100 years ago in Lind: Shoemaker arrested in scheme to burn down store

From our archives, 100 years ago

Several arsonists were foiled in the act of trying to burn down the hardware store in Lind, Washington.

The sheriff received a tip that a local shoemaker was trying to hire strangers to burn down the store.

So the sheriff and other officers concealed themselves in a spot where they could see the shoemaker set out a box full of flammable material and a lighted candle and hand it to two strangers.

Then they followed the men to the store, where they were arrested in the act of placing the box in the store. All three men were arrested.

From the farm beat: More and more farmers were discarding horses and turning to gasoline-powered equipment.

A report out of Ritzville said E.A. Densmore had just purchased a 75-horsepower gasoline engine, “which he estimates will take the place of 32 horses.” He planned to use it to plow 2,000 acres and also to harvest and haul the grain.

He said it was the largest gasoline engine in the county. He announced that he would sell his surplus horses at auction.

Also on this date

(From the Associated Press)

1857: The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Dred Scott v. Sandford that Scott, a slave, was not an American citizen and could not sue for his freedom in federal court.