100 years ago: Police determined to enforce ‘fast-driving ordinance’

From the Lawrence Daily Journal-World for July 6, 1914:

  • “The city administration is making an effort to enforce the fast driving ordinance. The police have been instructed to make a determined effort to have this law enforced and to arrest parties who break it. However, it is desired that no injustice be done. The police have been told to be very careful and arrest only offenders. It is not desired to prosecute anyone, but to have this law respected. The police will not attempt to hold anyone against whom there is insufficient evidence, but will do their best to treat all alike.”
  • “The first case of speeding to be tried under the new commission government came up this morning at police court. Joe Ramsey, the contractor, pleaded guilty to exceeding the ordinance on South Massachusetts one evening last week. He was given the minimum fine, $10 and costs. The arrest was made by the officers in the new police car. There were two other cases, but the police were not sure of the identification of the drivers and the cases were dismissed. The commissioners and police say that the fine this morning should serve as a warning as they intend that the law shall be enforced.”
  • “Following the example of Chief Fisher and Desk Sergeant Prentice, three members of the police department yesterday blossomed out in new uniforms. Sam Silverthorn, Dan Vaughn and Ed McKissick are the men with the new suits, and they make a big improvement in the looks of the force.”
  • “Robbers some time Saturday night broke into the office of the Friend Lumber Co. and pried open the cash drawer. There was no money in the drawer, but the thief took a suit of clothes belonging to Roy Vaughn, which was hanging in the office. He got in by raising a screen.”
  • “More rain fell yesterday and last night. The shower yesterday was small, but last night there was a good shower. If this keeps up much longer, the farmers will be hollering on account of the excessive rains.”
  • “E. T. Gallagher today shipped a carload of horses to the Philippines. These were bought by Mr. Gallagher under a contract for the government and will be used in the army service. There are 40 in the shipment and they will go in a government palace stock car to Seattle and from there by boat to the Philippines.”
  • “Representatives of the Playgrounds association will start from the Y. M. C. A. tomorrow morning to make a canvass of the business men of Lawrence for the purpose of raising funds to extend the work this summer. The movement is dependent upon the generosity of the people of Lawrence and the committee is anxious to keep up to the standard. Two playgrounds are in operation with capable directors but these are not accessible to all the children of the town.”