This day in history: A Teamsters strike loomed, and 100 years ago, a downtown jewelry theft livened up the streets of Spokane

From 1976: Spokane was feeling the impact of a nationwide Teamsters Union strike.

Truckers were striking at many of Spokane’s large trucking firms. One company said it was planning to use management personnel to provide crucial freight service. A general manager of a food distribution firm said a prolonged strike could result in shortages of some food items.

The state trucking association said the Teamsters strike affected 54 % of total freight movement in the state.

A local Teamsters official said he expected a number of smaller local companies to sign “interim” agreements that would allow them to continue operating until a settlement was reached.

From 1926: The downtown streets rang with gunshots and shattered glass during an early morning fracas near Wall Street and Riverside Avenue.

Franklin Del Prane allegedly smashed the front window of the Sartori-Wolff Jewelry Store and grabbed some rings and watches.

A taxi driver heard the glass crashing down and chased the thief, who was on foot, down Riverside. The taxi driver stopped to pick up a downtown patrolman who proceeded to lean out the window, “emptying his gun in the direction of the alleged thief.”

They lost the thief for a few blocks and finally spotted him on Sprague Avenue.

“(Officer) Albright leaped from the car as the man started to cross the street opposite the theater, tackled him and the two of them rolled to the pavement,” the Chronicle reported.

When booked at headquarters, Del Prane said he had nothing to do with the burglary. When asked why he fled, he said, “Why wouldn’t I run? Everybody on the streets was shooting at me.”

Yet police said they found the rings and watches on his person, and Del Prane later confessed.