Good Old Days

125 years ago

August 5, 1887

Some time during Thursday night of last week, Chas.

S. Lewis and James Lane, the only prisoners confined in Whitman County jail, made their escape and are still at large.

Owing to the damp, unhealthy condition of the cells, which, on account of the leaky condition of the jail are unfit for the most depraved criminal to occupy, the prisoners were allowed to sleep in the outer room, the walls of which are made of timbers two by eight inches in size, nailed together with spikes.

The only implement known to have been in possession of the prisoners was a small pocket knife for cutting tobacco.

With this, and possibly the use of a small amount of coal oil, which had been given one of them for use on a sore foot, the prisoners managed to cut and burn a hole through four of the timbers, making an aperture about eight by 12 inches, through which they crawled into the adjoining room, the door of which was open.

The wonder is that they remained in confinement as long as they did, as no prisoner with the least bit of ingenuity would be compelled to remain in our rickety old jail if he did not like the place.

Lane was serving a sentence for petit larceny and had only four of five more days to serve.

Lewis was awaiting trial on embezzlement and forgery and Sheriff Berry has offered a reward of $200.

The college building has reached the third story in the course of its construction, and some idea can be formed of how conspicuous and beautiful it will appear, owing to its elevated position, when finished.

A long-haired, cotton eating fakir was locked up in the cooler at Spokane Falls last week for getting hot in the collar and hitting a man in the eye. The description fits the man who sold Colfax people corn medicine which would cure corns or anything else.

100 years ago

August 2, 1912

The site for the new Rosalia town hall has been secured just west of the Bank of Rosalia for $100. The building will face Fifth Street. E.E. Flood has been asked by the city council to act as buying agent for securing material for the building.

To the surprise of everyone concerned, Arthur F. Schmidt, who left his position as assistant cashier of the Fidelity State Bank of Uniontown about a month ago taking about $8,500 in drafts and money, walked into the office of the sheriff of Whitman County and gave himself up Monday evening. Schmidt became infatuated with the Alan races while on a short vacation a few weeks ago.

The bell formerly used on the Byrne school house has been purchased by the city of Garfield and will be used as a fire bell.

Water meters were installed at Lamont during the past week under the supervision of Harry E. Robinson.

An Edison moving picture machine was installed in the Lyric theater at Rosalia last week.

The cherry crop in and around Farmington is unusually large this year and quality is perfect. Many people are sending ten-pound boxes to friends in the east.

75 years ago

July 30, 1937

A hailstorm of terrific violence that accompanied an electrical storm early Tuesday evening, caused the estimated loss of 1,000 acres of standing wheat principally in the vicinity of Hay. Damage was probably the greatest resulting from hail in the history of the county.

E.L. Fulbright forfeited $5 in police court Monday following his arrest Sunday when found by Officer S.A. Littletonn asleep on the street. Orville Savage, who poured catsup on a cafe table was arrested and ordered to leave town.

Following the discharge of his pistol in the alley behind the Colfax Market early Wednesday morning, Ben Gerber, a 19-year-old transient from Wisconsin, was locked in the city jail on vagrancy charges. Gerber was observed sitting on the running board of a truck and loading his pistol, which was shortly discharged, the shot resounding through the night air. Gerber denied ownership of the pistol, which was recovered by Art Tinnel.

50 years ago

August 2, 1962

Today at 10:29 p.m. the last half of the 50 Cuban children who will live in Colfax a year will arrive at Spokane airport, where they will be met by Rev. Cornelius Stefani and other representatives of St. Patrick’s parish. Twenty-five of the children were met in Spokane Wednesday night and taken to St. John’s Academy dormitory. First plans for the Cuban children call for a class in English, which are scheduled for August. The children were sent to Miami by their parents and were assigned to St. John’s Academy by the Catholic church.

Installation of natural gas systems in Rosalia, LaCrosse and St. Johnn should get underway between Aug. 15 and 20. El Paso Natural Gas Co. supplies natural gas to Washington Water Power and will tap the Pacific Gas Transmission line.

Elliot’s Paint Store will put into operation today a “Tel-a-Color” color selector machine, enabling them to offer a new type of color matching never before available in the area. Elliot’s is the first store in the Pacific Northwest to obtain the device, which permits “dialing” of colors to match fabrics, building materials, etc.

25 years ago

July 30, 1987

County commissioners rejected a request by Colfax JayCees to sponsor a beer garden at the county fair. The JayCees have decided to find out how the public feels about their proposal by sponsoring a poll in this week’s Gazette. If the response is positive, the JayCees plan to appeal commissioners’ decision.

Elberton bridge, built in the early 1900s, is due to be replaced in the next few months. The county will open bids on replacement Monday and work will proceed within 90 days. The new 150-foot span will be the longest single span pre-stressed concrete bridge in the county, according to Lon Pederson, county construction engineer.

Fair board members approved the rental of grandstand seating from the Spokane Grand Prix. The bleacher system will seat 1,600 at a cost of $3,000, plus set-up fee.

10 years ago

August 1, 2002

Colfax Friday will go into a new mode when it hosts state playoffs for Junior American Legion teams. Playoffs will be at McDonald Park, the new baseball facility which hit full capacity this year to mark the end of a decade-long project.

Seven eastern Washington grain elevators will forego $900,000 in storage revenue because of a USDA policy change that critics argue has left smaller operators open to predatory practices from larger companies. The change governs sales of government-owned wheat kept in storage.

A banner which heralded the championships of last year’s CHS sports teams had to be removed Sunday because it had sustained damage from the wind. One corner stay had pulled through and it could not be kept in position.