Memories spring eternal

100 YEARS AGO

(1907)

Robert Fitzsimmons, erstwhile champion heavyweight slugger of the world, and a party of 12, will arrive here tomorrow afternoon for their engagement in the evening. They come from the South.

If the present weather continues the chances for the budding of fruit trees is promising. The old-timers are fearful lest February and March will be the coldest months in years past, the winter running far into the spring. They say that the springlike weather is prophetic of something worse to come at a less desirable time.

Men are not the only ones who admire a prize fighter. When old Fitz comes along Friday night it is said that a party of women are going to attend his show and send him cake and flowers.

75 YEARS AGO

(1932)

Forty-five transients were found lodging last night at the Power House. This is a larger number than the average nighty record for this winter. The largest number housed in a singe night so far this winter was 5.

Among those who saw "The Crazy Quilt" at Joplin Saturday night in private parties were Mr. and Mrs. J.L. Kennedy, Rex Walls, C.A. Katzung, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Bruce, Miss Sara Taylor, Miss Lillis Harkey, Miss Madelene Aus, Earl Jones, Garland Atkins, Miss Leona Seelye, Mr. and Mrs. Guy Coyan and Miss Marguerite Jones.

The weekend here was cool and pleasant. The mercury got down to 18 Saturday night but it warmed up considerably yesterday and the bright sunshine brought out the motorists.

J.R. Banwart has rented the Drum land northeast of Fort Scott and will soon move with his family to the house which has been occupied for some time by the Ralston family. The farm where the Banwarts now live has been sold.

With Hiattville Folk: Word has come from Orvillle Runkle that they are having real winter in Manhattan. Two weeks ago there were 300 students skating on the lake.

50 YEARS AGO

(1957)

HEPLER (By Mrs. J.A. Atkisson)--Mrs. A. Cooke had a very happy birthday January 15, even if it was cold and she had to stay at home. She received 40 birthday cards, four letters, four telephone calls and seven gifts, one of which was a wonderful birthday cake.

Photo caption: "A weekend staff conference was held at the Fort Scott Armory on January 19-20 for key personnel of the 195th Field Artillery Battalion. The conference was to increase proficiency in artillery fire control and tactics. Local guardsmen shown are Captain Richard Strader, Captain Carl E. Gordon, Fort Scott; Sergeant Don McCarty, Mound City; Lieutenant Robert L. Burcham, Sergeant Ronald G. Wood, Fort Scott; and Major Norman H. Davis, Fort Scott, who conducted the conference."

25 YEARS AGO

(1982)

A Fort Scott native has been named to direct a new division of the National Republican Congressional Committee. Steve Lotterer announces that he will have his post as legislative assistant and press secretary for Kansas Congressman Bob Whittaker and begin his duties Feb. 1 as director of the Republican Information Network. "I will be the main liaison between the President, the House of Representatives and the Republicans who are running for Congress across the nation," Lotterer said. The network was established within the NRCC in response to a goal of President Ronald Regan, Lotterer said. Lotterer has been involved in Kansas politics since his graduation from Fort Scott High School, working for Rep. Joe Skubitz and Sen. Bob Dole in Washington while attending Georgetown University in Washington.

Editor's Note: Memories Spring Eternal is the expanded version of the Other Years, a feature appearing daily on the editorial page of The Tribune. Interaction is welcome from readers who relate in some way to the chronicled events. Comments may be directed to The Fort Scott Tribune, Box 150, Fort Scott, Kan. 66701.