Traveling back in time: This day in Bonners Ferry History
100 year
While unpacking a crate of bananas last Friday morning Joe Banning, one of the proprietors of the Shamrock Cigar Store, found that he had been given more than he bargained for when a healthy sized tarantula appeared from between the clusters of bananas. The tarantula is one of the most poisonous of the spider family and for many years its bite was considered sure death. Mr. Banning captured the spider and treated it to an alcohol bath. The tarantula is on exhibition at the Shamrock.
A wonderful view of the Kootenai valley in the vicinity of Bonners ferry is obtained now from eagle Park addition in the vicinity of the M.P. DeWolf home and many local people have found themselves well-paid for the walk by the magnificent scenery. Mr. Spoerry, owner of the Eagle Park addition, has had concrete walks constructed around the brow of the cliff overlooking the valley and Mirror lake.
The dyking work on the banks of the Kootenai river was completed last Friday and on Saturday the city kept a crew at work removing rocks from Shaveler hill and laying cinders in the low places. The dyke constructed will protect the main part of town from overflow until the river reaches the 32 foot stage and in case of an emergency the dyke can be quickly raised at least another foot.
An electric heated coffee urn and a milk, cream and buttermilk refrigerator were installed in the International restaurant last week. Mr. and Mrs. Kuehn and Mrs. Murphy are taking every care to give their patrons the best service and every accommodation.
50 Year
City and county residents were shocked and saddened this week with the sudden passing Sunday morning of Bonners Ferry Mayor Joe Wombacker, 50, who was fatally stricken early last Sunday morning at his home. Death apparently was due to a heart attack.
Several members of the Boundary County TV Translator association last week made a trip to Black mountain, where the translator facilities are located, to check the equipment take measurements for changes to be made. There are still snow drifts, some six feet deep, at the site. Planning is now being done by the group to make improvements on the translator equipment.
The Pack River company of Sandpoint was high bidder June 12th for the Middle Caribou timber sale sold by oral auction bid by the Kaniksu national forest. The sale area of 366 acres is located about 10 miles west of Bonners Ferry, in the Caribou creek drainage. The purchaser will be required to construct approximately 155 miles of spur road. Pack River bid the appraised value of $23,357.30 on 3,615 board beet of sawlogs. There were no other bidders.
Ad – LOST - $10 reward, no questions asked, for return of man’s wristwatch picked up by three fellows in a red Volkswagen at 3 Mile café near Bonners Ferry, June 13. Owner has identification on watch. Box 415, Libby, Mont. 59923.
15 Year
Acting on information, Boundary County Sheriff’s deputies and Bonners ferry police officers arrested a 25-year old federal fugitive wanted on a felony warrant charge from Missouri last Thursday morning. Dain Bell offered no resistance when he was apprehended June 13 while in his vehicle in the South Hill area. Bell, who was wanted by the Missouri Department of Corrections for escaping while under electronic monitoring stemming from drug charges, had been visiting friends and relatives in the area. He had been in the county for at least four months and Missouri plans to extradite Bell.
An arrest by Bonners Ferry City Police late Monday night lead to six felony counts filed against a 30-year-old Boundary County Sheriff’s dispatcher and her husband. Both Tammy Grey and husband, Bobby Grey, 60, are being held on $250,000 bond each after a probable cause hearing Tuesday afternoon in Judge Justin Julian’s Boundary County courtroom. The couple is charged with multiple counts of child pornography, injury to a child and lewd and lascivious conduct with a minor under 16; other charges could be filed at the conclusion of the investigation.
An 82-year old Spokane, Wash. Woman died four hours after rescue workers freed her from her vehicle just north of the blue Lake campground on Hwy. 95 Tuesday. According to Idaho state Police, Lois B. Kinyon was southbound in a 2000 Buick Century about 10:20 a.m. when she veered into an oncoming 2001 Peterbilt and flatbed trailer driven by John H. Hubbard, 55, of Omak, Wash. After hitting the trailer, Kinyon continued across the oncoming lane and impacted a berm on the east side of the highway, according to ISP. Rescue workers had to use jaws of life to finally extricate her. She died from injuries suffered in the crash. Hubbard was not injured.
If you’re having allergies worse than usual, or eye irritation that won’t respond to medication, it could be due to a tree pollen count four to eight times higher than usual for the season.