Jim Kershner’s this day in history

From our archives, 100 years ago

About 400 members of the Japanese community in Spokane gathered for a memorial service for Emperor Mutsuhito, the late “mikado” of Japan.

The services were held in the Elks Temple in Spokane.

“On the stage was a large picture of the late emperor, surrounded by native flags, bunting and floral decorations,” said The Spokesman-Review. 

The president of the local Japanese Commercial Club, K. Kambe, gave a short address on the life of the emperor.

During the service, all of the Japanese stores in the city were closed and Japanese flags were hung at half-staff outside businesses and homes.

From the prostitution beat: A Wallace attorney was found guilty of four counts of violating the white slave traffic (prostitution) law in federal court.

His wife took the stand and said that he had gone into the liquor business in Herrick, Idaho, on the St. Joe River. Others testified that he was in the “house of ill repute” business and had led a life of “debauchery.”

The attorney took the stand and “frequently sobbed” during his testimony.

Also on this date

(From the Associated Press)

1991: The government of South Africa, the African National Congress and the Inkatha Freedom Party signed a national peace pact.