100 years ago in Spokane: Spokane Canning Club asks schools, city for summer support

Three hundred school girls working as members of the Spokane Canning club adopted a resolution asking Washington State College, Spokane school board, city of Spokane and the Chamber of Commerce for support to continue operating through the summer.

During the club’s first achievement dinner at the Masonic Temple, they unanimously adopted a resolution seeking the support, citing the success of the canning club last year, reported The Spokesman-Review.

One member, Margery Segessemann, spoke during the event to the benefits of having the club. “Through the canning club I was able to can all of our fruit and thus saved my mother the hard work of standing over a hot kitchen fire during the warm weather.

R.M. Wright, state club leader, “promised the girls that the club would not fail this year for want of support from the state college and that sufficient instructors in domestic science to carry on the summer work of the club would be provided,” reported The Spokesman-Review.

From the education beat: Spokane college announced commencement exercises would begin June 1, including musical performances, readings, receptions, picnic and speeches.

The Spokesman-Review reported a reception would be held with faculty and alumni “in honor of the ex-students who rallied to the color,” with a speech from President J.J. Thompson, musical numbers and readings.

The following day’s events were to include a class day program presented by the senior class in the college gymnasium.

“Thursday will be devoted to the college picnic. In the evening the alumni association will give its annual banquet,” the newspaper reported.

The Rev. Fredrick A. Schmidt, of Moscow, Idaho, a recent addition to the faculty was scheduled to deliver the commencement address, scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. in the gymnasium.

Jim Kershner is on sabbatical.