FROM THE FILES

125 Years Ago

Adams County News

April 19, 1899

The Twentieth Century Electroscope Co. will show at the opera house tonight. The celebrated baritone, Mr. Wm. Clark, formerly connected with the Columbia Opera Co., will sing the latest eastern success, introduced by himself, entitled, "Just for the Sake of Her Daughter." This song, as all others, are beautifully illustrated by the electroscope. The moving pictures are very interesting including war scenes and many others.

Local and Personal

The county dads have ordered a new sidewalk built on the east side of the courthouse square. This will make the opera house easy of access.

It is hard to estimate the value of the rains which have visited us during the week. Monday night rain fell from 7 o'clock until early morn and the ground was soaked for several inches. The chances for at least a million dollars in cold cash to be dumped into Ritzville within the next half year are exceedingly good.

100 Years Ago

Ritzville-Journal Times

April 17, 1924

Crashes through

glass window

An Essex closed car, driven by Mrs. George Oyster of Spokane, crashed through the big plate glass window at the Ritzville Garage on the Division Street side Saturday. Mrs. Oyster was accompanied by her husband, who is an insurance adjuster with the Union Trust Company. She drew up to the curb to stop to inquire the way to the court house when her foot must have touched the accelerator instead of the brake.

Local Brevities

Why should young people hesitate to get married when good housekeeping rooms are available at Cunningham apartments?

The county has purchased a new Chevrolet touring car for the sheriff's office, turning in a Ford used car. The purchase was made from funds received in liquor fines.

75 Years Ago

Ritzville-Journal Times

April 19, 1951

700 musicians coming for

band, choir contests

High school bands, mixed choruses and glee clubs from Ritzville, Reardan, Davenport, Lind, Wilbur, Harrington, Odessa and Almira will compete in the Adams-Lincoln county large group music contest Saturday at Ritzville high school.

Ritzville will enter a mixed chorus and band. Both groups will be directed by Carroll Elkjer. The chorus will sing "Adoramus Te Christe" by Palestrina, "A Mighty Fortress is Our God" by Luther and "Carol of the Bells" by Wilhausky. Band numbers will include "Crusaders Overture" by Buchtel, "One Beautiful Day" by Hildreth and "Storm King" by Finlayson.

50 Years Ago

Ritzville-Journal Times

April 18, 1974

Old, leaky plumbing plagues Burroughs Historical Home

The Frank R. Burroughs Historical Home has a plumbing problem. The problem was discussed by Gideon Bentz, longtime historical home official, at the Ritzville Chamber of Commerce meeting last week.

Water from old, leaky restroom plumbing has damaged plaster in the ancient home, he said. Bentz suggested that the chamber find workers to repair the plumbing problem and to clean the home prior to its opening for public view later this year.

New city signs draw

comment at C of C meet

"Welcome to Ritzville" signs and reader boards recently installed by Coca-Cola workers drew comment at last week's chamber meeting. Fred Slipper said the sign additions are attractive, but that announcements on the reader boards should be taken down the next day, instead of staying up after they are needed.

Spike Fitch said the group of three signs-a Welcome to Ritzville sign, Coca-Cola sign and a reader board-located on city golf course property may last out the golfing season. Fitch recently counted 17 golf ball dents at the sign complex.

25 Years Ago

Ritzville-Journal Times

April 15, 1999

Council approves request for 'Streetball 99' in June

The downtown streets of Ritzville will come alive on Saturday, June 19, as the 6th annual streetball tournament gets underway. A request from Lori Olson, streetball tournament director, was approved by the Ritzville City Council at its Tuesday, April 20, meeting to allow the tournament on the downtown streets.

- The Journal