From the Lawrence Daily Journal-World for July 5, 1914:

• “The people of the north side are going to get together for the purpose of mutual improvement. In fact the work has already been started. A meeting was held last night at the home of J. B. Wilson, officers were elected, and a constitution adopted, and regular meetings will be held every third Monday in the month. The first matter to get the attention of the new organization was the whistling of the Union Pacific trains at night. The people on the north side say that it has become almost unbearable and they think that so much whistling and noise is unnecessary…. They also complain that the freight trains on the Union Pacific block the streets for long periods, and want the law enforced in this respect. The people say that frequently the crossings are blocked for 20 to 30 minutes at a time. A resolution was adopted last night asking the city commissioners if they could not help them to remedy these things.”
• “The city commissioners are working over time these days. They have already met three times this week and will get together again tomorrow morning. The work they are doing is not strenuous except upon the city clerk. This morning he waded through six ordinances providing for assessments against property for the paving of streets and alleys and for sewers. Each ordinance contains a string of figures about two feet long. As soon as the ordinance is read the first time, the rules are suspended, and it is passed to the second reading. City Clerk Brooks clears his throat and goes over the figures again. At the completion of the second reading the ordinance is passed and the city clerk picks up another one. This morning he went through six of the ordinances, when the commissioners took pity on him and allowed him a rest. After allowing the bills for the month of June they adjourned to meet again tomorrow morning, when they will wrestle with more ordinances.”
• “The police have received numerous complaints of late of boys with guns shooting at squirrels and birds. Most of the complaints come from the neighborhood of Louisiana street and the Pinckney Park. Such practices are against the law and the authorities say that they will make some arrests if the practice does not stop.”
• “One of the largest, if not the largest, crowds ever gathered at Woodland Park, assembled there Saturday evening to celebrate Independence Day by watching the fireworks, listening to the band music, participating in the dancing and other attractions. The park was crowded with men, women and children, all out for a good time…. No accidents happened to mar the celebration, and although the weather was threatening in the morning it cleared off in the afternoon and the evening was pleasant. Many people spent the day in the country with friends. Others motored to nearby towns. A few spent the day at home, but the large crowd was to be found at Woodland park.”
• “Contrary to expectations there was no large number of ‘celebrators’ picked up on the Fourth and the following Sunday. One lone drunk was picked up by the police. If there were others they were kept discreetly out of sight. Bert McFarland was arrested and fined the customary amount, $6.50.”
• “For the first time in three weeks the fire department answered a call on Saturday. But the fire was not caused by firecrackers or other explosives as far as could be learned. The alarm was turned in at 9:10 pm., and the fire was in a shed at 1109 Massachusetts street, belonging to Mrs. H. May Carpenter. The loss was about $75 and there was no insurance.”
• “Only one accident was reported on the Fourth and it was in no way due to use of firecrackers. The 12 year old daughter of Johnson Smothers fell out of a swing at the Pinckney park and broke her arm Saturday afternoon.”