This Week in History
100 Year
Dr. Fry received by express last week a new X-Ray machine and equipment which is now installed in his offices. The machine was shipped from St. Paul. It is one of the latest makes, a Wantz, and with it Drs. Fry and Faucett will be able to make minute and thorough examinations and to photograph conditions as shown in a patient’s body by the X-ray.
A blaze at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Gus Anderson did about $250 damage last Wednesday morning. The fire was discovered about six o’clock. It started in the kitchen, some clothes which had been gathered for the weekly washing having caught fire from the kitchen stove. With the Assistance of neighbors the fire was soon put out. Only the fact that the Anderson home is plastered saved Mr. Anderson from a more serious loss.
One of the most severe thunder storms which have visited north Idaho in many a year was experienced Monday night. The storm lasted about 20 minutes during which time lightning struck in many places although no great amount of damage was done so far as is known. The power plant of the Bonner Water and Light company was put out of commission when a flash of lightning struck the power line and traveling to the plant grounded in several collector rings on the dynamo burning them badly. The rings were replaced today from an extra dynamo. On account of lack of electric power the Herald was late in getting to press. A number of people received slight shocks as the result of lightning striking telephone wires and a tree next to the Boundary Creamery was badly splintered.
50 Year
Attracting considerable interest this week are four old wooden grave markers being displayed in the Herald window. The markers were recently presented to the Boundary County Historical Society after they were found at the site of the old Schnatterle – or Boulder Creek – cemetery, at the location of the “ghost town” at the old Golden Ruby mine, north of Leonia. The old cemetery was visited by Bob Fitch, local high school teacher, who discovered four graves covered over with high grass and weeds. A search by Fitch turned up the four boards and inscribed on them were the names of Oscar R. Breimon, who died in 1918; John H. Taylor, died in 1921; Bettie R. Oaks, 1922; and Mathilda R. Fatland, 1918. A check with the Forest Service revealed those to be the only four buried at the site. Fitch started a project to clean up the site and make new markers for the graves. Also, the road to the location was cleared of a rock slide, and fence poles and rails were cut and a new fence erected at the site. The remains of some 15 buildings still stand at the place where the Golden Ruby mine once was operated, and some of the structures are in remarkably good condition considering their age. Among those assisting with the work were Fitch’s wife, Jo, and Jean and Judy Mace, Phil Schnuerle and Steve Thompson.
A total of 215 Boundary school students will receive diplomas when graduation programs are held next week at the schools of School District 101. The total includes 89 seniors who will graduate from Bonners Ferry high school, and 126 students who will receive eighth grade diplomas at the Mt. Hall, Naples and Valley View grade schools. Among those receiving diplomas will be 11 students at the Naples school, 21 at Mt. Hall, and 94 at Valley View.
15 Year
Less than eight months after Louisiana-Pacific made the stunning announcement it had agreed to purchase the sawmill from Crown Pacific 10 miles from its Moyie Springs plant, the company sent another round of shock waves through the timber business last week. In a massive restructuring effort, lumber giant L-P has announced plans to sell its timber holdings in Idaho and facilities in Boundary, Bonner and Kootenai counties.
Early in last Tuesday’s Badger-Timberlake track meet, Tiger coach Mike Alt believed the boys meet would be decided in the final event – the 1,600 relay. He was slightly off-target as Bonners Ferry (5-0) swept all four relay events to clinch the Intermountain League track and field title, beating the tigers (4-1) 85-61. “We had too many problems with our relay teams,” Alt said. “Actually, the real problem was the Badgers’ Forest Braden”.
Sixty of North Idaho’s top high school athletes – including three from Bonners Ferry High School will compete in the 3rd annual Calam Shriner’s North/South All-Star football classic Aug. 3. This is a no-holds-barred full contact football battle pitting the “best of the best” graduating seniors from northern Idaho high school with football athletic programs. Representing Bonners Ferry High Scholl will be Miles Stephens, Mark Naumann and Joe Wanner. BFHS football coach Ted Reynolds has been chosen to coach the North team and has also chosen one of his assistants, Caleb Arceneaux.
The Copper Creek Campground near Eastport will be closed for maintenance work on Monday, May 20 and Tuesday, May 21. The Bonners Ferry Ranger district will be paving the road and parking sports in the campground.