From the Lawrence Daily Journal-World for Aug. 23, 1912:

• “It was great! The Farmers’ Picnic at Woodland Park yesterday was a big success. The weather was fine and the farmers and merchants came out in force to enjoy the day. The crowd found plenty of attractions too. The ball games, horse races, and band concerts followed each other in quick succession and the merry-go-round and roller coaster were busy during the afternoon and evening. The little folks had a great time in the children’s playground…. Farmers came for miles to attend the picnic. They brought their dinner and supper with them in order that they might have plenty of time at the Park.”
• “Douglas county is getting along pretty well, thank you. At least, the crops are doing their part. Record breaking yields are getting to be common. It seems to be the usual story for wheat raisers to report the very best yields they have ever known. In many instances the number of bushels per acre has considerably exceeded even the highest estimate put upon it.”
• “The largest watermelons that have come to the Journal-World office this season were those brought in this morning. They were two fine specimens of the Tom Watson variety, raised by McNamara and Shook on Gus Brune’s farm. One weighed fifty-one pounds, five ounces and the other fifty-one pounds, three ounces. The measurements of the melons were almost exactly the same, one foot, eleven inches in length and two feet and a half in circumference. There were twenty-eight acres on the Brune farm given over to watermelons this year.”