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: March 28, 2001

A tax to help finance economic development and tourism efforts in Tonganoxie should take effect July 1. In January, city council members approved a charter ordinance that would allow the city to charge a 4 percent tax on local hotel and motel bills. City officials hope that this transient guest tax will provide the city additional revenue, especially with the opening of the Kansas Speedway in Western Wyandotte County.

Four pages of this issue were devoted to introducing candidates for school board and city council, with candidate statements and questions and answers.

Tonganoxie High School forensics participants are continuing their winning streak. The following students will be headed for the national competition in New York City on Memorial Day weekend: Marissa Stephenson and Luke Manson, duo interpretation; Kelly Gibbons and Brooke Ojalla, duo interpretations; Brian Gravatt and Brittain Stites, Lincoln Douglas debates; Caleb Poterbin and Andrew Becker, extemporaneous.

50 years ago: March 31, 1976

Dr. David F. Parker passed away March 28, 1976 at the age of 73 years. He received his M.D. from the University of Kansas Medical School in 1932 and practiced medicine in Tonganoxie continuously until the time of his demise. Like his father, Dr. Ivan B. Parker, Dr. Parker’s life was dedicated to his patients and his community. Wherever, and whenever anyone got sick he used his skill and experience to help them get well.

Rinda Chapter No. 82, Order of the Eastern Star, celebrated their 86th birthday. Even though it had snowed all day and was still snowing many distinguished guests attended the meeting dedicated to Rinda Chapter.

Tonganoxie area residents will have a chance to inspect an ambulance purchased by the county for use in the Emergency Medical Service program. The ambulance and technicians will be in the parking lot of the First State Bank this Saturday.

Two men were killed and a third injured in an accident near Reno. Dead at the scene were Robert S. Brown, 24, and Patrick E. Hushour, 24. Michael Blitch, 28, survived but received first and second burns over much of his body.  All three men were from Lawrence. The car left the gravel road near Reno and plunged into a creek. The car was found upside-down in the water. The two deceased had drowned. According to the Sheriff’s deputies, Russell Harding saw the car while driving his tractor from a field to lunch. He had seen the car on the way to the field but believed it to be a junked car. The Tonganoxie Fire Department answered a call to fight a fire near Sutton-Kolman Ford. Charley Conrad, Don Kraus, and Lyle Fairbanks put out the fire within a few minutes of receiving the call.

75 years ago: March 29, 1951

Another tragedy involving a train rider occurred close to Linwood. The body of a 33 year-old Birmingham, Alabama man was discovered near the Union Pacific Railroad. Papers in the man’s pocket indicate that he was Clarence Forbes. The coroner and sheriff were called to the scene to confirm his death. Apparently, he was riding another freight train and fell from it and suffered a head injury, a severed arm and leg. The police chief in Alabama notified his family and reported to our sheriff that Mr. Forbes was single. He is survived by two sisters and a brother-in-law. His body was taken to Quisenberry Funeral Home and he will be buried in Tonganoxie. His family shared that he was a hobo and they rarely saw him. This is the second time a person from out of state fell from a train near here. Both are buried in our community.

Several grass fires have occurred this Spring-one in the state lake area and another in the timber south of Reno. One large fire started at Jean McKone’s home Many others have been reported along highways. The fire department is busy trying to stay ahead of the flames. Papers from other communities, report calls to the fire departments as well.

The consolidation election to join Pleasant Prairie School with the Tonga district failed in a narrow margin. The vote was 33-26, with all but 4 registered voters casting ballots. So, Mound School will continue to pay for transportation to Tonganoxie Schools, as they do not adjoin the district.

100 years ago: April 1, 1926

Monday noon it started to snow and continued until after midnight Wednesday morning. The snow was accompanied by a strong wind from the north which caused the snow to pile up in great drifts, especially in the east and west roads. Traffic on the Victory Highway was completely blocked Tuesday evening, causing the suspension of all bus service. The mail carriers were only able to carry a part of their routes Tuesday and Wednesday it was impossible to get over their routes at all. Farmers, the bus company and the county were using every effort to open the roads for traffic. A bus load of men were sent out by the Intra-State Stage Lines Co., who worked west from Tonganoxie Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday. Walter McRill and Walter Sample with a tractor and a grader were cleaning the drifts from the highway east of town.

There are still some people who think business cannot be overdone along the Victory Highway, if the improvement being made are any indication. Mr. Schneider on the former Hawkins farm east of town, is putting the finishing touches on a new filling station and Jesse Wood has the foundation in at the old Glenwood corner for a story and a half house that he will move across the road for a dwelling which he will remodel and will serve eats as well as sell gasoline. Victory junction goes into the spring with a new barber shop, and a new hamburger stand.

125 years ago: April 4, 1901  

An Easter social and egg supper will be given by the Ladies Guild in Grist’s Hall, Saturday evening, from 6 to 9 p.m., to which everybody is cordially invited. Supper will cost only ten cents. Come prepared to buy your Easter eggs. 

Eric Schoenau entertained a number of his young friends at his home Thursday evening, complimentary to C.D. McClure, E Metcalf, Wm. Leighty and Malcolm McNaughton, all of whom are students of the Kansas State University. Parlor games were the diversion of the evening. Dainty refreshments were served and Father Time had ushered in a new day, before the guests decided to bid good night to their most amiable host. 

Mrs. SJ McNaughton and her daughters Lucy and Alicia assisted by the Misses Rathbone entertained nine of the K.U. students on Monday, April 1st, from 3 until 6, in honor of Malcolm’s 19th birthday. The time was pleasantly spent playing games, and after a hearty supper the young ladies escorted the students to meet the 6:20 train to the tune of 

“Let her rip. Let her roar. 

Let her go once more, 

Rock chalk Jay hawk, 

K.U. 1904.”