From the Lawrence Daily Journal-World for August 19, 1914:

• “John Rush, who is a district attorney in the city of Denver, arrived in Lawrence about noon over the Union Pacific today. He is making his return to Denver from Europe…. When interviewed Mr. Rush said that he was due to sail from Liverpool today, the 19th, but when war was declared there was a great crash and everything was in a state of turmoil and the Americans made the exodus from the European countries in the quickest possible time and manner. Mr. Rush stated today that his return to this country was necessarily made by way of second class passage. Americans are getting out any way possible. Millionaires are leaving the countries by steerage passage and accepting the poorest of accommodations. He said that in June he visited Germany and France and that the country there at that time was a sight to behold and represented a great military camp. Germany with her million men is reputed to be the best army in Europe and he is interested in the final result of the Germany struggles…. Mr. Rush also said that another thing the people of this country do not realize is the German compulsory war service. He said at the time he left Europe one could not get a cab, or hire anything for his personal convenience and pleasure. Hotels were closed and all business disrupted and the people pressed into the army. American automobiles we seized and pressed into the service of the country.”
• “For about an hour today heavy rain fell here cooling off the atmosphere in a gratifying manner. It commenced at about twelve thirty and kept it up for nearly an hour. This is the first good shower Lawrence and vicinity has had for over six weeks. The ground had become very dry and the corn was drying up badly…. While the rain was not sufficient to do any great amount of good it will be a great help to the late crops and to fall plowing and was a great relief from the oppressive heat of this week.”
• “Roy Ziesenis and Henry Albach, Jr., started out this morning on their wheels to go to the Oklahoma state line. The boys expect to be gone about ten days and they will rough it. They have their blankets and supplies strapped to a bundle carrier on the back of their wheels. The boys say that they will do most of their riding in the early morning and in the evening to avoid the heat of the day. They have relatives at points between here and Oklahoma with whom they will visit for a short time. They are taking a novel way in which to enjoy their vacation trip.”