Circulating library to start

100 YEARS AGO

(1911)

The school fund of Bourbon County will be enriched by the sum of $504.67 soon, the amount of the estate of the late Mrs. Lucinda Spurgeon as a final settlement of the affairs of the estate has been made by Administrator E.W. Minters, is that there are no legal heirs for the estate. Under a state law it will now revert to the school fund of the county. Mr. and Mrs. Spurgeon were early residents of Fort Scott, and for many years conducted a small confectionery opposite Bridal Veil Park on West Second Street. That was then the only park in or near Fort Scott and the patronage was quite large. The aged couple were able to hoard up a considerable amount, which went for the widow at the death of the husband. A few years later the widow passed away leaving no will and no heirs as far as could be learned. The final report of the administrator was made today before Probate Judge W.R. Russell.

75 YEARS AGO

(1936)

A circulating library is to be started in the county as a WPA project with Mrs. Kathleen Grier in charge. Mrs. Grier will make her headquarters and have her books in the room now used as a meeting place for the county commissioners on the second floor of the courthouse. This will be for the benefit of the rural and small town schools and the communities served by those schools.

The entertainment committee of the American Legion decided to have a series of three dances as a means of financing the annual Christmas tree for the needy children of the city. The first will be Thanksgiving night, the second on Christmas night, and the third on New Year's Eve, all at Memorial Hall. The committee issued an appeal to the public to hunt up at once any old discarded toys they may be willing to donate for the Legion's tree.

50 YEARS AGO

(1961)

Five Fort Scott High School Tigers were selected by coaches of the Southeast Kansas Leagues all-star teams. They were Ronald Lewis, Melvin Woods, Gary Wrenn, John Matthews and Lewis Kalm. Rex Wheeler and Edwin Graves received Honorable Mention.

Photo caption: "Mary E. Taylor was completely surprised and honored last night for 50 years' service as secretary of the Water and Sewage Department office. She is pictured with Mayor William Rardin. Planned and sponsored by women employees in the office, guests were past and present employees of the city, with several hundred attending the reception in the American Legion Rooms at Memorial Hall. Mrs. Taylor was presented a money tree from the water department, flowers and comfort, a gold fountain pen, scarves and other gifts from the various city departments and friends."

The residence of Mr. and Mrs. B.E. Mason, 404 Pyle, was struck by lightning in the storm early Monday. Damage was reported to the roof, wiring and ceiling.

25 YEARS AGO

(1986)

Midwestern Distribution officials announced rebuilding plans that will keep in Fort Scott most of the motor carrier's operation that had to be relocated after the Belltown facilities were destroyed in the Oct. 3 flood. Although some streamlining that will be accomplished in the rebuilding process will result in reducing the work force here from 325 to about 225, company officials emphasized that Midwestern and its parent company, Leaseway Transportation Corp., remain committed to keeping the bulk of operations here. Response from the community after the company's facilities were inundated last month was vital to the determination, Midwestern President Dave Freeman said.