Good Old Days: October 31, 2019

125 years ago

The Commoner

November 2, 1894

At Garfield Monday night, Col. James Hamilton Lewis, of Seattle, addressed the largest and most enthusiastic audience of the campaign in that city, on the issues of the day. The eloquent orator spoke for two hours and a half, and his telling points won round after round of applause. He arraigned the republican party for misconduct of governmental affairs that had brought about the panic of 1893, and for favoring the Fricks and Carnegies and that class with high tariff legislation and letting the masses shift for themselves. The speaker wanted equal rights for all; special privileges for none. Every issue was touched upon in a strong and convincing manner, and the big audience cheered vociferously at the close.

***

As the Commoner predicted Whitman County carried off the honors in the contest with her sister counties of the state at the Spokane fruit fair, for the best general exhibit. The particulars of the flattering but certainly merited award are taken from the Sunday Review as follows:

The fruit fair was declared formally closed last night by President J. W. Brinkley of the Spokane bureau of immigration. The closing was accompanied by an interesting little ceremony arranged in honor of two localities tributary to Spokane whose exhibits deserves especial mention. Whitman County, which was adjudged to have the finest general exhibit, and Potlatch, a close competitor of Whitman, were presented gold medal, in addition to the regular awards.

“The fair has been a success,”said President Brinkley, in presenting the medals. “e appreciate, not alone the interest of our own citizens, but that of the exhibitors who have come a distance to show their loyalty to Spokane. I desire in presenting Whitman County with this medal, to mention in connection with it the names of H. H. Spaulding, J. B. Holt, Harry Cornwell, E. M. Burch, W. S. Yearsley and T. W. Walters.”

***

J. B. Holt, general manager of the Snake river fruit-growers’ association, returned from Spokane Tuesday, and was interviewed by a Commoner representative with reference to Whitman county’s showing at the recent fruit fair.

“The fair,”said he, “as far beyond anything that we had expected both in magnitude and merit. It was a success in every respect, and right here, let me say that too much credit cannot be given to Herbert Bolster, manager of the exhibition, to whose energy and sagacity the splendid result of the enterprise was largely due. The tickets were placed at 10 cents to suit the times, and, as a result; the fair was so crowded all the time that the services of policemen were required to keep the crowd moving.”

100 years ago

The Colfax Commoner

October 24, 1919

The teachers of Whitman County, almost 400 strong, have been in Colfax this week attending the annual county institute. This makes the thirty-eighth institute of this kind in Whitman County, most of them held in Colfax, the county seat.

There has been a tendency the last few years away from an institute such as this toward a six or nine weeks summer session. It is recognized by everyone that it is rather difficult if not impossible to get very much practical good from an institute which lasts only a few days. The chief advantage being, of course, its get together spirit, its exchange of ideas and its social advantages.

***

The construction of the St. John-Ewan road cost far more than was expected and the $242,000 worth of bonds which were sold two years ago to construct this road was not enough to pay for the construction of the road, and there is a shortage of $18,000 existing in this fund.

Monday, the commissioners decided to issue an additional $18,000 worth of bonds and these bonds were sold to Ferris and Hardgrove, who were awarded the bonds at the same price for which the others were sold. The price that was agreed upon was par value with a premium of $157. The bonds are to draw a six percent interest and they are to be paid when due out of the road and bridge fund, if there is no money available in the improvement distinct fund.

***

The Colfax high school football team played the fast Pullman team off their feet during the first quarter last Friday and the game ended in a tie. Each team made a touchdown and each side kicked goal. At the close of one of the best high school football games that has been played in this city in years, the team left the field with a score of seven each and it was only during the last few minutes of the play that the Pullman team made their touchdown.

The Pullman team outweighed the local boys at least by 10 pounds to the man. They appeared to be in better condition and their men were better trained. The visitors had just returned from Lewiston where they had hung up a score of 58 to 0 against the Lewiston high school team. They came on the field confident of victory and this opinion was shared by many of the Pullman people who accompanied the team. One of the leading Pullman citizens voiced the sentiment of the visitors when he said, Colfax expects us to win but they expect the score to be high.”

75 years ago

The Colfax Gazette-Commoner

October 27, 1944

For the alleged misuse of the automobile tires two residents of the Colfax community were scheduled to be heard before the Colfax tire rationing panel Thursday evening. Names were to be withheld until after the hearing.

One of the defendants was said to be a youth who allegedly punched a hole in one of his tires after deliberately ditching his car to make it appear that the machine had been wrecked by a blowout.

Purpose of the purported deception was to afford an excuse for the early morning return to a hospital here of two girl companions of the youth. After a futile wait at the roadside for some motorist to come along and tow them in, the boy changed to his spare tire and drove into town.

***

Qualified to vote in the general election of November 7 when registration books closed in the office of City Clerk Grace Stapleton Saturday evening were 1,694 Colfax citizens. On a percentage of population basis this was considered virtually equal to the 1805 record registration for the general election of 1940 since war conditions are believed to have cost the city virtually 100 adult registrants.

Registration by precincts as reported by Mrs. Stapleton is: In the First ward, Precinct 46, 398; precinct 70, 304. Second ward, Precinct 36, 314; precinct 69, 275. Third ward, Precinct 53, 288; precinct 71, 115.

***

Budgets for the 1945 community chest agencies totaling $4,560 fixed by the budget committee, headed by A. M. Michaelson, Thursday evening last week, were approved Tuesday by the entire board. The sum to be raised is $1,310 more than the 1944 chest.

