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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

Fred Alverson, 19, had appeared before Judge Fred Witt one too many times for certain minor offenses.

So Witt laid down the rules, in no uncertain terms.

“There are four things you are going to do,” said Witt, as he announced a suspended jail sentence. “First, you are going to stay out of and away from dance halls. Second, out of and away from all saloons. Third, absolutely quit the use of intoxicating liquor. Fourth, come to me every Tuesday morning and let me see how you are behaving. This sentence isn’t all that you face; it is a gross misdemeanor for a boy under 21 years to enter a saloon. If you fail to keep the agreement that you have made here, I shall make it my duty to see that you are prosecuted under state law, and there will be another six months sentence.”

At this point Alverson “announced his intention of being very, very good.”

From the litter beat: A Liberty Park-area grocer was tired of how many old tin cans littered his neighborhood. So he told the neighborhood kids he would give $1.50 to the kid who brought in the most tin cans, and $1 to second place.

He woke the next morning to find a giant pile of cans in back of his store.

He admitted he may have underestimated “the energy of Liberty Park youth.” But he also said he would be surprised if there were any old cans left in the entire neighborhood.