100 years ago: Independence Day celebrated today at Woodland Park
From the Lawrence Daily Journal-World for July 5, 1915:
- “Plans are all complete for Lawrence’s big celebration at Woodland park today and the weather bids fair to be all that could be desired. Big crowds are coming into the city from surrounding towns and the homes of citizens and business places are decorated with flags and bunting…. The principal address of the day will be given by Dr. W. Burdick, of the School of Law at the University of Kansas. It will be along patriotic lines and people who have heard Dr. Burdick talk say that there is no doubt that Dr. Burdick will give a very interesting talk. Many visitors have already arrived from Eudora and other points and more are expected this afternoon.”
- “To cut a forty-five pound watermelon in the office on the 3rd of July was an unusual experience for the Journal-World and it was possible Saturday by the kindness of Boener Bros., who received a shipment of fine large melons from their forty acre farm near Hamilton, Polk County, Florida. Boener Bros. have ten acres in melons and thirty acres in grapefruit, oranges and limes.”
- “The Liberty Bell, precious relic of the American Revolution, will start today on its eighth longest journey from Philadelphia since it was first hung in the Old State House of the Province of Pennsylvania in 1752. It goes to the Panama-Pacific International Exposition before it is returned to its big glass case in Independence Hall next November or December. It will have traveled more than ten thousand miles and will have been seen by millions of people…. Elaborate arrangements have been made for the journey and everything that will aid in safe-guarding the bell from injury has been done. Four policemen from the Philadelphia traffic squad will guard the relic until it is again returned to its home…. The big bell will probably go through Lawrence next Thursday morning…. It will not stop here, unless the train should need to take on water, but will stop in Topeka where it will be on exhibition…. It is probable that more definite knowledge will be obtained later and the people can be notified so they can see the big bell pass through.”
- “The body of John Weidman, 13 year old son of William E. Weidman, of 321 Maiden Lane, North Lawrence, who was drowned in the Kaw below the Bowersock dam last week, was found by a boy named McCavrie at Eudora, about 8 o’clock Sunday morning. The McCavrie boy, who is about 15 years old, was crossing the bridge at Eudora on his way to Sunday School when he saw the body floating in the Kaw. He called to Joe Bryant and another who were near and they rescued the corpse from the river. The body was taken to the undertaking rooms at Eudora and was brought to Lawrence…. The funeral services were held at the home of the parents at 5 o’clock Sunday afternoon.”