Good Old Days: Dec. 28, 2017

125 years ago

The Commoner

Dec. 23, 1892

On Friday evening, Dec. 23, the people of Elberton will give a grand ball and supper, and as it is to be the first of its kind in the new and promising village, no pains will be spared to make it a success.

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Captain James Ewart's family was the first to bring the good old-fashioned Christmas to the heart of the Palouse. In 1871 he had fixed a home on Union Flat, and when the great holiday approached, he resolved to inaugurate a general celebration. Everybody within fifteen miles was invited, and nearly everybody within fifteen miles responded. Nevertheless, the little house could have held many more. Everyone was pleased to meet home-like people once again, and never did guests at a royal banquet enjoy a feast so much as did the score of pioneers who sat down at Captain Ewart's table on that Christmas day.

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The young society people of Colfax are making preparations to render the opera “Queen Esther” during the month of January.

100 years ago

The Colfax Commoner

Dec. 21, 1917

The three boys that were brought to Colfax from Farmington the first of the week were sent home by Judge McCroskey and they were instructed to make good anything which they damaged. These boys are said to be no worse than the average country youth and they looked like honest young men. They are to report to the Judge again on the 15th of January, at which time the case will be disposed of.

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William Shaw's barn located on the north side of town was consumed by fire late Monday evening. A fierce wind which was blowing at the time helped the flames to spread so rapidly that nothing was saved. A team of horses was burned. The cause of the fire was due to an over-heated stove.

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A wreck of freightage occurred in the yards at Malden Sunday evening, when a light train crashed into a westbound train pulling box cars.

75 years ago

The Gazette-Commoner

Dec. 18, 1942

Entangled in a wire fence, the body of Joseph P. Stark, 63, was found by his wife early Sunday morning about 200 yards from their farm house eight miles south of Hay. He had been shot in the head by a high-powered rifle, believed accidentally discharged while coyote hunting. Mrs. Stark heard the shot shortly after he left the house. When he failed to return in a reasonable length of time, she called, then went in search of him. Deputy Sheriff Ralph Waller investigated.

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Harvey Lee, special officer on the Colfax police force since January 1, submitted his resignation Tuesday to Mayor Ripley, giving as the reason the denial of his application for appointment as chief of police to succeed L. M. Parnell when the latter becomes county sheriff.

50 years ago

The Colfax Gazette

Dec. 21, 1967

A building permit for a $3,500 remodeling operation of the Dickey Apparel store site was approved by the city council Nov. 20 night. Located at N. 109 Main, the store was recently purchased from W. Rodney Russell for $8,500, according to a transfer tax affidavit.

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President Norman Willson of Palouse Producers, Inc., said yesterday that his company will continue its efforts to prevent the Union Pacific from abandoning less than half-a-mile of track across the trestle over the Palouse River leading to the Producers plant in Colfax Industrial Park.

25 years ago

Whitman County Gazette

Dec. 24, 1992

Steptoe resident Wayne Kinsinger plans to develop five Steptoe lots for housing if the county commissioners allow the adjustment of lot sizes. Each of Kinsinger's five lots fails to meet the 10,000 square foot minimum required by county zoning laws. He asked the county Monday for permission to consolidate the five lots into three larger ones that will meet the zoning requirements.

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After Christmas vacation, construction crews will be ready for the conversion to the new heating system in the north end of Jennings Elementary School.

10 years ago

Whitman County Gazette

Dec. 20, 2007

Colfax Police were called to Pine Street on the Thorn Street hill Thursday by a report of a jack-knifed semi truck. The Atlas moving van jack-knifed while attempting to turn around on the dead-end street. The semi trailer blocked the street. A fence, mailbox and trees at the Mark Mackleit residence were damaged.

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Removal of parking fees at Whitman County parks received unanimous approval last Thursday at the December meeting of the Whitman County Park Board. Removal of the fees was one of the agenda items for the meeting which was at the Cougar Depot in Pullman.