Good Old Days: July 4, 2019

 


125 years ago

The Commoner

July 6, 1894

The motion for a new trial in the case of James Shaw, who was convicted of cattle-stealing, and who jumped his bond and was captured, came up before Judge Sullivan at 2 o’clock Friday afternoon.

The defendant’s wife sat by his side and took an intense interest in all the proceedings.

***

Lieu land settlers in Whitman and Lincoln counties have had their rights to land claimed by the Northern Pacific sustained by the general land office at Washington, says the Spokane Review. The case will be appealed to the secretary of the interior, but the chances are in the favor of the settlers. The land in dispute is several hundred thousand acres. The decision was in the case of James Tipton, who lives near Colfax, and whose quarter section, which he claimed was taken up prior to the building of the railroad, lay within the limits alleged to be owned by the Northern Pacific.

***

The religious body known as the “Evening Lights,” are attracting many people to their camp meeting in the McCrosky grove on Tennessee flat. One of their elders, in conversation with a Commoner reporter, declared that his brethren had been wronged by critics who called them a “sect” and saddled on to them the name of “Come Outers.”

100 years ago

The Colfax Commoner

June 27, 1919

Colfax has one main street and it is filled to overflowing on Saturdays as well as on week days. To avoid this congested condition an alley had been proposed along the river bank running from the city hall to the Bungalow Theater.

During the congested periods of the week, it is almost impossible for the draymen to deliver the goods to the stores located on the west side of Main street. Many of the business men have for years urged the city council to take some action that would open the alley along the river so that they could deliver their goods from this alley into the store instead of making the delivery through the front of the building.

***

Elmer H. who was visiting his sister six miles from Tekoa had the misfortune to lose the ends of three fingers while playing with a dynamite cap which he found near the railroad track.

***

City Water Superintendent, Fred Dirr, has kept two pumps going day and night since Sunday trying to fill the city reservoir. On Monday, there was less than a foot of water in the reservoir, but the pipes leading to the reservoir contained sufficient water to put out any fire that might occur except in the southern part of the city.

Since the order of the city council allowing free water for gardens was issued, it has been impossible for the water superintendent to increase the supply of water in the reservoir even though he started the reserve pump at work.

75 years ago

The Colfax Gazette-Commoner

June 23, 1944

Assurance that enough money would be contributed to purchase a truck and equipment for combating rural grain fires this season was given during the past week after city officials had outlined the proposed program at special meetings of the Parvin and North and South Palouse granges.

***

Investigations made recently by Agent Troy Lindley and reports from many farm people indicate that Whitman County will have this year one of the heaviest grasshopper hatches on record.

In certain sections, cold rains of the last few weeks have tended to eliminate some of the pests. Many sections, however, are still infested to the extent that major damage will be done to pasture land and crops unless poisoning campaigns are wide-spread.

50 years ago

The Colfax Gazette

June 26, 1969

In little more than 60 days, the Whitman County committee on school district organization must present a plan that will help determine how many of the county’s 16 present districts will survive into the 1970’s.

A long range plan is required from Whitman County for presentation to the state board of education in September, Supt. M. J. McCullough explained.

***

An enthusiastic handclasp and a vigorous hug were the order of the day in Steptoe Saturday as nearly 400 former students and teachers of the Steptoe school met for a reunion in the old building that has stood since 1908 as a landmark―and the relatively new gymnasium built in 1948.

25 years ago

Whitman County Gazette

June 30, 1994

When Chrysler-Plymouth’s advertising agency launched a search for best site in the USA for its TV commercial on its new Neon, the winner was here―the picturesque Palouse.

The ad creator had wished for expansive rolling hills of green, perfect with no interruptions.

***

The historic Binnard Building in Colfax, which has been vacated for several years, appears to be headed for the demolition ball some time in the next six months.

Larry Dale, Colfax, building inspector, said he’s ordered an abatement by demolition for the 101-year-old building. The June 17 order came after Dale was advised by officials of U.S. Bank in Seattle that attempts by the building’s owner to negotiate a sale had failed.

10 years ago

Whitman County Gazette

July 2, 2009

Whitman County’s small towns lost residents between 2008 and 2009 while its population centers grew, according to figures released Monday by Washington’s Office of Financial Management.

Bucking the rural trend was Lamont in the county’s Northwest corner.

***

Palouse officials are literally waiting for the grass to grow before they open their new RV park in mid-July. They want the grass to be thick enough before opening the 10-site park to the public.

 

Reader Comments(0)

 
 

Our Family of Publications Includes:

Cheney Free Press
Ritzville Adams County Journal
Whitman County Gazette
Odessa Record
Franklin Connection
Davenport Times
Spokane Valley News Herald
Colfax Daily Bulletin

Powered by ROAR Online Publication Software from Lions Light Corporation
© Copyright 2024