Good Old Days

125 years ago

Aug. 3, 1888

The circus has lost none of its glories and attractions it possessed a generation ago as was evident by the large and eager crowd awaiting its arrival at the depot Sunday afternoon. The irrepressible small boy spent fifteen hours at the depot listening for the whistle of the locomotive, and the fathers and mothers were not far behind him.

On Friday afternoon last, the blacksmith shop of George Mood near Kamiak, was destroyed by fire. Mood had been at work in the shop and about 4 o’clock had left to do some work on a shed near by, leaving a small fire in the forge. By some unaccountable means it is supposed the fire originated from this and had gained such headway as to be uncontrollable before being observed. The tools were nearly all saved. The loss on the building is about $700, which was insured for $400.

For several days, a tough looking gang of tramps, eight to ten in number, have been infesting the city hiding in the brush in the suburbs during the day and sneaking about at night to see what they might “swipe.” They have been closely watched by officers, however, and we hear of no exploits in the burglary or larceny line, though many small things have no doubt disappeared.

Wednesday afternoon Sheriff Berry and Deputy Petty, with a view of scooping them in, made a tour of the hiding places in the outskirts of the town.

A Commoner reporter, with the hope of seeing the fun, was on their trail, but the “gentlemen of leisure,” having got wind of the officers’ intentions, had silently departed and left no trace behind.

100 years ago

Aug. 1, 1913

The new Colfax City Hall is to be constructed on the site of the present building at the corner of Main and Canyon streets. The building will occupy all of the site of the old building and will extend 10 feet into what is now Canyon Street, this 10 feet space having recently been vacated for this purpose. The building will be 35 feet wide and 75 feet long, running back almost to the retaining wall along the South Palouse River. The cost of the building is to be in the neighborhood of $12,000.

Ralph Holmes, for whom the Whitman County Sheriff has been diligently searching for some weeks has been heard of, but has not yet been arrested, although the number of warrants that have been issued for his arrest has been increased by at least one. When the sheriff started searching for Holmes, he found that warrants were held by a number of officials in Idaho for practically the same crimes. A short time ago, Holmes rented a team from a farmer near LaCrosse claiming that he wanted to use them for harvesting purposes. However, he drove the team to Spokane and there sold the outfit to a liveryman.

Mr. and Mrs. George Corner entertained the members of the sheriff’s force and their wives at a chicken dinner last Sunday at the Corner home on James Street.

75 years ago

July 29, 1938

By winning 14 of his 17 games, L.E. Martin, Colfax, won the horseshoe pitching championship in the B division in the Inland Empire tournament held at Manito Park in Spokane. Martin became champion in extra play after the regular round robin by winning two straight games. Chester Stewart placed second.

Sheriff Carson J. Walker and Deputy W.W. Nicely were called to the H.A. Barrett residence in the north end of town Monday night to investigate a house prowler, who had apparently taken an alarm clock from a bedroom by reaching or entering through the window. No traces of the prowler were found, but officers believed him to be a youngster. Barrett said he fired a gun in the air and saw someone run.

A cigarette flipped from a window above Long’s variety store Wednesday afternoon burned a small hole in the awning over the store and brought out the fire department. The flame was put out with a fire extinguisher.

50 years ago

Aug. 1, 1963

Harvesting of a wheat crop ranging from average to above average is nearly completed in the western end of Whitman County, barely starting in the central portion and still a week away in the eastern part, grain dealers told the Gazette this week.

Motorcycle riders from all over the Northwest will compete for the Palouse Empire championship in a three-hour session of races to be held on Sunday of the Palouse Empire Fair.

The Oakesdale Pony league team tied for the title in the northern half of the league ,. but later lost in the playoff. Members of the team are: Norm Black, Ray Ebert, Steve Warwick, Steve Crider, Dick Brown, Randy Johnson, Larry Gardner, Bobby Blakemore III, Rich Zimmerman, Dick Crossett, Chris Gregory, Rick Regan, Elmer Hoenike, Gail Parson and Coach Bud Gibson.

25 years ago

Aug. 4, 1988

A fire burned about two acres of standing timber on the Ruth Lowe property in Green Hollow Thursday afternoon. Fire trucks had difficulty finding access through the timber and hoses were hauled by hand to pump water from the river. Firemen worked about four hours to squelch the fire.

The official Codger Pole banner was strung across Main Street Tuesday evening. The banner was a gift to the city from Bowl organizer Cleve Richardson of Studio City, Calif.

10 years ago

July 31, 2003

The combines are rolling as another harvest season begins on the Palouse. Winter wheat is the primary target at this stage of the game, according to Tom Jeffries of St. John Grain Growers. “When the spring wheat looks as bad as it does and the winter wheat looks as good as it does, you are going to harvest the winter wheat first,” he said. No measurable rain during the months of June or July has had farmers questioning what the yields of the spring crop will be.

Hiroko Taniguchi and Shingo Takaoka, Japan, will spend three weeks on the Palouse seeing how American farms work. The two came to the area as part of the Agricultural Exchange Program through the University of Idaho.

Wylie Gustafson, local country western singer, has been hired by Yahoo as the host for a nationwide Yahoo yodel challenge to take place in eight cities.