Memories spring eternal ...

100 YEARS AGO

(1908)

All Fools Day is always popular and today those who make it a custom to perpetrate jokes were not conspicuous by their absence. There were some pretty clever jokes planned and executed. Phony calls on the telephone were registered and bewildering statements were sent out by some who wanted to fool a friend.

Notice: I will start delivering mineral water to all parts of the city after today. Parties wishing water left, address Dennicomb's Mineral Well, or phone 1260.

Dr. E.B. Cummings, of Bronson, was in the city on professional business this afternoon.

W.C. Landon, who for many years held the position of principal of the high school here, who is now guiding over the destinies of K.U's athletic endeavors, will return here May 30th to deliver the Decoration Day address. The old soldiers here have extended Landon an invitation and he has accepted. Mr. Landon is one of the ablest orators in Kansas and his speech on the railroad problem at Fern Lake Park the 4th of July last, was pronounced the best discussion of that question ever heard here.

75 YEARS AGO

(1933)

Eighteen boys, each of them a potential marble champion, were vying for the city marble championship this afternoon at the annual Y.M.C.A. elimination marble tourney held at Othick Park. The tourney is under the supervision of Frank Bishop and Raymond Cox. Entrants were Farrell Kenner, Earl Smith, Jay Holeman, Gale Pyler, Fred Barnett, Harold Rodebush, Fred Cook, Roy Denny, Russell Strader, Warren Harris, Donald Ellsworth, Rodel Scott, Buzzy Barnett, Dwight Grubb, Byron Whitehouse, Richard Sisk, Bob Armour and W.V. Dixon Jr.

Farm boys and girls will have another chance to enter the Calhoun baby chick contest similar to the successful one of last year. The Calhoun Drygoods Company is sponsoring the contest. Farm children will be given free 25 quality blood tested White Rock chicks and will promise to take good care of them. They will pay an entrance fee of $1 and in the fall will return to the Calhoun store their best rooster to be entered in the contest. They will compete for 34 prizes amounting to $50.

Marion Felt presided at the meeting of the Drywood 4-H Club held at the Cherry Grove church. Thelma Duncan was in charge of recreation.

50 YEARS AGO

(1958)

Charley Blythe, of near Garland, says that that although it will be rather a late spring, it could be a good year yet. He says that hybrid varieties of corn can be planted two months from now and have plenty of time to mature.

Mrs. Hazel Hunt thought spring was just around the corner so she picked out a spot that had begun to dry and planted potatoes and made garden last Friday. Mrs. Hunt reports that she has bought the Mills farm, just west of the airport, and she and two of the children will make their home there.

Mr. and Mrs. Harry Bryce held open house March 31 at their home, 115 State Street, in observance of their 25th wedding anniversary. Approximately 150 guests were registered.

25 YEARS AGO

(1983)

The year's first heavy spring rain forced the Marmaton River and local creeks from their banks today and sent them flooding over fields and roads. Leo Wescoat, manager of the Farmers Cooperative Association's Bourbon County's Uniontown elevator, said that about noon today the Marmaton was some 3 to 3 1/2 feet above flood stage and still rising. Wescoat said he gauged the flood level of the Marmaton by watching a fence post along the river where it crosses Kansas Highway just south of the city. The river was 12 to 15 inches from the top of the post, he said. Earl Graham, of rural Devon, said from the picture window at his farm, he could see about 40 acres of land flooded by the Little Mill Creek and Devon Creek, where the two flow together to form the Big Mill Creek which empties into the Marmaton just north of Fort Scott.