Jim Kershner’s this day in history

From our archives, 100 years ago

A Northern Pacific brakeman wished he had never broken railroad rules and obtained free travel passes for his sweetheart, Myrtle, under the pretense that she was his wife.

First, the railroad discovered the deception and turned his name over to a grand jury for theft and fraud.

Second, Myrtle used one of the passes to travel to Aberdeen, Wash., where she married an Aberdeen businessman.

The spurned brakeman, meanwhile, was in jail on $3,000 bond.

From the Teddy beat: Spokane was gearing up for a campaign visit from the city’s favorite presidential candidate, Teddy Roosevelt. 

Roosevelt was running for president again, after being out of office for four years.

This time, he was heading a third-party ticket, the Progressive (or Bull Moose) Party.

Rallies and speeches were planned for the Sept. 9, 1912, visit.

Also on this date

(From the Associated Press)

1939: The Union of South Africa declared war on Germany.

1970: Palestinian guerrillas seized control of three U.S.-bound jetliners. (Two were later blown up on the ground in Jordan, along with a London-bound plane hijacked on Sept. 9; the fourth plane was destroyed on the ground in Egypt. No hostages were harmed.)