100 Years Ago — 1919

Snow brings out sleigh

Building camp for Beardmore

Last week P. J. Young took a force of workmen to the Pack River country to build a camp for Beardmore. Work has also been started on the camp at Lightning Creek, 17 miles northeast of Sandpoint.

A large engine has been brought from the Beardmore camp in the Hoodoo Valley and will be used to operate the mill that is to be erected to saw the lumber that will be used to construct the 5-mile flume to get the logs down to the river.

90 Years Ago — 1929

Rifle to be abandoned

Eventual abandonment of the Springfield rifle, which has rubbed callouses on the shoulders of American soldiers since 1903, was foretold in the report of Major General C. C. Williams, chief of ordnance for the U. S. Army.

The 1903 Springfield was largely used by American troops in the World War, but an adaptation, Lee-Field, was standard issue. Favorable test results with a .276 caliber semi-automatic rifle, ended in recommendations to develop a new firearm to replace the present service rifle.

80 Years Ago — 1939

Stewart-Meegan

vote no

The consolidation election failed to carry in the Stewart and Meegan school district elections. The pupils enrolled in the Priest River School since beginning of the term will now return to the Stewart District.

The parents of high school pupils coming from Stewart, as well as those from Meegan, will now be forced to find schooling elsewhere or establish residence in this district. A few families are already contemplating moving to town.

70 Years Ago — 1949

Don’t miss the dinner

Do not miss your annual PTA International Dinner. Servers will be dressed in the colorful costumes of the country they represent. After dinner a fine program will be presented.

60 Years Ago — 1959

Idaho taxes are problem

Henry Kerr, general manager of Diamond National’s Northwest Lumber Division, said Monday his company is investigating the possibility of putting in a pulp mill at Laclede.

He also said, “It will be some time before we even decide to build. The Idaho state tax setup is one of the problems.”

Idaho Land Commissioner John C. Walters pledged the company would get the full cooperation of his department. in regard to the tax situation.

50 Years Ago — 1969

Last rites held

for pioneer

Funeral Mass for Mrs. August (Franciska) Fox was held at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Sandpoint Nov. 28, and burial was at Seneacquoteen Cemetery. Mrs. Fox was born Nov. 19, 1891 in Germany. In 1908 August Fox returned to Germany from America for his bride. They homesteaded in the Sawyer area across the Pend Oreille River from Laclede.

40 Years Ago — 1979

Burglars hit city hall and school

The Priest River Fire Hall and City Hall offices were burglarized by two adult males Sunday. Small amounts of gasoline and change were taken, and a door and desk drawer were damaged.

Chief Mitchell also reported that Priest River Junior High and the elementary school were burglarized and small change stolen.

30 Years Ago — 1989

New editor hired

The Priest River Times has a new editor, Troy Mulholland, a former resident of Wenatchee, Wash. He brings 11 years of experience to the Times, and replaces Bill Buley.

20 Years Ago — 1999

Marcella Cooper honored

Priest Lake Public Library is having a Sunday Brunch at the Inn at Priest Lake, Coolin, Dec. 19, to honor volunteer librarian Marcella Cooper for her 17 years of dedication to the operation of the library.

10 Years Ago — 2009

Attention, Kids

Santa will be visiting the Priest River Senior Center on Dec. 19 at 4 p.m. Free pictures, gift and goodie bag for each child, and refreshments all sponsored by the Happy Agers.