FROM THE FILES

125 Years Ago

Adams County News

January 25, 1899

Hobos steal a fine overcoat

Some enterprising thief swiped a $25 fur overcoat from the dummy in front of Smith & Thomsen's store last evening just after dark. These suspicious characters should be made to keep their feet off Ritzville sidewalks. A few days ago several of this genus hobo element paraded in front of the editor's residence on Knob Hill, and in a bantering tone asked, "Can you Yankeedoodles give us something to eat?" While our officers are on the alert, it would be well for private citizens to also keep an eye open in the direction of this class of pests.

Local and Personal

Geo. Schaffer, a subject of the czar of Russia, today renounced his allegiance to that country and declared his intention of becoming an adopted son of Uncle Sam.

The city council in special session yesterday granted a billiard, pool and card table license for one year to J.E. Finnell and David Gribling. Consideration $125 and the place of business on lot 4 block 10 adjoining the Pacific hotel.

100 Years Ago

Ritzville-Journal Times

January 24, 1924

Revive plan for local pool

The swimming pool took on a new lease of life yesterday when Charles Laidlaw of the committee reported that the work of promoting it ought to begin. He said his committee favored a site between the high school and park and that the pool would cost about $5,000. It was suggested to finance the work by selling season tickets.

Local Brevities

A number of men are going to meet tonight at the high school gym to see about forming an athletic club. They want to limber up their "jints" by a little gymnasium work.

75 Years Ago

Ritzville-Journal Times

January 27, 1949

Jaycees apply 'first coat' to

skating rink at courts

Looks like Ritzville is going to have an ice skating rink after all-if the cold weather hangs on a bit longer. At Friday night's junior chamber of commerce meeting a group of members suddenly decided they'd give the age-old project of flooding the tennis courts another try.

Sunday afternoon a substantial delegation turned out. The Jaycees turned two two-inch hoses into the tennis courts. The hoses ran all night and until 10 a.m. Tuesday. A pretty fair sheet of ice blankets the tennis courts, but at least one more layer, which will be applied as soon as possible, is needed to finish off the job.

At the Ritz:

"The Three Musketeers," starring Lana Turner, Gene Kelly, June Allyson, Van Heflin, and Angela Lansbury.

50 Years Ago

Ritzville-Journal Times

January 24, 1974

Otto Amen criticizes

smaller legislature bill

State Rep. Otto Amen, R-9th District, last week criticized an initiative that would reduce the size of the house of representatives from 98 members to 63 and the Senate from 49 to 21. Amen said the initiative, sponsored by King County Assessor Harley Hoppe, would "disenfranchise eastern Washington voters."

"This appears to be an effort to place the entire control of the legislature in the hands of a few men and women in King, Pierce and Snohomish counties," Amen said.

25 Years Ago

Ritzville-Journal Times

January 28, 1999

Juvenile is injured in altercation at gym

Ritzville police were called to Gilson Gym Saturday night, Jan. 23, at 8:30 p.m. after a student suffered injuries to the wrist. The altercation between some juveniles began after a visiting basketball fan reported that a Ritzville juvenile was shining a small laser light onto the basketball court.

The verbal confrontation continued throughout the evening and escalated as the group of juveniles moved into the gym foyer. As the altercation became physical, a couple of the juveniles attempted to break up the fight and one of the juvenile's hands when through a window. The subject suffered extensive damage to the wrist and was airlifted to a Spokane hospital.

- The Journal