Jim Kershner’s this day in history

From our archives, 100 years ago

Miss Helen Klussman, 16, made a remarkable long-distance swim in Lake Coeur d’Alene. She went 7 ½ miles from Delcardo Bay to Coeur d’Alene. 

The swim took more than six hours and Miss Klussman “insisted that she could have remained in the water another hour.” 

“For her last successful venture she received a loving cup from a number of campers in Delcardo Bay,” the paper said.

Miss Klussman had made several other long-distance swims over the summer in Hayden Lake and Lake Coeur d’Alene.

From the fraternal order beat: The Grand United Order of Odd Fellows, referred to as the “Colored Odd Fellows” by the Spokane Daily Chronicle, was holding its district meeting in Spokane.

The officers reported that the organization was flourishing and the finances were in excellent shape.

Also on this date

(From the Associated Press)

1814: Francis Scott Key was inspired to write the poem “Defence of Fort McHenry” after witnessing the American flag flying over the Maryland fort following a night of British bombardment during the War of 1812; the poem later became the words to “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

1901: President William McKinley died in Buffalo, New York, of gunshot wounds inflicted by an assassin more than a week before. Vice President Theodore Roosevelt succeeded him.