100 years ago in Spokane: Police chief warns Halloween pranksters against soaping

Spokane police Chief W.J. Weir issued a warning to all youthful Halloween pranksters: “No soap allowed.”

“Soaping windows is barred,” the chief said. “The practice often leads to the breaking of windows and often causes accidents. Hills on which there are streetcar tracks will be watched to see that no soap is placed on the rails.”

Soaping or greasing the tracks had long been a popular prank, because it caused streetcars to lose traction and stall. However, it was also dangerous because the streetcars could slide out of control, the Spokane Daily Chronicle reported.

“We want the boys to have lots of fun, but to keep within reasonable bounds,” Weir said. “As in former years, no attempt will be made to stop innocent fun on Halloween night. The moment the destruction of property is begun, however, arrests will be made.”

From the murder beat: The two McDonald sisters and their brother were on a train to Spokane, escorted by deputies, and the Spokane county prosecutor said they would go on trial for murdering W.H. McNutt before the end of the year.

Prosecutor J.B. Lindley stated “he is rapidly gathering information and evidence which will practically assure a conviction of the McDonalds.” This statement would later prove to be overconfident.

Also on this date

(From the Associated Press)

2014: Jaylen Fryberg, a student at Marysville-Pilchuck High School in Western Washington, fatally shot four friends and wounded a fifth teen before killing himself.