100 years ago in Spokane: Woman confesses to helping robber

From our archives, 100 years ago

The signed confession of Emma McCambridge, the mother of a 3-year-old, caused a sensation when the confession was introduced into evidence at her trial for being an accomplice in the shooting and robbing of fruit dealer Louis Costello.

She was accused of luring Costello to a deserted spot near Indian Canyon, where her boyfriend, soldier Gilbert Childs, jumped out and robbed him.

Her confession went like this:

“Childs was feeling blue and said he wanted to go over the hill (desert from the army) and that he needed some money. He told me if I would take Costello out to Indian Canyon, he would take his money from him. I saw Costello at this store on Main Avenue and talked with him about going to the park. …

“We arrived there about 8 o’clock and sat on a rock where Childs said he would be. Childs did not come for some time, and I thought maybe he would not find us. I didn’t know there was to be any shooting, and when Childs began to shoot, I screamed for help. I have not seen Childs since. I am willing to take my medicine now.”

Costello, on the stand, said she did not scream. In fact, “she was kind of happy, I think.” Then she “came over and helped rob me.”

Her defense attorney vigorously protested the admission of the confession into evidence, to no avail.