Jim Kershner’s this day in history

From our archives, 100 years ago

Sister Flora Bilkiss, Spokane’s most ardent evangelist, announced that a sacred – and frigid – event would take place at the foot of the Lower Falls of the Spokane River.

“Seven converts – four women and three men – to my Gideon band will be dipped three times in the icy waters of the Spokane,” announced Bilkiss.

She said the baptizing will proceed regardless of weather and would be by means of “triune immersion, such as John the Baptist gave to Jesus in the waters of the River Jordan.”

“The water may be cold, but what is lacking in external comfort will be made up by spiritual warmth,” said Bilkiss.

She was well known for her religious fervor and once was arrested for knocking over the kettles of several Salvation Army “Santas.”

From the disaster beat: Spokane had not yet learned of another icy immersion – far more tragic – on this date 100 years ago. It wasn’t until the morning of April 15, 1912, that headlines announced that the Titanic had hit an iceberg and sunk. See Sunday’s column for more.

Also on this date

(From the Associated Press)

1775: The first American society for the abolition of slavery was formed in Philadelphia. … 1865: President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth.