Amanuensis Monday - From the Conway Springs Star Files for June 1952

Conway Springs Star & Argonia Argosy
6 June 2013
From the Star Files – June 1952

The community is right in the middle of the bumper wheat harvest that points toward putting Kansas over the 300,000,000 bushel mark this season.  The weather has been perfect for the past week to promote combining the big crop – in fact so favorable that the elevators and railroads have been unable to handle it.

The extra dry harvest season has increased the wheat fire hazard.  On Tuesday afternoon, the fire department as called to a farm southwest of town where fire destroyed less than two acres of standing wheat.  There was considerable damage to the combine.

Amanuensis Monday - Roll of Honor - Union Soldiers - Grand Army of the Republic - Sumner County, Kansas

The Roll of Honor

Following is a complete list of the Union soldiers 

who have died while members of James Shields Post No. 57, 

Wellington, Kansas, together with date of death, 

where the same is known:

Thomas Dixon, Coler, April 20th, 1872.

James E. Reed, January 21st, 1880.

W. D. McCain, (Stone Moved to Prairie Lawn Soldier's circle) January 29th, 1882.

W. C. Crawford, March 26th, 1882.

Thos. J. Mulholland, November 25th, 1883.

J. R. Pierce, March 1st, 1891.

Stephen Cooper, April 1879.

0. J. Shafer, April 3rd, 1881.

Henry Wagoner, July 1881.

George Marshall

J. B. Davis.

A. L. Bowman.

J. W. Thompson.

W. S. Gephart.

F. Wells.

John M. Kelly, October 15th, 1896

John Nichols, December 8th, 1897

G. W. Fegley, December 13th, 1897

John Hoyt, November 26th, 1889

Jas. P. Hall, January 29th, 1882.

John Wright, November 18th, 1893

William Ferguson, May 25th, 1894

J. E. Logan, May 26th, 1895.

C. A. Crawford, March 5th, 1897

R. G. Thompson, Aug. 31, 1899.

John Irelan, Feb. 3rd, 1900.

Uriah McDonald, Dec. 23rd, 1901

John Nance, June 28th, 1901.

Henry Dunning, Nov. 17th, 1892

William Begley, Dec. 12th, 1906

Lewis Mossaman, June 5th, 1908

Samuel White, May 4th, 1909.

Andrew Tinkham, Nov. 30th, 1909

J. H. Lawrence, Dec. 2, 1894

I. N. Beard, July 16th, 1879.

Andrew Carr, July 4th, 1895.

E. B. Dolson, March 26th, 1897.

W. H. Keever, May 30th, 1898.

Alex McIntyre. June 11th, 1892.

W. 0. Barnett, June 9th, 1895.

J. R. Ward, April 13th, 1886.

W. L. Hollingsworth, Feb. 6th, 1884

L. A. Simmons, Dec. 5th, 1888.

James Holland, Feb. 6th, 1888.

Porter Goodnight, June 18th, 1889

J. H. O'Rear.

James McDougall, Jan. 21st. 1879

W. C. Pine, March 24th, 1885.

David L. Payne, Nov. 28th, 1884

William A. Tucker, June 6th, 1893

James Anderson, Nov. 28th, 1886

Henry Godsey, May 31st, 1884

John M. Reynolds, April 29th, 1880

Dennison Herrick, July 2nd, 1882

Isiah A. McClasky, May 2nd, 1887

E. B. Thompson, Jan. 8th, 1887

D. W. VanHorn, March 1st, 1899

Orville Smith, March 2nd, 1899

Joseph T. Palmer. June 23rd, 1899

C. W. Gano, Aug. 11th, 1899.

Samuel Taylor, Oct. 6th, 1899.

Alfred Gressel, Dec. 7th, 1890.

L. K. Myers, June 8th, 1891.

26 John Botkin, June 10th. 1891.

William A. McDonald, June 1892.

John R. Latta, June 10th, 1894

Amos H. Botkin, June 19th, 1894

Micheal Wilson, July 1896.

Thos, McMahan, March 2nd, 1900

Cyrus Hamilton, April 9th, 1900

Samuel Bain, April 9th, 1900.

W. S. Pile, April 16th, 1900.

F. B. Mardis, April 20th, 1900

I. J. Stewart, May 20th, 1900.

John A. Bishop, July 4th, 1900

Geo. D. Armstrong, Oct. 5th, 1900

William Strahan, Oct. 21st, 1900

Z. Miexsell, June 2nd, 1901.

Silas Herring, Oct. 26th, 1901

John Stettler, Feb. 1st, 1902.

R. M. Forsythe, Oct. 10th, 1902

Levi C. Guthrie, June 6th, 1903

John K. Moore, April 2nd, 1903

W. H. Volts, May 9th, 1903.

Samuel Fox, May 11th, 1903.

Levi Richard, Dec. 19th, 1903

Frederick Boory, March 6th, 1904

Chas. H. Deshler, Nov. 10th, 1905

Geo. W. Tooley, October 3rd, 1905

Thos. J. Sargent, April 22nd, 1906

Thomas White, April 22nd, 1906

Andrew J. Gilliland, April 25th, 1906

Henry T. Hyser, Jan. T6th,1903

John M. Reynolds, Feb. 5th, 1907

David L. Pugh, March 24th, 1907

Geo. W. Stipp, June 29th, 1907

Robert S. Millard, July 31st, 1907

Mons Davidson, Sept. 12th, 1907

Wesley G. Foraker, Oct. 10th, 1907

Giles R. Davis. Nov. 11th, 1907

William E. Rush, Nov. 13th, 1907.

