The Way It Was

100 years ago:

Blackmailer asked for $500 from wealthy widow

WICHITA, Kan. -- Mrs. F. Tillinghass, widow of a wealthy stockman, received a letter threatening her with death and the destruction of her residence by fire unless she deposited $500 in a lonely spot near her home. A trap was set for the blackmailer, but he eluded the officers by failing to call for the decoy package.

75 years ago:

Man accused of shooting Fort Scott officer captured

The Frisco's special officer, Howard Quinn, who was shot by a Kansas City man at Fort Scott early Monday morning, was not fatally wounded, the bullet having lodged in the flesh on the back of his head.

The man, Joe Edmundson, had shot and killed a girl and man in Kansas City and escaped, reaching Fort Scott on a Frisco train.

The man was found on the train by Officer Quinn, who at that time did not know he was wanted in Kansas City for murder and evidently did not expect he would have any trouble with him but suddenly Edmundson drew a revolver and attempted to shoot the officer but the revolver failed to work and the officer overpowered the suspect and then he walked along peacefully.

A few minutes later the suspect asked the officer for a cigarette and as Quinn reached for his cigarettes, Edmundson grabbed the officer's revolver and shot him in the back of the head.

50 years ago:

Nemo theater to close after tonight's show

The Nemo theater, opened in 1947 and operated intermittently since that time, will be closing permanently tonight, following the showing of the movie, "Camille," according to an announcement made today by Warren Loy, manager of the theater.

When the theater was first opened it was considered one of the finest in the area but due to its size it has been impossible to make the necessary changes to modernize it.

The new Fox theater, formerly the Star, is undergoing a complete remodeling process and will soon be opened, but until that time Mr. Loy will not be operating a theater in Nevada.