From the Lawrence Daily Journal-World for Aug. 16, 1912:

• “The Lawrence merchants are planning to close their stores on next Thursday afternoon to attend the picnic to be given at the Park for the farmers of the county by the Lawrence Merchants Association. Plans for the entertainment of the guests of the day are now in order…. The Merchants have arranged a program similar to the one of last year when a record breaking crowd attended the first annual picnic. Everything points toward another big time this year…. The Merchants have arranged for free coffee for the picnickers both at noon and in the evening so that country people who bring their picnic dinners with them can enjoy a cup of fresh hot coffee. This will be given out free to all who ask for it. In addition to this the Association has arranged for cups for the visitors so that there will be a private cup for everyone. Water will also be on hand and it will be fresh ice water…. All of the regular attractions of the park will be in operation to entertain the picnickers. The roller coaster ride is to be had again this year as last. The band will be out and will give two concerts for the picnickers. Motion pictures will be provided in the evening in the theater while those who care to dance may do so.”
• “At the rural school houses there has been a great deal of improving going on lately. Many repairs have been made in the buildings. A few new porches have been added and in some buildings new heating systems have been installed. Several of the schoolhouses have been painted since the last term closed. New outbuildings have been built, new slate blackboards of good quality have been put in place and other things have been done to make the schoolhouses comfortable and attractive. In the Franklin district arrangements have been made for a new building.”
• “Prof. E. F. Stimpson of the department of Weights and Measures of the State University is now making a tour of the grain producing section of Kansas to examine scales to see that correct weights are given…. In the matter of poor scales it is seldom a matter of dishonesty, but merely a case where a scale has become so worn that it is impossible to longer secure correct weights with it. If a scale is 5 per cent off it means a loss to the producer of $50.00 on every thousand dollars worth of grain sold, which is no small matter.”