Good old days - Dec. 3, 2009

Front row, left to right- Mrs. O. F. Mathiesen, Katherine McCroskey, Patty Chase, Olive Lee Stokes, and Mrs. Eldon Maurer. At the rear, lleft to right, Bobby Preucel, Mrs. Guy W. Streamer and Joan Tretner. They present a Christmas play by Edith Coulter.

125 years ago, Dec. 6, 1884

B.B. Day, of Pomeroy, was fired upon by a party of drunken Indians last Thursday week while taking his children home from school. His residence is two and one half miles from town, the attack being made when nearly there. He stood them off until the sheriff and posse arrived and after about twenty-five shots were fired, two Indians were arrested and taken to town, the remainder making their escape. One of the Indians had a rifle, six-shooter, knife and other weapons on his person and showed lots of fight.

No one was wounded as far as heard from and a party are now in pursuit of the ones who escaped. Strong threats are made of lynching the scoundrel who sold them the liquor. An example should be made of him, as it has been a common thing for several years to see drunken Indians on our streets, and it is time the practice was stopped before some innocent person is killed.

Left His Bed and Board (as-is letter to the Gazette): My wife Sarah has Shot my ranche When I didn’t Doo a thing to hur an’ I won’t it distinctly Understood that any man That takes hur On my account Will get himself pumped so Full of lead that sum tenderfoot will locate him fur a Mineral clame. A word To the wise is sufficient and orter work on fools.

It is difficult to drown an insect, as the water cannot enter the pores of the skin, but if a drop of oil be applied to the abdomen it falls dead at once, being suffocated.

The Palouse Gazette dog, “Dutchy,” is no longer seen in the haunts of his puphood, and his friends are distressed over his absence. He strayed from town last Saturday. A reward of five dollars will be paid for his return.

100 years ago, Dec. 3, 1909

Two men were arrested near St. John last Sunday by Deputy Sheriffs Cole and Roberts and now linger in jail. They are in jail for horse stealing and pure cussedness in general. Although each claims to be only 19 years of age they have started at a rapid pace and will probably add to their experience by learning how to make grain sacks at Walla Walla before the matter ends.

Mrs. Claude Swegle entertained the members of the B.C.B. Club on Tuesday evening at her home, about twenty young ladies being present. It was a thimble party, the members devoting the evening to their embroidery. There was music, both vocal and instrumental, and refreshments were served.

75 years ago, Dec. 7, 1934

Colfax High School football team took a 28 to 0 lacing at the hands of Kennewick on the winner’s field Thanksgiving morning.

The Bulldogs looked the better during the entire first half, keeping the ball well in Kennewick territory, and letting the winners into their territory but once. Anderson’s punting during the first half was collegiate, the first three kicks going out on the twe, five and six yard marks respectively. The first three passes, in which Kennewick was supposed to excel, were intercepted.

The second half opened with the completion of a long pass by Kennewick, which completely demoralized the locals. After that it was a case of gaining at will for Kennewick.

Old-age pensions have been granted to 112 applicants by the county commissioners, the monthly amounts ranging from $10 to $30 according to the circumstances of the applicant. About one-third of the applicants had been on the county indigent roll so the county fund provided by taxation for their care is relieved proportionately.

50 years ago, Dec. 3, 1959

Approximately 30 Hooper residents have petitioned for consolidation of the Hooper school district with LaCrosse, school superintendent James Sturm announced yesterday. The petition stated that consolidation would afford more economical education facilities for the children in the Hooper area.

A more-than-tripled attendance at the weekly Chamber of Commerce luncheon yesterday voted against the disbanding of the organization suggested at the previous week’s luncheon. The originator of the motion admitted that he did it, “partly in fun,” and in hopes of stirring up more interest in the chamber.

Obviously he succeeded. The Gazette found almost unanimous opinion among local businessmen for keeping the chamber alive and most of those questioned admitted they had been partly responsible by virtue of their poor attendance records.

25 years ago, Dec. 6, 1984

A total of 10,456 bushels of grain, including $16,500 in cash that will be converted to wheat, was logged in Wednesday morning for the Ethiopia relief campaign kicked off Nov. 21 by Les Walker, Gary Behymer and the Rev. David Oliver of Colfax. Walker and Oliver both plan to fly to Ethiopia to see the grain delivered.

“It’s going about 50-50 with wheat and cash, so the farmers aren’t bearing the whole burden,” Oliver said. The largest single check the threesome has received was $1,000. A local farmer donated the balance of his 1983 crop, 2,380 bushels, to the cause.

10 years ago, Dec. 2, 1999

Joe Poire of Garfield will serve as interim manager of the Port of Whitman for the next four weeks after the recent resignation of Randy Bostrum.