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

From our archives, 100 years ago

More than a dozen boys from the Spokane YMCA went on a high-altitude adventure. They climbed to the top of Mt. Carleton, better known as Old Baldy, and enjoyed a spectacular view of the Cabinet Mountains and the Canadian Rockies.

First, they trekked to the foot of the mountain and slept in a hay barn. They embarked at 3:30 a.m., climbed Mt. Kit Carson and Mt. Pleasant. One boy dropped out because of a sprained ankle, another because of blistered feet. The rest finally puffed their way to the top of Old Baldy, which still had snow 6 to 8 feet deep in some places. They were so tired, they made camp and slept right through the sunrise they were hoping to watch.

Today that mountain is known by a third name: Mount Spokane.

From the circus beat: The Al G. Barnes Three-Ring Wild Animal Circus came to Spokane. Among the acts: A lion that rides a horse; seals that juggle “lighted torches on horseback”; elephants that “act as barbers, operate a laundry and play musical instruments”; and bears that “imitate drunken men.”

No, I am not making any of this up, not even the “act as barbers” part.

Also on this date

(From the Associated Press)

1844: Samuel F.B. Morse sent the message, “What hath God wrought” from Washington to Baltimore as he formally opened America’s first telegraph line.