Good old days

125 years ago

Sept. 14, 1888

A number of electric lights were turned on in different business houses about the city and one upon the street in front of city hall on Tuesday evening. Although everything was new and untried, the machinery worked fairly well and the lights lit up the surrounding gloom in great shape. Everyone was well pleased with the opening test and declared the business a “go.”

After a temporary delay of several days caused by lack of funds, finish work on the college building has been resumed. This time that structure of which our city of which our people can and should justly feel proud will be completed, every dollar necessary for the same being in the hands of the trustees.

At a meeting of the trustees of school district No. 1, Colfax, on Monday, Miss Genevieve Bancroft of Farmington, was elected first assistant, to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Mrs. Helen Hardman. They also levied a special tax of four mills upon the property of the district, the proceeds to be used for school purposes.

Considerable damage to farmers is being done of late by sparks of the locomotives igniting the dry grass and stubble fields, and even grain, along the lines of railroads in this county. C.G. White, up the North Palouse a short distance, lost two large stacks which went up in smoke by these means on Tuesday. A little more caution by railroad employee is needed.

100 years ago

Sept. 12, 1913

A successful innovation in the manner of operating combined harvesters has been made by Henry J. Young, a prominent pioneer farmer living southeast of Colfax near the Snake River and the innovation bids fair to come into common use among farmers who operate combined harvesters on the farms in this county. Mr. Young has replaced 12 horses which he used on his harvester with a gasoline engine which furnished power with which to operate the big machine and the power supplied by the engine has proven successful throughout the season.

The Ladies Aid of the Christian Church will give a silver tea at the residence of Mrs. Marion Baker on Friday afternoon from 2 to 5 o’clock. A special program will be given. Everybody is invited.

75 years ago

Sept. 9, 1938

‘Twill be time for the call of “Heigh ho! Come to the Fair!” in Colfax in two weeks and plans for the Whitman County Fair September 23 and 24 are progressing with rapidity and satisfaction, according to A.F. Harms, fair manager.

Cleaning of Spring Flat Creek channel through a WPA project, discussion of traffic problems and agreement to provide the high school swimming pool with water without charge comprised the principle business of the city council at its regular meeting.

Movies playing at The Roxy were “The Texans” starring Joan Bennett and Randolph Scott; at the Sky Giant “Having a Wonderful Time” with Ginger Rogers and Douglas Fairbanks Jr.

50 years ago

Sept. 15, 1963

Colfax elementary students yesterday selected as cheerleaders for the current school year Robin Savage, Marilyn and Carolyn Giesa, Debbie Major and Ramona Wegner from a field of 31 candidates.

Tryouts were held Tuesday afternoon with the following participating: sixth graders Susan Culbertson, Kay Kirkpatrick, Deborah Johnson, Gale Prouty and Janet Anderson; seventh graders Darlene Eng, Betty Pierce and Debra Cornilles; eighth graders Jane Gay, Ramona Wegner, Annette Lantz, Marlene Hutchens, Debbie Ray, Betty Branch, Clare Reed, Sheila Weitz, Susan Humphrey, Marcia Lowe, Betty Stewart, Donna Rosgen, Carolyn and Marilyn Giesa, Debbie Carter, Christine McMannis, Debbie Major, Robin Savage, JoAnne Kissler, Janet LaFollette, Sheila Repp, Kathy Magon and Denise Guthrie.

It looks like the Palouse Empire Fair will have an even bigger and better livestock show with more junior exhibits registered than ever before, County Agent Clint Luce said. More than 440 head of beef, sheep, swine and horses are entered in the junior division of the livestock show, or some 203 animals more than were exhibited at last year’s fair.

In Endicott news, Mr. and Mrs. Guy DeVaney have sold their cafe and restaurant to Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Wiley, Payette, Idaho. The Wileys have two daughters. They are remodeling and will be open for business about Sept. 6.

25 years ago

Sept. 15, 1988

The five candidates for county commissioner district one and the two running for district two were evident at the Palouse Empire Fair, blowing balloons, listening to questions, distributing questions, manning booths, munching fair food in the rain and riding in the grand parade. Hubert Prince of Thornton, Bob Goldsworthy of Rosalia, Jim Potts of Lamont, Maggie McGreevy of Pullman and Pete Martin of St. John are all running for district one. Nora Mae Kiefer and Bill Freier of Pullman are both running for district two.

Kellie J. Coonrad of Pullman, 17-year-old daughter of Dan and Karen Coonrad, is Miss Palouse Empire for 1988. Wendy Jo Wachter, 17, daughter of Ron and Barb Wachter of Pullman, and Jennifer Johnson, 17, daughter of Sue Johnson, Colfax, will serve as princesses. Miss Palouse Empire and her court were named at the conclusion of the queen candidates’ talent show last Wednesday at the fairgrounds. A crowd of about 170 attended. Rachel Osborn, Garfield, received the Miss Congeniality trophy, an award voted on by the contestants.

As part of the reorganization of administration of Colfax School District, the board has assigned teacher Doug Curtis as activities director. Steve Stanley, new high school principal, will retain some of the former duties as athletic director.

10 years ago

Sept. 11, 2003

Angie Jeffries, daughter of Tom and Carol Jeffries of St. John, was named 2004 Miss Palouse Empire Fair Friday night at Mockonema. Carol Aune of Colfax was named first runner-up and Angela Harris of Pullman was named second runner-up. Jeffries won the poise and appearance part of the program and Harris won the talent competition. Garfield entrant Genna Palmer won the congeniality prize and Kyla Wolfson of Pullman won the princess award.

Kamiak Butte State Park, which has been closed for the past six weeks as a fire precaution, will open again Wednesday. Ranger Roger Marcus said arrival of rains Sunday night have led have led to the re-opening, although overall conditions at the park remain dry.