Bonner County History - Oct. 19, 2023

Brought to you by the

Bonner County Historical

Society and Museum

611 S. Ella Ave., Sandpoint, Idaho, 83864

208-263-2344

50 Years Ago

Sandpoint News-Bulletin

Oct. 19, 1973 — NO BOMB AT SJHS

Four students were questioned about prank bomb-threats Tuesday at Sandpoint Junior High. Principal Web Overholser said an unidentified caller phoned the school at 8:39 a.m., saying a bomb would go off in the school at 10 a.m. The students were quickly evacuated as city police, firemen and a sheriff’s deputy searched the premises. No explosive was found, and students returned to class at 10:15. Later, police received a tip that another bomb was set to explode at 3:30 p.m. School was dismissed early at 3:10 as a precaution. Police questioned four ninth grade students, who admitted involvement in the prank. They were turned over to the custody of their parents, while authorities decide whether to prosecute. Overholser said lost classroom time must be made up by the entire SJHS student body.

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LOCAL ARTIST GIVES SOCIETY ART WORK

A Sandpoint High School artist, Doug Jones, recently presented the Bonner County Historical Society with a pen and ink sketch of the old Methodist Church for use in a Christmas card fund-raising project. Jones’ sketch depicts the Sandpoint landmark as it appeared in 1907, showing a rail-bound street car delivering church goers to the steps of the church on a beautiful snowy evening. The card of the church is only one of a series that Doug plans to do for BCHS. He will focus future efforts on other historical places of interest in the county. The cards may be purchased at the BCHS offices in the basement of the Sandpoint library.

75 Years Ago

Sandpoint News-Bulletin

Oct. 19, 1948 — WEDDING ANNOUNCED

Miss Tillie Koski, of this city, and Herbert Bricker, Laclede, were married Oct. 2 in the Presbyterian church, the Rev. Lewis M. Harro officiating. Mr. and Mrs. James April were the couple’s only attendants. The Brickers will make their home here. Mrs. Bricker has been employed at the Community hospital.

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COMMUNITY HOSPITAL IMPROVEMENTS

The Community Hospital association has issued a report listing improvements made at the hospital in the past year. “There are so many rumors about the building’s condition, particularly with respect to fire hazards, that we felt the public should know that remedial measures have been taken,” said board president Charles Pennington. Electricians are now completing re-wiring of the entire building. Other recent improvements are: Installation of a new coal-stoked furnace and hot water system; Elimination of the oil stoves formerly used; Replacement of all old beds with the latest type crank beds; Remodeling of the kitchen and installation of a new electric range; Redecoration of hallways. Part of the $40,000 worth of hospital equipment obtained from the War Assets Administration has been installed in the surgery and elsewhere. Pennington said that although the Community Hospital has rates lower than practically any hospital in the Pacific Northwest, it has shown a small profit every month this year.

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