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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

Feb. 14, 1969 — FIRE EVICTS FAMILY

Fire, smoke and water damage made the Howard Ketchum home at 1106 Oak unlivable last week. Fire Chief Art Chubb said a chimney fire spread to the roof’s west side, burning a big hole. Water and smoke damaged the main floor.

Mrs. Ketchum was at work at Ralph’s service station on No. Fifth when the fire was noticed at 10:40 a.m. Her husband received word as he shoveled snow from the Eagles building roof.

Chubb said the damage might run $1,500.

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SENTIMENTAL SALE

For those Sentimental About Money: RCA Victor New Vista Color Console TV, 295 sq. in. picture. $529.95. “Self” Service TV & Appliance, 117 No. First, Sandpoint. CO3-4469.

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SNOW DOWNS FAIR BUILDING ROOF

Officials are studying the possible causes of the collapse of over a third of the roof of the new Bonner County Fair main exhibition building which was damaged extensively Friday. Fair board president Ivan Smith said much of the roof of the 156 x 160 ft. building was pulled out of shape and the whole roof must be rebuilt.

Snow on the rest of the roof measured from one foot to about 3 ½ feet. Unofficially the fair board doesn’t believe there was 10 pounds to the square foot. Fortunately the board had not yet accepted the new building.

100 Years Ago

Pend d’Oreille Review

Feb. 14, 1919 — INFLUENZA WIPED OUT

Sandpoint has seemingly at last obtained mastery of the flu and wiped it out. Several times since the disease first appeared, it was checked, only to come back in recurring waves each more disastrous than the preceding one.

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ABANDON SCHOOL GARDENS

At Monday’s board of education meeting it was decided to abandon the agricultural work, so far as the school gardens are concerned. This was felt necessary because the school has not a special teacher in agriculture this year. A certain amount of the technical work will be followed and students encouraged to carry on the practical part in their home gardens.

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KOOTENAI NEWS

A trained nurse from Spokane came the first of the week and is nursing Mrs. T.J. Westinghouse who is ill with the influenza. Her case is the only one reported in Kootenai at this time.

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TWO NEW COUNTIES

Shake hands with Jerome and Caribou counties, just created by the legislature. The former names Jerome and the latter Soda Springs, as county seat. The measures produced a sharp contest, but the antis went down to defeat.

For more information, visit the museum online at bonnercountyhistory.org.