This Week in Bonners Ferry History
100 Years Ago
Spanish influenza is waning according to Dr. Fry. Only 88 known cases have developed in the past week. It is estimated that about 300 people in the city were affected and about 200 more in the county. There have been 5 deaths blamed on the flu. The percentage of mortalities is therefore only about 1%, which is considered very low since many places have a 5-10% mortality rate.
Mr. and Mrs. Malcolm Bruce received word that their daughter, Miss Verna at St. Lukes Hospital has been ill. Also Miss Goldie Harding, also a nurse at St. Lukes, is seriously ill after developing pneumonia. Miss Lillian O’Callaghan’s parents went to Spokane on Sunday after word of her developing pneumonia. She is reported in very serious condition.
From New York News- Sargeant Coombs of Haselhurst Field, driving a De Havilland airplane equipped with a Liberty motor won the 36 mile race from Belmont Park race track around the Statue of Liberty and back in 15 minutes, 30 seconds. Six others were 30 seconds behind.
General Election to be held on Nov. 3- running for U.S. Senator are William E. Borah (R) and Frank L. Moore (D) and Frank R. Gooding (R) and John F. Nugent (D). Running for Governor are D.W. Davis (R) and H.F. Samuels (D). Be sure to register.
A list of approximately 1400 purchasers of Liberty Bonds is posted this week with a reminder that a “Slacker List” will be made up on Monday when the Defense Council meets.
50 Years Ago
Six outstanding Bonners Ferry high school seniors – Jack Sage, Berton Toews, Tom Hill, Debbie Smith, Linda Stephenson, and Susan Dinning – attended Senior Days at the University of Idaho, Oct. 17-19.
Crossing of the Kootenai River at Copeland will no longer be a “ding-a-ling” operation involving ringing for the ferry with the crude bell system which ferryman Harry Myers responses too; the Copland ferry and one that has been operating for years at Porthill will be abandoned and disposed of now that the bridge has been completed,
The new 770-goot suspension bridge carries the pipeline across the Kootenai River for the recently completed sewage lagoon system that is now in operation. Anchoring steel towers are 62 feet high and the cable are 2 ½ inches and higher. The line is constructed of eight-inch asbestos pipe with a thickness of fiberglass insulation.
15 Years Ago
Just how good are the teachers in Boundary County? Donna Kent, Doreen Beck, and Jan Wathen were among five teachers selected by the Idaho Environmental Educators of the Year as 2003 Environmental Educators of the Year. Their innovation for motivating their students to investigate the environmental impact and effects of water quality of Myrtle Creek did not go unnoticed.
Bonners Ferry showed they’re absolutely real as they stunned Timberlake Friday night 42-30 to take sole possession of first place in the Intermountain League.
Timber industry leaders are starting a new program in Boundary County that will help transform slash pile waste into new economic opportunities. Local businessman Sam Fodge and Andy Eckberg of Riley Creek Lumber have been working about two years on an environmentally-friendly wood chipping program for area businesses and landowners.
— Submitted by the Boundary County Museum