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. 1, 1999

The Knights of Columbus will sponsor a Bingo Night and Chili Supper on Dec. 4 at the Sacred Heart Church basement. Bingo starts at 7 p.m. Chili, a dessert, drink, and crackers will be available for $5 for adults and $2.50 for children ages 5 through 12. Children younger than 5 are free, but they won’t receive a bingo card. Babysitters will be provided.

John C. Lenahan, Sr. just published his second volume of “Yesteryears,” a pictorial history of the Tonganoxie community. It makes sense that Lenahan would be drawn to the stories that illustrate this area’s early days. “It’s interesting, it’s a hobby…It’s just something that I wanted to do,” said Lenahan.

The new Sonic restaurant is being built by Russell Cotton, of Cotton Construction, Rantoul. He has built many Sonics throughout the Midwest.

50 years ago: Dec. 5, 1974

Fire of undetermined origin completely destroyed the farm home of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Graham six miles west of Tonganoxie. The house and a trailer, also used as living quarters, were both burned to the ground. The family included three children. No one was home at the time of the fire.

Mr. and Mrs. John A. Duncanson, II, announce the birth of a daughter, Tiffany Nicole. Maternal grandparents are Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Korb and paternal grandparents are Mr. and Mr. John A. Duncanson. Mrs. Bert Warren is the maternal great grandmother.

The Leavenworth County home of Williams A. Harris, Populist Party senator from Kansas from 1897 to 1903, has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places. The home, now owned by Thomas Lavin, is located on K-32 west of Bonner Springs at Linwood. William A. Harris, a Confederate soldier during the Civil War, came to Kansas in 1865 and built the house in 1884. He was one of the corps of engineers who built the Union Pacific Railroad. His most conspicuous service as a senator was in the settlement of government claims against the Pacific railroads. The settlement was reported to have saved the government more than $15 million. He died in Chicago in 1909.

Forecasts of a rough winter are beginning to materialize. The first measurable snow of the season fell during the night. A rash of minor accidents were reported due to slick road conditions.

75 years ago: Dec. 1, 1949

We have a serious crisis brewing here in our small village and that is an ice cream shortage! Franklin Ice Cream Company could have an employee strike that would bring supply of the delicious treat to a screeching halt. Milk comes into the plant from a wide swath of the county, which would have to be diverted to other locales. This is the first time anything of this sort has happened. As per the union contract, the plant managers cannot hire others to run the operation. Let’s all hope for a resolution soon so we can continue to enjoy this frozen sweet.

The Community Club is once again offering cash prizes for home light displays during the holiday season. First, second and third places will receive $10, $5, and $3 respectively, with a nod toward religious displays primarily. The Club has decided to forgo the criss cross lights that have decorated our downtown for at least 20 years.  The new focus will be on individual store displays, together with the new white way lights on 4th street.

The Ratliff Brothers held a reunion at the south end of Pleasant Street this weekend when the four sons, who are all druggists came home to visit. Over 70 years ago J.W. Ratliff built the pharmacy on Fourth Street. Walter, Guy, Floyd and Dean became pharmacists and their sister, Eleanor was an employee of the state board of health in Topeka.  The get together was enjoyed by one and all.

100 years ago: Nov. 27, 1924

Oscar Davis has his coffee shop open and is doing business in his new stand, serving his first customers last Saturday. His location is just west of the Conley barber shop.

George McBroom returned home last Friday evening from spending a couple days at Kansas City enjoying the Royal Stock Show.

Herbert Rawlings has again become the owner of the filling station east of town having purchased it from Mr. H.A. Fail. Possession was given on Tuesday of this week. Mr. Rawlings and family moving there from town, and Mr. Fail and family moving to a home on the Pat Lenahan farm and will work for Mr. Lenahan husking corn for the present.

Glen Jones and Ralph Duncanson are making lockers and high school students taking physical education will be assigned a locker in which to keep their athletic equipment.

125 years ago: Nov. 30, 1899

Linwood – A general good time was reported at the entertainment held in the Knights of Pythias Hall last Saturday night, Miss Phoebe Kapp getting the quilt for the best looking young lady present.

Ackerland – Byron Swain, Mrs. Jones and Rev. White and wife, all of the Stanwood neighborhood, boarded the train at this place last Friday, to attend the Friends Quarterly meeting at Leavenworth.

Edminster – Uncle John Morrow tells us he does not feel quite as well as usual.

J.H. Dreisbach & Co. have put in a telephone between their elevator and store which works like a charm and will be a great convenience in their business.

Uncle Ben Elliot, while riding a horse, was thrown from the animal and fell on his right hip. He got a painful bruise and is unable to use his wooden leg as a consequence.

Changes to Business: If current rumors are true, Tonganoxie will soon lose another joint, reducing the number to three.

A rural mail route from Tonganoxie will be established about January 1st and it will be the fourth route in Leavenworth County. The new route will give this county the best rural mail service of any county in Kansas. The first Leavenworth County route to be established was from Bonner Springs. And two more routes were established from Linwood Oct 2.