No headline

From the archives of the

Bonner County History Museum

611 S. Ella Ave., Sandpoint, ID 83864

208-263-2344

50 Years Ago

Sandpoint News-Bulletin

June 1, 1967 — ASTRONAUT AT JAMBOREE

Astronaut Scott Carpenter is one of a select number of dignitaries invited to the XII World Scout Jamboree Aug. 1-9 at Farragut State Park.

•••

SANDPOINT DRUGGIST PASSES

Richard Murtha (Murt) Curtis, 59, prominent pharmacist and drugstore owner, unexpectedly died at this home last Friday. Funeral services were held Monday at St. Agnes Episcopal Church.

Born in 1907 in Michigan, Curtis came here with his parents in 1910. His father owned and operated the former Crescent Pharmacy. Curtis received his degree in pharmacy at Washington State University. In 1934, he married Catherine Moody. In WWII, he was a captain in the Medical Corps in the European theater. In the early 1940s, he and Don Diehl founded Bi-Rite Drugs.

Survivors include his wife at the home, two daughters, Mrs. Catherine Meigard and Mrs. Elizabeth Ann Christy; a son, Richard William, student at the University of Idaho; a sister, Ann Curtis, Sandpoint, and five grandchildren.

•••

YOUNG TO-BE-WEDS FACE WAIT

Under Idaho’s new law, females age 18-20 who wish to marry need a blood test for syphilis, proof of age and must wait 3 days for a marriage license. Females age 16-17 and males age 18-20 in addition must have written consent of a parent or guardian and a certified copy of birth certificate.

100 Years Ago

Pend d’Oreille Review

June 1, 1917 — CITY BREVITIES

As a war measure and retrenchment means [expenditure cutback], the mayor ordered closing the toilets at city hall.

•••

DECORATION DAY DULY OBSERVED

Decoration Day was accompanied by bright and sunny weather, welcome after days of cold rain. The usual exercises were held, and businesses were largely closed in honor of the soldier dead.

At 9:30, a parade headed by the local band marched to the cemetery, with the local lodges and home guard represented. Twenty autos carried veterans, Women’s Relief Corps ladies and others to the cemetery where the beautiful ritual for the dead was read by W.R.C. officers and prayer was offered by Rev. Cook. A squad from Company H sounded Taps. Fully 300 people visited the cemetery. Automobiles were decorated with flags and flowers were numerous.

In a 2 p.m. ceremony on the Cedar street bridge honoring the nation’s dead at sea, the ritual was read by W.R.C. members and flowers were cast on the waters from the bridge.

At 2:30 Rev. N.S. Hawk of Spokane gave the Decoration Day address at the Rink, a patriotic appeal to respond to the country’s call.

The thinning ranks of the old soldiers was evident, only eight attending the exercises and ten attending ceremonies at the cemetery.

For more information, visit the museum online at bonnercountyhistory.org.