From the Lawrence Daily Journal-World for Sept. 9, 1912:

• “Two thousand Lawrence boys and girls picked up 2,000 sets of books this morning and turned their faces toward the city schools and study for the next nine months after the summer’s vacation. Everywhere this morning there were signs of activity among the youngsters as they hurried down the streets making their way back to the school room. There was happiness in the hearts of some and there were smiles on their faces while others were sad as they slowly wandered away from the scenes of so many good times this summer when there were no school bells, and no school teachers to interfere. But it is all over now…. Soon the regular round of events will be in full blast and thoughts of vacation good times will be dispelled in favor of readin’, writin’, and ‘rithmetic. At the High School there was the same excitement as the Freshmen made their way around trying to find the different rooms and the older students sending them in some different directions.”
• “Harry Hutching’s car is somewhat the worse for an accident that occurred yesterday between Lawrence and Oskaloosa. The car struck a ditch that had been made across the road and the front axle was twisted around twice and bent back under the machine. There was a large party in the car at the time, but a few scratches are the only injuries reported. Mr. Hutchings, assisted by Will Brooks and a blacksmith, succeeded in getting the axle straightened out in a shop about three-quarters of a mile from the place where the accident occurred.”
• “The continued dry, hot weather and the tremendous drain upon the Water Company for all purposes has lessened the supply until it is imperative for those using water on their lawns to stop sprinkling for a short time or else it will be necessary to pump from the river. The company does not wish to use river water at this season of the year and therefore hopes that their patrons will respond by being as saving as possible until the supply can be increased.”