Bonner County History - Oct. 1, 2026

masonBrought to you by the

Bonner County Historical

Society and Museum

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

208-263-2344

50 Years Ago

Sandpoint News-Bulletin

Oct. 1, 1976 – MAYOR DIES OF HEART ATTACK 

Sandpoint Mayor Les Brown, 63, died Tuesday of an apparent heart attack after collapsing at his shake mill at Colburn. He was taken by ambulance to Bonner General Hospital and pronounced dead on arrival. The often controversial Brown served as a city councilman and then as Mayor for the last 12 years. Brown was appointed Mayor in 1972. Elected as Mayor in the fall of 1973, his term would have run through 1977. Mayor Brown is survived by his wife Karen and three sons, Eddie in the service, and Bob and Tom, students in Sandpoint.  

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MUSHROOMS APLENTY 

So you think it has rained a lot this year? You’re absolutely right, and though you might not like it, the mushrooms thrive on it, so this is a very good year for mushrooms. For people in the Idaho Panhandle who are connoisseurs of wild mushrooms, this is one of the best times of the year as they eagerly await the chance to hunt their favorite variety.  

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WESTMOND GRANGE ELECTS 

The Westmond Grange elected new officers: Master, Dan Robinson; Overseer, Thelma Herrman; Chaplain, Ruby Hannigan; Lecturer, Lorna Robinson; Steward, Glen Judge; Asst. Seward, Bert Kruse; Lady Asst. Steward, Leona Irish; Treasurer, Leona Judge; Secretary, Florence Kruse; Gatekeeper, Dan Hannigan; Ceres, Elza Chronic; Pomona, Carol Robinson; Flora, Betty Bauer; 3-year Executive Committeeman, Floyd Irish.  

75 Years Ago

Sandpoint News-Bulletin

Oct.1, 1951 – ALVIN MILLER GRADUATED 

Alvin C. Miller, airman, USN, son of Mr. and Mrs. Otto E. Miller of Hope, graduated from the aviation photographer’s mate school, U.S. naval air technical training unit, naval air station, Pensacola, Fla.  

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FOUR COLLEGE BOYS MEET 

An unusual coincidence was told in letters home from college boys when the Ralph Chicks sons, Ralph and Charles, who attend Linfield college at McMinnville, Ore., told of visiting with two other Sandpoint youths, Ralph Walter and George Kalb, when the latter two were members of the E.W.C.E. football team playing at Linfield recently.  

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BAPTISTS TO HOLD CONCLAVE HERE 

The 54th annual meeting of the Spokane Baptist assn. will be held here at First Baptist church [Euclid and Pine] Oct. 11-12, said Pastor Ivan C. Brown.  

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ANNUAL BIRTHDAY DINNER 

U.S. Grant Relief corps No. 19 will hold its annual birthday dinner Friday at 1 at G.A.R. hall. All ladies are invited to the dinner and an afternoon of cards.  

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TO SPOKANE FOR TREATMENT 

Lee Stewart of Hope drove his wife to Spokane on Friday, where she entered the Dr. P.B. Nutter Medical Center for further medical treatments.  

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