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Council hears intriguing tale of history

Susan Dechant walked Coulee Dam council last Wednesday night through the intriguing tale of a monument lost and a new one proposed.

Lost for non-payment was a monument erected in 1938 along the then main road in Delano to honor workers who died during construction of Grand Coulee Dam. The bill on the American Legion monument, some $1,750, Dechant noted, wasn’t promptly paid and the Legion asked for more time. That was granted by the Colville monument maker.

However, when the Legion tried to talk him down to $500, the monument owner lost his patience, and came down along with some men packing guns to take back the monument.

It was later sold to Stevens County to hold the names of county men and women who served the military in World War II. It now stands in front of the county courthouse.

Dechant, a researcher, has identified 77 of the 81 people who lost their lives during the long construction day process. She urged the council to consider taking on the monument challenge.

Mayor Greg Wilder stated that the town will consider this when the council starts work on the 2015 budget, sometime in July.

A good crowd came to hear the story of the monument’s arrival and departure, and were supportive of a new monument.

Dechant put on a PowerPoint program with appropriate comments and information. It was her first appearance before the council, and the mayor asked her to continue her work and be available for a repeat appearance.

 

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