Jim Kershner’s this day in history

From our archives, 100 years ago

A 13-year-old boy suffered a fatal head injury in a playground football game in Albion, Wash., not far from Pullman.

Wayne Luce had flung himself “fearlessly into the scrimmage in an effort to break up the interference surrounding the runner of the opposing team and prevent a touchdown.” Apparently, young Luce stumbled and his head was struck hard by someone’s knee. The play moved on, but the boy did not get up. The frightened players raised the alarm and called for a doctor.

The doctor took the boy to a nearby house and tried to revive him, but he remained unconscious and died shortly afterward, apparently of a blood clot on his brain.

From the lovelor n beat: Mrs. Lilly Dean, 40, gave her 16-year-old daughter money to attend the picture show. Then, Mrs. Dean put on her best gown, reclined on her bed, poured chloroform into a handkerchief and committed suicide.

She left two notes, one of which was addressed to her daughter, but the contents were not revealed. Neighbors said she had recently suffered a romantic disappointment.

Also on this date

(From the Associated Press)

1989: An earthquake measuring 7.1 on the Richter scale struck Northern California, killing 63 people and causing $6 billion worth of damage.