Nice Guys of history

We're all immersed in the local legend and lore of such Kansas City notables as Tom Pender­gast and J.C. Nichols, storied luminaries who monopolize the attention of those who pen history. But it wasn't all corrupt pols and machine hacks who helped grease the wheels of Kansas City's early days. There was also the pious and decent industrialist whose story attracts far less attention. Shift the focus by checking out Lumber Baron and Philanthropist: The R.A. Long Story at 2 p.m. today in the Truman Forum of the Kansas City Public Library's Plaza Branch (4801 Main). Long, the man who helmed the Long-Bell Lumber Company, was the driving force behind Corinthian Hall, Longview Farm and the R.A. Long Building at 10th Street and Grand, one of Kansas City's first skyscrapers. For more information on this free presentation, call 816-701-3407.
Sun., July 20, 2008