Editor’s note: To capture time accurately, language from the past generally is left unchanged. This may result in some antiquated or out-of-use language from time to time. We try to maintain the exact wording when possible, but edits are occasionally made for the sake of brevity or because such wording isn’t acceptable today.

25 years ago: Dec. 2, 1998

The Tonganoxie Public Library is going to look a lot different the next time you visit. And when you come, you won’t be able to use your old library card. The library is now on computer, and you’ll need to get a new card compatible with the new system. Last Saturday, Boy Scout Troop 357, adult volunteers, and young children helped the library move computers, books, shelves, card files, videos, and other items to make the final changes planned many years before.

A piece of notebook paper with a bomb threat handwritten on it was discovered laying on the counter of the McLouth’s boy’s bathroom early Tuesday at around 7:40 a.m. Few students had yet arrived at the school campus. Sheriff’s deputies, local police, and members of the Kansas Highway Patrol rushed ot the building can began searching. Every square inch was searched over the next three hours, but nothing was found.

Steve Hughes and his Industrial Arts students put the roof on the house they are building at the high school. This is the second year for the home project. The three-bedroom house is scheduled to be ready for auction at the beginning of April.

After thinking they had little chance of getting any grant money from the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, the Tonganoxie Recreation Commission was delighted that they won $10,000 to help finance the projected soccer fields in their new park.

50 years ago: Dec. 6, 1973

Starting January 1, 1974, the subscription rate of the Tonganoxie Mirror will be $6.18 per year except for those in Leavenworth County and the adjoining counties which will remain at $5.15.

Mr. and Mrs. Charles Crank have opened a new business, Crank’s Antiques, New and Used Furniture. It is located at 620 East Fourth Street just two doors west of Hunter’s Restaurant. Drop in and get acquainted.

Southwestern Bell is working on a $50,000 service improvement project in the Tonganoxie office. Equipment for 200 lines and 100 numbers is being installed to increase the office capacity to 1,200 lines and 1,500 numbers. Tonganoxie is experiencing fast rural growth.

The University of Kansas Observatory has announced 10 scheduled open houses In December and January to be devoted exclusively to the viewing of Comet Kohoutek. Dr. Steven Shaw, observatory director and members of the KU physics and astronomy faculty will be on hand to assist observers.

Mrs. Mable Stephenson fell on her front steps at her home and broke her leg. She was taken to Lawrence Memorial Hospital.

Susie Parmer has recently been appointed to the Board of Directors of the National Association of Recorders and Clerks.

Superfly, a nine-month-old Shetland Sheepdog, owned by Mrs. Fred Chenoweth of Leavenworth, won top honors in the Best in Futurity at the Specialty Show and Obedience Trial held in Omaha. He also won first in the any other color class, his color being blue merle. All of Jody’s efforts almost came to a futile end when on the evening before he was to go, Superfly drank from a bucket of water containing floor cleaner and became very ill. Thanks to the services of Dr. Gary Zimmerman, he was on his way the next day to become a winner.

75 years ago: Nov. 29, 1948

Mrs. Don Pearson, mother of nine-year-old Dick Pearson hosted a birthday party for the little guy complete with guests, food, and cake. The party fare included a man’s meal of hamburgers, beans, and potato chips. Slices from a four-layer cake completed the feast. Young guests included Perry Walters, Eddie Mills, Louis Seufert, Billy Jarrett, Clifford Matthews and Jimmy Gallagher. The lads were entertained with a picture show presented by Mr. Morey on the wall of the Pearson living room. Mrs. Pearson was assisted by Dickie’s teacher, Mrs. Jean McCone.

Reports from three country school have come in from Elm Grove, Elmwood and Smith School. Please check your local connections and be informed about pie socials, talent shows and educational programs

Although we have a steel shortage, your local Barnes Farm Equipment Company is getting a limited supply of tractors, corn pickers, wheat drills and discs. Check with them to get your much needed parts.

Two farmers checked in the mirror office to purchase “No Hunting” signs for posting on their land. One reported his cow had her eye shot out and another fought a fire from a tossed cigarette. Half a section of grass land was burned and 100 fence posts were charred. Responsible hunters would not be so careless.

The Kansas City Star ran an article about Lulu Wright, 83, sister-in-law of the Wright brothers. Mrs. Wright, the widow of Reuchlin Wright, lived on a farm in the Edminster neighborhood, east of Tonganoxie and attended Walnut School.  The article details her first experience in an airplane.

100 years ago: Dec. 6, 1923

HEAVY SNOW THANKSGIVING – Thursday, Nov. 29 beginning about 7:30 in the morning and continuing until about 8 at night it snowed here. In fact, more snow fell than we had at any time last winter. For a time, the white flakes thawed as they touched the ground but it was not long until the ground was covered with a white mantle, and by night over six inches of snow had fallen.

The soft damp snow was hard for those who drove to Lawrence to see the football game, as it would stick on the windshield of the thousands of cars that went through here making it almost impossible to see. Those who had patent windshield wipers were fortunate.

Several accidents on the hard surface road were reported in which there were numerous narrow escapes from death. Some cars were practically ruined from collusion.

COMMERCIAL CLUB MEETING – A special program for farmers will be held by the Commercial Club at their meeting tomorrow evening. All farmers are invited to be present.

William Denholm will discuss the chinch bug subject after which a general discussion will be held. Professor Bullimore will discuss the subject of care of farm tools, and there will be an open discission on this subject. Music will be interspersed through the program.

125 years ago: Dec. 8, 1898

Miss India Ridgway, of McLouth, was in town last week, having her eye fitted with glasses at Dr. Watkins.

Ed Apitz, the traveling man who frequently comes here, will be here again. He was not killed as reported, although such a story was very actively circulated in Lawrence.

Members of the Soldier’s Home are given transportation from any place in the United States to the Home when they are admitted. On their arrival they are given a suit of clothes, two suits of underwear, three pairs of hose, one pair of shoes, a cap and an overcoat, a good warm room, plenty to eat, and tobacco to chew and smoke if he does not draw a pension. If he draws a pension, he is required to purchase his tobacco.

Wm. Wartzack has just completed a new house on his farm east of town, and Monday evening had a housewarming. All the neighbors were in and had a good time. A bountiful supply of oysters had been provided for the event. Mr. and Mrs. Wartzack are among the early settlers, having located on their present farm in 1869. They have prospered since coming and their new home will be a comfort to them in their declining years.