100 years ago in Spokane: Another witness came forward in the dragging death of a widow

Another witness stepped forward to describe the moment that Mrs. S.S. Kirkpatrick was thrown from underneath the auto of W.G. Van Skike after being dragged 13 blocks.

“It was going so fast that in taking the turn it went over the curbing on the east side of Perry Street, careened up on two wheels and for a moment I thought it was going to tip over,” said attorney L.G. Nash, who had just stepped out of a streetcar. “I saw the woman huddled on the sidewalk and at first thought she had been thrown from the machine. I hollered at the top of my voice and he (the driver) turned his head toward me and then stepped on the gas and sped away. Seeing there were many to care for the woman, I ran after him, hoping to get his number, but he rushed off before I could get a glimpse of it.”

Nash said it was plainly a case of a man “trying to get away to avoid detection.”

This contradicted Van Skike’s assertion that he wasn’t speeding, took no evasive maneuvers and was not aware he had hit anyone. He said he thought the people yelling at him were drunk.

Van Skike was charged with manslaughter. The initial hearing attracted “the largest crowd in police court that there has been in more than two years.” The trial was scheduled to begin in a week.

From the Prohibition beat: Spokane’s police chief poured 500 quarts of illicit whiskey, gin, beer and moonshine down the sewer in the basement of Spokane City Hall.

“I know it’s close to Christmas,” he said wistfully, “but it can’t be helped.”