From the Lawrence Daily Journal-World for July 7, 1912:

• “There was an inch of rain last night according to the weather report from the University. The shower was accompanied by a great deal of lightning….The barn of Richard Moul of Eudora was struck by lightning last night about midnight and entirely destroyed. The electrical storm was especially severe last night and the barn was struck before the hard rain began to fall. The contents were all destroyed…. A horse owned by Si Jones 6 1/2 miles north of town was killed by lightning in last night’s storm. The animal was valued at more than $200 and was one of Mr. Jones’ best work horses. The horse was insured.”
• “The Thursday afternoon closing boom seems to be dead in Lawrence, at least for this summer and Lawrence merchants continue to do their regular business on this afternoon. The petition for the closing met with considerable approval by the majority of the merchants, but a few held out and refused to sign up or close up and the others cannot afford to close their places of business while others are open. The butchers and grocers originated the plan and were the first to get into the field with a petition which was very generally signed by the merchants of this class. However, there are two who are hesitating to sign and thus far have not, and there is every indication that they will not…. It is understood that another effort is to be made to get these two men to agree, and if it fails the matter will be dropped for another year at least.”
• “The Wakarusa township board, the county surveyor and a committee from the Merchants’ Association looked over the road between Number Six school and Massachusetts street this afternoon with a view to improving it and making it easier for farmers to haul loads to town. Special attention was given to bridges and culverts. This road is one of the main approaches to the city of Lawrence from the south and southwest and its improvement would mean a great saving and convenience to farmers. it is hoped that the repairing of this road will encourage the improving of highways in other parts of the county.”