Opinion

Memories spring eternal ...

Friday, November 30, 2007

100 YEARS AGO

(1907)

"Hiattville Giants 6--Fort Scott 'Has Beens' 0"--is the brief story to be told of one of the greatest football games ever pulled off in this city. The game at Athletic Park yesterday was witnessed by 1,500 people, or the largest crowd that ever saw a game in this city. The Has Beens attribute their defeat to the lack of condition, for the boys had never all been together before. Nothing can be said that will detract at all from the splendid work of the visitors. They were in great form, having practiced faithfully for two months. There was for Fort Scott a perfect forward pass play executed between quarterback Kaiser and end Pearson in the first half. It was the second time the men had ever seen it tried and the great crowd cheered heartily when it worked so faultlessly. There is some talk of having another game here Christmas. If such a game is scheduled, and Christmas is at all a fair day, 3,000 people will be present.

75 YEARS AGO

(1932)

Lakin Hunter came down from Lawrence last night. He is attending the state university and will spend Thanksgiving weekend with his parents, Dr. and Mrs. John D. Hunter.

Ray Brinkman arrived last night from Lawrence where he is attending state university and will spend Thanksgiving at home.

The display window of the Fort Scott Drug company at First and Main streets carries an attractive football display incident to the Thanksgiving Day game here. Aside from the pictures of this year's high school and junior college eleven there are large photos of the high school teams of 1927 and 1928. Melvin Seelye did the decorating.

There was quite a lot of money bet on the Hiattville Giants and F.S. "Has Beens" game. The Hiattville boys brought along money backing up their team which ruled in the betting And of course, carried back with them all amounts that were placed on the locals.

50 YEARS AGO

(1957)

The Owen Motor Co., 108 North National Ave., has been awarded the franchise for Rambler cars, an American Motors product, said Vince Owen, owner of the automobile agency.

"First we'll get the fixtures and then we'll remove the roof," so said George Champoney who arrived here from Topeka to begin the demolition of the old Goodlander Hotel. He said the two top floors will have to be removed by hand. But after that a crane and ball will be used to level the rest of the building.

25 YEARS AGO

(1982)

A retired Fort Scott businessman, who had become a Fort Scott fixture through his work as a reserve police officer, died Monday. George Ashford, 74, 310 Andrick, had served with the reserve unit for more than 20 years and had become a familiar figure. For 37 years he operated Ashford's Service Station at First Street and National Avenue. He took over the operation in 1937 and bought the business in 1941.

All systems are on go for Memorial Hall's scheduled opening this weekend as a part-time skating rink, according to Beth King, director of the U-234 Recreation Commission. The rink's first session, for grade school students only, will begin at 6 p.m. Friday. A subsequent session will begin at 8:15 p.m., restricted to junior high school students. Sessions on Saturday and Sunday are open to everyone. King said Memorial Hall is slated to be used as a skating rink two weekends a month through May.