Memories spring eternal ...

100 YEARS AGO

(1908)

It will be of concern to school patrons of Fort Scott to learn that fire drills have been practiced at every building, save the high school in town this week. This afternoon about 2:30 the alarm at the Central building was sounded and the children made a hurried exit to the school yard. Previously they had been told that they must move slowly in the first "work-out," but the three floors of 12 rooms were emptied within one minute and a half. At the various ward buildings the alarm has been successfully used. The pupils of the ground floor leave first and are followed by those from above. Superintendent Bowen states that the drill will be used once every week.

The Board of Education is talking little else about fire escapes these troublesome times for schools. Supt. D.M. Bowers stated this morning that his visit to Kansas City, accompanied by Fire Chief Ausman, was fruitful. The superintendent will make recommendations to the board. The fire escape that struck the visitors' eyes was a spiral device. There would be two put up at the Central School should the purchasing committee decide upon this one. This particular escape can send to the earth 100 children per minute and there is no possible manner they can be hurt. The children rush from their rooms through the short viaduct and leap into the spiral tower. They are whirled to the ground and "shot" to one side in a manner as delicately as if jumping out of bed. It would cost $1,500 to put up such two escapes, one on either side of Central. The superintendent may not recommend this purchase as it entails such a heavy expenditure of school money.

75 YEARS AGO

(1933)

Plans are maturing for the National Avenue bridge opening and free merchants' show to be held next Wednesday. Committees from the retailers' organizations and the Veterans of Foreign Wars sponsoring the free show are planning a big day of entertainment and the Chamber of Commerce is working on other interesting details for the celebration. Market Square may be used for the main part of the show, which features vaudeville acts, and following there will be some other attractions at the bridge, including an old fiddlers' contest, an orchestra, and a dance on the bridge. Everything is free. The merchants and the Veterans of Foreign Wars are financing and sponsoring the show. Tickets are available at the retail stores and will be given to all who request them. These tickets are to be held by the owners to be used Thursday in a treasure hunt. The merchants will have window displays and ticket holders will see if their tickets entitle them to prizes.

Mapleton News--Our merchants have certainly been responding to their part of the present day financial stress. Mr. Morris and Mr. Clayton have been buying produce, paying half cash and half trade. Our cream stations, Mr. Wellington, Link Johnson and Lieb Camp, have been carrying on with splendid fortitude. Everyone feels that the worst is over.

The Masons of Mapleton Lodge invited their families and also extended the initiation to Fort Scott Masons who once lived in Mapleton to an old-fashioned dance given at the Masonic Hall Saturday night. Much enjoyment was had watching the old-timers dance the square dance, old-time waltzes and polkas.

50 YEARS AGO

(1958)

Members only, Fort Scott Country Club: baked cod fish and cheese sauce, creamed peas and mushrooms, coleslaw add corn fritters -- $1.

A washed-out causeway over the Marmaton, a half-mile east of Redfield, made it necessary for the city-owned school bus to make a nine-mile detour yesterday, a school official said.

One of the new sheriff's cars has been delivered and the delivery of the second one was expected today, according to the county commissioners. Sheriff Ray Cummings expects to have a 1958 Chevrolet sedan equipped with warning lights, a siren and radio so that the car may be put in service this weekend. A 1958 Studebaker will be assigned to Undersheriff Clarence Northrup.

The Frisco reported from five to seven inches of snow over the lines south of Fort Scott Wednesday night and yesterday, extending from Arcadia to Springfield on the Ash Grove sub and from Girard to Tulsa on the Afton sub. Train service was slowed, but there were no serious delays.

A large group of Frisco railroad employees attended the funeral service Monday for George W. Scott at the Konantz Funeral Home. Scott was a retired clerk in the maintenance-of-way department.

25 YEARS AGO

(1983)

No publication.