Jim Kershner’s this day in history

From our archives, 100 years ago

A “daring masked burglar” entered the Sing Fat Co. store in Spokane’s Chinatown and terrorized the family of storekeepers, before absconding with money, jewelry and Chinese valuables.

He entered the front door, pulled down the curtains and then confronted Sue Ah Yen, his wife and three small children with a revolver. He ordered them to hold up their hands and then forced them into a back room, where he commanded them onto the bed, face downward.

He then ransacked the store. He finally left after warning them not to move for 15 minutes. Police were searching for a suspect and said they had a good description, despite the mask.

From the library beat: Only six out of 16 applicants passed the preliminary exam for the job of library assistant in the Spokane Public Library.

It was an uncommonly rigorous test, including questions on English literature, history, science and current events. For instance, they were asked to discuss the Monroe Doctrine, women’s suffrage, the Balkan War and the Mexican situation.

The six finalists would now face four months of internship and class work at the library, seven hours a day, six days a week. Then they would take another final test. If they passed, they would “be placed on the waiting list for library assistants.”