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

From our archives,

100 years ago

The region was riveted by the dramatic murder trial of John M. McDowell, whose wife had been found dead in their cabin at Springston, Idaho, near Harrison.

A neighbor found her on the floor along with a note that said she was tired of living “in this cold, sinful world” and that she hoped to meet her husband in heaven. Yet police became suspicious because of her husband’s strange behavior the morning of her death.

He had walked to the Harrison train station with his son, but partway there, he told his son he forgot his pocketbook and went back. He testified that she was sleeping restfully. He caught up with his son later. His wife was found dead later that morning.

Evidence at the trial indicated that McDowell, a traveling salesman, had recently promised to marry another woman in Spokane. Her brother discovered the existence of Mrs. McDowell and the wedding was canceled. This all happened shortly before Mrs. McDowell’s death.

Meanwhile, a chemist testified that Mrs. McDowell had ingested a fatal dose of morphine. Yet whether she drank it willfully or had it forced upon her was still in question.

Also on this date

(From the Associated Press)

44 B.C.: Roman dictator Julius Caesar was assassinated by a group of nobles that included Brutus and Cassius.