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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 newly formed Spokane branch of the Red Cross Society was deluged with offers of help in its first week of existence. 

Officers of Spokane’s first Red Cross branch said they were “greatly gratified” by the outpouring of support. The next step was to start raising money. Even though they had not launched a formal fundraising campaign, they had already received donations from a number of Spokane residents, including one 50-cent donation attributed to “a child,” who presumably had donated contents of a piggy bank.

The Washington National Guard offered to hold a Red Cross charity event – “a large military ball” – in the armory in a few weeks. Arrangements were underway.

From the escapee beat: B. Croka, a guard, was transporting a “lunatic” from Stevens County to the Medical Lake asylum. John Hore, 53, had cut his throat in an apparent suicide attempt a few days earlier and had been declared insane. The guard and his charge stopped in at Durkin’s Howard Street restaurant for dinner when the tall, “rawboned” Hore broke free and escaped into the Northern Pacific rail yards.

Police were searching for a 6-foot-tall, 170-pound man with a mustache and “new, heavy shoes.” They feared Hore would rip the bandage from his throat and make another attempt on his life.