From the Lawrence Daily World for Aug. 29, 1909: “At a meeting of the Masons of Lawrence it was decided to erect a four-story building costing $40,000 on the site of the old Methodist Church, which they have purchased. There is great enthusiasm among the Masons about the establishment of a temple for their work here. The placing of stock among members will begin immediately. … Melon thieves on the north side have been hitting farmers hard and losses have been painful. One pair of thieves has been caught. One farmer had 70 melons worth at least $25 taken over the past two weeks. … A trifle more than $1,900 was paid out in wages this afternoon by the street car company. This is the largest single week’s payroll to date, by nearly $200 over the previous peak. … The Douglas County corn crop is due to be cut in two by the hot, dry weather of the past month. The early corn will be good but there is great fear about heavy losses after that.”