Jim Kershner’s this day in history

From our archives, 100 years ago

A New York art broker arrived in Spokane to get the rights to the paintings of Spokane artist Julian Itter.

He told reporters that he had “crossed the continent” just to make sure that he acquired “what we believe to be the American artist,” (presumably emphasizing the word “the”).

Itter was actually a native of Canada, but he had made his name as a painter of the Cascade Range and Lake Chelan in Washington. He was currently living in Spokane, and the broker said, “Washington can claim him as her own.”

In April, The Spokesman-Review did a profile of Itter, noting that Victor Forbin, “the leading Parisian art critic,” called Itter “the most promising American artist” he had known for 25 years.

The broker noted that Itter was planning to return to Paris soon and that Spokane “should honor itself” by arranging an Itter exhibition before he left.

As it would turn out, Itter’s return to Paris was delayed because he tripped and fell while leaving Davenport’s restaurant later that winter. He fractured a rib and punctured a lung.

Also on this date

(From the Associated Press)

1967: Seven men were convicted in Meridian, Miss., of violating the civil rights of three slain civil rights workers.