Good Ol' Days

125 Years Ago

From the Colfax Gazette, Friday, August 13, 1897

Will Open a New Store.

After an absence of two and a half years in San Francisco, Herman Kaminsky returned to Colfax last

Friday to engage in business. He will open the Red Front clothing store in the Burgunder building, so long occupied by C. B. Newman, and expects to be ready for business by August 20. Interrogated as to the why and wherefore of his move he said: "My faith in the Palouse country has never waned and my coming might be compared to the swallows that come in the spring. They have an end in view, and mine is to take advantage of the opportunity offered for safe and profitable business, which this country under normal conditions certainly affords. The first intimation of returning prosperity here I received in conversation with wholesalers in San Francisco who spoke in glowing terms of the outlook in this section, and I find it even better than reported. I tell you, we're in it again." Ed. Ewart has returned from the northern country and will take a position in the new store.

100 Years Ago

From the Colfax Commoner, Friday, August 11, 1922

SMUT FIRES DESTROY MACHINES

Two Machines Lost Near Tekoa.- Two at Winona.

Smut explosions are now occuring throughout the entire county. The dry weather makes the explosions possible and fires in the grain fields fields will likely occur until after the first heavy rainfall.

A machine belonging to Burnsback, Sevick and Wolf was destroyed Tuesday afternoon near Tekoa. A machine in the same part of the county belonging to Andrew Brede had two small smut explosions on the same day, but the owner of the machine has equipped his rig to fight the fire which results from these explosions. Quick action on the part of the crew with Milton McHague saved his machine from being destroyed. McHague is also threshing near Tekoa.

Over at Pullman Jesse Gray lost his separator and 600 sacks of grain by fire.

Louis Hansen, who is the separator tender for M. DeYoung was badly burned by a smut explosion which occured Tuesday. Other smut explosions are reported from different parts of the county but every threshing crew has been well drilled in regard to their duties when such an explosion occurs. Experienced machine men say that the first heavy rain which falls will lesson the danger from smut explosions.

75 Years Ago

From the Colfax Gazette-Commoner, Friday, August 8, 1947

V.F.W. POST COMPILES HONOR ROLL OF WAR II

Kinney-Dunn post, Veterans of Foreign Wars, of Colfax is compiling an honor roll of all men and women of the Colfax community who served in World War II. With special memorial space given to those who lost their lives, the roll will be published in a volume entitled "General Marshall's Victory Report to the Nation." The book will be printed in Kansas City, Mo., national headquarters of the V.F.W., and upon authorization by the war department.

Extra Article:

ST. IGNATIUS ENTRY

Colfax police early Sunday morning investigated a report that signs of possible entry had been found at the long vacant former St. Ignatius Hospital building on S.Mill. Police Chief Rick McNannay said a neighbor reported the screws holding the locked door of the structured had been removed and an apparent entry attempt had been made.

Nobody was found in the building. The chief noted the aging structure had previously been boarded up because it was considered a hazard.