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Police look over a Volkswagen after it was struck by a train, Oct. 1, 1971 at the old Superior Buildings Crossing in Columbia Falls. Believe it or not, the driver survived with just a broken leg and other non-life threatening injuries and a 3-year-old passenger was uninjured. Looking over the wreck, from left, are Highway Patrolman Don Reksten, officer Dave Konopatzke and police chief Darvin Lundstrom. (Mel Ruder photo)
70 years ago
Nov. 4, 1949
An old magneto box, found near a stump, held the important papers and savings of William Mack, who died 13 years earlier. The box was found near the old home of Mack near Lake Blaine by a boy who now lived there. The family knew Mack had left behind some papers, but they didn’t know where. The items included several hundred dollars worth of postal savings certificates.
60 years ago
Nov. 6, 1959
Between 10 and 20 inches of snow was on the ground up the South Fork of the Flathead, making it easier for hunters to track game. Columbia Falls water had a “leaf taste” — the suggestion was it from leave sin Cedar Creek. Water from the creek was used as part of the water supply for the city at the time.
50 years ago
Nov. 7, 1969
The Forest Service was seeking bids to build a road up the Spotted Bear River. It would end about four miles from Dean Falls, but would be out of the Bob Marshall Wilderness. Glacier announced plans to keep the Going-to-the-Sun Road plowed to Lake McDonald Lodge. Glacier Park announced base wage for laborers would be $2.95 an hour.
40 years ago
Nov. 8, 1979
High interest rates had pummeled the housing market in the Flathead. “We’re selling about half as many homes as were were last fall,” said one unnamed real estate broker. The local lumber industry was also feeling the pinch.
30 years ago
Nov. 8, 1989
The Izaak Walton Inn turned 50 years old. Ed Toren defeated Colleen Allison to become the new mayor of Columbia Falls. Congressman Pat Williams was critical of the Forest Service, which was still pursuing plans to allow drilling in the Badger Two-Medicine region just south of Glacier National Park. The area was being considered as part of a Montana wilderness bill.
20 years ago
Nov. 4, 1999
The feds listed the St. Mary/Belly River population of bull trout as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. That further bolstered an argument that the Sherburne Dam should be removed. The dam was never removed and the fish status is still no better than it was 20 years ago.
10 years ago
Nov. 5, 2009
An albino black bear that was caught near Olney was trapped after residents were concerned that hunters would shoot it. The bear, which was estimated to be about 4 years old, was released in Glacier National Park near Packer’s Roost. It was the first one bear managers had ever seen.