From the Lawrence Daily World for Jan. 5, 1909: “More than 100 are due for the annual Commercial Club banquet for local business and professional men. Most are ending outstanding years and are looking ahead to 1909 with optimism. The Eldridge House will be the site for the meeting (of the forerunner of the chamber of commerce). … First steps have been taken to give Lawrence a regular salaried fire department with salaries to vary from $50 to $60 a month for the drivers and hook and ladder and hose-handlers.”