100 years ago in Spokane: Presidential candidates both confident of winning Washington

From our archive, 100 years ago

The two men who robbed the Union Park Bank and shot grocer Frank Magart when he tried to intervene were both sentenced to 20-year terms in the state pen.

William Tucker, alias Charles Martin, and Steve Snyder pleaded guilty on four charges, including robbery and assault.

Snyder told the court, “I didn’t do any shooting. I didn’t fire a shot. There are too many against me, though, and so I am willing to say guilty and get it over with.”

Tucker hugged and kissed his wife and two babies before the hearing and said, “I want to have it over with as soon as I can.”

The prosecutor said the evidence showed that Tucker did not fire a shot because his gun was broken. Eyewitnesses said Snyder was the one who shot Magart.

Magart’s condition was said to be improving.

From the election beat: With the 1916 presidential election one day away, politicians in both parties declared that victory was assured for their candidates in Washington. Both predicted they were absolutely certain of a solid majority to win Washington’s electoral votes.

As it turned out, Washington’s electoral votes went to Democrat Woodrow Wilson, by a vote of 48 percent to 44 percent.