25 years ago: Feb. 18, 1998

Tonganoxie has a future, and the future looks bright. This was the sentiment expressed at the 16th Annual Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast. Gary Carlson from Leavenworth Area Development gave the address.

The Friendship Valley Get-Together Club met on January 29th at the country home of Florence Somers with 15 members present and one guest.

50 years ago: Feb. 15, 1973

The Federal Government has changed George Washington’s birthday from February 22 to February 19, at least for holiday purposes, under the Monday Holiday Bill.

Kay Emery, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bill Emery, Tonganoxie has been named to the 1972 All-College Honor Roll List at Kansas State College of Pittsburg.

The most interesting City election in years is just ahead in Tonganoxie. A total of ten candidates have filed for the five positions on the city council. Candidates whose names will appear on the ballot in the April 3rd election are David Bath, Damon Freeman, Wayne Finch, Lafayette Martin, Bill McGee, Darrell Pearce, Connie Putthoff, Alvin Shilling, Francis Sparks, and Lorenz Stoner. Mayor Lee Mark, however, wins in a walk as the only candidate for Mayor of Tonganoxie.

The Board of Education has approved a one mill levy increase that will pay for the completion of recreational facilities at the city fairgrounds.

Two Tonga Matmen will advance to Regional Competition this weekend after capturing top spots in the District Tournament last Saturday. Don Baragary earned a gold medal, Curt Somers claimed second place, and John Korb and Chuck Yates finished number three.

Tonganoxie Senior Citizens need a good piano. They are willing to pay a small price, but a donation would be greatly appreciated.

The Tonganoxie Chieftains got back on the winning track last Friday by defeating the Gardner Trailblazers 59-44.

75 years ago: Feb. 12, 1948

The State Game Warden has received a letter from one John Simpson who owns a farm on Big Stranger. Mr. Simpson is without a doubt certain that a very large panther that “screams like a woman in dreadful fear” has been lurking about his cabin. Because the cabin door locks from the OUTSIDE he is afraid that the beast might tackle him and cause serious injury. He has kept his gun by his side but does not want to shoot through his screen door. He feels that there are several panther types in his area and warns others to keep a lookout.

Joy and Foy Brown, sons of Prof. Charles Brown are ending their yearlong mourning observing his passing. Many old timers might recall that Joy and Foy and Dr. Brown are famous in this area for puppeteering and ventriloquism. 

A former Tonganoxie resident now living in Center, Colorado reports that temperatures there have been 42 degrees below zero. With those conditions and our frequent snowstorms, it’s no wonder that winter is here.

The Oaks restaurant and dance place have a chicken chop suey dinner for $2.00 per couple on February 17. This is a couples only event so you single folks will need to stay home and listen to the radio.

The Gas Service Company has made some serious changes to the supply during this very cold winter. All industrial users on the pipeline have been cut to divert every cubic foot of gas to home use. Our situation is still critical so please conserve as much as possible.

100 years ago: Feb. 15, 1923

The City Council met in regular session last Monday evening. The usual number of bills were presented and allowed.

The petition of the residents on Main Street requesting the council to build a thirty-foot pavement on that street instead of twenty four feet as the amendment to ordinance passed provides. The signers of the petition take the position that the twenty-four-foot street would be too narrow, although costing more money. It was decided by the Council to hold a meeting Wednesday (last night) to decide the matter, requesting the interested property owner to be present and express their preference.

J.C. Laming and Tom Holton presented amended bills for damages caused by Mr. Holton’s team running away. The bill was again voted down.

The engineers Black and Veatch presented the final estimate for main sewer and disposal works for the sewerage system. Now the Council can pass the ordinance for the bonds and have them printed, for this part of the work.

125 years ago: Feb. 17, 1898

Our city council had the regular monthly meeting Monday evening, but nothing of importance came up. The regular grist of monthly bills was turned into the hopper and allowed. Temporary street crossing was ordered constructed at the arch culvert on Pleasant street and near the school house. A crossing was ordered repaired at Fifth and Bury. It is the intention to lay rock crossings as soon as the ground gets in shape to lay the crossings. No further action was taken regarding the sidewalks that need repairing.

Four warrants for liquor sellers were issued in the justice courts of Tonganoxie this week, and Constable Lawrence made arrests of four offenders. Frank Berry and Jake Pierce were cited to appear in Justice Tholen’s court, and when brought before the court their cases were set for trial next Tuesday.

Jake and Abe Lash were arrested by Constable Lawrence on warrants issued by Justice Cooledge and their cases were also set for trial next Tuesday. The complaints against the joint keepers were drawn up by County Attorney Wendorf and M.M. Boman made the affidavit.

The Marion Record makes a suggestion that ought to at once commend itself to every Republican who believes the triumph of party principles is of greater consequence that the success of any individual whose chief accomplishment lies in his ability to manipulate primaries or conventions. The Record says:

“The Record wishes to renew its regular biennial suggestion that all the Republican County conventions for the election of delegates to the state convention be held the same day. We’ve frequently made this suggestion in the interests of fair play and harmony, but for some reason it has not been heeded by the ‘powers that be.’

“But this year when every true Republican feels the necessity of subordinating personal interests to party good, we feel it in our bones that the proposition will receive better treatment. No use denying the fact that the old system has been used by manipulators for mere personal ends. They have, managed to have the counties where their candidate was strongest, hold their conventions early to start and swell the boom for him.

“We want no such scheming or manipulating, this year. Let all the conventions be held the same day so that there will be no cause for complaint such as has existed in the past. Our plan is followed in all the counties, we believe, in reference to county nominations. The township delegations are elected the same day, and in most counties, where wise councils prevail, as close as possible to the day of the general convention, so as to give the manipulators as little time as possible to interview the delegates. Why not adopt the same policy in reference to state conventions? It will help mightily to win the confidence of the people.”