Looking Back

100 years ago

The Pacific Telephone and Telegraph company moved overnight from the Wilson building to the Smith residence. The move happened during the nigh and the long distance line was only out of commission for about 20 minutes. A crew of ten men worked on the job.

The Blue Mouse theater was sold by owner E.O. Gabrielson to E. C. Gehrke fo Chelan. The new owner will move his family to Davenport and take possession of the theater next week.

Almira assistant postmaster Lois E.Milner was indicted by a federal grand jury in Spokane for embezzlement of $50. She pled guilty and was fined $50.

75 years ago

After a recent burning of the town dump, the city of Sprague was plagued by in infestation of rats. The rats swarmed homes and businesses in the city regardless of the rifle fire that crackled though the night as residents sought to protect their homes. Witnesses say there were hundreds of rats scurrying across the main highway.

Davenport’s first striking workers picketed up and down the street in front of the offices of Interstate Telephone Company. A total of 52 exchanges in the company were affected. Workers are asking for better pay and to become unionized. Only emergency calls were being put through.

The Odessa Tractor and Implement company was forced to leave the city limits in their hunt for space for a machinery storage lot. With most lots in the city already occupied the company found space on the Dobson farm on the east end of town.

50 years ago

Vern McIrvin found an airplane propeller in a field owned by Andy Kaputa. IT turned out to be the propeller of an airplane the was forced to land on the highway near Lamona some 3 weeks past. The propeller was reunited with the plane and the plane’s owner.

Davenport’s City Clerk reminds townspeople to adhere to the watering schedule and to remember to turn off the water when the Fire siren blows. If the Fire is determined to be outside of town then water can resume.

Bernice Stormo takes over from Helen Lesnett in the Davenport School Kitchen the fall. Mrs. Stormo was formerly the cook at Lincoln Hospital and is excited about cooking for the children and having weekends and summers off. She is assisted in the Kitchen by Ilene Hein and Deanne Remmers.

25 years ago

Jerry Schafer would like to have his south hill development annexed into the city and is willing to sign an agreement for processing effluent, even though there is some opposition to annexation among prospective buyers.

A crew set up shop Tuesday to begin installing all new windows and doors in the historic 1904 Bank Block Building at Third and Willis streets in Harrington, and brick work is being refinished as well.

Davenport Senior Center is working on a membership drive and they are holding a drawing for various prizes that have been donated. Each meal purchased gets the diner a ticket to enter the drawing.

10 years ago

Reardan schools received $6,000 from 2014 Title 1 Part A program for significant improvement in state assessment scores. The award is to support continuing efforts to increase student success.

Odessa Schhol board approved a request from local pastors to avoid scheduling events in conflict with established church events. Staff members are encouraged to consider these events when scheduling activities.

Loretta Gobert, who took over Del’s Barber Shop several years ago has accepted a position at a salon in Moses Lake. Gobert hopes her loyal Odessa clientele will follow her to her new location or at least stop in and say “Hello.”