Jim Kershner’s this day in history
From our archives, 100 years ago
An article in The Spokesman-Review had an ominous headline: “Warring Nations Own Big Colonies and War May Extend Over the World.”
The article pointed out that three of the major warring nations in Europe, England, France and Germany, held vast colonial territories all over the world. The article predicted – correctly – that these three colonial powers would fight fiercely to protect their far-flung dependencies.
Fighting was likely “to reach seven seas and involve all quarters of the globe.”
It was among the first hints that this new European war was destined to become a world war.
From the hotel beat: The opening date of the Davenport Hotel was set for Sept. 1, 1914. It would be a grand opening befitting its status as a grand hotel.
Special railcars full of guests were scheduled to arrive from “St. Louis, St. Paul and the Coast” (i.e., Seattle, Tacoma and Portland).
However, the ceremonial opening for the Inland Empire was scheduled for Sept. 18, to coincide with Spokane’s Interstate Fair.
“The importance of the great new hotel to the entire Inland Empire will be emphasized by an elaborate reception and banquet, at which every point in the Inland Empire will be represented.”