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: Aug. 15, 2001

Contractors are now working to install new cable that ultimately will mean increased television options in Tonganoxie. “An old system is going to be abandoned,” said Jim Day, field engineer for Sunflower Broadband. “We’re building a whole new cable system. Some of it’s underground, some of it’s overhead.” Plans call for the $1.16million project that includes 34 miles of cable lines to be completed by Christmas.

More than 160 farm animals were sold at last Friday’s livestock auction at the Leavenworth County Fair. “There were as many animals in the auction as there has ever been,” said Beth Hecht of the K-State Research and Extension office of Leavenworth County. “This pretty much falls in line with the past auctions.” The auction was well attended. “Every animal that gets sold in the auction goes straight to the slaughterhouse,” Hecht said. Sale totals were still being calculated, but the rough estimate indicates that this year’s auction might have broken fair records.

The Tonganoxie Swimming Pool will close on weekdays beginning Aug. 16. However, it will be open on the following weekend days – Aug. 18, 19, 25 and 26. The swimming pool staff would like to thank you for your patronage and we look forward to serving you next summer.

50 years ago: Aug. 18, 1976

Come to the Fair Aug. 18-21 at the Leavenworth County Fairgrounds. There will be many daily fair activities. The Fair will get under way tonight with the annual fair parade. The parade will start downtown and travel west to the Fairgrounds.

More than 20,000 attended the 19th annual Steam Engine Show and Threshing Bee at McLouth, on the 52 acre site at the southwest side of town, where it has been held since 1965.

Sandy Mills, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Mills brought to the Mirror office an eight pound muskmelon which was grown in the family garden.

Mrs. Maude Campbell Kidd of California called to inform us that this is not the 50th Anniversary of the Leavenworth County Fairgrounds. She remembers attending the County Fair from 1903 to 1911 in Leavenworth with her grandfather. The old fair was west on Delaware and had a race track with grandstand and horse barns and all the other things a fair needs.

The 1976-77 school year for Unified School District 464 starts next week. Eight new teachers have joined the staff this year. Karen Aeschliman will instruct the third grade. Stephanie McQuigg will teach first grade. Deborah Wedel will teach kindergarten. Jan Yerkes will be teaching sixth grade. Marilyn Daniels will be teaching third grade. William Atwell will be the head football and wrestling coach and teach mathematics at the high school. John Barnes will be a social science teacher and he will also be an assistant football and wrestling coach at the high school. Tom White will instruct Industrial Arts at the high school and help with the track squad.

City employees, Charles Conrad and James Richardson, place a sign at the bridge on east Fourth Street closing the bridge to traffic. The bridge was closed on orders of Mayor Lee Mark after an on the spot inspection. The structure will be removed soon and construction of a new bridge will begin soon after that.

Tracy Tranbarger of Sumner, Iowa, became the bride of Steve Sturgeon of Tonganoxie at the United Methodist Church in Sumner.

Dr. and Mrs. Philip Stevens and family were in St. Louis this past weekend where they attended the wedding of their son, Charles, to Miss Donna Alison. Dr. and Mrs. Stevens will hold an informal reception at their home in Tonganoxie on Sunday in honor of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Stevens.

75 years ago: Aug. 16, 1951

Another victim of the 1951-libraries and their book collections. Librarians across the state are asking for donations of cash to purchase new reference materials and children’s books. Up to date fiction books are also requested if you have them available for donating.  

The fair parade is set for 2 pm opening day just as it was before World War II.  It could be a little rusty as it’s been several years since one was organized and presented. Very experienced superintendents are willing and ready to judge all types of livestock, crops, foods and women’s crafts.  

As reported last week, two schools are being auctioned as they consolidate with Mackey School.  Both schools are on some acreage.  Bleakley offers an upright piano, seats, desks and coal stove.  Also, outdoor toilets, coal shed and a cistern.  Villa Eden offers a stove, seats and desks, outdoor toilets, well and coal shed.  Both of the schools have electricity and excellent locations on the road.  They would make very nice homes.  It is a sad time as our one room school houses close and combine into one. Union made Big Smith jeans are available at Zoellner’s for $2.79 a pair.  These are neat, good-looking dress trousers with the comfort of overalls.  Get yours today.

100 years ago: Aug. 19, 1926

Wednesday evening of last week Harry Music, who makes his home at the Ed Deel home was riding a horse for the cows when the animal fell with him breaking the small bone of his left leg two inches above the ankle. The horse was the same one Foster Snow was riding several weeks ago when it fell with him crushing his foot.

E.E. Messinger, of Kansas City, Kansas is the new bookkeeper and stenographer at the Fair Mill and Elevator Co. Wm. Grant formerly of the mill here but now located at Appleton, Minn., will be the head miller and will reside in the Geo. Haight property on Pleasant Street, very conveniently located to his position. The mill will soon again be grinding away in the old home town with a pleasant sound to all and under the new management with J. R. Fair as local manager it is hoped will be a big success. Boost the home industries.

There will be a big three-day picnic at Elm Park, Tonganoxie, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. September 2nd 3rd and 4th. The picnic committee is making arrangements for a big time with plenty of entertainment for both old and young. There will be ball games, dancing, concessions, and stands of all kinds on the grounds. An effort is being made to have a ferris wheel and merry-go-round and numerous other attractions. One day will be set aside as a political day it is thought. More details will be published as arrangements are concluded.

THE ROYAL THURSDAY Pete Morrison in—“BLUE BLAZES.” Century Comedy—“IN BUSTERS BUST UP.” SATURDAY Hoot Gibson In—“THE CHIP OF THE FLYING U.” Century Comedy—“A FLIVER VACATION.”

A buyer wants some mortgages. If you have one you want to sell, inquire at The Tonganoxie Building and Loan Office.

125 years ago:  Aug. 22, 1901 

Mrs. Geo. Denholm entertained with a quilting party Wednesday afternoon, Aug. 14th. The following ladies were present: Mesdames H.S. Bullard, Geo, Seufert, J.B. Greever, Geo. Cochran, W.F. Schultz and Miss Byrdie Shockley. After quilting awhile we were all invited to the dining room, where a delightful supper awaited us, to which we did more justice than to the quilt. Hoping that we may have many more such pleasant afternoons with the hostess, we all departed for our homes. 

J.S. Grist is laying a new floor on Stranger bridge near Jos. Doege’s, and when that is finished, he will build a new bridge near DeHoff’s in the south part of the county. 

Linc Ballou had the misfortune to crack a couple of his ribs last week, while at work on H. B. Kline’s new house. He is, however, not kept from work by the accident. 

Secretary Coburn and Prof. Otis visited the creamery Friday morning. The former said it was the best arranged creamery he had yet visited. The latter says it is the most business-like creamery he had yet seen. Both were taken out to the large Wellhouse orchards and much enjoyed what they saw. 

The building occupied by W.W. McWilliams has been moved to the rear of the lot it has been standing on and now faces on Delaware Street. This building is an old landmark and has been on that corner over thirty years. W.L. McKeehen, the owner of the lot, will erect a store building on the corner in the spring.