Looking Back

100 years ago

An elderly man sleeping in the farmers’ elevator at Irby was believed to have perished in a fire that destroyed the building.

A number of Morgan Street business owners appeared before city council to protest against paving the downtown Davenport street.

The unnamed county sheriff poured out 18 cases of gin and whiskey that had been seized on Peach-Creston Road three weeks prior into an ash pile behind the county courthouse, with a crowd of interested spectators hoping a fire alarm would go off to distract the sheriff and leave the stash unprotected.

75 years ago

Two prominent businessmen, including fuel and lumber dealer Cleo Richards and Davenport Union warehouse manager Harry Heid, appeared on the municipal general election ballot for city mayor.

Davenport sawmill owner Otto Wallmark purchased the Lincoln Hotel and Café from 14-year owner Frank Adamson.

Farmers were reminded than they had less than a month to take loans on their 1948 wheat crops, with the market at about $2 a bushel and the loan price at $1.92.

50 years ago

The “social marginalization of rural residents” was the theme of a Washington State University study in Lincoln County.

After several gas companies announced rate increases, gasoline prices ranged from a low of 39.9 cents to 47.9 cents, prompting Davenport Shell dealer Chet Swienton to predict local stations would soon run near 50 cents per gallon.

Lincoln Hospital marked 10 years of service to Lincoln County.

25 years ago

A civil service hearing for fired Davenport Police officer Mike Sullivan four years in the making was again put on hold.

Comments were sought on Dawn Mining of Ford’s request for a radioactive materials license renewal in Reardan.

Bill Burger of Davenport opened Papa Joe’s, an appliance store.

10 years ago

The Reardan-Edwall School District planned to ask voters to pass a construction bond to renovate the elementary school and Smith Gym.

The Lincoln County Commissioners planned to hold two public hearings regarding designating portions of open range in the Egypt area as “stock-restrictive.”

Davenport city council heard input on whether residents should switch from privately owned trash cans to carts.