This Week in History - Nov. 2, 2023

100 Years Ago

Railroad Avenue, from the Medbury corner to Main Street, is being heavily graveled this week under the supervision of Jos. Jacoby, Chairman of the Street and Alley Committee of the City Council. Gravel is being secured from the Bonners Ferry Lumber Company.

Governor C.C. Moore will acclaim Monday, November 12, to observe Armistice Day (November 11), it was announced at his office in Boise Monday. He will include in the proclamation that it will be proper to observe on Saturday, when preparations have been made to celebrate that day.

This is the annual window cleaning day in the downtown section of Bonners Ferry, as well as a record-breaker for the sale of soap at the grocery stores. Last night was Halloween, and true to tradition, the small boy “swiped” his mother’s laundry soap and liberally smeared up the show windows of the merchants.

50 Years Ago

Bonners Ferry is now the proud home of the Intermountain League football champions after losing their first game of the season. The Badgers won seven straight games, climaxing with a 47-8 win over Post Falls.

The Historical Society has compiled a list of questions of interest to Boundary County residents. Among the questions were the following: Do you know that Boundary County does not have a museum to preserve and represent its history? Did you know that the Boundary County Historical Society needs help?  Howie Kent, spokesman for the society, urges all interested persons to attend this meeting and help bring proper historical recognition to this county and its citizens.

15 Years Ago

Bonners Ferry High School girls soccer team placed fifth at the Idaho 3A Region State Championship in Caldwell. The Lady Badgers finished the season with an overall record of 11-9-1.

Jake Oxford started roping just four years ago. He will now be competing against 8,200 of the world’s best ropers. Jake will partner up with Matt Rice of Bonners Ferry to compete at the U.S. Team Roping Championship Finals at Oklahoma City. The two qualified for the finals by competing and winning the Spokane Rodeo on Aug. 12.

Peggy Russell went through the longest five hours in her life last week. The Bonners Ferry woman had gotten word that her son, Ryan Appling, was on the fishing vessel Katmai when it sank on October 22 in Alaska’s Aleutian Chain. It was not known at that time whether or not the 30-year-old former Bonners Ferry man had survived the icy waters 110 miles west of Adak. It turns out he did.

~Submitted by Boundary County Museum