This Week In Bonners Ferry History
100 Years Ago
Thomas B. Plunkett, son-in-law of Mrs. Gudbaur of Copeland, was killed in France as a result of injuries received several weeks ago in an attack against the Germans. Plunkett is the first Boundary County man to die in the war against Germany. He was an ex-regular Army man and was in the service in the Spanish American War and also the Boxer uprising in China.
Miss Margaret L. Sharp, head nurse at the B.F. Hospital purchased the Eugene Page ranch of 160 acres near Copeland. The land consists of rich, bottom soil and is very productive. Miss Sharp plans to improve the ranch and her brother-in-law, M.T. Welch will farm it.
Last week was Clean-Up week in B.F. and the City is now in a most presentable condition. Many tons of old rubbish and tin cans were hauled away by the teams and wagons provided by the city. The clean-up was supervised by members of the Civic League.
H.L. Hoagland has purchased a 1918 Model Dodge five passenger car which was brought in from Spokane. The sale was made through the Parks Highway Garage.
Mike S. Miller purchased the interest of his partner, I.D. Grindstaff and became in full charge of the Pastime Cigar Store. Mr. Miller plans on restocking the candy section of the store.
50 Years Ago
The county’s past will be recounted by word, picture, and antique display Saturday evening when the second annual meeting of the Boundary County Historical Society will be held at the new I.O.O.F. hall on the South Hill. The new officers elected were Alice Krugel, president; Jean Mace, vice president; Grace Knoles, treasurer; and Ruth Campbell, secretary. Also, the Forest Service offered to sell two log buildings to the Historical Society for a Museum. Some 85 persons attended the meeting.
Members of the local National Guard Unit received promotions. Thomas R. Crowley was promoted to Staff Sergeant. David J. Winn was promoted to Sergeant. Edward C. Atkins, Marvin D Cook and Thomas V. Rogers were promoted to Specialists.
Funeral services were held at St. Ann’s Catholic Church Wednesday for Isaac A. David, 45-year-old Bonners Ferry resident who died nine hours after a car in which he was riding went over a 76-foot embankment north of Usk, Wash., Friday night.
15 Years Ago
Weary from two failed levies and a lawsuit challenging another, the Boundary County School District could use a dose of good news. Instead, it learned last week it will most likely be hit with higher fees that could escalate to an astronomical $720,000 over the proposed building of a new high school stalled by a lawsuit that may not be litigated for six to eight more months.
No matter how many Boundary County residents say they support their local businesses, statistics spanning the last decade show a remarkably different trend. Eighty-one jobs have been lost in Boundary County’s retail sector since 1992, and though reasons for the market decline vary, state labor analysts say a lot of it stems from residents shopping elsewhere.
Two Bonners Ferry police officers were recognized at City Hall last Thursday for their hard work. Corporal Mark Strangio and Patrolman Allen Ashby were presented with their certificates by Bonners Ferry Police Chief David Kramer and Mayor Darrell Kerby.