This day in history: A disgraced police chief and a very early iteration of the traditional red stop sign
From 1976: Deer Park police Chief William J. Hopper was relieved from his duties after he was arrested by Spokane County sheriff’s deputies on grand larceny charges. Hopper was released from jail “on condition that he remain in the jurisdiction of the court, that he not contact any witnesses or interfere with the investigation.”
Hopper “displayed little emotion” at his first court appearance.
He was accused of stealing a chainsaw from the bed of a pickup truck while on duty. The chainsaw was allegedly later found to be in his possession.
From 1926: Spokane purchased 12 modern new stop signs in hopes of cutting down nighttime auto accidents.
They were called “Owl Niterday Safety Signs,” and they featured “a glass reflecting a red light at night.”
They were “said to be much in use in the Coast cities.”
The new signs would be placed at some of the city’s busiest intersections, including Ash and Boone, Boone and Monroe, and Napa and Sprague. They would also be used at three spots on Washington Street: Second, Third and Fourth avenues.
Also on this day
(From onthisday.com)
1875: Billy the Kid escapes jail in Silver City, New Mexico, by climbing out of a chimney and becomes a fugitive.
1890: Sequoia National Park is established by President Benjamin Harrison as California’s first national park and the country’s second.
1926: Henry Ford announces an eight-hour, five-day workweek for workers at Ford Motor Co.