100 years ago: Recent auto thefts puzzle police

From the Lawrence Daily Journal-World for May 27, 1916:

  • “A new Buick motor car belonging to J. E. Newhouse was stolen from in front of Turner hall last night between 9 and 10 o’clock. The alarm was given immediately to the police. All day today the officers have searched for the car, and warnings have been sent to surrounding towns, but no trace of the car had been found this afternoon. The theft of the car was a matter easily enough accomplished, but officers are puzzled by the ease with which it has been taken beyond reach in so short a time. They link this case with other auto thefts that have occurred recently and the whole matter looks as if there were an organized plan on foot for the stealing of motor cars. It was only a little over two weeks ago that a new Ford car belonging to E. H. Wickersham was stolen at night. Neither the officers nor Mr. Wickersham have heard of the car from that day to this, although wide publicity was given the theft and the police departments of neighboring cities were notified.”
  • “The arrangements for the formal observance of Memorial Sunday and Memorial Day have been completed by D. B. Hunnicutt, commander of Washington Post of the G. A. R. At many of the churches of Lawrence tomorrow memorial sermons will be preached, and on Memorial day will be held the formal exercises at the cemeteries and the parade and program in the afternoon. The exercises at the cemeteries will be held in the morning. In the afternoon a parade, marshalled by General Wilder S. Metcalf, will proceed to the First Methodist church, where Judge Smart will make an address and a patriotic program will be given.”
  • “The rain of last night stopped work today on the drainage ditch of the Maple Grove project. A quantity of surface water got into the ditch and the ground water is rising again. Ground water has been hampering the work for some weeks in the deeper parts of the ditch and there have been many interruptions of the construction.”
  • “It takes only a little rise in the Kaw river these days to set in motion a lot of anxious inquiries as to just what the river may be expected to do. The rain which was general throughout the watershed of the Kaw last night will bring the river up only an inconsiderable amount, but that small amount is of interest to the men in charge of the bridge building operations at Lawrence.”