More business needed if railroad to stay in Prescott

100 YEARS AGO

(1913)

Oscar Rice spoke recently for the Current Topic Club and he had a chart prepared showing how many millions were being spent for gasoline, oil and all other necessary supplies for an automobile. The lecture was full of interesting statements, which sounded unreasonable, but nevertheless were facts. Every time the Standard Oil Co. raises the price of gasoline, the automobile owners of the United States lose $10,000,000. It is a nice little sum for the oil people, but it is a great loss for the autoists.

Property owners of Fort Scott will be pleased to know that Mr. J.R. Leslie, the efficient street commissioner, will be continued in that responsible position for another term.

"For Rent" is the singular sign stuck up in the window of one of the oldest grocery houses in the city. Mr. J.C. Bennett does not propose to work so hard in the future, and wants someone else to take his place on Scott Avenue.

Miss Nelle Nutz entertained a small company of friends last evening and a most enjoyable time was had by all present.

75 YEARS AGO

(1938)

PRESCOTT -- A meeting was held at the Frisco station for the purpose of explaining to the patrons of the railroad the necessity of more business for the railroad if Prescott is to continue as an open office here. The railroad was represented by F.E. Donaldson, of Fort Scott and Stevens, of the traffic department of Kansas City.

Figures released by Jess Bloomfield, roll call chairman, disclosed that the recent Red Cross drive resulted in 914 memberships in Bourbon County. In terms of contributions, this figure means $1,242.15, which is in excess of the quota set for the Bourbon County chapter.

W.T. Blincoe, county treasurer, this morning received a check for $4,316, signed by George Robb, state auditor, and J.J. Rhodes, state treasurer, for the county's social welfare fund.

50 YEARS AGO

(1963)

DETROIT -- Gov. George Romney of Michigan bought 13,494 shares of American Motors Stock for $99,000 less than the market price on the day before he resigned from the auto company last November.

The bargain purchase, possible because of previously granted stock options, boosted Romney's holdings to about 118,000 shares, by far the largest of any individual. For the four and a half months he served as chairman and president of American Motors before announcing his candidacy for governor, Romney was paid $73,608 in salary and bonus.

He received $141,211 for the previous full year. Romney was elected governor on Nov. 6 and severed all connections with AMC on Nov. 15.

25 YEARS AGO

(1988)

Stalled cars, frozen water pipes and numerous minor traffic mishaps plagued Fort Scott and area residents today as a result of the below zero temperature and ice packed streets and highways.

An eight below reading from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. today was the coldest here since Jan. 4 and Jan. 5 in 1959, and minus 11 and minus 16 were recorded.

Photo caption: "The Bourbon County Junior Leadership Club plans greater civic duty this year. Officers outlining the projects are Sonny Peterson, sponsor; Janet Comstock, reporter; Leon Perry, president; Betty Sinn, secretary-treasurer. Also pictured is Edith Peterson." -- Tribune photo

The January meeting of Fort Scott Future Farmers of America had 70 parents and students sharing the meeting. Raised to the first degree of Green Hand were Richard Albright, Oscar Endicott, Gary Boling, Richard Cullison, David Goodbody, Charles Howard, Larry Leonard, Jim Mertz, Delbert Metcalf, Ronald Murray, Gaylord Oberst, Larry Pease, Roy Seaver and Rudy Simpson.