From the archives of the

Bonner County History Museum

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

208-263-2344

50 Years Ago

Sandpoint News-BulletinJan. 23, 1972 – PROUDLY WE SALUTE…

Gunnery Sgt. Ernest J. Rohrer, USMC, son of Mr. and Mrs. Walter P. Rohrer of Clark Fork, was awarded the Navy commendation medal at ceremonies in Germany where he is now stationed. The career Marine was cited for “meritorious service while serving with the First Radio Battalion, Third Marine Force in combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam from 8 June 1969 to 30 May 1970.”

Army Spec. 5 Earl L. Turner, whose parents, Mr. and Mrs. Raymond O. Turner, and wife, Linda, live in Sandpoint, recently received the Air Medal in Vietnam. He earned the award for meritorious service while participating in aerial flight in support of ground operations in Vietnam. He is a 1966 SHS graduate.

Marine Pvt. Brad L. Bleckwenn, son of Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Bleckwenn of Star Rte., Sandpoint, graduated from basic training at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego. He is a 1971 Sandpoint High graduate.

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MRS. THOMAS HEADS HEART FUND DRIVE

Mrs. Lary Thomas will head the 1972 Heart Fund Campaign in Bonner County. She will be assisted by Mrs. Ralph L. Chicks, Region 2 chairman of the campaign cabinet, in the local drive against heart and blood vessel diseases, the country’s leading cause of death. Other committee chairmen are: Mrs. Larry McCormick, business drive chairman, Mrs. Lawrence Eaton and Mrs. Glenn Phillips, co-community chairmen, and Mrs. R.E. Kraemer, publicity.

100 Years Ago

Pend d’Oreille Review

Jan. 23, 1922 – SURPRISE JACK GARDNER

Jack B. Gardner, chamber of commerce president and Gem theater manager, was the recipient Friday of surprise honors. As he arrived home from the Gem about 8:30 o’clock, he was joyously assaulted by 20 warm friends who had conspired with Mrs. Gardner to stage a birthday surprise party for him, an occasion made the happier by the presentation of a neatly initialized silver cigarette case, given by the group. An evening of 500, for which there were five tables, ended with service of a delicious lunch shortly after midnight.

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TALACHE POWER LINE FINISHED

The high voltage transmission power line in to the Armstead mine at Talache was completed this week. Start was made on the $75,000 construction work early last fall with the laying of the wires across the lake near the wagon bridge. The power will be used to operate the Armstead company’s newly constructed concentrator and the rest of its big plant at Talache.

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ICE HARVEST – COCOLALLA’S ONLY INDUSTRY

Not a few people from the city have visited Cocolalla the past week to witness the big ice harvest on that lake. An average of 100 cars per day is being loaded at the plant, to be shipped to the several Northern Pacific ice houses at Spokane and west. A dozen teams and 125 men are working 10 hours per day. Two ice houses at Cocolalla are also to be filled. The ice is 20 inches thick and of good quality. It is figured the entire harvest will amount to 80,000 tons.

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