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. 2, 2000

At the fairgrounds these days, there’s a lot of last-minute building going on. The pounding of hammers and the ringing of electric saws cuts through the thick summer air, where, almost three months ago, the largest recorded tornado to hit Tonganoxie flattened buildings and knock down trees. “It’s going to be a photo-finish of the last nail being driven and the food coming out the door,” said R.J. Stephenson, chairman of the church building committee.

The former building, about 20 years old and valued at about $5,000, is being replaced by a structure that is about three times as large and one that Stephenson thinks will be worth about $30,000. Area builders have worked on the building, along with church volunteers. Stephenson said he thought much of the work would be donated. In recent years, the Methodist food stand was the only anchor left in that area of the fairgrounds, where in years past, about a half-dozen small buildings served as food booths for churches and 4-H clubs.

The shady 23-acre site of Camp Mount Herman is one of the best-kept secrets in the county. And yet, word does get out about the Church of the Brethren property. For instance, last week, 50 high school students, members of Church of Christ congregations throughout the state, attended a week-long camp there. Like all campers at Camp Mount Herman, the youths slept in no-frills cabins near the mess hall. Each of the 10 cabins is divided into two units and each unit holds four sets of bunk beds. One camper sat in the sun one morning. She said that the natural setting of the camp is conducive to scripture studies.

50 years ago: July 31, 1975

Richard Ward Fatherly, a Kansas City Radio Broadcaster and Tonganoxie resident, recently appeared on KMBC Television’s Tuesday afternoon news block. Fatherly did not appear professionally, but to comment on Congresswoman Martha Key’s recent newsletter which requests constituents help in determining spending priorities for the 1976 Federal budget. Fatherly believes she is giving the false impression that defense spending takes up the biggest single part of the budget.


Tom Laming finished second in the National Junior Olympic Weightlifting Championships competing in the 16 and 17 age division of the 132-pound class.


A head-on collision on Highway 24-40 resulted in the death of Corday R. Morris Jr., 29, of Kansas City, Kansas and severe injury to Kevin L. Marley, 19, of Topeka. The driver of a third car involved in the accident was Larry T. Burns who received minor injuries. Morris collided with Marley which skidding into Burns’ vehicle. Larry Burns is the newly hired police officer in Tonganoxie.


Mr. and Mrs. Joe S. Robinson of Tonganoxie will observe their 50th wedding anniversary at the United Methodist Church on Sunday. They were married at the Courthouse in Milan, Missouri by the Justice of the Peace on August 13, 1925.


It is time for McLouth’s 18th annual Antique Steam Engine Show. Three days and evenings of fun for only $2.00.


Jerome and Lynn Paul announce the birth of a son, Erik Michael, and Mr. and Mrs. Terry Fulkerson announce the birth of a daughter, Stacy Lynn.


Eddie Fisher and Della Reese, two of entertainment’s top rated vocalists, will highlight Starlight Theatre’s 25th anniversary season with a song filled week under the stars.

75 years ago: July 30, 1950

The town is “papered” with political signs for local candidates. The primaries are first and the reminder is not to pass up your privilege to pick a worthy representative. Remember, if you don’t vote in the primary, your candidate might not win.

The old-fashioned girl darned her husband’s socks. The modern day girl socks her darned husband. 

Here’s a story that will surprise most everyone. There was a softball game between Tonganoxie and Eudora this last week at the fairgrounds. It was the first of the seventh inning with Eudora leading 13-10.  Base umpire, Bob Elliott called a Eudora player out at first. The team was not happy and to show their displeasure, one girl slapped Elliott’s face with her glove. In all of the chaos that followed, the Eudora team picked up their bats, balls and gloves and went home! I guess that might be called a forfeit.

Mrs. Meryl Caldwell of Pratt, Kansas is here helping her niece, Mrs. Frank Hughes with their new baby boy, Steven.

100 years ago: July 30, 1925

Club Meeting. Wednesday of last week the Busy Bee Club entertained the Reno Ladies Aid and the home Makers Club of Pleasant Prairie and their families with a basket dinner and general good time at the Anderson Grove.

More than two hundred were present and the tables were bountifully laden with the eatables which were served cafeteria style.

In the afternoon games, races, etc. whiled the time pleasantly away and little Mary Ellen Miller, 10-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H. E. Miller, of St. Louis, Mo., entertained with toe dances and acrobatic stunts, and Margaret Kelsall gave some excellent readings in her clever manner, which added much to the pleasure of the event.

Last Sunday, the Black M.E. church members and friends numbering in all about 200 enjoyed a basket dinner on the church lawn following the morning services. Visitors from several of the surrounding towns were in attendance and had a very good time as reported.

The highest oats yield reported here was that of JP Bretz which made 58 1/2 bushels per acre.

An artistic new sign was put in place this week across Fourth Street suspended from the White Garage corner pointing north to the Myers Hotel and the Orange and Green Tea Room and Orange and Green Bus Depot.

Joint Church Services. As noted in advertisement elsewhere in this issue church services will be held at the Klan Park 1-2 miles west of town every evening next week if the weather permits conducted by Rev. M. G. McKenzie, pastor of the local Methodist Church, and Rev. Leslie M. Lucas, pastor of the local Christian church.

These meetings are preparatory to a series of Evangelical union meetings it is hoped will be held here later probably by the Roses or other good evangelists. Everyone is cordially invited and conveyances will be furnished for those who have no way to go if they will meet at the M. E. church between 7:30 and 8:00 o’clock.

125 years ago: Aug. 2, 1900

The ladies of the Methodist church will give a lawn social at the home of Miss Byrd Shockley, near Summit, on Tuesday, Aug. 7. Refreshments will be served, and a program including music and also several selections from a young lady, who is a professional whistler. A merry time is anticipated and all are cordially invited to come.

The Tonganoxie and Standish nines played at Standish Sunday. The score stood 19 to 9. Unfortunately, the local nine got the small end of it. The match game of ball between the Tonganoxie and Eudora Black clubs resulted in a score of 20 to 17 with an inning of the former not played.

Services morning and evening at the Methodist church next Sunday. The subject of the talk for next Sunday evening will be “The Eclipse of the Church”.

The stockholders of the Jarbalo Creamery Association had a meeting in Will’s Hall, Jarbalo, Saturday afternoon, to discuss Creamery affairs. The directors of the Tonganoxie Creamery were present and made a proposition relative to starting a skimming station. The Jarbalo people seemed favorably disposed toward having the local creamery establish a station there, and there will probably be some kind of arrangement made.