Excerpted stories in Crawford County newspaper archives

100 years ago

May 27, 1926

Two hundred and four graduates comprising a record class for the Teachers College, were conferred bachelor of science degrees at the annual commencement exercises this morning in Carney hall. After an effective address, brimful of mature advice to the degree and life certificate students by Dr. Stratton D. Brooks, president of t the University of Missouri, the degrees and 2-year certificates were 1 presented by Senator C. W. Spencer, member of the state board of regents.

Announcement of the completed program for the parade and cere monies to be held in observance of Memorial Day next Monday, May 31, was made today by O. S. Casad, chairman of the program committee, and officer of the day for the services. Various units of the parade will meet at the Public Library at 9 o'clock Monday morning, and from the line which will be held during the march. The parade will start promptly at 10 o'clock.

A steady stream of Pittsburg property owners wound a way into and out of the Shrine Mosque here this morning to file complaints against tax assessments. It was estimated that approximately 500 persons recorded remonstrances at the Mosque this morning. Complaints are being received at the emergency tax headquarters here today by Ray N. Hardin, county clerk, and Joe Scott and E. B. Hoyt, two of the deputy assessors, who fixed the property valuations in Pittsburg.

50 years ago

May 27, 1976

Merit systems used to determine faculty salary increases at the Kansas State College of Pittsburg are inequitable, obscure, and breed "cutthroat" competition between teachers, Dr. Denmar Cope, chief faculty negotiator, said in a recent interview. In addition, the current impasse in faculty-Regents salary negotiations stems directly, in part, from teacher disgruntlement over the merit systems, Cope said. However, several KSCP deans defended the merit plans, contending that current systems meet the need for merit-based raises, as well as reflect general sentiment about an individual teacher's performance.

An undetermined amount of diamonds were stolen from a large safe in the rear of Bullock Jewelers and Gifts Inc. in addition to the 200 watches, 35-40 pendants and undetermined amount of rings taken from the front display cases in a Tuesday morning burglary, storeowner Bob Bullock estimated. Police had estimated the loss at well over $10,000 on Tuesday, but authorities indicated Wednesday that the $10,000 figure was low and the loss would be "sizable." "We lost damned near everything," Bullock said. "One thing good. We lost no customer merchandise," he added, saying the store will be open for business at 9:30 a.m. today

Eight Langdon Lane residents have filed a $96,000 suit in Crawford County District Court against a Langdon Lane neighbor, asserting that his "unsanitary and malodorous" animals have devalued their property. The plaintiffs also requested an injunction against Larry Handshy, asking Judge Don Musser to reduce the number of cattle, sheep, hogs, goats, rabbits, and dogs which Handshy may keep to an amount "the court may find less than a private nuisance."

25 years ago

May 27, 2001

Memorial Day may come only once a year on the calendar, but Delbert Geier lives with his memories of World War II every day. The Pittsburg-area native, a member of the 635th Tank Destroyer Battalion, saw some of the heaviest fighting in the war as the Allies fought to break Germany's grip on occupied Europe. He went into the U.S. Army in February of 1941. "I was supposed to serve one year and get out in February of 1942," Geier said. "But Pearl Harbor happened, and I didn't get home until October of 1945."

GIRARD - An unidentified male died Saturday as the result of an apparent drowning, according to the Crawford County Sheriff's Department. The name of the victim was being withheld late Saturday night pending notification of his family. The department said sheriff’s deputies and Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks officers received a report of a possible drowning near Farlington Lake Marina at about 6:34 p.m. Saturday.

BAXTER SPRINGS - Around 50 riders, helpers and family members participated Saturday in the first "Trail of Hope Ride-a-thon" conducted by Horses of Hope Riding Center Inc. "This has gone so well that it will probably become an annual event," said Shelly McColm, center director. "We might decide to weave it in with our existing trail ride or keep it a separate event. I'll have to give it some thought." The center offers therapeutic riding opportunities to more than 200 physically, mentally, emotionally or learning-disabled children and adults.