100 years ago in Spokane: Two gas station thieves were caught in a shootout at the Hotel Mount Vernon

The Spokane Daily Chronicle featured mug photos of the two “Desperados” who robbed two Spokane gas stations.

Both were not really “wanted” at this point. One was in a hospital in Mount Vernon and the other was dead.

John Swiggert, aka John Higgins, was shot dead by the Mount Vernon Police during a raid on a hotel room. “Red” O’Brien, aka Earl Gerettity, was shot in the neck by the police.

The two men had robbed two Spokane gas stations almost two weeks earlier and then stole a large Studebaker car from a local car dealer. They drove to the coast and then apparently used the car to smuggle alcohol. So the Mount Vernon Police ransacked her room. They were found in the possession of the stolen car.

The chances of “Red” O’Brien being tried in Spokane were slim, as he had already been sentenced to 20 years in state prison for the police shooting. A deputy was wounded.

From the plumbing beat: The Spokane health officer closed the Uncle Sam restaurant on West Main Avenue because of a heartbreaking list of violations.

The inspector found “rotten meat, rotten fish, moldy pumpkin, sour porridge” and other items.

“The seasoning could fool the palate, but the bacteria and dirt can cause problems in the system,” said the inspector. “We had warned the owner several times, especially after his last conviction.”

The owner was arrested and charged with violating health laws.