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Remember when: A community review

By Billie Aye - | Sep 30, 2009

10 years ago: Sept. 15, 1999

Deaths: Charles G. Ewing, former Olathe resident, age 83, now of Leavenworth, died Sept. 5, 1999; Lois G. Lee, 82, Basehor, died Sept. 8, 1999.

For Ted Grinter, the reward for having the most beautiful sunflower fields in the area is more than reaping a good harvest. During the past 18 years, Grinter and his family have been growing the Sunflower State’s state flower — almost in their own back yard. (The article continued, telling of passersby stopping to take photographs and enjoying the lovely fields.)

It’s not everyday that life comes to call, but when it did, a Tonganoxie man was there. When Matt Bichelmeyer and 150 of his relatives attended his family’s annual reunion Sept. 5 in Shawnee, the guests included Marilyn Johnson, a writer for Life magazine, and Barry Lewis, a photographer from London. (The family was chosen to be featured in a story about family life in America for the November issue of Life magazine.)

Gardener’s hobby, a blooming business: This summer, a new greenhouse cropped up in southern Leavenworth County. Just off of Tonganoxie Road, about a mile northeast of town, a roadside sign marks Lost Corner Farm. That’s where Cindy (Thornton) Murry, a lifelong Tonganoxie resident, has turned a love of gardening into a growing business.

25 years ago: Sept. 12, 1984

Deaths: Blanche Phenicie McKernan, Emporia, died Aug. 28, 1984; Albert P. Schons, 71, Oskaloosa, died Sept. 7, 1984.

In honor of the 50th wedding anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. Ted C. Davis, their children and grandchildren request the pleasure of your company at an open house Sunday, Sept. 16, 1984, from 2-4 p.m. in Sabetha.

An open house in celebration of the 60th wedding anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. Othal Wiley is planned from 2 to 4 p.m. Oct. 7 in the Tonganoxie Florence Riford Center. Hosts will be their children.

Services for Bertha E. Bailey, 69, Linwood were held Sept. 4 in Lawrence.

Ahman Karr just returned from the Nebraska State Fair in Lincoln, Neb. He took six dairy goats to exhibit. There were more than 400 entries. His senior kid was first in a class with 29 entries. This Doeling went on to become Reserve Grand Champion Junior Doe.

50 years ago: Oct. 1, 1959

Births: Mr. and Mrs. Ambrose Davoren announce the birth of their son, Donald Francis, Sept. 26, 1959; Mr. and Mrs. Calvin B. Gallagher of Independence, Mo., announce the birth of their daughter, Diane Traleigh, Sept. 23, 1959.

Eight members of the Rawlings Feed Store staff have a total of 134 years service. The latest to pass a milestone was Jim Johnston — he started on his 26th year recently. Only man there with more service is owner Dale Rawlings.

Mrs. Mary Vollintine celebrated her 86th birthday on Friday, Sept. 25. A family dinner was held at her home.

Linwood: Mrs. Lawrence Townsend returned to her home here Saturday. She has been staying with her daughter, Mrs. Bruce Wrinkles, and Mr. Wrinkle in Fostoria, Ohio, after the birth of their second son, Robert William on Sept. 5.

Deaths: Kathryn Louise Hammerschmid, RR 3, Lawrence, sister of Mrs. Vern Kesinger, died Sept. 29, 1959, at the age of 60; Roy Reynolds, a former Tonganoxie resident, died Sunday at the Veterans Hospital in Wadsworth.

Mr. and Mrs. Dale Williams, Basehor, announce the birth of their daughter, Anna Marie, on Sept. 20, 1959.

75 years ago: Sept. 6, 1934

People in southern Leavenworth County who knew the family were shocked to learn of the death of little Doris Gertsenberger, age 4, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Gertsenberger, who live near Eudora. She was almost instantly killed early Wednesday, when she fell from a wagon and one of the wheels passed over her head.

Mr. and Mrs. Presley Wilhite Budd, Kansas City, celebrated their golden wedding anniversary Sunday.

The Elmwood school opened Monday with an enrollment of fourteen, Miss Iva Fern Parsons as teacher; school opened at Edminister on Monday morning with Miss Mildred Jones as teacher and seventeen pupils enrolled.

Honey Valley: School opened Monday with Miss Margaret Sanders as teacher.

Mayginnis School opened Monday with a large attendance. Mrs. Helen Seymour is the teacher.

The brick building on Fourth St., just west of the Jones’ Hotel, which was purchased some time ago by Lemuel Evans, is being remodeled and redecorated and Lemuel will move his real estate office there.

J. B. Vollintine received word Sunday of the death of his nephew, Arby Vollintine at Farmerville, Ill.

100 years ago: Sept. 16, 1909

The only new student Tonganoxie contributes to the State University this year is Ralph Houston.

Robt. Freeman went to Lawrence Tuesday, to attend the Buffalo Bill Show. Ern Bowman and Walter Keller went also.

Pleasant Prairie School west of town opened Monday with an attendance of eighteen pupils. Miss Gertrude Kendall is the teacher.

Stranger Township has eleven bridges out entirely and nine in bad condition. The county board is not doing any bridge work at present.

My cider mill is now ready for custom work and I will also buy cider apples at the highest market price. Two miles north of Tonganoxie. William Freienmuth. (Ad.)

George Southwell, formerly of Tonganoxie, but now at the Soldier’s Home, has the distinction of having driven the first stage coach that ever ran through Leavenworth County. Uncle George plied the whip over the four mules, which in 1856 pulled the stage coach which started on its first journey from old Delaware, a settlement which once existed immediately south of Leavenworth, to Lawrence. At that time, the stage line ran through Tonganoxie. — Leavenworth Times. It took a day to make the trip one way. One of the stage stations where horses were changed was located near the spring where Frank Fairchild now has his milk-cooling house.

John Henry, formerly a blacksmith here, was around a few days last week. He is now living in Ralston, Okla. Mr. and Mrs. Cameron Olson live at Ralston, and Mr. Henry reports twin boys were born to them a few weeks ago.