The National War Fund was given $700 more than last year, but the amount is $600 less than asked for and is based on the ratio of town population to that of the county which is to raise $18,400.

The selectees’ welfare fund was increased from $75 to $200, the additional $125 to go to the Kiwanis club which distributes Bibles to men called in the draft. The American Legion also provides confections.

50 years ago

The Colfax Gazette

October 30, 1969

Colfax & Community fund launched its 1970 drive this week with a barrage of solicitation letters to more than 1,500 local families and individuals, Mrs. Cal Tidrick, campaign chairman, announced. She hopes the campaign can be successfully completed by Nov. 15.

The 1970 budget of $11,900 represents an increase of $700 over last year due to principally to “inflation,”according to officials. One new agency, the Whitman County Mental Health program, was added to the budget, for a total of $300.

The Red Cross Allotment was upped slightly from $4,250 to $4,500, Boy Scouts were increased $110 from $1,690 to $1,800; Washington’s Children’s Home was raised from $850 to $1300 and the Camp Fire Girls were trimmed from $1,160 to $750. The cut in the Camp Fire Girls budget was at the organization’s request, and due largely to success of recent candy sales and other successful projects.

***

Deadlines for mailing Christmas parcels to members of the Armed Forces overseas have been announced by Kenneth McNeilly, Colfax postmaster. Surface transportation deadline will be Nov. 8.

McNeilly said some Christmas parcels have already started to appear in the flow of mail out to Armed Forces overseas.

Other periods for overseas Christmas mailing are Oct. 20 to Nov. 22 for SAM (Space Available Airlift) and Oct. 27 to Nov. 29 PAL (Parcel Airlift). Regular airmail mailing period will be Dec. 1 to Dec. 13.

***

One of the big wooden crib elevators belonging to Almota Farmers Elevator Co. is nearing its new location and preparations are being made to move the other wooden buildings at Almota on the Snake river. The move is necessary because of the impending elevation of water in the pool behind Little Goose dam next spring. The elevators will be at about the same level above bedrock but will be on a better foundation. All of the wooden structures will be moved, but the future of the concrete tank is uncertain.

25 years ago

Whitman County Gazette

November 3, 1994

Jack Streibick of Lewiston said he plans to spend the coming weeks “listening” before he comes up with a plan for development of over 43 acres of county land at Colfax. Streibick said he hopes to have a plan in place by next spring and have a project underway by next summer.

The Lewiston developer offered a top bid of $240,000 Friday morning in the County commissioners’ office for the property which is located behind Whitman Hospital and Medical Center. The property was one part of the county welfare line, the same source of property which was used for the hospital development over 25 years ago.

Streibick and Ted Beasley of Pullman advanced the final bidding in $1,000 steps before the total stopped on Streibick’s offer of $240,000 and Commissioner Jim Potts, acting as auctioneer, closed it out.

***

State liquor proceeds distributed to Whitman County towns totaled $53,982 for the quarter ended Sept. 30, the first quarter of state liquor board operations.

The total is down $3,667 from earnings in the previous quarter and $4,107 from the same quarter last year.

Total proceeds for the liquor board for the first quarter were $11,433,300. Forty percent of the amount goes to towns

***

Colfax girls will roll to the state cross country meet as Pasco Saturday after pulling some surprises out of the middle of the running pack last week at the NE district run on the Hangman Golf Course south of Spokane.

The Bulldog girls, led by juniors Katie Kneeshaw and Lisa Mabbutt, bagged a team second-place finish and missed the district-title by a single point.

Riverside won the meet with 59; Colfax booked 60. Both teams get to send all their runners to the state event which will be back at the Sun Willows Golf course. The NE distict can send two teams and 10 individual runners to state.

10 years ago

Whitman County Gazette

October 29, 2009

Thrown out remnants of decades of afternoon snacks are a common sight on the roadways of Whitman County.

Thanks in part to these bygone litterbugs, Whitman County residents every October are treated to a dazzling display of reds, yellows and oranges, as the blossoms of antique apple trees mature into full-blown fruit.

Many point to railroad crews and passengers as the biggest culprits of spreading apple trees throughout the county.

That’s what we’ve always called them anyway, is railroad apples,” said Ken Kilpatrick, who farms in the Oakesdale area.

***

The Palouse area has dropped its 2008 water usage by 5.2 percent from the previous year. Pumping figures for 2008 were released Oct. 23 by the Palouse Basin Aquifer Committee (PBAC).

The 2008 year was considerably cooler and wetter than the previous year, said PBC executive manager Steve Robishon. The increase in water and decrease in evaporation naturally offset the ratio of people’s water usage.

This is one source of the 5.2 percent drop, he said.

Plus, Robishon said, the city of Moscow in 2007 imposed a restriction on people’s outdoor water use during the warmer months of the year. This too could be contributing to the decrease, he said.

***

A check-off on trick or treat candy at the Colfax Fire Station has been dropped this year. In the past, volunteers have offered to look over candy and other items which trick-or-treaters collect around town. Chief Ralph Walter said the service is being dropped this year because of manpower shortage. Between 75 and 100 spooks have been accommodated in the past.

Chief Walter urges youngsters and parents to examine their treats from Halloween night. He also reminded the local spooks to follow safety precautions so they can be easily seen by motorists.