Stories from Friday, April 20, 2012

100 YEARS AGO (1912) LONDON (April 18) -- The actual number of passengers and crew aboard the Titanic was 3,308, according to Buxton, president of the Board of Trade, in reply to the question in the House of Commons this afternoon. Searching inquiry into matters concerning the catastrophe to the Titanic, pertaining to their respective departments, was promised in the house of Commons this afternoon. ...

Back in the 40s when us boys were in our formative years, so to speak, we resided in a "girl-free" atmosphere which was not uncommon during those days. Our game playing, our bike rides, our hours of comic book reading was devoid of girls. We even had a clubhouse that was not friendly to members of the opposite sex who we considered having "cooties," whatever that was...

Springtime in Kansas can be elusive, however, one thing is certain and that is sometime from the middle of March to the end of May there will be torrential flooding rains that produces "mud, mud and more mud." So it is today, and so it was during the Civil War. This of course is not unusual because this is a time when history has repeated itself...

She sat in my classroom, obviously upset and needing to talk. These conversations weren't new to us, but this one seemed more urgent, like the periscope had spotted the approaching enemy sub and the seconds were counting down. Only this wasn't naval warfare; this was a volatile domestic issue, like always, and, like always, she wanted to vent. It was the same story -- repeated for the past couple of years -- and to tell the truth, I was tired of listening to it. And angry...

Arthur "Art" Newton Francis, 86 of La Cygne, Kan., died Thursday, April 19, 2012, at the Olathe Medical Center. Services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, April, 22, at the Schneider Funeral Home and Crematory La Cygne Chapel. Visitation will be held from 6 p.m. ...

Bronson Chapter No. 65 Order of the Eastern Star met April 11 with 13 members present. Worthy Matron Linda Neville opened in form. Linda Neville and Worthy Patron presided in the east. Worthy Matron read a story by Margery Williams from "The Velveteen Rabbit" called "Real."...

Bertha Woods passed away on April 18, 2012, in Colonial Springs Nursing Home in Buffalo, Mo. Bertha was born on Nov. 9. 1919, to Lee and Ollie Stricklin in Boss, Mo. Bertha was predeceased by her parents and her two older sisters, Ina Volner and Eula Smith. ...

Katherine Mae Lewis, 54, of Greenfield, Mo., passed away Thursday, April 12, 2012, at her home. She was born Aug. 9, 1957, in Fort Scott, Kan., to Albert Lee and Francis Beerbower. Kathy married Perry Leon Lewis July 27, 1974, in Fort Scott, Kan. They moved to Greenfield Jan. 20, 1989...

Bob and Dixie Peterson, Fort Scott, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on April 29. Help the family celebrate by sending cards, wishes and fond memories to make a scrapbook. Send them to 1185 240th St., Fort Scott, Kan., 66701; or email wishes to them through their daughter's email at starkc560@aol.com, or call (620) 223-3279...

Bill and Martha (Babbit) Faulhaber will celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary on April 25, 2012. They were married in Fulton on April 25, 1947. Their children are Joyce Wilkins and husband David of Bronson; Janice Lutz and Husband Gary of Berryton; David Faulhaber and girlfriend Terri Mack of Mapleton. They have seven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and three step-great-grandchildren...

Jonathan Stuart Howard, 25, Fort Scott, was arrested by the Bourbon County Sheriff's Office at 10:18 a.m. Wednesday on three Bourbon County warrants. He is still being held at this time with no bond. Shawn Olsen, 39, Fort Scott, was arrested by the Bourbon County Sheriff's Office at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday on a Bourbon County warrant. His bond is $261.87 cash surety and he is still being held at this time...

Fort Scott Community College will host its annual Women's Appreciation Luncheon from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. April 24 at the Danny and Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center. The buffet-style meal will be catered by Great Western Dining Service. April is National Community College Month and this luncheon is one of many community service events that the college hosts every year...

Piano students of Carolyn Tucker will present their annual recital at 7 p.m. Friday, April 27, at First Presbyterian Church, 308 S. Crawford, Fort Scott. The following students are currently enrolled in the Tucker Music Studio: Kaleb Bailey, Kelcie Bailey, Kiran Bailey, Cally Ballou, Zachary Ballou, Benjamin Banwart, Taylor Cation, Baron Chen, Keiko Chen, Aspin Durbin, Brooke Ford, Jordan Ford, Benjamin Morris and Kenna Savage...

The Tri-Valley Board will meet at 6 p.m. April 26 at Pizza Hut, 1612 N. State, Iola.

The ante was upped for Project 17 when the state's top commerce official announced April 13 Gov. Sam Brownback's plans to funnel another $500,000 of state funds to the 17-county revitalization effort. Already writing a one-year, $500,000 appropriation for the project into his proposed budget, Brownback now sees the need for a two-year investment, said Pat George, Kansas Secretary of Commerce...

More tour groups are expected to be coming into Fort Scott this year, Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce officials said. FSACC Executive Director Lindsay Madison said she and her staff have been working on scheduling more bus tours and have plenty lined up as tourist season begins. Having laid the groundwork with advertising last year, the chamber is expecting more group tours. Several have already been booked through spring and more calls are expected...

UNIONTOWN -- Although fishing is what he enjoys most, it's ducks that have gained Uniontown High School junior Tyler Davidson statewide notice. Davidson came in second in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Junior Duck Stamp Art Contest. Each state holds an annual contest for all age groups with first, second and third-place winners selected for each group. "Best of Show" state winners participate in a national competition for scholarship money and prizes...

They escaped from the Indian Territory and the bondage of slavery to follow the Union Army into Fort Scott. Two were soldiers with the Kansas Colored Volunteer Infantry Regiment who fought and ultimately survived the conflict that forever changed the country. ...

MOUND CITY -- The Kansas Barnstormers, made up of University of Kansas seniors, will play an exhibition game against the Southeast Kansas All-Stars Wednesday at the Jayhawk-Linn High School gymnasium. FSHS seniors Kyle Altic, Daniel Durbin and Brady Fink will play for the All-Stars, with FSHS head boys' coach Jeff DeLaTorre as their coach...

PARSONS -- Fort Scott High School's tennis team returned here Wednesday to conclude a tournament that was interrupted by storms last Friday. Some of the top schools in the league were present, including Pittsburg, Parsons and defending champion Independence...

A recent fundraiser for 10-month old Ty Lundberg and his family was a success. Members of the Fort Scott Modern Woodmen of America chapter, the Care to Share cancer support group, The Sharing Bucket and the Elks Lodge helped raise money for Ty and his family through a March 16 chicken and noodle feed at the Elks Lodge...

The USD 234 school district has announced Thursday night that Diane Gross is its new superintendent. A motion was made by school board members for President Janet Braun to sign and accept the contract for Gross. Gross will replace longtime Superintendent Rick Werling, whose contract ends June 30. Werling has been with USD 234 for 32 years...