Good old days

125 years ago

The Commoner

April 5, 1889

Dr. John Boswell’s lecture at the Congregational church on Tuesday evening, the subject of which was “The Unseen Hand,” and delivered mainly from a medical standpoint, was a complete success, except in the attendance which, owing to several counter entertainments, was small. However, his interesting talk was so well appreciated by those present that the reverend gentleman was requested by unanimous vote to repeat the lecture in the near future, which was not declined.

The Farmington passenger train now drops off the sleeper at Walla Walla, instead of taking it through to Farmington as heretofore.

D. Dunn, the wagonmaker, received a big invoice of wagon material this week from the east.

Saw logs for Colfax mills are stranded at Elberton, and it is not probable that they can be driven through without a heavy rain. F.M. Ellsworth has leased the Elberton mill and will cut his timber there.

The garden seed department of the Commoner has been discontinued, the stock on hand being exhausted. They went “like hot cakes,” and late callers will have to wait until Uncle Sam sends in a new supply.

100 years ago

The Colfax Commoner

April 3, 1914

City Engineer Small reported two bridges needing attention. The wagon bridge on Fairview Street, between Main and Mill, is in dangerous condition and about 2,000 feet of lumber will be required for repairs. The foot bridge between the Catholic church and the hospital is also in dangerous condition. This bridge is on private property but the engineer recommends that if the property owner does not take action the city should before a serious accident occurs.

Desiring, as he said, to give the young people of Colfax a place to spend their summer evenings, Harry Hatch asked the council’s permission to operate an open air dance hall in the Moffatt lot, corner of Main and Island streets, now used for a hitching ground for farmers’ teams. The petitioner conducted a dance hall of the kind at Lewiston last summer and offered to get the endorsement of the city council of that place, but the proposition did not meet with favor, the general opinion being as expressed by one of the members, who said he “would rather see an open air hitching rack there than an open air dance hall.” On motion the petition was laid on the table.

After all that has been said and done about water for Colfax, to drill a well and secure within three days, at a cost of less than $90, a flow of nearly 160,000 of water a day, was an achievement that will be written into the chronicles of the city.

75 years ago

Colfax Gazette Commoner

April 7, 1939

In a written notice, signed by Mayor George W. Ripley and all of the city councilmen except Joe Short, Police Chief Tom Benton was dismissed last Friday, his service coming to a close at the end of his day shift, 6 o’clock. Succeeding Benton the next day was Jim Hickman, who was advanced from night marshal. Taking Hickman’s place was Glen Stanke, extra night policeman.

An increase in members during 1938 brought the enrollment in the Whitman County chapter of the Red Cross to 2,033, it was reported at the annual meeting here last Saturday afternoon.

Boys in the Colfax community Wednesday completed the organization of a 4-H garden club. They elected Raleigh McNeil president; Billy Lacey, vice president; Robert Gylling, secretary and Ed Brady, reporter. Other members are Harry Horton, Bobby Love, Kenneth Vannice, James Alsup, Carroll Knutson and Arvin Burlingham. A.P. Harms, county club agent, is acting as temporary leader. The boys will plant small home vegetable gardens and will receive special work in judging.

50 years ago

Colfax Gazette

April 2, 1964

Colfax will roll out the “red carpet” for America’s Junior Miss Linda Felber when she arrives in Spokane Saturday morning beginning the moment she steps out of the plane from New York.

At least 200 cars are expected to make the trip to Spokane to welcome Linda, who one of the judges termed “the best Junior Miss ever.” Competition in the national Junior Miss contest is no dish for the weak of heart or spirit.

That’s the considered opinion of the mother of America’s newest Junior Miss, Linda Felber.

Her mother, Mrs. R. (Merle) Felber, described Linda’s routine during the contest in Mobile as a “rigorous exercise” and one that only a strong and determined girl could stand up under.

An estimated 500 persons were on hand for her arrival.

Following a 45-minute press conference, the group paraded through downtown Spokane and on toward Colfax, pausing briefly to “regroup” near the city limits of Spokane.

The caravan, which reached about 90 cars by the time the group hit Colfax, also made stops in Rosalia and Thornton.

25 years ago

Colfax Gazette

April 6, 1989

The glitter and pace of Hong Kong and Bangkok were mixed with the desolation of a border refuge camp on the travel itinerary of Lloyd and Katie Schmick of Colfax last month. The Schmicks made the trip to see their son, Jim, who is administrator of a camp which holds 36,000 Cambodian refugees along the border in Thailand.

In a photo, the Palouse Pacemakers braved the wind Sunday to run from Clarkston to Dayton in the first segment of the Lewis and Clark Trail Run. Pictured are Ron Webster, Bill Pennick, Starleen Schmick, Billie Johnstone, Ron Carpenter, George Johnstone, Mike Longmire, Li Ochs, Cindy Jones and Gail Webster.

10 years ago

Whitman County Gazette

April 1, 2004

This morning’s eruption of Steptoe Butte caught geologists by surprise. The chief volcanologist on the scene said that it is “a nice eruption with good lava flows and pretty good ash but it sure is no Mount St. Helens.” The plume of ash and debris has been reported drifting over Coeur d’Alene Lake. In the wake of the eruption, emergency preparations are being taken in the Idaho panhandle and Montana with casinos offering cots in the gaming rooms. This story was accompanied by a photo showing flames and ash coming out the top of Steptoe Butte. Happy April Fool’s Day.