100 years ago in Spokane: Founder of Deaconess movement honored at Spokane convention as hospital prepares for new six-story building

Lucy Ryder Meyer, the founder of the Deaconess movement – which led to the creation of Deaconess Hospital in Spokane and other organizations across the country – was in town and celebrated at a conference.

Topics on the second day of the regional meeting of deaconesses included nursing training and an examination of the cooperation between deaconesses and the Methodist church.

In the 1880s, Meyer became a leader in advocating the return of female deacons in churches. She also was a founder of the Chicago Training School for Home and Foreign Missions, where she remained active.

“During my long period of service at the Chicago school I was instrumental in training practically all of the staff of 14 deaconesses at the Spokane hospital,” Meyer said.

Meanwhile, construction of Deaconess’ new hospital was scheduled to start in less than 10 days. The hospital was building a six-story, 200-bed fireproof building designed by architects Kirtland Cutter and Edwall Baume.

From the jail beat: Tom Jones, a liquor law violator, was allowed to keep nine pet canaries in his cell. He was a trusty – an inmate who had gained privileges for good behavior.

Two weeks earlier, a canary hatched and was “growing rapidly” until it got sick and died.

“Jones claims his bird was the first and only genuine ‘jail bird’ in the city and says all others are but pretenders,” the Spokane Daily Chronicle reported.

Jim Kershner is on sabbatical.