Bonner County History - Sept. 10, 2026

Brought 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

and Sandpoint Bee

Sept. 10, 1976 – SERVICE NEWS

Master Chief Bud E. Timblin, Sandpoint, is one of 240 Naval Reservists based at Whidbey Island, Wash., who returned Aug. 28 from an intense 10-day period of active duty training in Hawaii. From six western states, The “Weekend Warriors” normally drill one weekend a month at NAS Whidbey Island.  

Marine Private First Class Edwin A. Brown, 19, son of Mr. and Mrs. Les Brown of 605 Lakeview Blvd., Sandpoint, has reported for duty at the Marine Corps Base on Okinawa. A 1975 SHS graduate, he joined the Marine Corps in August 1975.  

•••

FIRE AND RAIN MARK LAST DAYS OF RACING 

When it’s cold and wet out, how do you get warm? Gilbert Boles knew what to do, as Labor Day rains didn’t keep him, his stock car competitors, or large numbers of fans away from the year’s last racing action at Colburn track. Hoping to entertain the soaked spectators and top off the season with a little raz-a-ma-taz, Gilbert and his cohorts built a barrier across the track and lit it on fire. Boles’ mad-man friend, Gene Vanhorn, put his helmet on and laid flat on his stomach on the hood of Boles’ car. Crashing through the fiery barricade seemed to have little effect on Vanhorn, who may be nicknamed “hot head” after his Labor Day antics. Boles also took his motorcycle through the fire a moment later. If there was any doubt about the general insanity of stock car drivers who pummel mutilated cars around the Colburn track each Sunday, Boles’ impromptu act and its huge popularity with fans removes all doubt.  

75 Years Ago

Sandpoint News-Bulletin

Sept. 10, 1951 – AT SUNDGREN HOME 

Miss Beverly Sundgren, Spokane, spent the week end here visiting her brother and sister-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Sundgren. Wayne arrived home two weeks ago from the Korean theater where he saw over a year of active service. Wounded, he was in a base hospital in Japan prior to his return home.  

•••

HOWARD LEONARD HOME FROM OVERSEAS 

Sfc. And Mrs. Howard Leonard and children are spending a week with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Deuane Leonard, before he reports to Camp Roberts, Calif.  Sfc. Leonard spent over a year in Korea with G company of the 35th infantry regiment while his wife and children resided in Japan.  

•••

BOWLING TEAM FORMED

The Women of the Moose held a bowling team meeting where a team was formed: Mrs. Mable Murray, captain; Mrs. Enid Ereman, Mrs. Gladys DeMers, Mrs. Geraldine Early and Mrs. Bessie Stockdale. Substitute players are Clara Mae Stone, Mrs. Beckie Richards and Mrs. Olive Howland. 

•••

RETURN FROM MONTANA

Mr. and Mrs. Fulton Messmore returned Aug. 25 from Martinsdale, Mont., where Mr. Messmore had been in charge of construction of a ranger station and residence since June 12.

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