100 years ago: Lawrence voters polled on city ownership of water plant

From the Lawrence Daily Journal-World for Feb. 4, 1913:

  • “The Water Works referendum ballots will reach the voters of the city of Lawrence sometime tomorrow. Three thousand one hundred and ten ballots were put into the mail yesterday and according to the postal authorities the deluge of letters cannot be handled until tomorrow, probably in the morning and the carriers will then begin the process of carrying them back to the post office and then to the office of the city clerk. Each envelope to be sent out contains a postal card with the two propositions upon it, and the pamphlet issued by the mayor on the question involved in the vote…. The polls will close February 10 and it is urged that all ballots be returned by that time. Every voter in the city is eligible to vote on this proposition.”
  • “The city schools will observe Lincoln’s birthday, February 12, with a half holiday granted by the school board at its regular monthly session held last night. Heretofore Washington’s birthday on the 22nd of the month has been a holiday with the school children, but coming on Saturday as it does this year the board decided to grant a vacation on the birthday of Abraham Lincoln.
  • “Charles A. Pease, one of the oldest and most highly respected citizens of Lawrence, died this morning at the home of his daughter, Mrs. J. W. Alder, 1225 Tennessee street…. Mr. Pease came to Lawrence in the early days and made his home here until the time of his death. He came when Lawrence was but a little village on the Kaw and he saw the village grow in to the city it now is, and he aided materially in that growth. He was a splendid citizen and his death is mourned by all who knew him.”
  • “Frank Johnson was arrested yesterday on a charge of violating the prohibitory law. Johnson was arrested shortly after leaving a train from Kansas City. A suit case he was carrying was found to contain 50 half pints of whiskey. In police court this morning he pleaded not guilty and will stand trial on Thursday afternoon at 4 o’clock.”
  • “‘Babe’ Strode was arrested by the police yesterday on a charge of fighting. He pleaded not guilty to the charge this morning and will be tried tomorrow morning. A vicious looking butcher knife was taken from the prisoner.”