Jim Kershner’s this day in history

From our archives, 100 years ago

Ellensburg was shocked by the revelations that had emerged from a statutory rape trial.

Testimony showed that “a score or more of young girls” had habitually gathered at the Queen Candy Store, and there they “discussed sex affairs with almost the freedom of the underworld.”

“We have ordinances preventing young men from entering pool halls and saloons, but we have no ordinances to prevent girls from running the streets and gathering at such places,” said the judge. “I believe if such a place had not existed, there would be no occasion for such a trial as we have just gone through with, this girl would have been saved her shame and this boy would have been saved the disgrace of a felon’s sentence.”

Two-thirds of the witnesses for the defense were under 20 and some “showed a knowledge so shocking to the court that no minors were allowed in court except to testify.”

From the smoking beat: Even well-known actresses were not immune from the no-smoking ordinances.

Actress Kitty Lawrence was in her dressing room at the Empress Theater, enjoying a “perfumed cigarette,” when a fire captain hauled her in for violating the fire ordinance. She was released on $6 bond.