From the Files

 

Last updated 1/31/2023 at 8:19am

- Journal photo (January 29, 1948)

Mr. and Mrs. H.W. Thiel Honored on 5oth Wedding Anniversary

100 Years Ago

Ritzville-Journal Times

February 1, 1923

Plan to Build Swimming Pool

Dave Hoefel for the swimming pool committee reported that plans had been made whereby it was believed that $3700 could be raised for a swimming pool. The cost of a pool would be from $2700 to $3500. The location approved was in the southeast corner of the park but it would be necessary to have the consent of the city council.

Officers Make Raid at Hatton

Sheriff Schafer and Deputies Heddle, Buehler and Oestreich went down to Hatton and searched the premises occupied by F.E. Rickman. The outbuildings were searched without result and then the officers went into the house. Mr. Rickman rushed in ahead of them and it was a long time before the search revealed anything. Finally a jug of moonshine was located in the bed which had been occupied by Mrs. Rickman. Rickman was brought to Ritzville and after trial Monday before Justice W.D. McCollom was fined $250 and costs and sentenced to 90 days in the county jail.


75 Years Ago

Ritzville-Journal Times

January 29, 1948

Art Benzel Named Jaycee

'Man of the Year' for 1947

The Ritzville Jaycees' "Man of the Year" is Art Benzel, 32-year-old Ralston farmer who lives 16 miles southeast of this city. Benzel was given the first Ritzville Jaycee distinguished service award at last Friday's meeting. Born and raised in Ritzville, where he was graduated from high school in 1934, Benzel has been extremely active in Junior chamber of commerce and other civic activities.

H.W. Thiels are Honored

on 50th Wedding Anniversary

Two of Ritzville's most widely-known pioneers, Mr. and Mrs. H.W. Thiel, received their many friends and neighbors at an open house Sunday, January 18, in celebration of their 50th wedding anniversary.

In 1882 Mr. Thiel's father, John Thiel, and his family came by covered wagon from Nebraska, settling first in Walla Walla. They proceeded to Ritzville in 1883 where Mr. Thiel homesteaded four-and-one-half miles west of the city. There their family was raised.

50 Years Ago

Ritzville-Journal Times

February 1, 1973

Blaze Destroys Gering Shop

An early-morning fire Friday destroyed the machine shed and contents at the Gayle Gering farm. The building's roof had fallen in and burning had subsided from its peak when firemen arrived about 4 o'clock. Lost in the blazes were a combine, a crawler tractor and tools and parts of every description.

"We will rebuild as quickly as we can," said Gering Saturday night. He said he had had two contractors at the place that day to make estimates. By Saturday night he had cleared out the debris from the site, Gering added.

Light from the building blazes awakened Mrs. Gering about 3 a.m. A 20 by 16-foot front door was ablaze at that time, as well as the roof, reported Gering. When the Gering phone didn't work to call the fire department, Mrs. Gering drove to the neighboring home of the Albert Mankes. There she shouted at Mrs. Manke to call the fire department.

25 Years Ago

Ritzville-Journal Times

February 5, 1998

Ritzville Pet Rescue to the

rescue of cat in dry well

Cindy Lepper, of Ritzville Pet Rescue, received a phone call on Jan. 22 inquiring if Ritzville Pet Rescue might be able to help her. The caller had found there was a cat trapped on some property close to her house. Upon investigation, it was found that the cat had fallen down into a 40-foot-deep "dry spring well" that was lined with a 32-inch in diameter culvert pipe. The cat had been down there for over a week. The woman tried putting some long wood two by fours down the hole to allow the cat to climb up, but it was still too steep for the cat to climb.

By word of mouth and several phone calls by Ritzville Pet Rescue, Mike McKenzie and Paul Lepper of Washtucna and Glen Longsdorff of Ritzville had a plan. A harness was placed around Longsdorff's waist and he was lowered into the hole by McKenzie and Lepper. Then a bucket followed for the cat. The cat showed no signs of injury from the fall and will get to live out the rest of his remaining eight lives with the woman who dared enough to care.

- The Journal

 

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