From the Lawrence Daily Journal-World for Feb. 13, 1915:

• “Fire, which originated from an unknown cause, destroyed the carpenter shop, the shoe shop, and the harness shop at the Haskell Institute last night at about 1 o’clock. All of these shops are in one building, which is over the heating plant of the institute. The fire originated in the harness room on the second floor of the building and had good headway before it was discovered by the night watchman on his regular rounds. The Haskell fire department was immediately called out and they worked with the fire, but they were unable to handle the situation and a call for the city department was turned in. Four lines of hose were turned on the fire and it was soon put under control and was kept from spreading to the nearby buildings. The second floor of the building and the roof were entirely destroyed, but there was little damage done to the first floor in which the carpenter benches were. All of the hand tools which were in the benches were taken out this morning in good shape. The machinery was not badly damaged although some of the shafts were bent by the heat. All of the machinery can be used again with little repair…. It is the intention of Superintendent Wise that the rebuilding will begin immediately. The building was formerly but one story but in rebuilding it is to be made a full two-story building and will be put in better condition than it has ever been before. The shops will be given more and better light and the equipment will be improved…. The officials at the institute consider themselves lucky that the fire was checked when it was for had the entire building been destroyed the institute would have been without heat for several days. The entire heating plant of the institution is in the basement of the carpenter shop.”
• “In the run to Haskell to the fire last night one of the horses on the hook and ladder truck became exhausted and when the team was unhitched from the truck to walk them around so that they would not become stiff and get cold too soon he dropped dead. The electric light wires were down around the burning building and it is thought the horse might have stepped on one of the live wires and the shock while in the exhausted condition killed him. The wire to Haskell carries but 110 volts and that amount is not considered sufficient to harm man or beast to any degree. The horse was one of the best in the service and has been in the department for a number of years.”
• “A large audience came out to hear the last Sunday morning’s lecture on Eugenics, the special topic being the Marriage Problem of Young Women. Tomorrow morning at 9:15 Professor McKeever will take up the question of the misfits, – the insane, criminal and other delinquent classes – and try to suggest ways of preventing them from increasing their numbers. Many young people are afraid of marrying in a family of tainted blood, and wonder how this matter can be safely judged. Their questions and others of like nature will receive consideration.”
• “Miss Gladys Henley, who sustained a broken leg in the coasting accident on Indiana street New Year’s eve, is experiencing painful complications with the broken bone. The splints were removed yesterday and it was found that on account of lowered vitality the bone had failed to knit. An operation will be performed tomorrow at the Simmons hospital and part of the bone will be removed.”
• “Following the attempt of the Republican caucus to compel all Republicans to support on the floor the measure presented by the party leaders, Representative E. E. Stauffer, of Douglas, presented a bill making it compulsory for members of a party to vote the straight party ticket. The bill enabled the members to see the joke and a good natured way showed the Republicans the futility and foolishness of trying to hold party lines too tight.”