, about 60 in number, have been in possession of the county since the last Nez Perce outbreak, and of late years have been stored in the attic of the county building. They were fast becoming rusty and useless, so the commissioners concluded to loan them to the farmers hereabouts, taking receipt therefore, the weapons to be held subject to a call from the board.

Billy Griswold, the jovial Cheneyite, has opened a public house at Belmont and is prospering.

An artistically executed leather wall pocket, the work of Gerichten Bros., is on exhibition in the show window of Averill Bros.’ drug store. It is a tasty piece of work.

100 years ago

November 17, 1911

Although an infant in years, Malden, the new Milwaukee railroad town, is rapidly growing to be a strong, lusty youngster among the new towns of eastern Washington. More than 50 new residences were built during the first seven months of this year and still others are under way at the present time.

It was only three years ago this fall that the first construction train ran into Malden bringing steam shovels and other equipment. A month or two later everything froze up and the town was marooned until spring. Probably no more than 100 people spent that first winter in the town developing plans for business which was bound to come.

Since the next summer, more than a million dollars has been spent by the Milwaukee people in making Malden a division point. More trackage is in daily use there than there is room for in the company’s Spokane yards. The largest turn-table in the world is in use here. The round house is equipped with ten stalls.

“The only way to progress is to progress,” has been the motto of the people who are responsible for the wonderful development in so short a time in the railroad town.

The town now has a population of 1,000 to 1,200 and about two-thirds of them are railroad people. Two banks are doing a good business there. By their last statement, the Farmers & Mechanics State bank showed resources of $90,000 and the First National had $101,000.

Malden is well supplied with hotels and restaurants. In fact this is the only line of business that is overdone. The Empire Hotel is a modern steam-heated 40-room hotel that will be hard to beat in any small town of the country. There are three other hotels and many restaurants and cafes.

Two churches and a four-year high school look after the spiritual and intellectual needs of the town. Fraternal orders are represented by the Masons, Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, Woodmen, Royal Neighbors and all the railroad unions.

75 years ago

November 13, 1936

Elberton is wet or dry, depending on the point of view. Unofficial count from election night showed 25 against the sale of liquor, and 24 for it, but when the official canvass was made and the absentee ballots counted, the score was tied. The town will remain in its original status, wet, inasmuch as it takes a majority vote to effect a change. However, no one there holds a state license for the sale of beer and wine and there is no state liquor store in the town.

Pursuant to a petition filed with County Superintendent R.R. Maxwell, an election on the proposed consolidation of the Endicott School District and the Allen district will be held in both districts Wednesday, Nov. 25. The Allen district has an enrollment of eight grade school pupils and embraces nine sections of land. High school pupils residing in the Allen district are now attending the Endicott school.

Miss Ruth Brown reported single men will no longer be certified to WPA from the quarterly conference of local administration of the state department of public welfare held last week in Olympia. Transient families, especially if they come from the drought areas, will have to apply for certification from WPA funds made available in their own states. WPA jobs here are extremely limited and will not meet the needs of those already residents of this state.

50 years ago

November 16, 1961

An estimated $300,000 would be needed to remodel St. Ignatius hospital to comply with requests made by the state board of health. Among the improvements asked for are the reinforcing of the south foundation, replacement of mortar between bricks on the exterior and the installation of more lavatory facilities. Hospital authorities are currently pondering the possibility of raising money for a new building.

The Whitman County football league will play 11-man ball beginning next season if a recommendation by the county coaches association is adopted by the Whitman County Activities Association.

County School Supt. James Sturm may resign at the end of the present school year, he informed the Whitman County School Directors Association at a dinner meeting in the Colfax Eagles hall last Thursday.

25 years ago

November 13, 1986

A plan to revise the Colfax chain of command could be presented at the next council meeting. The plan, which has generated rumblings from some city employees and residents, will include job descriptions for city positions.

Norma Becker, member of the Washington Water Power staff here since 1965, has been named manager of the Colfax district. She will replace Dean Hollenbeck who has served here since 1967 and plans to retire.

10 years ago

November 15, 2001

Colfax Councilman Harold Herman gained a three-vote edge Friday after a tally of uncounted absentee ballots. Herman gained 56 votes and challenger Earl Leland gained 53 in the tally of ballots which applied to the city ace. The two had been tied at 358 each after the count of ballots Tuesday night.

Colfax school officials have been questioned about the status of Jennings Elementary Principal Kathryn Missel who has been out of her building for approximately six weeks. Supt. Joel Aune said she is on indefinite leave. Because the situation involves an employee and personnel, he was restricted from saying any more.