Jim Kershner’s this day in history

From our archives, 100 years ago

Spokane audiences certainly had plenty of entertainment options over the weekend. Here are a few:

• The Imperial Pekinese Troupe at the Orpheum offered a thrilling exhibition of acrobatics, including what they billed as “The Slide for Life.”

A cable was stretched from the extreme upper corner of the balcony to the stage. An “intrepid Chinaman, suspended by the wire from his cue” (his braided hair), slid down the cable at “lightning speed, to an accompaniment of shrill yells,” and was caught by his fellow performers.

They also performed an aerial ballet, with two performers “suspended from their cues.”

• Over at the Pantages, the most exciting act was “Mademoiselle Adgie and her 12 Royal Lions.” These were real lions, and at one point, three cubs and a half-grown male “roamed at will about the footlights.” The others remained in cages, where they were put through a series of stunts. Children were encouraged to submit names for the cubs, and the child picking the best name would be given a $5 prize.

• In possibly the most startling act of all, the Howard Brothers, with Miss Kitty Ross, “rendered grand opera on the banjo.”

Also on this date

(From the Associated Press)

1964: The U.S. Supreme Court, in New York Times Co. v. Sullivan, ruled libel claims by public officials must prove an intent of “actual malice.”