From The Files

100 Years Ago

Ritzville-Journal Times

January 4, 1923

Officers Get 48 Quarts Whisky

A raid of the county sheriff's deputies resulted in the capture of four cases, 48 quarts of Scotch whisky, smuggled in here probably for the "New Year's trade." The capture was made last Friday night at about 11 o'clock at the garage at the Brick Colwell place here. The liquor was in an automobile but the two men who drove the car made their escape.

The officers were watching for booze importations and spotted the car which drove to the Colwell garage. Deputies McCollom and Lambert advanced, having search warrants covering the premises. They were heard and the men made the getaway down the alley.

No Celebration for New Years

1923 was born to the strident shrieks of the fire siren in Ritzville. Being Sunday night there were no large parties to celebrate the passing of the old and the birth of the new. Small house parties, however, greeted the new year.

75 Years Ago

Ritzville-Journal Times

January 1, 1948

Parker Found Guilty

After All-Day Trial

Ken Parker, former night policeman in Ritzville, was found guilty of drunken driving by a six-man Justice of the Peace jury Monday after 19 witnesses had testified during an all-day trial at the county courthouse.

The 24-year-old defendant was given a relatively light sentence-revocation of his driver's license and a $50 fine. Spectators filled most of the Superior courtroom during the morning and when the afternoon session opened were overflowing into the corridors. Approximately 40 returned after supper to hear the jury give its verdict at 7:55 p.m.

Prosecuting Attorney Edward G. Cross charged that on the night of Saturday-Sunday, December 13-14, Parker was intoxicated while on duty as night policeman. Driving the city prowl car, Cross declared, the defendant outdistanced Sheriff Frank Lucas and Deputy Sheriff Joe Schafer in several wild races on slippery roads before he was finally located at his home early Sunday morning

50 Years Ago

Ritzville-Journal Times

January 4, 1973

Three to Answer Drug Charges

Three persons charged with drug offenses pleaded not guilty in Adams County Superior Court Friday. John Scott is charged with aiding and abetting the delivery of LSD, giving help on Oct. 21 to Ronald Tucker by soliciting a sale, delivering the substance and receiving compensation. The sale, it is charged, was to Terry C. Yeager, 345 Larch St., Othello. Scott is free on $1,500 bond.

Paul Garceau is charged with delivering LSD Oct. 12 to Yeager. His bond is $2,500. John Loewen is charged with possession of LSD not obtained by a valid prescription of a practicing physician. His bond is $1,500. All three defendants will retain their own attorneys.

25 Years Ago

Ritzville-Journal Times

January 4, 1998

Commissioners adopt

1998 road program

The last meeting day of the year for the Adams County Commissioners did not bring any surprises Monday nor much business either as the agenda was pretty empty for the day. The board adopted Resolution R-138-97 accepting the county's annual construction program for 1998.

Projects topping the list and funded for 1998 are the Pigeon Creek Bridge, the reconstruction of Danekas Road from Ritzville to Interstate 90, the Jonathon Borgens Bridge on Bauer Road and the SP & S overhead bridge near Benge.

Public Works Director Leon Long told the board that gravel was being placed on Sutton Road while crews were taking advantage of the spring-type weather to clean culverts and catch up with other maintenance items.

--The Journal