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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

100 years ago in Spokane: Garden Springs resident terrorized by highwaymen

From our archives, 100 years ago

Sue Som, a Chinese resident of the Garden Springs district,was seated in his house when three masked highwaymen burst through the door and shoved a gun into his face.

They rifled through his pockets and grabbed $16. Then they “threw Som into a cellar and barred the exits.”

They began ransacking his house, and threw food, glassware, dishes and other articles into a great pile on the floor.

“Chairs were broken against a wall and a dining table was wrecked,” said police.

They finally left, but Som remained locked in the cellar. He was not released until his housemate, Mac Long, returned home and found him.

Police said the robbers delivered one particularly mean parting shot: They stuck an ice pick through a $60 music box.

From the Thanksgiving beat: Meat suppliers reported that thousands of turkeys were purchased and consumed on Thanksgiving in Spokane.

“From our experience today, we can see no evidence that money is scarce in Spokane,” said one dealer. “Our sales have been beyond our expectations.”

Another said it was the biggest Thanksgiving his market had ever experienced.