Jim Kershner’s this day in history

From our archives, 100 years ago

Spokane police were shocked by the death of a 6-year-old sledder and serious injuries to two others. So the police chief announced that they were getting tough on dangerous sledding.

“It seems that our warnings and counsel with children has done no good,” the police chief said. “Now I will instruct all patrolmen to bring the youngsters to the police station when they violate our orders against coasting on dangerous grades.”

He said coasting would be prohibited on all steep grades where there is considerable traffic. It would also be prohibited where streetcar lines were present. On less-steep grades, children were ordered to stay on the right side of the road.

From the show business beat: Alexander Pantages, head of the Pantages theater chain, said the Great War in Europe meant better vaudeville acts for Spokane.

European acts were coming over to the U.S. because the war has shut them out of Europe. He said Spokane would soon be seeing such big European acts as the Marco Twins and the Iceland Athletes.

Also on this date

(From the Associated Press)

1905: The National Association of Audubon Societies for the Protection of Wild Birds and Animals was incorporated in New York state.

1925: Democrat Nellie Tayloe Ross of Wyoming took office as America’s first female governor, succeeding her late husband, William, following a special election.