Memories spring eternal ...

100 YEARS AGO

(1908)

A decidedly serious entanglement is abrew as a result of the proposed attempt on the part of the board of county commissioners to do away with Military Bridge, dismantle it and erect in another place a bridge across the Marmaton River. A petition is being circulated. The argument is that the bridge is 30 years old, was built at a cost greater than at any other bridge site, has rural mail routes established along its way, is of historic value, and should not be eliminated, or torn down. It is said that the bridge is now wired off and is marked "condemned -- not safe for use"

75 YEARS AGO

(1933)

Sorrows prevailed in business, social and legion circles following the announcement of the death of Edward Douglas Penniman, 43, of 820 S. National Avenue, last evening at the Burke Street Mercy Hospital. He was secretary and treasurer of the A.C. Penniman Hardware Company, pioneer merchants of this city, he having entered the firm 25 years ago. Edward Douglas Penniman, son of the late E.L. and Mrs. Penniman, was born at Fort Scott on April 5, 1889. His marriage was a brilliant social event when on May 19, 1920, Miss Grace Thomas became his bride. One son, David Edward Penniman, was born to the union. Brothers and sisters left to mourn are Mrs. J.R. Prichard, 209 S. Eddy St.; Mrs. H.B. Anderson, Parker Boulevard; Sidney Penniman, the Liepman Apartments; and J. Brown Penniman, 818 Horton Street. The death of Mr. Penniman makes the fifth in the family in four years. Those who passed on were uncles: Frank, C.W. and Andrew Penniman; and a cousin, Mrs. Frank Pickard. Mr. Penniman took part in two major engagements in the World War.

50 YEARS AGO

(1958)

The Iola Mustangs emerged 49-47 winners over the Fort Scott Tigers. Coach Harold Rains substituted freely. On the other hand, during the entire course of the game, the Mustangs never once sent a substitute player into the line-up. Two sophomores who saw some action in the varsity game were Tom Jadlows and JIm Banwart, two 6' 2" centers. Frick and Bloomfied split the scoring laurels for Fort Scott with 10 apiece.

The Guilfoyle brothers have begun operation of the Shelly Station at Wall and National and the Shelly bulk plant. Tom, Ed and Kenny Guilfoyle, doing business as the Guilfoyle Co., will sell oil products to the Shelly stations in the area. They formerly leased the Conoco Station at Third and National and had been there since June 1950. A grand opening is planned.

Here is another sign that Fort Scott is growing. Long distance telephone calls may now be made from Fort Scott to most sections of the country through Kansas City DDD (Direct Distance Dialing) facilities, according to an announcement by Jack Laird, wire chief of the Southwestern Bell Telephone Co. here.

25 YEARS AGO

(1983)

Photo caption: "Cheryl Rylander, 622 Marblecrest Terr, reads her prize winning essay on American history to members of the Molly Foster Berry Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution. Cheryl, who is in the eighth grade at Fort Scott Junior High School, was honored by the chapter. Her essay, which tells of a family living through the Revolutionary War, is in competition at the state level. State winners will be announced in March. -- Photo by Tom Braker

Students from nine area high schools participated in Pittsburg State University's 1983 Kansas Scholastic Press Association Regional Contest Day Feb. 17. The competition was among 1A, 2A, 3A and 5A schools in newspaper, yearbook and combined journalism categories. Bobbi Spurgeon was first in layout-double page spread.