Bonner County History - Jan. 2, 2025
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
Jan. 2, 1975 – TELEPHONE TAX DROPS
It seems prices everywhere are going up, but telephone customers will notice a slight decrease in their telephone bills effective Jan. 1. A “temporary” wartime tax on telephone service that began in the 1940s as an emergency measure dropped from 8 per cent to 7 per cent to meet the provisions of the Excise, Estate and Gift Tax Adjustment Act of 1970. The tax, collected for the government by telephone companies, was 10 per cent until the act went into effect in Jan. 1972. It will be reduced one per cent a year until completely erased in December 1982.
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MRS. CORDES QUITS AT LIBRARY
Mrs. Anne Cordes, who has been with the City Library for four years, two as co-director and then as director, has quit her post in protest over the way her 1975 salary requests were handled. In her proposed budget, she had projected hiring another full time qualified librarian to meet the increasing work load the library is experiencing since the creation of the county library district. The city library added 2,500 new patrons in 1974, bringing its total patronage to over 6,000. When Mrs. Cordes, who earned $6500, projected salaries for two full-time people at $7,500 each, the City Library Board balked, reportedly offering her $7,200 to remain in an administrative position. They offered the new fully qualified librarian, Richard Wilson, $7,500. Both turned the offers down. After accepting Mrs. Cordes’ resignation, the Board then hired Wilson for $8,500.
75 Years Ago
Sandpoint News-Bulletin
Jan. 2, 1950 – VACATION FOR CHRISTMAS
Police officer and Mrs. George Elliott and two young sons are spending a 10-day vacation at Fort Benton, Mont., with his parents.
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BREINICHS IN IOWA
Mr. and Mrs. James Breinich and daughters, Barbara and Marilyn, are in Davenport, Ia., spending the holidays with both his parents and hers.
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FORMER SHERIFF DEAD AT 75
Henry C. Traue died suddenly Dec. 22 after removing snow from the roof at his home, 501 Lake. He is survived by his wife, Laura, who came with him to Sandpoint 46 years ago. A baker by trade, Mr. Traue opened the city’s first bakery. He was also the first merchant to sell ice cream, shipping it in from Spokane. For almost 25 years, Henry Traue was identified with law enforcement, serving as chief of police, then as deputy sheriff. In 1928 he was elected to his first term as sheriff, a post he held for two terms. Mr. Traue was active in Boy Scout work, was a charter member of the Spanish American war veterans, and a long-time member of the Elks and Eagles lodges. Instrumental in the formation of a national guard unit in Sandpoint in the early 1900s, Mr. Traue for many years was marshal of Memorial day parades, leading the way on a spirited horse. The many beautiful flowers at his funeral were silent reminders of the esteem and affection felt by many.
For more information, visit the museum online at bonnercountyhistory.org.