Good Ol' Days

125 Years Ago

From the Colfax Gazette, Friday, April 29, 1898

AWAY TO THE FRONT

Sixteenth Regiment Passes Colfax On the Way to War.

A Colfax Boy In the loved Blue uniform Marched in the Ranks.

The patriotism of Colfax was stirred last Thursday night when it was announced that special trains bearing the troops of the 16th infantry were to pass through the city on their way to battle with the Spaniards. The arrival time of the country’s defenders was first announced for 10:30 at night. As darkness drew on the stars and stripes were floated over the steets and from the flag poles at the court house and in front of the Grand Army hall, at the latter place the single starred flag of Cuba waving proudly and defiantly beneath the inspiring flag of America. Bonfires were kindled and the roar of guns was heard. Patriotic citizens gathered and talked eagerly of the war. Young America marched in platoons with waving banners and war tom-toms improvised from oil cans and similar blood stirring devices.

An hour before the time for arrival of the first train a thousand people had gathered about the railway platforms, eagerly waiting for an opportunity to greet and cheer the boys in blue, and each as anxious as the other. But delays followed and no reliable news of the arrival being had at 2 o’clockin the morning, the Colfax Military band filed away and were followed by most of the crow, who became weary of waiting on uncertainty.

Between 3 and 4 o’clock the soldier boys with their equipments rolled in. They were sleepy but enthused in the country’s cause.

100 Years Ago

From the Colfax Commoner, Friday, April 27, 1923

Convention to be held Here

The 13th semi-annual convention of the Northeastern Washington District Federation of Women’s Clubs will be held in Colfax on May 5. At the meeting a new president will be named in place of Mrs. E. D. Germain of Chewelah who is completing the two year term, and a first vice president and treasurer will also be named.

An executive baord meeting will be held May4th at the home of Mrs. E. K. Hanna. A large delegation for the convention is expected from Spokane. The counties of Whitman, Lincoln, Ferry, Adams, Stevens Pend Oreille, and Spokane are included in the territory of the federation.

Those wil will take part in the program are Mrs. Harold Davis, Mrs. E.K. Hanna, Mrs. Winifred Wyman, Mrs. L. A. Kirkland and Mrs. Fred McCroskey.

75 Years Ago

From the Colfax Gazette-Commoner, Friday, April 30, 1948

Athletic Field Improved

Enlarged by about one-third of its former size by removal of Schmuck park has been give a new 4-inch topping of rich grass-growing soil after being graded, filled and leveled with donated equipment such as the three tractors and blade shown at work last week. Men in the picture, left to right, are George Earnest, operating his own tractor, Karl Lonn, Eldred Arlt of the Foley tractor and Implement company. Art Steiger of teh McSweeney Tractor company, S. H. Caffee, Bill Creek, president of Colfax Boosters; Dick Felber, Dave Hughes, operator of teh city’s grader. The project to turf the field was started in February by the Boosters club,, about 25 of whose members, plus physical education boys from the high school, have worked it. Much time has also been given by two engineers from the county road department, Check Harpole and Roy Gillespie. If the public, particularly the younger element, stays off the field while grass is coming up, it is probably softball can be played by late summer. –Photo by Alden

50 Years Ago

From the Colfax Gazette, Thursday, April 26, 1973

150 head livestock to be shown at St. John fair this weekend

St. John’s annual community fair and livestock show will open this morning with exhibition of more than 150 head of beef cattle, swine and sheep by youngsters through the northwest corner of Whitman County.

Judging of the exhibits will occupy most of today and tomorrow and Sturday will be highlighted with a parade, coronation of the queen, cowboy breakfast, awarding ribbons and other festivities.

Fewer beef cattle than before will be shown this year, but the number of wine and sheep will be about the same, according to Cedric Huseby, St. John high school FFA adviser.

Saturday’s schedule begins with the cowboy breakfast, prepared by St. John faramers and businessmen, from 5 to 9 a.m. The parade is scheduled at 11 p.m. and coronation of the queen 1:45 p.m. Livestock awards will be presented, beginning at 1 p.m. and continue with selection of grand champions at 2:30 p.m.

A horse show, sponsored by the St. John Saddle club, will be held Sunday, beginning at 10 a.m.

25 Years Ago

From the Whitman County Gazette, Thursday, April 30, 1998

Laura Widman wins three events at Naches

Colfax senior Laura Widman topped the Colfax delegation at the Naches Invitational Saturday with three wins. Widman took the high jump at 5-4, shot at 36-4 and the 200 meter race at 27.02.

Senior Mark Brownell had the other Colfax win with a 1:59.07 in the 200, his first time under the two-minutemark this year.

Amanda Scholz had a chance to compete in the pole vault and tied for first at 8-0.

Bob Burke placed third in the high jump at 6-0. Hans Petersen took fourth in both distance races, a 4:24 in the 1500 and a 9:41 in the 3200.

10 Years Ago

From the Whitman County Gazette, Thursday, April 25, 2013

Whitman Hospital among rural health group’s top 20

Whitman Hospital & Medical Center in Colfax was reently named one of the top 20 Critical Access Hospitals for patient perspective in the country for the second year in a row.

The Top 20 Critical Access Hospitals, including Whitman Hospital, scored best among critical access hospitals. The rankings were recently announced by the National Rural Health Association. An awards ceremony will be held during a conferencce in Austin, Texas.

“Whitman Hospital &Meidcal Center is proud of the effortsof its staff and providers who have contributed to our hospital achieving this designation,” said Debbie Glass, CEO of the hospital. “Our results as a leader for the patients perspective means our community can count on us to deliver the kind and compassionate services they need now and in the future.”

The National Rural Health Association is a non-profit organization working to improve the health and well-being of rural Americans and providing leadership on rural health issues.

NRHA membership is made up of 21,000 diverse individuals and organizations, all of whom sharethe common bond of an interest in rural health.