25 years ago: Oct. 31, 2001

A Sunday afternoon shooting spree in downtown Tonganoxie shattered a glass business door, broke windows at three other businesses and damaged the siding on a private residence. A suspect has been identified.

Leavenworth County Commissioners debated the hours that bands could play at Doolittle Farms’ weekend concerts. The 80-acre retreat and convention center south of Leavenworth sponsors concerts, including an annual summer bluegrass festival. The owners were seeking a permit that would allow them to hold concerts and large gatherings without having to ask the commissioners each time for a special use permit. It was noted that neighbors have not complained about noise or traffic from the event

center. The commissioners approved a five-year permit. Events can last until 11 p.m. seven days a week, except on concert nights, when events could last until midnight.

The County Commissioners voted (2-1) against renewing a special use permit to Earth Rising Inc. Earth Rising owns a 168-acre retreat ten miles north of Tonganoxie, known for allowing nudism and pagan-type rituals. Neighboring landowners had presented a petition against the renewal, citing traffic and noise problems, as well as questioning activities at the camp. Earth Rising has indicated that they will sue the county.

The housing market is active nowadays – for refinancing. Interest rates have dropped since Sept. 11 and are now running about 7 percent for a 30-year fixed mortgage. A year ago, these rates were about 1.75% higher than they are now. Bill Altman, president of Community National Bank noted, “A year ago at this time, we had a lot of buyers. Our volume now is about the same – it’s just a different type of volume.”

50 years ago: Nov. 3, 1976

With the exception of President Ford and Howard Vining the Democrats soundly whipped the Republicans in Leavenworth County this election year 1976. Former Tonganoxieite Terry Campbell piled up the largest vote in contested races, winning by 3,449, not including the absentee ballots, over incumbent Sheriff Daniels Hawes. His home town gave him near a 5-1 margin. Other winners included Susie Parmer, Patrick Reardon, Martha Keys, Arnold Berman and Robin Leach.

Mr. and Mrs. George A. Warren announce the engagement of their daughter, Miss Deborah Mae, to Mr. Eugene Francis Becker of Charleston, South Carolina, son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry J. Becker of Lenora, Kansas. Mr. Becker is with the U.S. Navy, serving as a first-class Nuclear Machinist Mate, aboard the nuclear submarine Simon Bolivian. The couple have set January 8, 1977 for their wedding at Blessed Sacrament Church, Kansas City, Kansas.

The regular meeting of the Tonganoxie Senior Citizens will be November 8 at the 4-H Building. This is a Thanksgiving meeting and turkey dinner. Special guest will be Mrs. Florence Riford, of La Jolla, California, who will show pictures of the Senior Citizens Center which she has given to their club.

On July 1, Southwestern Bell started charging 10 cents for each call to Directory Assistance over five in a given billing period. As predicted only about five per cent of customers are affected by the charge.

If you are looking for a faster, more accurate way to call numbers, try a brand-new Southwestern Bell telephone called the Touch-a-matic 16. The telephone that remembers. Once you program your frequently called numbers into the phone’s memory, you won’t even have to dial anymore. Just press a button and the numbers are dialed for you.

Neva Ruth Bailey became the bride of John W Quasa, Jr. at the First Christian Church of Brookfield, Missouri.

This week at Champion’s you can get 10 grapefruit for 99 cents and 10 apples for 99 cents, bacon is 79 cents and flour is 59 cents.

75 years ago: Nov. 1, 1951

1951 has been a rambunctious year with regards to our weather.  We’ve had floods, drought, blooming cherry trees, fresh strawberries and now-a Halloween snow!  Seems right on target to remind us of old man winter.

Army Mothers Post No. 5 would like the addresses of all boys in the service overseas.  They plan to send each one a Christmas package. 

Weaver’s Department Store in Lawrence has Girl Scout and Brownie uniforms.  This is to celebrate Girl Scout Week in America.

The companies of the Eastern, Southeastern and Western Railroads are imploring that the Brotherhood Order of Engineers, Firemen, Engine Men and Railway Conductors end their delay tactics and settle on a contract.  Their exact statement is that the men “…continue a course of dallying and dallying.”  The railroads insist that the union leaders still refuse after more than a year of negotiations.

The headline reads “Lot of Dead Chinese” and that is thanks to SFC Darrow Smith of Tonganoxie who was able to stop an enemy attack before it start.  He and a buddy were holding down a hilltop post with two .45 pistols and some grenades.  They threw a grenade into the darkness, drew fire and called in mortar support.  The next morning 23 Communists were dead on the hillside.

100 years ago: Nov. 4, 1926

The State Teacher’s meeting is being held Thursday, Friday and Saturday of this week in Topeka. All grade and high school teachers from here are attending the meeting.

H.E. Zercher and wife came here Sunday. They will make their home here this winter. Mr. Zercher having resumed his former duties at The Fair Mill and Elevator Co.

Chas. Mansell donated the Catholic Ladies Club forty-eight pounds of Pillsbury Flour. It was divided among the members to make the different kinds of bread for their sale held by the Club last Saturday. The Club extends thanks to Mr. Mansell and to the public for their patronage. Receipts of the sale were $10.00.

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Still and Mr. and Mrs. Hans Freienmuth entertained with a delightful Hallowe’en Party at the Still home Saturday evening. The masked guests were received in true southern hospitality. The home was elaborately decorated and appropriate entertainment was provided by the ideal hostesses. A tally was given to each guest at the beginning of a series of games. The tally being punched for honors received. The prize for high honors being won by Mrs. John N Broadlick, consolation prize, Edward Schultz. At a late hour the guests were invited to find their places at quartet tables, in the dining room, where a delicious two course luncheon was served. After which Mrs. Perry Walters told how Hallowe’en originated and Jean McKone gave a talk about Political Ghosts.

The Tonganoxie High School football team won yesterday’s game which was played on the Welborn Kansas field. The score was 6 to 3.

125 years ago: Nov. 7, 1901 

There are so few wooden sidewalks left in town that Hallow E’en is not what it used to be. Brick and granitoid check-up Young America considerably in his pranks. But little mischief was done last Thursday evening. 

The Missouri & Kansas Telephone Co. has made a proposition to the independent companies in this part of the state for connecting with their long-distance lines, but the proposition is so one-sided that the independents are turning it down. 

Everyone is invited to attend a Bow social given at the Friendship Valley school house, Friday evening, Nov. 8th, 1901. The ladies are expected to bring two bows and a supper. One bow is to be put in an envelope and sold and the other she wears. A short program has been prepared. 

R.S. Saunders, teacher pf violin, guitar, mandolin and banjo has made arrangements to come to Tonganoxie every Wednesday to give instructions. He can accept a limited number of pupils. Parties interested will call on Mr. Thistlethwaite, the music dealer, who will answer all questions. 

The Modern Brotherhood of America will institute a lodge here next week. Twenty -five members have been secured. The order is both a life and an accident insurance company.