From the Lawrence Daily Journal-World for Aug. 16, 1911:

• “A proposition to pave Hancock street [currently 12th Street] brought forth a hearty remonstrance from the property owners along this street and from those who have to use the street to ascend to the university. They appeared before the council last night and asked that this be not done until other hillside paving had been given a thorough test. It was alleged that in icy weather passage up this hill would be impossible and the residents up there be isolated from the rest of the world, and the value of their property be diminished. This is a matter that has been troubling the mayor and council for some time. This street is at present macadamized, and the macadam is continually washing down into the sewers below, causing no end of trouble. Besides the street is in a very poor condition and does not tend to beautify the city.”
• “There was considerable excitement in the east end of Lawrence this morning occasioned by the sheriff and Mr. Sutters, a farmer, chasing a party of pleasure seekers in a cab who had been having a good time in a watermelon patch in the country. The party was composed of two boys and two girls who had been out for some time joy riding and having a great time in the wee sma’ hours of the night. They were finally taken by the officer after several shots had been fired and the chase had been on for some time, but were released on the promise of their behaving themselves in the future and keeping better hours…. They begged not to be exposed and promised to be as good as could be if the sheriff would let them go. Mr. Sutters says he did not lose any melons as the boys say they were unable to find any that were satisfactory to them. The farmer said he did not care to do anything about it as he would rather give the boys the melons than have any trouble. The four were turned loose and told to behave themselves in the future, and it is a safe bet that they will, for they were about as scared a bunch as there has been in Lawrence for some time. Probably the next time they go out they will steer clear of any sign of a melon patch.”