Jim Kershner’s This Day in History

From our archives, 100 years ago

Mrs. Margaret J. Ewart, one of the original Colfax pioneers, died at her home, an event which spawned reminiscence about the early days of Colfax, or, as it was originally called, Forks of the Palouse.

Another pioneer, Mrs. Ivan Chase, recorded a reminiscence about the Ewart House, the hotel run by Mrs. Ewart and her husband, circa 1871 or 1872.

“Like all the buildings in town at that time, it was made of rough lumber, a box house battened,” wrote Mrs. Chase. “The dining room, which was spacious for those days, was always dainty with the whitest of table linen, the cleanest of bare floors and the brightest of table ware. White muslin curtain swayed at the low windows, and all was homelike and beautiful. This pioneer hotel was the social center of the town and the surrounding country, and its well-loved host and hostess were an inspiration to all who came to their hospitable home. … It was soon replaced by a new Ewart House, a handsome three-story building which was burned at the time of the great fire.”

The Forks of the Palouse was platted and the name was changed to Colfax, in honor of the vice president of the U.S., Schuyler Colfax. Mrs. Ewart went on to be “a factor in all the progress of the passing years.”