Jim Kershner’s this day in history

From our archives, 100 years ago

This was the morning that The Spokesman-Review had to face reality:

Theodore Roosevelt had lost the 1912 presidential election.

The headline tried to put the best face on it by saying: “Wilson Elected President By a Large Plurality; Roosevelt a Good Second.” The paper had supported Roosevelt throughout his career and the Rough Rider was a personal friend of publisher W.H. Cowles.

Roosevelt’s defeat must have been a bitter pill for the paper, as well as for the city and the entire state, which were all strongly pro-Roosevelt.

In fact, Roosevelt scored a resounding victory in Spokane County, trouncing the national winner Woodrow Wilson, 12,478 votes to 8,379.

The incumbent, William Howard Taft, had a mere 3,289 votes.

Roosevelt easily carried Washington state, one of only six states he won.

An editorial expressed admiration for Wilson, and said it expected “an aggressive, efficient and progressive presidency from him.”

Also on this date

(From the Associated Press)

1860: Former Illinois congressman Abraham Lincoln defeated three other candidates for the presidency: John Breckinridge, John Bell and Stephen Douglas.