25 years ago: Jan. 14, 1998

Over a hundred people, from children to grandparents, crowded into a banquet room at Bitler’s BBQ Restaurant on Thursday to meet Bob Dole. Among other topics discussed, Dole said he used to like to come to the fair in Tonganoxie. He also predicted that “there will be a woman in the White House,” perhaps as early as 2000.

The first baby of the year, Samantha Maree Karten, was born to Jessica and Dave Karten of Tonganoxie. Samantha was born on January 7 at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.

50 years ago: Jan. 11, 1973

A lifetime dream has materialized for Mrs. Mary Blair, Linwood, in opening her own barber shop. The shop has been built in the back of the home of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Blair. She did not work while her son and daughter were growing up. Then she began driving a school bus. Two years were required to save the money to go to Moler’s Barber School in Kansas City, Missouri. She has worked for two years part-time at Pat’s Barber Shop and is now ready to go on her own. Mr. Blair who works at General Motors in Fairfax is solidly behind his wife in her endeavor.

Congratulations to Coach Allen and Coach Wakeman and the members of the Tonganoxie Wrestling Team for becoming Champions of the Pioneer League. It is quite an accomplishment to come from not having a wrestling program three years ago to League Champs.

A review of the 1972 election year produces a big shift in voting in a former Conservative Republican area. It was conservative again, but in a bipartisan fashion, giving President Nixon a wide margin, 10,762 to 4,727, and at the same time supporting a Conservative Democrat, Robert Docking, for of all things, a fourth term in Kansas. The vote on Governor Docking was 10,634, Kay 5,328. It looked like half the Democrats voted for Nixon and half the Republicans voted for Docking. Not only that but they didn’t stop there. A Republican US Senator won big, and a Democrat Congressman won in the second district by a similar wide margin.

75 years ago: Jan. 8, 1948

Bowers Cafe (formerly the Wilks Cafe Home of Fried Chicken day or night) is now offering a nice chicken and noodles dinner for $.75. Children’s plates are just $.50. Coffee or tea is included.

Spoor Variety is offering more than you can get at other stores. The question for the week is “What kind of people pick out the pictures that hang in hotel rooms?” Remember – you can get more at Spoor.

Influenza has been making its rounds at the Reno School the past two weeks. Nothing like having chills, fever, and aches during the cold winter months.

The city is still hoping to draw more business to Tonganoxie by putting on Trade Days. These could be special sale days or a day when your inventory can be highlighted. People will no longer go to the cities to purchase their goods if they can buy here at home. One suggestion is to have less duplicated merchandise and more of a variety. In other words, share with other businesses what you have so that we can stock new products. 

Another concern is the salary for the night watchman. He is paid by a group of local merchants to keep watch for fires or other overnight hazards. Many believe that this position should be paid for by the city, but that means raising taxes. A few of the merchants who pay for this service include Rawlings Produce, West End Lunch, Seymour’s Service Station, and Hunter Lumber. If you want to pitch in, leave your donation with Hervey Quisenberry. Many have contributed, maybe you should, too.

100 years ago: Jan. 11, 1923

According to reports on the street this week a Mr. Henshaw, of Leota, Kansas, traded for the mill with M.B. Rich about two weeks ago. The report is that the present owner intends to operate the mill beginning on a small scale. The news that the mill will be started again is of great interest to the people of this community and the owners will receive all the support possible.

Wednesday afternoon Oscar Warren, who was working in the ditch behind the big ditcher, was killed by a cave in the sewer ditch in the N.W. part of town. The gang of workmen did heroic work in digging trying to get him out, but life was extinct through suffocation.

125 years ago: Jan. 6, 1898

A disastrous freight wreck took place on the Santa Fe railway at Fairmount on Monday. R.H. McClure, engineer on one of the trains, was the only man injured. He was taken to Argentine. He is injured about the legs and body, but not seriously.

McClure left Argentine Monday morning with a train for Atchison to get a load of ice. He had orders to sidetrack at Fairmount, to allow another freight train to pass him. He ran into the siding just ahead of the other train, but he was unable to stop, as the air brakes were working badly. As a result, he ran the full length of the switch track and crashed into the rear end of the other train on the main track. McClure and his fireman saved themselves by jumping. The caboose and three cars of the regular train were badly wrecked.

County Clerk’s office. Leavenworth Jan. 6,1898: Notice is hereby given that sealed proposals will be received at this office up to 12 o’clock of Monday, February 7th, A.D. 1898, for the building of the following bridges to wit: For a bridge across Jarbalo creek on sections between sections 13 T 10, R. 20 and section 18 T.R.21 and for a bridge on Medill ¼ section 11, T. 11, R 21 on Kimmel Road.

Bridges are to be built in accordance with the specifications of County Engineer on file in County Clerk’s office. Each bid must be accompanied by a $50 certified check or it will not be entertained. The Board of County Commissioners reserves the right to reject any or all bids. JW Niehaus, County Clerk.