Jim Kershner’s this day in history

From our archives, 100 years ago

Anthony Volcano, an aged Spokane man diagnosed with leprosy, was escorted to a federal leper colony at Diamond Point, near Port Townsend, Wash.

His escort was the Spokane mayor himself, Mayor Hindley. Hindley had arranged transport, accompanied by a local “quarantine officer,” from Volcano’s quarantined home on the Spokane River.

Volcano was taken on foot from City Hall to the Northern Pacific Depot, “through a district inhabited by Italians, a number of whom recognized Volcano and followed him to the station.”

“Volcano was given numerous farewells by his countrymen, who wished him much luck on his journey,” the paper said.

He had asked permission to see his family one more time, but was told there was not enough time. Then Hindley, Volcano and the Rev. A. J. Rocatti boarded the train for Seattle, where Volcano was to catch a boat to Port Townsend. Volcano was kept in seclusion during the trip.

A panic had gripped Volcano’s Union Park neighborhood when he was first diagnosed with leprosy.

Also on this date

(From the Associated Press)

1973: The U.S. Supreme Court, in its Roe v. Wade decision, legalized abortions using a trimester approach.