FROM THE FILES

100 Years Ago

Ritzville-Journal Times

November 23, 1922

Three Fires Take

Disastrous Fire Occurs at Ralston

Tuesday evening Ralston was visited with a destructive fire which wiped out John Lafrenz's meat market and the empty building adjoining. The fire started at 5:30 p.m. from a gasoline stove in the butcher shop. The men in the place and those who came quickly were able to remove the fixtures from the building and most of the stock. Mr. Lafrenz lost his ice chest. The owner of the building is not known. The total loss was estimated at about $3,000.

F.W. Thom is Injured

When Truck Overturns

F.W. Thom of the Farmers Meat Market was badly injured last night when the Ford truck he was driving overturned at the Long Service Station corner and pinned him underneath. Residents nearby, hearing the crash, rushed to the scene and raised the truck so they could get the injured man out. Dr. Burroughs was called and Mr. Thom was put on a stretcher and taken home. When first found he was apparently lifeless but revived.

75 Years Ago

Ritzville-Journal Times

November 20, 1947

Senior Play to Be

Presented Saturday Night

The Senior play, "The Divine Flora," is to have its "premier" Saturday night in the Ritzville high school auditorium. The production is under the direction of Mrs. Alcorn. Eleanor Freese portrays Etta Dean (Flora), the leading role. Etta is a girl whose father maintains his advertising business in New York. She lives with her grandmother who is still old-fashioned. Eleanor has taken active parts in both junior and senior high productions.

50 Years Ago

Ritzville-Journal Times

November 23, 1972

Church Hall Rises Rapidly

The race with cold weather is being won in erection and enclosing of a new fellowship and education hall next to the Church of the Nazarene here. Rev. Harrell Poarch, pastor of the church, said volunteer helpers hope to complete roofing this week. He said he expected to truck siding and window materials here on a trip yesterday..

New City Pump Here

Installation will be done in December of a pump in the city's new well. The pump was delivered in Ritzville late in October. Sargent Pump and Irrigation Co. of Othello are the contractors to furnish and install the pump, together with the necessary wiring. The contract price is $30,100. Roy Langenheder, councilman who heads the city's water committee, said the Sargent contract calls for the installation to be ready by Jan. 15. Capacity of the pump is 1,200 gallons per minute.

25 Years Ago

Ritzville-Journal Times

November 20, 1997

Ritz Holiday is 'Memories'

The Ritzville Area Chamber of Commerce is presenting the Ritz Holiday show called "Memories." The production will take place on Friday, Dec. 5, at 7 p.m. in the New Ritz Theater. The show is a take off of past Ritz Holiday skits as well as some nostalgic shows. There will be spin-offs of the Beverly Hillbillies, Archie and Edith, Laugh In, the "Great Salami" from Johnny Carson, Joe the Bartender from Jackie Gleason and much more. Kathy Becker, Harry Schaefer, Kirk Danekas and Lori Olson are members of the cast.

Scale house burglary

occurs for 2nd time'

For the second time in less than two weeks a scale house on Rosenoff Road west of Damon Road has been burglarized. Entry was made through a window where a control box and ticket printer were taken. Value of the items was set at approximately $3,000. Taken previously were a computer and mouse valued at about $1,195.

--The Journal