Good Ol' Days

125 Years Ago

From the Colfax Gazette, Friday, January 14, 1898

A Disgraceful Act

The duty of chronicling as deplorable an affair as was the tragedy enacted at the Whitman County court house in the early hours of Saturday morning is a painful one to The Gazette. As coldblooded as was the murder of Orville Hayden on that dark Octover night, it was not mroe brutal than the crime enacted in the early hours of Saturday, when Chadwick Marshall was made to pay the penalty of either his guilt or indiscretion at the rope's end, by a self constituted mob. But for the cleverness and boldness of the man whom Marshall implicated in his confessions the blood of two men instead of one would have, no doubt, been upon the hands of the unlawful assemblage.

The unlawful taking of human life, whatever the real or fancied provocation, is an awful thing to do, and The Gazette does not believe that under any circumstances is man licensed to slay his fellow man, even though the people can look back over a record of many murders without a single legal execution.

A stain is placed upon the fair county of Whitman which years will not eradicate.

100 Years Ago

From the Colfax Commoner, Friday, January 12, 1923

KIWANIS CLUB HOLDS MEETING

MANY ARE GUESTS OF ORGANIZATIONS-LEADS IN CIVIC OF CITY.

A Colfax Kiwanis meeting seldom has an attendance of less than half jinks''a hundred men. The usual high attendance was marked by the usual high spirit and "high jinks" prevailed last Tuesday.

A new orchestra helped to make merry. Mr. and Mrs. Roy LaFollette and Dr. Faus furnished a triple instrumentation that made the "eats" taste better and furnished a fine background for the singing. With president Ted presiding, music was a feature.

Rev. Wyatt gave the incovation. Secretary Lewis read a letter for thanks for the Christmas check the Kiwanians gave to cheer the sick veterans at Walla Walla. Dr. Tifft secured the prize of a fine thermos bottle from Dr. Hendricks and Wm. Cole, who was a guest, did not try to see if it contained anything. He did look puzzled, however, when the most dignified took part in the dizzy dance that concluded the song about the wrinkled prune.

75 Years Ago

From the Colfax Gazette-Commoner, Friday, January 9, 1948

Palouse Overflows

An angry Palouse river, swollen by recent rains and snow-melting temperatures, burst its bounds in Colfax Wednesday floodign Firt street and the rear of Harold Mast's Colfax Iron and Machine Works near the south end of the bridge over the south branch of the Palouse river. The house, owned by Harold Mast, was occupied by mr. and Mrs. Leonard Sewell who succeeded in moving their personal possessions to higher ground, saving them from the damaging waters. The Sewells stayed Wednesday night at the home of Wilbur Smith. A bulldozer and winch truck partly obscured by the small house were used to remove several pieces of construction equipment from the flooded area. Other equipment shown at the right of the house was in that position when the water came up. –Photo by Merle Merry

50 Years Ago

From the Colfax Gazette, Thursday, Jan.. 11, 1973

Colfax Christmas tree fire closes out holiday season

Colfax jaycees put the torch to approximately 300 Christmas trees which were collected from front yards Saturday. The trees were piled at the Colfax Ready-Mix lot on North Clay street. Jaycees gathered close to the blaze which was ignited in three-degree temperature.

25 Years Ago

From the Whitman County Gazette, Thursday, January 8, 1998

Mellor hangs on

Jaime Mellor battles a trip of GP Vikings in an attempt to keep possession of the ball in the Saturday battle at Palouse.