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

• “Potter Lake has been the scene of a great deal of enjoyment during the summer since it has been opened to the boys and girls of Lawrence. Every day there is a big bunch of boys out at the lake to spend the afternoon swimming. The boys think swimming is the best sport that could be indulged in for the summer as it is a great asset to every one to know how to swim and at the same time is great sport. Ralph Sproull, the director at the lake, has been busy all of the time watching the youngsters to see that no accidents occurred…. There has been little equipment added to the lake with the exception of the boat and the spring board and what enjoyment is found at the lake is in plain swimming. There was some talk of building a diving tower when the lake was first opened but the idea was abandoned on account of the water being shallow and not suitable for high diving…. The girls of the town have also taken a great deal of interest in the lake since it has been open in the evenings for them and almost every evening that it is open to girls there are several there to enjoy swimming the same as the boys in the daytime.”
• “The many dark clouds that were in the sky last evening gave no results to Lawrence. Nearly all of the surrounding towns report good rains, but Lawrence was missed. South of town about five miles the rain commenced and extended well to the southern part of the state. To the east rain was reported, but not in as large quantities as south.”
• “The time is drawing near when the high school boys will don the moleskins and will again battle on the gridiron. Other teams here are now beginning their practice getting into shape to battle against other schools over the ‘pigskin.’ The Haskell Indians are already at work and have been for several days past. The University material is getting together and talking over the prospects. Football at this time of year runs through the system of every young athlete. The Lawrence High school boys have already begun to make plans for the opening of practice which will probably begin next week…. The boys are well fitted as for suits this fall. They have new jerseys and socks for the entire squad and they will make a good appearance on the field and the people will be glad to say: ‘They are from Lawrence.'”
• “The members of the different committees of the Douglas County Fair Association have everything in connection with the Fair in readiness. The entries have been made and all that is now lacking is the collection of the exhibits. The managers say that this year will be a far better fair than Douglas County has ever had. The Exhibits are larger and better and there will be more entertainments than ever before…. Woodland Park, where the fair is to be held this year, will be the scene of action in Lawrence for the next few days.”
• “Up to the present time there have been fifteen arrests made of men who have not paid their poll tax. Several notices were sent out, but there are still some who have not paid their tax. Commissioner Holyfield said that the poll tax could not be slighted and he is turning the list of names over to the police who are making the arrests. Those who are arrested have to pay a fine and costs for not paying the tax when notices were sent or at least making some arrangements with the Commissioner for a date to pay.”
• “Fire alarm was turned in this morning from Herman Broeker’s Hardware store at 834 Massachusetts street, at about 10:45 o’clock. The paint and oil in the back part of the store had caught fire and it might have proven serious but for the prompt answer of the fire department. The fire was extinguished by the chemical tanks on the chief’s car. There was practically no loss on the building.”
• “County Attorney Amick is at Midland this afternoon where he has gone with one of the Union Pacific officials to look after some railroad crossings that are in bad shape. The matter has been needing attention for some time but the county attorney could not get the Union Pacific to act and a report was made to the utilities commission with the result that a Mr. Davis from Kansas City was sent here by the Union Pacific to look after the needed improvements.”
• “W. A. Chandler has a beautiful piece of inlaid work in the form of a piano stool on display at the Osborn Store. It is composed of some thousands of different pieces of wood and is quite a curiosity.”
• “Mr. W. O. Hamilton, general manager of athletics at the University of Kansas, returned last night from Cable, Wisconsin, where he has been for the last eight weeks taking a genuine vacation. Mr. Hamilton brings great reports of fishing, hunting and swimming.”