Turkey not the only bird

100 YEARS AGO

(1912)

The turkey is a great bird, all right, but he cannot lay claim to being the only celebrity for the occasion. Dealers report that the number of geese, ducks and chickens sold for Thanksgiving consumption will nearly equal the number of turkeys bought for Thanksgiving dinners. There is hardly any sale of ducks, geese or turkeys during the warmer months, but when ducks, geese and chickens decrease from one end of the winter to the other there are many more of them sold than there are turkeys. A careful inquiry has failed to discover that there is -- or was, even a month before Thanksgiving -- any large flocks of turkeys in Bourbon County. And it is generally thought by farmers here that the flock of a thousand birds which was raised this season by Philip Ensminger, of near Moran, is the largest flock in the eastern part of the state.

75 YEARS AGO

(1937)

TOPEKA -- In an effort to collect an estimated two or three million dollars of additional tax which now is being lost through evasion, all tax- exempt gasoline sold in Kansas after Jan. 1, 1933, will be dyed a mahogany color, Gov. Walter A. Huxman said. Under the plan, he explained, every gasoline distributor in the state will be required to buy the dye from the department of inspection and registrations and color all tax-exempt fuel at the time of delivery.

The dye will be in capsules in sufficient amounts to color 10 or 50 gallons of gasoline. The licensed distributor must obtain the necessary amount of dye to color all such fuel sold, but he will not be allowed exemptions for pre tax-exempt fuel sold than he has dye to color.

The perfect gift for Christmas is a new modern piano by Wurtlizer. A source of pride and pleasure for years to come. A sensational buy at $275. -- Ellis Music Co., 3 N. Main.

50 YEARS AGO

(1962)

Dollar Days at Calhoun's. Large group of repriced dresses: regular $19.98 to $35.00 now $10; regular $39.98 to $49.98 now $15.00. Right no w is the time to come to the aid of your holiday wardrobe and what wonderful additions we have at such tiny prices. See our really beautiful dresses in a wide selection of styles and tones.

The influence and prestige of Fort Scott's biggest business and employer, the Western Insurance Cos., were cast today in support of the proposed physical education building issue. Clifton C. Otto, Western president, told a group of about 35 business and professional men that if Fort Scott voters, for any reason fail to vote for the school improvement, "then they will have no one to blame but themselves if they see their community and assets slipping away." Otto addressed the group in the Western's classroom of the National Avenue building.

25 YEARS AGO

(1987)

Second Lt. Larry Joe Beck, son of Yvonne Beck of Devon, has completed the U.S. Air Force military indoctrination for medical service officers at Sheppard A.F.B., Texas. The course acquaints newly commissioned medical personnel with professional and administrative responsibilities as Air Force officers. He is a 1986 graduate of Pittsburg State University.

The Trinity Lutheran Church, 902 S. National Ave., prepared and distributed 170 Thanksgiving meals Sunday for needy people in Fort Scott. Names of people requesting help during the holiday were provided to the church through The Beacon and local Social and Rehabilitation Services office. Thirty volunteers helped with the program. Pastor Steven Lange said this is the first year the church has offered free Thanksgiving meals. "It was a real good experience for everybody," he said.