Remember When?

105 YEARS AGO • DECEMBER 6, 1917

CLOSE CALL FOR SNIDER

Careless Hunter Sends Bullet Through Coattail and then Beats It for Cover

Dave Snider was the unintentional target for some careless hunter up in the Thompson River country last Friday and had about as narrow an escape from getting a bullet in his back as the most reckless could wish for.

He was coming through a little thicket when he heard a shot not far away and heard the zip of the bullet close by. He immediately started to call to warn the hunter of his presence, but instead of coming to see if he was wounded, the offender went in the other direction full speed ahead.

Dave circled until he found tracks in the snow and started in pursuit, but lost the tracks after following about three miles, because of lack of snow. It was not until he returned to camp and removed his red hunting coat that he found out how close a call he had really had. The back of his coat was pierced in two places where the bullet had passed through. He had been walking with his hands in his trousers’ pockets, the coat being held back a little and the bullet must have passed within an inch or two of his body. The coat has been on exhibition at Florin’s saloon since his return. Snider, up Thompson River is named for Dave Snider.

START WORK ON DAM

Will Build Log Chute on Further Side and Repair Some Leaks

A force of workmen started this week to build another log chute between the one that was put in last spring and the south shore of the river. The experience of driving the logs through in that direction wasn’t good and it was decided to install another chute to facilitate the handling of future drives.

Forms for the concrete piers are being erected and an attempt will be made to finish the work before freezing weather stops them. Several repairs of leakages will also be made.

Work on the dam began in 1914 and was finished in 1916. The first log chute was built on the east side of the dam but because of the strong current; logs were prone to keep going towards the west. The chute mentioned above was visible until the fish ladder was built.

80 YEARS AGO • DECEMBER 2, 1942

CALL OF THE WILD

Heavy snows throughout this timber-mountain belt are driving the coyotes, wolves and other predatory animals down into the valley to stock and chicken coops. Merle Michaelson shot and killed a large coyote early Monday morning right in the city limits when it tangled with dogs.

A large wolf has been repeatedly seen around the town. The dogs are afraid to tangle with it and run when they see it. Chicken coops have been raided and tracks indicate this wolf which has unusually large tracks is the transgressor.

People who have seen this wolf believe that he is old and has lost most of his teeth and therefore cannot readily prey on elk and deer herds, which has forced it to frequent the city garbage dump and to raid chicken coops. No one had a gun when he was seen. Women have seen the wolf at night. Consequently, children are afraid to leave the house after dark. Reports also come in that the coyotes are gathering in packs in the backcountry.

HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT ENFORCING 35 MILE SPEED

The State Highway department is strictly enforcing the 35 mile per hour speed limit. The patrol is on the job constantly. Highway patrol cars are on the road checking to see if they are passed by cars going at an excessive rate of speed.

PROGRESS

After being a county for seven years these were some excerpts from the Sanders County Ledger in the December 25 issue in 1914. Accomplishments in the seven years between 1907 and 1914 and predictions of years to come dominated the front page. The main development was the hydro-electric plant under construction which employed 400 men in 1914.

The town nearly doubled in population. New business blocks, and 80 cottages and bungalows were built. Added to this boom was a new courthouse and jail (the courthouse has been replaced and the jail is now a museum). No longer did the citizens have to “hoo, hoo, hoo” for the ferry; they can walk across the river on the fine bridges built by the county (the Gallatin Street bridge and historic high bridge). The water no longer had to be hauled in barrels, but came from faucets in their houses. Instead of carrying coal oil lamps for light, soon a button could be pressed for electricity. Business errands could be done simply by calling “Central” on the Mountain States Telephone system instead of walking to the other end of town. New sidewalks were being laid in the town. They are on the west side and entire frontage of the Thompson Falls Mercantile Co. (now European Connection) and in front of the business property of Dr. E.D. Peek (now True Value). Others were advised to follow the example as in the long run they would find them no more expensive than the old unsightly plank walk.