We Learn More About Kirtland Kelsey Cutter...

Last  week, we learned of the rise of a prominent architect in Spokane named Kirtland Cutter and his rise in fame.  We also learned about his marriage to a Spokane-area rich man’s daughter, their continued success, subsequent divorce and devastating results that fell on Cutter. 

This week we will continue to read more about this interesting character and how he fared in early Spokane. 

Cutter’s most prosperous years began around 1897 and lasted into the early 1900s.  During those years he was the architect of choice for many of the wealthy Spokane families.  He designed the majority of the mansions directly below the rim of the Manito plateau (“The Hill”), which were some of his first major commissions.

Cutter experienced some difficult times after his divorce from Mary Corbin.  Because of his high profile, on September 4, 1907, the Spokesman Review gave a detailed account of an embarrassing incident that took place shortly after he married his second wife, Katherine Phillips Williams.

 

KICKS ARCHITECT OFF STREET CAR

Jack Williams Applies Boot to Kirtland K. Cutter.

Kirtland K. Cutter, society man and architect, whose reputation is national, was kicked from a Manito park car last Thursday evening by “Jack” Williams, society man and former secretary of the Sullivan Mining Company, who now has offices with former Judge George Turner in the Fernwell building.  Mr. Cutter received the kick as he was descending the steps of the car at Sixth avenue and Washington street, but he landed on his feet when he struck the ground, and after picking up his hat, which fell in the mud, due to his hurried flight, he hastened on his way home without glancing back or making any remarks to his assailant.

 

On account of the social prominence of the two men the occurrence has caused much talk among the members of the Spokane club and Country club.

 

Mr. Cutter is married to Mr. Williams’ divorced wife, the wedding taking place soon after the divorce was granted [10 days] … According to the chronicle of those who saw the melee, it occurred on a Manito park-bound car at 5:40 o’clock last Thursday afternoon.  The car was crowded with home-going residents of the hillside and Manito park neighborhoods.  Because of the crowded condition of the car and the fact that Mr. Cutter kept going after the kick had been administered most of those on the car were not aware of what had happened.  “The first that I knew that trouble had broken out between the erstwhile friends, Cutter and Williams, was when I heard Mr. Williams say ‘You _ _ _ _, get off the car,’ said a wealthy resident of the hill, who was just in the rear of Mr. Williams.

 

“Then”, said the spectator, “Mr. Cutter’s hat shot into the air.  He followed the hat from the car, never said a word, and ignored the little mishap…. The affair occurred at Sixth avenue and Washington street.  It was raining cats and dogs.  Cutter thumped his umbrella into position first and then gathered his hat from the mud.  He went up Sixth avenue in the direction of his home.

 

“The affair occurred so quickly that I did not comprehend at the time that a kick had been delivered.  Mr. Williams was standing in a crowd on the rear platform of the car and Mr. Cutter had been inside the car”….Another friend of Mr. Williams said: “…Jack told me he had been waiting for a chance to plug Cutter for some time, and this was the first opportunity he had to deliver the chastisement.”

 

Cutter continued to practice architecture in Spokane until 1923.  Although at time his practice extended to other states, most of his work was accomplished in Spokane.   When the big money poured into the city in the late 1800s and the wealthy built their elegant mansions, Cutter was able to command substantial prices for his services.  As the demand for these mansions slowed, Cutter found himself in an extremely competitive position.  The bottom was falling out of his upscale market and the competition was meeting the demand for more affordable house plans.  By the time Cutter left Spokane in 1923, his practice had declined.  He went in search of a market compatible with his talents, which he found in Long Beach, California.  Kirtland Kelsey Cutter practiced architecture until his death on September 26, 1939, in Long Beach, California, at the age of 79.  Cutter has one remaining blood relative, his grandson, Joe Corbin, whose birth name was also Corbin Corbin.  Joe Corbin was born July 26, 1926, and presently resides in Los Angeles.