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. 19, 1998

After 52 years in the milk business, Albert Knapp, Jr. of Tonganoxie has decided to retire. He was a field representative for Mid-America Dairymen now Dairy Farmers of America. Knapp grew up on a dairy farm and remembers working for the Sealtest milk plant in Tonganoxie. “It was a beautiful plant,” he said as he explained how milk trucks would line up on both sides of the street in the morning waiting to be loaded. It was spotless inside and they had flowers planted all around the outside; just beautiful.” Knapp hauledmilk and ice cream mix for Sealtest from Tonganoxie to Kansas City. After they closed the plant in Tonganoxie he had a route from Butler, Missouri to Kansas City.

Eleven new teachers start at Tonganoxie Schools this fall. Welcome to Charles VanMiddlesworth, LeAnn Bond, Cathy Cox, Denise LaRosh, Christopher Korb, Kathleen Riddle, Barbara Denton, Jennifer Edwards, Leslie Foster, Linda Lake, and Gordon Lankenau.

50 years ago: Aug. 16, 1973

The Leavenworth County Fair seemed better than usual, better organized, smoother, and more interesting. It began right on schedule. Leading the parade was Sheriff Dan Hawes and Tonganoxie’s Police Chief Gene Times. The Fire Department was there with all equipment including the new truck driven by the former Fire Chief Gene Nelson, who retired but can’t seem to stay away. The sidewalks were lined from one end of town to the fairgrounds. There must have been several thousand watchers. Abdullah Shrine of Kansas City put on a real show with all kinds of interesting displays, small cycles, Model T Fords in miniature, big motorcycles, and horses plus.

Unified School District #464 announced a free meal policy for children unable to pay the full price of meals served in schools under the National School Lunch Program.

Many people are familiar with a famed historic site across the river in Eudora. It is a home high on a hill on the north side of the business district. Fred and Charles Pilla were large early day merchants in Eudora, and they built the 3-story home. The last of the family, Miss Malvina lived the last of her 87 lonely years there before her death in 1904. Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Snyder restored the premises. Fred Pilla arrived from Chicago in 1857. He was a member of the Deutche Ansiedlung (German Settlement Society) that gave the town a strong Dutch flavor. This organization bought the original townsite of 775 acres for $10,000. Eudora was incorporated in 1857. The town was settled before Lawrence was on the map by Dr. Abram Still, a Methodist minister to the Shawnee Indians, accompanied by two Indians, Pascal and Charles Fish from Shawnee Mission at Westport Landing. Pascal Fish had an attractive daughter named Eudora, and they named the town after this Indian maiden.

75 years ago: Aug. 12, 1948

A liquor and gambling raid happened at many of the city’s hot spots this week when Sheriff Turner hauled in one of the largest amounts of contraband the city has ever seen. While all of the action took place in the city, Deputy Sheriff Hoey took two men into custody who were operating a beer and dance dive on 24–40 highway just north of Lawrence. Seven pints of whiskey were seized there along with gambling machines. Two former Leavenworth County officers were hauled into the cross bar hotel in this sweep. Those two men’s names shall be withheld until charges are brought.

Dr. David Parker’s new office is being built just north of Ratliff Drug Store. 

Plans for the 22nd annual Leavenworth County Fair are being made at this time with the addition of new sections to the fair book. A soap Box Derby will be held on Highway 16 with a new class for boys under twelve being added. Another attraction is a pulling contest for heavy horses weighing over 3200 lbs. Also, a national crochet contest, home demonstrations and other women’s displays will be held in the new building.

Watch for the grand opening of Shilling Electric Co. which is General Electric Headquarters.

100 years ago: Aug. 16, 1923

Roberts Rawlings is building a 12 x 18 foot building east of his farm house on the Victory Highway east of town, where he will serve cold drinks and eats. He will also install a filling station for the convenience of the traveling public.

One of the main functions of the Victory Highway Association since its organization, has been the assistance of tourists who wish to travel over the transcontinental highway from New York to San Francisco.

Every foot of the route between the termini has been charted. The strip maps were produced after months of work on the part of the officials of the association and a draughtsman was employed for the purpose of making them. The assistance of the state highway commissions and engineers of the states thru which the Victory highway passed was enlisted in making the maps. They were drawn and printed in Topeka.

Each strip covers approximately 150 miles of the Victory highway. In addition to the location of the highway, the mileage from New York, San Francisco and Topeka are known. The maps are printed on good quality of card board and are suitable and durable for the use of tourists.

On the reverse side of each strip there is given a list of the official hotels and garages which have been investigated by the officials of the association and found worthy of recommendation–Topeka Capital, Sunday August 12, 1923

125 years ago: Aug. 18, 1898

Edminster Items – The social at Walnut school house last Saturday night a week ago was not much of a success on account of the rain. Only $5 was raised.

Stanwood Strays – Miss Lou Swain is still confined to her bed.

Neely Narratives -A new boarder has come to stay and make happy the abiding place of Mr. and Mrs. Jim Ham. Jim says it’s a girl.

Hoge Happenings – Hoge was well represented at Tonganoxie last Saturday. Among the ladies who were there shopping were Mrs. Henry Erwine, Mrs. Dillon, Mrs. Roy Leak, Mrs. Burkle, Mrs. Gertie Klinkenberg, and Clara Doege.

Frank Zoellner has his new brick sidewalk laid.

Henry Toburen expects to begin the erection of a residence in a few days at the northwest corner of 5th and Bury streets.

A tough looking gang had a beer wagon about half a mile from the picnic ground near Boling last Thursday.

Leavenworth County will contribute $38,228 state taxes this year. Shawnee and Wyandotte only contribute more.

Editors are having a comparatively easy time this summer. The fellows who know just how the paper ought to be conducted have been giving their attention to the war.