Jim Kershner’s this day in history

From our archives, 100 years ago

An excessively hot, dry summer was causing all kinds of havoc throughout the Inland Northwest.

A fire was raging on the flanks of Mount Spokane – clearly visible from the city – and it was believed that nothing would extinguish it except a period of rain.

Meanwhile, the bizarre series of thresher fires and explosions continued throughout the Palouse wheat district. In the most recent incident, a threshing machine burst into flames and badly burned two members of the crew. The fire started with no warning.

Puzzled farmers theorized that the explosions in the separators were “caused by excessive smut and the hot, dry weather.”

From the college beat: Gonzaga University was accepting applications for its “grammar school, business college, high school, college of arts and sciences and law school.”

“If they work and want to be something, send your young men and boys to Gonzaga University,” said the ad.

From the marriage beat: A marriage license was issued in Coeur d’Alene to a 25-year-old groom and a 74-year-old bride.

The Spokane Daily Chronicle was amused by the “December and May” aspect of the situation, and also by the name of the bride: Amanda Young.

They intended to reside on a ranch near St. Maries after they tied the knot.