Jim Kershner’s this day in history

From our archives, 100 years ago

John Grimmer, of Mullan, was walking out to feed his chickens when he heard a roar and saw a runaway freight car careening toward his chicken coop. He ran back into the house and watched the car demolish his chicken coop – and much more.

It all began 4 miles up the track when rail crews were attempting to attach the car to a train. The freight car rolled away from them and picked up speed downhill toward Mullan.

By the time it got to Mullan, it had reached such a high speed that it “left the tracks, turned turtle” and skidded through Grimmer’s chicken coop and many other outbuildings near the tracks. It also sheared off every telegraph and telephone pole for 100 yards. 

No one was hurt.

From the cat beat:

Petitions signed by 746 people urged the city to institute a cat-licensing law.

The proponents of the measure said the aim was to reduce the number of homeless cats and discourage people from deserting them.

The license would cost only 25 cents and would encourage responsible pet ownership, they said.

The measure specified that male cats be neutered unless the owner was registered as a breeder.