20 years ago — Sept. 8, 1994

40 years ago — Sept. 12, 1974
MAZAMA 4-Hers WIN FAIR RIBBONS
Mazama Cascaders 4-H Club winners at the County Fair are: Aaron Lee Burkhart, reserve champion on fitting and showing senior class, & reserve champion in round robin in fitting and showing. He won a blue ribbon on his steer and a blue ribbon on a registered heifer.
Delene Burkhart was grand champion in fitting and showing in the novice class, winning a blue ribbon on her steer.
Betsy Devin won a blue ribbon on her canned goods, a red ribbon on a heifer and a white ribbon on fitting and showing. Jeffrey Wise won a trophy on the best display of rabbits, a red ribbon on cookies and a model car, with a white ribbon on a picture.
Wendy Riese won a blue ribbon on a rabbit and wind chimes, a red ribbon on a rabbit and a red ribbon on a self-determined rabbit report.
Lynnette Davis won a blue ribbon on wind chimes and a red ribbon on a wall hanging. Kristi Dick got two blue ribbons on sheep. Clifford Dick got two choice blue ribbons on sheep an a red ribbon on fitting and showing of sheep.
Vicki Echelbarger won 9 blue ribbons on her canned goods and two blue ribbons on sheep.
60 years ago — Sept. 9, 1954
New Show House Opens in Twisp
For the first time since the fire which destroyed the Twisp theatre, Twisp is again getting first class pictures shown through the cooperation of the American Legion.
Harold Spencer, recently of Grand Coulee Dam, and an experienced motion picture operator, gave a free demonstration last Wednesday night in the American Legion hall, and an almost full house expressed satisfaction with the hall as a temporary place to show moving pictures.
A work party Tuesday night put seats in condition, made a sign and otherwise altered the room to provide more comfort for patrons. A sign has been put up and it will be known as the R&H Theatre for the time being.
The show will operate five nights a week, with three show changes. Tuesday and Friday nights will be blank.
There will be two complete shows each evening, at 7 and 9. Three shows on Sunday, at 5, 7 and 9 p.m.
80 years ago — Sept. 7, 1934
FRAUD IN PETITIONS, TO APPEAL TO ELECTORATE
The recent decision of the Supreme Court denying relief asked by the opponents of Initiative Measures 77 and 94 based on the ground that the signatures were obtained by paid solicitors and other fraudulent means has caused great concern among the friends of the Initiative, and of popular government.
They fear that it puts a powerful weapon in the hands of the big interests of this state in initiating practically any measure they desire, if paid solicitors can be employed to circulate petitions; it also puts the smaller town and farming districts at the mercy of the large cities.
In its decision, the Supreme Court holds that the signatures obtained by paid solicitors are valid under our existing law, although it is possible to punish both the solicitor and the person who hires them. The court in its decision says:
“Appellant earnestly urges that the extraordinary equitable powers of the court should be exercised to the end that popular government be rescued from the slough into which it has fallen through the machinations of selfish interest, but much as we sympathize with that view point and deprecate the use of methods such as here charged, we see no possibility of granting the desired relief without disregarding all precedent and usurping political powers which have never yet been granted to or assumed by the courts.”
When filed Initiative Measure No. 77 contained 90,000 names, of which over 35,000 were thrown out by the secretary of state as not valid. Some of the petitions bore the names of Mahatma Ghandi, Primo Carnero, May West, and of practically all of the famous movie stars.
A strong feeling against initiative measures, the signatures to which were obtained by fraud, has unquestionably been endangered.
100 years ago — Sept. 11, 1914
To Elect “Fair Queen”
A lively new feature is to be added to the Methow Valley Fair this season which is none other than a “Fair Queen” who is to be determined by popular vote, chosen from among the many beautiful and popular young ladies of the entire Methow valley.
Every young lady is eligible, and it only needs the entering of her name, with fifty votes as a starter, to place her name on the calendar. Votes are to cost but one cent each, and there is to be no limit to the amount of votes cast by any individual.
The voting precinct will be at Selner’s jewelry store in Twisp, and each evening a bulletin will be posted in the window announcing the progress in the day’s voting.
The contest opens immediately and will continue until ten o’clock Saturday evening, Oct. 10. The Fair management will present the winning lady with a handsomely engraved gold bracelet, and the proceeds of the voting will go to help finance the fair.