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: June 14, 2000

Now that the recreation commission has added about all the game facilities at the new park that there is room to add, there’s one more game on the horizon. It’s “Name that park.” Ken Mark, head of the recreation commission committee, said he’s hoping everything in the park, including soccer fields, will be finished by the end of the summer. “We’re planning in late August to hold a park dedication night,” Mark said. “We’ll have a cookout for the community, and we’ll officially name the park. We invite people to submit names to the recreation commission.”

Chris Anton Paus, a reporter for the Miami County Republic, submitted an article celebrating the 50th wedding anniversary of her parents, George and Colleen Anton. It is a loving tribute to George and Colleen and life they built.

50 years ago: July 3, 1975

Long lines and big crowds have not been unusual at the Tonganoxie Swimming Pool this summer. High temperatures and humidity are a good combination for business at the pool.

Mr. and Mrs. Gene Whitaker displayed their GOP quilt in front of The Mirror office. This is not exactly the kind of quilt that everyone has lying around. Mr. and Mrs. Whitaker of Kincaid, Kan., formerly of Tonganoxie, put in a few hours’ time to design, sew and collect signatures for their GOP quilt. The quilt has been autographed by top Republican leaders including President Ford, past President Nixon, Secretary of State Kissinger, other cabinet members and U.S. Senators and Representatives. The quilt’s value is uncertain, but the quilt is insured for $5,000.

Friends held a surprise party for Harvey Harris at the State Lake. Harris is retiring after 16 years as caretaker of the lake. The party of over 125 friends and co-workers was sponsored by the National Campers Hikers Association.

Lisa Delisle Stevens and John Richard Fatzer were married at United Methodist Church on June 8.

A tornado last week left little standing as it had been after hitting the Raymond Martin farm on Route 3.

Fourth of July plans at Fort Leavenworth include a 50-gun Salute to the Nation and the 28th annual fireworks display. More than 25,000 area residents are expected to attend. The Garrison Flag will be flying at Bell Hall and the 50 state flags will be posted there for the Salute to the Nation. As the name of each state is called, in order of its entrance into the Union, members of the Fort’s 205th Military Policy Company will fire a one round cannon salute. The salute is a traditional Independence Day ceremony at Army posts.

75 years ago: June 29, 1950

Well, that horse and pony auction was quite the success last week as it drew people from across the state. At least 1,000 people were there from as far away as Wichita with nearly all stock sold. Three local groups of children got new ponies themselves including Buster Quisenberry, Francis Lenahan’s kids and Perry Lee Walters.  

Miss Jessie Ray Taylor, actress and impersonator was here in town this last week. She was visiting family here.

Five western railroads have been affected by the railroad strike which went into effect Sunday, June 25 at 6 AM. The strike is between the Switchmen’s Union and the railroads. This strike is happening even though the proposed wages are higher than those of workers in other industries. Switchmen leaders demand an average increase of 31 cents AN HOUR or $2.48 per day. The Board’s answer is that this will be too great a burden on railroad costs. This is outrageous and reckless according to the Board and its members. This strike, they believe, will be at the expense of the public! The Switchmen’s Union is upsetting the apple cart and causing an unjustified strike against anyone who uses railroad transportation. All of this according to the Five Western Railroads.

100 years ago: July 2, 1925

A social event of more than usual interest to her friends took place at the home of Mrs. J. A. McArthur last Friday afternoon from 3 until 5 o’clock, when the formal announcement of the engagement of her sister, Miss Marie Carter to Edwin R. Rogers of Seattle, Wash., was made.

The house was artistically decorated for the occasion, and the beauty of the spacious porch where the guests gathered to enjoy the cooling breezes was greatly enhanced by baskets of wild flowers and ferns in gorgeous arrangements.

A short program consisting of a solo by Miss Dorothy Bleakley and readings by Miss Blanche Phenicie preceded the serving of refreshments in the dining room, which was daintily decorated in pink, baskets of pink roses, cosmos and gladiolas being much in favor. Miss Flora Carter presided at the coffee urn and was assisted in the serving by the Misses Thekla Laming, Blanche Phenicie and Dorothy Bleakley. As the guests were leaving the dining room little Caralee Laming, daintily gowned in pink, presented each with a card to which was attached a pink rose tied with white ribbon, bearing the name of the bride and groom elect, and the date of the wedding August 12th. Little Margaret Sanders presided at the punch bowl during the afternoon. Others assisting in hostesses were Mrs. L. C. Carter and Miss Ida Tweed of Lawrence, Miss Sue Todd, Miss Ruth Phenicie and Miss Bertha Kinsler.

Buy At Home. How many of the readers of the Mirror at Tonganoxie are spending their money with home merchants? How many are using the home product in flour and feed? How many of us find out if the article we want is handled by the home merchant, before we order from the mail order house, or go to the city to make our purchase?

We have acquired the money we spend from the exchange of the products of the soil, then if we send the money out of the community, we are in the same class as the man who continually takes his crops from the land and never puts anything back in the way of fertilizer. The financial growth of any community is retarded just so much as the amount of money unnecessarily sent out of the community.

The Tonganoxie Merchants average up better than most small town merchants and their stocks are as complete as is generally found in towns the size of this. Of course, you will find a bigger variety in the city to select from. But isn’t the possibility of again getting hold of the dollar you spend worth something to you? The dollar sent out of the community loses that possibility.

125 years ago: July 5, 1900

Several persons have already complied with the new sidewalk ordinance and have built their brick walks, and a number of others are getting ready to do so. All walks not finished by July 30th will be built by the city and the cost collected with the other taxes.

E.A. White, a former principal of the Tonganoxie schools, will again teach the Linwood school at an increased salary. Linwood has also adopted the graded school system.

The delay in the work on the Odd Fellows building has at last ended, and Monday morning, carpenters began to push saws vigorously.

The school board has not yet employed any teachers and will not do so for a few days. There are three applicants for principal.

George Carter, rural mail carrier, has gotten a substantial increase in salary without joining a labor union or going on strike. His pay has been increased from $400-$500 annually, which makes the job worth having.

Corn is much farther advanced than usual this year, and the farmers who planted early are almost certain of a crop.

The annual stockholders meeting of the Tonganoxie Creamery Association will be held a week from next Tuesday.

A white nine and a colored nine had a matched game of baseball Sunday, north of town, and the former won.

The regular meeting of the Tonganoxie Public Library Association will be July 10.

J.S. Grist put a new floor on the Tonganoxie creek bridge near the icehouse this week.