From the Lawrence Daily Journal-World for July 9, 1916:

• “Word reached Lawrence last Saturday … announcing the death of Mrs. Maude Shearer, somewhere in California. The life of Mrs. Shearer in the hands of a genius would present the material for a novel. When quite young she was married to J. B. Shearer, a young man born in Lawrence, and at that time in the dry goods business in Ottawa. Later Mr. Shearer moved his store to Lawrence and occupied the old family homestead at 1015 Tennessee street. A son had been born and grew to be a fine lovable boy…. Later the little son, Parker, died and his death was quickly followed by that of Mr. Shearer…. After the death of Mr. Shearer friends advised Mrs. Shearer to dispose of her large dry goods store and to live upon the interest of her property investments, but she was ambitious to show the world that a woman could run a large business just as well as a man. She therefore continued the store for several years, until at last forced into bankruptcy with the loss of everything she had. In her business she was generous to a fault to those she cared much for, but was changeable and dropped friends as quickly as she took them up. As long as she had money in the bank or in the cash drawer she thought it was hers to spend as she thought best, and she did not take advice kindly. Left with nothing in the way of property Mrs. Shearer secured sufficient backing to open a millinery and ladies ready to wear store and continued for several years. It was thought that she was at least making a good living, when one day she called in a lady who had assisted her from time to time in the store and asked that she look after the store for a few days. From that moment until now nothing has been known of her life or whereabouts, further than indirectly it was learned that she was in California. After waiting for a few weeks expecting to hear from Mrs. Shearer the stock was taken over and disposed of and the store closed. Now word comes that Mrs. Shearer is dead and there are many here who will hear the news with sincere sorrow.”
• “Now that the taxes have been paid the roads in the vicinity of Lawrence will be dragged and put in shape again. A recent statute prevented the contracting for work on the roads unless there was sufficient money laid by to cover the bills. Since the first of the month things have been put in shape so that work should start immediately. The problem of upkeep of the roads in the county has been a big one this spring. Heavy traffic following rains has put the roads in bad shape and numerous holes prevent almost every road from being classed as good. The Golden Belt route is in anything but good shape in Douglas county and this will be one of the first ones worked upon.”
• “W. F. Benson, state bank commissioner for the state of Kansas, offered a reward of $4,000 for the arrest and conviction of persons who have robbed four Kansas banks since last August. The rewards are $1,000 each for the capture and conviction of the robbers of the Stockgrowers State Bank at Maple Hill, the Dunn State Bank at Fostoria, the State Bank of Everest at Everest, and the St. Marys State Bank at St. Marys. Since January 17, 1915, attempts to rob or robberies have been committed upon eleven banks in the state. Three of the robberies were during the day. Some of the robbers have been captured and convicted. Those who robbed the banks mentioned in the reward offered by the bank commissioner have never been captured…. Robbing banks in Kansas has become so profitable that the bank commissioner finally decided to offer rewards for the robbers that are large enough to make it worth while for experienced men to apprehend them.”