Memories for the Week of December 14, 2016

100 years ago

December 14, 1916

$15,000 Carnegie Library

The people of the Phillips County have taken a great interest in the proposition to erect the Carnegie Library of Malta, the subject that was taken up by the Woman's Club of the City several months ago and has been pushed by that organization ever since.

The Carnegie Corporation has indicated a willingness to build a library in Malta to the cost of $15,000.

Before the Carnegie Corporation will consider an application for a library, a free site must be offered them. When we made our application for a library, Mr. Trafton generously donated a beautiful site and it was the only site offered. This site consists of four lots which are a distance of one and a half blocks from the First State Bank and two blocks from the post office.

Municipal Christmas Tree

The committee in charge of the arrangements for the Municipal Christmas Program have gone to work with will and are ready to announce the program that will be carried out on Christmas Day, weather permitting, on the vacant space just north of the Lyric Theatre. A large evergreen tree will be provided and it will be decorated brilliantly with electric lights. Sacks of candy will be distributed to the children by Santa Claus in person and it is hinted that he will also have some wonderful presents for the children of the town of Malta. It is expected that Santa will use a modern convenience in his journey and that he will be seen on the streets of the City for a short time before he reaches the tree. He will probably be loaded with presents and he may have to bring along some extra satchels to carry all the things he expects to leave for the children. Keep your ears open for his bugle.

Profit in sagebrush

At last a use has been found for sagebrush. Instead of being a profitless cumberer of desert soil, it is found to be an asset. Our brush-strewn Western landscapes are really mines. A dispatch from Idaho says that sagebrush is being used in large quantities as potash area, tons of brush, which burnt in the colander gives 25 to 35 percent commercial potash.

Would never be missed

The electric lights and Malta are about as poor an article as could be produced and called by the name of electric lights. They are turned on about two hours after dark and one is forced to light a match to see there is light. We have been told that the light plant would close about the first of the year and it is something in the present condition that would be very little missed.

75 years ago

December 11, 1941

Local men in area of Jap attack

There are anxious hearts in Phillips County as parents await news from the war front in the Pacific Ocean area. Quite a number of local men are in service in both the Army and Navy at several points which have been vigorously attacked by Japan and since casualties have been high there is fear that some of our own boys may be involved when the checkup is complete.

The News has no means of knowing how many Phillips County sons are in the danger area but the names of the following have come to our attention:

Robert Campbell, son of Sheriff and Mrs. R. L. Campbell, was last reported to be at Midway Island with the forces of the United States Navy. Rolly Kaufman, son of Mr. and Mrs. Dean Kaufman of Malta, is said to be in the naval hospital at Honolulu although his illness occurred prior to the outbreak of warfare. Others on duty with the Army and Navy in the Pacific include Earl South, Arlen O'Brien, William Tjaden, Clayton Tjaden and James Crasco. Roger Goschke of Malta is with the Navy at Midway Island, reportedly.

It was reported in Malta yesterday that Kenneth Stein and Jack Brayton have enlisted in the US Marine Corps at Seattle. Both men recently discharged from the Malta National Guard unit at Fort Lewis by reason of expiration of enlistment and have been working at civilian occupations.

Alert citizens organize Phillips County Community War Chest

Citizens alert to the necessity of acting quickly during the war have organized the Phillips County Community War Chest which has been set into an immediate operation.

Monday, George Chambers, chairman of the Phillips County Red Cross chapter, received a wire from national chairman Norman H. Davis in St. Louis announcing a chapter quota of $1,500 for war purposes. The national quota is $50 million. According to the advice, chapters may retain 15-percent of their collections for local war relief expenditure. Davis urged in his wire that the quota be raised in the shortest possible time.

The Kiwanis Club of Malta has agreed to conduct a drive in Phillips County to obtain general funds from which to contribute to all worthwhile causes for war relief.

Company D all set for active duty

Company D, 116th Quartermaster Regiment, Phillips County's unit on duty at Fort Lewis with the 41st division, is ready for whatever it may be called upon to do.

Capt. J. Russell Lacombe, former commanding officer of the unit, yesterday received a telegram from 1st Sgt. Charles R. Moore which read as follows:

"Company D okay STOP Morale high."

50 years ago

December 15, 1966

New phones available

A new telephone called the Trimline with its dial built into the handset was introduced in the area November 28 by Mountain State Telephone Company. The new model is designed to make calling easier by incorporating the receiver, transmitter and dial in a lightweight handset. They recall button is located beside the dial and clears the line between calls so they can be made one after another without reaching to hang up before each call.

25 years ago

December 11, 1991

M-ettes claim first-ever state basketball title

Del Fried and his M-ettes had been up to the well twice before only to come up dry, but the water was sweet and refreshing on the third try.

No one, however, was quite prepared for the emotion that followed when Cindy Wiederrick hit nothing but net with what Fried later termed the sweetest shot on earth to give the Mette's a 54-52 double OT victory.

"No way" was he prepared for the emotion that followed Fried admitted later.

Editor's note: See the 25 years later story about the 1990 – 91 championship M-ette. 12/28 edition of the PCN.

10 years ago

December 13, 2006

Andrea Hammond, Wyatt Lien marry

Andrea Hammond and Wyatt Lien were married on Saturday, September 30, 2006, at the Malta Lutheran Church.

Andrea is the daughter of Howie and JoAnn Hammond of Whitewater. Wyatt is the son of Jim and Terry Lien of Rapid City, SD.

Hillcrest's 1st, 2nd Avenues change to Ruby, Sapphire

First Avenue in the Hillcrest addition is now Ruby Avenue and Second Avenue is now Sapphire

The Malta City Council last week voted to change the street names to clear up confusion for an emergency enhanced 911 system Phillips County is developing. The new names are in line with two existing streets in Hillcrest, Pearl Drive and Agate Avenue. A few residents of the area met with the City Council recently and seem to favor the switch to gem-based names.