100 years ago: Wanting to ‘be busy in the very best way,’ 74-year-old man enrolls at KU

From the Lawrence Daily Journal-World for Sept. 17, 1912:

  • “With the hundreds of youthful high school graduates who will seek admission to the University of Kansas next week will come one applicant who had already lived through 26 years at the time the University was organized in 1864. November 14, 1838, was the birthday of this newest varsity student, William Augustine Munson, Sr., of Mound City, Kansas. A graduate of Wesleyan University in the class of 1867, he received his master of arts degree from the same institution in 1870 and in 1882 two divinity degrees from Yale. Mr. Munson explains his desire to continue his education in spite of his 74 years by the desire ‘to be busy in the very best way and to keep the mind awake and active.’ He will take work in the correspondence-study department of the University extension division.”
  • “Forage poisoning is responsible for the peculiar horse plague that has been ravaging in Kansas and neighboring states for the last few weeks according to the findings of the Kansas University experts who have established a laboratory at Ness City for the purpose of determining the cause of the disease. This report coming from them states that the meningitis theory is unfounded…. The report of the University men substantiates the statement of the veterinarians of the state who believed that the disease was caused by a mold or fungus that existed on the grass in the pastures of the state.”
  • “Arthur St. Leger Mosse is still somewhat of an athlete even though it has been a number of years since he took part in a contest. Yesterday afternoon the coach accepted the challenge of his assistant, Leonard Frank, to a 100 yard dash on the McCook Field track and the way the big coach heeled it off on those cinders made Coach Hamilton sit up and take notice. The track coach may even endeavor to use his find in the daisies next spring. Leonard Frank finished second in the race.”