25 years ago: Aug. 1, 2001

The front page features a photo of Kevin Jones, Shawnee, and Ralph Brown, Linwood getting ready to put the poultry over hot coals. The annual Linwood Lions Club barbeque traditionally draws a large crowd. Jones said 698 chicken halves were cooked. Jones, who is 42, has been helping his father, Casey Jones, with the barbeque since it was started in the early 1970s.

After a westbound semi-trailer wreck on Interstate 70 blocked turnpike lanes on Friday, an unexpected of traffic inundated Tonganoxie. The accident was three miles east of Lawrence. For two hours, much of the turnpike’s traffic between Bonner Springs and Lawrence was diverted through Tonganoxie. Tonganoxie Police Chief Kenny Carpenter likened the intensity to what had been predicted during Kansas Speedway weekend events. “You have four lanes turning into two lanes right in the middle of town,” Carpenter said. “And so, it’s hard for the signal light to keep up.”

In about two weeks, a Leavenworth contractor will begin to disassemble a 94-year-old bridge over Stranger Creek in Linwood. The bridge left the bank of Stranger Creek when floodwaters rose on June 21.

Work will begin on the VFW Post in early September. After the groundbreaking ceremony last fall, the VFW had to wait for the building permit and then the weather was too bad. VFW Commander Art Miller said the post will have its annual concession stand at the Leavenworth County Fair next week to help raise money for the project. The objective is for the building to be closed in for the winter. When completed, the post home will serve as a meeting room and a place for VFW functions such as pancake feeds.

50 years ago: Aug. 4, 1976

Karen Stephenson and Kris Swezey, both of Tonganoxie are working at “World’s of Fun” this summer. Both have singing parts in the show “Moulin Rouge”. The girls do seven shows daily and for six days a week and are having a great time. Karen and Kris said that many from Tonganoxie have been to the show and all are invited to come and see the production because it’s great!

The 50th annual Leavenworth County Fair will start August 18 and run through the 21st. The fair parade will be Wednesday with the theme of Bicentennial. Bill Seymour is the Parade Chairman. There will be nightly entertainment and activities at the fair.

Mr. and Mrs. Phil Williams are happy to announce the birth of their daughter, Courtney Adele, on July 27, 1976.

The nineteenth annual Steam Engine Show and Threshing Bee will be held August 6, 7, and 8 in McLouth. Many activities are scheduled including a tractor pull for six different classes.

A meeting was held at Leavenworth Mutual meeting room to discuss the possibilities of organization for rural fire service in the Tonganoxie area.

The Tonganoxie Wells reached their lowest reading of the year when they dipped to eight feet last Friday. Approximately 2,000,000 gallons of water were pumped out of the wells last week.

Productive area for farm produce is the Kaw Valley between Edwardsville and DeSoto, where farm markets abound. Sunday’s especially motorists stop for sweet corn, tomatoes, and melons.

It was more than a century ago, in 1874, that grasshoppers hit Kansas. They came in clouds and wiped out the crops. Kansas State University entomologists caution that grasshoppers are building up again this year. It’s not likely they could reach the numbers or match the damage they did in 1874, or even that of the 1930’s or 1950’s. But numbers are up to a concern level.

75 years ago: Aug. 2, 1951

The 1951 Fair is back with some new features this summer including a return of the fair parade.  We’ll have floats, dressed pets, clowns and bicycles.  Rabbits will be shown for a second year with a number of the fancy ones-not just cottontails or jacks.  The women’s division is continuing to expand with the addition of a crochet contest and Betty Crocker Chiffon Cake contest.  The flower show continues to draw a lot of interest as do 4H club premiums.

Two more school houses are closing and being sold. Bleakley and Villa Eden will consolidate with the Mackey School allowing for larger class sizes and a better teacher salary.  

Typhoid immunizations will continue to be offered by the county health nurse from Leavenworth.  These will be offered until the flood driven bacteria is stopped.

Tonganoxie Electric Company has been sold to Ed Korb who plans to move the store to a new location.  No longer will it be next to the Jones Hotel a location held since World War II.  Ed says he’ll relocate in the building east of the post office.

Several local families have left their flood damaged homes here and moved to apartments in Lawrence. Many families lost all of their possessions as the water rose in their homes to the roof tops.  Some people’s treasures were washed several miles down river and are unsalvageable.  

Mrs. Chester Smith and daughter Suzann have returned to their home in Nashville after a month’s long visit.  Mrs. Smith is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C.S. Mackey.  Mrs. Smith’s husband’s family were early residents of the Smith Community near here.

100 years ago: Aug. 5, 1926

Mrs. E. E. Hoskins delightfully entertained the Civic League Board of Control Monday evening, August 2nd. Current events were given by the members. Mrs. Geo. Fisher gave a very interesting book review of “The Little French Girl.” It was decided to close the Rest Room September 1st. Mrs. Georgia Ramsaye was appointed delegate of the Civic league to the First District Federation of Women’s Clubs at Bern, Ks. Mrs S. J. McNaughton is planning to accompany Mrs. Allan and Mrs. Ramsaye to the Federation meeting. Dainty refreshments were served by the hostess.

Wm. Maranville is seriously ill with lockjaw at his home in the south part of town. About a week ago Mr. Maranville received a small scratch on his hand by a barbed wire but did not think much about it, and the poison therefrom went through his system rapidly causing this serious state of illness.

Rev. Stanton, the Methodist minister, was married Wednesday of last week at Kansas City and is now at home in Tonganoxie residing in rooms in the L. C. Cox residence. A shower and welcome was extended to them by the church folk last Friday evening.

What a big girl you’re getting to be, Marian,” remarked one of the neighbors. “And you are six years old today?” “Yes,” replied Marian, swelling with pride. “And if it wasn’t for papa and mamma I’d be the biggest and oldest in our family.” -Boston Transcript.

The Get- Together Missionary meeting at Mrs. M. I. Younger’s on Wednesday, July 21st, proved a real rally day for the Stanwood and Tonganoxie ladies of the Friends church. The pastors from both places with their families were in attendance. Plans and ideas for more extended service in missionary work were exchanged; and the tables literally groaned under the bounteous good things at the picnic luncheon. Sixty-four were present. It is hoped this may become a yearly custom.

125 years ago: Aug. 8, 1901 

It is expected that the new telephone exchange will be in operation in a few weeks. The company that has charge of the construction began stringing wires Monday. When the exchange is completed all patrons will be requested, in the event they discover a fire, to send word to central and a general alarm will be sent out. 

J.A. Duty has sold his barber shop to M.G. Tracy of Manhattan and the latter took possession this morning. Mr. Duty’s health has been failing for some time, and he has decided to move to northern California, taking his departure tomorrow or Saturday. Mr. Tracy will move his family here in a few days. He is an experienced barber. 

The Library Association will give an entertainment in Laming’s Hall on Thursday evening, August 15. The hall has been beautifully repaired and Mr. Laming has a new piano, a Steinway, which would be a great attraction but with the assistance of Miss Mabel Senhousen, a most accomplished musician, we feel that you will be well paid for attending. There will also be an elocutionist, who comes most highly recommended. Come and enjoy this entertainment and also help the Public Library. Admission 25 and 15 cents.