100 years ago in Spokane: Salvation Army matron urged compassion for unwed mothers

A Salvation Army matron in Spokane said that most of girls they assisted at their home for unwed mothers were young and desperate – and worthy of compassion.

“People do not realize how many of the girls are innocent and ignorant rather than evil,” said matron True Earl. “They will come to Spokane with their wedding clothes all ready, looking for the man who had promised to meet them. They run out of money, they are desperate and ill, and we are the only place for them to come. The girl of the streets is too wise, too sophisticated to need our help. Our help is usually given to the girl pitifully young sometimes. We have little mothers of 12 and 14 at the home now.”

One 17-year-old mother at the home recently asked how old she had to be to keep her baby.

“Whenever we can arrange for the child to be with the mother, the girl’s future is safe,” the matron said. “When the mother and child go home to her parents, often the greatest joy the family has ever known comes with the baby.”

From the court beat: A Spiritualist lecturer was sentenced for committing a not-exactly-spiritual act.

He threw a teacup at his wife “because she refused to support him.” The cup apparently injured her significantly, because she had to be treated at the emergency hospital.

The Spiritualist lecturer was sentenced to 60 days in jail.

On this day

(From Associated Press)

1998: President Bill Clinton was impeached by the Republican-controlled House for perjury and obstruction of justice.