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: Aug. 25, 1999

There were mixed feelings around town about the destruction of this old livery stable. Neighbor Margaret Gallagher said that she will miss the building. Located at 319 S. Main St., the building was demolished Monday afternoon. It took the bulldozer operator about an hour to reduce the building to scraps. In 1909, the building was home to A.D. Hamilton Livery and Feed.

Don Waterman commented on the demolition of the old livery stable — the old building was built in 1909 and served Tonganoxie well in its day, when a bag of oats was more important than a tank of gas.

The Tonganoxie Recreation Commission is hard at work on several projects. Playground equipment, including a geo-climber and a swing set, was installed at the new park two weeks ago. Meadows Construction Company will complete the walking trail in the coming weeks. This includes circling the path around the playground equipment to block it off and connecting the path to the VFW Park via the Earl Parsons bridge.

If you’ve spent any time driving around the city of Tonganoxie this summer, you’ve probably seen Jean Lenahan watering one of her many flower beds downtown. For the last 10 years, Lenahan has accrued 14 flower beds around the town that she maintains. She says her that her reason for carrying on this hobby is best summed up in the quote, “Had I but a loaf of bread, I would sell half it and buy hyacinths to feed my soul.”

50 years ago: Aug. 29, 1974

Gayle, Patty and Paula Ruff, daughters of Mr. and Mrs. David Ruff, caught six catfish, averaging 5 lbs. each, in a farm pond in the McLouth area this week.

Quite a catch!

Eric Nussbaum, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ray Nussbaum, raised a 26-pound cantaloupe on the Nussbaum farm, one mile west and one mile south of Jarbalo.

The A&W Little League Team showed their appreciation to their coach, Mr. RI Fairbanks, by presenting him with a trophy enshrined, “To a Great Coach, Little League Champs, A&W Co-Champs.” The baseball on the trophy had the names of the thirteen team members.

Miss Kay Emery of Tonganoxie is among two groups of scholarship recipients to be honored at a special reception in the Student Union at Kansas State College of Pittsburg. Also invited to the afternoon reception are parents of the scholarship recipients, administrators, and members of the College Alumni Association.

The Ahman Karr Family have exhibited their dairy goats at seven shows this summer. They have shown goats at the Missouri and Iowa state fairs. Roach’s Dora and Echo Valley Dorinda have shown very well.

The Agriculture Hall of Fame and National Center in cooperation with the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas, is pleased to announce that starting September 1st a large space exhibit will be on display at the Agriculture Hall of Fame. In addition to the displays there will be a one-hour space film on “The Flight of Apollo 17.”

The Agriculture Hall of Fame has just completed work on the world’s first U.F.O. landing field which is all in fun and for the children. They are also presenting the “America in Picture Display,” which is the largest color photographic display about “America in Existence.” Each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia are represented with over 2500 color photographs in the display.

75 years ago: Aug. 25, 1949

Our Leavenworth County fair kicks off for the 23rd year next Wednesday. It will showcase livestock and crops, flowers and farm equipment. There will be a little bit of everything for everyone to enjoy. Church stands will be up and frying chicken and serving homemade pies. The Catholic Ladies Church stand is where you can get your fried chicken!

The Soap Box Derby will be held Friday with a BICYCLE as the first prize. Yes, you read that right. Boys, get your wagons ready!

James Throop, a 20-year-old Jarbalo rural resident, has polio. He is over the worst of the attack and is at home.  His right arm is partly paralyzed.  

The Kansas City Star newspaper says, “Television on October 16.” If you need parts or equipment, contact Shilling Electric Company.

They will also be glad to explain television practices and policies. Shilling’s will have television receivers on display in their tent at the county fair. 

100 years ago: Aug. 28, 1924

There will be a lawn social and chicken fry given September 6th at the residence of Mrs. Delta Jarrett, for the benefit of AME Church. All are invited to attend.

Mr. and Mrs. Fred Cronemeyer announce the birth of a son August 23rd, 1924.

A daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. Fred Whittlesey Aug. 16, 1924, to whom they have given the name Jaunita.

An obituary was printed for James William Bennett, age 77 years, none months and one day old. Mr. Bennett was a soldier in the Civil War of 1861-65, Company B, 9th Iowa Cavalry.

Edminster — The last meeting of the Wa-was Club for the summer will be held with Miss Margaret Jeffries on Sept. 4.

125 years ago: Aug. 24, 1899

The heaviest storm of this year and perhaps for years, swept over Tonganoxie last night, about 10 p.m.. The thermometer went above 100 in the shade in the afternoon, and after sundown dark clouds appeared in the northwest. Preceding the heavy blow, there was a violent electrical disturbance.

The storm was a twister for trees were broken off and thrown in all directions except west. The damage is heavy to both shade and fruit trees.

The chimneys at the public-school house were blown away, and many of the shingles from the Academy roof were distributed in Frank Zoellner’s yard.

The barn at the parsonage was blown over, and Mrs. Blinn’s barn was lifted from its foundation and left tilted to one side.

Many people fled into their cellars and others were getting ready to migrate when the storm abated.

The fall of water accompanying the storm was considerable and very much needed. If the storm was of any extent it undoubtedly did much damage to growing corn and cane.