(1908)

G. Sherman Knox, of the Katy station, recounts an incident which shows Arch Davenport's originality. When the main portion of Kansas City was washed away, Mr. Knox and Arch decided to hold a benefit baseball game here for the devastated people. It was a game between the "fats and the leans." With a tile hat and a linen duster Arch played third base while Knox umpired. Arch got hold of the ball a dozen times and threw it to second but the keeper of that station never came within gunshot of touching the sphere. Finally -- and a critical time, too -- Arch got hold of the ball and instead of throwing it to second, where it was needed, he started to walk towards the second baseman. "Gee whiz," yelled Knox "throw the ball to him and head the runner off." Arch walked on, not accelerating his rate one bit and exclaimed, "Rats, what's the use of throwing it at him. I did that 20 times and he missed 'em all. I am going to walk up and hand it to him and see if he can hold it then," and he did, while other members of the "fats" were compelled to sprawl on the ground laughing over the situation.

75 YEARS AGO

(1933)

Prescott News: A 100 percent attendance was out to the quarterly meeting of the Prescott Telephone Exchange Saturday. After the paying of the usual quarterly dues and the special assessments, the president announced that "central" (the telephone operator), Mrs. Henson, had generously extended to the patrons another reduction of switching fees which places the monthly fee for switching a 15 cents, which was the fee of days long ago.

Ellis Music Co. -- special for this week, recently overhauled piano, mahogany case, $37.50.

To The Public: I take this opportunity to extend my thanks to the citizens of Fort Scott who supported me in the primary election in my candidacy for the office of Street and Water Commissioner. -- Roy Kennedy.

Mr. and Mrs. Ralph French and Miss Irene French motored to Kansas City Sunday and attended the Radio Jubilee at Convention Hall. They enjoyed the show "Hallelujah, I'm a Bum," Al Jolson's latest picture at the Midland.

50 YEARS AGO

(1958)

The month of March with 6.11 inches of rain was the wettest fourth month in 31 years in Fort Scott, according to Jack Stapleton local weather observer. The month closed with 15 inches of water running over the Stuart Dam and Pump House Dam. The average temperature of 45.52 degrees was the coldest in seven years. The warmest fourth month was in 1946 with 56.70 average and the coldest in 1947 with 40.64.

For the third time in 30 days the Marmaton River was approaching a flood stage, following heavy rains over the river's watershed to the south and west last night. The river was expected to reach a stage of 18 feet, as on the two previous occasions. The Marmaton reached the 11-foot stage this morning and was rising at the rate of two feet an hour. Backwater began running into Othick Park earlier today and was expected to reach a depth of three or four feet before the day was over.

25 YEARS AGO

(1983)

Uniontown High School received five Superior Ratings at the Kansas State High School Association Regional Music Festival at Independence. Uniontown had 19 entries in solos and ensembles directed by Ronda Bailey, USD-235 music instructor, with the five top winners advancing to the state competition. They are Joyce Harper, flute solo; Jolene Hueston, trumpet solo; Jeff Geiger vocal solo; Amy Graham, Dianna Clayton and Joyce Harper, flute trio; and Kendale Lalman, Jeanette Hixon, Brenda Hall and Ronette Brown, clarinet quartet.

Photo caption: "Members of the Fort Scott Power Masters Powerlifting Club, who participated in Region VIII competition at Wichita, include Brian Lowery, who placed third in the 181 pound class, and Ralph Jones, who was first at 148; Stu Kearney, Brett Geneva and Greg Boone. Jerry Yockey was not present when photo was taken."