Jim Kershner’s this day in history

From our archives, 100 years ago

Louis Davenport announced a major change in his grand hotel, then in the excavation stage. He and the stockholders had decided to reduce the height from 14 stories to 12 stories, as a cost-saving measure.

The 14th story originally had been planned as a conservatory and roof garden, but it would have been expensive to maintain, so it was scuttled along with the 13th story. Changes in the plans, however, would not reduce the number of rooms.

Davenport predicted an opening date of March 31, 1914 – which would prove to be optimistic. It opened on Sept. 1, 1914.

From the divorce beat: The 22-year-old daughter of pioneer Colfax physician Dr. B.F. Harvey gave sensational testimony in her parents’ divorce trial.

The daughter testified that her father was a drunk who habitually swore at her mother and once flourished a revolver and threatened to shoot her if she left the house.

Even more sensational was the daughter’s testimony that the doctor once stood over her own bed and said, “Die, d—- you, die!”

Also on this date

(From the Associated Press)

1863: The Bear River Massacre took place as the U.S. Army attacked Shoshone in present-day Idaho.