25 years ago: Aug. 16, 2000

It was business as usual Friday morning as Nathan Macklen, a member of Leavenworth Leaders 4-H Club, cleaned out the stall where his champion bucket calf stayed in the cattle barn during the Leavenworth County Fair.

Sewer upgrades and a possible water project are two of the major projects in the 2001 budget for the city of Tonganoxie. A public hearing was held with no comment from the public and the council passed the budget unanimously. The projected water expenditures are $768,915, while the sewer is about $391,724.

If you haven’t been to Bichelmeyer’s Steakhouse yet, you are missing a real treat. When you walk in the front door you almost feel as if you have walked through a time warp back into the Victorian era. The beautiful tin ceilings, the decor and the gorgeous bar all enhance the feeling. The building was built in 1889. The bar came from Kansas City and had to be dismantled into about ten pieces to get it inside the building. Matt Bichelmeyer said that business has been really good since he opened, but it is a very young business and there are still areas that need work.

An estimated 1,000 fans turned out at the sun-scorched fairgrounds for the fair’s rodeo last week. The rodeo began at 8 p.m. Thursday when members of the Watkins C. Ranch Synchronized Drill Team rode into the arena and showed off their horsemanship to the tune of several patriotic songs. The 20-member squad dazzled those attending with difficult routines pulled off without a hitch.

50 years ago: Aug. 14, 1975

Students in Kindergarten through the sixth grade won’t have to worry this year when grade card time comes around. The ABCDF system has been eliminated for a year and replaced with a grade card with a 1 for outstanding progress, a 2 for steady progress, and a 3 for more progress needed. Under each subject are a list of skills used in the area. They will be evaluated using a plus for excellent, a check for satisfactory or a minus for improvement needed. The idea behind the new system is to show the progress of each student.

When a student signs up for a class or activity he probably looks forward to doing whatever it is he signed up for. This could be said of 17 students who signed up for Steve Hughes’ carpentry class last year. The class built a carport, a smokehouse and a two-car garage.

Tonganoxie High School’s new principal is Russell Duer. He is a native of Alton, Kansas and has had many years of experience in both teaching and administration.

The Leavenworth County Sheriff’s Office was called to the scene of an accident Monday. They found a vehicle about one and one-half miles west of Tonganoxie on Highway 16. The driver was absent but upon checking with Douglas County officials the deputy in charge discovered the car was stolen from a Lawrence resident.

The Leavenworth County Fair begins Wednesday evening and runs through Saturday. The county fair board has tried to schedule something to interest or entertain just about everyone.

Again this year, U.S.D. 464 is participating in the National School Lunch program. We encourage all students to enjoy this nutritious lunch each school day The full price of the lunch is 50 cents for high school students and 45 cents for grade school students.

75 years ago: Aug. 10, 1950

The hiring of the High School Faculty is complete with less than a month for the first day.  Tom Beatty will return as principal and continue his boys’ Physical Education class.  Jean Harman will teach Social Sciences as she did last year.  

A bystander on the street commented that the worst part about recapturing Korea will be that we’ll have to defend them from here on out.

A young man eligible for the draft in Jefferson County wanted to change his registration to the Douglas County office.  His reason-there are more people in Douglas county than Jefferson County so it’ll take them longer to get to him.  

A group of three young men, clad only in shorts showed up at the Bill Norman farm about 9:15 Friday night.  They were soldiers from Ft. Riley who climbed in a car with two men who promised to take them home.  About Tonganoxie way, the two men stopped the car, threw the three soldiers out, relieved them of their clothes and about $90 total.  Bill found some clothes for them and dropped them off at Ft. Leavenworth.  They were on furlough and got tricked on their ride back home.

New fashions for back-to-school fall include beautiful woolen fabrics waiting for your shears, patterns and sewing machines.  Flannel, tweed, gabardine and plaid are all available at Weaver’s in Lawrence.

100 years ago: Aug. 13, 1925

Eveyln Dessery, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. D. J. Dessery, was taken to Leavenworth to the Cushing hospital last Friday by Dr. W. B. Coe and her tonsils were removed. She will likely be greatly benefited by the operation as her tonsils were enlarged and in bad condition.

I now have a beautiful line of Ladies Shoes to select from. The latest shapes and latest styles at only $4.48 for this month. I am saving you from one fifty to three dollars a pair. Look them over. A.J. Taylor, Shoe Store.

The Helianthus Club met last Thursday, August 6th, at the home of Miss Mary Frederick. Ten members and two visitors were present. The first part of the afternoon was taken up in business after which we sang many new songs and a good time was had. Our next meeting will be held at the home of Miss Margaret Gress. Everyone is welcome. Eileen Speershneider, Assistant Club Reporter.

It is probable that the Tonganoxie Swimming Pool will be opened for use Sunday, August 23rd, 1925. The contractor will finish the pouring of concrete on the pool proper this week and the walks around the pool will be laid next week. The grading work is being done. Temporary bath houses will be used for this season. Temporary prices will be made for the balance of this season because of the inconvenience caused by the temporary bath houses. The pool itself is one of the best in the state and the water will be the purest, bar none. If the weather permits the pool will be filled Friday and Saturday of next week, and the attendants will be prepared to handle a good-sized crowd if it is a nice day Sunday, August 23.

125 years ago: Aug. 16, 1900

The M. E. Aid Society will meet with Mrs. M. C. Harris, Thursday, Aug. 23. Something special. All come. 

Miss Kate Boyles, formerly of Tonganoxie, has been elected musical director of Lane University, Lecompton. 

Don’t forget the ice cream social at the Academy building, Saturday evening, under the auspices of the Friends Christian Endeavor Society. Everybody welcome. 

The band boys went to Thos. Chandler’s house Thursday evening and gave him a birthday surprise. A liberal supply of refreshments were stowed away, and the boys enjoyed the affair. 

The Tonganoxie ball club crossed bats with the Standish nine Sunday, just east of town. Our boys came very near not getting into the score book. The tally stood 12 to 2 in favor of the Standish club. 

J.S. Grist will have the Odd Fellows building finished next week. This building has a neater front than any in town. The new storeroom has not yet been rented by anyone but several parties are negotiating for it. 

The ladies of the Reading Circle gave a surprise party to Mrs. S.J. McNaughton, at her home yesterday afternoon, the occasion being her birthday. They took with them plenty of refreshments, and a very pleasant time was spent. 

Postmaster Metz has received a copy of the order which permits rural carriers to cancel stamps and deliver letters received along the route for others on the route. The postage rate for such letters is two cents. 

The Creamery patrons received 17 cents for their butter fats yesterday. The dry weather has caused a shrinkage in the milk supply. Thos. Reardon ran short of stock water last week, and the milk yield from his herd decreased 80 pounds in one day.