Jim Kershner’s this day in history

From our archives, 100 years ago

The attorney for accused murderer Della Olds gave Spokane police Chief W. J. Doust “a course of sprouts” – a tongue-lashing – on the witness stand.

Here are just a few of the questions the attorney asked the police chief:

• “You don’t remember the details of the room, do you?” (“Not very well.”)

• “You didn’t take any notes?” (“No.”)

• “You have brains enough if you wanted to do so?” (Objection, sustained.)

• “Can you read and write?” (Another objection, also sustained.)

• “Your memory on details is not as strong as it once was, is it?” (“No, sir.”)

• “When did you begin to retrograde?” (“I couldn’t say.”)

• “Do you mean to say that you do not know how to tell where that blood came from?” (“I couldn’t state.”)

• “You don’t permit your men to tie the corsets of women prisoners?” (“No, sir.”)

• “Did you notice her arms?” (“I noticed she had two.”)

• “One right and one left arm?” (“Correct.”)

The paper said “the chief did not exactly enjoy his own testimony.”

Also on this date

(From the Associated Press)

1972: For the first time, a leap-second was added to Coordinated Universal Time to account for the slowing rotation of the Earth.