Deaths: Sheila Renee Lunsford, 29, Atchison, died May 11, 2001, as the result of an auto accident; Fala Ellen Mark, 72, Tonganoxie, died May 15, 2001.

Air Force Airman Crystal J. Horan has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio.

Army Reserve Pvt. Phillip D. Thompson has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.

Sam Leighty, a member of the class of 1936, was the oldest Tonganoxie High School alumnus at the alumni banquet held Saturday night at the high school. (Mr. Leighty was pictured along with his daughter, Virginia Walters, a 1971 alumna, and Leighty’s grandson, Mark Walters, who will graduate with the class of 2001.)

Colorful contribution: McLouth couple donate aquarium to KU department. For a McLouth couple, it was snorkeling trips to the Caribbean that piqued their interest in coral reefs. During the past six years, Wayne and Kathleen Gillett have invested more than $7,000 in a 55-gallon aquarium, set up in their rural McLouth home. They purchased pieces of coral from area pet stores, augmenting the colorful underwater life.

Births: Michael and Cassandra Gast, Linwood, announce the birth of a daughter, Carrie Dawn, May 1, 2001; Danielle E. and Shane E. Cooper, Tonganoxie, announce the birth of a son, Eli Charles, April 23, 2001; Mark and Christine Kimberlin, Tonganoxie, announce the birth of a son, Colby Alan, May 5, 2001.

25 years ago: May 14, 1986

Amy Miller, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Darrell Miller, has been named Valedictorian of the 1986 graduating class; Jim Ditty, son of Mr. and Mrs. Morrison Ditty, has been named co-Salutatorian for the 1986 class, along with Andy Gordon, son of Mr. and Mrs. William Gordon.

Mr. and Mrs. Charles Henak celebrated their Golden Wedding anniversary April 27 at the Linwood Community Building.

The family of Norman Wiley celebrated his 86th birthday Sunday.

Deaths: Mrs. Christine May Moore, 91, McLouth passed away May 12, 1986; Roy J. Yates, 78, died May 9, 1986.

Interesting notes: When the Statue of Liberty was built in 1886, she cost $250,000; The Great Seal of the U.S. has 13 of each of these items: stars, stripes, clouds, arrows, laurel leaves, berries, feathers in each wing and tail and rows in the pyramid. This is one case where 13 is a lucky number.

Happy Wedding Anniversary; Joe and Georgia Gruendel, Married May 15, 1926….60 years; Congratulations!

50 years ago: June 1, 1961

Homecoming for Capt. John McKone; First Visit to Home Town Since Release From Russian Prison; Sunday, June 18th, Father’s Day, has been selected by Capt. and Mrs. John McKone for their first visit to Tonganoxie, following his release from a Russian prison. A homecoming and reception has been planned and due to the large gathering expected, will be held at the Tonganoxie Fairgrounds, commencing at 7 p.m.

Bill Garner has returned from six months of active duty with the U. S. Marines. He will go June 6 to Olathe for eight days of training there after which he will receive his discharge. Jim Otto enlisted in the Marines under the Buddy plan with Bill and is returning home Sunday, after receiving his discharge at Olathe.

Congratulations are in order today for Mr. and Mrs. Robert Mills who are observing their 50th wedding anniversary, June 1, today.

We have one true optimist in the Tonganoxie area: Walter Lee Denholm, push-button farmer (milking machines, etc.) north of town, is spending his spare time staking out cabin sites along what would be the shoreline of the new lake, should it be built. We can be just as optimistic as Walt, we’ve spoken for one. — Jere J. Neibarger, Publisher, The Tonganoxie Mirror

75 years ago: May 7, 1936

Charley Sheehan, son of Mr. and Mrs. Mike Sheehan, who live on the Leavenworth road, northeast of Tonganoxie, died in a Denver Hotel some time last Thursday. He was 28 years old.

Charles F. Thompson, age 61, was found dead in his barn, five miles northeast of Olathe, apparently from a heart attack. He formerly lived west of Tonganoxie and burial is to be here.

From “It Happened in Kansas” by FA Cooper: Ghost Towns…Kansas has its share of towns whose existence is lost except for a few piles of rubbish in a lonely spot. But there are more people living in the “ghost towns” of New Chicago and Tioga than there were when these towns existed — city of Chanute now covers them.

Mr. and Mrs. G. A. Emerson were called to Kansas City last Thursday by the death of their nephew, 8-year-old Harry Mathews, who died of scarlet fever.

Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Peterson of Kansas City, Kan., announce the birth of a 7 lb. baby girl, May 1, to whom they have given the name of Stanley Lois.

100 years ago: May 18, 1911

Sydney Martin died in Kansas City, Kansas at half past four o’clock Friday afternoon. He had deferred calling medical assistance until too late. Appendicitis had made too great progress and he could not survive the operation performed nine days before. He was born October 9, 1888, in Hamilton county, Mo. He had been working on and off for eight or nine years, and at the time of his death was employed in the mill.

Four girls were in an exciting runaway Friday forenoon in the north part of town. They were Helen Tourbier, Leanor Laming, Grace Zoellner, and Mabel McNaughton. The girls were out driving in George Redman’s buggy when the horse shied near the plant of the Kansas Condensed Milk Co., and they were thrown out of the vehicle. No one was materially injured but the buggy was considerably damaged.

Jim Fox died at the home of his brother Alex in Manhattan Sunday night at the age of 54 years. The cause of his death was consumption. The deceased was born in the old town of Delaware that once stood on the banks of the Missouri a mile northeast of Lansing. He had lived all his life in this county. While suffering from an attack of pneumonia last winter he was taken to his relatives in Manhattan. The body was brought here Tuesday and the funeral was held at the home of his aunt, Mrs. Yates, the same afternoon. Rev. Ballard conducting the services.

It is estimated that Americans will pay $5 million for seats from which to view the coronation pageant. (of King George.) England certainly is getting a rich revenge for 1776.