This Week In Bonners Ferry History

100 Years Ago

Mrs. J.C. Rychert, the wife of U.S. Customs Inspector Rychert of Porthill, died Saturday after a long illness. The deceased had been a resident of Porthill for 35 years and old timers say she was the first white woman in Porthill. She was the only daughter of Mr. Wells, the founder of the Wells Fargo Express Co., and was a woman of many accomplishments and highly educated.

Gust Peterson and Lee Labrosse began work on a cedar contract with A.C. White near Ritz landing. They estimate they will cut about 4,000 poles and between 50,000 and 60,000 posts. The work should keep them and a crew of ten men busy for the next year.

C.W. Megquier of the Crescent Garage has a 1919 Fordson tractor which he is demonstrating. He figures it will not be long before a Fordson is on nearly every farm. The machine does the work of several animals, does it faster and requires little or no attention while the upkeep is light.

Chauncey Guthrie drove to town in his new Ford car; he was accompanied by his Uncle Matt Guthrie, who is a new subscriber to the Herald from the Copeland District.

50 Years Ago

The Farmers Home Administration has issued a $154,000 loan to a group of 70 farm and rural families in Moyie Springs. It will enable Parker Water Assoc. to pump water from the Moyie River Lumber Company’s spring located below the town, to a 200,000 gallon storage tank located on high ground above the town.

Boundary County will construct a new culvert crossing on Mission Creek, about ½ mile upstream from the confluence of the creek and the Kootenai River.

Moyie residents reported being visited by “Big Foot”— showing a picture of one print approximately 3 feet wide and 1 foot wide. The print was discovered by Steve Moore of Moyie. Anyone with more information, please call, as it is possible we could get a $75,000 grant to study this.

15 Years Ago

The downtown revitalization project begins.

Lester and Doris Howard and Ruth Hoglan attended the Idaho Old Time Fiddlers State Contest. Doris placed 2nd and Ruth placed 5th.

A Boundary County man accused of shooting two people following a day of drinking is scheduled to be arraigned on May 4 in 1st District Court. Verden “Kit” Bettilyon was ordered to stand trial for injuring Bobbie Magee and William Trammel when he allegedly opened fire with a .357 magnum on March 2.

— Submitted by the Boundary County Museum