Good Ol' Days

125 Years Ago

From the Colfax Gazette, Friday, January 12, 1900

TRIALS OF SOLDIERS

Colfax Boys in the Philippines with Packs Makes Their Bones Ache.

Frank Blachley of Company C, Thirty-fifth United States Volunteer Infantry, has written to a Colfax friend, detailing some of the joys of soldier lifein the Philippines. Under date of Cabiao, November 21, he says, in part:

“I am well and fattening like a pig here. Sooon after arrival at Manila we boarded a train and rode 35 miles to San Fernando, where we staid for two days. Then we commenced a dreary journey through the mud and slush to the firing line. From San Fernando we marched to Sanoaha, 18 miles, and it was a hard trip for us. We were tired and soft from being so long on board the transport. Rain fell nearly all the time, and we had to carry our packs, weighing from 70 to 100 pounds. The mud was from shoe-top to waist deep. Actually, I have waded and carried my pack, gun, knapsack, haversack and canteen for miles and never be out of mud and water from two to four feet deep. Say, but one gets tired. First the boys could be seen throwing away their shirts and shoes to lighten their packs; then a blanket would go, and next the whole thing. The boys would be so tired that they cared for nothing. One could be seen sitting down in the mud and water, refusing to move for officers or anyone else until he had rested awhile.

100 Years Ago

From the Colfax Commoner, Friday, January 9, 1925

CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL FULL

Waiting List of 69 Cripples; Whitman County People Contribute.

The Contribution sent in by Colfax and Western Whitman County through the women’s auxiliary committee to the Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children in Spokane, according to Henry A. Pierce, chairman of the Spokane board.

Mr. Pierce says: “As the Shrine only pays for the treatment, board and room of the children, these fudns will be devoted to transportation, clothing, braces, special shoes and so forth, for the kiddies. Twenty patients are now in the hospital and there is a waiting list of 69. One patient now in the wards is six years old Catherine Moran of Pullman, who has been operated on for paralysis in an arm. Another operation may be neccessary, after which she will be able to go home as a cured patient.”

Sicne the above mentioned letter was received, the auxiliary has sent in $10 additional in cash, $2.00 from the Benewah Camp Fire girls, $3.00 additional from the Knights Templar and $5.00 from Mrs. H. G. DePledge.

75 Years Ago

From the Colfax Gazette-Commoner, Thursday, January 12, 1950

Colfax Boxers Blast Out Win Over Invading Clarkston Crew

Coach Dick Felber’s Bulldog pugilists got back on the victory road last Saturday night in impressive fashion as they blasted the Clarkston Bantams, 6 1/2 – 3 ½, in the local gym.

Saturday, Coach Felber’s charges take on the power-packed Walla Walla fist-wielding aggregation at Walla Walla.

After Al Brown of the Bulldogs and Davey Curren of the Bantams had battled to a draw in the 100-pound opening bout, the Blue and Gold fighters came roaring back to rack up six decision, including a TKO, to the Bantams’ three, which also included a TKO.

Don White, Bulldog 115 pounder, had trouble finding Dick Bennett during the first round, but in the second he couldn’t shake the scrappy Bantam who put White on the ropes three tiems before Referee Ike Deeter of WSC stopped the bout just before the end of the round.