FROM THE FILES

100 years ago

The Ritzville

Journal-Times

Jan. 13, 1921

DISASTROUS FIRE SWEEPS OTT BUILDING; $20,000 LOSS

The worst fire that has occurred in Ritzville since the farmers’ warehouse was burned in 1915 took place early Wednesday morning at the Ott Building, probably the finest store and office building in town, the home of the American Bank and other businesses. Damages to the building and to its occupants will total in the neighborhood of $20,000. The fire started in the rear of the Home Cafe, the exact cause of it being unknown. It was discovered by some roomers in the Rosenoff block, who were nearly overcome by the smoke before they were aroused. They turned in the alarm and soon a force of fire fighters was on hand.

75 years ago

The Ritzville

Journal-Times

Jan. 10, 1946

Records missing

from archives

50 years ago

The Ritzville

Journal-Times

Jan. 14, 1971

Jim Kadlec Tells of Faith in Library

James Kadlec has completed 19 years of serving on the Ritzville Public Library Board, and is retiring. At his office Monday, he told some of the benefits of the local library. He described the Ritzville library as one of the better ones on the east side of the mountains in this state. The library is widely used by youngsters, he said, and if only adults would use it more it could provide more benefits. He cited as an example an adult’s having read Capt. Bucher’s “Capture of the Pueblo” providing an insight into “some of the sloppy deals in Congress.”

25 years ago

Ritzville Adams

County Journal

Jan. 11, 1996

Ina Myers to celebrate 100th birthday Saturday

If a sense of humor, kindness for others and love of family are a reason for longevity, then Ritzville’s Ina Myers may well be around long past the 100-year mark she will set this Saturday, Jan. 13. Myers was born Ina Smithson 12 miles from Ridgeville, IN, in the country home of her grandfather on Jan. 13, 1896. Living in the country, Myers said she and her brothers spent a lot of time playing outdoors and doing chores. Schooling was done in a one-room school house about one half-mile from her family’s farm. School hours went from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. “When there was snow on the ground, Dad hitched the horse to a sleigh, which he had made, and took us to school and picked us up,” she said. Myers said the family would pack up and go to town for special occasions such as the Fourth of July if a parade was scheduled.