Today's Feature

Display of Time Capsule Contents.

A new display of historical artifacts has been completed and is available for viewing in the Carthage Public Library. The display holds the remaining contents of a time capsule placed in the cornerstone of the Library building in February of 1904.

In conjunction with the construction of a new section for the library, the 1904 cornerstone block at the Southwest corner of the existing library structure was removed and the time capsule was retrieved. The intention was to place a new time capsule in the Northeast corner of the new construction project with new items and the items from the 1904 box.

Library Board Director Jennifer Seaton said that upon opening the box it became apparent that the contents had been exposed to moisture over course of over 100 years. The items were allowed to dry and a representative from the Archives department of the Missouri State Secretary’s office was present to remove items from the box. Seaton said that many of the articles crumbled upon being touched.

The salvaged items included: 4 - 1904 Carthage newspapers, a G.A.R. Mourning Badge from Rock Island, Illinois, and 3 chips from the No-Name Whist Club.

The newspapers have been photographed and these photographs are on display in the case at the Library, in addition to the chips, badge, the copper box, and photographs of the box opening.

According to the Carthage evening paper from 1904, which reports of the capsule, the box was "hermetically sealed".

The article states, "The lid was soldered on and the box is thus hermetically sealed. The corner stone was put in place Tuesday without ceremony and the box was placed in a cavity in the center this afternoon and the wall continued on up over it."

Other items mentioned within the article which were not able to be saved include; a signed statement from the 1904 Carnegie library board, 1891 bird’s-eye photograph of Carthage, Harrington hotel menu, $20 confederate money, $60 bill continental currency, date of 1778, and several other paper items.

Despite the damage to the contents, the current display contains several well-arranged pieces of historical interest. The library is located at 612 South Garrison. The construction of the new wing is still in progress and the Garrison-side entrance is blocked but the 7th street entrance is accessible.

Stench Report:
Friday,
4/14/06

No Stink Reported

Bicycle ridin’ had its own particular hazards while barefootin’. Puttin’ the kick stand required caution and a certain eye to toe coordination. Pickin’ a spot to step off the two wheeler was also somewhat of an art form.

I suppose some of the attraction to those memories is the fact that survival decisions were limited to just watchin’ where ya stepped.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

Does Septic Tank Need Cleaning?

Q: I was recently contacted by a septic tank cleaning company and told that it was time to schedule "another cleaning." I’m not sure I scheduled any cleaning before -- the house is relatively new. Do you think this is a scam? -- Dolores in Arkansas

A: I don’t think it’s a scam so much as a marketing ploy, although it’s always best to check out any offers thoroughly before accepting them.

Septic tanks should be pumped out every three to five years -- or more often, depending on the size of the tank and the number of people in the house. But you don’t have to depend on a septic tank cleaning company you’ve never heard of to find out if it’s time to hire a professional.

First, contact your local government, or bring up its Web page online, to find out what guidelines it has regarding septic tanks. Next, measure the level of sludge in the tank yourself to see if it needs to be pumped out. This is fairly easy to do. Take a long, flat, light-colored wood stick that is as deep as the tank plus a couple feet longer. Mark feet and inches on it. Open the septic tank lid and put the stick straight down, all the way to the bottom. Hold it there for a minute, then slowly draw it straight up and out.

What you are measuring is the level of sludge at the bottom of the tank. After its dip, the stick should have two types of stain marks on it: a sludge stain on the bottom part, and a water stain the rest of the way up. If the sludge stain is bigger than the water stain, a professional cleaning is definitely in order.

If you don’t want to do the inspection yourself, or the local government requires you to have an inspection and cleaning no matter what, go ahead and schedule one with that company (or another company, if you’re uncomfortable with the first).