100 years ago in Spokane: Girl, 8, dies of ‘fright’ at Sacred Heart Hospital

From our archives, 100 years ago

Doctors at Sacred Heart Hospital concluded that little Margaret Heine, 8, died of fright — literally.

The little girl died from what the doctors called “hysteria,” several days after being frightened by an unknown man while walking home from school with her sisters. She became hysterical a few days later – “In its most violent form” – and was admitted to the hospital. She never recovered.

An autopsy showed that “every organ was sound, but the brain was congested.”

From the war beat: The Spokane Daily Chronicle ran an editorial saying that the entire world was asking the question: How will Germany reply?

Would it agree to President Woodrow Wilson’s ultimatum that it immediately cease submarine warfare on civilian ships? If so, said the editorial, tensions between the two countries will be lessened and they “will be restored to friendship.”

If no?

The U.S. will sever diplomatic relations, and this would likely lead to war.

“America hopes for that ‘yes,’” said the Chronicle.