Time Capsule: Free marriage, Fire destroys bunkhouse, Wal-Mart loses permit, Hefners guilty

Flathead Courier, March 25, 1937

Free Marriage

Don’t get excited – we are not advising the kind prevalent in Communistic Russia.

But hear ye, young folks who are contemplating the more or less blissful possibilities of matrimony. Here is your opportunity!

Wm. Hughes, recently appointed justice of the peace, makes the statement that the first couple who presents this Courier article at his office will be married free – no charge except the license. Of course, Bill doesn’t guarantee future “upkeep” of the lucky young lady, but his services will be donated.

Forty-five days for repeater

John McGuire’s home address for the next 45 days will be the city bastille, according to the records of M. M. Marcy, city police judge.

McGuire was arrested last Saturday on a charge of being intoxicated. He pleaded guilty when brought into court and was given his choice of paying a fine of $10 or going to jail for 10 days.

As he was needed for work at the dam he was released after agreeing to pay his fine in a few days.

Monday he again fell into the hands of the law, for the second time on a charge of being drunk. This time the jail sentence and fine were doubled.

After agreeing to pay the fine he failed to do so and was arrested again yesterday and taken to jail to serve both fines and sentences.

Fire destroys landmark at St. Ignatius Mission

Another old landmark in the St. Ignatius mission is gone as a result of fire, which totally destroyed the old bunkhouse at the Fathers’ next to the mill. The building was being used as a harness tool shed.

Billy McLaughin was mending harnesses yesterday morning when fire started on the roof as the result of a defective flue. The fire started at 10 a.m. and lasted but a short time. If there had been a wind the hospital or the mill would have been endangered, but as it was the roof burned and fell in, consuming the interior of the building before the walls fell, making little danger from sparks and flying embers.

The damage has not been estimated.

Flathead Courier, March 30, 1967

Need 40% vote on bond issue

On Monday, April 3, qualified Polson electors go to the polls to elect city officials to two-year terms and to vote their approval or disapproval of a $24,750 bond issue designed to raise funds with which to purchase a future library-fire station-city hall site.

Barring any last-minute write-in campaigns, all elected officials are assured of reelection due to lack of contests.

The voters are asked to approve the city’s plan to purchase three 50x140 ft. lots across from the courthouse. Price is a total of $24,750. One lot is now owned by Security State Bank, the other two by Courtesy Chevrolet-Olds.

Lake County Leader, March 27, 1997

Blueprint blues: Wal-Mart loses permit

A special use permit for Wal-Mart to build at 57,000 square ft. store here was revoked last week after architect’s plans came in at 58,031 square feet.

Wal-Mart has appealed the ruling from zoning administrator Forrest Sanderson. He said the retailer will now make its case to the city board of adjustment on Monday, April 14. If Wal-Mart loses there, it can go on to the city-county planning board the following evening.

Sanderson said the most recent set of plans shows at least “the potential” for a pharmacy … “If the store wants to go bigger, “I would have thought somebody would have let me know,” he said.

Jury finds Hefners guilty

A District Court jury has found two West Shore men guilty of attacking a county road department employee last summer as he was performing his job.

Gerald Hefner, 52, and D.J. Hefner, 23, a father and son from Dayton, face prison sentences of up to 10 years each and fines up to $50,000 apiece.

They were found guilty last Friday of felony charges of making threats or causing improper influence in officials and political matters …

Investigators say the Hefners caused eye, neck and chest trauma to Chuck Adams last June 4 as he was operating a road grader near Lake Mary Ronan. The case took on political overtones because the Hefners have claimed themselves immune from government jurisdiction.