Jim Kershner’s This day in history » On the Web: spokesman.com/topics/local-history

From our archives, 100 years ago

The corpse of a young Spokane woman, tragically thrown from a horse the day before, was surrounded by wreaths and grieving friends.

Then “she suddenly opened her eyes, brushed aside the banks of flowers and languidly remarked that she did not believe she wanted to stay dead any longer.”

Jessie Siders and her roommate had cooked up the prank the day before. She lay in bed with a heavy veil over her face while mourners filed by. But Siders finally got tired of making all of her friends cry. She also got tired of “having to dash for the bed every time she heard someone coming.”

The reaction of her duped friends was not recorded.

From the police beat: The police chief and commissioner issued new strict rules for Spokane police officers, including:

• The use of slang is forbidden.

• Cannot enter saloons in uniform, except on police business.

• Must not draw or present guns upon slight or insufficient cause.

• Must make no arrests of persons involved in quarrels wherein they figure themselves.

• The contraction of a venereal disease will be cause for immediate suspension.

• Must not expect or demand rewards for services rendered, apart from their salary.