Editor’s note: To capture time accurately, language from the past generally is left unchanged. This may result in some antiquated or out-of-use language from time to time. We try to maintain the exact wording when possible, but edits are occasionally made for the sake of brevity or because such wording isn’t acceptable today.

25 years ago: Aug. 8, 2001

On June 13, Scott De Maranville made one of his regular treks through Leavenworth County, looking for evidence of Indians who lived hundreds of years ago. “I was out looking for Indian artifacts and came across an area that had some burned logs in the ground,” the Tonganoxie native said. “The ground was scoured and all this stuff was protruding a half-inch from the ground.” In that 20-foor by 20-foot area, De Maranville knew he’s made a significant find. Brad Logan, a KU anthropologist was called in to examine the site. “Nobody’s seen anything like this in more than 50 years,” he said. The dwelling dates back to 1000 to 1400. A volunteer crew worked for more than two weeks to uncover the west and north walls of the nearly 700-square-foot building.

As just about any member of Leavenworth County 4-H clubs knows, the annual county fair is well underway. In fact, pre-fair activities began weeks ago. But perhaps what kicks off the fair for many members of the public is the annual parade through downtown Tonganoxie and on to the Leavenworth County Fairgrounds. This year’s parade is set for 6:30 p.m. today. It travels from east to west down Fourth Street. [In 2001, the fair parade was on Wednesday night.]

An advertisement on page 3 asks, “Was This Your Teacher?” Below is a photograph of Miss Nadine Kenton. And the request – Aug. 16 is her 87th birthday. She taught in area elementary schools during the ’30s and ’40s. Please send cards or written memories to Mrs. Nadine Holton.

50 years ago: Aug. 11, 1976

The 50th Annual Leavenworth County Fair begins next week with a fair parade downtown to the fairgrounds and a Fifty-Year record to go with the national Bicentennial. The fair began in 1926 with the first President, O. M. Williamson who was a community minded vocational agricultural teacher who enlisted his students in a successful corn show. Others serving as president were Henry Murr, Maurice F. Black, J.C. Haigwood, Dale Rawlings, Bill Lindel, and G.F. Murphy. When Maurice F. Black was president, he moved the fair from tents on the high school grounds to the present fair location on K-16 at the west side of Tonganoxie. Mr. Walter Denholm served as Director for 35 years and Treasurer for 20 years. Walt Neibarger served as Secretary for 13 years.

Glenn Edward Wager passed away at the age of 72. Mr. Wager was born August 8, 1903 in Jarbalo, Kansas. He was a lifetime resident of Leavenworth County living in Tonganoxie for the last 30 years. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Mary Lenahan Wager.

If you think prices are high in Kansas, Mr. Virgil Morey reports prices of 60 cents for a coke, $8.00 for ham and eggs, 25 cents for a banana and 45 cents each for an apple during their recent trip to Alaska. Mr. and Mrs. Morey, some family members, and other parties who made the trip are with Morey Associates. Mr. Morey said the Eskimos are becoming more modern all the time and at Barrow they heat their igloos with natural gas. According to Mr. Morey the Eskimos are a fairly happy people. One time some boys about 10 or 12 years old asked where he was going to sleep and when he told them he was going to sleep on the ice they built him an igloo. Their lectures and film strips are sold to various schools and organizations in Kansas, Oklahoma, Iowa, Nebraska, Arkansas and Colorado. Each year their trips have become a way of life for the Morey family and community organizations enjoy the slide programs. Next year the Morey’s will explore Hawaii.

George Torneden is looking for relief from the heat.  The Bank thermometer showed 110 degrees. Just minutes before a record for 1976 was reached with 113 degrees.

75 years ago: Aug. 9, 1951

A former Tonganoxie resident, John Merritt died last week in Platte County, Missouri where he had lived for several years.  Merritt developed zinc mines in Wyoming and Joplin, Missouri and was quite the pioneer in the business.  He drilled Wyoming’s first oil well, founded the city of Casper and discovered Teapot Dome.  He had a very large ranch in Tonganoxie in 1926 before he moved on.  He was friends with Wild Bill Hickok, Buffalo Bill, Calamity Jane and Cattle Kate.  

Robert Matthews local high school graduate received a letter of congratulations from Senator Schoeppel as he was awarded the Kansas PTA Scholarship for education studies.

Cover your eyes for this story-The Echo Valley Sunbathing Association met at the convention in Battle Creek Michigan for four days.  You might be aware that these “sunbathers” don’t wear a swimsuit-they wear their birthday suits.  Two members of the Tonganoxie club attended.  Names will be withheld.

Good rains are boosting corn growth which is a big relief for farmers.  With the rains and flooding last month the wheat harvest was a sorry site.  The corn was planted late because of the terribly wet fields and the worst was expected.  Looks like things are heading in the right direction.

Mac Oliver a very aged man in the northeast part of town disappeared last week.  Four young folk, Dean and Lynn Cline, Bob Soetaert and George Mitchell found him three miles north of town along the railroad tracks where he lay.  His head was across the rail and he had no idea what he was doing or that there had been a big search.

100 years ago: Aug. 12, 1926

You can never draw any pay without working unless you first save. What you save earns you money without working. A good investment earns you money while you sleep as well as when you are awake. The Tonganoxie Building & Loan Association helps you save.

Last Saturday evening the Tonganoxie jail was well filled with men some drunk and others caught transporting the liquor to other parts. A Star car was being used by parties from Holton for carrying the fiery liquid and when taken into custody by the traffic patrolman Guy Sharp the men broke the containers and the trail of the car along the pavement was marked by the odiforous liquid as it streamed from the car. The men were released on bond. The others were fined for drunkenness and driving a car while intoxicated. Five at one time in hot weather like the present is about all the jail here can hold.

J. E. North was in town Wednesday marketing a load of a fine variety of both watermelons and muskmelons which he raises and he finds that his six-acre patch keeps him busy hauling them to market, just now.

Miss Mary K. Phenicie, who has been teaching summer school after the conclusion of her regular school work at Wichita, Ks., came home the latter part of last week to spend her vacation until the opening of the school year with relatives and home folks. She will teach at Wichita again the coming school term.

The Misses Mary Wager and Anna and Emma Myers, were at Kansas City Tuesday visiting the wholesale house and in the evening attended the Southwest Retail Merchants Convention at the Hotel President where a six o’clock dinner was served on the roof garden followed by the ready to wear fashion show.

125 years ago: Aug. 15, 1901 

Tax Levy Made 

The city council adjourned from its regular time Monday evening to Tuesday evening and then until last evening, when the regular yearly tax levy was made. The levy was reduced half a mill from last year. About $120 in claims were allowed. 

Bids will be asked for a culvert on Green Street across Bury. 

The matter of advertising for bids for constructing the brick sidewalks recently ordered and which some property owners have neglected to put down was deferred until a future time. 

A seven-year-old son of John McCohn, living on Nine Mile five miles southwest of here, cut a frightful gash in the calf of his right leg yesterday morning, with a hoe. The boy was playing with the implement, and in some manner cut himself. Dr. Coe was called and had to take twelve stitches. Three muscles and a nerve were severed by the force of the blow. 

W. Laming would like to know who went into his barn at night when he was in Kansas City, let the dog and chickens out and took some corn and harness. 

The new piano for Laming’s hall arrived this week. Mr. Laming also secured a piano for his home; both purchases being made through A. W. Thistlethwaite.