From the Lawrence Daily Journal-World for Aug. 6, 1911:

• “A special election has been called by the mayor of Lecompton, Dr. C. C. Kerr, for the purpose of voting on the proposition of issuing bonds for the purchase of a municipal electric light plant. The election has been called for August 15 and the indications are that the bonds will carry and Lecompton will within a year be lighted by the most modern light system in use. [City officials] have estimated that a plant can be put in at a cost of $2,600 which would at present adequately supply electricity to the city. The capacity of such a plant would be about 7.5 Kilowatts and could easily light 30 60-watt Tungsten street lamps, leaving more than enough electricity to supply the customers. It would be run by a 10-horse power engine and have modern adjustments which would demand a very small amount of work for running the plant.”
• “The colored people of Lawrence are celebrating emancipation day with a big picnic at Woodland park today. There are several speakers at the park this afternoon to address the picnickers. There were ball games and all of the regular concessions of the park. A good crowd was out for the picnic.”