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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Jim Kershner’s this day in history

From our archives, 100 years ago

The city was buzzing about a spectacular Spokane Indians baseball game, a 20-inning affair that ended with a 6-1 Spokane victory over Seattle.

The game, played in the Rainier Valley park in Seattle, was “the longest game that has been played in (Seattle) in the history of league baseball.” 

The sun had set when the Spokane Indians came to bat in the 20th inning. They had been baffled for the previous 19 innings by Seattle pitcher Ed Kelly. The Indians finally managed to get the bases loaded against Kelly when catcher Shea (first name not listed) came up to bat and swung mightily.

“The ball shot straight and far into the outer garden, with the right and center fielders in frantic pursuit, while four baserunners were tearing along the paths.”

When the ball reached the infield, two runs were in and Shea was standing on second base. The Indians added three more insurance runs that inning.

The game lasted “more than three hours” – a testimony to the relatively speedy pace of baseball in that era.

From the accident beat: A 12-year-old Spokane girl and her friends found a dynamite cap in the attic of a house. Curiosity tempted her to try to “pick the charge out of the shell” with her hairpin.

The ensuing explosion necessitated the amputation of the thumb and three fingers of her left hand. She also suffered burns and contusions. Her companions were not hurt.