Good Old Days March 17

 

March 16, 2016

colfax hotel

An April, 1950, downtown Colfax street scene. From left is a flower shop, Colfax Hotel and coffee shop and Butler-Miller Insurance.

125 years ago

The Commoner

March 13, 1891

F. W. Webster has completed his arrangements for the construction of a brick building at this place. It is to be located on what is known as “Hodge corner.” Work will begin at once. He hopes to have a large part of the lumber hauled before the snow leaves, and as soon as the old building can be removed, will begin to excavate for the basement. It will be a two-story building, 32x80 feet. A. Kuhn has rented the lower story for a term of five years, and will put in a big stock of general merchandise. The upper story will be arranged to accommodate the secret orders and maybe an office or two in the front.

Monday evening the Garfield board of trade met to perfect its organization. The committee appointed for that purpose submitted a form of articles of regulation, which the board adopted. Officers were elected as follows; R. C. Bellus, secretary; S. W. Smith, treasurer. The chair then appointed the following standing committees: On finance–James Grant, Greenville Holbrook and S. W. Smith. On information–G. W. Nye, S. J. Tant and C. A. Gwinn. A special committee was also appointed to the work on the flouring mill proposition, consisting of Greenville Holbrook, A. S. Beach and J. A. Dix.

The prospect for the location of a flouring mill at Garfield has developed into an assured fact.

The board of trade has taken up the subject.

If no one else will build it, they will build it themselves.

Their method of procedure is this: A subscription paper will be circulated to raise a bonus.

Members of the board agreed to head the list with wheat, lumber, brick and cash to the amount of $500 or $600, and there was but a small attendance.

The committee appointed to attend to the work say they are confident that they can raise, in wheat, building material and cash, from $3,000 or $5,000.

This sum will be offered to any man who will build and operate a first-class flouring mill with a capacity of not less than fifty barrels per day of first-class flour.

If this does not induce some mill man to locate here, then local capitalists will build the mill.

This is an enterprise that not only benefits the town, but every farmer in the vicinity.

The Alliance has discussed the advisability of building it by a joint stock company, if it could not be attained by any other means.

All that now remains to be done for the speedy consummation of the project is for each wheat-producer to donate a small portion of their bountiful crops, and each business man lay his offering on the altar, and the thing is done.

100 years ago

The Colfax Commoner

March 17, 1916

A highway meeting of road enthusiastics of eastern Washington was held in Colfax today, the meeting having been called for the purpose of taking care of highway interests and highway travel for eastern Washington.

Representatives from various places in eastern Washington were present and plans were formulated for the representation of the interests in question at the National Park Highway Association meeting in Spokane on the 29th, and a committee consisting of Robert L. Foster, of Clarkston, D. F. Staley, Pullman and Senator Oliver Hall of Colfax appointed for the purpose of selecting delegates.

Another matter taken up at the meeting was the cumulation of advertising matter in connection with the National Park Highway and Yellowstone Trail.

A committee composed of V. T. McCroskey, Colfax; Geo H. Watt, of Pullman and Robert L. Foster of Clarkston were appointed to make up the nature of the advertising matter, circulars, etc., to be used in this connection.

To Mr. McCroskey was assigned the task of chartering the Whitman County roads lying between Colfax and Spokane. Mr. Watt will work on that portion of the route lying between Colfax and Uniontown, and Robert L. Foster has been assigned to the route lying between Uniontown and Clarkston. This committee will secure some information in regard to roads in the county, which is published in the Motor Age for the use of tourists who wish to pass through this part of the state.

In order that the different districts represented may better understand the attitude of each other in connection with the roads matters, a joint picnic to be participated in by Spokane and different towns along the route from there to Lewiston and Clarkston, was suggested, and it is the plan that these joint picnics be held for the discussion of road matters of mutual concern. Dr. J. F. Tiff of Colfax called the meeting and on motion he made the committee appointments.

75 years ago

Colfax Gazette Commoner

March 14, 1941

Seeking to assist the police in bringing about better traffic conditions in the business section of town, the Traffic Safety Council Monday night asked all business executives and professional men to pledge themselves to a program which would eliminate the evils most generally practiced here.

By signing a pledge, the head of a business firm or a professional man would agree to keep his car off Main street between Stevens and Island from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and never leave it on Main Street longer than one hour between those hours.

He would endeavor to prevent double parking for longer than five minutes, and then only if there is no room at the curb within half a block. He would stop at all “stop” signs. Finally, he would attempt to get his employees and members of his family to comply with all conditions set out in the pledge. The person signing would give his car license number and his business address.

Distribution of the pledge cards would be made by members of the safety council, all of whom represent the chamber of commerce, junior chamber of commerce and Kiwanis club. The plan is to turn the signed cards over to the police for reference in their promotion of the careful driving and parking campaign.

Monday evening's meeting was for the purpose of hearing expressions from business men on the proposal to enforce the traffic laws by making mandatory the observance of “stop” signs, double and over-time parking and speeding. Many expressed their views, with the result that the pledge cards were authorized.

