100 years ago: New highway needed for east side of Lake Coeur d’Alene

The Idaho State Highway Commission was planning a modern highway in a portion of the state in dire need of a good road: the eastern side of Lake Coeur d’Alene.

The proposed highway would go from Fernwood in Benewah County to the city of Coeur d’Alene, passing through St. Maries and Harrison.

“The road will open territory between Harrison and Coeur d’Alene, at present covered only by trails and rough, nearly impassable mountain roads,” said the Spokane Daily Chronicle.

The new highway would then connect with the already-under-construction Fourth of July Canyon Road at Wolf Lodge Bay. That road continued on to Kellogg, but the state engineer said he hoped to raise the existing road near Kellogg to avoid the spring floods.

From the court beat: The sparring between opposing lawyers continued during the trial of several Wobblies in Spokane. When the judge asked prosecutor Arthur Hooper to refrain from arguing with witnesses, the Wobblies’ defense lawyer, A. Streif, broke in and said, “What is the matter with you, Hooper?”

Hooper growled, “Direct your remarks to the court.”

“But you have been sort of glum around here all morning,” shot back Streif, facetiously.

“Don’t bother me,” said Hooper. “Your voice is not pleasant for me to hear.”

This exchange ended with “a chorus of snickers” from the gallery.