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. 24, 2001

Daylight savings time comes to an end this Sunday. At 2 a.m. – or before retiring for the evening – set clocks back one hour.

The road over the dam of the Leavenworth State Fishing Lake is expected to remain closed until the end of November, so that work can begin on the construction of a new bridge. The old bridge was built in 1932 when the lake was new. The replacement bridge, which includes widening the bridge from one lane to two lanes, is a Kansas Department of Transportation project.

The city of Tonganoxie has received applications from 80 people interested in being the next city administrator. The city’s current administrator is returning to his previous job in Wellesley, Mass.

Tonganoxie City Council members, on a 3-1 vote, agreed on Monday to establish a full-time building inspector position. Dennis Bixby, a Tonganoxie resident, has been appointed by Mayor John Franiuk to serve on the Tonganoxie Planning Commission.

Within a year, the city will drill water wells on land it owns near the Kansas River, west of Linwood. City officials are discussing whether to construct a water treatment plant in Tonganoxie or near the river wells – or somewhere in between.

The Assembly of God Church has completed the rebuilding of the church which sits at the southwest corner of Sixth and Church Streets. The May 11, 2000 tornado all but destroyed the church. Church members immediately began to plan the rebuild, which has been completed with help from other Assembly of God congregations and much volunteer labor. The dedication service for the new building is scheduled for December.

50 years ago: Oct. 27, 1976

The cattle shed on the Walt Denholm Farm burned. 400 bales of hay that were stored there were lost. The Basehor Fire Department answered the call.

Tuesday November 2, is General Election Day. Excitement is reflected in the opposing accounts nationally with numerous debates, etc., and it filters down to local communities and counties, as well as states. In fact, it looks like Leavenworth County is a swing area and old GOP areas are battle grounds.

The 122 year-old farm of Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Roach of Easton has been named the oldest family farm in Kansas. The announcement was made at the annual meeting of the Leavenworth County Farm Bureau. The Roach farm is only four days older than a farm belonging to William R. Meairs of rural Lawrence. The original purchase of the farm was made on May 4. 1854. The original owner of the farm was Roach’s great grandfather John Roach.

The Bicentennial Summer Reading Program was enjoyed by 43 area children. Twenty-two received certificates for having read 15 or more books. The first- place winner in grades one through four was Staci Wickam. The first-place winner in grades five through eight was Jelinda New.

Mr. and Mrs. Ed Slawson, Pam and Kent, and Mr. and Mrs. Ed Seelbinder attended the Chiefs game against Denver.

1975 Leavenworth County maps are only $2.06 at the Mirror office.

The Homecoming at the Reno United Methodist Church on Sunday was well attended.

It takes a good bunch of kids on the junior high football squad to bounce back and win two games in a row after losing and not even scoring their first three games. They won against the Garnett Hornets.

An Arizona car tag appeared in Tonganoxie last week, and we immediately wondered - Who is it? Tonganoxie people generally are a friendly group and the lady having coffee alone in one of our restaurants seemed to want to know more about our town. She was Mrs. Eugene Herd of Phoenix Arizona. She had given a lecture at the Assembly of God church and her subject was on the American Indian. This was a missionary program for the American Indian Bible Institute, Inc. Rev. Herman Karriker is the local pastor.

75 years ago: Oct. 25, 1951

Larry James, the three-year old survivor of a fatal Reno house fire has been diagnosed with polio.  This poor child has endured tremendous hardship with the loss of his parents, family and home.  Readers

may recall that the personal property belonging to the estate was auctioned two weeks ago at the site of the burned home.  We continue to hope for the best for this young boy.

Mr. Beatty, high school principal crowned Miss Rita Slawson this year’s homecoming queen.  A hula dance and instrument solos were performed at intermission.  The theme for this year’s dance was Indian style.  A large teepee was placed at the south end of the gym for attendees to view.  The procession of candidates was escorted by Indian clad boys who carried corsages and crowns.

Another sign of our changing times as the Pickens one room school house is being offered up for auction.  Included with the building will be one acre of land.  Many will remember the happy times enjoyed in these single structures.  They seem to be a part of our past with consolidation and sale of unused schools.

100 years ago: Oct. 28, 1926

A few friends and relatives pleasantly surprised Mr. and Mrs. Adam Sharpe Wednesday, October 27th, it being their 54th Wedding Anniversary. A seven o’clock lunch was served and the remainder of the evening was spent socially. Those present were: Mr. and Mrs. T. R. King, Fr. And Mrs. Guy Sharpe, Mrs. N. B Milles, Mr. and Mrs. Ivan Sechrest, Mr. and Mrs. A. L. Knox and Mr. and Mrs. G D. Whitaker.

M. E. Ladies will hold their annual Bazaar and chicken pie supper at Grists Hall Tuesday, November 2nd . Bazaar begins at 2:30 p. m. Supper begins at 5:00 p. m. Price 50 cents 35 cents for children up to 12 years old. The following is the menu: Chicken Pie, mashed potatoes, candied sweet potatoes, slaw, apple salad, cranberries, celery, pickles, jelly, hot rolls and butter, coffee, apple pie a la mode. There will also be a call meeting at the church Thursday afternoon to mark the Bazaar goods. Every one bring their Bazaar articles.

Ernest Coxen has purchased the E. H. Skaggs property, better known as the Cory house, and moved there Wednesday. Skaggs will make their home with Mrs. Skaggs’ mother, Mrs. Rose White for the present.

The Ladies Aid Society of the Christian Church will meet at the home of Rev. McFarland in Lawrence for an all-day meeting Nov. 3rd. Conveyance for all. Meet at Mrs. Walter Quisenberry’s at 10:30.

The Friendly Sunday School Class of the Friends Church had a special meeting and weiner roast at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Jones. The evening was spent around the bonfire roasting weiners and marshmallows and playing out of door games. Later in the evening the business meeting was held. The roll call was answered by twelve members.

125 years ago: Oct. 31, 1901

The Telephone Co., has a number of new phones to put in, but are tied up on account of the non-arrival of poles.

In many places on the hills and meadows there are beautiful spots of green. Most of these are wheat, but some of them are alfalfa. In nearly all cases those who sowed alfalfa in August and September have secured fine stands. Frank Fairchild has a field of nine acres that is almost big enough to mow. H.V. Needham has secured affine even field of seven acres near town. Ray Pearson tried seven acres way up on the side of one of the rock hills southwest of town and also secured a fine stand.

The popping of the safety valve of the engine of the Union Pacific passenger train Monday evening, caused two runaways simultaneously. A.C. Thiry’s surrey team and one of F.M. Lawrence’s dray wagon teams left the depot and darted up Fourth Street.

The street was lined with vehicles, but both runaways missed all of them. The injuries to both vehicles were trifling.

The regular teachers’ examination took place in the schoolhouse last Saturday. Eleven applicants presented themselves, one of them only applying for a first-grade certificate. Nine of the applicants took the examination on the installment plan, the next installment being taken in January.