From the Files

125 Years Ago

Adams County News

September 7, 1898

We wonder if parents in Ritzville generally know that their little boys are in the habit of riding about every freight train that comes into the yards and often get on the passenger side then jump off. If they do know, we wonder if they ever figured what were the chances of being called in to attend some little boy’s funeral or the performing of a surgical operation by some doctor. That is a sad thing to contemplate and no one wants anything of the kind to occur, but unless there are some steps taken to prevent it, it will surely happen. Don’t put it off by saying my boys do not go on the trains, unless you know. The temptation is great for any boy when he sees other boys doing these things.

Local and Personal

We wish to again call attention to need of residences for rent. The town will lose many families who would otherwise remain if they could rent suitable houses.

The Northern Pacific has a number of Italians at work on the road between here and Lind, leveling and grading the road bed.

Dr. E.R. Lemman is in town now and you better get your dental work done.

100 Years Ago

Ritzville-Journal Times

September 6, 1923

Local Brevities

Loose spokes tightened. Wheel squeak soon becomes a rattle. Stop the squeak at the Ritzville Garage.

J.S. Cook and P.D. Markham who have been operating a threshing rig in partnership at Fred Dorn’s got into an altercation between themselves last week. Cook knocked Markham down. The latter came to town and swore out a warrant for Cook’s arrest. He was tried before Justice Womack Saturday, pled guilty and was fined $100 and given 10 days jail sentence. The latter was suspended and the fine paid.

At the Rex Theatre

A Big Five-Act Vaudeville: “The Stupidity of Father.”

75 Years Ago

Ritzville-Journal Times

September 2, 1948

Classes start next week

Pack up the apples and spitballs, kids; school starts next Wednesday. First thing in the morning on Wednesday, September 8, Ritzville’s fleet of 15 school buses will take off on their routes to collect the tiny tots just beginning Central school and the veteran misters and misses who will be graduating next June. At Central and the high school, they’ll be met by the city’s younger set and a fresh, eager platoon of teachers who have done nothing all summer except dream up brain-bursting homework and tests that will make the smartest of you wish you’d never been born.

At the Ritz

Victor Mature and Coleen Gray in “Fury at Furnace Creek”; Ray Milland and Charles Laughton in “The Big Clock.”

50 Years Ago

Ritzville-Journal Times

September 6, 1973

Spike Fitch resigns

his council post

The resignation of Councilman O. A. “Spike” Fitch was accepted by the city council at their semi-monthly meeting Tuesday. Mayor Lawrence Kramer named a committee to make a recommendation for a candidate to accept interim appointment until the next election. Members are Councilmen Ronald Snowden, Russ Rummer and Don Wright. Fitch said his main reason for submitting his resignation is his health situation. “I regret not being able to serve anymore,” he said. Spike has been a member of the council for about three years.

25 Years Ago

Ritzville-Journal Times

September 3, 1998

Computers Plus to offer

Internet surfing at fair

Have you been wondering what the Internet could do for you but been afraid to try it? Fair goers will have the opportunity to take a glimpse into the world-wide web during the Wheat Land Communities’ Fair thanks to commercial exhibitor Computers Plus and CenturyTel Communications.

Back for the third year at the fair, Brent Larsen of Computers Plus said he is excited to offer the Internet experience to those visiting his commercial booth in the Knuth Building. CenturyTel is donating the use of three phone lines to the booth for Internet accommodations. Larsen will have six computers onsite for demonstrations and hands-on experience.

At the Ritz

“The Parent Trap” by Walt Disney Pictures

-The Journal