100 years ago in Kansas, March 1919.

March 9, 1919.

-A poll indicated that Kansas dailies were in favor of a league of nations but were opposed to President Wilson’s plan as submitted to the peace conference.

March 14, 1919.

-McPherson reported 200 cases of influenza.

March 18, 1919.

-The Legislature appropriated $35,000 to be used in welcoming Kansas soldiers home from France.

March 22, 1919.

-The Legislature adjourned.  Among the laws passed:

1-Prohibit display of flags distinctive of bolshevism, anarchy, or radical socialism.

2-Provide for absentee voting by servicemen.

3-Provide for the exclusive use of the English language in elementary schools.

4-Authorize counties and cities to levy taxes for building military memorials.

5-Give job preferences for veterans.

Resolutions were passed ratifying the national prohibition amendment, and recommending passage of the national woman suffrage amendment.

Blair Tarr is the Museum Curator of the Kansas State Historical Society. He oversees the three-dimensional collections of the Society, but has special interests in the Civil War, Wichita-made Valentine diners, and Leavenworth's Abernathy Furniture. In the last few years he has also done a lot of cramming on The Great War. He is a past president of the Kansas Museums Association and the Civil War Round Tables of both Kansas City and Eastern Kansas. He is currently a board member of the Heritage League of Greater Kansas City.