From the Lawrence Daily Journal-World for Feb. 8, 1914:

• “May 1, 1914, is to be special sing day in Kansas, according to the wishes of the Kansas State Board of Administration of Educational Affairs. The Board, evidently alarmed by the over indulgence in the giddy airs of today, has mentioned this day as the proper occasion for a revival of the old-fashioned songs of years gone by, before musical comedy hits decorated every piano and made up the vast majority of the ‘victrola’ records. The Board is urging Kansas to dig down towards the bottom of the pile and bring out ‘Annie Laurie,’ ‘The Old Oaken Bucket,’ ‘Swanee River,’ et al., and similar songs of the sort which may after all live long after ‘In My Harem’ and ‘You Great Big Beautiful Doll’ are forgotten…. On the day named the Board of Educational Administration and W. D. Ross, State Superintendent, would have the men, women, and children of the State gather in the different communities and, under clear Kansas skies, sing the immortal tunes together.”
• “The committee from the C. P. A. made a canvass of blocks 700, 800, 900 and 1000 today and found a fine sentiment in favor of putting in hitching posts. Only seven refusals were encountered. A good many merchants have put in hitching posts but they mostly said they would put in more…. Many of the merchants volunteered to put in posts. The committee was highly elated and felt that it did a good day’s work. The C. P. A. on their part will see that the rules of the street are obeyed. They want to act in harmony with the city and do everything in their power to see that the posts are not made a nuisance. The city and the country are cooperating in this and the result will be many posts without much difficulty…. This settles the hitching post question in Lawrence.”
• “From all indications the temporary gas heating appliances that were installed in the city building following the breaking of the old boiler, must do service for the remainder of the winter. The city fathers at their session last night could not locate the necessary money to make a purchase of a new boiler at this time and probably it will not be until next fall that the city building will be again steam heated.”
• “J. R. Holmes will be a candidate for mayor at the coming primaries. This was made certain this morning…. ‘It is not of my own seeking,’ he declared, ‘but I don’t want it understood that I got into this reluctantly. I see a chance to do a lot of good for Lawrence. This is a fine town and it already is advanced but there is a lot of work that can be done in the next year and I am glad my friends have thought I could do it…. This town gets into one’s blood and it has gotten into my blood. It is an honor to serve such a city and should I be elected I will devote my time and ability to pushing on the good work.”