100 years ago: Modern technology ruins perfectly good news story

From the Lawrence Daily Journal-World for Aug. 31, 1915:

  • “What promised to be one of the most sensational mysteries in months turned out to be a flat failure, all on account of the long distance telephone. At 8 o’clock last night, Horace Glidden, a carrier for the Journal-World, was cutting through the Stubbs estate when he found a black alpaca coat, a suit of underwear, a pair of suspenders, one collar, one glove, a tooth brush, some tooth paste, a piece of burned cloth and a postcard which had been torn to pieces. The coat contained a diary with the name of Francis M. Peck, of Valley Falls, Kansas, and said that in case of accident, Dora Peck of Valley Falls should be notified. Young Gidden took the articles to the police station today and the police turned the news over to the reporters. It looked like a big mystery with possibilities of a murder or a suicide. However, the long distance telephone ruined the good story that was rapidly developing. Dora Peck at Valley Falls said that her husband was safe and sound. He was in Lawrence week before last, however, attending the annual encampment of the Evangelical Association at Woodland park and at that time somebody broke into his tent at Woodland park and stole his suit case. The clothing found by young Glidden was undoubtedly part of the contents of the stolen case. How it came to be on the Stubbs place is a mystery, but it is supposed that the thieves had had the case concealed and had opened it, throwing part of the clothes away. The police are working on the case and will try to catch the suit case thieves.”
  • “After eighteen years of abuse and privation, Martha Saunders, colored, and the wife of Thomas Saunders of North Lawrence, has rebelled and sued for a divorce. In a petition which her lawyers, Pardee and Wilson, have filed at the clerk of the district court’s office, she alleges that during the eighteen years of their married life her husband never supplied her and the children with the necessities of life and that he beat her repeatedly. She further alleges that he was wont to show his affection by throwing chairs at her. The suit will be heard in the November term of the district court. The couple was married in March 1897 and have five children.”
  • “C. D. Miller, a well-to-do farmer living near Waverly, discovered a new kind of worm on his cedar trees recently, and after sending them to Professor Hunter of the State University, learned that they were ‘bag worms.’ Cedar trees will not bear spraying and the cocoons must be hand picked and burned. Shade trees may be sprayed to eliminate the pest.”
  • “The volley ball class of Lawrence business men will hold a special practice at the Y. M. C. A. gymnasium at 8 o’clock this evening. Secretary Boltz urges all members to be present so that the team can be whipped into shape for the Topeka tournament.”