100 years ago in Spokane: Newspaper highlights race in police confrontation story

From our archives, 100 years ago

Spokane policemen had more excitement than they could handle when they raided a “three-room house operated by Ella Storey, colored.”

One occupant of the house stabbed at a detective with her hat pin and attempted to jump out of the patrol wagon. She “punctured his new derby hat in two places,” but didn’t draw blood. She did, however, manage to kick him and “send him spinning to the pavement.”

Meanwhile, another patrolman was trying to subdue another young woman, who “jumped over his head and escaped from the wagon.” She led him on a “merry little chase of four blocks” before he managed to grab her and bring her back.

“The street was filled with auto parties,” who enjoyed these escapades immensely, said the paper.

The headline over the story read, “Go Way, Now, You White Policemen!”

From the dancing beat: The county prosecutor reported no illegal liquor being sold at roadhouse dance halls at Seven Mile and Nine Mile. He and the sheriff conducted surveillance on the two roadhouses until 4 a.m. and saw no evidence of wrongdoing.

In fact, he said the dance halls were as “orderly as any in the city.” He did, however, express disapproval of mothers who would allow their 16-year-old daughters to go to such places. He also said there were probably young people drinking liquor in automobiles before they arrived at the roadhouses.

He was mostly peeved at being sent on a wild goose chase.

“I’m tired of being given tips by people who think they know the law is being broken,” he said.