Opinion

100-year flood

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

100 YEARS AGO

(1911)

"Break the glass, unlock the door, and pull down the lever at once," is the instruction on the front of the fire alarm boxes over the city and that is exactly what a lady did this afternoon at 3 o'clock when she wished to mail a postal card at the corner of Main and Wall streets. She would probably be surprised at the rapidity of the mail service in Fort Scott if she knew how soon after the card was delivered at the post office. A number of those standing about the corner noticed the woman open the alarm box and a moment later the alarm sounded. When the department arrived, the card was found inside the box where it had been placed. It is needless to comment on the remarks of the firemen.

75 YEARS AGO

(1936)

(Oct. 1) -- Mrs. W.M. McGrew has accepted the position of manager of the dining room of the Tremont Hotel at 302 E. Wall St. It has been two years since meals were served at the hotel.

Mrs. McGrew has had much experience as a caterer. She went to Nevada five years ago to become manager of the tea room at Radio Springs Park and later opened the restaurant, "The Hob Nob," in downtown Nevada.

The Tremont Hotel was recently purchased from Mrs. Maud Marshall by Jule Sash and Fred Bales, who had for years had been connected with hotels in Flint, Mich.

Mrs. McGrew not only will have charge of the Tremont's public dining room just to the south of the lobby, but also of the private dining room west of the public dining room and adjoining State Street.

Mrs. McGrew and her family will live in the cottage just to the south of the hotel on State Street.

50 YEARS AGO

(1961)

Steps for a city-wide program to provide fall-out shelters were suggested at the City Commission meeting by K.W. Pollock, who said money from the Key Charitable Trust Fund, which totals nearly $50,000, is available for this purpose.

Pollock said a shelter assignment plan similar to the one used for several years in the tornado warning program could be worked out with every three or four blocks of people using the same shelter. He said the entire program could be coordinated or carried out with help from the Civil Defense Office. City Commissioners approved in favor of the plan but recommended that advice be secured from Civil Defense officials.

Pollock, who constructed one of Fort Scott's first fall-out shelters at his home at 1216 Burke, said available facilities including basements in Memorial Hall, churches and downtown business buildings -- could be remodeled to meet the needs.

25 YEARS AGO

(1986)

(Oct. 3-4) -- 'Marmaton Out; 100-Year Flood'

Swelled by a week of torrential rains, the Marmaton River rose out of its banks overnight spilling into low-lying areas and surrounding Fort Scott with flood waters, sending people to rooftops.

The unceasing rains, 8.60 inches today and another 1.22 inches by noon to make a total of 10.44 inches since Sunday, which sent the Marmaton out on what the National Weather Service described as a 100-year flood. The weather service said today that even more flooding was expected.

A flotilla of small boats was kept busy rescuing people stranded by rising waters. At one point this morning all four highways leading out of Fort Scott were closed.

Early this afternoon the only route out of town was South U.S. 69. People began moving out of the Belltown area last night.

Burlington Northern traffic was being rerouted through St. Louis.

Editor's Note: To commemorate the 25th anniversary of the "100 Year Flood," The Tribune invites comments about personal experiences and photos, if you have any, for publication.