The Way It Was

100 years ago:

A frozen fire plug nearly caused a serious fire

The fire boys were called out again this morning to extinguish a blaze at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Furguson on South Cedar street. The fire was caused by a defective fire. The fire boys responded promptly to the alarm and soon had a line of hose laid but the fire plug was frozen up and could not be opened so another line of hose was run to another plug.

75 years ago:

Electric wiring at Cottey thoroughly inspected

As a precautionary measure the electric wiring at Cottey College was thoroughly gone over earlier in the winter so that there will be no danger from fire resulting from any defects in the wiring.

50 years ago:

Middleton finds balloon worth lots of groceries

Mrs. S.F. Middleton, 802 South College, has hopes of hitting the "People Are Funny" balloon jack-pot which has $2,000 in groceries for the person sending in the correct solution to a problem which is inserted inside balloons released in various parts of the country.

The contest is sponsored by a large grocery chain.

At midnight last night Mrs. Middleton found one of the balloons in a clump of bushes at the corner of Tucker and Maple Streets. She took the balloon home and found a slip of paper with this problem on it: Walks on three legs at twilight, four at dawn and two at noon.

Mrs. Middleton went into a huddle with some neighbor ladies and they have figured out that the answer could be "a man."