From the Files

125 Years Ago

Adams County News

June 7, 1899

Dirt changes hands

An important real estate deal was closed last Saturday when Wm. Snyder sold his eighty acre tract lying partly within the city limits, to Geo. Achziger for $2,000. A fine well has just been sunk on the premises and Mr. Snyder was preparing to have a large residence built, but the opportunity to make a handsome profit came and was accepted. Mr. Snyder now contemplates putting up a brick store building and in all probability will a little later erect a dwelling on his lots on Knob hill.

Local and Personal

Eleven years ago yesterday, June 6, 1888, the big fire which burned the town occurred.

Mrs. Emma Owen is erecting a two story dwelling on the corner opposite the Abr. Dillon residence on lot 9 block 37 first railroad addition which she will open as a boarding house about July 1st.

100 Years Ago

Ritzville-Journal Times

June 5, 1924

Will prohibit sale of fireworks

An ordinance prohibiting the sale of firecrackers was given first reading at the meeting of the city council. The ordinance is quite drastic, barring the possession, sale or use of firecrackers inside the city limits.

This week a pump expert is examining the big pump at the city park, which has been giving trouble. The council is unable to ascertain whether the trouble is with the pump or whether the flow of water in the well is not up to what was estimated. Some of the council are satisfied that the water is there but that the pump is not lifting it as it should.

75 Years Ago

Ritzville-Journal Times

June 17, 1951

Gary Galbreath voted president of grade school

Gary Galbreath, newly promoted sixth grader, was chosen by the Ritzville grade school student body organization to head their meetings for next school year when they held their annual election Friday. The election followed a week of vigorous campaigning by the pupils of the fourth and fifth grade rooms for their favorite candidates for the various offices, with the opponent for the office of president being Sherry Haight of Gordon Hauck's class. Galbreath, the newly elected president, was nominated by the pupils of Ada Hill's fifth grade.

Lamar Thiel given 12th birthday party

Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Thiel entertained 12 of their son Lamar's friends at a dinner party on his 12th birthday last Tuesday. After dinner they attended the show. Guests were Karen Arlt, Patricia Bentz, Carolyn Phillips, Virginia Buch, Marie Wahl, Y'vonne Voyer, Arnold Moeller, Vernie Kiehn, Dennis Schuler, Roger Marshall, Wally Johnston and Bruce Howell.

50 Years Ago

Ritzville-Journal Times

June 6, 1974

Miss Schrag asks for less ego emphasis

Calling for a reversal of current trends, and a return to the conservation of resources and less emphasis on self-centeredness, Miss Rhoda Schrag was the featured speaker as the Ritzville High School Class of 1974 gathered for commencement ceremonies Friday evening.

Capping slated for Ritzville duo

Moses Lake – Twenty practical nursing students at Big Bend Community College will be capped in ceremonies Friday at 8 p.m. in the Community Center building on the North campus. Included will be Kathy Ferderer and Nancy Gering, both of Ritzville.

25 Years Ago

Ritzville-Journal Times

June 10, 1999

Area gas prices soar as summer travel begins

A survey of Eastern Washington-Northern Idaho gas prices by the Inland Automobile Association (AAA) has confirmed what motorists already know: it is costing a lot more to fill up as the summer travel season arrives. In the two months since AAA's last major survey, prices have increased as much as 21 cents a gallon. That is the case with full service premium unleaded, which was averaging $1.50 at Eastertime but is now at $1.71, The most popular buy-self-service unleaded-is now averaging $1.29 in the Inland Empire. That is 16 cents higher than two months ago. Full service unleaded is up 20 cents a gallon to $1.55.

-The Journal