From the Lawrence Daily Journal-World for August 10, 1913:

• “We have often thought that George Hackman had the best way of taking a vacation of any man in town. Most of our people have an idea that they must go to some place far away and work harder than ever having a little fun. Mr. Hackman simply knocks off work and stays around. There are many places of interest around Lawrence that can be seen by the leisure man that the busy man never hears of. There are trips to the country, river trips and above all the visiting with neighbors. This is not a large town but there are a lot of men so busy they hardly get acquainted with their own families. By taking a vacation at home a man can find out how his family really lives. He can get acquainted with his children. When he is busy they are making other acquaintances and forming other alliances. Then again a busy man does not know much about his neighbors. He is busy and they are busy and after hours both are too tired to enjoy visiting. There are grown men in this town whose fathers we knew but we have not had time to tell them we were glad to see them on their fathers’ account. A vacation at home can enable us to do many things that will add to the happiness of life. Then most of us fit best in our own beds and feel most comfortable in our own homes.”
• “Corn is king in Douglas county. Agricultural statistics being compiled by County Clerk Herman Broker indicate that 62,649 acres of this crop were planted in this county the year 1912-13. Second place in the crop list is given to wheat with an acreage of 37,494, but a little more than half of the corn acreage of the county. The potato crop is third on the list, the acreage of this crop totaling 1,980…. The report as far as completed shows considerable gain over the figures of last year. It also indicates that Douglas county soil will grow almost anything, as there is a wide range in the crops raised here.”
• “Miss Helen Hale, the accomplished pianist, has accepted an engagement at the Patee Nickel. Miss Hale is well known in the musical world of the larger cities, and will undoubtedly prove an exceptional feature in the popular Patee Nickel programs.”
• “How about the down and outs in Lawrence? Where shall they sleep? It has been the custom to let them sleep in the old city jail. This is a filthy place. The social service league is figuring on providing a bed for just such people. They come to Lawrence and they do not like to stay in jail over night. It is not exhilarating. There is room in the social service headquarters for several beds and they should be provided. Most of the rooms could be used as free wards for medical treatment. A good many people cannot afford to go to hospitals when they need treatment. These ought to be provided with rooms at the social service league. Now that this thing has started so well let us turn our efforts there and make it one grand success.”
• “This is circus day in Lawrence. A. G. Barnes and his trained animals are here today spending the day and entertaining the populace from hereabouts. The entertainment began early this morning in the Santa Fe railroad yards when Mr. Barnes and his troupe was met by a small reception committee of kiddies and some grown-ups. As the day advanced more of the youngsters and old folks appeared and soon the events of circus day were well under way. This morning the second number of the program was given, the street parade up town. Mr. Barnes put on a splendid exhibition and pleased a large crowd of town and country people who were on the street to see the big wagons, and the elephants and the cages of wild animals. The funny men were there, the brass bands and the calliope. This afternoon at Woodland Park the first performance is being given and will be followed by another this evening.”