COAL--JUG HOUSES MRS. LOOFBOURROW, MR. DEXTER, AND THE HELMET

The following are items of interest that happened fifty or sixty years ago: An article taken from a local paper of Dec. 20, 1904 read as follows--"On the place south of 48 school house, ten miles form Scandia, and only three miles from Norway, there is a vein of coal between three and four feet thick at a depth of 177 feet.  This is as good quality as the Jewell County coal and better than Seapo coal.  The vein grows thin towards the south and east and seems to be thicker and better towards the north and west.  Why not develop this with local capital and have an inexhaustible supply of cheap fuel at our very doors.  Then would be the time to invite factories which would double the value of every foot of land for miles in either direction from the Republican valley."

From another local paper of Dec. 10 1904 comes this item--"The Jug houses at Kansas City send a man a gallon of whiskey collect on delivery.  If he pays and takes it, they immediately send him another gallon.  As fast as orders are taken from the express office, others are sent, so that every drinking man can have a jug of whiskey waiting for him whenever he raises the dough to pay for it.  The agent at the local depot says he is tired of being bar keeper for the Kansas City Jug houses.  He says he has sent in over two thousand dollars for whiskey in the last seven months."

The total value of farm products in Kansas in 1904 was $208, 290, 273 and 77.

We all know that remarkable woman who died not long ago at the age of 102, Mrs. Berniece Loofbourrow.  She was always interested in helping the Red Cross and especially during the first World War when they were knitting articles for the use and comfort of the boys in Service.  Here is the story of a helmet that was supposed to be returned and the reason for its not being returned to Mrs. Loofbourrow: "To David Dexter, Camp Funston, Kansas---In your communication on Dec. 8th to the Star the enclosed clipping created some anxiety in Red Cross circles who had been knitting helmets from directions furnished by R. C. direction.  I have taken it upon myself to send a helmet for inspection and criticism.  For the benefit of the Red Cross workers will you please consult with officers of the gas divisions or some one who knows and return article with criticism or approval as soon as possible.

Camp Funston, Kansas, Dec, 29, 1917

Mrs. B.Loofbourrow---R.F.D. No. 1---Box 22, Scandia, Kansas.

Dear Madam:

First, I must apologize for not answering your letter.  It is because I went home for Christmas and did not return until yesterday.  Next, I must apologize for not sending back the helmet you sent for my criticism.  The helmet was knitted perfectly right and allowed the wearing of a gas mask properly according to instructions at the gas school here.  So let the good work go on.

Now from your letter, I understood you wanted me to return the helmet.  Her is the explanation for not doing, so, and after hearing it, I believe you will agree with me that I did right.

I had the helmet with me while on the telegraph.  It was cold, bitterly cold, and walking sentry post was a young fellow, with nothing but his over coat collar to protect him from the bitter north wind that one could scarcely stand for a few minutes without intense suffering.  The sentries have to walk their posts for two hours at a stretch.  I asked him if he had a helmet.  He was so cold that he could scarcely say "no".

So, Mrs. Loofbourrow, I gave that soldier boy your helmet, and rest assured it would never have found a more appreciative owner, nor could it have been given at a more needful time.  His name is Theodore Martin, Bo. E---314th Supply train.  Don't you think I did right?

David E.Dexter, Kansas City Post Correspondent."