From The Files

125 Years Ago

Adams County News

April 13, 1898

Local and Personal

Ott Brothers told the News last Friday that they were receiving foreign orders for flour as fast as the mill could make it at present, but that the capacity would be enlarged, and the mill would be run night and day in the near future. They also told us that the local demand was increasing rapidly and that they expected to supply nine-tenths of the home trade before the close of the summer.

What might have been a serious accident occurred here yesterday. The dray team of William DeSpain became frightened and ran down Main Street at a rate of speed that a quarter-horse would have been proud of. The driver managed to jump clear of the wagon when he saw he could no longer control the team, receiving only some slight injuries.

Thos. Boyd who lives east of town some ten miles tells us of seeing at different times within the past week as he came to town a couple of hobos who offered spectacles for sale at a very low price.

100 Years Ago

Ritzville-Journal Times

April 12, 1923

Soon to complete road to Paha

The work on the Ritzville-Paha section of the Central Washington Highway will be completed in a few weeks by Mitchell Brothers, contractors. They have spent considerably more time than estimated on the work, due to various delays. The work remaining is to finish the graveling just this side of Paha. The road has been in use all winter down to the Lehman place, and is a fine stretch of road.

Local brevities

Sheriff Joe Schafer went to Pasco Monday night and brought back John Leichner, who was charged with family desertion. He has returned to work, but his case is set for hearing tomorrow.

Rev. Julius Houn and family arrived Tuesday night from Tacoma. Rev. Houn is the new pastor of the Zion Congregational Church. Mr. and Mrs. Houn have four children, two boys and two girls. They are getting settled in the parsonage. Rev. Houn will preach the initial sermon of his pastorate here next Sunday morning.

75 Years Ago

Ritzville-Journal Times

April 8, 1948

But Who Cares?

Did it ever occur to you to rate a great performer by his race, creed, or where his parents came from? Of course not. You don't care. You judge him on his performance, on his merits. You think of him as an individual-not as a member of some particular group. Why judge your neighbor or fellow worker any differently?

There are people in this country who would have us do otherwise-who would breed disunity and trouble by damning whole groups just because they are of a different creed, color, or national origin. Don't play their game. It's dangerous.

New church is feature of city building

The building of a new $60,000 Trinity Methodist church was approved by the Ritzville city council Tuesday night. Work on the new church, which will occupy three lots at the intersection of Washington and Second streets, has already begun with the basement partially dug. The church will be a modern concrete building 90 by 100 feet.

Washtucna girls are fined for driving

Two Washtucna girls were fined $5 and cost each April 2 before Justice of the Peace Fey Sitton of Washtucna for driving without operators' licenses. The girls, one 16 and the other 15, were each driving a farm truck Sunday, March 28, when one of them stopped at a stop sign in Washtucna and one truck rammed into the other. Fathers of the two girls were each fined $2.50 and costs.

50 Years Ago

Ritzville-Journal Times

April 12, 1973

Students seek blue jeans ok

A group of 18 students appeared before the Ritzville school board Monday evening asking variances in the dress code now in effect throughout the schools which prohibits girls from wearing blue jeans. Also present, in addition to the board, were seven members of the faculty and Adams County Prosecuting Attorney Richard Miller. Miss Jane Sackmann was spokesman for the students and asked the board to reconsider its present code. She pointed out that it is discriminatory for boys to be allowed to wear blue jeans when girls cannot. "We can wear other colors of jeans, but not blue," Miss Sackmann stated. "You say blue jeans are distracting-how about short dresses?"

Two coaches get into fist fight

A fist fight between the two coaches erupted during the Lind-Ritzville baseball game Tuesday afternoon at Lind. The umpire called a player for interference with the fielder. Coach Doug McLean had gone onto the field to discuss the application of the rule with the official. Coach Mike Presto joined the discussion. The ensuing events resulted in the umpire calling the game.

25 Years Ago

Ritzville-Journal Times

April 9, 1998

Several broken windows reported at fairgrounds

On at least three occasions in recent weeks windows have been reported broken at the Wheat Land Communities' fairgrounds as well as other locations around Ritzville. Chief of Police Dave McCormick said windows on two buildings were discovered broken on March 28 and an exhibit building door was discovered unlocked. Entry was made into the building where a fire extinguisher had been discharged. A side window on the Lions chicken booth and a window on the Knuth Building both were reported broken.

- The Journal