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: July 4, 2001

An estimated 15,000 acres of cropland in Leavenworth County were damaged two weeks ago when Stranger Creek pushed out of its banks. According to a report submitted to the state Farm Services Agency office, about 5,600 acres of corn and about 9,400 acres of soybeans suffered at least 30 percent loss. About 2,000 acres of soybeans were a total loss.

Easton residents are sweeping mud from their floors after Stranger Creek exploded its banks and wreaked such wrath on the community. Hard hit was the elementary school, where students attend kindergarten through second grade. The flood inundated the school building with 2.5-foot-deep muddy water. Steve Songer, president of the Easton school board, said the board of education voted Thursday to relocate the children in kindergarten through second grade. The city of Easton has tentatively agreed to allow the elementary students to move into the community center.

Despite an anticipated 85,000 visitors to Kansas Speedway this weekend, Tonganoxie traffic is expected to flow smoothly. The inaugural Speedway event on June 2, which drew 45,000 visitors to the Speedway, had a minimal effect on Tonganoxie traffic, according to Chief of Police Ken Carpenter. The one clog, Carpenter said, could be at the city’s only stoplight – at U.S. Highway 24-40 and Kansas Highway 16. “I’m hoping the signal light at 24-40 and 16 will handle the flow of traffic,” Carpenter said. “If it doesn’t, then, we’re prepared to direct traffic.”

50 years ago: July 7, 1976

Raymond Zimmerman brought a real treasure into the Mirror office. The treasure was a 1894 Leavenworth County Map that he had found. The cloth map is about five feet tall. It will undoubtably be a cherished possession.

Plans are nearly complete for the official dedication of the red stone monument to Chief Tonganoxie of the Kansas Delawares, at the Junction of Old 40 and US 24-40 at the curve southwest of town. A program of music and speaking will be provided to an occasion of unusual historic interest, with Mayor Lee Mark as chairman. While serious illness has prevented the Oklahoma Delawares from coming, at least one representative of the tribe will participate, Rev. Tommy J. Scott of the Community Baptist Church, Eudora. He is a descendent of Journeycake, last chief of the Delawares in Oklahoma. A sealed capsule with historical data will be officially prepared to be included in the monument for the Tri-Centennial in 2076. There will be a scroll for anyone who wishes to sign to be included in the monument capsule. The flag pole will be added in front of the monument. The site makes an attractive approach to Tonganoxie from the southwest.

Tonganoxie Senior Citizens will celebrate their Fifth Anniversary at the 4-H Building July 12 at 6:30. A covered dish dinner will be served with birthday cake and ice cream.

The Hudson Brothers star as three fun loving sailors who take New York City by storm in Leonard Bernstein’s spirited performance musicial, “On The Town”, which plays at Kansas City’s Starlight Theatre July 12-18.

An old-fashioned Ice Cream Social will be held at the Jarbalo United Methodist Church Saturday. There will be home-made cakes and home-made pies.

Work is progressing on the new addition at the Springdale Friends Church. Since tearing off the little Sunday School roof, the young folk’s class meets in Vernon Tullis’ new van. There is always a way if the will is there.

75 years ago: July 5, 1951

Tonganoxie made AP headlines last week with an unsubstantiated story about marijuana sales.  A Tonganoxie pastor reported that there was narcotics traffic in our city as he delivered a sermon in Lawrence, Kansas.  This pastor, who shall remain nameless was a guest minister at a church on North Tenth in the city.  He believes that there were marijuana cigarettes being sold in our community for $.50 apiece, to the “Negro” population.  Our local city marshall stated that he knew there was some drug traffic here, but had not been able to arrest anyone.  After contacting other local citizens, no one was able to verify the story. The Douglas County attorney shared “I doubt if there’s anything to this affair.  Surely, we’ve heard nothing about it.” He went on to state that a lot of rumors have been floating around. 

July 4 was uneventful in the downtown district where fireworks are banned but a lot of popping and crackling happened all over the town.  No injuries were reported.

Robert Matthews, son of Mr. and Mrs. Mark Matthews has received a PTA scholarship for Emporia college.  He is former high school basketball star here who is making good in his life. (Editor’s note: Robert went on to become the superintendent of San Diego Schools)

100 years ago: July 8, 1926

Elm Park was the scene of a large picnic gathering Monday, July 5th, to celebrate the one-hundred and fiftieth anniversary of our country’s independence. Crowds began to arrive before noon with their picnic baskets and throughout all the afternoon and evening they were joined by others some who could not spend the day but mingled with friends for a time and enjoyed the activities of the afternoon, It was estimated that about 5,000 attended the picnic.

The Swimming Pool at Tonganoxie is the most popular place in the town these warm days. Filled with clear, pure water of an invigorating temperature the pool is drawing crowds of both young and old. Last Sunday and Monday there were over one thousand people in the pool each day. The pool and surroundings have been made very attractive with the best equipment that money could buy and with the finest water found anywhere, and the folk who like to swim show their appreciation by continuous patronage. Many parties from as far as Topeka swim in the pool, and parties and family groups from Kansas City are numerous. Lawrence and Leavenworth citizens find it a pleasing drive with a refreshing swim and come here in ever increasing numbers.

Time is worth as much money per hour as we produce in one hour. How much can a housewife produce in one hour when baking bread? We believe it is time wasted to bake bread at home by the old-time method in a small way. Why not save time, and money by buying your bread. ToBuren’s Better Bread is made in a modern way, with machinery and baked in a large oven that bakes it just right with a fine, nutty flavor that can’t be beat. Toburen Bakery, Will Musil, Prop. Tonganoxie, Kansas

125 years ago: July 11, 1901

Tonganoxie experienced the hottest Fourth of July in its history last Thursday, but our experience was only the same as experienced by all the other towns. The attendance at the picnic was a good one but not up to last year. The extremely dry and hot weather somewhat dampened the enthusiasm, to use a moist term on a dry subject, for celebration. The floats in the parade, though not numerous, were considerably better than the average. The most grotesque features were the common salt barrel used as a vehicle and a wheel laid flat which a couple rode.

The fireworks display was postponed. On account of the extremely dry weather and the consequent ease with which a fire could be produced it was deemed best to wait until after a rain for the discharge of the pyrotechnical pieces. The discharge of giant firecrackers and blank cartridges in the principal part of town was entirely stopped. Mayor Laming has promised “the boys” who restrained their enthusiasm $10 for the purchase of fireworks when the pieces purchased by the picnic committee are discharged.

The stands did a land office business the Fourth. Tonganoxie ice cream dealers broke the record that day in disposing of their frozen sweets.