Jim Kershner’s this day in history

From our archives, 100 years ago

Spokane’s dog catcher, Joe Rudersdorf, was about to get a Ford runabout as his dog-catching wagon.

There were some, including Rudersdorf, who were not convinced that this would be an improvement over the current form of transport: Molly, the little bay mare.

According to Rudersdorf, Molly “can spot a dog further than any man who ever drove her.”

“So expert had she become in the wily art of slipping up on canine prey, that she would start at a lively trot when she spied a dog a block or two away,” said the article.

When she got closer, Molly would “discreetly stop” and allow Rudersdorf time to sneak up on the dog and rope it.

From the missing persons beat: J.F. Mills, from near Pomeroy, Wash., put his wife on the train to Portland. After a few days, he became alarmed because he had not heard from her.  

For months he searched for her in vain and concluded she had chosen to leave him and their 2-year-old daughter. He filed a divorce request.

Then, he received a letter from Arizona. A woman said that Mrs. Mills was at their home in Arizona, had suffered memory loss and confusion, and had finally recovered enough to remember who she was.

They were reunited, although she was still dazed. Mr. Mills went to the courthouse to cancel his divorce request.