From the Files

125 Years Ago

Adams County News

July 19, 1899

Hanging too good

The miscreant who cut the rope on the well drill of M. F. Cochran who is boring the city well on College hill if caught should be dealt with severely. Hanging is too good for such a wretch. He should be kicked out of the county. Had not the critical eye of Mr. Cochran discovered the matter in time, all the good work done thus far might have been for naught.

The well is now 350 feet in depth with 150 feet of water, but it is doubtful if there is sufficient supply to stand the 5,000 gallons per hour test for one year as provided in the city, and the well will be sunk deeper until such supply is found.

'Round Ritzville

At 1 p.m. Saturday the regulation runaway occurred, a team tearing up Main Street, scattering a load of lumber at a gait that made our hair stand on end, but with our usual good luck, nobody was killed.

100 Years Ago

Ritzville-Journal Times

July 17, 1924

Night crowds like old times

Saturday night was a good old harvest time. The stores were open and streets crowded with people till a late hour. Farmers and harvest hands were in town. Many rigs did not get started till this week, but by this time the hum of the harvester may be heard over the county. There is no shortage of harvest hands. Many men have come in looking for work, and so far there has been no I.W.W. spirit displayed like last year.

A year ago the harvest hands would make almost impossible demands under the spur of the agitator who was about the crowd. If a man hired out to a farmer, an agitator would come along and urge him to strike for more money. This year the men want work, there are not enough jobs to go around, and they are willing to go out for much less money than a year ago.

75 Years Ago

Ritzville-Journal Times

July 19, 1951

Local burglar is well dressed

The "best dressed burglar in town" emerged from Martin Elliott's residence sometime Saturday afternoon clad in a completely new outfit belonging to Elliott, Sheriff Frank Lucas reported this week. The sheriff said the burglar exchanged his old clothing-an army officer's shirt and pants, vizor cap and sport coat-for Elliott's snappy new tan summer suit and a blue shirt.

The invader ransacked the entire home at 501 West Third Avenue, also removing a 35-mm camera, a Remington electric razor, and a large Fraternal Order of Eagles ring. Later Saturday afternoon, the burglar "pawned" the electric razor with Don Stohr at Cec's Mobile Service for four dollars and reportedly left town on a bus.

50 Years Ago

Ritzville-Journal Times

July 18, 1974

Melior quits at high school

Roger Melior, head football coach and mathematics teacher at Ritzville High last year, has resigned to take a post in Grand Coulee. Melior previously stepped down from the coaching post. Melior's mathematics duties will be taken over by new football coach Mike Lynch and the school will begin seeking a new science teacher.

25 Years Ago

Ritzville-Journal Times

July 22, 1999

Accident claims life of 7-year-old

The Adams County Sheriff's Office is investigating a fatal accident that occurred on Sunday afternoon, July 18, in the 1100 block of Rehn Road near the Adams/Grant County line. Deputies were continuing to gather information at press time, but it appeared that the 1982 Volkswagen Rabbit was traveling east on Rehn Road when the driver lost control of the vehicle.

The vehicle then rolled at least one time, according to Undersheriff Jay Weise. Seated in the front of the vehicle were Joseph Galloway, 45, and Thomas Galloway, 13. Seated in the back, which did not have a back seat, were Raye Galloway, 10, Hannah Galloway, 7, and Molly Galloway, 7. All occupants were transported by private vehicle to Ruff and then to Samaritan Hospital in Moses Lake. Molly Galloway died while enroute to Samaritan Hospital. Thomas Galloway sustained a fractured leg.

-The Journal