Good old days - March 3, 2011

125 years ago, March 6, 1886

Tomorrow the first stock sale under the auspices of the Whitman County Association is to take place. Quite a number of animals are already offered by advertisement, and a large attendance of stock men and farmers is expected. At this time of the year, the close of the dull season and the scarcity of money may prevent many persons from purchasing who would do so under more favorable circumstances.

Eggs are down to ten cents a dozen and still falling.

Surveyors are at work locating the Spokane and Palouse railroad, agents are securing the right of way and the graders being work in a few days.

On Monday morning last the horse attached to F.W. Gaines’ grocery wagon became frightened at something about the saw mill and ran away.

Mr. Gaines was thrown out at the start but his wife came near experiencing a serious accident.

She was thrown between the bed of the wagon and one of the wheels just behind the brake, and in this position, with one arm holding on to the bed of the wagon and the other hanging over the wheel, was hauled by the frightened horse at full speed for several blocks.

The animal was finally stopped at Knapp, Burrell & Co.’s corner by Rev. Mr. Walters and Walt Cooper, at no little personal risk, and the lady relieved from her dangerous position.

Wonderful to say, Mrs. Gaines escaped serious injury.

The Farmington band is to be reorganized.

100 years ago, March 3, 1911

The Spokane & Inland (railroad) people register complaint to the damage done their high tension power lines in the Palouse country by hunters shooting up and breaking the insulators. This may be the result of thoughtlessness in a few instances, but by far the greater number of instances it is the result of pure cussedness.

L.L. Nead’s chop and feed mill burned at Endicott last Saturday evening. The fire had gained such headway when discovered that it could not be checked. The alarm when given at Fraternity Hall came near causing a panic.

City Marshal Dailey is the owner in fee simple of a brand new uniform which sets off his magnificent avordupois in fine style. Since the Bingville party Dailey is the latest center of attention.

75 years ago, February 28, 1936

Honoring the memory of the pioneer doctor and missionary in whose name Whitman County is named, Gov. Clarence D. Martin proclaimed next Tuesday, March 3, as Whitman’s Day, marking the 100th anniversary of Dr. Marcus Whitman and his wife Narcissa Prentiss Whitman from Rushville. N.Y. to the Pacific northwest.

Merle Thompson, 22, Endicott farm hand, was sentenced to 30 days in jail and assessed the costs of the action when he pleaded guilty before Police Justice Sam M. McCroskey to a charge of stealing Larry Lothspeich’s overcoat from the Golden Slipper ballroom Saturday. He attempted to escape while on the way to the city jail, but was halted by two shots.

A new soda fountain and luncheonette is being installed this week at the Grady Drug Store, a complete modern counter 30 feet long replacing the former one, only 16 feet long.

50 years ago, March 2, 1961

Agreement on a single route for an improved highway from the “upper side” of Whitman County to the Snake River at Riparia will be sought by the LaCrosse boosters at a meeting of representatives from many county communities soon.

Gross receipts for the 1961 Whitman County tournament were $3,191 though attendance was down about 20 from when Oakesdale hosted the tournament two years ago. Student tickets amounted to 2,177 and 2,106 adult tickets were sold.

Authorization of a new post office building for Tekoa was approved this week. Postmaster Lloyd S. Hale said the department had taken option on a site owned by Hay and Sons Inc. at the southwest corner of Henkle and Crosby.

Problems in developing wheat varieties were discussed by Dr. Orville Vogel, WSU wheat breeder, at the annual Central Whitman Soil Conservation District rally held last Wednesday in the Elks Lodge.

St. John’s mighty Eagles easily captured the 1961 Whitman County basketball crown, taking their second straight championship.

25 years ago, February 27, 1986

In spite of any efforts the hospital board might make to keep Whitman Community Hospital operating, only use of the hospital by residents will determine whether the hospital will sink or swim financially. Board Chairman Tracy Eriksen of St. John said the hospital lost over $100,000 in 1985.

A McGregor Company fertilizer plant in St. John is in the works with construction planned to begin this summer. The plant will be located just east of Arrow Machinery and will include 13 acres of property.

Lamont Ladies Kitchen Band entertained at the Whitman Care Center at Colfax last week to an appreciative audience. Band members include Jean Stromberger, Nella Perrine, Darlene Morton, Thea Swannack, Charlotte Bowen, Marguerite Miller, Diane Cook and Gertrude Johnson.

10 years ago, March 1, 2001

Charges against three defendants in a major drug arrest last July were dismissed Friday after the prosecutor’s office told the court a key witness in the case, who arranged the marijuana transaction, landed in an Oregon jail two weeks ago after being out of touch for several months. George Potter, the missing witness, was booked into Wasco County jail on failing to appear on warrants on three drug charges.

Whitman County commissioners were anticipated to decide Wednesday on a situation which is expected to keep the status quo on staff travel in the auditor’s office. Staff travel could be cut in the wake of a dispute on over spending in Auditor David Repp’s office.

Charges against three defendants were filed in connection with the Garfield duct taping case. The three were charged with assault and unlawful imprisonment for duct taping the manager of the Garfield/Palouse basketball team.

Rosalia School District will open a non-profit “Dollars for Scholars” foundation. The national program was developed to expand available scholarship dollars for students within their local districts.