Looking Back

Sept. 17, 1920 – 100 Years Ago

Giant Gun Used for Long-Distance Shelling of Paris No New Invention. MADE FROM WORNOUT GUNS

Was 122 feet long, weighed 318,000 pounds and threw projectile weighing 264 pounds a distance of 75 miles. The super-cannon with which the Germans began shelling Paris, March 23, 1918, was just pieces of old, wornout guns put together, instead of a startling new invention, according to American army officers, who were permitted recently by the Germans to visit some of their huge armories. It was actually just a neat bit of patchwork that startled the world when the terrific explosions began detonating in the streets of the city of Paris, although the verdict at that time was unanimous that the Germans had invented a marvelous new cannon.

Sept. 21, 1945 – 75 Years Ago

It was reported Wednesday that Floyd Lawson of Vernon has leased the building owned by J.M. Bloodworth located on the corner of North Grand and West Elm Street and that he plans to open an implement store, specializing in the Minneapolis Moline products. The building was formerly occupied by the J.N. King Furniture repair store, and the Wainscott Furniture store.

Sept. 17, 1970 – 50 Years Ago

Wires Cross, Causes Area Power Failure

Wet ground caused a guy wire to loosen which in turn put slack in the high voltage wires at the Olney Sub Station of Community Public Service Company and the wires in turn slapped together and shorted out the entire district served by the company. Hal Hayes district manager, said the outage Monday morning about 10 a.m. knocked out service to Olney, Megargel and Newcastle for about 14 minutes.

Sept. 21, 1995 – 25 Years Ago

Slow Rains Bring Needed Moisture To Olney Area

Slow, light rains were reported in the area six of the past seven days and the first cool front of the fall was supposed to move through Wednesday, dropping temperatures early this morning in to the mid-40s and the high expected will be in the mid-60s. Additional rainfall is possible.