25 years ago: Aug. 23, 2000

By a 5-2 vote, the Bonner Springs City Council Monday night approved the zoning for a Wal=Mart Super Center to be constructed near the southeast corner of Kansas Avenue and Kansas Highway 7.

An area teenager recently traveled to Washington, D.C. to participate with about 200 other students in a seminar on the media. Sheila Partridge, 17, Leavenworth, is a senior at Tonganoxie High School. From June 24 to July 1, she had the opportunity to tour Washington, D.C., while participating in a government seminar on Media (Fourth Estate) and Democracy. The seminar was led by a group called the Presidential Classroom. Students from across the United States and from other countries also participated in the events at Georgetown University. Partridge was one of only three Kansans to attend. Sheila also had the opportunity to meet Senator Pat Roberts.

The Salvation Army will distribute commodities from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday at Pleasant Village, 711 Pleasant.

It all started out with a garden. Jan and Elden Bailey, who own a produce farm seven miles south of Tonganoxie, never realized it would become their life for a better part of the year. About ten years ago, the Baileys started learning everything they needed to know about farming their own plethora of produce. They’ve made it work. From March until October, the Baileys’ work practically non-stop managing, planting, selling, ordering and maintaining their many crops and plants of fruits and vegetables. “We work 14-hour days with no overtime and get paid $3 an hour,” said Elden Bailey. “We ain’t rich doing this and it’s very time consuming. It’s a challenge, maybe that’s the one thing I like about it.”

50 years ago: Aug. 21, 1975

The “Roaring Twenties” is the theme of this year’s fair parade. For most people the traditional beginning of the Leavenworth County Fair is the fair parade. However, for many the action starts earlier.  Included in that group that goes to the fair a day early would be 4-Hers. Those that bring livestock to show at the fair must be there early and ready to participate in their shows. Tim DeHoff, son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert DeHoff is one 4-H member showing cattle. Tim worked for a year in preparation for the fair with his three shorthorn heifers, angus and crossbreed steers. Tim had to take care of his cattle every day. His work included feeding, brushing, leading and other grooming. Each 4-H member is allowed to sell one of his animals at the cattle auction.


A swimming accident in a Basehor farm pond took the life of a college student, Edward J. McGuire of Brooklyn, New York. Maguire and some friends stopped at the farm pond of Dr. William Burger to swim. Dr. Burger was the father of one of the friends. Maguire’s death occurred after he was swinging from a tire swing and fell onto his back and landed on a rock or hard object.


No progress has been made in solving the disappearance mystery of six-year-old, Murry Bachar. He was last seen Saturday at Fort Leavenworth. He is the son of Austin D. Bachar, Tonganoxie, and Mrs. Veronica Bachar, Leavenworth. After the boy’s disappearance, a large-scale search was made. The investigation has been turned over to the Criminal Investigation Division at the Fort as officials fear foul play in the matter due to the length of time the child has been missing.


Mary Gergick, a senior at Tonganoxie High School, was one of 30 Kansas youths selected to participate in the eight-week summer Youth Conservation Corps Camp at Fort Hays Kansas State College this summer. The program is designed to further the development and maintenance of natural resources.

75 years ago: Aug. 17, 1950

Mr. Norman Babcock, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ola Babcock received a master’s degree from KU at the close of the summer session.  He will return to the staff at Prairie Elementary School as assistant principal.  (Editor’s note: Norman Babcock went on to become the superintendent of the Shawnee Mission School District)

Robert Freeman sold a piece of ground north of the fairgrounds this year.  The fair board states that this land will provide much needed space for commercial exhibits.  It will also free up additional space for parking, games and the horse show.  The Tonganoxie photo from south of town of a billboard surrounded by cows is on the fair catalog this year. “Welcome to Tonganoxie” is on posters and flyers along with the special bovine picture. The new building for the women’s exhibits has been invaluable space and provides a showcase for homemaking projects.

Tonganoxie State Bank reminds us all that it’s patriotic to save.  Saving now means that you’ll have the means to help support our economy when the country needs a little bolstering.

August 20, 1925

Next Wednesday evening, August 26th, the Tonganoxie band will give a short concert on

Fourth street. Everybody will be glad of this opportunity to hear the hometown band

play and hope soon to listen to their weekly concerts.

When the Mirror told about an incinerating plant last week, a “d” slipped in the word

incinerating. Not to be outdone by the Mirror a Leavenworth paper copied our article

without credit and made it an incendiary plant.

Last Thursday night after midnight a couple of Inter State Lines Co. buses had the

misfortune to collide south of town on the curve near the Bert Harman place. One of the

busses was quite badly damaged and the driver received a dislocated knee. Some of

the passengers also received slight scratches and bruises.

Park your packages at Pape’s while you go to the show.

J. W. Foster went to Excelsior Springs, MO., Wednesday on business and to take some

baths for a few days. He will meet his daughter and son-in-law who are visiting there.

Mrs. Henry Papenhausen left last Sunday for Moline, Kansas, where her sister and

husband, B. P. Beeckner joined her in an auto trip to visit O. C. Haywood, a brother, at

Mince, Oklahoma, who Mrs. Papenhausen has not seen for fifteen years.

We want to thank our many friends who are so kindly helping us get the local news to

our readers by reporting the items to this office. Mrs. Williams who is in Bethany

Hospital, Room 306, Kansas City, Kansas, having underwent an operation has been

taking care of the local work on the Mirror and you are surely making it easier for use

during her absences. Miss Izola Farrell is ably assisting us also. Editor.23, 1925

125 years ago: Aug. 23, 1900

Miss Christine Halsted and her music class gave another one of their pleasing recitals at the home of the former last Friday afternoon. The pupils, their mothers and a few invited guests were present, making in all about fifty. The Misses Gamble and Stout assisted the hostess in serving the refreshments of ice cream and cake to the guests. 

Arthur Thistlethwaite started to break ground for his new building yesterday. The new building will be adjoining his present jewelry store. And will be built as best adapted for his business. 

The Ladies Aid Society of the Congregational Church, will meet with Mrs. Stout Thursday, Aug 30th, at two o’clock. 

John Evans has rented the Odd Fellows storeroom and will occupy it sometime next month. The lodge will first have a supper and housewarming in the room.