From the collections at the Leavenworth County Historical Society and Museum. Reprinted with permission from The Leavenworth County Historical Society and Museum and the Leavenworth Times. Donated by Debra Graden.

The following item, extolling the virtues and advantages of a Lawrence drugstore's soda fountain, appeared in the Herald of Freedom, Lawrence, July 11, 1857:

"Reader, are you fond of a cooling beverage at is season of the year, the tendency of which is to allay thirst, and reduce the general heat of the body, and is yet destitute of any pernicious effects upon the animal economy? Call on Mr. J. Webster, at Woodward & Finley's drug store, and you will find syrups prepared with great care, from lemon, pineapple, strawberry, sarsaparilla, ginger, or any of the preparation of that character, with an excellent soda fountain always supplied with ice cold spring water, from which the thirsty can drink and be filled for five cents a glass.

"The sarsaparilla is particularly recommended for its fine flavor and medicinal qualities, while the strawberry will probably be as palatable as any other drink. those wishing to treat a friend, can do so at this fountain, without having the mortification of seeing him an hour after half delirious from the baneful influence of alcoholic stimulants."

The "New England Bards," a group of entertainers, played engagements in both Leavenworth and Lawrence during July, 1857, and apparently pleased their audiences in both towns. This notice of their Lawrence appearances was printed in the Herald of Freedom, July 18, 1857:

"This incomparable troupe, now making a tour of Kansas.....gave one of their amusing and instructive entertainments a the Unitarian Church on Wednesday evening.....Mr. Durant, director of the Bards, was musical director of Ossian E. Dodge's late concert troupe. Their happy efforts last Tuesday evening, on the balcony of the Morrow House, is a sufficient guaranty to all who heard them, of the excellence of their music.

"This being the first visit of any musical troupe to the West, we bespeak for them a welcome such as the pioneers of Kansas only know how to give. One of their songs is descriptive of, and entitled 'Kansas Emigration,' which is sung by the Bards with excellent effect.

"Kansas soon our home shall be,

"Where land is cheap and water free.

"The streams are over-run with fish,

"And they dip 'em up with a handled dish."

"Scarce a day passes but long trains of wagons, filled with the 'wife and little ones,' and furniture of the hardy pioneer pass through this place (Emporia). Many of them push on towards the Verdigris, or still farther on to the Walnut and Little Neosho, while numbers go up or down the Neosho and Cottonwood, 'setting their stakes' on some of the many vacant claims along those streams.

"Next fall will witness such a covered wagon emigration into Kansas as was never before seen."

--Kanzas News, emporia, August 1, 1857.