Deaths: Norma Mae Gochenour, 77, Shawnee, died Sept. 24, 2002; Frances Genevieve (Wendy) Wendorff, 96, Council Grove, died Sept. 25, 2002; Gussie “Gus” R. Smith, 69, Lawrence, died Sept. 23, 2002; Joyce Faye Jessup, 66, McLouth, died Sept. 27, 2002.

Tonganoxie native fulfills lifelong dream in U.S. Navy: Tonganoxie native Chris McDaniel says it’s time to fight. “I’m definitely for it,” said McDaniel, who is in the U. S. Navy, of the nation’s debate about a possible war with Iraq. “I think it’s that I personally wouldn’t want a country controlled by someone like Saddam Hussein having nuclear weapons,” McDaniel said. “If he’s going to attempt to make them, I think we should do whatever is necessary to prevent that.” McDaniel, who for most of the past four and one-half years has served aboard the U.S.S. George Washington, spent three months this summer on the nuclear-powered naval aircraft carrier in the Persian Gulf.

25 years ago: Sept. 23, 1987

An Open House in honor of the 90th birthday celebration for Mrs. Lillian Meints will be held Oct. 4, 1987, at the Florence Riford Senior Club, from 2 to 4 p.m.

Deaths: Myrtle Viola Dressler, 93, Olathe, passed away Sept. 16, 1987; Mrs. Mary Woolfolk, formerly of McLouth, died Sept. 18, 1987, in Lawson, Mo. She was born April 12, 1910.

Births: Mr. and Mrs. Roosevelt Barfield proudly announce the birth of their son, Gallean Kyle, Sept. 12, 1987; LeRoy and Ronda Andrews would like to announce the birth of their daughter, Staci Reshae, born Sept. 12, 1987.

Mr. Richard Tinberg has one foot on an old foundation located in the approximate area of the original Chief Tonganoxie Lodge. The former Elmer Tinberg farm is just north of County Rd. 5 and Highway 24-40. (Caption.)

50 years ago: Oct. 11, 1962

Deaths: Mrs. Maude Diefendorf, Tonganoxie, age 89, passed away Oct. 7, 1962; Luther Walter Sandefur, Tonganoxie, age 90, passed away Oct. 6, 1962; Clarence William Sherrell, 66, Tonganoxie, died at a Kansas City hospital after a month’s illness.

A Lawrencian is a member of the crew of the U.S.S. Kearsarge, the ship that recovered Astronaut Walter M. Schirra, Jr., from the Pacific Ocean after his six-orbital flight Wednesday. The crew member is Seaman Apprentice Wavy L. James, son of Mr. and Mrs. Buford Taylor. He joined the Navy last June.

75 years ago: Sept. 16, 1937

Mrs. Sarah A. Fisher, widow of the late C.W. Fisher, passed away this morning (Thursday) at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Charles Sedgwick. She has been a resident of Leavenworth County for 80 years, living 49 years on their farm six miles east of Tonganoxie. She was 82 years of age. She has made her home with her daughter, Mrs. Herbert Baker since the death of Mr. Fisher in 1930.

State Highway 16 runs from Tonganoxie through Oskaloosa, Valley Falls and Holton to Randolph. It used to be known as the Corn Belt Trail.

100 years ago: Sept. 26, 1912

Word was received here Saturday that John T. Keck, a former Tonganoxie boy, had died in California.

The first case of horse plague to appear in this neighborhood attacked a fine mare owned by Frank Wells, one mile south. The animal took sick Saturday and by Monday morning was dead. Dr. Seeley pronounced the case one of horse plague that has destroyed so many animals in western Kansas. It had all the symptoms of that disease. The doctor says he believes that the sickness was brought on by the horse having eaten corn that was wormy at the end.

That was a girl who arrived in the home of William Steinmetz last week, not a boy as reported.

The Lansing news reports the death of a seven year old boy who died of acute indigestion brought on by eating green hazelnuts.