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

From our archives, 100 years ago

A devoted, yet annoying, 42-year-old suitor was arrested after he showed up at his would-be sweetheart’s door with a bouquet.

The young Spokane society woman had clearly had enough: The man had been pestering her for more than a dozen years.

He had apparently fallen in love while repairing the family furnace 13 years earlier.

Yet the path of true love is a thorny one. She persistently rebuffed his attentions. The family became increasingly irritated with his attempts to “force his attentions” on her. Finally, her attorney informed him they would have him arrested if he pestered her further.

A week later, he came to the door with the flowers. She slammed the door in his face; the police were called. He claimed the only problem was that he was “backward and bashful.” He did admit, however, that he had actually been in her company only once, and that was 12 years ago.

He said his only crime was adoring her too much. Police arrested him on an insanity charge.

Also on this date

(From the Associated Press)

1986: Britain’s Prince Andrew married Sarah Ferguson at Westminster Abbey in London. (The couple divorced in 1996.)