Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
125 years ago
The Commoner
Jan. 2, 1891
In conversation with a Commoner reporter, one day last week, in reference to the state agricultural college, Hon. T. J. Smith said:
“The committee having in charge the matter, being unable to decide on the location of the agricultural college, that duty will devolve upon the legislature. Just what action that body will take in the matter I am unprepared to say.”
“What do you think of Whitman's chances?” asked the reporter.
“I think,” replied Mr. Smith, “that Whitman's chances for the prize are as good, if not better, than any other county in the state. The entire delegation from Whitman County goes to legislature prepared to make a strong fight for the college. However, the county is not a unit as to where the school should go, there being two or three rival towns. Most of the delegation favor Colfax.”
It is understood that Senator McCroskey and Representatives Holt and Arrasmith are for Colfax, while representatives Young and Moore would probably prefer some other place. However, it is reported that they will all unite on Colfax if it is necessary in order to secure the prize for this county.
100 years ago
The Colfax Commoner
Jan. 7, 1916
The Colfax band and a large number of citizens met the victorious Washington football team at the O. W. R. & N. station at six o'clock Thursday morning and escorted them to the Hotel Colfax, where a public breakfast was served by the Commercial club of this city.
As the train pulled in Thursday morning, the boys, who had humbled the best football team that the east could muster, tumbled out of the coaches admit a din of welcome and were escorted to the hotel where a splendid breakfast was served.
After breakfast talks were made by Supreme Court Judge Chadwick, Judge Neill and others commending the boys for their clean cut victory. A number of the players responded to these happy greetings. The party left at 9 o'clock for Pullman, where a wild, mad throng awaited them.
75 years ago
Jan. 3, 1941
The past year was the wettest since 1927, according to Delbert Aegerter, co-operative weather observer. A total of 28.49 inches of precipitation fell in 1940 while 28.51 inches were recorded in 1927. The average precipitation here is 20.01 inches. The precipitation for the past month was 2.62 inches which exceeds the average of 2.37 inches per month during the year.
50 years ago
Colfax Gazette
Jan. 6, 1966
Factors as complex as the policies of the state department, unpredictable as the styling on new automobiles and furniture were some of the things considered by Whitman County businessmen as they tried to predict the fortunes of the county's economy in 1966.
The new factors join the traditional concerns on grain prices and crop production for the development of the county's economy.
“Crop prospects as of now,” according to R. V. McEwen of Cargill Inc., “are favorable, particularly the early seeding. Late, late seeded ground still looks black although some wheat is now showing in the rows. The 1966 crops will be guesstimated many times between now and harvest, but the May-June rains will be the deciding factor.
As to price, McEwen said any comments made now would just be conjecture.
“We know the 1966 government loan will be comparable to 1965. The actual market will depend a lot on our state department and our national diplomacy,” McEwen said.
Predictions for other Colfax businesses are listed below:
Joe Sheer, Brown and Holter: General Motors sales department is aiming at a three-million sales mark in 1966. If their prediction is any indication, Sheer expects to do a comparable year with 1965, which was the best on record. The new front-drive Toronado is expected to attract more attention to the Oldsmobile line, Sheer said.
Joe Henderson, Arrow Machinery: Hopes 1966 will be on par with 1965. Better prices and fewer surpluses will offset the higher costs of equipment and labor costs.
Allen McSweeney, McSweeney Tractor co .: Believes in a “think positive” approach and believes a steady wheat market and good crop will combine with new features on his products to produce another good sales year.
Claude Edgren, Elk Drug: No pessimism for 1966 and hopes it can top 1965 when sales volume broke all records.
Lew Hodgins, J.C. Penney Co .: Expecting a good price on wheat and an average crop year, Hodgins predicts 1966 will be another “good average year.” Penney's operations will continue the same as in the past.
Gordon Ebbert, Gordon's Men's clothing: Goes along with predictions in U.S. News and World Report and the Kiplinger letter and believes another good year in 1966.
Chick Johnson, Fonks Five and Ten: New products in his competitive business appear at trade shows in January and February. Predicts 1966 will top 1965 if enough dam workers move into the area.
Griff Humphrey, Colfax Motor Co .: Starting his 43rd sales year, Humphrey reports sales are ahead of last year at this time with a number of orders yet to be filled.
Ole Olson, Neill Furniture: New styles and colors for the year will be determined to some extent next week when Olson and other employees from Pullman and Moscow attend the annual Winters Buyers Market. Olson said he wouldn't complain if 1966 matched 1965.
Warren Neil, Neil tire sales: Looks for another good year with increasing traffic through the county brought by the dam construction. Long range increases will come with dam-pool recreation in the county, Neil said.
25 years ago
Colfax Gazette
Jan. 3, 1991
The proposed merger of the LaCrosse, Washtucna and Kahlotus sports teams was rejected by the league and District 9 and has been appealed to the Washington Intercollegiate Athletic Association, according to LaCrosse superintendent Ronald Daron.
The three school boards discussed the merger and decided they would do it if they could maintain their B-8 status, Daron explained.
The merger would not go through if it meant the schools would have to compete in the Southeast B-11 league, he added.
A decision by the WIAA should be made sometime in January, according to Daron.
10 years ago
Whitman County Gazette
Jan. 5, 2006
Colfax no longer rates at the bottom of the 1A sports classification after the final enrollment counts were released by the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association last week. The final counts dropped the cutoff for A schools by another five students to 188 in the top three grades and that moved the largest B schools into the A ranks.
The A school division now is for schools with counts from 188 to 467 students in the top three grades. Colfax is now fourth from the bottom with an official count of 198.75 students. Warden 188.75, Winlock 189, and Mabton 189 now rate below the Bulldogs. The largest school in the A division, which will have 63 schools, is Nooksack Valley with 467.25.
Counts for other schools in the NE-A league next year include Lakeside 436, Chewelah 341, Newport 290, Kettle Falls 230, and Freeman 228. Colfax actually will have about 180 students in the top three grades next year.
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