From the Lawrence Daily Journal-World for June 28, 1913:

• “G. E. Medearis arrived in Lawrence today to arrange for the big display of fireworks to be furnished by Martin on the Fourth. Mr. Medearis is a trained man at this business and arranges everything for the perfect safety of the public. During all of the years that Martin’s Fireworks have been known not a spectator has been injured. Mr. Medearis says there is no danger whatever to the automobiles in taking part in the illuminated parade. The torches of red, green, gold and silver are attached to the rear of the car so the fire is thrown away from the car and cannot injure paint or leather. The four torches are arranged to burn for twelve minutes, time enough to enable each car to round the track.”
• “At the meeting of the committee on the Fourth of July entertainment which was held last night at the Merchants Association rooms the final arrangement for the entertainment were completed and some new features added. In the programme which has been arranged there will hardly be a minute when there will not be something doing.”
• “Shortly before six o’clock during the storm of last Tuesday, lightning struck a large elm tree in front of the home of J. J. Eddy and severely shocked Miss Olmstead and others who were nearby. The bolt struck the tree and ran down to where it forked, then instead of running down on the outside it bored its way through the heart of the tree tearing its way out several feet from where it entered.”
• “Short services for Mrs. C. W. Shaffer will be held at the home, 1141 New York street, tomorrow morning at 9 o’clock. The services will be held in the open owing to death being caused by diphtheria. Further services will be held at the grave. The Rev. O. C. Brown will officiate. Interment will be in Oak Hill cemetery.”