From the Lawrence Daily Journal-World for Sept. 19, 1972:

• The Lawrence area was experiencing the somewhat unpleasant surprise of a late-summer heat wave this week. Today and tomorrow were expected to bring unseasonably high temperatures, reaching or surpassing record highs. Thermometer readings downtown yesterday had reached 102, exceeding the record of 100 set in 1931; however, the official weather observer at Kansas University had recorded the temperature at “only” 96. At noon today, the heat had already climbed into the 90s. The National Weather Service had already issued a livestock warning for the second straight day.
• In spite of the uncomfortable heat, there were no plans to dismiss Lawrence schools early today, according to district officials, who were nevertheless making some efforts to cope with the weather. A bulletin from the administrative center this morning had suggested that teachers move their classes outdoors whenever possible. Only five Lawrence school buildings were fully air conditioned, with six others having partial AC in some classrooms and the remaining 10 buildings having no cooling at all. Some grade-school children reportedly had arrived at school this morning with electric fans.