100 years ago in Spokane: ‘America First, Germany Second’ slogan proposed

From our archives, 100 years ago

Spokane’s German-American League, attempting to counteract allegations of disloyalty, proposed adoption of a new slogan, “America First, Germany Second.”

“We are for America first, last and all the time,” said A. Von Pulaski, a prominent league member.

He and others in the league wanted to “remove the odium that has attached” to Germans in the U.S. through the “pernicious activities” of a few outspoken Germans in America. The new slogan was set to be debated at a mass meeting in Spokane the next night. Von Pulaski was confident that it would pass, because “the responsible Germans in Spokane” shared his sentiments.

From the whiskey beat: Pioneer druggist A.H. Goldberg was sentenced to 90 days in jail for dispensing “horse medicine” that was actually whiskey.

Goldberg was caught by two undercover officers who hid in an old barn and watched Goldberg and his assistant, L.R. Pierson, operate what was essentially an illegal liquor store out behind the drugstore.

A huge amount of liquor, described as “three truckloads,” was found in Goldberg’s storeroom.

From the correction file: The record for the youngest student to graduate from eighth grade in Spokane was set by Lenora Frances Glen, 10. The youngster’s name was erroneously reported in the June 11 column.

Also on this date

(From the Associated Press)

1986: Benny Goodman, the clarinet-playing “King of Swing,” died in New York at age 77.