100 years ago: Fire chief tests speed of response team

From the Lawrence Daily Journal-World for Feb. 2, 1914:

  • “To answer some charges that his department was not showing proper speed Fire Chief W. F. Reinisch tested out his men and horses this morning. The chief sent in a a ‘still alarm’ from the Holloway Grocery this morning and just 5 1/2 minutes after the wagons dashed up and were prepared to put out the blaze. The Holloway store is located on the corner of Nineteenth street making the distance covered eleven full length blocks and one short one. The chief is much pleased with this work and believes that it vindicates the Lawrence Fire Department completely.”
  • “Short classes, special chapel exercises and the issuing of the February ‘Budget’ marked the opening of the new semester at the high school today. The examinations were finished last week and the enrolling for the second term took place this morning. All of the students promoted from the eighth grade entered the high school today…. A feature of the chapel exercise was the presentation to the high school of a handsome felt banner commemorating the ever-victorious football season enjoyed by the high school last year. The banner was made and presented by Clarence Pierson. It bears the words ‘L. H. S. All Victorious Football Team 1913 Missouri Valley Champions.'”
  • “Mrs. Harriet E. Tough, wife of the late Captain W. S. Tough of Lawrence, died last night at her home in Kansas City…. Mrs. Tough was one of the pioneers of Kansas coming to this country in the very early days with her husband. She lived in Leavenworth during the days of the Civil War, but later came to Lawrence where the Toughs lived many years. Captain Tough opened the historic Bismark Grove north of the city.”
  • “This evening the city council will pass upon the proposed ordinance abolishing the pool halls. The council is composed of representative citizens and they are courageous enough to meet the question fairly. There is considerable talk of delay, there always is. But why delay? Why not meet the question fairly this evening?… This is a moral question and it ought to be met fairly. If you think the pool halls are not detrimental, Mr. Councilman, vote to retain them. If you think they are bad for the city, Mr. Councilman, vote to abolish them. But vote one way or the other, don’t dodge.”