Loan Default
DRAFT--This page is a draft. It is incomplete, not proof read and may contain research notes
This appears to be three buses with the lead bus towing the other two. The lead bus is also equipped with a V-plow and extra tires. Additionally there apears to be wood panels placed over the windows. Perhaps this is to help insulate a poorly heated bus on cold winter days. There are several men around the buses, so this appears to be some sort of planned event. The Model-T on the right has the words "Spokane County" painted on their door. This appears to be an early sheriff's car, but it is well out of its jurisdiction. An additional observation is the cigar sign over the parked buses. This is likely the sign of Sullivan's Smoke House. This implies that the burned buildings on the west side of Lake Street north of Broadway Avenue that were burned in 1913 have been replaced. That would place the vehicles on the south side of Broadway Avenue. It also appears to be the spring of the year with meltwater and possibly some snow in the photo.
So what is going on here?
This could be a repossession to repay a loan. The Reardan Farmers' State Bank made large loans to the Autointerurban Company of Spokane in 1918 that were in default. The bank may have had to sue Autointerurban and the Spokane Sheriff may have been enforcing the court order.
Across the street from left to right: grain elevators/ Schultz's Ford/Saloon (to become Community Hall), Smith & Sons Grocery, Confectionary/Restaurant, Lemley's Saloon.