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: May 17, 2000

After the shock of Thursday night’s tornado, Tonganoxie residents and volunteers from across the region swung into action. The buzz of chainsaws and wood chippers could be heard throughout the city. Neighbors helping neighbors. Thursday night’s storm caused at least $2.5 million in damage, according to county officials. At Tonganoxie elementary School, about $300,000 worth of damage occurred when part of the roof peeled off.

Chuck Magaha, Leavenworth County emergency management coordinator, said that 548 homes in rural areas of the county were damaged: Four were destroyed, seven suffered heavy damage, and 47 others received minor damage.

Kaela Humburg’s family thought her aunt’s covered porch would be the safest place for the the four-year-old on Friday morning, as cleanup began. But it wasn’t. The Lawrence girl was killed after the porch pulled loose from her aunt and uncle’s home and collapsed on her. It is likely that the pretty little girl with bright blue eyes was killed instantly.

50 years ago: May 22, 1975

Mrs. Ethel Morey was honored at the joint dinner meeting of the Tonganoxie Sertoma Clubs as this year’s recipient of the LaSertoma “Mother of the Year” Award. The award was presented by the president, Mrs. Raymond Sutton. Mrs. Morey was recognized for her outstanding and dedicated work with the children of our community.

Leavenworth County Clerk, Charles Turner, has released the enumeration figures for 1975 in Leavenworth County. The figures show a population increase of 908 countywide and an increase of 84 in Tonganoxie from 1974. The increase in Tonganoxie was from 2,461 to 2,545.

John M. Evans, 52, formerly of Tonganoxie, was stabbed to death after he had registered in a motel in Kansas City, Kansas. A man forced his way into Evans’ room and slew Evans with a butcher knife. According to witnesses, the motive was determined to be robbery.

The ninth annual Tonganoxie Education Association Award was presented to John Korb at the high school commencement exercises. Korb is a 1973 graduate of Tonganoxie High School. The $150 scholarship will help Korb in the 1975 school year at the Kansas State Teachers College at Emporia. Korb plans to be a teacher.

The Rev. Allan V. Uthoff will be the new minister at the Tonganoxie United Methodist Church following Rev. Ray Bell who will be moving to a new post in Lawrence.

Many visitors find the Miller Irish Garden blooming in full glory with 600 different varieties of iris. The Iris Garden is owned by Mrs. Charles Miller. In 1956 there was a national Iris convention coming up in Kansas City and Mrs. Miller’s garden was asked to be a tour garden.

Mr. and Mrs. David Slawson announced the birth of a son, Steven Warren. Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Slawson announce the birth of a daughter, Dana Lee. Mr. and Mrs. George L. Bowen announce the birth of a son, Brian Scott. Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Jones announce the birth of a daughter, Kimberlea Dawn.

75 years ago: May 18, 1950

More High School and Grade School graduations have taken place this last week. Three seniors from Jarbalo High School have finished their education and 24 Tonganoxie 8th graders are finishing up. Among them is Miss Marilyn Roberts (Editor’s note-this is the former Marilyn Lobb who taught physical education in USD 464). Various one room schools are also ending the year, including Mound, Mayginnis, Faulkner, and Central.

The State Lake is opening on July 1 at sunrise.  If you remember back in 1934, 20,000 people from all over crammed our highways looking to cast a line in our lake. Looks like it could be a repeat performance this year.

It’s true – you may miss a lot by living in a small town but the gossip you hear more than makes up for it!

The Methodist Church basement was the scene of a springtime wedding shower for Miss Betty Irick whose marriage will take place in 10 days. Musical numbers were performed, refreshments served and miniature brides were the party favors. Betty will marry Mr. Bill Stephenson.

100 years ago: May 21, 1925

The election held last Tuesday to vote $40,000 bonds, for the proposed purchasing and repairing of the present High school building and building an annex thereto which will make adequate room for our High School needs, was carried overwhelmingly.

The patrons realized fully the need of the change from the old way and the taxpayers felt it would be a waste of money to raise the taxes to repair the building as it now is arranged and still be cramped for room and inadequately caring for the most important thing in our growing generation, to give them the best in the way of educational advantages.

There were 474 votes cast of which 429 voted in favor of the bonds, 40 against the bonds, and 5 votes were thrown out.

Bids will now be asked for and the construction begun as soon as possible and it is hoped to have the new building and repairs completed in time for the beginning of the school year next September.

Thursday afternoon of last week the Congregational Ladies Aid was delightfully entertained by Mrs. Henry Ewema at their home up Jarbalo way. The time was spent in work and a social hour with only a short business session and the hostess gave a real treat in the bountiful refreshments served. There was a good attendance and all voted her a royal entertainer.

At the end of Fourth street, John Cline Jr. has just fixed up his premises so that you hardly know it and at the entrance to town Will Fincher has slicked up the premises becomingly. These improvements will give bus travelers a better opinion of Tonganoxie’s appearance. Now if The Winter’s Oil Company will go ahead with its contemplated improvements at the end of Fourth street most of the unsightly spots along the line of bus travel will have been removed.

125 years ago: May 17, 1900

Lem Evans has vacated his office, and John Evans is using the room for an ice cream parlor. The Evans real estate office has been moved in with the pump store.

Sam Evans put up windmills last week for Lenahan’s near Dafer, and Andrew Jones near Hazel Ridge. This week he will put in mills for Otto Berger, northeast of here, and W.C. Phenice at Reno. The latter will have a feed grinding attachment.

The graduating class of the Academy has sent out its invitations for the exercises a week from tomorrow. The class numbers six, with a preponderance of males, an exception to the usual rule in graduating classes. The exercises will commence in the Friends church at ten o’clock, and outside talent will take part.

The council had its regular meeting Monday evening, and allowed the customary bills. Two claims were not allowed. One was for $125 damages by C.J. Halstead and the other for $60 damages by L.F. Pratt. The street has been left in bad shape in front of the premises of those presenting the claims, and Mr. Halstead stated that he would wave all claim for damages if allowed to put the street in front of his place in proper condition.

Several ordinances were presented and the council adjourned until the next evening for their consideration.

Tuesday evening, the first ordinance passed provided for six classes of sidewalks. The next ordinance passed provided for the construction of brick sidewalks as stated in the last issue of the Mirror. The third ordinance makes it the duty to kill all unlicensed dogs after June 15th. The fourth ordinance repeals conflicting provisions for the ordinances.

By a unanimous vote of the council the Mirror was made the official paper of the city for the ensuing year.

Mayor Laming was instructed to secure a surveyor to establish a grade between the Union Pacific and Northwestern tracks on Fourth street.

The new sidewalk ordinance takes a pretty good whack at three of the councilmen and the mayor. They will need about a carload of brick between themselves. A surveyor will stake all the sidewalks ordered constructed by the ordinance so there will be uniformity throughout.