Jim Kershner’s This day in history » On the Web: spokesman.com/topics/local-history

From our archives, 75 years ago

Spokane police Chief Ira A. Martin laid down the law to Spokane’s kids in 1935: A 9 p.m. curfew for kids would be strictly enforced for Halloween and the night before.

“For these two nights, any children found on the streets after that hour, if unaccompanied by parents or other adult persons, will be liable to police detention,” said the chief. “The juvenile ward at the county courthouse will be used to house those children who run afoul of the police on those two nights.”

A Spokane County deputy said his department was also taking a tough stance on Halloween vandalism.

“We will tolerate no vandalism,” he said. “In former years, we have had many complaints of old buildings being torn down, old cars and wagons being placed on highways, signs destroyed and other unlawful acts.”

Extra police officers and deputies were ordered on duty on both nights.

Did all of these precautions work? Check tomorrow’s column for details, but the brief answer is: No.

Also on this date

(From the Associated Press)

1938: The radio play “The War of the Worlds,” starring Orson Welles, aired on CBS. (The live drama, which employed fake breaking news reports, panicked some listeners who thought the portrayal of a Martian invasion was real.)