Jim Kershner’s this day in history

From our archives, 100 years ago

Emotions ran high at a Spokane School Board meeting to decide the future of several principals. Judge Bruce Blake spoke in support of Miss Florence Kent of the Bryant School, saying the board would “make a grievous mistake if they let go this teacher, who has given 20 years of her life to school work.” Many others, including Rabbi David Levine, spoke in her favor. However, the board voted three to two to let her go.

Meanwhile, some parents from the Boulevard Park School presented a petition signed by 63 parents opposing the rehiring of their principal, Miss Addie B. Delahunty.

“We know her to be tyrannical, insulting and incompetent to both parents and pupils, that she should cooperate with her parents to command respect, but this she fails to do,” said the petition. “She refuses to listen when being interviewed; refuses to listen to requests by telephone; speaks disdainfully of children in conversation and calls pupils into her office to inquire about family affairs.”

The board went ahead and rehired Miss Delahunty.

From the cricket beat: The plague of crickets in Grant County continued, and now the crickets were attacking fruit orchards. Plans were being made to spray.

Meanwhile, county commissioners approved the construction of a 5-mile fence topped with tin as a cricket barrier, but some farmers said 5 miles was not enough.