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

100 years ago: Intemperate, ‘seditious’ remarks earn dishwasher rough treatment

A dishwasher made the ill-advised remark that “Inside three years, the German flag will be flying over America.” It was not well-received by his co-workers. (Spokesman-Review archives)

Louie Stutz, 50, a dishwasher at the College Inn Cafe, made an ill-advised remark to his co-workers.

“Inside three years, the German flag will be flying over America and we will all be talking German,” he said.

The outraged waitresses, cooks and other employees grabbed him, threw him to the floor and went to get an American flag.

They told him to kneel before the flag and kiss it. He did so twice, but that wasn’t good enough. One of the men slapped him a couple of times.

“Kiss it loud, so the girls can hear you,” commanded the head chef.

He did so, and when they released him he was “on his feet and out the door,” presumably never to return. However, the other employees reported him to the U.S. Marshal’s office for making what could be construed as seditious remarks.

From the swimming beat: Peggy Burwell, a well-known West Coast swimming star, was hired to be the women’s swimming instructor at the Natatorium Park plunge pool.

Miss Burwell “holds all records for women on the Pacific Coast over the seven-mile distance,” said the plunge director.

Among her other feats, she swam across the Golden Gate in San Francisco. She had previously served as an instructor in both Seattle and Los Angeles.

Also on this date

(From Associated Press)

1962: Astronaut Scott Carpenter became the second American to orbit the Earth as he flew aboard Aurora 7.