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: Feb. 14, 2001

Dee Ketchum, the chief of the Delaware tribe of Indians, met last week with the Leavenworth County Commission, seeking support for a casino in the county. If the Delawares can secure land, it would be put in trust, and the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs would hold the title. In addition, the tribe would have to secure a compact with the state of Kansas to open a casino. Ketchum had talked last year with members of the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce. But ultimately, the tribe’s plans for a casino near Lawrence Municipal Airport were met with opposition. So, the Delawares decided to look elsewhere. Ketchum said his 10,500-member tribe doesn’t want to force a casino on a community.

Carol Marinovich, mayor and chief executive of the Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kan., last Thursday announced five major businesses that will anchor the tourism area adjacent to the Kansas Speedway. The companies include Cabela’s, Nebraska Furniture Mart, Warren Theatre, RED Development, Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill and Bar, and an outdoor mall of specialty shops.

Another winter storm iced the area last Thursday, making travel hazardous and causing the cancellation of school on Friday. Even as tiny snowflakes swirled around, this cow, pictured, waited out the storm in what appears to be typical bovine nonchalance.

The president of the Tailgate Ranch Co. south of Tonganoxie has been named the new president of the American Royal Rodeo, Livestock and Horse Show. Paul S. McKie has been elected to a two-year term. He has been chairman of the Royal livestock show for 15 years. “This oldest show of its kind in America is a platform for agriculture,” said McKie. “The beautiful horses, the livestock and the rodeo call together the diversity of our country. It’s a celebration, and fun to be a part of.”

50 years ago: Feb. 18, 1976

A new book return has been installed in the west wall at the Tonganoxie Public Library. Janice Seymour, a member of The Friends of the Library, is one of the first to take advantage of the new facility. The book return was made possible by the library organization working with Librarian Winnifred Turner and the city council. The council provided the funds for the return.

Mr. and Mrs. John G. Haas announce the engagement of their daughter, Marilyn Ann, to Mr. Joseph Daniels Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Daniels Sr. The couple plan to be married June 5, 1976, at Sacred Heart Church in Tonganoxie.

February Special at Susie’s Hair Fashion is $2.00 off an $18 Perm.

Bob Owens and Flapper McCleary nabbed a bob-tailed raccoon on the last night of the season. Owens noted that the bob-tailed variety was a fairly rare specimen.

Mrs. Helen Stiglmire found her first crocus of the year. Can spring be far behind? We also hear that the thunder early morning woke the snakes up from hibernation. That we can do without.

Jeanne Seymour, a junior at Tonganoxie High School, was elected president of District E-East of the Future Homemakers of America. Jeanne will serve as president during the 1976-77 school year.

Connie Swain of the First State Bank has been named Campaign Treasurer for the 1976 March Against Dystrophy in Tonganoxie. Volunteer marchers will conduct this appeal for funds to fight Muscular Dystrophy and related neuromuscular diseases on March 9.

75 years ago: Feb. 15, 1951

George Baker, Tonganoxie Postmaster has a new title added to his resume. He is the official herder for the Leavenworth County Crocheters. Somewhere in the US is the national champion who will be selected from needleworkers all over the country. Any man, woman or child is eligible for the awards, provided one of them completes the project according to 16 classifications. George will be among the judges at the county fair. Winners can receive up to $500 at the national level. There is a Grand National Champion and a Male Champion to be awarded. Get your hooks and yarn ready and begin casting on.

Fern Dick, a former resident who now resides in Anchorage, reports a minus 50 cold wave and sunset at 3:29 pm. Guess we can’t complain, here. However, our temps have dropped from 75 degrees on Sunday past to 10 above on Monday night. That’s a record here. Roads were glazed making driving treacherous. Farmers are sticking around home to care for livestock and mail carriers are not in a happy state of mind. 

A son was born Sunday to Mr. and Mrs. B. J. Wedel at Lawrence Memorial Hospital. No reports on his name, as of yet.

A women’s magazine reports that every American should own six toothbrushes! Six, you say? The reason being that it is more sanitary as the brush should be replaced every three months. I intend to ask my dentist. Not sure if every American even owns one.

