Good Old Days: September 26, 2019

125 years ago

The Commoner

Sept. 28, 1894

Two early morning robberies, and the capture of a trio of desperate looking characters within two hours of the commission of the crime- one of them with a part of the booty on his person, and a bunch of burglars’ keys- is the police record of Wednesday for Colfax.

The crimes were committed near the Union Pacific depot.

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It is greatly to be regretted that financial consideration of the school year by one third, and in partial compensation for this unavoidable state of affairs it should be borne in mind by every patron of the schools, that unusual regularity of attendance, as well as exceptional application to study is necessary if desired results are to be realized.

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There are a lot of hobos about town that need to be sat upon. They have been raiding J. R. Bennett’s potato and melon patch almost nightly, and as Mr. Bennett is away at work they have been having everything their own way. Early Sunday night they became so bold that Mrs. Bennett ran down to town to get assistance. When she returned with a couple little boys she met her sister running from the house, saying that the men had gone into the house.

100 years ago

The Colfax Commoner

Sept. 19, 1919

A fair sized crowd was present at the courthouse Wednesday evening to observe Constitution Day, and they were addressed by Prof. LeRoy Jackson of the Washington State College and President Lindley of the Idaho University. Judge J. N. Pickrell acted as chairman and while acting in this capacity, he also made a short talk on the importance of maintaining the Constitution of the United States and avoiding entangling alliances.

Prof. Jackson traced the history of the United States from the date of the articles of confederation and pictured its weakness in that condition.

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Two men, one with his face, jaw and eyes and both hands shot away and the other with his jaw and one hand gone were rushed from McCoy’s siding near Oakesdale to the Colfax hospital near Tuesday afternoon in an effort to save their lives. At the time of the accident they were drilling out a blast which failed to explode, and they must have struck the dynamite cap with their heavy steel drill.

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The Salvation Army home service drive will be launched in the county Monday and it will last for six days. The county’s quota is $5,000 and Colfax is asked to raise $1,000. This will amount to about twenty cents per capita and John Bloom has been named as chairman of the Colfax district. There is to be no personal soliciting and the contributors are to call or send in their donations.

75 years ago

The Colfax Gazette-Commoner

Sept. 22, 1944

Designed to implement Mayor Lee’s suggestion that V-Day be one of quiet rejoicing and thanksgiving, the Colfax Ministerial association is arranging a program that will also comply with the request of the American Legion that the churches assume a definite part in making the exercises of the day significant.

At whatever time the announcement of the conclusion of the war in Europe is made, a schedule of services of worship and thanksgiving in the churches will be provided, with a different church meeting place and service for each of the hours between the time word is received and 5:00 in the afternoon.

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A review of plans for the Whitman County junior Fair to be held here this Saturday, September 23, indicates everything is in readiness.

Booth display space has been virtually doubled with both sides of the large grandstand being used this year instead of half in the past.

Several sections of the Schmuck park fence have been removed, giving the appearance of enlarged grounds and placing part of the live stock within view of the grandstand.

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Consideration was given by the city council Monday evening to Mayor Lee’s proposal that a sinking fund be created from surpluses or unexpended balances from other funds for post-war improvements.

More specifically, it was suggested by the mayor and several councilmen that a fund be created for improvements in the water system particularly a new reservoir, by raising the present water rates and putting the additional revenue gained thereby into the fund.

50 years ago

The Colfax Gazette

Sept. 25, 1969

The new 413,000 bushel elevator of the Colfax Grain Growers at Steptoe reached the top Tuesday morning to end 10 days and nights of concrete pouring. The head house and another six inches of concrete which will be added after vents are installed, will complete the elevator, according to Larry Brownell, manager of the Colfax grain Growers.

Pouring was started again on the elevator at 11 a.m. Sept. 15 after crews has been off the job since July 25 because of closure by the department of labor and industries. Work on the elevator was first started July 22 and reached the 18-foot mark before the shutdown because of alleged hazardous conditions.

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Charging his 1967 sedan collided with a bull while driving the highway route between Colfax and Winona, Leo J. Fuchs filed a $1,144 damage suit in Whitman County superior court Sept. 15. Named as defendants were Mr. and Mrs. Emil Scholz and Mr. and Mrs. “John Doe” Smick. Fuchs said Scholz owned the bull which was being pastured on Smick land.

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According to Lydel Pierce, Social Security representative, 18.8 million people are currently signed up for medical insurance under the Medicare program and 19.7 million are covered under the hospital part of the plan. This means about 10 percent of all people in the United States have protection under Medicare. Pierce will be in Colfax Wednesday from 10 a.m. to noon at the postoffice.

25 years ago

Whitman County Gazette

Sept. 29, 1994

Noah Grant, Colfax fifth grader, placed second Sept. 17 in the district six junior drag racing competition at Yakima. Sanctioned by the National Hot Rod Association, the junior competition brought races from Idaho, Oregon, Montana, and the western provinces of Canada.

Approximately 50 competed. Noah, son of Mark and Katrina Grant of Colfax, competed in class A, the 8 to 10 year age division. About 20 of the competitors were in the division.