From Sagebrush To Satellite
Remember the book published during the Centennial? The book has some
choice things about life in the “past.”
For example, on Page 3: “According to the book Postmarked Washington,
by Guy Reed Ramsey, Lind’s first postal service was established November
13, 1886 by Charles Jell, who also served as operator of the water pump
for the Northern Pacific (NP). Mail to settlers was addressed to Ritzville.
The postmaster put the mail on the train and the postal clerk on board
would throw it off at Lind station. Operator Jell would place the mail
sack where the settlers could help themselves. We’ve come a long way!”
And, on page 11: “In the issue dated Oct. 23, 1903, the Lind
Leader reported: 'Fifty Russian immigrants arrived last Thursday night
to buy raw land and make farms.' A third church congregation, Christian,
was formed. The town Marshall’s hours changed from noon to midnight to
5:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. with the hiring of F.J. Frazier. The town council
decided to install street lights from the town’s new power source – a generating
plant which ran only to supply the lights. Monthly cost for this luxury
was $10 a month per pole. The Portland Milling Company was impressed enough
with Lind to purchase a large number of lots in Lind and to build a new
flour mill. the town had reason to be proud: growth and Primrose Flour!”
On page 14 it reads: “Lind’s growth was measurable in other ways.
The town was able to attract three resident physicians: Dr. J.W. Henderson,
Dr. H.R. Smith and a Dr. Anna Stemmler, who remained only for a year. Dr.
Griffin, a dentist, visited his office in the VanMarter building for one
week each month. The postal service also saw a major advance in 1904 by
progressing to a third class rating. The postmaster would now receive a
regular salary of $1200 annually
with an allowance for rent and clerk hiring. Instructions were received
to close the post office at 6:30 p.m. instead of 8:00 p.m., and on Sundays
and holidays the office would open from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.”
Home
Sharon Englehart, Webmaster
Page updated August 23, 2002