Harrington News

Mayor Paul Gilliland opened the city council meeting at 7 p.m. Dec 11th with all members present: Levi Schenk, Terri Howe, Michael Cronrath, Rick Becker and Peter Davenport. Sharon Schultz and Paul Charlton on the dog issue committee were present, as was Scott McGowan and Marge Womach. The proposed new ordinance is continued in review with the city attorney, the insurance agent and AWC.

The law enforcement contract with Lincoln County Sheriff's office and the Town of Harrington was discussed, and the council voted to approve the mayor signing the contract with provisions. The value of the contract is not to exceed $18,035.

Discussion was held regarding the cars that are parked on city streets without current licenses. Deputy Singer came to Harrington during the week and got a copy of the city ordinance. The deputy is opening a case and will be checking on enforcement of the ordinance. There is also a state statute regarding cars on city streets.

The mayor announced that he still has not received anything in writing from Jerry and Karen Allen regarding the April promise to repair the sidewalk at the Hotel Lincoln.

Discussion was held on the rental of the Memorial Hall for Senior Meals by Okanogan County Transportation and Nutrition. Per the contract that the council approved, Okanogan County will charge $9 per meal/day for rent which amounts to between $142 and $176 per month, which includes delivery to those that are house-bound.

USKH's update to the mayor was that Harrington has completed its sewer water samples for the Department of Ecology and we are now waiting for the state to issue a permit which is less expensive than obtaining a federal permit.

Mention was made of three frozen faucets, one of which was a frost-free faucet that froze and necessitated the shutting off of water for that block. The city purchased a new sump pump. Mention was made of one of the city vehicles leaking hydraulic fluid. Council voted to approve payment of bills and to approve the budget.

Music Teachers

and Rummage Sale

Harrington Opera House Society is actively looking for music teachers. In particular, they are in need of piano teachers for students on a waiting list. They are also looking for a guitar instructor. The opera house art/music room is heated throughout the winter. Instructors that would be interested in teaching other instruments are also welcome to find and bring their students here. All interested instructors should contact Billie Herron on her cell phone at 348-0174.

The last rummage sale of this year will be held next Saturday, Dec 21, from 9 to 3., Donations will go to the elevator fund.

Hotels in Harrington: Part 4

William T. Bonn and his wife, Gladys A. Bonn, sold the Electric Hotel in Harrington to Ezra and Ada Varnier on Aug 22, 1947, according to the deed from the Ezra Varnier estate, to Ava Lee Hanes. Ezra and Ada did not move to Harrington, however, until 1950. Apparently in the interim, Mr. and Mrs. Christian Mudd had the lease for the business until June 1950.

“New Landlord Takes Over Contract at Electric Hotel. Mr. and Mrs. Christian Mudd of Electric Hotel, Tuesday, transferred their contract to Ezra Varnier, who recently arrived from Fresno, Calif. The new landlord, his wife and their son, Darrell, took possession Wednesday. Mr. Mudd will remain in the Harrington area where he is employed on wheat ranches and Mrs. Mudd will go to Davenport to work. The Varniers are parents of Mrs. Paul Hanes, of the Harrington Electric.” (Citizen: 6-16-1950)

During the time that Mr. and Mrs. Varnier had the Electric Hotel they continued the practice of renting out space for salesmen. Announcing A New Service, The C. W. Paulson Col., Spokane, Washington will have their representative, Mr. Ralph Lanza, Rug Specialist, Color Stylist, at the Electric Hotel, Main Lobby Showroom, Harrington with a complete line of Carpet Samples, Linoleum, Tyeboard, Plastic Tyles, Formica, Venetian Blinds and Match Stick Draperies. Free Estimates Gladly Given, Terms. Friday and Saturday, April 17th and 18th. Interior Decorating Starts with the Proper Floor Coverings. Door Prizes Will Be Given Both Days. G. W. Paulson Co., Fine Floor Coverings, West 425 Sprague Ave., Main 1716, Spokane, Washington.” (Citizen: 4-10-1953)

““Aunt Sally” (Sally Woodard Buchanan) died early Sunday morning (Aug 7, 1955) at the Jane O'Brien Sanitarium, Spokane, where she was a resident since March 18. Prior to that time she had an apartment at the Electric Hotel in Harrington. Sarah Woodard was born Aug 24, 1867 in Colwee, North Carolina. She was reared there, and was married there to John Buchanan. In 1902 the couple came west to Odessa and in 1907 they moved to Harrington. In 1933 they moved to the Platter farm. Mr. Buchanan died June 25, 1948.

