100 years ago: Halley’s comet returns to Earth’s view

From the Lawrence Daily World for May 18, 1910: “At 12:20 tomorrow morning, the Earth will enter the tail of Halley’s comet and in the course of its travels through the flimsy path will encounter 50,000,000,000 cubic miles of the gaseous filament. The people of the U.S. will see an illumination in the western sky and meteoric displays. Scientists and astronomers declare that there is no danger of a collision between the comet and the earth…. It was announced today that the Thirteenth Infantry band, stationed at Ft. Leavenworth, has been secured to play during two days of commencement week at the university. It should be considered quite a treat to hear this band and the music will be worth going a long way to hear…. George Cowan was tried in police court yesterday afternoon on the charge of drunkenness for the ‘steenth’ time and was found guilty. He was fined $3.00 and costs amounting to $12.00, which is about all a drunk can get in court. Cowan was found in a very advanced stage Sunday near the Poehler warehouse.”