FROM THE FILES

125 Years Ago

Adams County News

February 22, 1899

NEW JUSTICE – Ritzville precinct No. 2 has a bran-splinter new Justice of the Peace, Mr. W. S. Eastman, having been appointed by the board of county commissioners at their special session last week. This is something which was sorely needed and now between the two justices and the police judge it seems the business ought to be taken care of with neatness and dispatch. Mr. Eastman, having a keen sense of right and wrong, we believe will prove a good man for the place and the citizens are lucky to get his services, as few are situated so as to devote proper attention to the office.

Local and Personal

Joh Sauer, Sr., and John Sauer, Jr., father and son respectively, subjects of the czar of Russia, made application to the county clerk yesterday to become citizens under our Uncle Samuel.

At a meeting of the school board it was decided to have school two months more, making an eight months term.

100 Years Ago

Ritzville-Journal Times

February 21, 1924

Set $45 to $50 for wage scale

A meeting of farmers was held at the county agent's office last Saturday to consider the matter of farm wages. It was decided to recommend that the farmers pay for hired hands around $45 or $50 a month and board up to harvest time. This would apply to those handling an eight horse outfit. Men handling larger outfits might be paid more money.

Narrow escape at R.R. crossing

Roy Swigart, a well-known business man of Ruff, narrowly escaped injury Monday evening when his car, a new Ford sedan, was struck by a freight car at the Division Street crossing. Mr. Swigart was on his way to Spokane in response to word that his child was ill and was trying to make as much speed as possible. He did not realize the nearness of the freight car, as it was getting dark, about 6:00 p.m. The train employees saw the probable crash and the engineer applied his brakes with the result that the bump was not as severe as it might have been. The car was not overturned. At the moment of the impact, Mr. Swigart opened the car and jumped out. A dog was in the car and it leaped for safety too.

75 Years Ago

Ritzville-Journal Times

February 24, 1949

Greenwalt starts on new garage

Pete Greenwalt, whose garage was entirely destroyed by fire about three weeks ago, announced today he plans to start rebuilding immediately at a new location. Construction will start Monday on the new Pete's Garage just across the railroad tracks and behind Charley Kemp's Sunshine Diner, where the old feed store is located. Greenwalt said he purchased two lots there Wednesday from True Oil Company of Spokane, which owns most of that block.

At the Ritz:

"That Wonderful Urge," starring Tyrone Power and Gene Tierney.

50 Years Ago

Ritzville-Journal Times

February 21, 1974

Service stations reject

rationing plan

Ritzville service station operators have not adopted Gov. Dan Evans' voluntary gasoline rationing program because they do not believe it is needed at the stations. In some cases, the stations have more gas than they need and what they want are more customers. The lines of cars seen at gas stations in metropolitan areas are unfamiliar here. The prices have climbed, however, over 50 cents per gallon at most service stations here as a result of wholesale increases.

25 Years Ago

Ritzville-Journal Times

February 25, 1999

Bronco grapplers place at state tournament

In a season that saw the Bronco wrestlers win both the Bi-County Dual Match and tournament championships, finish a best ever second at district, send a most ever five to the state tournament, it was only fitting that the four placers the Broncos brought home also is a first. "Our guys wrestled awfully hard all weekend and we are extremely proud of their finishes," said Bronco Coach Mike Lynch. "The sum total of our individual finishes allowed us to finish in a tie for 17th with Darrington out of the 54 A/B teams that wrestle."

- The Journal