17 March 2014

“Etta Semple – Kansas Free Thinker” 


On Monday, March 24th, at 6:30 p.m., in honor of Women's History Month,  Vickie Stangl, Andover, will present the program “Etta Semple – Kansas Free Thinker” to Sumner County Historical and Genealogical Society members and guests at the Wellington Senior Center, 308 S. Washington, Wellington.  In case of inclement weather, contact Jane Moore: 620-447-3266.

Stangl was required to do a “piece on a Kansas person” for her Master’s degree at Wichita State University, and after reading about Etta Semple, she became fascinated, and asked her instructor if she could “write about this heretic in Ottawa.”

Stangl said that Etta Semple, born near Quincy, Illinois in 1855, had views that were considered radical for the time.

Stangl said that Semple was a humanitarian, and had a state of the art sanitarium, but she was also an activist.

 “She and her second husband were active in the labor movement,” Stangl said.

“I began reading her newspapers and I was fascinated,” Stangl said, adding that she worked on her thesis for three years.

Stangl said that Semple died in Ottawa of influenza in 1914.

“It was pretty emotional when I realized that she was going to die of pneumonia,” Stangl said, “It became very personal to me.“

Stangl hopes to get her thesis published, and she is also working towards getting a documentary made on Semple’s life.

 “I think her story is important,” Stangl said, “everyone has their own beliefs and Etta was no different. She was a very courageous lady. Her story is just important.”

Amanuensis Monday - From the Star Files for September 1962

Conway Springs Star and Argonia Argosy
12 September 2002
From the Star Files - Forty Years Ago, September 1962

ROLLER SKATING RINK SET TO OPEN SEPTEMBER 14

For the past several days the Moonlite Roller Rink has been under construction in Conway Springs in the Samples building at the corner of Spring and Fifth.  Mr. and Mrs. Perry Metcalf, Hutchinson are the owners and operators.  They will have shoe skates for rent and for sale, and soft drinks and confections in the office portion.

PRIEST FROM HERE TO THE PHILIPPINES

Six Oblate priests and one brother assigned to mission duties overseas will participate in solemn departure ceremonies on Sunday, September 9, near Belleville, IL.  Father Cletus Ternes, O.M.I., Conway Springs, KS will join some 70 missionaries in the Philippines.