Good Old Days

125 years ago

July 16, 1887

An idea of the number of people at the fair grounds in this city on the Fourth may be formed from the statement of an observing lady resident of the lower end of town, who counted 376 teams, averaging eight occupants each, passing on the way in from the track. Besides, there were several hundred on foot, only editors and other rich people being able to ride.

The new safe of the Bank of Pullman was put in place Tuesday evening. It weighs 9,500 pounds and is the largest this side of Portland. The bank will open Monday.

Prof. Hagal gave an acrobatic performance at opera hall Saturday night. There were further acrobatics after the show was over, in answer to numerous requests of those in attendance to be kicked down stairs. The boys exchanged kicks, on receiving which each would say, “Thank you; serves me right.”

Some fine trout, weighing from two to three pounds, are now being captured in the waters of the Palouse above the ranch of Shorty Williamson.

People not accustomed to visiting the north end of town would be surprised at the number of buildings under construction. Carpenters and bricklayers have more work than they can do. One contractor has several buildings under way and says he is constantly urged to accept other contracts, which he is unable to do due to the press of work. At the present rate, Colfax will soon outstrip many towns at present on the boom.

100 years ago

July 12, 1912

The streets of Colfax are beginning to fill up with harvest hands who are coming from all parts of the country to take part in what looks like one of the biggest harvests ever known in the Palouse country. Some binders will be started in the vicinity of Colfax next week, but it will be near the end of the month before harvest is in full swing.

S. Wrage, a farmer living near Latah, was killed by an O.-W.R.&N. train Sunday morning while walking to his home from Tekoa. Coroner Bruning investigated the case and found that death was due to the man’s own carelessness or suicidal intent.

Colfax ladies have been interested this week in a cooking demonstration at the domestic science room of the high school conducted by representatives of the Washington Water Power. The cooking arrangement includes a fireless heater that is powered by electricity and automatically switches off the current when the desired temperature is reached.

A fine team of iron gray draft horses arrived in Ewan by local freight last Saturday from Ellensburg, they are being shipped to Ralph Lynch as a wedding gift from his father in law, Mr. Sorenson.

75 years ago

July 9, 1937

Bidding against two other persons, J.I. Wise, LaCrosse poolroom operator, paid $12 here Friday of last week to recover 11 cartons and four packages of cigarettes seized at his place of business by Roy Berg, representing the state tax commission, because they did not bear the 1-cent revenue stamp.

Competing against 11 men, Mrs. Pansy Kinman, Harvard, Ida., placed first in the horseshoe tournament held at Schmuck park Monday in connection with the holiday celebration and won a cash prize of $7.50. She played 11 games, winning 10 of them.

Joe Hampton, about 55, blacksmith of St. John, suffered painful injuries Monday morning when he fell 12 feet from a bluff while fishing at a point where Nigger creek flows into Rock Lake. In slipping, his ear was nearly torn off, and he suffered several broken ribs as his body pounded on the rocks and landed in the water.

50 years ago

July 12, 1962

There will be more than a little bit of Cuba in Colfax next month when 50 Cuban children arrive to live here for the coming school year.

Fire of unknown origin Sunday destroyed the five bedroom house of Mr. and Mrs. William Griffin and a storage shed near the farm home. The Griffin farm is located on the Syrup Smith road approximately two miles from Colfax. The Griffins said the house and furnishings were partially covered by insurance. The large house had at one time been used as a clinic by a Colfax doctor.

Persons interested in applying for the position of postmaster at Steptoe have until July 24 to submit applications. The salary for the job is $2,730 a year.

25 years ago

July 9, 1987

County commissioners approved heavy industrial zoning for the proposed Fountain-Tenwick industrial park and possible asphalt or concrete plant on the Moscow-Pullman highway, reversing a recommendation by the county panning commission.

About 130 attended Charles Hofer’s annual Fourth of July picnic at his home near Colfax. Festivities included children’s games, directed by John, Chris and Joe Thompson, adult games organized by Martin Marler and Jack Hammon of Hermiston; fireworks, and a variety of foods, including Hofer’s baked ham and baked salmon and Juan Miguelez’ barbecued lamb.

Mike Claussen is a patient at Deaconess Hospital where he has undergone eye surgery. He was injured while setting off Fourth of July explosives.

10 years ago

July 11, 2002

The Dusty grain elevator Tuesday was the scene for one of WSU’s most unique publicity stunts in years. Over 40 cars, half of which belonged to media, crammed into the Dusty rest area to watch WSU unfurl a banner of Heisman Trophy candidate Jason Gesser along the side of the elevator.

Lightning strikes in a late Sunday storm ignited fires in remote parts of western Whitman County and consigned firefighters to long hours of rugged duty. The fire also knocked out power at several county locations, including parts of Pullman and the WSU campus.

Endicott basked in the bright lights of a fake moon two nights last week as Ruth Pictures continued filming the feature, “Into the Sun.” Chilly air could not cool the enthusiasm of a crowd of locals who showed up with quilts and lawn chairs to watch the crew light up the night.

About 60 people attended the potluck at the Lamont Community Center Sunday. After the dinner, a talent show consisted of a piano duet with “God Bless America” played by Gay Swift and Jean Stromberger.