Jim Kershner’s this day in history

From our archives, 100 years ago

Police reported that Spokane had a relatively safe and sane Fourth of July, but only because it rained a half-inch.

And still, it wasn’t all that safe or sane.

Three Greek laborers were arrested at the corner of Riverside Avenue and Washington Street for “throwing lighted firecrackers under the skirts of passing women.”

Also, many other people were apprehended for putting “torpedoes” on the streetcar tracks. When a streetcar rolled over them, the torpedoes exploded.

Down in Spokane’s “lower avenues” (i.e., Skid Row), the weather kept the crowds mostly inside the saloons. However, in Trent Alley, many Chinese residents managed to shoot off plenty of fireworks from their doors.

From the regatta beat: The final day of the Coeur d’Alene Regatta featured the 9-mile sweepstakes race, open to any power boat. It was won by the Spokane, a boat belonging to the Ware brothers, followed by the St. Joe and the Swastika (a name which did not have the connotation in 1914 that it has today).

However, the Swastika was hampered by 6 feet of bunting, which it picked up along the way and which became wrapped around the propeller. 

The crowd demanded a 3-mile rematch. This time, the Swastika won.