FROM THE FILES

125 Years Ago

Adams County News

October 5, 1898

W.S. Eastman runs a first-class barber shop and will give you a clean bath or a good shave as quicky as anyone.

The Pacific is a first-class hotel in Ritzville where all your wants will receive prompt attention.

Local and personal

A character known as "Butch" was arrested last Friday night on a charge of assault and battery by Officer Rettig. Saturday he was taken before Police Judge Stacer and pled guilty. He was fined in the sum of $15 and costs of prosecution. Monday he was put on the chain gang and worked the streets. Tuesday while shoveling dirt he decided to escape and the last seen of him he was taking a tie-pass toward Lind.

100 Years Ago

Ritzville-Journal Times

October 4, 1923

Ritzville welcomes visitors to Adams County Fair and Round-Up

Ritzville's gates swing wide this week to the people of Adams County and the Inland Empire. This city is host to many thousands of people who came here for a brief period of relaxation. There is nothing like brushing with one's fellows to get new ideas, and above all to get new inspiration for one's job. The people who are here this week will see clean sport and interesting exhibits, and will return home, tired but in fact rejuvenated.

Local Brevities

The sale of farm equipment by John Kison last Saturday afternoon drew a good crowd and the bidding was active. The horses sold cheap, averaging only $49 a head, but the machinery sold well. One team John paid $300 for three years ago sold for $40. While sound, they were aged. The Kisons will move down to Page, Wash., on Snake River above Pasco where John has purchased an irrigated tract.

Rieker Motor Co. has been busy this week erecting four large Buick signs on the principal roads leading into Ritzville.

75 Years Ago

Ritzville-Journal Times

September 30, 1948

City golf course terrific value, Langlie declares

"You built a golf course for about $5,000; the state spent more than $500,000 on a golf course at Sun Lakes Park and its condition doesn't begin to compare with the quality of the course in Ritzville." That was one of the bullets fired by Arthur B. Langlie, Republican candidate for governor, who spoke from the Trading company corner Thursday noon to a crowd of approximately 100 persons. Langlie, who served as governor from 1941 to 1945, devoted most of his speech to blasting what he termed "outrageous expenditures" by Governor Wallgren's Democratic administration.

Newt Duncan's new pre-mix operating

Newt Duncan's new ready-mix concrete plant is operating full blast at its location on Highway 10 out past the Centennial Mill. Newt reported his first concrete floor went to Don Danekas and his first driveway to W. Walters Miller. His longest haul to date has been to Bill Kautz near Ralston, who is putting up a machine shed. Max Norman is working as driver at the ready-mix plant.

At the Ritz

"On an Island with You," starring Esther Williams, Peter Lawford, Ricardo Montalban, and Jimmy Durante.

50 Years Ago

Ritzville-Journal Times

September 27, 1973

Bell ok's 1974 projects in area

Pacific Northwest Bell's board of directors has approved an $801,100 construction project for long distance telephone facilities between Ritzville, Odessa, Lind, Edwall and Spokane. PNB Manager R.E. Hill said the construction work will provide for telephone service growth, storm proofing and service reliability in the area.

Rugby players lose

Ritzville's rugby squad opened fall games with one against Washington State University Sunday. Playing at Pullman, the local team lost 32-4. Four new players saw action: Dick Davis and Dale Panter, both Lind; and Dale Anderson and Dennis Kagele, Ritzville.

25 Years Ago

Ritzville-Journal Times

October 1, 1998

Menno Mennonite Church welcomes Pastor Rediger

Pastor Terry Rediger, his wife Jerilee, and children, Amber and Trevor, have come from the corn country of Iowa to the wheat country of Adams County to begin pastoral duties at Menno Mennonite Church west of Ritzville. The Redigers arrived at Menno in July and have spent the time since getting to know the people of their church. "We want to learn their vision in order to expand from there," said Pastor Rediger. Jerilee, too, is meeting people of the community as she has accepted a teaching position at the Ritzville Preschool.

-The Journal