Good Old Days: Feb. 25, 2021

125 years ago

The Commoner

Feb. 21, 1896

The city of Pullman has a good-sized sensation which has kept the town all agog for several weeks. The excitement and agitation is caused by an assault, and by one of the most peculiar judicial transactions on record. The story is as follows:

On Tuesday morning of last week Irvin Griffith, an old man, came to town and soon became intoxicated. In the evening while in a saloon he annoyed justice of the peace Gammon by continually calling the latter’s name, and as the two had previously had trouble Gammon became irritated to the extent that he slapped Griffith’s face. However, not satisfied with slapping the drunken man, Gammon persuaded S.A. Robinson and George Milam to take Griffith out behind the McConnell-Chambers building and hold him while he chastised him. This done, they left him and returned to Henry’s billiard hall, and were enjoying themselves immensely, when Griffith reappeared, his face and hands all bloody and bruised, and at once recognized Robinson and Milam as two of his assailants.

Wednesday morning warrants were issued out of Justice Gammon’s court for the arrest of Robinson, and Milam, charging them with assault with intent to commit robbery, and the case came up for trial at one ‘o clock of the same day.

The literary society at the Hulm schoolhouse on spring flat is engaged in a literary contest. There are two divisions in the society, of 26 members each, and the object of each of these divisions is to make as many “points” as possible at their weekly meetings. An original poem counts 100 points, a recitation 50; an essay 75; a drama 500. The side which gains the fewest points is compelled to furnish free supper to the victors.

A lengthy program is being prepared by each of the divisions, and will be rendered in the near future. Division one is to give a drama entitled, “Lawva the Pauper.”

100 years ago

The Colfax Commoner

Feb. 18, 1921

The Whitman County Farmers Union, in session at the Liberty Theatre in Colfax Tuesday, with nearly every local in the county represented, went on record as favoring a wage of $40 a month for farm labor for spring work. Board and room are to be furnished.

A special meeting of the county farmers’ union has been called for Garfield for Thursday, February 24, when Miss Daisy Busbey will report on her recent visit to Olympia. Miss Buesbey was sent to Olympia by the farmers’ union to fight the proposed school code.

J.S. Klemgard of Pullman, who was sent to Olympia by the farmers’ union to do what he could to hold down appropriations and taxes, will also report at the Garfield meeting next week. Leaders in the farmers’ union work are urging all members to attend the meeting.

75 years ago

The Colfax

Gazette-Commoner

Feb. 22, 1946

Ready for distribution Thursday were 1,000 four-page folders in which the answers to questions on the proposed junior-senior high school site are given.

The question whether the district shall purchase from private property owners the ground on the west side of Morton Street between Fourth and Sixth streets will be voted on in the general school election March 2, when polls will be open at the high school between the hours of 1 and 5 p.m.

The folder explains that the present high school site is too small to accommodate the building and ground needed for a junior-senior high school, farm shop and bus repair shop, and that expansion to the north and south of the present building is not feasible because property values in these areas are exorbitant in view of the small amount of land that would be acquired.

To off-set the disadvantage to south end students because of the long distance to the new school, the district board proposes to operate a bus to accommodate them, the folder explains.

50 years ago

Colfax Gazette

Feb. 18, 1971

Lower Granite Contractors are nearing the first pour of concrete at the dam site four miles upstream from Almota on the Snake River. Crews are now approaching the final phase of excavation and forms are being prepared for the first pour, according to T.J. Mendiola, resident engineer with the Army Corps of Engineers.

The first pour will be along the north wall of the dam locks, in a segment tagged as “Mono 24” on the large scale plan in Mendiola’s office. A total of 1,700,000 cubic yards of concrete is scheduled to go into the dam in the next two years.

Mendiola said pouring will continue on the locks which will be in the middle of the Snake when the dam is finished. The next area of pour will be in the Powerhouse area now being excavated on the Garfield County side of the river.

Approximately 375 men are now on the job at the dam for Lower Granite Contractors.