The Way It Was

Wednesday, March 30, 2005

100 years ago:

Results appearing in the schools

To the Daily Mail,

Our city schools, under the fine discipline prevailing, are productive of moral influence with a steady and continuous growth. Habits of diligent effort such as are visible throughout the schools here, make an immense moral force in the community, because they fit the children while growing up to earn their living honestly. Among the criminal and vicious classes there is little disposition to work, since they have not been schooled to habitual duties. Hence is disclosed the need of well-managed schools, where the children will be kept in good order and busy with lessons and harmless recreation during several hours of the day.

This is morally of practical style and real value. Where children are kept in perfect order in school, good behavior becomes a habit and decency a second nature.

75 years ago:

A fire on South Washington Street

Fire destroyed the home of Alice Ryan on South Washington Street Sunday morning. The fire, which was discovered about 8:30 o'clock, burned so rapidly that the structure was almost destroyed before the fire department reached it.

A tree nearby was ignited by sparks from the fire, and burned in the hollow trunk all day and was not discovered until late in the evening when it blazed out.

50 years ago:

Public is invited to ceremony

Dr. Blanche H. Dow, president of Cottey College, announced today that formal ground-breaking ceremonies signaling the start of the new $250,000 Chapel which will be constructed on the campus, will be held at 9 a.m., Saturday.

Dr. Dow will preside at the ground-breaking ceremonies and she issued an invitation to the public to attend. Dr. Dow said it has not been definitely determined who will turn the first spade of earth since Joseph L. Messer, Watertown, S.D., chairman of the fund raising committee, will be unable to attend. Dr. Dow said additional information will be forthcoming either Thursday or Friday.