Good Ol' Days

125 Years Ago

From the Colfax Gazette March 19, 1897

All Home Talent

Opera to be Produced by Colfax Amateurs Next Week

What promises to be by far the best amatuer performance ever given in Colfax will be put on at the opera house Thursday and Friday nights of next week, March 25 and 26. It is the original comic opera entitled "The Merry Students," or "Tit for Tat." The words of the opera were written by Bert Hargrave and the music composed by Prof. L. C. Read. It is a masterpiece and over eighteen months have been given to its writing and composing. The cast is well made and it has been under almost nightly rehearsal for several weeks. The finishing rehearsals will occur next week and some fine music is promised by the soloists, quartets and choruses.

100 Years Ago

From the Colfax Commoner March 17, 1922

Colfax wins in last game Saturday night

Local High School Team Comes to Life and Play like Champions

The Colfax high school basketball team played their best game of the season Saturday night and literally swamped the LaCrosse team, winning by a score of 34 to 13.

The first half was an even contest each team making five field baskets. It was at the beginning of the second half that the Colfax boys showed their ability as basket ball players and they simply dazzled the visitors with speed, team work and basket shooting. It was in the second half that they put in their five men defense and only once did the visitors get the ball close enough to make a field basket.

75 Years Ago

From the Colfax Gazette-Commoner March 21, 1947

"Chorus" Girls Practice Routines for Cornzapoppin'," Home Talent Benefit

This bevy of pretty high school juniors in pedal pushers and T-shirts is trying out the steps in one of the three dances in which the girls will be seen in "Cornzapoppin'," three-act comedy to be put on by the lady Jaycees next Tuesday and Wednesday nights for the benefit of the community's proposed youth recreation program. Left to right: Gladys Aeschliman, who will also be vocalist for one dance, "Beautiful Lady;" Joan Johnson, Betty McNeilly, Laverne Niechenke, Dolores Scholz and Bonnie Wise. -Photo by Alden

50 Years Ago

From the Colfax Gazette March 16, 1972

Kindergarten draws 77 enrollees here

Seventy-seven children have been enrolled for the annual six-week kindergarten session at Jennings elementary school, scheduled to start March 27 with classes in the high school building.

Thirty-eight will attend the morning session and 39 the afternoon. Teacher will be Nancy Hirst of Pullman, assisted by Jean Larsen of Colfax.

25 Years Ago

From the Whitman County Gazette March 13, 1997

High maintenance costs of Whitman County's extensive bridge system is beginning to show signs of wear on public works' pocketbook.

A recent survey suggests that of the 333 county bridges, 61 of the structures under 20-feet in length and 48 of the bridges spanning more than 20-feet need to be replaced said Phil Merrell, Public works director, Tuesday.

Estimated cost for the combined projects is $6.3 million, which is roughly $6.3 million more the county has to spend.

"The problem is that it costs so much to maintain the bridges we don't have enough money to replace them," he remarked. "It's a vicious cycle." Whitman County's bridge maintenance budget for county crews alone in 1997 is in the neighborhood of $400,000.

10 Years Ago

From the Whitman County Gazette March 15, 2012

Liquor stores shuffle to meet new state law

Colfax shoppers will soon be able to pick up a bottle of liquor while shopping for bread, butter and milk.

Shawn McAdams, manager of Rosauers in Colfax, said his store will swap video rentals for liquor sales when the new state law brought about by Initiative 1183 kicks into effect in June.

Stores across Whitman County plan changes in reaction to the voter-approved law which allows private stores to sell liquor while state-run stores are closed.

The Initiative received 52 percent approval from voters in Whitman County and 60 approval statewide.

- Compiled by Olivia Harnack