Memories spring eternal ...

100 YEARS AGO

(1908)

Pawnee Brown, who is known as a weather prophet, was asked a rather unusual question this morning. "Mr. Brown," a man began, "I am praying for clear weather for the next 10 days. Is there any use of my effort?" Mr. Brown assured the man that insofar as finite faculties were able to determine he believed that clear weather would last for a few days.

This afternoon Constable Bryden came up from Drywood with a man who was under arrest for stealing chickens. He was arraigned in Justice Smith's court and his bond was fixed at $500 which the man readily gave. The hearing of this case will come up Saturday at 1 p.m. and abut all of the Drywood neighborhood will probably be up for the trial. It is not now known what evidence the state has against the man, but if he is finally convinced in the district court he could be sent to the penitentiary for a term of several years.

It was so quiet on the streets this afternoon, one person asked another if it was Sunday.

75 YEARS AGO

(1933)

Lovers of the quadrille and the old-fashioned waltz gathered at the Scottish Rite Temple ballroom Dec. 31, bringing the children, too. Scores registered from out-of-town. Music was by Dixie Martin's Lumberjacks, of WHB Kansas City. "Oh, Why Did I Get Married?" was dedicated to newlyweds present, Mr. and Mrs. Basil Comstock. "I'll Take My Vacation in Heaven" and "My Silver Haired Daddy" were general favorites. "They Cut Down the Old Pine Tree" and "Wreck of Old '97" were the tunes for a mixer, a circle two-step. Nick Blair and J.E. Warren called some of the square dances to the delight of all. A memory waltz included "My Wild Irish Rose," "Sidewalks of New York" and "In the Good Old Summertime." At 11:55 p.m. the crowd swirled in serpentine ribbon while firemen's sirens, whistles and squawkers made a din. And all cried "Happy New Year!"

50 YEARS AGO

(1958)

W.E. Norvell, 75, president of Nor-Vell, Inc., Fort Scott manufacturing firm, and an active figure in the city's civic and religious life, died yesterday at Mercy Hospital. Norvell founded his firm, manufacturer of milling sieves which are shipped all over the world, in 1931 at Kansas City and moved to the present location the southside industrial district here in 1947.

Town and Country (By H.V. Cowan, Farm Editor)--Roy Walje and John Fletcher, of Peasanton, are boosters for their home town. While the men were in Fort Scott Saturday, mention was made of the building boom here. The men said they thought Fort Scott was trying to keep up with Pleasanton and mentioned new buildings and other improvements underway in Pleasanton, the latest being the opening of a doctor's office.

Five dances ushered in the New Year in Fort Scott. They were held at the Elks Club, Eagles Home, Country Club, VFW Club and the Armory.

25 YEARS AGO

(1983)

Editorial:

Two films on Amelia Earhart begins the National Park Service's winter film series in the Post Hospital's Visitor Center at the Old Fort next Sunday. For anyone who hasn't taken advantage of these free films, we recommend them as a nice way to spend part of Sunday afternoon.

Happening of Other Years (100 Years Ago, 1882)--Ninety-three teams were standing on Market Square at one time yesterday.

Fort Scott closed out 1982 with about 2 inches more than the average annual rainfall, but only due to a heavy rain that the town received in early December.

Photo caption: "City employees begin their annual task of removing Christmas decorations from downtown."--Photo by Tom Braker