Jim Kershner’s this day in history

From our archives, 100 years ago

Two young Coeur d’Alene women, Miss Laura Smith and Miss Reba Hurn, completed an 81-mile, six-day hiking trek from Coeur d’Alene to the top of Mount Baldy (now called Mount Spokane).

“It was the most beautiful view I ever saw,” said Miss Smith, secretary to the school superintendent. “And to think everyone told us we couldn’t do it – just laughed at us for wanting to.”

They said they kept their “baggage” to a minimum: 1 pound of bacon, 1 pound of chocolate, 1 pound of raisins, one jar of peanut butter, two loaves of bread, a can of condensed milk, a package of condensed soup, pancake flour, coffee, frying pan, coffee pot and blankets.

They said they met no bears or wild animals, but they did “meet with the most terrific rainstorm coming back.” It rained so hard they lost their bearings and wandered around in a circle for two hours.

An accompanying photo showed them in their trekking outfits – hats, backpacks and ankle-length skirts.

Also on this date

(From the Associated Press)

1775: Benjamin Franklin became America’s first postmaster general. … 1971: Apollo 15 was launched on America’s fourth manned mission to the moon. … 2002: The Republican-led House voted to create a Homeland Security Department in the biggest government reorganization in decades.