FROM THE FILES

100 Years Ago

Ritzville-Journal Times

February 15, 1923

Ellen Burroughs Dies

Suddenly at Spokane

Miss Ellen Burroughs, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. F.R. Burroughs of Ritzville, died suddenly last Sunday morning at St. Luke's hospital in Spokane. The news of her death was telephoned to this city and caused a profound shock to all her many friends and acquaintances. Just three weeks preceding she had undergone an operation for appendicitis and her recovery had been steady and satisfactory. It was planned to bring her home Sunday evening and her friends were planning to welcome her back with improved health, so that the news of her death was a sad blow.

Disastrous Fire at Washtucna

A disastrous fire took place at Washtucna last night when the Snyder Mercantile Co. store, the William Snyder residence, and the First National Bank building were destroyed. Only the stone walls of the bank remain standing. The fire was first discovered in the Snyder building. The exact origin of the fire has not been learned.

The store was owned by William Snyder, a pioneer merchant of this county. It was the leading store of Washtucna, carrying a large line of general merchandise. The Snyder residence was connected to the store building, both being frame construction. The loss will undoubtedly be very heavy.

75 Years Ago

Ritzville-Journal Times

February 12, 1948

Lind to Install New Stop Signs

A number of stop signs will be installed in Lind residential areas to cut down on traffic hazards, the city council decided Tuesday. I street will be made a through street with stop signs on Third and Fourth, Mayor Art Krehbiel reported. U-turns will be eliminated at the intersection of I street and Second.

The council also decided to call for bids on a pump for the new well provided the well continues to test satisfactorily.

Lind's dog problem will be considered at the next meeting. An ordinance requiring that dogs be penned or tied up during "certain times of the year" has been suggested.

No More Angleworms to

Find with New City Lights

Pretty soon Ritzville will be able to keep its street lighting system in operation without having to look for angleworms. That's the word from city officials and the hope of Tony Eichner, local Washington Water Power company manager who is responsible for maintenance of the system. The program to give Ritzville a completely modern layout of street lights already is well underway. New fixtures on lights in residential areas were authorized about a year ago and should be installed this summer. Next Tuesday the city council will hear specific proposals for replacing downtown ornamental lights.

Together the two jobs will give this city several times as much street lighting as it has now-and the problems of maintenance are expected to be much less complex. That's where angleworms come in. Ever since the city's 56 downtown ornamental lights were installed by WPA labor in 1932, Washington Water Power has been pouring dozens of manhours into maintaining and repairing them. The grand climax was reached in March 1945 when the system broke down in five places at the same time.

50 Years Ago

Ritzville-Journal Times

February 15, 1973

Icy Road Causes Injury Accident

Icy roads about 7:30 a.m. Saturday caused Rosalie Moe, 61, Heppner, Oregon, to lose control of her car on US 395 a mile south of Ritzville. Mrs. Moe suffered chest injuries and was taken to Ritzville Memorial Hospital by a passing motorist. The car slid in the ditch on the right-hand side of the road and on into a wheat field. An estimated $1,000 damage was done to the 1971 model car.

Friends Give Gerings Tool Shower

Friends and neighbors of Gayle and Gaynel Gering gathered at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Dale Galbreath Saturday evening for a "shop shower." In addition to the Dale Galbreaths, Mr. and Mrs. Gary Galbreath and Mark Galbreath were the hosts for the evening that began with a potluck dinner. After dinner the Gerings opened their gifts. They received many useful tools for a start in replenishing their farm shop that was recently destroyed by fire. As a final gift they received what every well-equipped farm shop should have-a brown paper bag of rusty and well-aged tools. The group enjoyed an evening of visiting after which dessert and coffee were served.

Taking It on the Lam

Not So Good

Two brothers from Seattle may have learned in Ritzville it's better to pay for your gasoline than to run out on the bill. Scott William Ritchie and Lawrence Willard Ritchie, judged in the their late 20's, were arrested in Sprague one day last week after incidents occurring in Ritzville earlier.

The men tendered a $20 bill at night at the ARCO station near the 90-395 interchange. The sign on the pumps there advises customers that sales at night are to be made on credit card or exact change only. When the men tried to get change at Jake's Café they couldn't. They did get change at the nearby Texaco service station. Then they decided to depart these parts.

Judge Alva Lightbody heard their guilty pleas Feb. 8 in justice court. He sentenced them to a $30 fine each and four days each in jail. Friday the men hadn't paid the fines. Unless they are paid, or part of the sentence is suspended, Judge Lightbody said Friday, the men would have to serve out the fines at $10 a day.

Officer Richard Stokoe at Sprague made the arrest. The alert was issued by Ritzville officer James Kennedy.

25 Years Ago

Ritzville-Journal Times

February 12, 1998

Residential burglary reported near Lind

Over $3,000 in items were reported missing on Feb. 4 from a S. Dewald Road residence according to the Adams County Sheriff's Office. A complainant said the theft was thought to have happened between Jan. 31 and Feb. 4. Taken were an Ingersoll-Rand air compressor valued at $1,649; a red Hobar tool box including large tools, valued at about $1,000; an older Lincoln welder valued at $500; and a small electric compressor valued at $150. The investigation is continuing.

Broncos lose tourney hopes

The Ritzville Broncos boys' basketball team was handed a two-point loss by the Davenport Gorillas in loser-out competition at Reardan Tuesday night. Eighth-seeded Davenport took the win 65-63 and eliminated the Broncos from further Bi-County Tournament action. Davenport now enters the double elimination phase of the tournament on Friday. Dustan Arlt scored 23 points for the Broncos and Danny Duff finished with 21.

- The Journal