Good old days

125 years ago

The Commoner

July 12, 1889

Colfax residence districts abound with costly and tasteful residences, and the number of such is being constantly added to.

Probably the most cheerful home now under construction will be that of W.W. Waite.

It is located on an elevation on the south end and has a commanding view.

A Commoner reporter was shown a cut of the building as it will appear when finished and feels no hesitancy in declaring that it will add much to the architectural beauty found in Colfax.

The foundation is now completed and the work fast being prosecuted.

The handsome wall of square cut stone surrounding it, with elegant terrace work, has elicited much praise from the people of the city who unanimously declare it the finest thing of the kind in town.

100 years ago

The Colfax Commoner

July 10, 1914

Complaints that women passing along the streets have been insulted by some of the idle men now in town has led Mayor Neil to issue a request that citizens cooperate with the police in preventing such occurrences. The mayor took the matter up at the Monday night meeting of the city council and it was discussed by the officials. The mayor requested that all cases of disorderly conduct be reported to the closest policeman at once, instead of waiting until the mayor or a councilman could be informed of the incident. By reporting immediately and having the persons arrested citizens can aid greatly in preserving order.

Already cases of “mooching” have been reported. Two men approached Mayor Neil Monday with requests for the price of a meal. The mayor watched the men for a few minutes and saw them approach nine persons with the same request. None of the persons paid any attention to the incident and the two beggars were not molested. The mayor called an officer after watching the operations and had the two men arrested.

75 years ago

Colfax Gazette Commoner

July 7, 1939

Sheriff Carson Walker and Deputy Ora Rees searched early Thursday morning for clues to establish the identity of a man who tried to rob the hen house on the farm of Anson Patterson near Thornton shortly after midnight. Patterson, aroused by the intruder, fired a volley of shot into him at a distance of about 120 feet. The would-be thief was knocked down but he made his escape down the railroad track. On two former occasions, Patterson was robbed of several dozen chickens.

50 years ago

Colfax Gazette

July 9, 1964

Whitman County’s $600,000 community hospital drive got off to an enthusiastic start this week with contributions totaling $51,183 reported from Colfax and the immediate surrounding area.

Prizes, old-time fiddling and old-time garb will be some of the featured events at the annual Whitman County Pioneer Picnic Sunday at Schmuck Park.

Clarence Cameron. Moscow, construction worker for General Construction Co., is recovering at St. Ignatius Hospital from painful back injuries suffered when he was struck on the back by a piece of reinforcing steel being carried by other workers on the Spring Flat section of the flood control project. One of several workers carrying the steel stumbled. Cameron plans to leave the hospital Thursday or Friday.

25 years ago

Colfax Gazette

July 13, 1989

Earl Duty and his four keyboards will go into action today to signal the start of Colfax Concrete River Days. The annual Colfax fest, also known as Crazy Daze, started Tuesday and will continue for the next three days, according to Chamber of Commerce President Joan Hubbard.

First paint went on the wall of the Colfax Masonic building this week as members of the centennial committee began restoration of the signs on the north wall. The Masonic building, which once sported a tower, is the highest on the Colfax Main drag in the non-grain category. After work on “King’s Books,” the volunteer painters will begin work on the “Rip Proof” overalls sign.

10 years ago

Whitman County Gazette

July 8, 2004

The 115-year-old Masonic Hall building in the 200 block of North Main Street is the key for the proposed downtown revitalization project estimated to cost in the $2.2 million range. When renovated at an estimated cost of $1.8 million the Masonic building would house a bank in the street level office space now occupied by the Gazette with port and law offices on the second floor and five additional condominium units on the top floor. Details of the plan, which includes razing two other buildings in the same block, were presented by Christopher Batten of RenCorp, a Spokane development firm that specializes in renovations.