100 years ago today in Spokane: The maid and matrons of Spokane divulge their New Year’s resolutions

The Spokane Daily Chronicle asked local “maids and matrons” for their 1920 New Year’s resolutions, and the replies were not strictly serious.

“I will give up the hula,” said Mrs. Frederick A. Schaefer.

The Chronicle was obliged to explain that the hula was “some dance” and that Mrs. Shaefer was from Hawaii, currently in Spokane visiting her mother, Mrs. Kirtland Cutter.

Miss Elizabeth Newberry made a surprising resolution.

“I am never going to be yanked before a judge again,” she said.

She did not explain her transgression, but several other “maids and matrons” vowed to quit speeding.

Others mentioned various vices. Mrs. Cutter said she planned to discontinue smoking, although she admitted that she had “a few things up my sleeve which I will not give up.”

Miss Jean Porter refused to specify her resolution, saying, “The public’s too young to hear.”

From the betrothal beat: Meanwhile, the Chronicle reported that “one of the most widely known maids of Spokane,” Marguerite Motie, had become engaged.

This merited a large front page headline because Motie was Miss Spokane, “known by a greater number of people here and in the Northwest than any other girl.” She had represented the city in numerous publicity tours and was also an actress with the Woodward Theater players.

She was engaged to Lt. Walter Shiel of the U.S. Navy, and former University of Washington football player.