District consolidation vote

100 YEARS AGO

(1912)

This evening, if you are a light sleeper, you are liable to be awakened with cold chills running up and down your back or you are liable to sleep on in blissful ignorance. Several boys in the high school have organized a serenade club and this evening will try to impress the public in general with the rich qualities of their voices.

Last night the girls' glee club ventured out and sang at several houses, and this put it into the heads of the boys, who may not have read as many romantic books. In their words, "We will sing and all the world will rejoice."

In connection with the school finals it was thought at first that a track meet for the grades would be held. But owing to the many cases of scarlet fever that are so common around here it was decided not to get all the school children together and thereby ruin chances of spreading the disease. Instead, many of the schools will have private picnics. In this case, the schools which are planning for picnics will take their lunches to the woods and maybe have their own little individual track meets or ball games. This school which are planning this are Bell, Ivy and Plaza.

75 YEARS AGO

(1937)

Jean Winchell, sponsored by the Maytag Company in the citywide beauty contest held at the Liberty Theatre the past two nights, was named by the out-of-town judges as Miss Fort Scott of 1937. This is the second annual statewide beauty contest sponsored by Kansas theaters to select a Miss Kansas. The new beauty queen was crowned by last year's winner, Miss Lois Norton. Second place was awarded to Betty Gail Pennie, Junge Bakery entry. The winner will go to Topeka in September to compete for the state title. There were 24 contestants here.

Photo caption: "William A. Maxwell, probably the best known pioneer farmer in the vicinity of Devon, on May 3 celebrated his 91st birthday. Hale and hearty despite his years, Mr. Maxwell is pictured with one of the youngest of his descendants."

All work at the South Main Street Park has been entirely suspended owing to the fact that WPA funds for the project have been exhausted. However, it is expected that work will resume on Monday.

50 YEARS AGO

(1962)

HIATTVILLE -- The highlight of spring for livestock-minded folks over a wide area comes this Saturday with the staging of the 22nd annual O'Bryan Ranch Field Day near here. Features include a livestock judging contest by 4-H and FFA members and adults and also on hand will be "Bub," O'Bryan's Appaloosa stallion.

Photo caption: "A 10-day grand opening sale will be held at the newly-remodeled Montgomery Ward store, 22 S. Main St." -- Tribune photo

The 11 school districts south of U.S. 54 and east of U.S. 69 will cast ballots in each of their respective districts Friday on the question of consolidation, according to Miss Eva J. Krull, county superintendent. Several schools throughout the county have closed and some are near closing for the lack of enough pupils to be accredited by the state department of education, the superintendent said.

Mrs. Virgil Gordon Smith, city librarian since 1946, will retire July 1. Her successor is Mrs. Ralph Schott. Founded in 1881 by Eugene Ware, the Fort Scott library is unique in that it has had but three librarian so far -- Miss Mary L. Barlow, Mrs. J.R. Prichard and Mrs. Smith.

Top scholar among Kansas State University sophomore co-eds majoring in women's physical education is Phyllis Hudson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Howard Hudson, 304 W. Ninth St.