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From the archives of the
Bonner County History Museum
611 S. Ella Ave., Sandpoint, ID 83864
208-263-2344
50 Years Ago
Sandpoint News-Bulletin
Sept. 2, 1968 — AUGUST MOISTURE
August had had 3.6 inches of precipitation by 6 p.m. Aug. 26. More rain has followed since. The woods are so wet fire is no longer any real problem and slash burning is near impossible. Two logging jobs have been shut down.
Farmers are elated about the potential for fall pasture, but those with oats and wheat are not pleased with the continued wet weather.
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WHY WRENCOE?
By Henry A. Lunn
In 1890 a settler, “Con” Speck, homesteaded the quarter section on which Wrencoe was later built. In those days there was no road that side of the river, only an old Indian trail through the woods. Most traffic was by boat up and down the river. Then in 1891, the Great Northern Railway built their line between St. Paul, Minn. and Everett, Wash. A half mile passing siding at Wrencoe was known officially as milepost 1411 siding (1411 miles from St. Paul).
The railroad brought prosperity and Mr. Speck bought some cattle. One day a freight train was on the passing track waiting for a train due from the east. Speck’s cattle were feeding nearby. As the train appeared, they got off the track except one cow which ran down the track in front of the train. The crew at the siding heard Speck yell: “Run cow, run! Run cow!” That tickled the men and thereafter they called the siding “Run Cow.”
Later when railroad officials gave names to all their sidings, they decided “Run Cow” was not aesthetic enough, and changed it to “Wrencoe,” close enough to the old name for identification purposes, and “Wrencoe” it remains to this day.
100 Years Ago
Northern Idaho News
Sept. 2, 1918 — DEATH OF WILL MARTIN
It was stated in last week’s News that there were stories to the effect that Will Martin had been killed, but they were not generally credited, as no word had been received by his mother. Word confirming the stories, has, however, been received from other sources. Mrs. L.N. Sawyer received a letter from her nephew, a close friend of Will Martin, in France, saying: “Poor Bill is no more. His last words were, ‘Boys, I’m dying.’ He said it in a very matter of fact tone. He did not suffer much, as he lived only about ten minutes. He is buried on a hillside in France, with a cross to mark his last resting place.”
•••
TO TAKE MORE DOCTORS
Two more Sandpoint physicians, Drs. Stackhouse and Anderson, have passed their examinations for entrance to the army medical service abroad and Dr. McKinnon, expects to take his in the near future. The first two are awaiting assignment. When these three go, there will be but two left and the folks will have to be careful about getting sick.
They are all anxious to serve the government in whatever capacity they will be most useful.
For more information, visit the museum online at bonnercountyhistory.org.