100 Years Ago in Spokane: ‘Noodles’ Fagan to entertain newsies

“Noodles” Fagan, a famous “newsboy” comedian, was bringing his act back to Spokane – and this time he was bringing his “charming daughter,” Mary Fagan.

“Mary will don her prettiest dress and from her place on the stage will pick out the handsomest newsie and toss him a kiss,” the Spokane Daily Chronicle said.

The show, at the Pantages Theatre, was a special event for all of the Chronicle’s newsies, who were given free tickets.

Noodles had the newsies laughing heartily the last time he brought his act to town.

From the political beat: The “Colored Republican Club of Spokane” had a membership of 1,000 voters and was hoping to “boost the Republican ticket and carry Washington this fall.”

“In fact, we have almost every colored vote in the city,” said the club’s president, P.I. Powell. “There may be one or two colored Democrats here, but they’re not worth speaking about.”

Clearly, a lot has changed in politics over the past century.

Also on this date

(From the Associated Press)

1862: President Abraham Lincoln presented to his Cabinet a preliminary draft of the Emancipation Proclamation.

1933: American aviator Wiley Post completed the first solo flight around the world as he returned to New York’s Floyd Bennett Field after traveling for seven days, 18¾ hours.

1957: Walter “Fred” Morrison applied for a patent for a “flying toy” which became known as the Frisbee.