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: June 6, 2001

Lawrence Memorial Hospital hopes to open a medical office within a year in Tonganoxie. The hospital, which is owned by the city of Lawrence, plans to lease a building in a subdivision being developed by First State Bank and Trust.

Storm clouds pummeled an icy rage against the earth. And when Friday night’s torrent of rain, hail, wind and lightning subsided, it was time to survey the damage. “we got hammered,” said Bill Murr, who farms and ranches about eight miles northwest of Tonganoxie. It took out about 300 acres of wheat for us, about 300 acres of corn and about that many acres of soybeans.” The storm took a toll on Murr’s brome grass and pasture land as well, gnashing hay and washing fields. “We got three and a half inches of rain Friday night in about 15 minutes, along with the hail,” Murr said. The hail covered the ground at least an inch and a half deep.

Fifty beekeepers met Saturday for the annual meeting of the Northeast Kansas Beekeepers Association, held at the Leavenworth County Fairgrounds. Some of the beekeepers brought their children and grandchildren, who also learned more about bees. As the youths donned hats, veils and gloves and neared an apiary, Chip Taylor, University of Kansas professor of entomology, lifted the lid and smoked the inside. Then as he scooped up the bees and held them in his bare hands, he talked to the children about how to handle and care for bees. Steve Vernon, Tonganoxie, is a second-year beekeeper. He started last year with two hives, added more, and then lost three to the cold weather. His honey crop produced 200 pounds last year.

A 48-year-old man and his 14-year-old son were rescued Monday afternoon from the rain-swollen waters of Stranger Creek. According to Leavenworth County sheriff’s officers, the man and his son were canoeing in the creek near 219 h Street and 4-H Road when a branch hit their boat, capsizing it.

50 years ago: June 9, 1976

Cynthia Sue Stutzman and John Edward Korb were united in marriage in the First Methodist Church at Halstead, Kansas.

An older woman called it “the best blessing that Tonganoxie ever got”, and a 12 year-old boy said “I’m sure glad it’s here.” However, they were both all wet; they were both in the Tonganoxie Swimming Pool. Since Wilson Myers built the pool in 1925 people have come from both near and far to swim, picnic, or party. Mrs. Wilson Myers said of her late husband, “Once Wilson got the bug to build the pool he went all over the country inspecting other pools.” The fan shaped pool that varies in depth from three to nine feet is the result of Myers’ efforts. To help fund the idea, the Tonganoxie Swimming Pool Company was formed. Myers was president and Foster Laming was secretary of the company. Stock was issued and capital of $25,000 was raised. The pool was a huge success. However, things went bad for the pool, as they did for the rest of the country in 1929. Myers ran the pool despite loses caused by the depression until 1931. They lost it it the county because they were unable to pay the taxes. Then Rev. Tillinghast bought the pool and operated it for the local boy scouts. A few years later George Baker took over operations for three years. Then it was bought by Mr. Tom Butler. Mrs Butler wanted to fill in the pool as a real estate venture however the local youth persuaded her against the idea and she asked $2250 for the pool. No buyers came forward so Mrs. Perry Walters decided in the early 1950’s that something should be done. She said Tonganoxie could not afford to pass up the chance of a good swimming pool for $2250. It was a good business proposition and also something of tremendous value to the life of the young people for the pool to become city property. It was decided to put the question before the people by way of a special election. It was a landslide victory on Election Day. Only four “No” votes. The pool opened as a municipal pool on June 8, 1952.

75 years ago: June 7, 1951

Children’s Vacation Bible School had an unwelcome visitor this week.  The camp was closed down due to an epidemic of whooping cough.  That’s a shame for the kids who were hoping for a great time.

Three young Boy Scouts received the Order of the Arrow awards this weekend.  They are John Zoellner, Bob McKone and Bob Gallagher.  Their initiation ceremony was held at Camp Naish near Bonner Springs.  The council covers eight counties and we certainly were proud to have representation for our troop.

We are sad to report that Private Alvin Werbe of this area has been listed as Missing In Action.  He was sent into battle immediately after suffering from a life-threatening appendicitis and war wounds.  He is with the Fifth Infantry in Seoul, Korea. His family is hopeful that he will be located soon.

One more time we honor two local veterans who served in wars from “long ago”.  George Ellis fought in the frontier Indian Wars of the west and James Deaton fought in the Spanish American War.  Our thanks to both of these brave men.

A Kansas-based film is showing at the Royal Theatre this week and we should all go see it. “The Kansas Raiders” is about the early day attack by Quantrill on Lawrence.  

100 years ago: June 10, 1926

The Annual Sunday School Rally will be held at the Friends church on next Sunday afternoon at 2:30 o’clock. As is the custom each of the town churches, Christian, Methodist, Congregational and Friends, will choose four of the best numbers from their Children’s Day programs to be given at this rally and Reno will also furnish some numbers although they do not have a Sunday School.

Ernest Coxen has installed a free air and water service station in front of his Tire Shop. It is the neatest and most convenient station in town. He invites his friends and customers to fill up their tires and radiators at his place.

At a mass meeting called last evening, Wednesday, June 9th, at the Royal Theatre, it was decided to hold a celebration of the Fourth of July at Tonganoxie. It has been several years since Tonganoxie has had a big Fourth of July Celebration, so let us all join together and have the best time ever.

Mrs. C. F. Redding and Mrs. Edw. S. Hunt will be hostesses this Thursday afternoon at the Nirschl Hall with a miscellaneous shower complimentary to Mrs. Arthur Turner who before her marriage May 29 was Miss Edna Campbell, and Miss Georgia Castell who will soon be a bride. Guests will be wives of the employees of the Franklin plant here, the Camp Fire Girls and the Senior class of which both young ladies were members, and a few special friends.

125 years ago: June 13, 1901

The board of directors of the Creamery Association went down to Reno Tuesday evening, to consult with the farmers of the neighborhood relative to a skimming station at that place. Kahn Brothers wish to go out of the Creamery business and if arrangements can be perfected the Tonganoxie Creamery Association will take that plant. The proposition was made that if the people of Reno erect the building, furnish the water and site, the Creamery Association will equip the plant and pay the same prices for butter fats as Tonganoxie. An effort is being made to raise the money, and it will probably be successful.

Tonganoxie is to have a telephone system. The first steps taken were Monday evening, when the city council passed an ordinance giving seven businessmen the right to build and operate a telephone system for twenty years. The privilege is not exclusive. It will be several weeks before the construction of the line will be commenced, but it is expected to have the system installed sometime during the summer. The company will not confine its operation to town. Toll lines will be built to points outside of town where it can be done at a profit. The extension plans, however, have not been fully matured.