Jim Kershner’s this day in history

From our archives, 100 years ago

The proprietress of the Miner’s Hotel, Mrs. E. Anderson, was on trial for keeping a disorderly house, following a raid headed by the Rev. M.A. Covington of the Spokane Ministerial Association.

The ministers, along with the police, had recently launched a crusade against vice in Spokane.

Covington testified that he saw women with “low necks on dresses” and that Anderson made “an outburst” of profanity when she realized that police were in her hotel. One officer said he saw beer served to men in the parlor and that women “solicited from the parlor.” He also observed women playing cards in the parlor.

Covington testified that they raided the hotel because its reputation was “bad.” The defense attorney asked him how he knew it was bad. Covington replied that he had heard it from various sources but could not specify who it was.

Three of the female tenants were also on trial for “vagrancy,” but they admitted nothing beyond the fact that drinks had been served.

Also on this date

(From the Associated Press)

1869: Thousands of businessmen were ruined in a Wall Street panic known as “Black Friday” after financiers Jay Gould and James Fisk attempted to corner the gold market.