From the Lawrence Daily Journal-World for Aug. 20, 1913:

“After fifty years have elapsed Lawrence tomorrow will observe the anniversary of the darkest period in the history of the city. Fifty years ago this evening the sun went down peacefully in the west just as it will tonight. The little village of Lawrence nestled at the base of Mount Oread and on the bank of the Kansas River was the picture of quietude and serenity. The citizens strolled along the streets or sat in their front yards, the day had been a hot one, just such a day as today, the survivors say, and the town folks remained out of doors to enjoy the coolness of the evening. But in the morning the quiet and serene atmosphere gave way to turmoil and anguish, murderers rode down the streets with revolvers loaded, with the scent of liquor on their breaths and with revenge in their hearts. It was early morning, the sun was not yet awake when the Outlaw Quantrell turned loose his horde of fiends to prey upon the residents of this little city. ‘Kill and burn’ was the only command…. That was the city of Lawrence fifty years ago tomorrow. Today on the same site is the City of Lawrence of today, a city proud of its homes, its buildings, its businesses. The quietude and serenity of the evening before that terrible tragedy has been restored. Lawrence will go to sleep tonight just as did the citizens of fifty years ago, but it will be a different scene which will greet the awakening town in the morning. There will be strangers here, but they are guests come here to participate in the Memorial, to pay tribute to the victims and the heroes of that day.”