Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

100 years ago in Spokane: Morality cop was on the prowl

 (Nathanael Massey / The Spokesman-Review)

The headline read, “Like Park Spooning? Don’t You Try; Lady Sleuth’s on Job – That’s Why!”

A “lady cop” was roaming the parks, enforcing the rules against spooning, as in kissing and hugging, etc.

Mayor C.A. Fleming waxed poetic about this development to a “lone bystander” (probably a reporter), who asked him why the parks were so quiet at night these days.

“When Mrs. Kendall, lady cop, was put upon the beat, the spooney folks refused to cuddle on a seat,” rhymed the mayor. “When Coppess Kendall heaves in sight, the spooners all retreat. And so the parks are quiet in the evening.”

The mayor admitted that “there was a time when the spooners spooned quite freely in the glades at Manito … but now when Mrs. Kendall comes, the lads and lassies blow.”

He added that “no bunny hugging goes with her.”

From the draft beat: Confusion still existed over whether the draft boards should be exempting all married men. One of Spokane’s draft boards was refusing to exempt married men, except those with dependents. Two other Spokane boards were exempting almost all married men. They were seeking clarification from higher authorities.

Meanwhile, word came down that religious objectors could be drafted, but designated for non-combatant duties, such as in the hospital corps or quartermaster corps.