25 years ago: Sept. 5, 2001

Chris Clark, who started work 13 months ago as Tonganoxie city administrator, plans to resign. He said Tuesday that he plans to return to Massachusetts. “It was a family decision to move out here, and it’s a family decision to move back,” said Clark, 35. Clark and his wife, Stacey, were attracted to northeast Kansas because members of Stacey’s family live in the area. And she originally is from the Salina area. The couple have two children, Mitchell, 7, and Morgan, 5. “We want to go back. All of us miss friends back there. Professionally, this was a step back in my career.”

Tonganoxie’s building permits for 2001 are trailing behind this time a year ago. And residential housing sales have slowed, realtors say. Lem Evans, a co-owner of Evans Real Estate, said the sales of new and older homes has slowed this summer. Evans said that in his view newer homes in Tonganoxie are priced higher than they were in 2000. “A year ago, we were selling new houses for $130,000 to $140,000,” Evans said. “Now those homes are being priced at over $150,000.” Art Hancock, of Hancock Realtors, said he thinks the demand remains high for older homes. But he did say he noticed a slowdown in the economy. “It’s not just locally, it’s everywhere,” Hancock said.

Three area women have been working for weeks to transform the former Tonganoxie railroad depot into a cheerful and bright children’s shop. Kid’s Depot, which opened Tuesday morning, offers used children’s clothing and toys for sale. In addition, the new store sells all types of used equipment for parents of children, including baby beds, strollers, changing tables, walkers and car seats.

50 years ago: Sept. 8, 1976

The football game of the year will take place Sept. 9 at the High School football field when the famous Junior-Senior team opposes the tough Freshman-Sophomore team in a Powder Puff Football game. If you want an action-packed night of entertainment, don’t miss this game. Admission price is 50 cents per person, to be used for FHA service projects.

The traditional tented circus of yesteryear lives on. Dailey Brothers Circus, one of America’s oldest circuses, will set up its huge spread of canvas at the Tonganoxie Fairgrounds for one day only to present a day of unparalleled circus entertainment. This visit is sponsored by Boy Scout Troop 75, and a portion of the proceeds will be allocated to the Boy Scout Troop for use in their charitable activities. Tickets are $1.50 to all – young and old.

Tim Tice, son of Mr. and Mrs. Merald Tice contributed his part to the Bicentennial celebration by riding his bicycle 1776 miles. To top that off, he pedaled an additional 200 miles to reach 1,976 miles. His biggest obstacle was finding a speedometer that would work. Tim’s first two broke before he reached his goal.

Mrs. Vina Evans will celebrate her 100th birthday the 20th of September. Let’s have a card shower for her. Mrs. Evans came to Tonganoxie at the age of four years from Fairmount, having originally lived at DeKalb, Missouri. She is the daughter of Dr. John and Mary Ann Reno, and was married to Mr. John W. Evans in 1894. Mrs. Evans has lived in Tonganoxie all her life.

Tonganoxie’s population went from 2,545 in 1975 to 2,530 in 1976.

Champion’s has Coca-Cola, Sprite or Tab – 8 bottles for $1.09.

75 years ago: Sept. 6, 1951

Three good weather days and we had us a record fair event.  Wind, rain and lightning did however sweep across the fairgrounds on Friday night, causing downed tents and power outages.  The downpour got well underway and caused quite the traffic jam on highway 16.  All in all, it was a colorful fun three days and we hope to “see you at the fair” next year.

The grade school has started with an enrollment of 203 pupils.  The largest class is grade seven with 33 students and the smallest is grade two with 18.  Good luck this year.

Flags are at half-staff for young Bobby Burroughs who was killed in February in South Korea.  As you will recall, Bobby enlisted in the military at the tender age of 17, hoping to fight for freedom.  The flag covering his casket was presented by the Escort Detachment to his mother.  This has been a sad and difficult time for his family as he was such a young soldier to take on this burden.

A couple has purchased the swimming pool and will sell it IF it is going to be used as a swimming pool only.  These new owners do not want to deprive the children of Tongie of a place to cool off.  

Stranger was at it again, but fortunately did not crest as high as the record breaking day on July 13 of this year.  The creek was in and out of its banks several times this year causing tremendous damage to roads, homes and farm ground.

Joe Wilson guessed the perfect number of seeds in a watermelon out at the fair and won himself a $50 watch!  Runners up received 10 pounds of Kansas Star Flour.

100 years ago: Sept. 9, 1926

Speeders are rarely good sports when taken into court, and usually are fluent with excuses for their transgression. Monday the usual fluency proved disastrous when a speeder was taken before Police Judge Cline. The speeder, a Lawrence man said he was following a Ford and did not go faster than the Ford. Judge Cline, however, had seen the speeder and had noticed there was no Ford in front of him when speeding. The speeder was crestfallen when told this and dug up $25 and costs.

Although the weather man did not give favorable weather for Tonganoxie’s Picnic last Thursday, Friday and Saturday there was a good crowd present on several occasions and a pleasant time enjoyed. Col. Griffith of Dallas, Texas, was in attendance and although the rain prevented his making the address on Tonganoxie, as scheduled on Friday he delivered it to a good-sized audience of appreciative listeners Friday evening. There were plenty of concessions to furnish amusement for old and young and a Ferris wheel and thriller on which to ride and enjoy the time. There was also wrestling and boxing to amuse the athletic fans. It is the general opinion that these picnics will be made an annual affair.

Watermelon and Ice Cream Social with home-made cake in the main street Saturday evening of this week given by the Cumjoinus Class of the M. E. Sunday School.

In spite of the long dry spell the Tonganoxie Corn Club boys have not given up. The present indications are they will be able to show some very creditable corn. Among the thirty-three boys there is still about one hundred and sixty acres of corn to select from.

Perry Walter’s Ford touring car was stolen last Thursday night from the Elm Park where Mr. and Mrs. Walters were enjoying the Picnic. No trace of it has yet been found.

A woman that’s in the mood for feelin’ sorry for herself don’t even think the sun shines as strong on her wash as in the yard next door.

125 years ago: Sept. 12, 1901

Matt Blakely is in Tonganoxie, on a few days visit. He is at present living in the southern part of Atchison County near the river.

Zac Wright, Jr., and wife spent last week visiting in Kansas City, and Miss Bessie Wright spent Saturday and Sunday at the same place.

W. Laming, Jr., is building a barn with two silos in it, that have a capacity of 300 tons of feed, on his father’s farm north of Summit.

The building occupied by Kline’s cigar factory and the Mirror office has been treated to a neat coat of paint.

The members of the new Dafer church have purchased a lot of chairs instead of building pews. L.C. Myers supplied the chairs.

A reception was tendered Miss Palmer at the home of C.J. Halsted last Thursday evening. The amusements were of a musical nature, and later in the evening refreshments were served.