Rep. Will Denholm, a Kansas State graduate is secretary of the oldest Grange in Kansas at Jarbalo.

100 years ago: Feb. 11, 1926

Sunshine Grange Celebrates. Tuesday of this week Sunshine Grange No. 1443 celebrated their twentieth anniversary with a chicken dinner and all the trimmings, which was enjoyed by members and their families and friends numbering about one hundred. A number were present from Lawrence, Basehor, and Jarbalo. Many splendid talks were enjoyed among them C. L. Marshall of Basehor and Martin I. Younger of Tonganoxie. Mrs. Kelsall gave some vocal selections and Mrs. Perry Walters gave some instrumental and some vocal selections that were much enjoyed. The Sunshine Grange ranks are growing but only five of the charter members remain: Mrs. Wm. Freienmuth, Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Robb, JE Leighty and HV Needham.

Come and bring your friends to a Washington Tea at the home of Mrs. Henry Geib from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, February 18th. Benefit Civic league. Price 25 cts.

Born to Mr. and Mrs. John Hiram Pratt Saturday, February 6, 1926, a son to whom they have given the name of Robert Harrison Pratt.

Wm. Denholm went to Manhattan Tuesday of this week to attend the Farm and Home activities and will remain until Friday. Mrs. Denholm is visiting with friends in Lawrence during his absence.

The Card Party and Dance given last Thursday evening under the direction of a committee of Library Association Ladies was a splendid success. The proceeds netted more than fifty dollars for their treasury. The first prize for the ladies in the card game was a box of stationery, donated by Simison’s and was won by Mrs. Wilson Myers; while Mr. J. L. Sparks was the winner of the men’s prize, a safety razor and tube of shaving cream the donation of the Ratliff Drug Store. “Summer Girl” coffee, donated by J. H. Bartlett’s grocery store was served and more than half of the cakes served were donated by the Nafziger people. The committee is very grateful to all who donated for the affair and the public for the generous patronage.

125 years ago: Feb. 21, 1901 

The unexpected has happened. Tonganoxie is drier than it has been for years.  

The school children of the upper department in the public school started the ball rolling. Mention was made of this in the Mirror last week, when the scholars notified the joint keepers they must quit by the next day noon. The joint keepers did not take the notice seriously. The scholars, however, were in dead earnest and ready to carry their threats into execution when the time was up. The school board appealed to the scholars not to make the raid. Mayor Laming offered the use of the hall for a temperance meeting, and the offer was accepted. 

In the evening the hall was packed. There was much angry discussion. It was apparent that violence was brewing and that it would be directed against the joints. Mayor Laming wished to prevent an outbreak and took steps to avoid violence. He notified the joint keepers to close peaceably because the people were determined to abolish drinking places in Tonganoxie. The keepers finally agreed. 

Tonganoxie can indeed congratulate itself that the joints have been gotten rid of without the violence that has marked the crusade in other places. One and perhaps two of the joint keepers are acting in good faith and have quit for good. At any rate the town is dry at present in fact as well as in theory, for the first time in years. 

The government has sent nine regulation mailboxes to Tonganoxie, and each one of the new rural routes will have three. The instructions are to put them up at the most conspicuous places along the route, at churches or schoolhouses. The boxes are of the heavy metal pattern used in the cities. 

John Callahan, with two hands, has been working on his coal shaft all winter on his farm three and one-half miles southeast of here. He has dug a four foot tunnel 150 feet long on a slant and timbered it. Several rooms have been opened to facilitate the work of mining. Water has given considerable trouble and it requires one man’s time to do the pumping. It is the intention to ditch the mine. No coal has yet been put on the market and will not be until it can be mined farther in. It is said the coal burns up clean and leaves no clinkers. 

One of those pleasant events that is long remembered took place in Laming’s Hall last Friday evening. It was the party given by “The Rooster’s Club”. The organization prepared the affair in the most painstaking and careful manner for their invited guests, and the programme was a perfect one. Many out-of-town guests were present besides a large local attendance. Fine music had been secured and some indulged in dancing, others in playing cards and still others in social chats. Even the supper was served under masculine direction, and the club fairly outdid themselves in making it enjoyable.