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: Oct. 10, 2001

Commissioners unanimously agreed to negotiate a 15-year lease agreement with Citadel Holdings, Overland Park, for the operation of the infirmary and the possible construction of a new building.

The city council is considering hiring a full-time building inspector to enforce the city’s recently stepped-up building safety codes. Mayor John Franiuk says he consistently hears from builders who are unhappy that the city’s building inspector is not available more.

County and school officials have for years worked together to know how to manage emergency situations. In light of recent terrorist activities on the East Coast, now is a good time to review procedures, said Chuck Magaha, Leavenworth County’s emergency preparedness director. “We don’t need to be paranoid,” Magaha said. “We just need to be watching over our shoulders with due respect to the situation at hand.”

Richard Erickson, Tonganoxie school superintendent, said the school district had previously taken steps toward training district employees on how to handle emergency situations.

50 years ago: Oct. 13, 1976

Cynthia Denise Thornton became the bride of Thomas Loren Murry at the United Methodist Church.

Davy Turner, five-year old son of Mr. and Mrs. David Turner, was bitten on the ear by a horse at the home of his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Barnett. He was taken to the KU Medical Center for surgery and returned home the next evening.

There are a limited number of the special commemorative Chief Tonganoxie bicentennial plates available at the First State Bank. They make great Christmas gifts.

Swine flu shots for those 60 and over will be available in the lounge of the Methodist Church Friday.

The Tonganoxie Chieftains won their second league game of the year as they edged the DeSoto Wildcats, 7-6. Debbie Ryan was the Homecoming queen. The Tonganoxie Junior High Band led the annual Homecoming Parade. The parade consisted of bands, floats, queen candidates and decorated cars.

Mrs. Dorothy Irvin announces the approaching marriage of her daughter, Miss Pamella Ruth, to Mr. Johnny E. Putthoff in South Park in Lawrence on Saturday, October 23.

A coffee was held to honor Congresswoman Martha Keys at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Bill Seymour.

Vicki Wedel and Gary Hostin were united in marriage in a candlelight service at the Tonganoxie United Methodist Church. The Reverend Jerry Tubach officiated the double ring ceremony.

Mr. and Mrs. Richard Skaggs received a call from Seattle, Washington, telling them of the arrival of their new granddaughter, Rebecca Ann, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Terry Skaggs.

Remember the turkey or ham dinner at the Congregational Church. There is also a bazaar. The bicentennial quilt will be on display and will be sold by closed bids.

The Northeast Kansas Library Systems sponsored a tour of Laura Ingall Wilder’s Home and Museum at Mansfield, Missouri. Mrs. Max Pittman and Mrs. Robert Turner, the local librarian, attended.

Mr. Beaty, principal of Tonganoxie High School for many years, now retired, enjoys good health traveling and horse racing. Mr. Beatty likes seeing folks from Tonganoxie whenever they are out his way.

Mr. Rodney Stephenson is playing one of the leads in the play “The Bear Who Likes 40’s Music,” at Baker University in Baldwin during the Maple Leaf Festival. Rodney is now employed at the local First State Bank.

75 years ago: Oct. 11, 1951

The two traveling auto mechanics, Tom Robb and Hobart Herries just keep getting lucky.  Today they wired their place of employment that they had won a Victoria Ford!  It will be sold and the proceeds will be divided between all seven Laming Garage employees.  The two will be home tomorrow.

A frightening story and every parent’s worst nightmare took place at Walker school near Bonner. The seven-year old daughter, of a local family was walking the 1/2 mile to her home when a driver stopped to give her a ride. The man in the car told her that her “daddy sent me to pick you up.” After a short drive, the man pushed her from the car and sped off. Her mother was in a state of shock and is under the care of a physician as is her daughter. The doctor reported that the young girl had been criminally attacked.

Certainly, a sad story to report about the death of Mrs. McCune in Jarbalo. The young woman, a farm wife had attempted to bring a herd of horses under control, lost her footing and was trampled. A neighbor and her two daughters heard her cries but were unable to save their mother.

Shilling Electric has 17″ TV sets for sale at $199.99.  Colored TV is optional on this model and can be added now, tomorrow or any time.  This new technology allows you to pick up UHF channels that broadcast from fringe areas.

100 years ago: Oct. 14, 1926

Friday morning the hydrants along Fourth St., were turned upon the pavement, and the various business men got out with their brooms, shoving dust and dirt into the gutter to be washed away. City councilman Foster Laming asks the Mirror to announce that this practice will be continued, and asks that the business houses cooperate by getting the dirt into the gutter, so that the street may be kept spic and span. It looks like an excellent idea.

Old Time Stuff October 15, 1896. Lest ye forget, the old Bowersock opera house was destroyed by fire the night before this issue of the Mirror was printed.

The Christian ladies will have their annual chicken pie supper and Bazaar in Laming’s hall, Saturday October 23rd. Aprons, comforts, quilts, dish towels, etc., will be sold at the bazaar.

Mr. and Mrs. Alex Thompson were sitting down to their dinner, Sunday when they heard a car coming into their driveway and four other cars followed. Last Friday, October 8th was the 4 th anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. Thompson and as all the relatives could not meet together that day, they decided to come Sunday and surprise “Pa” and “Ma”. They came with well filled baskets and enjoyed a very happy time.

George Cook has leased the Hamburger Stand, west of Jeanquart’s Garage, from Eugene Vicinet, former manager. Mr. Vicinet left Tuesday for Victory Junction, where he is planning to locate this winter.

Born to Mr. and Mrs. Leo Kramer Oct. 5, a girl, to whom they have given the name Ruby Genevieve.

The Methodist Aid Society will meet Thursday afternoon October 21, at the church. At this time, they will tack a comfort for their annual bazaar.

125 years ago: Oct. 17, 1901

A story and a half dwelling owned by W. Laming Jr., two and a half miles northeast of town and occupied by R.S. Bishop was completely consumed by fire Sunday afternoon. The family was at home when the discovery of the fire was made but the flames had made too much progress to save the dwelling. Mr. Bishop lost most of his household furniture. The fire was caused by a defective kitchen flue. The owner of the building had only a light insurance of $400. The burned dwelling caught on fire last year, but the flames were discovered in time to save it.

The weather so far has favored the sorghum raisers, and it begins to look as though they will get their cane made up before the juice is spoiled by a hard freeze. Some fields are being worked with the seeds only half ripe.

A deed was recorded Monday, transferring the Jameson blacksmith shop property to J.G. Henry and Charles Spencer. The firm will conduct the blacksmith business under the name of Spencer and Henry.

George Stowe, who did the mineral prospecting at Tonganoxie, has the largest derrick in the gas fields near Cherryvale. He struck one fine gas well and in sinking a little further struck an overwhelming flow of water which choked off the gas.