100 years ago in Spokane: Engineers propose dropping water level in Lake Coeur d’Alene

Washington Water Power engineers said they had the solution to the flooding that afflicted Lake Coeur d’Alene.

They proposed a plan to permanently lower the lake level four to five feet.

They said it could be done by dredging the first four miles of the Spokane River. It would cost up to $250,000, but it might be worth it, said the engineers. High water in the previous year did a vast amount of damage to the lumber yards and other interests on the lake and on the Coeur d’Alene and St. Joe rivers.

From the war bond beat: A last minute surge put Spokane over its quota for Liberty loans (war bonds).

Spokane purchasers accounted for more than $3.3 million in Liberty loans, about $260,000 over its quota.

And it wasn’t just because of the well-to-do. “Common laborers working for $3.50 a day” helped Spokane meet its goal.

The nation as a whole also exceeded it quota, despite a slow start.

An editorial in The Spokesman-Review was headlined, “Predictions of Failure Crushingly Refuted.”

“Spokane has occasion to thrill with pride at its creditable part in this stupendous service to the government,” said the editors.

It was, they said, the largest bond issue ever placed by the U.S. government.

From the mining beat: Manus Duggan, the young miner who saved the lives of 25 miners in the Butte mine fire, was buried with hero’s honors.

He was overcome with gas, after leading the other men to safety.