100 years ago in Spokane: President Wilson declines clemency for convicted killer Mayberry

President Woodrow Wilson denied clemency for convicted murderer Edward Mayberry.

This meant that Spokane would soon host an event not seen for decades: a hanging. The date was set for April 19, 1917. A site, after much confusion, had also been chosen: Fort George Wright.

The White House decision ended a debate over Mayberry’s fate which had been ongoing since summertime.

“This action brings to a close a criminal proceeding notable in the history of eastern Washington,” said The Spokesman-Review. “The case has been marked by the two features: that an Indian was concerned, and that the sentence conflicted with the law of the state.”

The state had banned capital punishment years ago, but Mayberry had been convicted in federal court because the murder of his “sweetheart,” Alice Vivian, had occurred on Colville reservation land.

Mayberry had been granted two temporary reprieves by President Wilson – but not the ultimate reprieve.

From the school beat: Mrs. Della Galey, a teacher at the Sheridan School, had always written with her left hand. Apparently, she believed this was a problem, because she had just started a special contest for the school’s left-handed writers.

Those that learned to write with their right hand would be given a special prize.

The story’s headline was: “To Cure Left-Handed Writers.”