Jim Kershner’s this day in history

From our archives, 100 years ago

Sidney Johnson, 36, passed an eventful night in his Spokane apartment.

He dreamed he had been in a particularly vigorous wrestling match. Then he woke up at 3:30 a.m. and discovered his right shoulder was dislocated.

He was rushed, in great pain, to the emergency hospital, where he was put under ether and doctors reduced the dislocated shoulder.

From the divorce beat: Dr. Wilbur H. Appleton, a Spokane physician, told the court that his wife was attempting to blackmail him as part of her divorce suit.

He said she called his office and demanded $10,000. He claimed if she didn’t get it she would amend her divorce complaint to charge him with “disgusting, vile and felonious criminal offense in connection with his profession.”

Also from the divorce beat: The wife of Spokane hotel proprietor Oscar S. Turnley accused him of repeated acts of mayhem and cruelty. Once, she said, he threw a rock at her head. When she held up her arm to protect herself, the rock broke her arm. He also had a habit of sticking “the sharp points of scissors and shears” into her calves and “other fleshy portions of her legs.” 

She obtained a restraining order and was suing him for divorce.