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: Sept. 27, 2000

When the official numbers were tallied last week, Tonganoxie’s full-time equivalency (FTE) enrollment totaled 1,393. That’s a drop from the 1999-2000 school year when the district had an FTE of 1,417. School district budgets in Kansas are partly based on enrollment, and with the state allowing $5,000 per student, the drop in enrollment means another hit of the district finances.

Members of the Tonganoxie Historical Society have brought in Joe Bartlett, of Midwest Silo Company, Clarinda, Iowa to advise them on restoration of the 30-foot-tall silo made of curved red clay tiles. “Building the old silos out of the curved bricks was a labor-intensive process,” Bartlett said. “Later they started making concrete silos, which could be made about three times faster.” For now, the historical society is hoping to add cement beneath a strip of clay tiles where Bartlett said it appeared that lightning had struck. They will also add a galvanized roof and they are considering replacing the concrete base. Bartlett estimated that the silo is about 90 years old.

Tim Tice, 37, has been helping to fight hunger since he was 12 years old. This year Tice was awarded a plaque at the CROP Walk on Sept. 17. Bob and Shirley Kasper, organizers of the Tonganoxie CROP Walk, estimated that through the years, Tice’s efforts had contributed about $4,000.

50 years ago: Sept. 25, 1975

Rhonda Smith accepted her trophy for being the trainer of the quarter horse to win the Quarter Horse Futurity at the Colorado State Fair.

The Tonganoxie High School Marching Band is practicing each morning in preparation for Band Day festivities and parade at Kansas University according to the band director, Bob Hensley. Robert Foster, director of bands at KU, said 95 bands are expected.

Vina Evans observed her 99th birthday Sept. 20.  Despite the multiplicity of years, her son, Lemuel, says her mind is sharp as a tack.

Herb Robbins was officially sworn in as a member of the Tonganoxie City Council. He was appointed by Mayor Lee Mark to serve the term vacated by Laurent Stoner.

A grant to help fund the buying of ground on the same block as the Tonganoxie Swimming Pool has been approved by the Joint Council of Recreation. The grant provided by the state council was in the amount of $4,355. Park board funds will be used to match the grant. The park board funds come mainly from income from the pool. The park board has been in the process of buying the lots adjacent to the pool to provide a park and parking facilities for the pool. Other lots close to the pool were also bought with the help of grants. The city will own all of the swimming pool block. Although park board funds will be used to buy the property, the city council noted that it would provide funds for further work on the lots.

The Leavenworth County court house is the center of local government. There was a disastrous fire and it burned on March 22, 1911.  The original red brick building with a clock tower cost $100,000 with a jail in the basement. The new court house cost $143,952.54. Recent improvements have thoroughly modernized the building.

75 years ago: Sept. 28, 1950

We reported last week about the death of the 31 year-old man from Louisiana. His name was Andrew Whitaker. The authorities have attempted without any success to notify his family. He was buried by Quisenberry Funeral Home at Summit cemetery. No one at his home, including his wife was interested in his death nor his burial details. Apparently, he died friendless and without family.

We had a light frost this week and are wondering if that means colder temperatures are coming early this year. Get your long johns ready to keep the chill at bay.

The Boy Scouts held a paper drive and collected 3,000 pounds of waste. If you would like to help with the next drive, contact scout master Bill Seymour or Harold Needham.

Grover Meyer’s County Fair award winning cow has another title to her credit. Bluhm Fobes Inka is her name and she has produced 587 pounds of butterfat and 15,697 pounds of milk in one full year. She was milked two times daily when she began the testing period supervised by Kansas State College and the Holstein Association of America. Our hats off to her for participation in the Herd Improvement Registry.

100 years ago: Sept. 17, 1925

Monday, September 14, after school the Pleasant Prairie school teacher, Mrs. Meade, and the students of the school numbering in all about twenty-five went to the TC.Davis home where they assisted Ted Jr. in celebrating his 12th birthday anniversary from 3:30 until 5:00 o’clock. Games were enjoyed and bountiful refreshments served by Mrs. Davis. The event will long be remembered by all present who wished for Ted many happy returns of the day.

Last Friday, September 11th was the ninth birthday anniversary of Dick Bair, son of Mr. and Mrs. HO Bair, and on Saturday afternoon the following friends gathered at his home to spend the afternoon in a social way: Wilson and Kenneth Redman, Bennie Hughes, Edward Evans Hoskins, Elgie Jones, James and Mary Nance Fair, Ruth and Maxine McKenzie, Roy Lee and Betty Lou Redding, Junior and Eugene Hunt, Arthur Sorensen, Richard and Primrose Lenahan, Mary Rose McCaffrey, Hazel Coxen, Mary Adelaide Moore, and Elizabeth Van Epps.

School being a week late because of the construction work being carried on, the football squad will have a great handicap at the start of the season. The first practice was held Tuesday at 3:15 with 20 men on hand, six of these being lettermen. Coach Stephen announced that there would be practice every evening unless hindered by the weather.

The season will open with a practice game with the Alumni, to be held Oct. 2. The first real game will be held Oct. 9 when Captain Blackwell and his warriors will battle the Linwood players at Linwood. Coach Stephenson has been under the instructions of Coach Clark of Kansas U. for a time during the summer months, and with his ability assisted by the help of the players, Tonganoxie High will soon have a team to be proud of.

125 years ago: Sept. 27, 1900

The most destructive fire in the history of the town occurred early yesterday morning. As a result of the conflagration, the large establishment of the Zoellner-Wark Mercantile Co., and the store of Stone & Stone are a pile of ashes. The fire originated in the building occupied by Stone & Stone. The alarm was given, and the engine was quickly brought out, but the flames could not be kept from spreading to the Zoellner-Wark Mercantile Co. store and warehouse. Nothing could be saved from the Stone store, and not much from Zoellner’s. By keeping the hose working, the dwelling north of the warehouse was saved. The fire was a hot one and it was fortunate that not much wind was blowing. All the windows in the Bank building were ruined by the heat, and flying embers set fire to the warehouse of the Tonganoxie Hardware Co., but it was quickly extinguished. The Zoellner-Wark Mercantile storeroom occupied by J. H. Dreisbach & Co. and expect to have a big stock of goods on their shelves in a few days. Stone & Stone are as yet undecided whether to open up again or not.

Republican township convention is called for Saturday, Sept. 29th, from 2 to 4 o’clock p.m., to be held at the city hall in Tonganoxie, for the purpose of nominating candidates for the offices of trustee, treasurer, clerk, two Justices of Peace, and two constables for Tonganoxie township. By order of committee.

The members of the Ladies Aid Society, in company with their husbands, went to the home of Mr. and Mrs. A. Green last Saturday night to remind the latter that it was her birthday. To say she was surprised would doubtless be stating it mildly. After passing a very pleasant evening playing games a light lunch was served, and all departed wishing Mrs. Green many happy returns of the day.