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. 19, 2001

On Saturday and Sunday, passers-by donated a heartwarming $15,436 in a fundraiser to assist families of emergency workers who died in the Sept. 11 World Trade Center tragedy. Jamie Paine, Tonganoxie firefighter, said volunteers quickly sense the public’s urgency to help. “I figured we’d take in $2,000 or $3,000 for the whole weekend,” Paine said. “But after the first 20 minutes we knew it was going to be a lot bigger than anyone imagined. Within that time, the boot was half full – and it was mostly fives, 10s and 20s.”

Phyllis Shilling was pictured as she helped members of Tonganoxie’s Veterans of Foreign Wars hang flags, Friday morning. The veterans and others took the flags down in the afternoon.

Although flu season may be several months away, it’s not too early to prepare for it. In fact, Tonganoxie’s Dr. Philip Stevens began administering influenza vaccinations two weeks ago. The physician said this year’s vaccination protects against three strains of type A influenza – the same three strains as last year’s vaccine.

Tonganoxie Junior High students, faculty and administrators participated in a memorial service Friday afternoon at the school’s flagpole. Pictured from left are Principal Steve Woolf, Garrett Kelly and Sarah Larson. Kelly and Larson, students in the leadership class that planned the memorial service, spoke at the events.

50 years ago: Sept. 22, 1976

The Tonganoxie High School Band, directed by Mr. Bob Hensley, was one of 104 high school bands who participated in KU Band Day. Although they didn’t have their new uniforms to contribute to the color of the occasion, their sharp marching cadence and crisp rendition of John Philip Sousa marches drew applause along the entire parade route. Their performance in both the parade and in the stadium at halftime made one proud to be from Tonganoxie.

Donna Himpel, Honored Queen of Job’s Daughters, Bethel No. 67, presided over the ceremony of initiation. The new members initiated were: Tammy Nokes, Lori Hancock, Jeanne Williams, Mindy Trackwell and Shelly Clark.

Two four-plexes are under construction on First Street and are nearing completion. They are being built by Mr. Ed Slawson and Mr. Ed Seelbinder and will be available for rent by the first of November. This is on part of the former Truitt property.

The KC Royals are having a heck of a time hanging onto first place in the Western division. Pressure builds up, every team is trying to knock off the top dog, and every game is almost decided by a single run. Maybe they’ll win the last game by a single run. Baseball is a good deal like politics, you never can be sure which way the rabbit will jump, until the last inning. It may be nerve racking, but it makes life interesting.

The new Zander-Bloser writing curriculum, approved by the Board of Education, implemented this year, seems to be doing quite well. We feel that writing is one area that needs a great deal of emphasis and hopefully, with the new Zaner-Bloser curriculum, our children will have a much better opportunity to become proficient writers.

The fire at the Hand Laundromat brought disaster to their patrons. However, service will be restored the later part of the week after a new ceiling and flooring have been installed. The fire started in the trash cans at the back of the building and there was much smoke damage to the entire building.

75 years ago: Sept. 20, 1951

After the flood control meeting last week, a petition was approved to request help from the state. A committee was formed to research and obtain $150,000 for a proposed drainage district in our county.  This would be most helpful for farmers and land owners in the path of any future flooding.

Do we call them highways because of the high speeds that some seem to favor?

The custodian at the high school is very impressed by the brand-new gymnasium floor. However, he is concerned that some careless smoker at a meeting might drop a lighted cigarette and damage the wood. 

One of the earliest churches in Kansas has just celebrated its 83rd year.  All current and former members of the Congregational Church are welcome to attend worship next Sunday.  The church was established here in 1868.  

The “Debeaker” is being offered as one way to halt cannibalism in chicken flocks.  The device burns 1/8th to 3/8ths of a bird’s beak and cauterizes the wound.  It is advertised as a painless, harmless solution for the birds however, the chicks haven’t been interviewed as to their opinions.  Another procedure is to place a hog ring in the chicken’s nostrils-preventing them from fully closing their mouths.  This is a time-consuming method and makes one wonder just how big a chicken nostril is…

100 years ago: Sept. 23, 1926 125 years ago: Sept. 26, 1901

J.A. Zimmerman, of Valley Falls, one of the owners of the Valley Falls and Baldwin telephone exchanges and several toll lines, was in town Monday, taking a look at the local telephone switchboard with a view of purchasing one like it.

The township board was in session Saturday and let the contract for building a bridge 24 feet long near Eureka school house to W.W. Wise for $32. The township is to furnish the lumber and the contractor is to do the work and hauling.

The ladies of St. Michaels Guild, are making preparations to hold a fair the first week in December. Aprons and bags will predominate. However, there will be other useful and fancy articles for sale. A hearty welcome is extended to all.

Here are some of the attractions there have been in Tonganoxie this week: A merry-go-round, a striking machine, a lung tester and a tented shooting gallery. Now, if we had had a snake charmer and an oriental dancer, we would have had a complete midway.

The post office department has notified the patrons of some of the rural routes in the north part of the county that the public roads must be put in better condition or the mail service would be discontinued. The officials and overseers of this township have made a special effort to have the roads in good condition because of the rural routes.