Good old days

125 years ago The Commoner May 30, 1890 Never before in the history of the county have the farmers had such cause to feel encouraged. Nature has exerted herself to the degree that crops will mature without more rain. Ground squirrels, the farmers' worst enemy last season, are scarce. The broad fields of grain nod encouragingly as the farmer passes by with his family to the effect that he has a smile on his face only equaled by the one reputed to have rested on the countenance of the party who held four aces against a king full.

100 years ago The Colfax Commoner June 4, 1915 With this issue, The Commoner passes in to the ownership of Thos. M. Brown, a man of broad experience in newspaper work. Mr. Brown needs no introduction to residents of Whitman County, having resided for many years at LaCrosse. We bespeak for him the courtesy, friendship, and uniform fair treatment, which has been extended to us, and for which we now express our sincere appreciation.

C. A. Lynch John C. Almack

75 years ago Colfax Gazette Commoner May 31, 1940 That Gordon Southworth was released from county jail here Tuesday afternoon when R. E. Grantham, Pullman, decided not to prosecute him for driving his car without permission is of small consequence in the light of the notoriety he attained in the recent "screwball" period as the greatest of all goldfish eaters.

Identity of the 23-year-old youth who came to Washington State College last fall from Lynn, Mass., to study veterinary medicine, was uncovered by Deputy Sheriff Ora Rees, to whom Southworth admitted he had swalled 67 goldfish at Middlesex University, Waltham, Mass., March 29, 1939, thereby crashing the front pages of the metropolitan press in story and picture, and taking his place among the immortals of the angleworm gulpers.

"I was a freshman without funds when I decided to accept the challenge of friends in order to get enough money, about $13, with which to buy all-college banquet tickets for myself and girl friend and a copy of the school yearbook.

Mine was the task of breaking the existing record of 46 goldfish.

My intention was to swallow only 60, but when the girl from whom a $3 purchase was made gave me seven extra, I kept on swallowing until they were all gone." 50 years ago Colfax Gazette June 3, 1965 The classic news story—a fire in the fire station—created more than just a great stir in Steptoe about 4 a.m.

Saturday.

It also resulted in a few laughs, a few bruises and some sighs of relief when it was all over with.

Deputy Sheriff Paul Neuenschwander was returning to his home in Steptoe from his "night patrol" around the county when he noticed a red glow throgh one of the windows in the fire station.

He rushed into the building and turned on the fire siren and then attempted to start the motors in the fire truck and pumper wagon in the station.

About that time, Richard Harvey, who lives across the highway from the station, jumped into his jeans, ran out the front door and stumbled over a wheelbarrow and trash barrel, which was in his way, and skinned his hands badly on the graveled driveway.

Picking himself up, Richard rushed on to the station and helped Neuenschwander find the "hidden switch" on one truck and the pair got both trucks out of the smoke-filled station.

The fire, originating from an overheated motor in the fireman's refrigerator was quickly extinguished and the building saved.

A second Steptoe fireman, who lives near the station, was unable to find his pants and missed the fire.

Harvey wound up the doctor's office after the fire was out for 'treatment of his skinned hands...' and the firemen's refreshments in the refrigerator were still ice cold and ready for consumption—all that Steptoe needs now if a little repair work on the refrigerator.

25 years ago Colfax Gazette May 31, 1990 An ad hoc committee seeking one of the state's new prisons for Colfax decided Tuesday to file a preliminary application.

Brian Magelky, head of the committee, said the application was due by June1 and the state Department of Corrections is expected to issue a list of finalists before the end of June.

Magelky said the state had vowed to undertake a hearing process for cities and counties which are named finalists by the state.

He said any opposition to a prison here could be voiced at the time.

Magelky said the application from Colfax will target the state's need for a medium security site which would generate 594 jobs and a $25.3 million annual payroll.

He said it's his understanding that Colfax is now in competition with six other groups seeking the site in the state.

10 years ago Whitman County Gazette June 2, 2005 Whitman County high schools will graduate 347 high school seniors over the next two weeks with 226 slated to receive their diplomas this week at four schools and 121 next week at five schools.

Also, Washtucna, which combines sports teams with LaCrosse, will graduate seven seniors next week.

All commencement services this week will be Sunday, June 5.

Pullman High will graduate a class of 185 seniors beginning at 3 p.m.

in the Beasley Coliseum.

High schools with commencement scheduled on Sunday include Tekoa with 12 seniors graduating at 1 p.m., St. John/Endicott with 17 at 2 p.m., and Oakesdale with 12 at 2 p.m.

The five other schools have set their commencement for Saturday, June 11.

Colfax will graduate up to 55 seniors at 4 p.m., Colton 14 at 11 a.m., Garfield/Palouse 26 at 1 p.m., LaCrosse nine at 11 a.m.

and Rosalia 17 at 2 p.m.