Jim Kershner’s this day in history

From our archives, 100 years ago

The head of the International Barber College in Spokane was under arrest for fraud, leaving about a dozen young barber students in the lurch.

The general manager of the barber school had been accused earlier of defrauding his local investors. One of them said the man had defaulted on $300 in bonds.

Later that day, the students rushed to the police station and said they were afraid the general manager was about to skip town with all of their tuition money. They were out $50 each.

A warrant was written out and the man was arrested, apparently with suitcase in hand, just before he could leave. It was not yet clear whether he would ever be able to pay back the tuition money.

From the newspaper and religion file: A local minister told a group of ad men that the Sunday newspaper, contrary to some clerical opinion, was not a threat to religion.

Some Christians had complained the Sunday papers were so enticing that people were skipping church. But Rev. J.W. Kramer said he had “no patience” with this argument. He said the Sunday paper helped advertise church services.

Also on this date

(From the Associated Press)

1968: Civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in Memphis, Tenn.