Jim Kershner’s this day in history

From our archives, 100 years ago

The auto was firmly established in Spokane, as evidenced by the fact that Spokane now had 42 auto dealers and supply houses. In fact, there were so many auto businesses that a grand auto show was being planned in the lobby of the Davenport Hotel.

The organizers intended to “conduct the show along similar lines to the big automobile exhibits held each year in the large eastern centers.”

“The entire Northwest is embraced in the plan, and an aggressive publicity campaign will begin immediately” with special attention being paid to Montana, Idaho and Oregon.

From the road beat: On a related note, a Douglas County farmer said that the roads were already in good shape for the spring.

“I have motored into town frequently in the last 10 years, but I never experienced less difficulty than on this trip,” said the farmer. “It is about 145 miles to my place, but I made the run in seven hours, which I think is a record from my district. I experienced no difficulty, except that I had to slow down in a few of the rocky stretches of road along the coulees.”

Also on this date

1969: John Lennon married Yoko Ono in Gibraltar.

1974: Britain’s Princess Anne was the target of a kidnapping attempt near Buckingham Palace; the would-be abductor, Ian Ball, was captured.