A century ago in the Inland Northwest

The sounds of barking – and high-pitched yelling – filled the streets of Spokane as the city unleashed a crew of dogcatchers for the first time.

The Spokesman-Review reported that 50 dogs were picked up the first day, including “dogs of high-class; alley dogs; blooded animals and dogs that could give no account of themselves,” said one dogcatcher.

He said at one point they spotted an “Italian-fed cocker spaniel” and were leading it to the wagon when suddenly “a husky Italian woman ran from the store yelling at the loftiest note in the scale.” She grabbed the dog’s tail. A tug-of-war ensued.

“The municipal corporation won the event,” said the dogcatcher.

Meanwhile, a major building project was announced by August Paulsen, owner of the Hercules Mine near Wallace: A 10-story modern office building in the heart of downtown Spokane. It was finished in 1908 and stands proudly to this day. It’s the Paulsen Building at Riverside Avenue and Stevens Street.