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. 26, 2001

During pregame ceremonies Friday night at Beatty Field, Dustin Schultz and Samantha Hassinger were crowned king and queen of Homecoming 2001. Following the ceremony, the Chieftain football team faced off against De Soto, and won the thriller of a game, 23-30.

Paula Prosser, 13, daughter of Buz and Susie Prosser, Tonganoxie, has been selected to represent Kansas- Leavenworth County at the 2001 Miss American Preteen Pageant. Paula was the first runner-up in the pre-teen division, and she won the talent and acting competition in preteen.

In the next few months, Tonganoxie City Council members will have some decisions to make about the city’s water supply. Presently the city obtains water from a well in Tonganoxie, and it purchases water that is treated in Bonner Springs and pumped here.

The council is looking at proposals to construct a water treatment plant to treat the water from city-owner wells near the Kansas River, west of Linwood. By Dec. 31, 2002, work on the wells must be complete according to the Kansas Water Office. The city’s water treatment plant will need to be upgraded to treat water from the Kansas River.

Test wells in the Tonganoxie area had unusable water or insufficient amounts, which is why the city is looking to the reliable water source on land near the river, nine miles south of Tonganoxie.

Security will be stepped up at this weekend’s races at the Kansas Speedway. Because of the terrorist attacks on New York City and Washington, D.C., stricter security measures will include no backpacks in the track grandstands. Fanny packs, purses or scanner bags must measure less than 6 inches by 6 inches by 12 inches.

50 years ago: Sept. 29, 1976

Beckie L. Lenahan has successfully completed the required course for Dental Assisting in the Kansas City College for Medical and Dental Assistants. She is now employed at the Dysart Dental Laboratory in Kansas City, Missouri. Miss Lenahan was a 1976 graduate of Tonganoxie High School. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Cass Lenahan.

Instead of cooking Sunday, join the Sacred Heart Church for their annual Turkey Dinner and Bazaar.

Leavenworth County 4-H’er Linda Richardson and her collie brought home a purple ribbon from the Kansas State Fair for their performance in 4-H dog obedience. Linda is a member of the Reno Bobwhite 4-H Club of Tonganoxie.

Monday night’s city council meeting dealt with a proposed gun ordinance for the city. An ordinance restricting the open display of firearms was prompted by recent instances where people coming to town were flaunting their weapons. City Clerk, Harriet Hughes, said the ordinance is being drawn up at the request of the Chief of Police Larry Smith.

The city offered a $50 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the arsonist who set fire to the house being torn down at the corner of Second and Main. The property had been sold to the city for a swimming pool park. Junior Thorne, who had salvage rights to the property, is offering another $50.

Leavenworth County sheriff’s officers discovered a fatal one-vehicle accident early Friday on County Route Five while they were in the process of investigating an earlier fatal one-car crash on US 24-40. Officers identified the victim of the first accident as Marion Elvin Farris, 33, of Lawrence. The victim of the other accident was identified as John E. Lange, 29, of Leavenworth.

Mr. Rex Hutton has returned to work at the Board of Public Utilities after a long absence due to electrical burns.

Douglas Bennett, 12, broke his right arm in football practice at the Junior High School. A pin had to be inserted and Mrs. Bennett says he is learning to write with his left hand and may need therapy after the pin is removed.

Zoellner’s has Levi’s original blue denims –guaranteed to shrink, wrinkle and fade. No fads just true-blue Levi’s Jeans with that classic look that’s never out of style. Look for the tab on the back pocket to be sure they’re authentic Levi’s Jeans. Zoellner’s has Levi’s original 501 jeans that are straight leg for $12.95.

75 years ago: Sept. 27, 1951

A terrible discovery was made in a hot log southwest of Tonganoxie.  The body of a newborn baby girl was dumped by a trash truck coming out of Lawrence.  The coroner’s office determined that the child was 26″ long suggesting that the mother had carried the child 10 months instead of 9.  He also reported that she had not been a stillborn which further complicates this investigation. Garbage is brought twice a day to this lot where hogs spread it around looking for food.  Officials will question the truck drivers to determine the Lawrence area from which this load had been taken.  Several local men are serving a on a jury to determine what steps to follow next.  

