Judge enthusiastic supporter of an armory

100 YEARS AGO

(1911)

Judge W.R. Biddle is an enthusiastic supporter of the movement for an armory for Fort Scott. He believes that it would be a noble thing for the citizens of this city to present to the men who fought and bled for their country and the young men who are training in the militia for war that may come at any time. He says that $15,000 will build a magnificent building at the corner of National Avenue and First Street. Eugene Ware has promised to donate the two lots at the corner mentioned. The city would pay $5,000 and the state would be compelled to pay $10,000 of the sum. It would not tax anyone by that method.

75 YEARS AGO

(1936)

Abraham Lincoln Keplinger, 70, known intimately as "Link," and a pioneer contractor and builder, residing at 1124 Burke St., passed away this morning from a heart attack.

His sudden death is a great shock to both relatives and hosts of friends. Mr. Keplinger went to his shop on Scott Avenue as usual this morning, but shortly afterward returned to his home and explained to his wife that he intended to "clean up" and go to the hospital. He did not alarm her about how badly he felt. At the hospital he had an X-ray taken. Without warning the fatal heart attack came. Mr. Keplinger was born in Ireland and came to Fort Scott in 1877 as a boy. At age 16, he built his first house in Fort Scott which still stands. An outstanding achievement was the building of the Church of God at Wall and Broadway. Other buildings include the Konantz mortuary, the Fort Scott Greenhouse, the Penney store, the Nurses Home. He had just finished making a new front for the Lotterer furniture store.

The body is at the Konantz Funeral Home.

50 YEARS AGO

(1961)

A hard freeze is expected here tonight as unseasonably cool temperatures continue to prevail throughout the Midwest.

The U.S. Weather Bureau of Topeka predicts a low tonight in the upper 20s. The mercury will climb again tomorrow, however. The wind was blowing with a vengeance today in Fort Scott. Shortly after 1 p.m., it caught the plate glass window at Ruddick's Inc., 117 S. National, and blew it inward.

Photo caption: "Jim Amyx tries a left hook to the head as Delbert Ayers goes for the body in a workout in preparation for the boxing show here Thursday. Ayers was given main-event billing for a stirring comeback against Jack Clanton in the first bouts here in March. Amyx will be entering the ring for the first time." -- Tribune photo

25 YEARS AGO

(1986)

The Tribune received two first-place awards and five Honorable Mentions among small Kansas daily newspapers in the Kansas Press Association's annual contest. Awards of excellence went to Tribune reporter Amy Balding for her Wednesday EXTRA report on downtown renovation, which was entered in the Enterprise reporting category, and to The Tribune editorial writing, which were the winning entries written by Tom Eblen.

The Home Town Touch: "Being understanding and considerate are priorities," says Security State Banker Donna Bauer, assistant vice president. "Handling a customer's business efficiently and thoroughly and taking the time to be friendly are important. During my 13 years with the bank, I have seen Security State's reputation for friendliness being developed as an attitude, as a tradition everyone in the bank works to uphold. As supervisor of the loan department, I encourage my staff to be understanding of the customer-side of a situation and to be considerate of their time. No one has time to be waiting unnecessarily."