John’s Memories
Editor’s note: This is one in a series of historical pieces by John Cass Lenahan, who recently retired from a long career in the hardware business. Lenahan is author of two books on Tonganoxie history.
Clarence “Katz” Love and his wife. Katz is probably the most well-known law officer in Tonganoxie. He patrolled the streets and neighborhoods and kept the peace during the 1930s and 1940s.
He never wore a gun or club, other than his fists. I don’t remember him wearing a badge (he had one) but everyone knew him and what he stood for. He made his arrests and walked the victim to the jail (in the city hall basement). Katz was a quiet-spoken man until he gave the command or warning. His fists were his weapons and the word was out that he hit very hard.
Sad but true with the passing of Nadine Vining, the book is closed on this family. Nadine was the last of the Katz Love family. Katz was well-respected, an honest and faithful individual who lived in a period when things were different.
— John Cass Lenahan Sr.