Ben Saathoff, who recently experienced a fire at his family’s home on 619 Barton, has split his holiday time between tending to his ministry work at the Christian Church and fixing the fire damage done to his house on Dec. 22. (The fire at Rev. Saathoff’s house was thought to have begun in this downstairs bedroom from an electrical “hot spot” contacting a nail.)

Deaths: Agatha M. Scott, 62, of Tonganoxie, died Jan. 8, 1996. William G. Moore, 79, Tonganoxie, died Jan. 4, 1996. Alvin M Shilling, 80, Tonganoxie, died Jan. 2, 1996.

Basehor resident the father of a Dickens’ Village. Pictures show Mr. Dale Breuer with his 52-piece collection of Dickens’ Village, and the rare collectibles making up Beeuer’s Dickens’ Village are taken from the Charles Dickens stories. Each building in the village is from a foot to about a foot and a half in height. The human figures are about four inches tall. Out of the 82 pieces, which make up the Dickens’ Village set, Breuer has 52.

The power went out on Monday, leaving the Tonganoxie Police department, city hall and about 800 city and rural residents without electricity or phone services.

25 years ago: Jan. 7, 1981

Runner: Serious runners never die, they just dress for the weather and keep on running. Sandra Swedo is seen regularly around Tonganoxie, putting one foot in front of the other, keeping her appointed rounds. Such dedication pays off handsomely in improved physical and mental health, and may mean the difference between victory and defeat in competition this spring.

Deaths: Mrs. Frances June Prelesnik, Bonner Springs, died Jan. 3, 1981. Mrs. Prelesnik was born Oct. 15, 1916. The funeral for Sister Eulalia Uhlrich, 68, Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth, was Dec. 24, 1980. She served at orphanages operated by the community, including St. Vincent Home, Leavenworth.

Births: Barb and Jim Owens announce the birth of a son, James Nicholas, Dec. 21. Rick and Gloria Reischman of Edmond, Okla., announce the birth of a son, Christopher Michael, on Dec. 30, 1980. Mr. and Mrs. Antone Simanowitz of Leavenworth, announce the birth of a daughter, Christina Marie, on Christmas Day, 1980.

Jarbalo Jottings: Sam and Jeanine Murphy are the parents of a boy born Jan. 3. They have named him Samuel Albert Murphy Jr.

Jarbalo Jottings: John Meinken received word this morning (Monday) of the death during the night of William Snoddy of Lawrence.

McLouth News: Mr. and Mrs. Jack Wright, Debbie and Mike entertained Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Laster on their 43rd wedding anniversary on Christmas Eve.

50 years ago: Jan. 26, 1956

Louie Needham celebrated his 86th birthday Jan. 20th at his home north of Tonganoxie. Part of his children, grandchildren and seven of his great-grand’s were present. A thrill to him was a telephone call from his oldest daughter in Seattle. Louis is one of the old-timers who was born in the Tonganoxie community and has lived here most of his life.

Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Henry Bruns. Their golden wedding was Jan. 23. The Bruns, formerly of R2, Tonga, live at Gypsen, Colo.

Deaths: Mrs. Charles Woodward received a telegram Tuesday evening telling of the death Monday night of Lulu M. Blinn, a cousin of the Dessery family, at Huntington Park, Calif. She was born at Tonganoxie and visited here in 1952. Alfred M. Luckey, 40, Lawrence, died as a result of an auto accident and services will be Saturday at 1 p.m. in Kansas City, Kan.

Basehor: Mr. and Mrs. Victor Fredrick have a new daughter, born Jan. 22, 1956. They have named her Vicky Ann.

Other births: Mr. and Mrs. George Hawkins III, Kansas City, are parents of a son, born Jan. 20, 1956. Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Mahoney announce the birth of a daughter, Teresa Marie, Jan. 21, 1956.

Linwood: Mr. and Mrs. Robert Elder Jr. have given the name Mona Jean to their daughter that was born last week. Mr. and Mrs. Hallenbeck announce the birth of a daughter, Jan. 22. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Kessinger announce the birth of a son Jan. 22.

Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Mitchell attended the funeral Wednesday of his aunt, Mrs. Susie Chapin at Leavenworth.

75 years ago: Jan. 1, 1931

Mrs. Mary H. Foley, 71, an early settler, died at her home six miles south of Tonganoxie, Wednesday, December 24.

Welcome, Crawford Hatcheries! We, the business men and citizens of Tonganoxie, wish in this way to show our appreciation to the Crawford Hatcheries, for the selection of Tonganoxie as a town in which to open a new business. Official opening and plant inspection: Friday-Saturday, Jan. 9-10.

Pleasant Prairie: Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Leighty were surprised on their 25th wedding anniversary, Dec. 25, by a number of friends and neighbors who gathered at their home in the evening.

JUST-A-THINKIN’. we have on our desk a brand new Christmas present. It is an ash tray, in the form of an elephant. Yep, it seems to have come to that. Two years from now the G.O.P. will probably knock the socks off the Democrats. Then we’ll get a donkey ash tray, dump our ashes and trash into that.

Basehor Farmer Dies: Elbert L. Marshall passed away at his home four miles south of Basehor at 1:30 Christmas morning after a long illness of six months, at the age of 58 years, 2 months and 27 days.

100 years ago: Jan. 11, 1906

Another Veteran Gone: George Meyers died Tuesday night of Brights disease, after a long illness at his home in the north part of town. Mr. Meyers was a veteran of the Civil War. An obituary will appear next week.

An Old Settler: Owen Grady, who lived for so many years south of town, is now living with his son in Leavenworth County, and is becoming very feeble. Mr. Grady was one of the original settlers of what was known as St. Patrick’s settlement. He is 97 years of age, and would no doubt live to be 100 were it not for the injuries he suffered in a runaway accident some years ago. — Atchison Globe. Mr. Grady is living with John McEnulty west of town.

Mrs. G.K. Elston took a course in the Woman’s Scientific Dressmaking College, while at Garnett.

A California physician declares that brain action in the creation of thought is electrical in its nature. That would account for a great many shocking ideas.

Basehor: George Grisham is the champion skater now.

There will be a “mask social” at the A.M.E. church, Feb. 14, 1906.