Jim Kershner’s This day in history

From our archives, 100 years ago

Wallace had become so desperate over its lack of rain and the flammable condition of the surrounding forests that it resorted to an unconventional solution: Exploding dynamite around the city.

The theory was that the explosions would somehow make rain.

Dynamite was hung on trees on the high points around Wallace and detonated during the afternoon.

Many residents were skeptical, but some became converts when a heavy thundershower pounded Wallace at midnight.

The optimism proved to be short-lived. The showers were brief, scattered and not nearly sufficient to dampen the fires that were smoldering around Wallace and the rest of the region.

From the hygiene beat: A Spokane woman sued her husband for divorce, saying that his “general care of himself” – or lack thereof – caused her to lose affection.

He bathes only twice a year, she said. His feet, in particular, were desperately “in need of regular ablutions.”

She also said “a toothbrush seldom intrudes upon the expanse of ivory.”

The result? His breath “differs from the bouquet of the rose.”

Also on this date

(From the Associated Press)

1914: The Panama Canal opened to traffic.