From our archives, 100 years ago

Miss Lola Bell Brickell, 22, asked for damages of $25,000 in a lawsuit against William J. Harris, wealthy Spokane mining man and hotel owner.

The complaint: breach of contract.

According to her suit, Harris asked Brickell to marry him in January 1912. She accepted.

Then, according to court papers, they became intimate and the intimacy continued until Christmas Eve, 1912.

That, presumably, is the night Miss Brickell discovered Harris intended to get married, all right, but not to her.

He intended to marry a certain Miss Cunningham.

The breach of contract suit was served on the eve of Harris’ marriage to Miss Cunningham. Negotiations began toward an “amicable settlement” of the suit, but the talks had broken down.

Harris, through his lawyer, denied Miss Brickell’s charges.

Also on this date

(From the Associated Press)

1861: Abraham Lincoln was officially declared winner of the 1860 presidential election as electors cast their ballots. … 1920: The League of Nations recognized the perpetual neutrality of Switzerland. … 1943: During World War II, the U.S. Marine Corps Women’s Reserve was officially established.