Deaths: George Willard, 85, Newberg, Ore., died Jan. 2, 2000; Raymond L. Beach, 75, Leavenworth, died Jan. 16, 2000; Finis E. Dougan, 75, Tonganoxie, died Jan. 17, 2000; Donald G. Wasson, 74, Bonner Springs, died Jan. 13, 2000.

Birth: David and Michelle Fiedler, Burlington, announce the birth of a son, Garrison David Fiedler, born Dec. 21, 1999, in Burlington.

After serving as a home away from home for more than a century, Almeda’s Bed and Breakfast Inn quietly closed its doors last summer. Today the future is unclear for the hotel that is said to have inspired the play “Bus Stop” (William Inge wrote the play). John Tibbetts, assistant professor of film at the University of Kansas, said the play, written about bus travelers stranded during a Kansas snowstorm, was made into a movie starring Marilyn Monroe and Don Murray in 1956.

Elizabeth Evans, 20, is a student at Harlaxton, England, for the semester. Elizabeth left home Jan. 6, and will return at the end of May. Evans is a junior English major at Baker University, Baldwin. Elizabeth is the daughter of Lem and Judy Evans, Tonganoxie.

Establishing a field of pure big bluestem is no easy task. But Carl Langley, Leavenworth, has managed to do it. Carl and Linda Langley are being honored as 1999 Banker’s Soil Conservation winners because of their farming practices that focus on 40 acres of hay growing just south of the Atchison County line and a half-mile west of Kansas Highway 7. A total of 36 acres are planted in big bluestem and four acres are planted in native grasses.

Evan Shaw began showing promise as an architect as a 7-year-old who played with Legos. In a week, he will travel to Italy to study his craft for four months.

25 years ago: Jan. 16, 1985

A reception to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Ben and Margaret Saathoff’s ministry with the Tonganoxie Christian Church will be Jan. 20.

John and Joyce Kaslaitis celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary at a surprise party held by their children Saturday, Jan. 12.

Mark Williams, of Rural Route 3 in Tonganoxie, a graduate of Basehor High School, has received a Presidential Award of Excellence for the 1984-85 academic year at Emporia State University.

Birth: Mr. and Mrs. Robert K. Pierson of Wamego are proud to announce the birth of their daughter, Jamie Lynn, on Dec. 29, 1984.

Deaths: Joseph C. Eble, 87, Leavenworth, died unexpectedly Thursday afternoon in his home; Blanche A. Johnson, 76, Linwood, died Jan. 9, 1985, in her home; Arabelle Jordan, 82, McLouth, died early Sunday morning, Jan. 6, 1985. She had been in failing health for the past year.

Jarbalo Jottings: Michael Collins of San Antonio called home Monday morning to tell of the 13 inches of snow that fell on that city. It has been over 100 years since there was snow there.

McLouth News: The family of Mrs. Mildred Petrie is playing host to a 75th birthday open house for Mrs. Petrie on Jan. 13 in the Leavenworth Jefferson Electric Community room, McLouth. All friends and relatives are invited to attend. No gift, please.

50 years ago: Feb. 4, 1960

Dr. and Mrs. Byron Smith, who have just completed a three month’s trip around the world, were dinner guests at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Young on Tuesday evening. (Dr. Smith, an opthalmologist, did a self-financed philanthropic expedition to India; he performed 375 eye operations while there, and did many lectures.)

Death: Claude Charles Atkinson, 60, of De Soto, died Jan. 28, 1960, at his home following a heart attack.

Births: Mr. and Mrs. Paul Bengston announce the birth of a daughter Jan. 30, 1960; Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Brown are the parents of a son born Feb. 3, 1960; Mr. and Mrs. Lonnie Bundy announce the birth of their son, Dennis Craig, born Feb. 1, 1960; Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Friday announce the birth of their son, John William, on Jan. 31, 1960.

Mrs. Ed Curry and Tim returned Tuesday from Carmichael, Calif., where they attended the funeral for Mrs. Curry’s father, Mr. T.E. Flynn.

75 years ago: Jan. 10, 1935

Fire, originating in a second floor bedroom at the H.H. Harris home, one mile east of Tonganoxie on U.S. 40, resulted in a complete loss of this fine residence Saturday afternoon.

The Harris fire occurred at 4 p.m. Saturday. The loss was adjusted in full at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday. See J.C. Laming & Son for prompt insurance service. (Ad.)

Word was received Monday evening of the death of Mr. William Southers, age 89 years, of Enid, Okla. Mr. Southers was the father of Mrs. Dave Harling.

Robert Soden, 59, Jarbalo resident for many years, died at his home early Sunday morning; Chris Opliger, well known farmer of this community, died Monday morning following a three day illness with pneumonia; Orem Jeannins, age 34, died at the home of his parents. The service was Tuesday.

Linwood: Funeral services for Mrs. Charles Harbaugh, who died Tuesday, took place Saturday.

Bonner Springs, Kansas: C.L. David, 84, died Sunday in Bonner Springs. He was a Kansas pioneer, captured by the Indians in the early days and was rescued by troops under General Custer. He started the first general store in Bonner Springs.

100 years ago: Jan. 20, 1910

Reuben Bashore, one of the two brothers who founded the town of Basehor, died in the home he had so long lived last Saturday afternoon. Mr. Bashore moved to Fairmount township in 1867 and bought more than 300 acres of land paying a price ranging from $10 to $12 an acre. At that time Basehor was a prairie and there was not another house for more than 20 miles. Mr. Bashore first built himself a log cabin, which he lived in until 1879, when he and his brother Ephraim, who came to Basehor two years later, built the first brick house in Leavenworth County. It still is in the family home. (Mr. Bashore left $1,000 for the Dunkard Church, $200 for the Methodist Church, and $1000 for a library.)

The watch lost by Mrs. Carsten and advertised in the last Mirror was found by Harvey Jones.

Mrs. Maud Twist of Basehor is the first licensed woman undertaker in Kansas, and the first funeral she had was that of Reuben Basehor last Sunday. She embalmed the body and conducted the funeral smoothly and satisfactorily to the relatives. (The original issue listed the last name as both Bashore, as shown above, and Basehor.)

A Bonner bootlegger had his wife bring in his supplies in a suitcase and now both of them will have to explain in court the whyness thereof.

The faculty and the students of the high school have formed debating societies. The names and the colors of the societies have not as yet been decided upon. The first program will be delivered Friday, Jan. 28 in the high school auditorium and will be a Kansas Day celebration.