Bonner County History - June 23, 2024
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
June 23, 1974 – NEW POLICE SERGEANT
Chief of Police George Elliot has named six-year Sandpoint policeman C.E. “Gene” Holt to the rank of Sergeant. Holt previously served as senior patrolman for the police department.
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SENIORS TO MOVE OUT
The Bonner County Senior Citizens, Inc. voted to vacate the building they now occupy [3rd and Pine]. Frank Chapin, chairman of the board, said the move was due to “lack of funds,” adding they will continue to look for a “permanent home.” Peggy Clark will move to the North Idaho Real Estate building.
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BELL CHOIR PLAYS AT WHITWORTH, EXPO
The First Presbyterian Church Jr. High handbell choir, nicknamed the “Ding-A-Lings,” participated in the NW Area Bell Festival at Whitworth College. The next day, they played at Expo, then spent all day at the world’s fair. Members include Kristi Gill, Francie Ruyle, Jodi Johnson, Tim Scott, Doug Reed, Terri McCormick, Ann Ross and their leader, Mrs. James (Lois) Scott. First Presbyterian’s set of handbells does not actually belong to the congregation. The family of Pastor James F. Scott gave the bells as a traveling memorial, which accompanied Scott from his previous parishes of Chehalis and Lake Tahoe.
75 Years Ago
Sandpoint News-Bulletin
June 23, 1949 – EARLY PIONEER CALLED
One of Bonner county’s earliest pioneers, Sam Owen, 83, passed away at his home overlooking Lake Pend Oreille, where he had lived for 51 years.
Owen arrived in Missoula by stagecoach in 1883 at the age of 18. He went to work on the Northern-Pacific railroad; his first job was cutting kindling for the steam shovel used on the N.P. road. When the golden spike was to be driven east of Missoula linking the east-west sections of the N.P., Owen drew the job of rounding up milk for President Grant, who came for the occasion and needed the milk for his diet. Owen took a work train from Heron to Clarksfork, walked two miles to his brother’s farm to get a five-gallon can of milk, and was waiting with it when Grant’s train stopped at Clarksfork.
Owen, with help from his family, built the first homestead in the region, where he planted the first orchard in the territory. Owen was friendly with the Indians who gathered annually for their powwows at Indian Meadows just east of Sheepherder’s bay. He became acquainted with Duncan McDonald, who helped him find the location of Kullyspell house, the Indian trading post built on the shores of Lake Pend Oreille in 1809-10 by explorer David Thompson.
The name of Sam Owen will live down through the years. Ten years ago, he donated 35 acres on the lakeshore north of his farm, the basis of Samowen recreation park now run by the forest service. Each year, thousands picnic and camp at the park.
Owen married Nina Smith in 1897 and the couple celebrated their golden wedding anniversary at their home 18 months ago. The site of his burial is on a bluff overlooking the lake on the land he so loved.
For more information, visit the museum online at bonnercountyhistory.org.