This Week in Bonners Ferry History
100 Years Ago
Henry J. Nelson died on Aug. 19 at a hospital in France of the influenza. The deceased is a well known B.F. boy and was a member of the first draft contingents. He has no relatives in the district. Mr. Nelson was better known as “Curley” and was prominent in athletics. The first gold star to be placed on the Boundary Co. service flag will be in his honor, who while he did not die of wounds from the battlefield, sacrificed his life for the great cause as surely as those who die at the front.
The County Commissioners have fixed the county and state tax levy at 16 mills of which 2.70 is for the state, 5 for the current expense fund, 1 for the bond interest fund, 1.6 for the bridge fund, 2.7 for the road fund, and 3 for the school fund.
The Co. Commissioners are telling a good story on Comm. James Fitzpatrick. It seems that while they were examining the tax rolls, Mr. Fitzpatrick came across the predatory animal tax account. “What is this predatory animal, anyway?” asked Fitzpatrick. “Is it a bull?” Commissioner Lunden replied, “No, it is a man over 40 years old and not married.”
The new restaurant, “The Grill Restaurant” is now ready for business in the Casey Hotel block. It has moderate prices and the best of service, with the best food cooked in a clean, sanitary kitchen. Mrs. H.J. Schoeffer is the proprietor.
50 Years Ago
A controversy seems to have developed in the Republican ranks over the selection of the candidate for the State Senate for the legislative district of Bonner and Boundary Counties. Peter B. Wilson, Attorney, the winner, is being challenged by a recount in several precincts of Bonner County, by Frank Findlay, Cocolalla lumber man.
Dorothy Spurling and Dave Johnson were selected as Queen and King of the 1968 Boundary County Fair at a no-host luncheon, Sept. 4, at Don’s Café. Acclaimed by many “the best fair parade in their memory,“ people watched Saturday morning the mile long display.
A much improved Bonners Ferry Badger football team picked up a 13-0 victory over the Eureka team in a hectic battle on the local gridiron last Friday evening. Lonnie Gentry was the leading ground gainer with 117 yards in 14 carries, but was followed closely by Tom Tanner who had 96 yards in only 8 carries.
15 Years Ago
Boundary County Fair Royalty has been selected: Fair King - Health Wells and Fair Queen - Ceitleen Albertson, First Alternate Prince - Travis Stolley, First Alternate Princess - Kara Eby, Second Alternate Princess - Jessica Johnson.
Grandview Cemetery is on the brink of a monetary crisis so serious it could potentially shut down the 119 year old cemetery. Maintained by the Grandview Cemetery Association since 1923 as a non-profit organization, the funds generated from the sale of burial plots barely covers the cost of the cemetery’s upkeep, sexton’s salary, and rising utilities bills.
A local furniture restoration business is under new ownership. Bruce and Shilah Hartman took over the Furniture Valet on March 1. Bruce Hartman is continuing a tradition of quality service.