Wednesday, August 20, 2025
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Crews bring down poles, posts in drive

by MARYLYN CORK Contributing Writer
| August 11, 2021 1:00 AM

100 Years Ago — 1921

Bath house erected

Devotees of swimming have erected a bath house on the bank of the Pend d’ Oreille River near the shore end of the fin boom that protects the south end of the bridge. The beach is enjoying the patronage of a great many and the number is increasing every day. Many people here in Priest River do not appreciate what an asset this beach is. The water is warm, there is current enough the keep the water constantly changing, gravel bottom, and the fin boom is a good line for beginners and children to stay behind.

90 Years Ago — 1931

Driving post and poles

Wm. Burns is just finishing the big post drive for Lindsley Brothers, and C. W. Beardmore started a crew of men taking them out and piling them in yards. Over 100,000 were put in the East River, 57,000 at Struck’s Landing, and 40,000 at Ed Hamshar’s. Mr. Burns also brought down about 2,500 poles with this drive.

80 Years Ago — 1941

Pioneers will picnic

The Priest River Pioneers Society will hold its annual picnic in the city park Sunday. Aug. 17, at noon. Entertainment will consist of talks by various pioneers of this section.

70 Years Ago — 1951

Robert E. Dow passes

Citizens of Priest River were shocked Wednesday when it was learned that one of their most prominent citizens, Mayor Robert E. Dow, had passed away suddenly that morning.

60 Years Ago — 1961

High hazard areas closed

Due to the continued dry conditions in the woods, Supervisor John D. Beebe announced that all logging operations within the Kaniksu National Forest Protection Area will be required to shut down all woods operations at 1 p.m. each day, starting Aug. 9. The public is requested not to enter the following high-hazard areas: Falls Ranger District, Snow Creek, North Fork Goose Creek, Consalus Creek, Butch Creek, Guinn Creek and Tolo Ridge Timber Sale area; Priest Lake District, Diamond Creek, Blacktail Creek, Hughes Ridge, Packer Creek, Gold Creek and Lamb Creek. To date, the Falls District has had 11 fires, all lightning caused.

50 Years Ago — 1971

No watering on Sunday

Because of heavy sprinkling during the hot weather, city water pressure has reached a very low point. Therefore, there will be absolutely no watering on Sunday to allow the tank to fill.

40 Years Ago — 1981

Airport gets new lighting

The Priest River airport’s new lighting system will include 30 runway lights, 12 threshold lights, a dozen taxi lights and two dozen reflectors. A light also will be installed atop the airport windsock. Total cost is estimated at from $15,000 to $20,000.

30 Years Ago — 1991

Woman dies after fall from boat

A 62-year-old woman from Portland, Ore., was pronounced dead at the scene after falling from a boat into Priest Lake. Deputies at the scene believe that Norma Jean Wagner may have suffered a heart attack and fallen into the water, about 3 p.m. Sunday.

20 Years Ago — 2001

Firefighter hurt

A U.S. Forest Service employee fighting a lightning-caused fire near Galena Peak was injured Monday morning when she was struck by a falling snag. Dawn Anderson, 33, was reported in stable condition later that day at Holy Family Hospital and was released from the hospital.