From the Lawrence Daily Journal-World for April 26, 1913:

• “The coroner’s jury at 3:40 this afternoon returned a verdict declaring that the death of Lou N. Crell, who was run over and killed in North Lawrence yesterday afternoon by an automobile, was due to negligent and careless driving. Ross Phenicie of Reno, Kansas, owner of the car and who was driving it yesterday when the accident occurred, was placed under arrest and charges will be preferred against him. There was some conflicting testimony introduced. Companions of Phenicie who were with him in the car when the accident occurred stated that the car was not speeding and that they believed the man was responsible alleging that he became confused and that the collision was a result. Witnesses who saw the accident from the street all stated that they believed the car was traveling faster than the speed limit and that they failed to hear the horn if it was sounded…. Phenicie stated that he was not going more than eight miles an hour, that he sounded his horn when about thirty feet from the corner and that he stopped his car as soon as he could although he was rather excited.”
• “Today was the last day of the campaign for and against Commission Form of Government in Lawrence. On Monday the voters of the city, some four thousand strong, will go to the polls and express a preference which will mean a continuance of the present form of government or the adoption of the new.”
• “The Douglas county commissioners have been trying out two new road scrapers yesterday and today. The scrapers are the Royal and the King. The Royal is put out by the John Deere company and is proving very successful. The King grader has been unable to demonstrate owing to the absence of some of the parts which have not been shipped. The test is being conducted on the California road.”
• “John Herman had a seventeen year old cat killed by two dogs this week. Several other cats in that neighborhood have been killed by two dogs the past few weeks. These two dogs are hunting cats together and they are apparently having a grand time, but the cats are not going to be killed without a protest on the part of their owners. The humane society is anxious to get in communication with people who may be able to identify these dogs…. Cats are great pets in many families and the dogs must not be allowed to kill them.”
• “There has been for some time considerable argument as to whether fraternities should be taxed or not. About 5 years ago there was a law passed which gave the fraternities a loop hole to get out of paying their taxes. They employed attorneys and brought the matter before the commissioners and in consequence most of them were exempt from taxes. About two years ago practically all stopped paying taxes. The question has recently been brought before County Attorney Amick and left for him to decide. He has been endeavoring in every way to gather all the evidence and statistics possible before he gives his decision in the matter.”