State Patrolman Floyd Hanson said that Pullman had experienced no difficulty in enforcing a double parking law and that business, against expectations, had not suffered. Everett Taylor, principal of Hamilton school, said that in a recent motion picture released by a Spokane newspaper showing the streets in approximately 20 towns of the Inland Empire, those of Colfax were the only ones to show cars double parked on the main stem. The students who saw the pictures were quick to notice the situation here, Mr. Taylor said.

50 years ago

Colfax Gazette

March 17, 1966

Boxcar shortages in Whitman County are reported mild at the present time, but elevator men are concerned about the increased demand for cars which could come toward the end of this month.

Robert Patton, manager of the Colfax Grain Growers, reported needs of the Colfax system have been small over the last three weeks and the railroads are just keeping up with his demand.

However, Patton said he was concerned about the immediate future as farmers approach the March 31 deadline for selling out under the government loan plan.

“Everybody will be scrambling for cars and it won't help the situation,” Patton said.

Between 85 to 90 percent of the 1965 wheat crop has been moved out of the Palouse country, Patton estimated.

Larry Brownell at Oakesdale Grain Growers Inc., said the boxcar shortage was bearable under his present needs.

“It's not to the point where I'm hampered too much at this time of year, but if it should continue into harvest time, then we could be hurting.”

Brownell said he also expects a surge of selling toward the end of the month by farmers redeeming wheat loans if any margin is available.

“This wheat will have to be moved, even if we have to do it by truck,” Brownell said.

Brownell reported is about half a dozen cars behind his needs at the present. During the first of the year, he recalled the boxcar supply was about 59 cars behind needs.

At Oakesdale, Brownell said about 80 percent of the crop has been moved out to the terminals.

Verne Straight, assistant manager of the Garfield Union Warehouse, reported boxcar supply was “caught up” at Garfield for the present and about 75 percent of the 1965 wheat crop had been shipped out.

At one time, Straight said, the Garfield warehouse had to wait out a two to three week period from the time the cars were ordered to actual delivery date.

“Even now there is quite often a draft on them,” Straight said.

Lyle Aiken, depot agent for Union Pacific in Colfax said the rail companies are expecting a shortage which was worse than last year. Aiken has been urged by his rail company to hold the cars no more than three days on a loading detail.

At present, he reported he is just keeping up with the demand for cars.

25 years ago

Colfax Gazette

March 14, 1991

The Palouse Grain Growers donated $500 to the Boomerang Newspaper Museum's fundraising campaign, matching a contribution made by the Bank of Latah, according to museum director Patti Pearce.

The museum will continue to pursue funding sources until it can become self-sufficient, she said.

The damage to the Perkins House in Colfax also will absorb some of the Historical Society's attention, Pearce noted. The Historical Society runs the museum.

She said they would continue with small fundraisers and grant writing.

“We have some good ideas if we can get enough money,” Pearce said.

The recent re-roofing project “was wonderful,” Pearce explained. “We got it done right before the rain, which was amazing.”

An aluminum coat needs to be added, but the roof is “basically finished,” she added.

Next project is the windows which should be undertaken some time in April or May, she said.

Work on the building is being funded by a state grant so everything must be done by May 30, she explained.

A Seattle architect is going to go through the building with the contractor after the grant-funded work is done to see what else should be done, Pearce added.

They are applying for two smaller grants, the Moneysaver Grant and Pullman Inland Foundation Grant, she said.

The Northeast Washington Rural Resources of Whitman County also is interested in funding them for a grant writer or inventory helper, Pearce stated. The problem is coming up with the matching money.

An idea to get youth employees for the summer through the Job Training Partnership Act for sorting the museum material is “in the planning stage,” she added.

The latest fundraiser is the sale of decorated solid fudge eggs for $2 a piece.

They have made 500 and sold 125 already. “We'll have to make more next year,” Pearce said.

They are available in the Potpourri and West's Food City in Palouse or can be ordered by calling Patti Pearce.

Once the building is in shape they hope to do some printing work as a fundraiser, Pearce said. They also want to create a special section of the museum which could be kept open longer hours.

10 years ago

Whitman County Gazette

March 16, 2006

Three chicks have set up shop on Main Street in Colfax for anyone who wants to spruce up their nest. Nancy Cochran, Sandy Cochran and Jean Cisneros are occupying the space adjacent to 2 Old Gals LLC in the old Clothes Horse building.

Nancy Cochran and Sandy Cochran will run the Henhouse Chicks LLC, where they will sell country/cottage style wood furniture, as well as iron work decorations and other home accents.

“We sell furniture and accents to feather your nest,” declared Nancy Cochran.

The “Chicks” will get their merchandise from anywhere they can, auctions, estate sales, attics, basements or thrift stores.

“We will beg, borrow and steal to keep this place well stocked,” added Cochran. “We are willing to work with our neighbors here to really help draw people to town.”

“To get them to at least pause in Colfax,” interjected Sandy Cochran.

Cisneros, formerly owner of Pleasant Times Tea House in Endicott, will have an area in the store where she will sell antiques and “Vintage Designs by Jean” – unique, handmade pillows and figurines made of old quilt material.

“It will be like a miniature Pleasant Times,” said Cisneros. “Without the tea.”

Both businesses will be stocking seasonal merchandise, and Cisneros said she will stock her handmade, quilted santas and angels.

 

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