25 years ago: Oct. 11, 2000

A memorial service for Carl A. Oakson, 98, Topeka, will be at Barnett Funeral Home, Oskaloosa on Oct. 14. Mr. Oakson, a former Tonganoxie resident, was born August 24, 1902 in Basehor. He was the owner of Oakson Hardware in Tonganoxie from 1947 until he retired in 1971. Prior to World War II, he owned the Oakson Garage in Kansas City, Kan. He then worked at the North American Aviation Company during the war. After the war, he moved to the Tonganoxie area and farmed and operated an auto repair shop until 1947. Mr. Oakson was a member of the Tonganoxie United Methodist Church, the Henri Masonic Lodge No. 190 AF&AM in Tonganoxie and a 32nd degree member of the Scottish Rite Bodies in Lawrence. He served a term on the Tonganoxie School Board. He was a graduate of Dafer School, Dafer, Kan.

The Leavenworth County Health Department will begin offering the pediatric pneumococcal conjugate vaccine on Monday. The vaccine is given to children under the age of 2 with one dose each at two, four, six and 12-15 months of age. Children must qualify under VFC program guidelines.

The Tonganoxie Chamber of Commerce will sponsor the Kelly Miller Circus at 2 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Saturday in the Tonganoxie Junior High School parking lot. At 7:30 a.m. Saturday, the public is invited to watch the circus being set up.

50 years ago: Oct. 16, 1975

Mr. and Mrs. Rick Chapman proudly announce the birth of a daughter, Lesli Elizabeth. Mr. and Mrs. Donald W. Budenosky announce the birth of a son, Blaine Anthony. Mr. an Mrs. Richard Faherty proudly announce the birth of a daughter, Amy Diane.

Jim Walker and Dean Vogrin have scored in each Tonganoxie game this season. They beat De Soto in triple overtime 21-14 at the DeSoto Homecoming Game.

John Edward Korb has been elected President of North Tower Residence Hall on the Emporia Kansas State College campus where he is a junior. John is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Korb.

Mrs. Bert Yates celebrated her 95th birthday. In the afternoon there was a band from Kansas City playing music. Mrs. Yates enjoyed her day.

Two ladies said they spent the afternoon shopping and didn’t spend anything. Maybe they were just looking. When Will Rogers had difficulty proving his date of birth, he commented: “Well I’m here.

Bill Denholm resigned from the Leavenworth County Fair Board for health reasons and Bill New was elected to replace him. Denholm has served for over 25 years. B.J. Wedel, Bill Stephenson, Bill Norman and Gordon Harman were re-elected to the board.

Homecoming queen candidates this week are Donna Huebner, Sonia Wallace and Pam Irwin. The girls were nominated by the football team.

75 years ago: Oct. 19, 1950

As many people in town were eating their evening meal, a tremendous fire broke out on Fourth Street.  The building devoured by flames was the Dale Rawlings south location. As the sun came up that morning, all that was left were ruins and smoke. Mr. Rawlings stated that the only motor left running at his site was the soft drink machine. With a considerable amount of paint and varnish in the building it was only a matter of time before the structure was fully engulfed. Fighting the fire required over 300,000 gallons of water and continued to have small flare ups through the early morning. Our new firetruck proved to be a very valuable investment at the scene as our brave firemen fought the flames.

Linwood schools report an outbreak of mumps in the grade and high schools with eighteen students infected. A case of polio has also been noted.

Well, the farmers are at odds with hunters again and who could blame them. One farm wife sighted some hunters and told them to get off their property to which they replied, “Go in your house and shut your mouth.” Significant numbers of livestock have been killed in these expeditions not to mention the property damage when stray bullets pings off barns. It seems as though some hunters don’t care.

The Halloween Festival has been okayed by the Tonganoxie Community Club. Get your costumes ready for this annual parade.

100 years ago: Oct. 8, 1925

A new business has been opened in our city in the McNaughton building joining this office on the east. We always welcome newcomers as added business firms make our home town grow. The new place carries a good assortment of articles found in ten cent and novelty stores besides many other more expensive articles. Their stock of merchandise is slow in arriving and they do not yet have nearly as much as they expected to have for their opening. Last weekend they opened their doors for business. The Mirror predicts a very successful business for Mrs. King and Mrs. Burgess, who are the proprietors.

Last Friday check artists passed some forged checks on some of our merchants. The name of Geo. Redman was forged to two checks that were passed, one for ten and another for fifteen dollars.

Pies, cakes, hot rolls, chicken and everything good to eat at the Food Sale given by the Library Ladies on Saturday, October 10th at Rumsey’s.

The first practice of the American Legion football squad was at Elm Park last Sunday afternoon. There is a good line-up this year and prospects are for a good season of football.

The First National Bank of Tonganoxie opened its doors for business the first day of October, last Thursday. Over thirty-seven thousand dollars were deposited in the new institution that day, it is said, which is more than was expected for the first day. The Bank passed out a souvenir pencil and holder with the name of the bank stamped on it the opening day to all who visited there.

Why doesn’t some enterprising Yankee put on a debate between a bootlegger and a revenue officer on the question, “Is Prohibition a success?”

Wednesday of this week Mrs. David Thistlethwaite gathered a bouquet of lilacs in her yard.

125 years ago: Oct. 18, 1900

Frank Fairchild made his first shipment of milk to the Soldiers Home, Tuesday, on the contract he recently secured. It was his intention at first to move to the Home, but he reconsidered that and will do his milking in Tonganoxie.

Word received from Alfred Cheesman by his brother Edmund, indicates that he is in the hottest of it in the South African war. About six weeks ago, Mr. Cheesman had his mare shot from under him. A short time before that, bullets clipped his hair and beard.

Mrs. SA Evans entertained about twenty-five little folks last Saturday afternoon from two until five o’clock, in honor of her daughter Edna’s fifth birthday. After several hours of merry play, the children were seated at a table beautifully decorated with flowers, and partook of cake, fruits and candy. Little Edna also received a number of pretty birthday remembrances from her playmates.

Part of the Boling Camp Modern Woodmen paid a friendly visit to the local camp Monday evening. There were about twelve in the party and after the regular camp meeting, the guests were treated to a substantial lunch of coffee and sandwiches.

Sixteen of the Tonganoxie Knights of Pythias visited the Linwood lodge last Friday evening and report a royal treatment on the part of the Linwood folks. They say they ate the finest oysters they ever tasted and were also served with good coffee and sandwiches.

The ladies of the Library Association took in about $30 at their entertainment Tuesday. The attendance was large and the programme was good. The most amusing feature of the entertainment was the “take off” on a recent hypnotic performance. One of the subjects insisted on laughing in his sleep. A number of baskets were sold to the highest bidder, and those who bought no baskets partook of a warm lunch served by the ladies. The entertainment was a success both financially and socially.