Jim Kershner’s This Day in History

From our archives, 100 years ago

Dr. J.M. Gunning issued a call for a blood donor to save the life of a hemophilia patient who was bleeding to death – and was deluged with 250 volunteers.

A few asked “what was in it for them,” but most offered their blood free of charge. Among the volunteers was an officer at Fort Wright, but “most of the applicants were young women.”

The doctor only needed one donor, and he chose “a healthy young working woman,” who asked not to be identified. He put her on the operating table and drew more than a pint of blood. She experienced “no ill effects except a slight lassitude at the conclusion of the operation.”

The blood was injected into the arm of the hemophilia patient, who immediately “felt better,” but it was too early to predict the long-term value. Another donor would be selected next week and the operation repeated.

From the education beat: About 2,000 teachers gathered for the Inland Empire Teachers Association meeting, prompting The Spokesman-Review to ponder educational progress in the region since the first log schoolhouse was built in Chewelah 46 years earlier. The log buildings “gave way to the frame structure, and that in turn to imposing architecture of brick and stone.”

“It constitutes a marvel of progress, a noble romance thrilling with high endeavor and majestic achievement,” said the editorial.