This Week In History - June 8, 2023

100 Years Ago

The work of excavating for a new brick business block on Main Street was started this week. W.L. Kinnear having let the contract for excavating and concrete basement to P.F. Hiett. The building is to be located at the south end of Main Street adjoining Hende Furniture Store and will have a frontage of 40 feet and a depth of 65 feet. Mr. Kinnear plans to divide the building into two store rooms, each having a 20 foot front.

John H. Jones, engineer in charge of the construction work at the electric power plant of the Cynide Gold Mining Co. on the Moyie River, nine miles northeast of Bonners Ferry, was drowned last Friday afternoon in the Moyie River.

The Bonners Ferry Public Library moved to the new quarters in the recently completed city hall building. Members of the Readers Club plan to raise money with which to furnish the new library room.

50 Years Ago

Louisiana-Pacific Corporation will formally dedicate their new stud mill operation, estimated to cost $3,000,000 at a special open house next Thursday afternoon, June 14, from 2-4pm. All persons are invited to see the new mill on guided tours at that time. Plant manager is Dan Wilson.

Open installations of Bethel No. 17 of the International Order of Job’s Daughters was held Thursday, May 31, at 7pm in the hall of the Masonic Temple. Elected officers installed included Lori Michalk, Sue Maas, Mary Guthrie, Brenda Studer, and Pennie Miller.

There’s a new face in the Herald office this week. Phil Morgan, a native of Oklahoma City, will be training to take on some of the duties of editor.

15 Years Ago

Recently I took a drive to Bonners Ferry to visit their excellent museum. I opened the door and started in but quickly backed out. I checked the sign above the entrance and it did indicate that it was indeed the museum. I made a second entrance and saw a large group of neat kids sitting on the floor listening to Sue Kemmis- the museum curator. All around them was an exhibit remembering David Thompson and his travels through the area. I watched as Sue gave them a great history lesson in the form of a scavenger hunt. — by Bob Gunther.

More than 150 people attended the "We Love Maria" potluck-fundraising auction for leukemia victim Maria LaBarbera at Paradise Valley Grange on Sunday. The turnout amazed Maria, who underwent chemo-therapy during a 55 day stay at Kootenai Medical Center in Coeur d’Alene and is in full remission.

— Submitted by the Boundary County Museum