A Titanic impact

100 YEARS AGO

(1912)

(April 17) -- The Cunarder Carpathia, bearing 868 miles from New York at noon today, word was eagerly awaited that would elucidate the catastrophe of Sunday night, which cost 1,312 lives. Sable Island was in brief communication with the rescue ship this morning but no additional names of the survivors were obtained. The White Star officials think the Carpathia will arrive here about nine o'clock tonight.

NEW YORK (April 17) -- The Camperdown wireless station at Halifax today sent the Associated Press the following dispatch: "We are now in communication with the Carpathia and in a position to announce unofficially that the Titanic struck an enormous berg and sunk. Over 2,000 lost. Seven hundred survivors, mostly women, are on the Carpathia."

WASHINGTON, April 17 -- The Titanic survivors will be summoned to tell Congressional committees the facts concerning the inability of steamship officials to save the lives of all the passengers. House Merchant Marine Committee announced the commencement of an investigation. As a supplement to the congressional investigation, Secretary Nagel will immediately take up with the President the entire subject of safe-guarding ocean travel by more stringent American shipping regulations. The disaster has aroused Congress, the President and his cabinet to the urgent need of immediate measures of safety for oceanic travel.

Stirred by the horror of the Titanic disaster, all official Washington is preparing for steps to minimize the possibilities of another such tragedy.

Congress began framing legislation to govern life-saving appliances and wireless, and President Taft, doubly touched by the probable loss of his friend and military aide, Maj. Archibald Butt, held a conference with cabinet officers to consider government control over the "operation of wireless."

75 YEARS AGO

(1937)

A deed has been recorded at the office of Register of Deeds transferring from Ida Golden to Fred Hoggatt and wife, part of the northeast quarter of section 1, township 27, range 2, and lots 9 and 11, block 12, Garland.

It really should prove something or other that there were 745 posts sold at the pavilion sale Saturday. That is a lot of post holes!

The air-conditioned ice refrigerators at American Service Co. Ice refrigeration is not only automatic, it is the "only" automatic refrigeration. See the Coolerator and the Olympic.

Frank Wimmer, Fulton, had hogs at the barn sale Saturday.

Garages were busy drying and starting cars grounded from rain over the weekend. At one point, Interstate had both wreckers and an emergency service car out at the same time.

50 YEARS AGO

(1962)

Fort Scott High School Teen Talk (By Kathy Hewett) -- The band had a party Friday night for members and their dates. Entertainment featured the Fort Scott Trio to include John Campbell, Phillip Hammons and Bill Frick. The second part of the program was a reading by Don O'Dell.

Ron Gallagher, son of Mr. and Mrs. J.E. Gallagher of 420 Holbrook, has been accepted as a trainee for a Peace Corps program in the West African country of Liberia. After a month's training in Puerto Rico, Gallagher will be sent to an American university for further intensive training. Gallagher is a senior majoring in journalism at the University of Kansas. He is managing editor of the University Daily Kansan, KU's daily student newspaper. Gallagher was president of the student body and a member of the debate squad when he attended Fort Scott Junior College two years ago.

Two Boy Scouts were granted advancement in rank by the Arrowhead District Board of Review. Kent Hewett, Troop 114, was reviewed and certified for advancement to Life Scout and Blake Hudson, Troop 111, to Star Scout.

25 YEARS AGO

(1987)

No publication.