Excerpted stories in Crawford County newspaper archives

100 years ago

May 9, 1926

Formation of a Crawford County historical society may be made in Pittsburg May 20, date of the golden jubilee. Lack of any organization for the collection of facts about the county from the beginning has hampered the committee preparing for the celebration of Pittsburg's golden Jubilee. Setting aside a time and a place for an organization meeting on May 20 may be proposed to the general jubilee commission tonight by Judge A. J. Curran.

The 1926 assessments against Pittsburg real estate are too high, showing an increase of from 15 to 25 percent, and in some instances even higher, according to the notices that have been received during the past week. This is the opinion generally expressed among Pittsburg residents and it is a situation that demands immediate attention if the city is to enjoy its full measure of progress. While assessments have been increased in Pittsburg, they remain practically the same as formerly in other cities in the county and the rural districts, or have been reduced.

Highways over Kansas show a greatly improved condition as a result of the different counties obtaining increased funds for road maintenance from the gasoline tax, Ford Harper, secretary of the Chamber of Commerce, who returned Saturday night from motorcycle trip across the state, said today. Nearly all of the western counties are maintaining a road patrol system, which makes it possible for road workers to be on the job every day in the year and keep the roads well graded and dragged, Mr. Harper said.

Walter Elliott, 86 years of age, retired merchant and resident of Pittsburg for 43 years, died at 6 o'clock this morning at his home, 1001 North Elm. Death was caused by cancer. Mr. Elliott had been ill for two years. Mr. Elliott was born in Roxburyshire, Scotland, in 1840, but when a small boy was taken to England by his parents. He grew to manhood there and married Miss Mary Beetham, a resident of Penrith, England, who survives him.

50 years ago

May 9, 1976

Two opposed interest groups in Northeast Unified School District 246 have marshaled their forces in preparation for a million dollar bond election Tuesday. The "Vote 'No' Committee," comprised primarily of Mulberry and Arcadia residents opposed to financing a new Arma high school, contend the $940,000 school construction bond would place too great a burden on district tax payers. Forces favoring the bond, led by Arma school officials, insist that a new high school is imperative for maintaining quality education in USD 246.

It was hot sands time once again in Pittsburg Saturday as 59 novices made the trek across the burning sands to shrinedom. One of the highlights of the Mirza Temple ceremonial was an afternoon parade in which the novices paraded through the downtown area before entering the final step into shrinedom, the Second Section. The event was presided over by Potentate Darrell M. Ray The parade, as usual, attracted a large crowd along Broadway as the weather turned warm and sunny.

Teacher negotiations, facilities and athletics are scheduled for discussion at the 7:30 p.m. Monday Pittsburg Board of Education meeting at the Education Center, 510 Diell. The formalization of a contract for Jerry Steele, Chanute, voted by the board to be new Unified School District 250 superintendent of schools replacing Dr. Jack L. Reed, will be completed if the contract is ready. Otherwise, the terms and conditions could be completed with the contract document itself approved and signed at a subsequent meeting.

CHEROKEE - The main street of Cherokee was turned into a playground for young and old alike Saturday afternoon as the city's Bicentennial celebration reached its climax. Beginning at 11 a.m., floats, horses and riders, bands and antique cars paraded through the streets, followed by an afternoon of games like egg tossing, nail driving, slipper kicking and footraces for all age groups. The three-day celebration actually began Friday night with a talent show and, queen contest at Southeast High School.

25 years ago

May 9, 2001

Area legislators give mixed reviews to the just completed 2001 Legislature session, but warn that next year's session could be even more boisterous. "If revenues continue to falter, the next session could be one of the ugliest since 1989," Rep. R.J. Wilson, D. Pittsburg, said Tuesday. "In 1990 and 1991, every program in the state was cut to the bone. Fortunately, we didn't have to do that this year." Rep. Doug Gatewood, D-Columbus, said although there were bright spots, he was disappointed with the outcome of this year's session.

GIRARD - School resource officers will be added to Pittsburg High School, the Southeast USD 247 school district and the Northeast USD 246 and Frontenac USD 249 districts if a $126,870 grant application sub-mitted by the Crawford County Sheriff's Department is approved. Sheriff Sandy Horton told commissioners at their regular meeting Tuesday that the department was applying for the Community Oriented Police Services grant to fund an SRO to work at PHS, one with the Southeast district and one to be divided between Northeast and Frontenac schools.

The Children's Advocacy Center cleared another hurdle Tuesday night toward being able to move its operations into a residential neighborhood. The Pittsburg City Commission approved an ordinance allowing the CAC to apply for a conditional use to locate in a residential area. The CAC's application will go through the normal conditional use process, which includes a review and a public hearing by the Planning and Zoning Commission and review by the city commission.

ARMA - Arma residents will pay half-price for admission at the city's swimming pool this summer as a result of action the Arma City Council took Monday night. The council voted to lower admission to 50 cents for one-day pass, $25 for a single season pass and $35 for a family pass -half the normal price - for Arma residents who purchase tickets at City Hall and have proof of residency. "We already supply lights for baseball and basketball, so we should do this for the people of Arma," Councilman Bill Toschi, who made the motion to offer the discounts, said.

GIRARD - Possible bids on sealing more than 83,000 square yards of city streets will be explored by Girard City Administrator Mike West. The Girard City Council Monday night voted to have West see about getting an estimate on scrub-seal costs. More than 30 blocks of city streets are on the list to be sealed this year. Currently, about $80,000 a year is available for the street work through a half-cent sales tax. West said the city's street bond issue must be satisfied before the monies are available each year.