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

From our archives, 100 years ago

Miss Marjorie Harkness, the penny arcade box-office clerk who became locally famous for testifying against her boss, landed a new job using the same skills – acting – that made her such a fine short-change artist.

She was hired by the Phoenix Amusement Co. to go on stage in “character work” in vaudeville shows and sketches.

“It will not be a short-change, but a quick-change turn this time,” said Miss Harkness, who was leaving for Seattle to start her new job.

In her old job, her boss forced her to fleece customers and then, if challenged, pretend that she had made a mistake. She testified against her boss and caught the fancy of the public.

“You see, it pays to tell the truth, even to giving testimony as to short-change operations,” she said.

From the romance file: Rattlesnake Pete, a cowpuncher and rough-riding stunt performer, requested the public’s help in tracking down the girl he loved.

Pete said he drifted into Spokane during the Interstate Fair, met Miss Nellie Lane and fell deeply in love with her. He said he had received permission to call on her at her Spokane home, but then injured his ankle so badly during a stunt at the fair that he was unable to follow up.

When he finally healed, he went to her address and found she had moved. He made a public plea for information on her whereabouts.