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: June 21, 2000

A tribute to George and Collen Anton on their 50th wedding anniversary. It takes a lot of perseverance, forgiveness, love, and tolerance for two people to live together for a half-century. Dad was in the Air Force, and they moved a lot in the early years of their marriage. When Trans World airlines offered Dad a job as a pilot, he gave up one dream of becoming a veterinarian and took on another.

They moved to Kansas City and in 1955, they bought their first little house of $11,000. Two more children later they moved to a larger house in western Wyandotte County and finally to their farm. Mom and Dad worked hard and saved. They drove old cars and gradually moved up to nicer ones. Dad moonlighted in the Air National Guard to help pay for the needs of four children and all our pets. Mom sewed a lot of our clothes. They passed their ethic along to us.

Excerpted from the article written by Chris Anton Paus, who works as a reporter for the Miami County Republic.

50 years ago: July 17, 1975

Some residents of Tonganoxie who have lived here for a few years would remember Jay Parker as the son of Dr. and Mrs. David F. Parker. Jay graduated from Tonganoxie High School and from the School of Pharmacy at the University of Kansas in 1969. Now Jay and his wife, Ruth, have moved to Oskaloosa and purchased their own drug store and named it Parker’s Pharmacy.

Although many drivers have noticed the new one-way street by the Chief Tonganoxie Bicentennial Memorial, some have not. Recently the city work crew erected signs to turn the “Shortcut” between Highway 24-40 and Old 40 into a one-way street going from the new highway to the old. The street was changed due to the dangerous approach it presented on Highway 24-40 and because of the memorial site plan.
The council passed an ordinance setting forth salaries for the mayor and the council. The mayor will now receive three dollars per council meeting attended and councilmen will receive two dollars for each meeting attended.
Tonganoxie High School won the spirit stick award during the Illinois State University’s cheerleading camp. Squad members are Connie Zink, Debbie Ryan, Pam Hunter, Jeanne Seymour and Bobbi Himpel.
The original picture of Chief Tonganoxie was brought back to Tonganoxie by Mrs. Keats Dorsey Turner. The picture is on permanent display at the First State Bank. Mrs. Turner is the daughter of John W. and Kathryn Dorney. Mr. Dorney took controlling interest in the Tonganoxie State Bank n 1918 and held it until 1957. The bank was established in 1889. The picture of the Chief is also dated 1889. Mrs. Kathryn Dorney was a long-time resident of Tonganoxie. A few years ago, she moved to Texas to be with her daughter. She took the picture with her to Texas. After Mrs. Dorney’s death, her daughter decided that the picture belonged not in Texas, but back in Tonganoxie.

75 years ago: July 13, 1950

As reported last week, the heavy rains have caused some problems for this year’s wheat harvest.  The deluge of water is not allowing the wheat to dry, nor is it allowing combines into the muddy fields after the rain stops. This is a particularly bad situation and one that has not happened in several years. However, the corn crop is doing well. Alfalfa is slow to grow because of the moisture and rural roads are a mess.

Heard on the street-a woman said an acquaintance had been called a sculptor who should bathe more often. When she was asked to explain, she replied that the friend had been called a “dirty chiseler”.

A number of new homes are continuing to pop up in the little town of Tonganoxie. The Druley home near the fairgrounds and three more including the homes of Alfred Knox, Harry Wendorff and Ed Hunter. 

100 years ago: July 16 , 1925

Last weekend a number of boys and a few of the fathers enjoyed a camping trip on Nine Mile Creek southwest of town and all reported a jolly time.

A good rain fell early Tuesday morning which was greatly needed and will do much good for the growing crops besides relieving the heat wave for a short time.

Misses Olive Jameson and Mary Nirschl were the guests of Lieut. Otis and Lieut. Peake at a formal dinner dance at the Ft Leavenworth Golf Club last Saturday evening in celebration of the 453 Infantry anniversary.

Evolution. If your ancestors were not Monkeys, of course you will realize that if you don’t take advantage of my Low Prices on Shoes, you will make a Monkey of yourself. It’s up to you. See my adv. in this issue. Taylor the Shoe Man.

Evolution. Don’t “Ape” others, or Monkey around too long, but come a-running (upright of course). I have bargains for people who think. I save you money. Taylor, the Shoe Man

Ed. Note. The two advertisements above reference The Scopes Trial, which started on July 10, 1925, in Dayton, Tennessee, with attorneys William Jennings Bryan and Clarence Darrow in the courtroom. There was much in the news about the trial which focused on the teaching of evolution in schools in Tennessee. Interested readers might want to do some research of their own.

A Riddle: It Pays to Advert-iii; Oh, merchant in thine hour of eee; If on this paper you should ccc; Take this advice and be you yyy; Go straightway out and advert-iii. Be wise at once, prolong your d-aaa; A silent business soon d-kkk. — Elgin (Ill.) Daily Courier.

125 years ago: July 19, 1900

The school board selected all but one of the teachers for the public school last week. Elmer Jones was chosen as principal and Miss Emma Eichenberger, of Holton, will teach the department formerly taught by Mrs. Spray. Miss Lena Gamble will again teach where she taught last year, and Miss Nina Lacy will again have charge of the primary department. The other teacher will be chosen this evening. Owing to the overcrowded condition of the primary department last year, the school board decided that the pupils who are in the primary classes should attend but half a day each. School will open on Monday, Sept. 18th.

Fount Hawkins and Miss Della Quisenberry were united in marriage at Leavenworth Thursday, by Probate Judge Hawn. They have gone to housekeeping in the north part of town, and the best wishes of many friends are with them.

Andrew Jones, of Hazel Ridge, was around Monday, and informed us that as he and his family were coming home from Sunday school Sunday evening, he saw a large rattler in his yard. He killed it and found it had eleven rattles. About a week before that Mr. Jones saw a rattler about three and one-half inches in diameter near his home, but the serpent escaped before he could get a club.

The Friends Yearly Meeting will have a Bible Institute in Tonganoxie Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, Aug. 7, 8, 9 and 10. A large number of outsiders are expected.

Lawn social at the Christian church, Saturday evening, July 21. All are invited.

The Tonga boys are going to play a matched game of ball with the Standish nine at Standish on Sunday.

The colored people will have an emancipation picnic in Tonganoxie August 1st.

At the rate the new sidewalks are going down, the city will have but few to build.

The city had the weeds mowed from the side streets the past week.

There will be an ice cream supper at the Hazel Ridge school house on Friday evening of this week. Everyone is invited to come out.