Jim Kershner’s this day in history

From our archives, 100 years ago

Josephus Daniels, secretary of the Navy in President Woodrow Wilson’s Cabinet, paid a visit to Spokane and to Fort George Wright.

Daniels made two addresses while in town.

He told the Spokane Chamber of Commerce that he was pleased to see that this region was “growing richer every day.”

“Today I saw wigwams and real Indians within a short distance of this metropolis,” he told the chamber. “I heard the rippling brooks and saw fish in abundance. It is for you to chain the immense water power that runs by idly and make it give you light and power. Your hills and streams have everything needed, if you can find the key to unlock it.”

The Spokesman-Review was especially pleased by what Daniels said about the newspaper itself.

“The Spokesman-Review is a wonderfully fine newspaper,” he said (assuming the newspaper quoted him correctly). “I am an old newspaper editor myself and it was a great pleasure for me this morning to read The Spokesman-Review.”

Daniels owned the News and Observer in Raleigh, N.C., and was its editor when he was appointed to the Cabinet.

Also on this date

(From the Associated Press)

1863: American automaker Henry Ford was born in Dearborn Township, Mich.