Memories spring eternal

100 YEARS AGO

(1906)

If today's developments against Sunday theatre in Fort Scott are to be accepted as a barometer of the town's feeling, a storm is a abrew for Manager Lewis, of the Tremont Theatre. Since the announcement in last night's Tribune that the management of this institution intended giving Sunday performances, considerable feeling has developed against the enterprise. Chief of Police Ball, who is working without a shadow of turning, to clean Fort Scott, notified Mr. Lewis if he opened his place Sunday he would promptly arrest him for violating the city and state statues. Mr. Ball intends doing exactly as he says. This morning at the Y.M.C.A. building the pastors of this city met and denounced Manager Lewis' latest move and stated that they would enjoin him from operating Sunday if he dared open his place. Mr. Lewis has a perfect right to come here and operate his show week days, but the other is something the town has never stood for and will likely not tolerate.

75 YEARS AGO

(1931)

Fort Scott people may know that one of the most interesting industries in their own town is a packing plant that buys stock raised in Bourbon County, in large quantities and cuts in the same way large Armour and Swift plants in the big packing centers such as Kansas City and Chicago. It is true. It is the Fort Scott Packing Company located in the northeast part of the city. The plant was established a year ago by Carl W. Eshelbrenner and William Leitz. It has built up a substantial business and has paid out to local livestock men about $150,000. The plant occupies a large substantial building, not far from the condensery where there is ample space for expansion as the business grows. Yards adjoining the building contain herds of cattle and hogs that will either be slaughtered shortly or be shipped to Kansas. Aside from pork and beef, the plant produces the various by-products which make up a large part of the packing business. Casing products such as wieners, minced meats and sausage are manufactured in large quantity. Lard is another important by-product. Hickory wood is used to burn in the smoke house. The products are distributed mostly through the retail stores of Fort Scott and nearby towns, but the company has developed a trade in a number of towns as far distant as 75 miles.

50 YEARS AGO

(1956)

Photo caption: "Fort Scott Fire Chief Don Hunsiker and city public works director Chuck Elliott try out the city's new 'bucket truck' in the installation of downtown Christmas lights."--Photo by Tom Braker

Mrs. Nadine Sisk, secretary to the Fort Scott KG&E Division Manager, will retire Dec. 16 after 35 years of service with KG&E and its predecessor, Eastern Kansas Utilities. Mrs. Sisk, formerly a school teacher, worked as an EKU billing operator and was promoted to cashier when that company was acquired by KG&E. She has been secretary to the division manager for 11 years.

25 YEARS AGO

(1981)

A ceremony and Christmas carols will open the holiday season in down town Fort Scott tonight. Mayor Carolyn Sinn and members of the the PRIDE committee will be involved in the ceremony starting at 8 p.m. at the big Christmas tree on the mall and climax with the lighting of the new Christmas lights, according to Wally Ingram, executive director of the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce. David Freeman will lead the crowd in singing Christmas carols.