Good Old Days

125 years ago

April 8, 1887

On Friday evening last an altercation occurred between Gus Wiklund and Billy Masterson, brought on by abusive language used by the latter.

Blows followed words, resulting in an ugly gash over Masterson’s right eye, produced by a kick from Wiklund.

With this the fracas ended and hostilities were suspended until the next day when Masterson entered the Delta billiard parlour, and finding Wiklund among the spectators, approached him with the warning to “fix himself.” The words were barely uttered when Masterson drew a revolver and fired, causing a general stampede among those present.

Luckily the ball did not take effect and the remaining cartridges in the pistol hung fire, preventing bloodshed.

Masterson was arrested, charged with assault with a deadly weapon and put under $500 bond to appear before Justice Inman, his bondsmen being Thos.

Baker and C. French.

Within the week contracts for the building of Colfax College have been awarded as follows: brickwork to Geo. Houghten, Portland, at $2,595; painting to a Portland bidder for $600, balance of the work to McCord and Ford of this city for $8,975, for a total cost, exlusive of ground and foundation, of $11,890.

The only class not materially affected by the interstate commerce law are tramps. They will continue to ride on brake beams and tops of coaches at old rates.

Colton, like any places of any importance, is blessed with a necessary evil - a Chinese wash house.

100 years ago

April 5, 1912

Roy Arrasmith, 21-year-old son of Hon. J.H. Arrasmith of Whitman County, has invented an airship after two years work. All that lacks to make the machine ready for flight is the installation of a motor. The young man hopes to have his machine ready for flight at the July 4 celebration.

Several men are at work on the new brick building which will be occupied by the Rosalia Auto company as a garage.

Tekoa is making an effort to wipe the “jungles” off the map and rid the town of the undesirable element which has occupied the resort for many seasons.

Winona’s annual egg roast will be on the evening of April 6. The roast will be held on the bank of the river and everyone is invited to come and bring a supply of eggs.

Two men, each fined $30 and costs for drinking on a train, were brought down from Tekoa Wednesday. They will work off their fines by serving with the chain gang.

75 years ago

April 2, 1937

Interested youngsters, each an ardent marble fan, gathered at the vacant lot adjacent to the old post office to watch Harold “Babe” Lyons, Martha Washington eighth grader, win the city marble shooting tournament.

Results of surveys conducted by the county agent’s office indicate that prospects for the 1937 crop are the poorest in years because of poor soil moisture.

Peace officials had “two horses” on Emmet L. Cain, 23, when they arrested him Sunday morning on the farm of Pearl Kennedy in the Long Hollow district. Cain is accused of taking a saddle horse from Kennedy’s barn, then riding to the farm of S.H. Dyck in the Hickman neighborhood to remove a stallion from his stable.

Cleated tractors of any kind are barred from paved or oiled roads, including the shoulders, according to Highway Patrolman Havey Bartleson. If it is necessary to move a cleated tractor across a highway, the operator is required to put down planks and put up warning flags near the scene of the crossing as a precaution against motor accidents.

50 years ago

April 5, 1962

Establishment of a class for retarded children at the Steptoe school has been approved by the state board of education. Classes will begin in the fall.

Windows rattled and buildings shook in Colfax late Saturday afternoon as a resounding “boom” echoed through the canyon when a jet plane passed overhead and apparently broke the sound barrier.

Mr. and Mrs. Fred Mader took Carolyn to Seattle last week to resume her studies at the University of Washington after spring vacation. They went up in the Space Needle and saw other sights on the fair grounds.

25 years ago

April 2, 1987

Paul Smith, Colfax High School volleyball coach who resigned when rape charges were brought against him, pleaded guilty in Colfax District Court Friday to a reduced charge of simple assault. A third-degree statutory rape charge, a felony, was reduced to assault, a gross misdemeanor, in a plea bargain agreement.

Port of Whitman will open bids April 22 on the first phase of development of their industrial park in Pullman. Port Manager Jack Thompson said the first phase of development will open up 12 of the proposed 27 lots in the park.

St. John Hardware expanded their business to four locations with the recent purchase of Saunders and Ott farm dealership in Fairfield.

Over $76,000 was paid out by the county last year to attorneys who represented indigent defendants in the district and superior courts.

10 years ago

April 4, 2002

A city law which would prohibit feeding deer inside the Colfax city limits was discussed at length last night at the City Council session. Council members steered away from taking any action, but urged a move to inform residents that feeding deer inside city limits causes damage to homeowners. Mayor Norma Becker said she felt feeding deer in town was irresponsible.

Colfax police Monday night confiscated a potato gun after being called to Hamilton Park by reports of shots being fired in the area. Explosions were caused by ignition of hair spray which was used as propellant for a potato gun made of plastic pipe.

A roundup was needed last Thursday morning at McDonald Park when chairman Don McClintock discovered five cows and their calves grazing on the park grass. He recruited George Mackleit from the Colfax Golf Club and the duo moved the critters off the park property with a golf cart. Hoof marks and patties were left at the scene.