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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

100 years ago in Spokane: Former mayor on leave as Canadian Army chaplain predicts U.S. will institute draft

Former Spokane Mayor W.J. Hindley returned for a brief visit to Spokane, on leave from his duties as a chaplain of the Canadian Army’s 190th regiment, The Spokesman-Review reported on March 22, 1917. (Spokesman-Review archives)

War talk dominated the news in Spokane as Americans increasingly assumed that a declaration of war against Germany was inevitable.

“Rush War Preparations; Plans For Mobilization,” declared one headline.

President Woodrow Wilson was expected to address Congress on April 2. He was expected to say that a state of war had virtually existed for some time, because of German submarine attacks.

“Patience has ceased to be a virtue, and the American people have come to the last limit of their forbearance,” said The Spokesman-Review’s editorial page. “They will approve the convening of Congress in special session. They will support the president and congress in the full performance of their constitutional powers and duties.”

Former Spokane Mayor W.J. Hindley returned for a brief visit to Spokane, on leave from his duties as a chaplain of the Canadian Army’s 190th regiment. Hindley predicted that Canada would soon institute conscription (the draft) and correctly predicted that the U.S. would need to do the same.

From the missing persons beat: A Spokane grocer came home from work and found a chilling note from his wife, Loretta.

“I am so discouraged and have such a dark future before me, I think it best to end my life. I hope you will forgive me. I am going to drown myself below the bridge where we walk to the park. Lovingly, Loretta.”

Police found footsteps in the snow leading to the river, but as yet had found no trace of Loretta. She was described as being “despondent” for several months, and had been treated at the hospital at Medical Lake.