Flu takes heavy toll in Priest River community

100 Years Ago — 1918

Flu takes heavy toll

One is rather appalled at the toll of death with which this community has had to reckon in its fight with the influenza epidemic. Thirteen persons in Priest River have succumbed to the disease. Dr. Getzlaff has secured a supply of influenza serum, has treated a number of persons with success, and it has been suggested that the school board arrange with him to give the treatment to all the school children.

Marian Lathrop was the first victim here, then Roy Robinson, Robert Kittelson, the Frank Doolittle infant, little Estella Naccarato, Peter Naccarato, Mrs. Joseph Bombino, Frank Bombino, Kenneth Hydorn, Frank Naccarato, N. C. Christensen, Mrs. Charles Campbell, Karl Mears, Mrs. Mike Caprai, Mrs. Paul Caprai, Russell Hanson, and a woods worker.

90 Years Ago — 0928

Skating’s fine at the slough

Keyser’s Slough is a popular place with the younger generation at present as it has been well frozen the past week.

80 Years Ago — 1938

Lake named for priest

The following is taken from the Service Department of the Spokesman-Review in answer to the question of how Priest River, Priest Lake and Priest River Valley obtained their name. “The lake was called Kaniksu, the Indian name for Father Roothaan, who was buried in the lake in 1853. When the Great Northern built into this section in 1890 it was decided to change the lake, river valley and town to the English word, ‘Priest.’ The forest still retains the Indian name.

70 Years Ago — 1948

Business news

Another business enterprise comes with the opening of John’s Craft Shop by John Laughlin, specializing in furniture repair and custom wood working.

60 Years Ago — 1958

Pioneer passes

Marshall Fisher, for 65 years a resident of Bonner County, died at the county rest home Dec. 17. Mr. Fisher was born April 15, 1865, “the day Lincoln died,” near Warsaw, Ind., where he was educated and taught school. He migrated to Seattle and Colfax in the early 1890s, and in 1893-6, accompanied the late Thomas Benton and settled in the East River area of the Priest Lake district. At age 76 he was working at a Coolin resort when stricken by paralytic strokes because of which he was hospitalized the rest of his life.

50 Years Ago — 1968

Christmas program appreciated

This community is deeply indebted to Mrs. Dan Moore and Mrs. Morris Moore for putting on a Christmas program at the schoolhouse Saturday evening. This was quite a job as so many were sick with the flu. After the program Santa appeared with treats for the children. 4-H girls and other mothers helped out.

40 Years Ago — 1978

Presented Hawaii trip

The Merritt Bros. Christmas party Dec. 16 became an extra gala affair for Greg and Nia Bradbury, who were given the gift of an all-expenses-paid trip to Hawaii, as Greg was named the mill’s “most Valuable Employee.

30 Years Ago — 1988

Slick roads causing accidents

Falling snow and cold weather have combined to make road conditions hazardous to area drivers. While many residents made their way through the passes on the various interstates (for the holidays), most preferred to stay home. Even conditions in town promised little safety.

20 Years Ago — 1998

Highway named scenic byway

Mike Schaff, new president of the Priest River Chamber of Commerce, beamed Friday as he showed off a fax from the Idaho Transportation Board announcing that Highway 2 is being added to the Idaho “scenic byway” system.

10 Years Ago — 2008

Weather closes school early

With freezing temperatures and then a record amount of snowfall, the week before the holiday break was a test of fortitude and endurance. Monday began with a school closure because the forecasted wind-chill factor was around minus twenty below zero.