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: Sept. 23, 1998

As many of the community already know, the Tonganoxie FFA chapter has organized a support group, known as the FFA Alumni, to provide a tie to the FFA, support, promote and assist the agricultural education program and involve former members and other interested parties in supporting the youth in agriculture today. Recognize the fact that one does not have to be a former FFA member to be a part of the alumni group. All that is required is an interest in providing support.

The Tonganoxie Chamber of Commerce regular meeting will be on Thursday, October 1, 1998, at Bitler’s at 12:00 noon. The topic of discussion will be the County Administrator proposal, which will be on the November Ballot. Everyone is welcome to attend, no reservations are necessary.

50 years ago: Sept. 20, 1973

Probably the greatest change in recent years is the development of shopping centers apart from former business districts of smaller towns and central cities. We now have major changes in the Kansas City area, notably shopping centers like Indian Springs and Wyandotte Plaza west from Kansas City, Kansas, in addition to Johnson County developments at Lenexa and elsewhere.

The brick building at the corner of Fourth and Delaware (which burned in a spectacular fire in the early 1930’s) is an educational institution. It dates to 1899 when 24 women of the Tonganoxie Reading Club, bought a walnut bookcase and placed it in the front of the Tonganoxie State Bank where people could borrow books and read them. In the early 1900’s a small room at the back of the bank was rented and the first librarian was Gustavo Schoeau who was also the city gas lamp lighter.

For 30 years the library was housed at the rear of Miss Alice Spoor’s Millinery Shop. In 1939 the city voted to make a small levy and operate it as a municipal library. The Library Association had accumulated savings, by which it purchased the F. U. Henry Building. The Mirror put out an Easter issue as a means of raising money and the women had fundraisers. Mrs. S. D. Harlow, grandmother of the movie actress, Jean Harlow, was chairman of the advertising committee. F. U. Henry had rebuilt a brick building on the site, and it eventually became the city library in 1939.

Today a Bookmobile comes once a month to provide added library books. Mrs. Robert Turner, the librarian is an accommodating lady. Today, after nearly three-quarters of a century, it is a modern and up to date library rating high for a small town, that loaned 15,733 books in the year of 1972-73. In the early days Tonganoxie boasted seven saloons and a free public library. The saloons are gone but the public library is a marvel of its kind in the state.

75 years ago: Sept. 16, 1948

This year’s fair is over with several new records set. Attendance this year was the largest ever in fair history with almost 15,000 people visiting. As a matter of fact, the fair has gotten so big that The Mirror cannot print all the winners’ names for various departments. Look for tabulations next week. 

A record stalk of corn with three suckers and five ears of corn grown from one seed was an eye catcher at the Oakson Hardware booth. It was produced by Daryl Meredith.

A brand-new attraction drew wide interest here with the horse pulling contest. Classes ranged from 3,000 pounds and over 3,000 pounds with one team pulling a 6,000-pound load. 

Finally, Dale Rawlings’s large rooster, Kilroy ate a whopping 1,452 pellets this year. The winning guess from Sgt L.C. Branum was 1,460. Don’t know what the Sarge won but Kilroy had something to “crow” about. Rawlings Feed Store will award prizes this week.

The state has put the kibosh on widening Fourth Street from the junction into the business district. The state highway commissioner said that the available funds were used this summer so no go.

Shilling Electric Company is selling the Gould’s Automatic Water System for your home. Husbands are reporting that their wives are different women since they’ve installed running water. 

D & J Sales Company is going out of business and selling off shoes at great prices. This store, located next to the post office, offers nationally known arch shoes. Purchase two or three pairs at these great sale prices.

100 years ago: Sept. 20, 1923

The big five town road opening celebration to have been held today, has been postponed on account of rain for one week and will be held next Thursday, September 27. A big effort will be made to make the celebration an even greater success than was at first expected. There will be more amusements on the grounds and more concessions.

The program will begin at 1:30. General Harry A. Smith, Commandant at Fort Leavenworth, will speak about the road from a military standpoint. Other speakers will include M.W. Watson, former State Highway Engineer, under whose supervision most of the road was constructed and J. Frank Smith, Manager of the Good Roads Association of Greater Kansas City.

Aeroplanes with stunt flying will be a feature and will also give those who want to experience the thrill of flying an opportunity to sail over the crowds. The merchants will declare a half holiday in the afternoon so that all can enjoy the greatest celebration ever held in this part of the state. School will also be closed for the day. There will be two ball games between four of the five towns and a big display of Fireworks at night.

125 years ago: Sept. 15, 1898

Edminster Items – Uncle Elisha DeMaranville is with us again. We are all very glad to see Uncle John Morrow out in the door yard again.

Glenwood Gleanings – Our school opened last Monday with Fred Brockett as teacher.

Stanwood Strays – A hog belonging to Philemon Jones died of hydrophobia last Sunday. The hog was bitten by a dog August 26.

Frank James has a reunion of the old Quantrell guerillas in Jackson County, Missouri last week, and hereafter they will hold annual meetings. It is safe to say that the old gang of cutthroats will never hold a meeting at Lawrence.

The Tonganoxie Roller Mill is now putting out a new brand of flour which is called “Our Maine” and the sacks have a color reproduction of the ill-fated battleship. The new flour is a hard and soft wheat blend and the first sack was filled Saturday afternoon. Henry Toburen made 100 pounds into bread Sunday, and he pronounces the new blend excellent.