Local history through the years
100 Years Ago
Engineer A.J. McGinn and Fireman Edmond Dempster, of Great Northern passenger train No. 4, which struck a rock slide near Katka on June 3rd, were drowned when their engine rolled down the bank into the Kootenai river.
The body of engineer McGinn was found by employees of the Bonners Ferry Lumber company at the head of the mill company’s log slough.
The body of Fireman Dempster was found about the noon hour Tuesday by Alvin Bush. It was floating in the river and was pulled out at Bush & Son’s booms below town.
Porthill – The water is dropping rapidly here and we expect to have the ferry boat running back and forth on the river again.
Contractor Parks has been awarded the contract for the repairing of the county bridge across the Moyie river a Meadow Creek. Most of this bridge was washed out during the high water season this spring. It will probably be another week before the bridge is opened to traffic.
Copeland – Alfred Gudbaur’s home and contents were destroyed by fire here today. The origin of the fire is not known.
The only person in the dwelling at the time of the fire was Mrs. Bradley, 95 years old and the mother of Mrs. Gudbaur. Mrs. Bradley was burned slightly about the shoulders.
50 Years Ago
The State Department of Employment has curtailed its services in Boundary county for job placement and unemployment claims to one day every two weeks and the county board of commissioners has sent a letter, protesting the action, to officials of the Department in Boise.
The State forestry department issued a warning today that the extended hot weather has resulted in extreme fire danger. Bill Maas, forest warden, states that caution and extreme care should be exercised by all persons with cigarettes and any burning materials used.
Forest Service Notes – Hikers on the Parker ridge trail can expect to meet Don Philbrook and his trail crew reconstructing a portion of the trail near Pyramid peak.
Rocky Cartwright and his mule train are busy moving and supplying lookouts, engineering, timber and trail crews on the Sandpoint and Bonners Ferry districts.
Robinson lake and Meadow creek campgrounds are receiving very heavy use. Huckleberry pickers were out in large numbers last weekend, but there doesn’t appear to be a very good crop in most places this year.
Ronnie Abraham, Boy Scout in local Troop 169, recently won the award for the most advanced Scout on the water front at Camp Easton on Lake Coeur d’Alene.
Ronnie failed to pass the beginner swimming test at the first of the week and ended the session by swimming the mile. The award is presented only in cases of exceptional achievement.
15 Years Ago
This is to announce my retirement. My last day in practice will be August 31, 2001. The office will be open for two to four hours per day through September to supply medical records, receive payments, etc. I will truly miss you. James R. Hill, M.D.
With local teens having more time on their hands because of summer vacation, Bonners Ferry police have found themselves busy over the last few weeks responding to several break-ins attributed to juveniles.
Robert W. Bosworth of Bonners Ferry was recognized by the nation’s leading forestry organization for service to his professional society. He will receive the Society of American Foresters John A. Beale Memorial Award at the 2001 SAF National Convention.
The John A. Beale Memorial Award recognized outstanding efforts over a sustained period in the promotion of forestry through voluntary service to the Society.
Sheriff’s log – Date: July 22 Time: 09:43 Incident: Investigate suspicious at Moyie Bridge Details: Caller advised of kids either parachuting or bungie jumping off the bridge.
In a report from Bonners Ferry Police Chief Dave Kramer, Josh White, 25, was arrested by U.S. Marshals last Friday on a felony charge of assault after a federal grand jury in Boise issued an indictment against him for the July 17 attack on his mother, Dorothy Marie Morehouse.