Good Old Days

125 years ago

The Commoner

May 3, 1895

It is now estimated that the acreage of grain in Whitman County is about 65 or 70 percent of last year. The grain area this year is almost entirely fall and spring sown, but little grain being allowed to volunteer. Of this area of grain the west end of the county does not furnish its usual percentage, the prevalence of the squirrel pest in 1894, and the anticipation of their ravages this season deterring many owners of land. Seeding is nearly over in all parts of the county, and from all sections come reports of fine prospects for good crops. What the farmers now require are rains of considerable magnitude. Present weather indications favor the prophecy that they will not be disappointed in their desire for warm rains during May.

A noticeable thing about farm operations in the Palouse country is the fact of the large increase in the area of land planted to garden sass. Of course most of this is in potatoes, the experience of last year leading the farmer to believe it a good crop on which to raise money. Fields of five, 10, 20 and as high as 40 and 60 acres of the tubers are heard of in all parts of the county and with our average immense potato yield Whitman County will be able to go far toward supplying any possible lack of this article of food. Large areas are also planted to beans, beets, onions, carrots, cabbage and other vegetables.

100 years ago

The Colfax

Commoner

April 30, 1920

The fall of 1920 will see Colfax with at least six modern new business buildings, if present plans of local capitalists materialize. The town has not enjoyed such activity in building for some years, with two new bank buildings, two modern garage structures, one church, the community building and numerous residences already assured and more tentative plans in the air.

The First Savings and Trust Company this week moved temporarily to the old Burrell building, and will remain there while the old block at Main and Spring Streets is torn out and replaced with a modern structure of stone, brick and concrete. The new building will cost about $40,000, will cover a space of 25 by 90 feet and will be two stories in height.

75 years ago

The Colfax Gazette-

Commoner

May 4, 1945

Plans were completed this week by the junior chamber of commerce for the annual fat stock preview to be held here next Monday by 4-H and FFA exhibitors on the lot at Mill and Wall streets, back of the Colfax hotel.

The program will start promptly at 10 a.m. and close at 3 p.m., in time for exhibitors to make the 6 p.m. deadline for the big junior livestock event in Spokane.

Approximately 50 head of high graded fat steers and a number of lambs and hogs will be on exhibition. The Colfax preview is one of a series of 11 that has been held in the council in the last month to enable every junior feeder to show his project and enter the various contests that are parts of the big shows.

Program events will be the livestock judging contest, showmanship contest, placing and grading of animals.

Prize money offered to winners has been furnished by the two chambers of commerce, Kiwanis club, American Legion post, Colfax Athletic club and the Whitman County Fair association.

***

Taking on the biggest quota to date, the Colfax community was organized at a kick-off luncheon at the Colfax hotel Wednesday noon to promote the sale of $755,400 worth of war bonds during the seventh loan drive which opens May 14. Joint sponsors of the affair were the two chambers of commerce and the Kiwanis club.

In asserting that the town and countryside was facing its greatest task inasmuch as more than one-half of the quota must be raised through sales to individuals, J. E. Moore, general chairman of the drive, announced that the campaign program would be carried on this time under a different system.

Seven civic groups have been assigned to as many different phases of the campaign, said Chairman Moore in naming the Chamber of Commerce, Junior Chamber of Commerce, Kiwanis club, Toastmaster's club, American Legion, the granges and banks.

50 years ago

The Colfax Gazette

April 30, 1970

"They're dangerous. A person doesn't want to fool around with them."

John Henley Sr., a resident of Hay since 1903, still holds respect for rattlesnakes. In the past 40 years of hunting rattlers, he's killed hundreds without being bitten, but he carries a snake bite kit and he's seen what the fangs of a rattler can do.

"When they get scared, they'll strike you every time if they get a chance," Henley explained following an afternoon of snake hunting along Alkali Creek southwest of Hay last Thursday.

Henley started hunting rattlers over 40 years ago when he found them invading his Hay ranch. The snakes were making themselves at home in the fruit cellar and outbuildings. He saw them as unwanted neighbors for a growing family.

Snake hunting season in the Hay area runs from about March 15 to about April 14, a period of time when the hunter can be pretty sure of finding the rattlers at home in their favorite dens. As spring approaches, the snakes will crawl out of their dens to take in a little morning sun.

***

Passage of the $225,000 special levy asked by the Colfax school district will make a difference of two cents per acre of land or $1.33 difference on a $10,000 house, according to statistics worked out at a citizens meeting held Friday night at the school.

The figures are the comparison of the district's share in the tax bill now being paid for the 1969-70 school year and the bill for the 1970-71 school year. The levies were calculated at the meeting by County Assessor Robert D. Repp.

Levies approved by the district in 1969 totaled 15.96, which included $190,500 for maintenance and operation and $24,000 for the two portable classrooms. Millage needed to raise the $225,000 now asked is 16.49 mills, said Repp.

The difference amounts to 75 cents for each $100 on the tax bill.

25 years ago

Whitman County Gazette

May 4, 1995

The Pullman-Moscow Bike Path was given a new lease on life Monday when Whitman County Commissioners James Potts and Nora Mae Keifer motioned for resubmittal of a grant application. Commissioner Les Wigen abstained.

"I'm looking at the total amount of money needed to maintain the path. It's the taxpayers of Whitman County (who) have to pay for it and it's just not a priority for rural Whitman in Lamont, Tekoa, Colton and LaCrosse," Wigen said.

Wigen's comments followed statements made in a letter of opposition submitted two weeks ago by the new Property Owners Association. They have asked the commissioners to overturn a zoning change which would allow for the path. An official corridor hearing has been set for Sept. 18, at 7 p.m.

10 years ago

Whitman County Gazette

May 6, 2010

There are a dozen Japanese filmmakers in Tania Buck's front yard, barking out instructions over crackling walkie talkies. Japanese movie crew members dart around preparing a 1940s truck, which sits with the massive early 1900s Buck barn in the background.

Then, in one swift motion, the entire yard stills. Someone yells the Japanese equivalent of "action."

The star actor climbs from the truck, slams the door, and strides away, a team of cameramen filing his every move.

This was the scene at the Buck's farmhouse a few miles south of Onecho April 30, for the filming of a 10-hour, five-episode docudrama depicting the Japanese internment in America during World War II.