100 years ago in Spokane: Lewis and Clark High School girls impose midnight curfew on themselves

Lewis and Clark High School girls imposed a midnight curfew on themselves.

The Girls’ Athletic Union passed a resolution stating that high school parties should end in time for everyone to get home by midnight. The resolution was prompted by a concern that “high school students are keeping unseasonable hours.”

The solution was for parties to start at 8 p.m. instead of 9 p.m., and end by 11 p.m. or 11:30 p.m.

Eva B. White, the union’s faculty director, said this new rule was sorely needed.

“The high school girl of today is becoming old and worn-out looking,” said White. “She should have a good time, but be sensible.”

The student officers of the union were strongly in favor of the resolution. They said the parents of the boys would like to have them home at an earlier hour as well, but “the boys were powerless to take the initiative” because “they could not suggest leaving the party at an early hour.”

From the toy beat: A woman called Spokane police and asked that a doll “doctor” (repairman) be arrested for putting the wrong head on a doll at the “doll hospital.”

She said she took in a doll for repair, and when she picked it up, it had a different head. The “doctor” said it was the same head she brought in. She replied that it most certainly was not.

The confrontation ended with the repairman daring her to call the police.

Which she did. The police, however, didn’t quite know how to handle this complaint.

“Lady,” said the officer on duty, “there’s nothing I can do for you unless you take out a warrant.”

She said that’s what she intended to do so, but had not yet followed through. The police judge said he wasn’t sure what the charge might be.

“Malpractice?”