Jim Kershner’s this day in history

From our archives, 100 years ago

Mayor W.J. Hindley still refused to say whether he was planning to resign and move to Winnipeg and resume his career as a preacher. The Central Congregational Church of Winnipeg had formally offered him the job of pastor.

In any case, the maneuvering was already underway at Spokane City Hall. The smart money was on Hindley’s departure, since “intimate friends” said Hindley was leaning toward taking the job. In fact, Hindley himself had hinted at it earlier, when the Winnipeg church approved the formal offer.

“Of course, after the attempts made by my political enemies, it is gratifying to receive this call, but until the terms of the call reach me I am not in a position to make a public statement,” said Hindley. He was referring to an alleged mud-slinging campaign when the Winnipeg church board came to Spokane to inquire about Hindley’s character and references. 

Hindley claimed they defamed him – although they might have been smarter to sing his praises if they really wanted to get rid of him.

Meanwhile, the question at City Hall was: Would a new mayor be appointed from the city’s sitting department heads? The name of Morton Macartney, city engineer, was being bandied about, mainly because Hindley himself had approached Macartney about the possibility. However, Macartney said, “I am not a candidate for office, am not in politics.”