Jim Kershner’s this day in history

From our archives, 100 years ago

The defense opened its case in Spokane’s most sensational murder trial, revealing many unsavory details about the tragically unhappy marriage between Della Olds and the late Dr. W.H. Olds.

A female neighbor reported that Della once took refuge at her house late at night, wearing only a nightgown. Dr. Olds came over soon after, clearly drunk. He picked Della up, “placed her on his shoulder, carried her upstairs and then threw her violently on the floor and kicked her.”

Another witness, identified in the paper as the Oldses’ “colored domestic,” said she heard the doctor beat Della many nights and also heard Della pleading with him to stop.

The maid said she was afraid to interfere because she didn’t want to get her “head knocked off.” Yet the maid once asked Della about her bruises and Della said they were the doctor’s “pet marks.” Later, the maid asked the doctor about his wife’s bruises and he told her it was “none of my (blank) business.”

Other witnesses testified that, on the night of the murder, Dr. Olds had lost money at the racetrack and came home drunk and belligerent.

Also on this date

(From the Associated Press)

1776: The Declaration of Independence was adopted by delegates to the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia.