This Week In Bonners Ferry History

100 Years Ago

The Steamer, Crescent, owned by Captain A.B. Wilson, sank at her mooring in the Kootenai River just below the Indian Mission. The cause of the accident is unknown, but it is thought that the steamer may have been punctured by an ice jam in January and that damage went unnoticed until the thaw. Captain Wilson says it sits in about 14 feet of water and can be raised, but owing to the large expense and the slack condition of river business, he will not undertake the raising at present.

Binoculars owned by Joseph Banning, proprietor of the Shamrock Cigar, were returned to him last week after being borrowed by the government over a year ago. The note with them says, “This glass has been used by the officers and lookouts of the U.S.S. Olympia, which since Feb. 1, 1918 has covered approximately 16,900 miles in the Atlantic and Arctic Oceans.”

The commissioners have arranged for the sale of their steam tractor for $1500. This engine is so heavy it is almost impossible to get over roads until late in the summer. A Twin City Tractor has been purchased and comes with 2 graders and some other small road machinery.

50 Years Ago

The school board announced that April 21st will be the date that building bids will be opened on the $875,000 bond to finance the high school construction.

The community responded in a fine way on Tuesday when a total of 100 units of blood were donated at the bloodmobile. All the blood donated goes into the Boundary County bank.

PFC Gary Witt recently was presented the Army Commendation Medal for heroism while serving in Vietnam.

15 Years Ago

Thirty-seven local businesses formed an organization in Boundary County. The Kootenai Valley Nursery Growers of North Idaho is a collaborative organization that encourages year round growth. The nursery industry is the third largest economic generator in the county.

Ranotta McNair, Forest Supervisor of the Idaho Panhandle National Forests, is asking for winter recreation users to be aware of a long standing closure order for the Selkirk Crest and to respect the reasons for the order. First implemented in 1994, the closure helps provide security for caribou winter habitats.

Local students are helping children in Iraq go to school. Valley View Elementary School is participating in Operation Pencil, a program designed to collect common school supplies, such as notebooks and rulers for the U.S. Army’s Ghizlane Community School Project.

— Submitted by the Boundary County Museum