FROM THE FILES

100 Years Ago

Ritzville-Journal Times

January 25, 1923

John Dugger Seriously Injured

John Dugger, a prominent rancher residing twelve miles west of Ritzville, lies in a serious condition at the home of Mrs. Herman Dehnel in this city as a result of an automobile accident yesterday. Mr. Dugger was coming to town in company with Jacob Hardt in the latter's car. The road was frosty and slick and in some way the car skidded and turned over. Mr. Dugger was injured when the car turned on its top. The car righted itself. The accident occurred six miles west of the city.

Mr. Dugger was brought to town at once and taken to Dr. Armann's office. Later he was removed to Mrs. Dehnel's. Examination revealed that two of the left ribs were broken off the sternum, the left collarbone fractured, and probably there are internal injuries. He has been conscious and has suffered considerably.

Mr. Hardt was not injured though shaken up. Mrs. Hardt had a cut across the forehead but not serious. The car was badly wrecked.

Radio Picks Up College Program

The state college radio broadcasting station was picked up Monday evening by the receiving station at the Big Bend Motors Co. On the program at the college was a violin number by William Just of this city accompanied by his sister Evangeline. J.P. Koch and others at the local station heard the number and enjoyed it.

75 Years Ago

Ritzville-Journal Times

January 22, 1948

New Funeral Home

Will Be Open Sunday

Dedication services for Ritzville's new funeral home, operated by Harold Newman and Ralph Danekas, will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, January 25, in the chapel at the home. Construction of the new structure, located at 215 E. Main Avenue, began in May 1947. The exterior is now completed, and most of the interior has been finished. Landscaping will be accomplished in the near future. Newman and Danekas, who are partners, said their home has all the conveniences and facilities of any modern funeral home. They will offer all types of funeral services in addition to 24-hour ambulance service.

Fire Station Starts to Burn

The Ritzville firehouse caught fire Wednesday. Workmen remodeling the city building, which includes a garage for fire trucks, had installed a new chimney and were using a heater mechanism on the roof to keep the mortar from freezing. Too much oil was poured into the heater and a small blaze spread to the roof. Firemen quickly extinguished the conflagration. Damage was estimated at $1.30-replacement value of a pair of pants worn by Francis Thompson, one of the volunteer firemen.

City Council Votes $1,880 For

'Extras' in Remodeling

An additional $1,880 was voted by the Ritzville city council Tuesday evening for alterations and further improvements the councilmen agreed were necessary to complete the new city garage and remodel the city building in a satisfactory fashion. Two of the approved "extras" were painting City Water Superintendent Earl Colwell's office in the garage building and providing angles to protect three mid-floor posts from accidental ramming by trucks and other vehicles.

The remainder were concerned with the remodeling project. They include changes in electrical wiring, replacing obsolete water pipes, painting the city clerk's office, providing a paneled partition for the firemen's shower room, and covering part of the floor area with asphalt tile.

50 Years Ago

Ritzville-Journal Times

January 25, 1973

Don Sanger's Ship

Visits Hong Kong

USS ENTERPRISE – Navy Fireman Apprentice Donald F. Sanger, son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Sanger of Ritzville, is in the Western Pacific aboard the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Enterprise. Recently, the Big "E" made her first visit in four years to Hong Kong, where her crew spent seven days relaxing, shopping and enjoying the many exotic sites of this Crown Colony.

Folding of Flag is Demonstrated

Susan Gering showed the proper way to fold the American flag when the Bit and Spurs 4-H Club met recently. Also demonstrating was Susan's brother Brad who told about an injury to a horse. New yearbooks were distributed to the club members.

Drummer Doug Swyter

Taught Self

Playing the drums is pretty much of a self-taught art, admits Doug Swyter, drum soloist with the Ritzville High School concert, swing and pep bands. Swyter got a lot of tips from listening to 45 rpm records and playing along with them. He also was helped by two predecessors in the high school bands here, Rick Telecky and Andy Slipper. "I watched what they did and it helped me out," related Doug.

He thinks the style used by Telecky, Slipper and himself is about the same. It's mostly a matter of playing by ear, because to his knowledge composers don't write up drum solos as such. Whenever a dance band comes to Ritzville, Doug has watched the drummer to see what he does. He admits he'd like to play with a dance band if he could.

25 Years Ago

Ritzville-Journal Times

January 29, 1998

School bus safety reminder

issued by Chief McCormick

Ritzville Police Chief Dave McCormick is reminding drivers to be aware of stopped school buses displaying flashing red lights and an extended stop sign from the side of the bus. Chief McCormick said a recent incident was reported when a driver failed to stop for a school bus which was headed westbound on Alder Avenue. The bus driver said the stop sign was out and red lights were flashing when a driver went around the bus.

On Jan. 14 Sgt. Rich Young observed where a vehicle had spun "brodies" in every intersection from Main to Dogwood and Columbia to Cascade. Some of the marks clearly showed where the vehicle had spun out of control, narrowly missing parked vehicles as well as traffic control signs. The tire tread design led Sgt. Young to a vehicle driven by Corey Umland of Ritzville, who was cited for speed too fast for conditions.

Police were notified on Jan. 9 of an incident which occurred in late November in the parking lot at Ritzville Grade School. A teacher's car was "keyed" on the side causing an estimated $500 in damages.

Z. Kinney graduates from basic

Air National Guard Airman 1st Class Zennetta E. Kinney has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, TX. During the six weeks of training, the airman studied the Air Force mission, organization and customs and received special training in human relations. Kinney is the daughter of Elmer J. and Phyllis E. Mann of Washtucna.

- The Journal