Jim Kershner’s this day in history

From our archives, 100 years ago

Edgar Howard, a thief and escape artist dubbed an “artful dodger,” was finally back in custody in Spokane. According to police records, Howard, 24, had been arrested in California and escaped from a Fresno jail. Then he was arrested in La Grande, Oregon, convicted, and escaped while the officer in charge “was buying him a ticket to the penitentiary.”

He ended up in Spokane, where he was arrested for “making away with a sack containing chickens stolen in Stafford’s Addition.”

While the officer was telephoning for assistance, Howard “broke away and made his escape, though a policeman shot at him several times.”

Two months later he was arrested again for stealing chickens from some poultry yards. This time, police said they intended to hold on to him and find out if Oregon authorities wanted him back.

From the international business beat: About 30 citizens “of the flowery kingdom” (China) were scheduled to visit Spokane on an international business tour. 

A number of American businessmen had toured China for international commerce purposes earlier, and this was a “return call.”  The Chinese party was scheduled to land in San Francisco and spend 70 days in the U.S.