This day in history: Reagan had impressive showing at Spokane convention. Man claimed whale chasing ham plugged a leak

This day in history highlights Reagan’s strong showing at the 1976 Spokane Republican Convention, where he captured 38 delegates to Ford’s seven, a margin that exceeded expectations and underscored party dynamics. The Spokesman-Review noted the potential significance of a single national delegate at the convention, even as Ford ultimately secured the nomination. The scene was tense, with Ford supporters briefly walking out in protest after Evans failed to be elected as at-large national delegate. The piece also recalls a 1926 Trent Avenue anecdote about a Whitey reported by a Spokesman-Review correspondent, who described a tall tale of a ham on a string and a whale that allegedly blocked a hole, symbolizing the city’s colorful history. Ford would win on the first ballot.