Jim Kershner’s this day in history

From our archives, 100 years ago

About 80 Japanese residents of Spokane were preparing a big show at a makeshift theater in Trent Alley: a melodrama titled “Kilaleatome.”

It was the story of a holdup, robbery and murder of a Japanese police officer. Crew members were busy painting backdrops of an orchard and cherry blossoms. The stage manager and scenery painter was Billie Iwamoto, who operated a restaurant on “Oriental Alley,” or Trent Alley.

The show was a benefit show for the Nippon Athletic Club, which was the booster organization for the Japanese community’s local baseball team.

  From the keg-tossing beat: Nick Bolick and John Markus took their St. Patrick’s Day celebration a little too far.

They were celebrating at Swan & Skaggs’ Saloon in Burke, Idaho, when the bartender told them he would not sell them any more drinks without cash.

They responded by tossing several beer kegs through the front window.

Both were sent to jail for 10 days.

Also on this date

(From the Associated Press)

1775: Patrick Henry delivered an address to the Virginia Provincial Convention in which he is said to have declared, “Give me liberty, or give me death!”

1933: The German Reichstag adopted the Enabling Act, which effectively granted Adolf Hitler dictatorial powers.