Jim Kershner’s This day in history

Thu., Jan. 19, 2012

By Jim Kershner jimkershner@comcast.net

From our archives, 100 years ago

The Spokane Ad Club sponsored an art contest to create an image of a fictional “Miss Spokane” to serve as a symbol of the city.

The rules of the contest gave great latitude to artistic vision.

However, one local bank president offered his own set of guidelines.

“Miss Spokane must not be represented as a mature woman, however, she must not be a big strapping creature like Miss Chicago or a muscular person in furs and stocking cap, like Miss Canada,” said James C. Cunningham of the Union Trust and Savings Bank. “Miss Spokane, above all, should be youthful and most beautiful. She must be as wonderfully endowed by nature, as full of promise, as the city whose spirit she is to be.”

Then he offered one further idea.

“I think it would be a good idea to paint her on her wedding day, on the threshold of a wonderful future. I would suggest Prosperity as her promised bridegroom.”

The winning artist would receive a prize of $25 in gold.

Also on this date

(From the Associated Press)

1955: A presidential news conference was filmed for television for the first time, with the permission of President Dwight D. Eisenhower. … 1966: Indira Gandhi was elected prime minister of India.

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