FROM THE FILES

125 Years Ago

Adams County News

May 3, 1899

Day after tomorrow will be the 12th anniversary of the Hutchinson-Robbins great horse race which occurred May 5, 1886. The event will be remembered by all the old pioneers who were here during the palmy days of Ritzville.

Ad for Ritzville Hardware Co.

A man that loves his wife buys her a St. Clair Steel Range because they are fine bakers; they are economical in fuel; they have asbestos-lined tops and bottoms; they are ornamental. We have just received a car load.

100 Years Ago

Ritzville-Journal Times

April 24, 1924

Big harvest on magpies

The war on magpies in this county has borne quick fruit. The initial appropriation of $100 has been exhausted and another appropriation made to help rid the county of these birds which are considered a menace to game birds, stock and other interests. Down at H. Heinemann's window many nests show the supply of magpie eggs which have been turned in. The total number of eggs seized up to Tuesday night was 1,185; of young birds, 587; and of old birds, 17.

Local Brevities

Last Tuesday evening Mr. and Mrs. Will Thiel, who were spending the evening quietly at home, were completely surprised when a company of their friends walked in on them. They rallied to the occasion after the first shock of the invasion was over and a very pleasant social evening was enjoyed. There were four tables for bridge, high score for ladies going to Mrs. J. P. Danekas and for the men to Will H. Rosenoff, while Richard B. Ott won the general cut. Then a delicious three course luncheon was served from the generous baskets of the self-appointed guests.

75 Years Ago

Ritzville-Journal Times

May 3, 1951

War against rats is seen

Would the businessmen of Ritzville support a voluntary rat control program? That question was posed before the senior chamber of commerce Wednesday noon by county sanitarian David Stockton. Stockton declared Ritzville badly needs rodent control. He said all eastern Washington towns with wheat warehouses have heavy concentrations of rats. "Rats can be licked," he declared, "if every businessman and every homeowner, too, will cooperate in a concentrated campaign."

"Face lifting" set for

Highway 10 after revisions

Highway 10 through Ritzville may be given a "face lifting" if present plans of a joint senior-junior chamber of commerce committee are carried out. At a meeting Monday evening, members agreed tentatively on a course of action leading up to a "clean-up" day along the highway. According to Jim Kadlec, committee chairman, projects under consideration include cleaning up of all rubbish along the highway, and possibly erecting a "Welcome to Ritzville" sign at the "Y" junction of the Lind and Moses Lake highways.

50 Years Ago

Ritzville-Journal Times

May 2, 1974

Tom Arlt, 26, is hired as

carrier for post office

Tom Arlt, 26, has been hired as a part-time carrier at the Ritzville post office. Arlt was one of 14 applicants for the position. Postmaster Rudy Thaut said last week Tom has joined his brother Mike Arlt, who is a mail carrier here, at the post office. Tom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Arlt. He had been working on his dad's farm near here prior to joining the post office staff.

25 Years Ago

Ritzville-Journal Times

May 6, 1999

Tree planting for Arbor Day

The Ritzville High School Advanced Biology Class planted 100 trees in honor of National Arbor Day on April 22. The trees were planted at Emanuel Haag Memorial Fields and behind the high school. The plants were donated to the class by Plants of the Whales, in Tekoa, a nursery that specializes in native plants for reclamation projects and wildlife projects.

Ritzville Triathlon

Organizers of the eighth annual triathlon have chosen May 15 as the date for this year's Ritzville Triathlon. Format for the triathlon includes 50 clay targets at the Ritzville Gun Club, six holes of golf at the Ritzville golf course and two lines of bowling at Big Bend Bowl.

-The Journal