Jim Kershner’s this day in history

From our archives, 100 years ago

A new educational institution made its debut with an enrollment of 14 students: Gonzaga Law School. The Rev. Louis Taelman, president of Gonzaga University, proclaimed the school open at a special ceremony on Oct. 1, 1912.

Judges made speeches and the faculty – made up mostly of prominent Spokane lawyers – planned out the year’s work.

From the fair file: The Interstate Fair featured some unusual displays. For instance, the dairy exhibit included a “life-size boy modeled in butter by sculptor Howard Fisher of this city.”

Fisher was busy in other parts of the fairgrounds, as well. He was also hired by a soap company to “make life-size heads in soap of President Taft, Vice President Sherman” and presidential contenders Woodrow Wilson and Teddy Roosevelt.

Meanwhile, the fair paid tribute to a fading era – even if people at the time didn’t realize how fast it was fading – by awarding a prize to dairy delivery driver Otto Overholt and Emma, “a spanking black mare,” in the working horse category. They won for serving the longest time together, 21 years.

Also on this date

(From the Associated Press)

1971: The music program “Soul Train” made its debut in national syndication.