70 YEARS AGO

NOVEMBER 29, 1950

OUR PROBLEMS ARE MANY

We heard a number of local citizens gripe because an N.P. freight blocked all three crossings in the town for at least half an hour Tuesday morning, just at the time when those employed should have been getting to work. We understand the sheriff was called and asked if he would have the engineer move the train on at least so that one crossing could be used. At times like this, especially in the wintertime, one realizes how handy an underpass would be. Situated as the town with the business district on one side of the tracks and the residential section on the other it seems most important that at least one crossing not be blocked for more than ten minutes at a time. What would happen in case of a serious accident or a raging fire.

The third crossing referred to above was situated in the middle of town by the depot, directly up the hill from Doug's True Value. It was removed when Main Street was reconstructed in the 90s.

40 YEARS AGO

DECEMBER 18, 1980

TRIBAL COUNCIL VOTES TO CLOSE BATHHOUSE

HOT SPRINGS – Friday the Tribal Council of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes voted to close the Camas Hot Springs Bathhouse as it is not making enough money, and they were not going to put any more into it.

Joe Orr, who became caretaker of the baths Oct. 8, 1948, stated to this reporter, "The baths have pretty well paid their own way. They did put in a new oil tank which they paid for."

I asked him to give me the history of the years as he knew the baths.

His reply was, "In 1955 and 1956, when the baths were only $1 was the biggest time, but the income has been more or less stable. In 1970, the price of baths was raised. Since then the income has never kept up with expenses."

How well the people of Hot Springs remember the days before the council started raising the price of the baths. Every motel and apartment house in town was full!

Often at night when all beds were taken in town, many residents rented out their davenports to keep people out of the street. I know I did. The Rainbow Motel, as at other places in town, was loaded with people who were wanting to stay three weeks and had paid in advance. Those prices were raised, and the landlords gave back the money, as the people couldn't continue to stay. This is not a rich man's town! People have spent a lot of money before they came to Hot Springs. Who to? Doctors, hospitals, etc. Often they come to Hot Springs as a last resort. Now prices are so high they can't. We need a President Roosevelt to make us famous as he did Warm Springs, Georgia.

Now the baths are $4 per bath!

At a meeting I attended at the bathhouse before the Camas Lanes was built, when we were told what was coming, several people asked if they wouldn't consider putting the money into the bathhouse and a golf course for the older people who came here to enjoy. That request was turned down. The Native Americans built their bowling alley, which is thoroughly enjoyed by the people of town, but that isn't bringing in the people to take the baths nor fill the town.

Let's get together, have a meeting and talk this over!

BURGLARS GET $10,000 FROM FERK'S LOUNGE

Around $10,000 in cash was stolen from the safe in Ferk's Lounge and restaurant (now the Highlead Saloon) early Wednesday morning.

Town Marshall Harry Petersen said that when Lennie Crowse came to the bar to clean up Wednesday morning he found the door to the safe open. He immediately contacted Petersen who found the safe open when he entered the building.

Petersen said there was no sign of forced entry into either the building or the safe. Petersen said he does not suspect an inside job.

The cash taken included numerous rolls of quarters, many of them Canadian, which owner Joe Ferkovich had in a personal collection he had made over the years.

Petersen said he suspects two burglars are involved since the coins weighed around 300 pounds. Currency was taken also, but several rolls of pennies were left behind.

The cash was taken from an old hall safe.

The same morning a burglar entered the Thompson River Ranch and stole about $100 in "shake-a-day" money. Entrance to the ranch was gained through a side window.