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. 29, 2001

Walter Lee Denholm’s job of changing the price of gasoline was easier than usual Monday morning. He simply moved two numbers, turning $1.67 to $1.76. And that was just the latest in a series of recent gasoline price hikes. Gas prices last week started at about $1.41. Then it went to $1.45 and two days ago, the price jumped to $1.56.

It appears that a downtown Tonganoxie restaurant will be allowed to serve liquor when it opens next month. Jack Cronemeyer, owner of Badd Jack’s Southwest restaurant, has applied with the state to serve liquor. But because Tonganoxie ordinances state that liquor may not be sold within 200 feet of a church, Cronemeyer’s request was in peril of being turned down. The restaurant, in the 400 block of East Fourth Street, is 170 feet from the United Methodist Church’s property line. The council removed “drinking establishments” from the ordinance, but sales from liquor stores or taverns are still prohibited within 200 feet of a church, school or library.

Working at a wooden trough with scissors, workers are pictured clipping fins off newly arrived channel cats at the Leavenworth State Fishing Lake. From left are Lenny Lentz, Richard Sanders, Ryan, Pfeiffer and Uriah Price. The clipped fins will allow fisheries biologists to keep track of the growth and age of fish that arrived in this shipment. Lenny Lentz, who lives at the lake and oversees the maintenance, along with two University of Kansas students, Uriah Price and Ryuan Pfeiffer, estimated it would take about two hours to clip al 24,000 cats. Each of the fish weigh about one-fourth of a pound.

50 years ago: Sept. 1, 1976

Fifty years ago, an enterprising young man rode to Tonganoxie on top of a truck filled with all his possessions to purchase The Tonganoxie Mirror newspaper. He had already owned and sold three small town papers but was ready to settle down and he decided Tonganoxie was the place to stay. In fact, that was the last change of residence Walt Neibarger ever undertook.

Debbie Schultz and Cindy Tice were among 56 women at Emporia Kansa State College to complete sorority rush week activities. Both girls have pledged Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority.

Mr. and Mrs. Art Hancock Sr., returned from a 16-day tour of Scotland, Ireland and England. This was a Methodist Heritage Tour and they had the privilege to attend a session of the World Methodist Conference in Dublin. They visited the birthplace and the grave of John Wesley, the founder of Methodism.

The Carpentry Class is looking for garages to build this year. Contact Steve Hughes.

The Midwest Mule Club is holding a Mule Show at the Douglas County Trail Riders Arena.

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Trieb and Marilee and Miss Janine Northern returned from a short trip to Colorado. They accidentally saw President Ford playing golf at Vail.

Mr. and Mrs. John Cass Lenahan attended the Hardware dinner and dance at the Ramada Inn in Topeka.

The Jaycees held a beauty contest at the fair for ages one to seven. The winners were: Stephanie Lawson, first, Lee Ann Cox, second and Beth West, third.

Preliminary figures show that while we have had 58 students new to the district enroll in our school system, our total enrollment is down from last year. Total enrollment this year is 1221. Last year at this time we had 1280 students. Without any doubt, we will have additional students enrolled in the next two weeks and will make last year’s student count and this year’s count much closer.

The 4-H livestock sale, sponsored by the Leavenworth Area Chamber of Commerce, produced total sales of $43,395.27. Of that total $16,570.78 was paid in premiums to the 4-H boys and girls whose sheep, swine and cattle were auctioned at the Leavenworth County Fair.

75 years ago: Aug. 30, 1951

There were few weather obstacles as the county fair began this week.  Friday night will be Leavenworth Night as they support their soft ball team against Lawrence’s team.  Looks like a great turnout for this annual event. The Fair Parade was welcomed after a long hiatus due to World War II.  A record crowd cheered the floats, bands and old-style costumes.  Not all went well, however as two bulls got loose in the dairy barn.  No problems, except for the sleeping 4H kids who were in the barn too.  Two local men got the bulls by their nose rings before any scuffle could begin.  

Schools reopen on Monday, September 3 with 1/2 day for orientation.  Early enrollment indicates 145 students at the High School which is an increase over last year’s numbers.  New courses include General Shop, Vocational Agriculture, and Driver Training.  Those courses are specifically for the young boys in the school.  The old gym floors have been salvaged and used for two classrooms.  

Mr. and Mrs. Jack Cronemeyer announce the birth of their son, Jack Harry born on August 24.

Clarence “Cats” Love suffered a heart attack this week and died in the hospital. He leaves behind a widow, daughters and a brother.

100 years ago: Sept. 2, 1926

Mr. and Mrs. Henry Klinkenberg announce the marriage of their daughter, Margaret Elizabeth, to Mr. Omer D. Stewart, Thursday, September 2nd,1926. After a short trip the young couple will make their home in Lawrence and will be at home after Sept. 10 at 1316 Kentucky St.

We have sold the Tonganoxie Mirror and good will to Walt Neibarger. We taught Walt the trade in the early years of his apprenticeship, and know him well; and can recommend him to Tonganoxie as a man of sterling worth and character. He and his estimable wife will be an asset to the community and we bespeak for them your friendship and fellowship. Mr. Neibarger asedited the Chase Couty News at Strong City, Kansas, and the Republican at Delphos Kansas. And has worked on various weekly and daily newspapers including the Manhattan Daily Mercury.

Miss Frances Robinson, violinist and teacher, of Lawrence Ks., a graduate of the University of Kansas, who will have a violin studio in Tonganoxie this year, will be pleased to confer with anyone wishing to take violin lessons on Friday afternoon Sept. 3rd. For further information call Mrs. Hunt, Phone 239.

O. Hosford of Lawrence, was in town Saturday afternoon and talked old times. Dating his life in Kansas from 1855, he went through the border ruffian times and experienced the early warfare between the proslavery and-anti slavery forces. Mr. Hosford lived in Jefferson County until 1901 when he moved to Lawrence. He says Tonganoxie creek was known in the days before the Civil war as Noble creek, deriving that name from a man named where McLouth now stands.

125 years ago: Sept. 5, 1901

Hurt in a Runaway

Last Thursday forenoon, as Mrs. Bert Huffman was driving toward town from Carver’s subdivision two dogs got to fighting under the spring wagon, which so frightened the horse that it became unmanageable. The occupants were thrown out near the Pleasant street arch culver, and Mrs. Huffman was thrown so that she became unconscious. She was, however, soon able to be about again. One of the hind wheels of the vehicle was completely demolished.

S.J. Cox gave a dinner yesterday, to five invited friends, and one of the novelties was a whole roast pig weighing about 20 pounds. The guests report the novelty on the menu as exceptionally palatable.

The Board of County Commissioners Tuesday awarded the contract for the construction of an iron bridge across Stanger Creek near Tonganoxie to the Missouri Valley Bridge Company for $600.

A one-armed young man named Lester got full yesterday and went hunting trouble. He started a row with Ben Elliott and threw a stone at him. When he saw the city marshal coming, Lester took leg bail and has not been seen since.