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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

Jan. 31, 1969 — BLIZZARD CRIPPLES

Bonner County found itself in the grip of an area-wide blizzard Saturday night and Sunday.

Strong winds pushed 10-14 inches of light fluffy snow into some of the largest drifts seen in the county since the big storm of 1948. In town, drifts ran from 4 to 12 feet tall and for most of Sunday little traffic moved. Drifts outside of Sandpoint went as high as 20 feet in places.

Commissioner Jack Popplewell took turns operating a snow plow and catching a few winks of sleep at the court house. He was attempting to keep Farm to Market Road open, but crews were not having much progress in opening Selle road.

•••

KAREN MARTIN WED

Miss Karen Ann Martin, Renton, Wash. became the bride of Dale H. Rolf, also of Renton, in a double-ring ceremony in the Sandpoint Assembly of God Church on December 21. Organist Mrs. Virginia Walker sang “O Perfect Love.”

Mrs. Curtis Stradley, Colburn, was matron of honor and Miss Rita Martin, the bride’s sister, was bridesmaid. Flower girl was Miss Donna Balison. Gene Balison was ring bearer. Dave Tysver and Russel Green ushered. Gary Reinhardt was best man; groom’s attendant was Jene Haugen.

Mr. and Mrs. Kenton Martin, Hope, are parents of the bride. The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Erwin H. Rolf of Westboro, Mo. A reception was held at Hurschell’s Litehouse at Hope.

100 Years Ago

Pend d’Oreille Review

Jan. 31, 1919 — WARM WEATHER RECORD

The recent warm weather has drawn the frost out of the ground. Bluebirds, robins and meadow larks have been seen during the week.

•••

MOTHER OF SIX INFLUENZA VICTIM

Mrs. J.M. Morrow died this afternoon at the Red Cross hospital of influenza. Mrs. Morrow and her six children were taken to the hospital the first of the week, all suffering from the prevailing contagion. The children range in age from 1 year to 16 years, and are apparently all recovering from the disease. Mr. Morrow is an employe (sic) in the Northern Idaho News office.

•••

BLOWS DOWN SPAN OF BRIDGE

A high wind which swept up the Clarksfork river Thursday took a 200-foot steel span from its emplacement on the state and county bridge under construction and turned it over into the bed of the stream. The fact that the span was blown down was not known here until Saturday, telephone communication being out between here and Clarksfork at the time. Harry Nesbitt, in charge of the work for the contractors, figures he could salvage about 60 per cent of the loss.

A second span which was to follow the laying of the span blown over was on the east side of the river and work was at once started on placing this span in the place of the one gone out.

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