Good Old Days Dec. 8

125 years ago

The Commoner

Dec. 4, 1891

H. L. Boardman, city editor of the Commoner, asked and was granted a furlough of a few days, Wednesday, upon his plea of private businesses which necessitated a trip up into the country. His actions were such as to arouse the suspicions of the managing editor and a reporter was detailed at once to keep the gentleman under close surveillance and advise this office upon every move made. The reporter was called in yesterday, having satisfactorily performed the tiresome duty. His notes read as follows:

Wednesday, Dec. 2, 1891, 10 a.m .: Instructed to follow and keep an eye on Boardman, city editor Commoner. Five minutes later, provided with three changes of make-up, was on his trail inguise of book agent. Boardman was dressed in his best suit of clothes, small hand satchel, nervous.

Eleven a.m. in telephone office, Colfax – city editor calls up Rosalia, talks with livery stable, “have buggy meet me on arrival of north-bound train, without fail, urgent.” Call for fastest horse in town of rival stable, and start in pursuit.

Change clothing. Assume dress of elderly gentleman and repair to depot. 3:30 p.m. – meet city editor. Looks excited. Very nervous. Board train. Ticket to Garfield. Change cars for Rosalia. Buggy and saddle horse waiting. City editor glances furtively around and takes buggy. Farmer takes saddle horse (changed guise in smoking car on train). Both start toward Pine City. City editor drives fast. Saddle horse foot sore. Traveled about three miles. Refused to go. Lost sight of buggy. Getting dark.

Daylight, Thursday – Out all night. Tried to follow buggy on foot. Lost. Slept in straw sack. No breakfast. Catch trail. 10 a.m. – Find city editor at home of Mr. and Mrs. Jackson, near Pine City. Handsome young lady in wedding costume. Preacher. City editor supremely happy. Recognizes me through window. Smiles derisively. Mad. Home.

It was some little time after the return of the detective reporter that he could be induced to speak. He felt that he had been duped, sold, and it was only upon a promise of an increase in his salary that he yielded and gave the following particulars of a very pleasant wedding:

Married, at the residence of the brides' parents near Pine City, on Thursday, Dec. 3rd, Miss M. A. Jackson and H. L. Boardman, of Colfax, the Rev. E. G. O. Groat of Spangle, officiating. The bride is a charming little lady, well-known in college circles in Colfax, where she has attended school for several years. The wedding was a quiet affair, only a few intimate friends being present. But few in this city knew of the wedding. The happy couple are sojourning in Spokane Falls and are expected here tomorrow evening. Their many friends, which includes the entire Commoner force, will extend heartiest congratulations.

100 years ago

The Colfax Commoner

Dec. 8, 1916

The county commissioners issued an order establishing the Darden and also the Jones road at their meeting Monday. The farmers and business men of Endicott told the commissioners that they wanted these roads and to show their good intentions they guaranteed to pay one-half of the expenses for the right of way. This agreement surprised the county board members and the visitors were informed that their public spirited actions should not go unrewarded.

The members of the board have never questioned the needs of the road, said one of the members, but the expense has caused the delay. The farmers and business men of Endicott realize that the road money must be divided and that every section of the county is asking for new roads. These roads cost money and the aid which is guaranteed by the Endicott people has made it possible to establish the roads.

The total cost of the right of way for the Darden and Jones roads has been estimated at $2,829. One-half of this amount has been guaranteed and raised by the farmers and business men of Endicott and the clerk of the county board has been notified that a check for $1,414.50 is at the bank of Endicott awaiting their order.

75 years ago

Colfax Gazette Commoner

Dec. 5, 1941

Fred Slate, secretary of the chamber of commerce, this week was requested to secure a meeting place for a public hearing on the question of the Union Pacific railway discontinuing its two Spokane-Pendleton trains through Colfax. A representative of the state department of public service, Mr. Berry, requested a meeting on December 17, and which railroad officials and representatives of the Colfax chamber of commerce, who recently protested the removal of the trains, will arbitrate their differences. The Union Pacific gave notice in October that they would discontinue the morning and afternoon mail trains serving Colfax, later withdrawing the orders in response to a state department request.

50 years ago

Colfax Gazette

Dec. 8, 1966

The state fire marshal's office has signed approval of a license for St. Ignatius hospital to continue operation during 1967, but has warned the licenses that the present building “will not be eligible for approval after June 30, 1969.”

Roy McDirmid, deputy fire marshall who signed the letter, said he was pointing out that eligibility would end June 30, 1969, “so there can be no misunderstanding in the community concerning the seriousness of the situation and the necessity of building a new hospital, if Colfax is to continue enjoying the convenience of having a hospital.”

His letter continues, “... you are contemplating the construction of a new hospital, due in part to the fire safety deficiencies of your present building … I wish to state at this time that should something cause you to consider not building the new hospital, it is my opinion that your present building will not be eligible for approval after June 30, 1969.”

The fire marshal is associated with the office of the state insurance commissioner.

25 years ago

Colfax Gazette

Dec. 5, 1991

The county commissioners decided Monday to apply for federal emergency grant money to replace the Ewan water system. The county will pay to repair the system, the commissioners explained.

After the system is operational, it would transfer from the county to the new Ewan Water Association, they said. Then the water association will reimburse the county.

Deadline for application is Dec. 13 for the emergency grants, so the county had to apply for the grant instead of the water association, explained Terry Simmonds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency,

The Ewan association has not been officially recognized yet by the secretary of state and the Internal Revenue Service, he said.

Last month President Bush declared Whitman County and five other counties a disaster area due to damage from the Oct. 17 wind storm.

The declaration covers fire, dust and wind storm damage. It made emergency funds available from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The federal funding provides 87.5 percent of the money needed to repair the storm damage. The county would pay 12.5 percent.

The initial estimate was $30,000 to replace the Ewan reservoir destroyed in the storm. Federal and local officials decided to take a second look after agreeing that figure was too low.

“If the estimate is over $40,000, it is a whole new ball game,” Commissioner Bill Schmick commented. If repair total more than $40,000, the federal government applies stricter accounting standards.

The county should have a contractor design an acceptable replacement system and include cost estimates, Simmons suggested.

Schmick said the money initially would have to come out the county's reserve fund, and then the residents would pay back the county.

The commissioners noted the commitment they need from Ewan residents to repay the money is no more than $5,000.