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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Jim Kershner’s this day in history

From our archives, 100 years ago

The city’s commissioner of public safety, D. Coates, grimly announced that “radical changes” were necessary in the city’s detective squad.

A total shakeup in the investigative units was made necessary, he said, by the Police Department’s failure to solve “several atrocious murders” in the city.

The commissioner said a new captain of detectives would be hired – probably from outside the department – along with a permanent lieutenant of detectives. Currently, the job of captain of detectives was rotated between detectives every two months.

“Spokane is behind the times in the detective department,” said the commissioner. “… The captain should be allowed to serve indeterminately, and once he starts on a case, he should be allowed to finish it.”

From the fashion beat: A young woman wearing the newest dress style – a “silhouette gown” – caused a sensation on Riverside Avenue.

She “left in her wake a procession of disgusted matrons and chuckling curb-stoners.”

Why the ruckus? A silhouette gown was distinguished by its “shocking transparency” and its tendency to cling “closely to the form of the young woman.”

 The young trendsetter also wore a stylish hat and bandied a “stunning parasol” as she sauntered serenely down the crowded street.