40 years ago: Water main break floods downtown intersection

From the Lawrence Daily Journal-World for Sept. 17, 1972:

  • Downtown Lawrence buildings were experiencing the thrill of being lakefront property this week after a 12-inch water pipeline had burst during an ongoing renovation project. Although the break was repaired in about 20 minutes, enough water had escaped to create a small lake several feet deep in front of the old First National Bank building [now Tellers] at Eighth and Massachusetts. Some of the water had rushed off down side streets and into storm sewers, but the intersection was expected to continue its watery appearance throughout the weekend before drying up.
  • After eluding officers for a day and a half, escaped convict Frederick Donald Macon had been arrested without incident in an East Lawrence bar. After a tip that he he had taken a tax from the Lawrence bus station to the Green Gable tavern, 516 E. Eighth, Macon had been apprehended at about 12:10 a.m., concluding a massive manhunt by about 100 state, county, and local officers.