Good old days

125 years ago

May 25, 1888

The ladies of the Episcopal Guild will give a strawberry festival and bazaar at Bleeker, Spencer & Hoar’s hall on Mill street Wednesday evening, May 30th. At that time they will offer for sale a fine lot of handsome aprons of silk, satin, pongee, linen and nainsook, all well made and beautifully trimmed; also aprons of gingham and print. All will be sold for a reasonable profit. The entertainment will consist of singing and recitations, conducted by the Guild, assisted by local talent. Admission 10 cents. Doors open at 6 p.m.

The 111th anniversary of American independence will be justly observed in Colfax this year, although as yet nothing definite has been done in the matter as to how it will be done - probably in the usual way. A basket dinner, addresses and amusements - but no balloon ascension. The picnic and exercises, whatever they may be, will be held at the fairgrounds, where the association has arranged for three days racing.

100 years ago

May 23, 1913

A week’s carnival of fun will be had next week, when the Miller Amusement Co., with its four big free acts, will appear on the city streets for the benefit of the Colfax band.

Among the free exhibitions will be a balloon ascension daily at noon, weather permitting; trapeze artists, slide for life, etc.

Among the concessions and shows will be a big girl show, merry-go-round, giant swing, minstrel show, glass blowers, Spanish shows, electrical shows and other features.

This company has the reputation of being clean and up-to-date and absolutely free from objectionable features, disorder or gambling.

The Colfax band will furnish music and there is no reason why the band boys should not reap a good amount.

A call has been sent out to the patriotic automobile owners of Colfax to volunteer their services and the use of their machines for a short time on Decoration Day. It is hoped that enough automobiles can be secured to transport the members of the G.A. R. hall to the cemetery for the decoration of the graves. It would be a serious strain for many of the veterans and their wives to be compelled to walk to the cemetery and return and the automobile owners at a little cost may perform a commendable service which will long be remembered. Automobile owners who will give the use of their machines are requested to make the fact known to George Neil, at the Houser Grain Co.’s office.

75 years ago

May 20, 1938

Winning three of five matches last Saturday, Colfax took the county championship with its first tennis team in seven years. The coach was William Gasser, with team members Frances Lukins, Elizabeth McSweeney, Jean Manring, LaVonne McSweeney, Hollis McNeilly, Bill Powers, Virgil Michaelsen, Leslie Endicott, Bob Meyers, Russell Wells, Harold Lyons and Frank Fisher.

A panorama of spectacular color and delightful fragrance, arranged in a most artistic display, was the fourth annual flower show, sponsored by the Athenaeum club, assisted by the Kiwanis club and Chamber of Commerce last Saturday at the Temple. Approximately 500 viewed the flowers in the afternoon and evening. Judges were Walter Peters and Alex Lowe, well-known Spokane flower dealers, who were most enthusiastic in their praise of the display.

50 years ago

May 23, 1963

Manager Jack Hallett of the Colfax Grain Growers was installed as councilman from the third ward Monday at the council’s regular meeting. He was approved unanimously by the council which met earlier to decide on the man to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Karl Lonn.

St. John residents are being given a preview of the modern dial phone instruments they will begin using next year at the office of the telephone company, Manager Alvin Brooks said today. The four different style of phones that will be available are on display in six different colors and will remain in the telephone office window for the next several weeks. Brooks is encouraging St. John residents to look over the display and select for the future the types of instruments they would like when the switchover takes place early next year. The tentative schedule calls for the change about Jan. 15, 1964.

25 years ago

May 26, 1988

After practicing medicine for 40 years in Colfax, plus about two years as a field surgeon during World War II, Dr. Ole Slind has put down his black bag and joined the ranks of the retired. He was on the medical scene at the advent of penicillin and retired when technology had progressed to the ultrasound, EKG and CAT scan. Dr. Slind joined Dr. F.A. Bryant’s clinic here in 1947 as a surgeon.

10 years ago

May 22, 2003

Nearly 80 middle school students from Endicott-St. John spent last Wednesday afternoon attending the first-ever Health Fair at the school. The Health Fair, put together by school nurse Debbie Wolfe, brought together presenters and displays to get kids thinking about health choice they make every day.

The war in Iraq may be over but students at Endicott are working to make sure soldiers still in Iraq are not forgotten. Last week students mailed almost 100 care packets and handwritten letters from students at the school. Each student stuffed a gallon size zip lock bag with products bought with money donated by the St. John and Endicott Community Clubs.

Colfax members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars will conducts a Memorial Day ceremony Monday beginning at 10 a.m. at the Colfax cemetery. Over the weekend, the Colfax VFW members will also fly 166 United States flags donated by families of service members interred at the Colfax cemetery.