This column is to partially observe 66 years ago when Mel Ruder offered me a job as first and only employee of the Hungry Horse News. I was doing a Columbia Falls news beat for Frank Trippet, editor, Kalispell News. I accepted Mel’s offer, resigned from the Kalispell News, and moved to Columbia Falls in July, 1946.

First edition was published Aug. 8, 1946. Proper name of the newspaper was Hungry Horse News and Columbian. John W. Pace owned and published The Columbian when the following articles were published Jan. 5, 1893.

“To sum it up, the past year has been a prosperous period. Farmers, merchants, professional men and mechanics can remember 1892 with satisfaction. The year 1893 will see a greater march towards importance.

“A second railway will have been added to the city’s commerce; the oatmeal and flouring mills will be running; the great coal mines adjacent to the city will employ 100 men; the cultivated area in this valley will have been enlarged; some 200 settlers will have acquired title to their lands; electric light and telephone systems (now being constructed) will be in operation; the timbering industry will have become a great factor.

“We insist that the weather of the Flathead valley is superior to any in the west. Christmas day here was sunny and balmy, and a walk without wraps was a delight. Reports from other places make us proud. In North Dakota it was 33 degrees below zero, Minnesota had 24 below, Iowa, 15 below.

“William Vanderveer has had a force at work putting in the poles for electric lights and Nucleus Avenue has a complete line. The stringing of wire will commence at once. The Columbian building is wired for incandescent, being the first on the list. By Feb. 1 the light will be running.”

Columbus School, a three story structure resembling Talbott School, was being constructed. Lighting for the school received special attention from Architect Farmer. There are 13 large windows in the front, 13 on each side, and 16 windows on the east side. All windows were described as well located for light and ventilation.

Cost of Columbus School will be something over $10,000. It is first brick structure for educational purposes in the Flathead valley, Columbia Falls being the only city to place educational facilities at the very front of its attractions to newcomers.

Subscriptions to The Columbian by mail were $3 per year to any P.O. address; if paid in advance, $2.50 per year; six months, in advance, $1.50; three months in advance, 75 cents; single copies, 10 cents. Entered at Columbia Falls Post Office as second class mail. First issue of the Hungry Horse News, Aug. 8, 1946 published subscription rate — strictly in advance — $2 in Montana; one year elsewhere, $3.

Gladys Shay is a longtime resident and columnist for the Hungry Horse News.