Bonner County History - March 26, 2020

From the archives of the

Bonner County History Museum

611 S. Ella Ave., Sandpoint, Idaho, 83864

208-263-2344

50 Years Ago

Sandpoint News-Bulletin

Mar. 26, 1970 – BOMB HOAXES

Two bomb hoax calls involving Sandpoint schools last week produced rapid action by law enforcement agencies and school district officials.

The first call, received at the Junior High School Tuesday, alleged a bomb would go off in the school at 2:30. The building was evacuated and searched, but no explosives were found and classes resumed at 2:40. Wednesday morning a similar call was received at Sandpoint police headquarters. The caller said bombs at both the junior and senior high schools were set to “go off today” and hung up. An investigation proved the call to be another hoax.

•••

ABROMEIT DIES AFTER BURGLARY TRY

A prominent and well-respected Sandpoint businessman is dead and three burglary suspects from the Portland, Ore. area are in custody in the aftermath of an attempted robbery at the Pend Oreille Sport Shop, 312 N. First, Monday night.

When the break-in, the second at the firm in recent weeks, was discovered by Sandpoint Police Officer Seth Batt, the burglars fled to nearby buildings. Ed Abromeit, 48, owner of the sport shop, reached his store shortly before 8 p.m. and was talking with a friend when he collapsed, the victim of an apparent heart attack. Pharmacist Don Rench, close friend and neighboring businessman, assisted by other bystanders, tried in vain to revive Abromeit, who died shortly after the suspects were captured.

100 Years Ago

Pend d’Oreille Review

Mar. 26, 1920 – SANITARIUM WORK

Since the decision of the state tuberculosis commission to locate north Idaho’s sanitarium at Sunnyside became an established fact last week, rapid steps have been taken toward getting the construction under way at once. The institution will be located at the Truck property at Sunnyside.

•••

MISS JESSIE LOWRY WEDS HARRY LYONS

Harry C. Lyons, son of Mr. and Mrs. E.F. Lyons of 710 Main street, and Miss Jessie Lowry, daughter of Mrs. Carrie R. Lowry of 901 N Boyer avenue were united in marriage at the home of the bride’s mother at 6 o’clock Wednesday evening, Rev. Livingston of the First Presbyterian church conducting the ceremony. Both bride and groom are well known locally, as both grew to maturity here and were members of the high school student body here simultaneously.

•••

SERGEANT VAILLANCOURT HERE

Sergeant Major Lawrence Vaillancourt arrived in Sandpoint Tuesday from Battle Creek, Mich., where he was discharged after three years’ service, and is visiting with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. D. Vaillancourt, (402) S. Lavina avenue.

Sergeant Major Vaillancourt was teaching in Marquette college at Yakima, Wash., when the war broke out and enlisted shortly thereafter.

For more information, visit the museum online at bonnercountyhistory.org.