Good Ol' Days: Jan. 1900 - Jan. 2000

125 Years Ago

From the Colfax Gazette, Friday, January 19, 1900

A Successful Mill

Carley Brothers, after years of patient endeavor, have succeeded in bringing their roller feed mill to a prominent place in the trade. The mill has recently been greatly improved and is commanding the attention of buyers. Last week they shipped one of their large pattern to Pullman, where it takes the place of a Gilbert Hunt mill which has been on trial there. This week one was shipped on order to Rockford and another to Sprague, while a number of orders are insight. This is an important manufacturing industry of Colfax and one worthy of the success attained.

A Wonderful Apple.

Chas. Rauch raises in his orchard in this city an apple that is proving a wonderful fruit, not alone because of its beauty and flavor, but also because of its keeping qualities, says the Pullman Herald. It is the Lawler, formerly the Delaware Winter Red, and Mr. Rauch still has fruit of the crop of '98, which is now in fair condition. Samples brought to this office showed no signs of decay, and although somewhat wilted from old age, were still palatable. The apples were placed in a common cellar, and were given no more than ordinary care.

100 Years Ago

From the Colfax Commoner, Friday, January 16, 1925

ROGERS TO HEAD FARM BUREAU AGAIN

MUCH CONSTRUCTIVE WORK HAS BEEN ACCOMPLISHED DURING PAST YEAR-PLANS LAID FOR ANTOHER WAR ON GROUND SQUIRRELS

Complete and elaborate reports of the activities of the Whitman County Farm Bureau were presented to the members at the annual meeting of the bureau held at the Colfax city hall last Saturday, by President F.B. Rogers of the county organization and William Duling, chairman of the squirrel poison committee for 1924.

Considerable enthusiasm was manifested over the excellent condition of the Farm Bureau organization. The week previous the executive committee hired and expert accountant to go over t he books of the secretary. This was done, and the books were found to be in a highly satisfactory state, meeting with all the requirements of the expert accountant in his check.

75 Years Ago

From the Colfax Gazette-Commoner, Thursday, January 19, 1950

Colfax Behind Speaker Says

Colfax has prided itself too much on getting by "cheaply" and, as a result, it is 10 to 15 years behind times, Howard Moses told Colfax Kiwanians Tuesday noon in a talk on the organization's anniversary.

"Kiwanis and other community organizations must concentrate on community improvements during the next few years," he said. "We need many improvements all at once and it's going to hurt the pocketbook nerve, but Colfax must go ahead."

Moses pointed out that Colfax was once the idol and envy of other inland Empire communities but that has rested too long "on its laurels" and has boasted too freely of how "efficiently" things have been operated.

"Many things we needed 10 to 15 years ago have been overlooked and now we need them all at once," he said. "For instance, we need a new swimming pool, improvements in the park, streetlights, street improvements, extensive flood control work and schools."

He cautioned that Colfax couldn't stand still much longer and proposed that Kiwanis work to make 1950 one of its most progressive years.

50 Years Ago

From the Colfax Gazette, Thursday, January 16, 1975

Signing the guest register at the reception Friday for Pauline H. Lust, who retired that day as Whitman County auditor after more than 30 years in the courthouse, is Mrs. Fred McNeilly, wife of the county commissioners. At the guest book is Mrs. William Parvin, Mrs. James Henning, wife of another county commissioner, stands at left with Mrs. Lust alongside.

25 Years Ago

From the Whitman County Gazette, Thursday 20, January 2000

Sam Dailey, two-year-old son of Kirby and Liza Dailey, checks out the scientific merits of a Pico turbine which was constructed by Tina Marie Berger for last week's science fair at Colfax High School. Using the air from a fan, the generator rotated and produced electricity which was measured on a small meter. Dailey gave a quick assessment for the turbine, but spent more time on an exhibit which featured spiders.