Good Old Days: July 18, 2019

 

125 years ago

July 20, 1894

Weekly Commoner

The Whitman County Democratic central committee convened in the courthouse at 1 o'clock this afternoon, and about 200 representative Democrats from different parts of the county were in attendance at the session.

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Responsive to a call over 25 Democrats met in Odd Fellows' hall on Wednesday for the purpose of organizing a club.

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A telegram was received Tuesday morning from Boise City, Idaho, to the effect that a Colfax man had been arrested there together with another man on a charge of stage robbery. The man of this place and the other man used to run a blacksmith shop in Colfax. He has a wife living here at present. He telegraphed to some friends for money to help him out of the tight place. He and the other man, it seems, have been roving about together.

100 years ago

July 11, 1919

Colfax Commoner

The contract for the improvement of Clay street was let Monday night by city council. There were two bids submitted for doing the work. The first bid opened was submitted by Ackerman and Theil for $6,241. The second bid was that made by E. K. Lloyd, whose bid was $5,121. Mr. Lloyd was awarded the work.

***

Farmers throughout the entire county are busy getting their threshing rigs in shape for harvest which is now close at hand. Threshing rigs have been passing through the city all week on their way to the ranches after being overhauled in preparation for the harvest season.

Haying has been completed in the southern part of the county and this work is well under way throughout the entire county.

At Steptoe, Thornton, Endicott, Pullman, Uniontown and Garfield, the fall wheat crop is reported to be one of the best crops that have been produced in this county during the last three years.

***

Members of the Commercial club took up the question of maintaining the labor office in this city again this year. The appropriation for the government agencies is not made by congress and as a result of this neglect, there will be no government agent available for Colfax.

It was decided by members of the club at their meeting to call for volunteers from among the members to maintain an employment agency in Colfax, the services to be free to the men and farmers alike.

75 years ago

July 7, 1944

Colfax Gazette-Commoner

As losers in the war bond selling contest in the fifth war loan drive, Pullman community workers will be hosts to Colfax committeemen and assistants at a luncheon to be given at the Washington Hotel in Pullman.

***

The following letter was written by Verna A. Fisher, yoeman second class of the WAVES, to her parents Mr. and Mrs. Bayard Fisher.

"Since induction into the Navy on March 13, 1943, I have enjoyed many varied and interesting experiences. I am indeed proud to serve in Uncle Sam's navy because it not only means backing our fighting men but helping to shorten the struggle for freedom."

"It doesn't seem possible that since being sworn in over a year ago I have been stationed in, traveled through, or flown over twenty-six states which has taken me as far south as Miami, Florida, and as far north as New York City."

50 years ago

July 10, 1969

Colfax Gazette

A quantity of beer, cigarettes and food suitable for a picnic, plus some cash was removed from the Lamont grocery store, according to a report by the owner, Larry Adamson, to Whitman County sheriff's office early June 29.

Entry was gained by throwing a 50-lb. block of salt through the glass by the door.

***

The All-Round Cedar Creek picnic was held in LaDow Grange hall in Garfield June 29 with over 100 persons coming from many directions.

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Approximately 15 acres of standing barley and about 200 acres of all pasture land burned July 1 at the Lloyd Story ranch. The Storys were harvesting a field of barley located near the bluffs of the Snake River. The fire was probably caused by a defective exhaust on one of the grain trucks.

25 years ago

July 21, 1994

Whitman County Gazette

At Monday night's marathon school board meeting, St. John school directors unanimously accepted a proposal to renovate the St. John schools. A comprehensive plan to add 30 years to the life of the 1954-55 and 1971 school buildings, was developed by a committee that completed their report July 8.

The project carries an estimated cost of $5.3 million.

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The ribbon is cut and the first official traffic traveled on the "new" Dry Creek Road on Tuesday. The celebration of the road opening was kicked off with cookies, punch and a cake with an On the Road Again," inscription on top.

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The ban on open fires in Whitman County parks could be the first prevention step in a process that leads to closing one or more of the parks. During past dry seasons, Kamiak Park has closed in August when the underbrush becomes too dry.

If weather patterns continue, there is a chance the park could close this month.

10 years ago

July 16, 2009

Whitman County Gazette

Colfax school classified employees are protesting the layoffs of three classified staff members. The Colfax school board Monday approved next year's budget which included a cut of three classified employees from payroll.

The cuts came as the school tried to compensate for steep losses in state funding because of the struggling economy.

"We feel that because of the [school's] large reserves, they shouldn't be RIF-ing these people," Barb Strevy, president of the Colfax Education Support Personnel said.

***

Dust began flying atop Endicott's Pump House Hill earlier this month, as crews began a summer-long project to build a new town water system.

"This new system will be a great improvement," said Mayor Verne Strader. "And it should help clear up some of the problems we've had in the past."

***

Spokane resident Garth Hill stands in front of the Empire Foods building on Rosalia's Whitman Street. Hill recently purchased the building and plans to open a grocery store. Hill and his wife, Song, are currently cleaning up and renovating the building and plan to open the doors in the first week of August.

 

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