The head of the city council public health service is urging the group to pass a public health ordinance affecting handling of food in restaurants, drug stores and grocery stores.  The proposal would be enforced by the public health department in our county.  The local pool is for sale for $2400 and the city plans to discuss purchasing it.  One issue is the maintenance cost, the interference of polio and racial discrimination cases brought against the city.

A final note this week about the utility costs caused by the summer floods.  Kansas rivers tore $200,000 from electric cooperatives, plus loss of revenue topping $260,000.

100 years ago: Sept. 30, 1926

The Jolly Workers entertained at their regular meeting last Friday, Sept. 24th with a miscellaneous shower for Mrs. Omar Stewart. Mrs. Walter Quisenberry was hostess. Twenty-nine were present. The guests were: Mrs. N Quisenberry, Mrs. R. Huffman, Mrs. Opal Werner, Mrs. V. P. Stewart and Mrs. May Freeman. A very pleasant afternoon was enjoyed. The presents were placed in a fish pond decorated in pink and white and she fished for each package. Roll call was answered by “Advice to the Bride”. A two-course lunch was served by the hostess.

Old Time Stuff The week ending September 28,1916 saw the city plumb full of the feminine gender. It was the occasion of the first district meeting of the Federation of Women’s clubs. The meetings were held in the Congregational church on Tuesday and Wednesday. Seventeen towns were represented. Those taking part from Tonganoxie were Miss Aeda Jenkins, Mrs. J. H. Driesback, Miss Grace Zoellner and Rev. F. J. Gorman.

The farmers were getting lazy along about this time and pictured the dairy business with a machine to do the work. Five milking machines were installed in short order, with the fifth being none other than William Freienmuth.

Wilson Myers, proprietor of one of the really unique hotels in the whole country, is also a connisouer of poultry. He has only about fifteen hundred on his farm north of Tonganoxie. He is planning on going into the egg hatching business this next year, he told us. Wilson Myers is also one of those interested in historical dope about the early days here, especially in connection with the Indian days and old Chief Tonganoxie, after whom the town here was named. He thinks some means should be afforded to preserve the relics obtainable here. Sounds like good sense. Such a collection would prove valuable in years to come.

125 years ago: Oct. 3, 1901

Mrs. Anna Bell and mother, Mrs. E.H. Cox, entertained the Reading Circle Tuesday afternoon, as a farewell for Mrs. Bell, who will soon return to the Lawrence Business College. After the usual program refreshments were served. All present voted it a very pleasant occasion.

Friday evening, Oct. 4th, from 5 o’clock on, the ladies of the Christian Church will serve an excellent supper, including hot biscuits and honey, with ice cream on side. Everybody cordially invited. Supper 25 cents. Ice cream 15 cents.

Fifteen members of the Knights of Pythias went to Linwood Saturday evening, to take part in some initiatory work with the Linwood lodge. The brethren finished up the evening’s work with an excellent oyster supper.

The Ladies Aid Society of the Congregational Church will entertain on Thursday afternoon, Oct. 10th, 1901, at the home of Mrs. Geo. A. Denholm. Refreshments served from three to five o’clock. The invitation is to all.

The Tonganoxie Library Association, at its regular business meeting, Tuesday afternoon, voted a salary of $50 a year to their librarian G. Schoenau, whose services for the past two years have been given gratuitously. A present of $10 was also made him for past favors. No other business of importance was transacted.

Mrs. A.D. Hamilton entertained a large number of young folks at her home on Fourth Street on Monday evening. The occasion was a surprise party for her daughter Miss Hattie Edminster on her 19th birthday. The guests spent the evening dancing and other amusements, and those present had a thoroughly good time. Delicious refreshments.