Jim Kershner’s this day in history

From our archives, 100 years ago

The Spokane County Pioneers Association, made up of old-timers from the city’s early days, held its annual reunion and outing at Liberty Lake.

They listened to speeches, joined in a chorus of “Auld Lang Syne” and reminisced. The oldest pioneer was Gideon Howell, 89, who arrived in Spokane in 1883.

However, the distinction of having been the earliest arrival belonged to M.F. Mulouin.

“I am the oldest settler in the county, having come to this country in 1871,” he said. “I located on the old California ranch out at Mica. There were not many white here at that time and the country was sparsely settled.”

B. Frank Martin was an early arrival as well.

“I first came to this country in 1877, when I drove General Sherman from Fort Buford in the Dakotas overland to Fort Walla Walla,” said Martin. “Later I came to Spokane, reaching here September 14, the same year. My Civil War service was with the First Minnesota Heavy Artillery.”

Martin had donned his old Grand Army of the Republic uniform for the occasion.

Also on this date

(From the Associated Press)

2000: Seven months after he was cast adrift in the Florida Straits, Elian Gonzalez was returned to his native Cuba.