Airport runway constructed in community
(Courtesy photo) Ready for the hunt in 1914. Back row: Dr. Gregory (dentist), Prof. Jenkins, S.D. Sawley, Homer Redmond, Russell Hanson, William Hamburg, Jas. Stover, Charles I. Mears, and Jas. R. Stewart. Front row: Roy Robinson, John Murray, Jas. Runck, Robert Hydorn, Roy Kenyon, Pat Fuchs (Fox) and Harvey Wright.
10 Years Ago — 2009
Times reaches 95
The Priest River Times, founded April 16, 1914, will observe its 95th birthday Thursday.
20 Years Ago — 1999
JD manager killed
John M. Carlson, 48, JD Lumber Co. general manager of the Priest River mill, was killed Sunday, April 18, in a freak auto accident at the Falls Inn, nine miles north of Priest River on Highway 57.
30 Years Ago — 1989
Golfers get second win
Sophomore Gary deBlaquire fired an 81 Saturday to lead the Spartan golfers to its second Intermountain League win in as many tries.
40 Years Ago — 1979
Ice slows opening day
Opening day of the 1979 Mackinaw trout season saw most of Priest Lake still under an unseasonable blanket of ice, putting a damper on the plans of many fishermen. There were only about 22 boats on the lake, said Dick Barnes, owner of Outlet Resort, but “someone did catch a whopping 34-pounder.”
50 Years Ago — 1969
Last rites for pioneer
Ole Nelson, 78, an area resident since 1916, died April 14 at the Newport Hospital. He was employed as river foreman for what was then the Diamond Match Co., retiring in 1956.
60 Years ago — 1959
Waterways Commission formed
The Bonner County Board of Commissioners granted permission Monday for the formation of a Priest River Waterways Commission, with Frank Parsons chairman and George Connnolly and Edwin Perin the other directors. The new commission will include a 40-mile area from Wrenco Loop west to the Idaho-Washington line, and north from Priest River to the Dickensheet Bridge. The area has been formerly under the Pend Oreille Lake commission
70 Years Ago — 1949
Mills are busy
Mills in the Priest River area are almost all in operation. The Doolittle mill and Kaniksu Forest Products have been running the past few days. Luby Bay Lumber Co. started full operations Monday, and East River Lumber Co. is said to be operating. It is also reported that Granite Lumber Co. and the Outlet Mill will start next week.
80 Years Ago — 1939
Celebrating May Day
The adult population of Priest River will have an opportunity to view the entire grade and high school enrollment when the school stages its May Day parade on May 1. Four hundred and fifty students led by the high school band will march through the city’s business district and then to Schaefer’s field, where a patriotic program will terminate the parade. The balance of the day will be spent in athletic contests, races and games.
90 Years Ago — 1929
Airport runway built
Last week a runway was provided on the local airport. A strip 60 feet wide was put in shape by Marshal Felsman, using the village maintainer. Two landings were made Sunday. Plans are to widen the strip and, if possible, put the entire field in first class shape.
100 Years Ago — 1919
Bert is busy
Bert Winslow has been the busiest man on the lake this winter and is now hauling down several tons of whitefish each week. Bert turns the fish over to Sam Byars, and then Bert’s troubles are over and Sam’s troubles begin.