“Grantor: Marie J. Verline; Grantee: Wm. T. Bonn et ux. Dated: March 25, 1959. Warranty Deeds: Vol. 17 page 208; Description: Lots 7, 8, and 9, Block 46, Harrington.” (Lincoln County Auditor) This deed causes a discrepancy in the ownership of the hotel by Bonn where he reportedly sold to Varnier in 1947.

Ezra Varnier and Ada Sneed were married in 1913 and moved to Coffeyville, Kan. in 1920, and to Fresno, Cal. in 1943. When they moved to Harrington in 1950, Ada was 61 as was Ezra. After their purchase of the Electric Hotel (formerly Hotel Lincoln and Hotel Harrington) they converted it into residential apartments that were rented, primarily to teachers. They were the parents of Ava Lee Hanes, who, with her husband, had moved to Harrington the previous year. Ada and Ezra died in July and December of 1960. “Grantor: Ezra Varnier estate; Grantee: Ava Lee Hanes. Dated: Aug 7, 1961. Warranty Dees: Vol. 109 page 676. Description: Lots 7, 8, 9 in Block 46, Harrington.” (Lincoln County Auditor) “Purchaser's Assignment of Contract and Deed. The grantor Paul Hanes, Executor of the Estate of Ezra Varnier, deceased, for value received does hereby convey and quit claim to Ava Lee Hanes, as her separate property, the grantee, the following described real estate, situated in Lincoln County, State of Washington: Lots 7, 8 and 9 in Block 46, Town of Harrington. (This deed and assignment is executed and delivered to evidence distribution of the herein described property and contract in accordance with the Last Will and Testament of Ezra Varnier, deceased, probate No. 6252, Superior Court, Lincoln County, Washington, in which probate Order of Solvency was entered on Jan 11, 1961.) Lincoln County 1% Excise Tax on Real Estate Sales No tax-Aug. 7, 1961. and does hereby assign, transfer and set over to the grantee that certain real estate contract dated the 22nd day of August, 1947, between William T. Bonn and Gladys A. Bonn, his wife, as seller and decedent Ezra Varnier and Ada Varnier (now deceased) as purchaser for the sale and purchase of the above described real estate. The grantee hereby assumes and agrees to fulfill the conditions of said real estate contract. Dated this 4 day of August, 1961. Paul Hanes. Executor of the Estate of Ezra Varnier, deceased.” (Lincoln County Auditor: Warranty Deeds Volume 109 Pate 676) Paul Hanes owned and operated the Harrington Electric Store from 1950 to 1956 and operated Hanes Flying Service from 1949 to 1981. Paul and Ava Lee Hanes continued to rent apartments until about 1982 at which time Paul having retired, they enjoyed traveling and dividing their time between their apartment home in the Electric Hotel and their home in Grants Pass, Oregon until his health began to fail in 1995. In the 1970s, Paul and Ava Lee rented apartments for emergencies of local residents. Kathy Sewall Hoob recalls twice that her parents and family were forced out of their home in the 1970s and were grateful to have the hotel available for short term occupancy. Some residents in Harrington will recall that Don Starner after his retirement lived at the Electric Hotel for many years until 1972 when he was too ill to remain outside of a hospital, and died later that year. Paul Hanes was born in 1916 and died in Feb 1997, having been 33 years of age when he came to Harrington.

Paul and Ava Lee Hanes sold the Electric Hotel in 1996 to Gordon and Billie Herron. For the on-going historic article of this landmark in Harrington watch for Part 5 in The Odessa Record.