Col. Richards' widow dies

100 YEARS AGO

(1912)

The B.F. Yokum special will be in Fort Scott tomorrow afternoon. B.F. Yokum, who is chairman of the board and executive consultant of the Frisco line, is also a director of the American Association of Highway Improvement, and is such capacity the value of good roads to the farmer has been impressed upon him. What is of value to the farming district along any railroad system, is also beneficial to that system, so in turn the betterment of highways is a direct benefit to the Frisco system. Accompanying the train are experts in road building, from the United office of public roads, department of agriculture, and also American Association of Highway Improvement. A number of them will address the meeting. All are men of experience in road building work and the suggestions they will have to offer will be valuable to those interested in the question of rural road improvement.

75 YEARS AGO

(1937)

Mrs. Laura Lakin Richards, widow of Col. Joseph M. Richards, and mother of a daughter, Mrs. Rena Richards Hunter, who is the wife of Dr. John D. Hunter and a son, Ralph Richards, a Fort Scott attorney, died early today at her home, 701 S. Crawford St. Mrs. Richards was 92 years old. She was a sister of Mrs. J.T. Beatty. Mrs. Richards had lived here the past 67 years. Her death closes the chapter on the annals of one of the great families of Fort Scott, a family which figured in the early development of Iola and Wichita, as well of this city and Eastern Kansas.

Funeral services will be Thursday at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Hunter, 210 S. Crawford St. Interment will be in Evergreen Cemetery.

Col. Richards died April 15, 1918. He was instrumental in building the railroad from Fort Scott to Rich Hill, Mo., and the town of Richards, Mo., is named for him.

50 YEARS AGO

(1962)

Photo caption: "A new swimming pool is in the making at the Fort Scott Country Club. Excavators, Diehl and Magee, began work this week on the pool which is expected to be completed by Aug. 1." -- Tribune photo

Crepe Myrtle growing in containers of fertile soil: quart container $1.25; 2-gallon container $2.50. Can be planted any time. -- Fort Scott Greenhouse, 9th and Horton; phone BA3-1450.

A special service Sunday afternoon at the Church of Christ, 15th and Crawford, will be in observance of paying off the indebtedness of the present church building.

Mike Jacobson tossed a 1-hitter at Earl's last night in the Pee-Wee League of the city recreation program.

25 YEARS AGO

(1987)

Photo caption: "Hurst Asher Drug took first place in the local Women's Slow-Pitch Leagues Inaugural season this summer with a 7-2 record. Team members are Brenda Gleason, Marci Murrow, Jackie Hall, Dana Ramsey, Becky Shinn, Pam Gilliland, Jodi Richard, Mary Malone, Shelly Middleton, Teresa Ermal, Kathty George and Grace Griffith. The league's sportsmanship trophy went to Brenda Gleason."-- Photo by Dave Wagner

Dr. James Basham, Fort Scott, has been appointed to a three-year term on the Board of Trustees for Mercy Hospitals of Kansas Inc. Basham was chief of staff at Mercy Hospital in 1965. He opened his office in Fort Scott in 1955 with Dr. Leland Randles.

The Kitchen Kabinet (By Nell Dikemnan) -- Ruby Fink, longtime foods project leader for Hiattville 4-H Club, rewarded members for their participation in the annual "Bake-and-Take Day sponsored by the Kansas Wheathearts. Included were Teresa Preston, Beverly Helton, Lisa Jackson, Janet Gilliland, Susan Spencer, Laura Brewer, Keli Ludlum, Beth Christy and Amanda Helton.