170 Years Ago

From the Herald of Freedom for the week of Saturday, February 23, 1856:

• “We neglected to call attention last week to the business card of Mr. Sands, saddle and harness maker, who has opened his shop in this city, and holds himself in readiness to execute orders of every description, on short notice. He will also give a portion of his time to repairing. Mr. S. is a young man from the East, thoroughly qualified to do the best kind of work, has brought a heavy stock of material with him, and located in Lawrence with the view of making it his permanent home. He comes well recommended, and should receive a liberal patronage from the people of this vicinity, as well as the Territory at large.”

150 Years Ago

From the Republican Daily Journal and Daily Kansas Tribune for Friday, February 25, 1876:

• “The dust blew yesterday after a manner quite unusual. Rain is needed…. Two sets of harness were stolen night before last from John Keller, the butcher…. One of the prominent straws telling of returning prosperity is the number of new and substantial farm wagons one sees on our streets every day.”

• “The new fire engine horse is considered by Tommy Beal, as a fine animal, though improper care in its youngest days has somewhat dwarfed its size. It is learning its fire education rapidly.”

• “Schultz the miller has rented the Pacific Mills of McConnell Brothers for a term of three months. Mr. Schultz has taken this step as a more advisable one than that of repairing the old Blood mill recently damaged by an accident to the engine.”

125 Years Ago

From the Lawrence Daily Journal for Monday, February 25, 1901:

• “SAW MRS. NATION. – A University Girl Writes of an Interview With Her. – ‘Mrs. Nation was in the best of spirits Sunday morning when a student of the University interviewed her. She was sitting near a small table reading the morning papers. She looked out pleasantly through the bars then brought out a small bucket in which were buttons bearing the words “Home Defenders” and had 400 counted out which she requested to be carried to the young women of the University, saying: “Tell them they all passed through my hands.”… “Will you take this message to them? I urge the young women to raise the standard of young men by not accepting the company of any one who smokes or uses profane language. Require the same purity of them that they expect of you.”‘”

• “KANSAS UNIVERSITY. – The library was closed today. There was no heat on account of the breaking of the steam pipe on Saturday. It is expected repairs will be completed today or early tomorrow.”

“The small boys will be looking for tops and marbles again before very long, and it is likely that they will come to stay this time.”

• “The wind was southerly yesterday and the day was very pleasant; today it was northerly, but the day was just as pleasant…. Mrs. C. W. Smith is seriously ill with acute bronchitis and it has been deemed advisable to telegraph for her daughters…. Police court again appeared to be a place of interest at the court house today.”

100 Years Ago

From the Lawrence Daily Journal-World for Thursday, February 25, 1926:

• “The Jayhawk Potato Club was organized by a group of Grant township boys yesterday afternoon at the White school house…. The boys’ work will be in the nature of a demonstration in different phases of potato growing. They will use certified seed, scientific methods of seed treatment, and in the fall will be required to exhibit some of their results at the potato show.”