FROM THE FILES

100 Years Ago

Ritzville-Journal Times

January 11, 1923

Falls From Train at Cheney

Fred Austin is going about with his face all bandaged up. His injuries were caused in a mysterious manner. He went down to Lind Saturday morning where he spent the day. He says he remembers nothing more than in the evening he was going to the train. When he came to, he was in the office of Dr. West at Cheney. He says he found his money, about $60, missing, and a diamond from his ring.

The sheriff's office looked the matter up down at Lind and according to their report, Austin had no such amount of money or a diamond ring. They found where he had left the café and gone to the station, boarding a train between cars, against the advice of some fellows there. As this was a special train, they believe it went through Ritzville and that Austin fell off at Cheney, numbed by the cold. However the accident came about, it is a bad injury to his face.

Austin worked at a restaurant here and recently has been driving a team for R.G. Pierce.

Mark Reese Accidentally Shot

Mark Reese was accidentally shot in the calf of the right leg on the lower W.W. King ranch in the Bauer coulee about 13 miles southwest of Ritzville, yesterday. With his hired man he had gone from his place down to Mr. Maier's at the lower King ranch to get some machinery. One of the Maier boys had a shotgun. The men stood around talking, Mr. Reese reached over to pick up something and the boy with the gun happened to strike it against something so it was accidentally discharged and the load struck Mr. Rees in the calf of the leg. A chunk of flesh was torn out and arteries severed.

Fortunately, his hired man had seen service in France and knew how to give first aid. He bound up the leg to prevent loss of blood. Mr. Reese was taken in a wagon, there being no car there, up to John Dugger's.

75 Years Ago

Ritzville-Journal Times

January 8, 1948

Rail Workers Fight Near Lind

Two Northern Pacific railroad workers who said they had been close friends for several years engaged in fisticuffs Tuesday night, December 30, and one of them almost lost his ear.

The pair, Cecil J. Irwin and Ted S. Blacketer, began battling for reasons unknown in one of the gang cars at Providence, near Lind.

During the course of the exhibition, Irwin allegedly picked up a shovel and banged Blacketer over the head. Dr. Tom Middleton of Ritzville required 30 stitches to repair Blacketer's head and sew back part of his ear.

Charged with drunk and disorderly conduct by Sheriff Frank Lucas and Deputy Sheriff Joe Schafer, who were called to the scene, the two pugilists were given 10 days each by Justice of the Peace J.P. Koch with rights reserved for further instructions.

Expect Cost of Living to

Remain High During 1948

The high cost of living will stay that way-and may even go higher-at least during the first half of '48, Washington families were advised this week by Helen Noyes, extension economist in home management of the State College of Washington.

During 1947, Miss Noyes says families with moderate incomes were spending from a third to a half of their monthly checks for grocery bills. And they were spending 18 per cent more for clothing than in 1946, and 30 per cent more than in 1945 when the war ended.

All things considered, Miss Noyes says living costs hit a record high in 1947. In July the cost of living was 10 per cent above the previous high of June of 1920. And economists of the Department of Agriculture's Bureau of Agricultural Economics predict that the continued strong demand for American products both at home and abroad may force prices still higher.

50 Years Ago

Ritzville-Journal Times

January 11, 1973

Bowl Decision Not Reached

The question as to whether or not Big Bend Bowl will be rebuilt still remains in doubt some two weeks after a fire destroyed the building and its contents.

Manager O.D. (Danny) Kutschkau said this week that he is aware of the need for a bowling alley in Ritzville and stated that as of now he hopes it will be rebuilt. However, Kutschkau said there are many details to be negotiated even before an insurance settlement can be made.

He said that he expected it would take several more weeks before insurance negotiations are completed and that a decision as to rebuilding will have to await the financial outcome of such a settlement. He noted that several bowling teams are beginning to look to neighboring towns to continue their skills and stated that this in itself is one of the signs which indicated the future need of an alley here.

25 Years Ago

Ritzville-Journal Times

January 15, 1998

Ritzville food bank relocated to church

The Ritzville Food Bank has merged with the Ritzville Community Church-operated food bank to become known as "The Pantry." The new venture does not offer a thrift store and will be open Mondays and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the church, 104 W. Main.

Pastor Barry Wood said operation of the food bank will be handled using the church's leadership structure which makes it financial accountable to the church board. That board, in turn, is accountable to the northwest district and international level of the Four-Square Church.

Broncos open league play

January brings the opening of the league season for the Bronco wrestlers and the early part has not always been kind to the hometown grapplers. "We won the tournament two years ago but opened the league schedule by getting clobbered at Liberty because we were sick, hurt and missing people," said Bronco Coach Mike Lynch.

--The Journal