In recent months, Home Depot has been considering the possibility of constructing a home improvement store in the Leavenworth/Lansing area. But this week, rumors surfaced that the home improvement retailer has decided not to build a store in the area. Pat Peterson, an owner of Lansing Lumber, said that it wouldn’t surprise him if the retailer decided against building in the area. “I don’t think the area [is] big enough to support them and everyone else.”

After receiving a 2002 budget proposal that included a 0.455 mill increase from this year’s budget, city council members asked that an additional mill be added to the tax rate. (A mill is $1 in taxes for every $1,000 in assessed property valuation. Meanwhile, the Tonganoxie school district’s 2002 budget proposal is calling for a 44.089 mill levy – and increase of 2.26 mills. Public hearings on the school and city budget proposals for 2002 are set for Aug. 13.

First State Bank and Trust has opened a new bank in Lawrence at 3901 W. Sixth. First State has another bank at 609 Vermont in Lawrence.

The Ritchey children, Kara, Kylie, and Kenneth are second generation members of the Boling 4-H club. Kylie, 15, is president of the Boling 4-H club. She and her siblings plan to turn the fair into a full week of activities – once again. As they did last year, the three children will camp at the fairgrounds in a tent they pooled their money to buy. By the time the kids hit the sack in the tent at night, they’re worn out. And always, the next day will start early or, as Kenneth says, “with the rooster in the morning.”

50 years ago: July 28, 1976

Ambulance services by the Quisenberry Ambulance shall definitely be discontinued July 31, 1976. We had hoped that southern Leavenworth County would have an ambulance stationed in the southern area to take care of the good people of this area. There has been no definite decision made relative to this matter. We sincerely hope that our decision to discontinue after serving this community for 30 years day and night will alert the people and the county commissioners of the definite need.

The Gideons will have charge of the worship service at the Reno United Methodist Church Sunday.

Tim Smith models the new Tonganoxie High School Marching Band uniform in front of the stone picnic table west of the Junior High School.

Exercise your rights as a citizen – Vote – in the Primary Election Tuesday. Your vote is important to the future of our State and Nation. There will be 311 election workers manning the polling places in the 35 precincts of Leavenworth County.

It may be a first for Tonganoxie, a rock concert that is. Friday a “Smorgasbord of Sound” will be presented at the New Exhibition Hall on the Leavenworth County Fairgrounds. The concert is being produced by David Wray and Sunrise Productions. It will feature local, but charted performers. They include “Cole Turkey on Rye,” “Mass Transit,” and Darrell Wheatley. Wray is the brother of Dana Wray. Miss Wray was incapacitated by a car accident two years ago. She has since received her college degree and plans a teaching career despite her disabilities. Twenty percent of the gate receipts will go to help Dana.

Mr. and Mrs. Stanley S. Wiles III proudly announce the birth of a baby boy, Ryan Crady, July 6 at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.

The Basehor Methodist Episcopal Church, originally Zion’s Kirche, was built by the German Methodists in 1877, ten years previous to the building of the railroad and founding of the present town of Basehor.  It was originally a German church and the minister spoke in German. Rev. Berg was a circuit rider and received no salary, preaching for love of God and humanity. His duties were not limited to preaching the gospel, but was often called upon for weddings, probably uniting more couples than any other minister in Leavenworth County.  Many men took an active part in the building of the church. On August 17, 1901, the German church was moved to Basehor. The church was moved with a single team of horses and equipment which included a turnstile. The church was remodeled and redecorated many times as it was during the winter of 1975 and 1976.

75 years ago: July 26, 1951

The rain is done, but the swampy aftermath of the big flood continues to hurt our community.  The potato crop in Kaw Valley is done for and speculation is that the land has been terribly damaged.  Some believe it may take twenty years to improve the soil.  The fertile soil has been replaced with a heavy deep layer of sand.  Lenape, a small city in southern Leavenworth County is gone with most of the houses gone and the two-room schoolhouse destroyed.  Students will travel to Linwood and Jewett schools for now.  The Abilene paper reported an outdoor toilet hanging from telephone wires when the flood waters subsided!

A stranded horse atop a building in Armourdale was moved to safety this week after spending almost two weeks on the roof.  Flood waters had prevented any earlier rescue.

The Leavenworth County fair will still go on with a parade on August 29.  Prizes will be awarded and all of us are invited to make this fair a big success.  

The school custodian appeared before the city council requesting stop signs at certain intersections.  The council agreed to purchase six signs that Mr. E.E. Meyer will help install.  He also suggested a crossing light for students coming from the west side of 24/40 highway.  

100 years ago: July 29, 1926

A few days ago, a car with a tag “Howdy, drive carefully,” at the rear, drove around a truck at the second curve south of Basehor. A car coming the other way had to drive entirely off the pavement to avoid a collision. The same car later passed other cars when nearing the top of hills. The same citizen who observed this careless driver, also reports that some weeks ago, he drove behind a truck for some distance that had a tag at the rear “This car comes to a full stop at all railroad crossings.” At two railroad crossings the driver came to, there was not even a check-up in speed. It looks like some drivers put on tags for an alibi in case an accident happens.

About 9:30 last Sunday evening a fire was discovered in the upstairs over the restaurant of A. J. White and tailor shop of H. J. Greene. As usual the Tonganoxie Fire Department responded with their well-known efficient work and soon had the flames under control. The fire was confined to the upstairs of the frame structure which is owned by W. H. Moses and the damage is estimated at about $800. The damage to both the restaurant and tailor shop was by the water and is estimated at about $200 each. The origin of the fire is unknown.

Last week Prof. J. N. Broadlick received word from the State of Public Instruction that the Tonganoxie High School had been given a class “A” rating. This is the highest rating that can be given.

Dance every Saturday and Sunday night, Elm Park, Tonganoxie. Good music. Eats and drinks.

Some of the business men on the south side of Fourth street will put up hitch racks back of their stores for farmers’ teams.

125 years ago: Aug. 1, 1901 

Construction of the telephone system of Tonganoxie began Monday, and the poles are being set along Fourth street. The Kansas City Telephone Manufacturing Co., has charge of the construction. 

The exchange will be located in the upper story of the Zoellner block, in the center room facing south. 

The number of subscribers is continually increasing. Anyone desiring a telephone put in a residence or place of business should apply to Fred Parney or William Heynen. 

A farmer’s picnic will be held in Tonganoxie as soon as a date can be procured from Secretary Coburn. The fireworks which were secured for the Fourth of July celebration will then be used. The subjects that will be treated on in the picnic programme will pertain to farming. Secretary Coburn is to be the principal speaker. Others will give short talks. Watch for the date later on. 

The Union Pacific has issued a pamphlet showing the business openings in towns along the line of the road. The Pamphlet is gotten up in attractive style and describes the industries of the Union Pacific towns. Tonganoxie is listed as desiring a canning factory. It is the intention of the company to issue the pamphlets periodically. 

Unusually fine rains for this season of the year have fallen since our last issue, and the predictions of the prophets that the rains would be accompanied by violent storms was not verified. All the rains that have fallen have soaked into the earth. The water did not flow into the creeks.