Jim Kershner’s this day in history

From our archives, 100 years ago

The day’s big story was about the victory, in 26 rounds, of heavyweight boxer Jess Willard over champion Jack Johnson.

The front-page headline blared: “Willard Knocks Out Black Champion in 26th Round – Kansas Cowboy Ascends to World’s Heavyweight Pugilistic Throne – Battle Is a Clean One – Johnson Hammers White Boy All Over the Ring in the Early Rounds, but Tires at End.”

In addition to the main story, from Havana, The Spokesman-Review devoted almost all of the sports page to this story. Sports fans in Spokane gathered to hear the news of each round over the wire.

However, apparently not everyone was transfixed by the story. The paper ran an anecdote overheard at the teller’s window of the Old National Bank. A customer named Lee, described as a “Chinaman,” walked up to the window. The teller said, “Well, Lee, Jack Johnson’s licked at last, huh?”

Lee replied, “Huh! Who lick him? Germany?”

Also on this date

(From the Associated Press)

1830: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was organized by Joseph Smith in Fayette, New York.

1965: The United States launched Intelsat I, also known as the “Early Bird” communications satellite, into geosynchronous orbit.

1985: William J. Schroeder became the first artificial heart recipient to be discharged from the hospital as he moved into an apartment in Kentucky.