Joseph M. Dodd, Dec. 7th, 1907.

Joseph W Showalter, Jan. 14th, 1908

Mark Ward, March 11th, 1908.

W. S. Chambers, July 18th, 1908.

A. W. Sherman, Aug. 28th, 1908.

Hiram Myers, Jan. 26th, 1909.

W. P. Lenker, Feb. 9th, 1909.

J. D. Forsythe, April 20th, 1909.

J. Q. A. Beal, April 13th, 1910.

W. J. Lingenfelter, July 28th, 1910.

W. D. Adkins, Sept. 3rd, 1910.

A. A. Beal, Nov. 8th, 1910.

Webster Lynch.

Levi Ferguson, Aug. 10th, 1911.

John G. Woods, June 8th, 1912.

J. F. Eckert, June 27th, 1912.

G. W. Friend, July 8th, 1912.

William T. Spivey, Sept. 4th,1912.

Thomas Marshall, Oct. 14th, 1912.

Thos. Dickerson, Sept. 21st, 1913.

Excerpted from Page 4 of the Wellington Daily News, 29 May 1914.

Many of these men are probably buried in Sumner County cemeteries, and when time permits, we may be able to find their burial places and link to them here. 

“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 Argosy Files for September 1952

Conway Springs Star & Argonia Argosy

From Argosy Files
Fifty Years Ago, September 1952

MILAN SCHOOLS INCREASE

Higher enrollment in both the grade and high school was reported in the Milan public schools following their opening on September 2.

Two new teachers have been added to the grade school faculty. Mary Lee Craven, third and fourth grades, Alice McFarland, seventh and eighth grades.  Faye Allen, fifth and sixth grades and Mildred Ramsey, first and second grades, have been retained from last year’s faculty.

MILAN METHODISTS MEET

Wilma Sanburn, recording steward of the Milan church assisted Dr. Raymond Dewey district superintendent in opening the quarterly conference meeting.  Following reports of officers, election of officers were held for the coming year: church school superintendent, Herbert C. Ewing; trustee, Mrs. Harry Showalter; church treasurer Bertha Neal; treasurer of benevolences, Billie Roe; communion steward, Grace Jeffries; recording steward, Wilma Sanburn, Member of conferences, Violet King; other stewards, Mrs. Daryl Jones Mrs. John Aspedon, Mrs. Louis Muhlenbruch and Violet King.

LAST PICTURE SHOW

The last free picture show of the season was shown at Milan on August 28.  The shows have been a weekly feature during the summer and have been out of doors.  They have been sponsored by the American Legion and co-sponsored by the American Legion and co-sponsored by the merchants of Milan and Argonia as well as interested citizens.

After the show on Thursday night, the Legion held their drawing for a television set and a radio.  The television was presented to Paul McIntyre, Wellington and the radio to Eugene Metzen, Mayfield.

Amanuensis Monday - Conway Springs Star & Argonia Argosy - Star Files for November 1923

Conway Springs Star & Argonia Argosy
7 November 2013

From the Star Files – November 1923

The Cary Circle of Wellington invited the federated clubs of the county to meet at the Park House in Wellington last Thursday.  Because of the rain and bad roads only one car of Progressive club ladies went.  They were Mesdames James Snelling, Joe Shaffer, T. I. Guest, A. G. Small and Raymond Cline.

Several managers of neighboring telephone companies met at the city hall here yesterday as guests of E. J. Frantz, manager of the local company.  The state secretary of telephone managers is visiting various sections of the state since the national convention.

Mr. and Mrs. Bert Probst and son moved down from Wichita this week.  Bert is taking pharmacist exams at Lawrence this week after which he will take a position with Thew’s Drug Store.

“The Merchant of Venice” appeared here Tuesday night as the second number of the school lyceum course.  A big crowd attended completely filling the gym auditorium.

Mrs. Lida Shobe left Friday for an extended visit in Kansas City, MO., with her daughter Lola and Malvern Pepper and on to Murryville, Ill. To visit her sister, Mrs. Lottie Hart.  She will be away until Christmas. 

Amanuensis Monday - Conway Springs Star Flashbacks - September 1933

Conway Springs Star - Flashbacks
reprinted 26 Sept 1933

Flashbacks from September 1933

Kenneth Beal, Roy Jenkins, Clyde Clark and Harold Lange of this place and Julius Miller of Clearwater returned last week from several days visit to the big fair in Chicago.  The boys made the trip in a Model T touring car.

Sam Scott has moved his store from next door to Ebersole Mortuary to the I.O.O.F. building which he occupied several years ago.  He is using only a portion of the building, the balance being used by Bicket and Staley Produce.

Averill Skiles is among the 57 students selected for membership in Southwestern's A Cappella Choir this semester.

The annual Presbyterian rummage sale will be held in the Myers' building Thursday and Friday of next week.

Colonel George M. Boyd - Tuskegee Airman - to Speak on October 21st

On Monday, October 28th, 87-year-old former Tuskegee Airman, George M. Boyd, Colonel in the Civil Air Patrol and former Wing Commander of the CAP and Retired Major in the United States Air Force, Wichita, will present the program “Keeping Our Dreams Alive”, a program about patriotism and being American, to the Sumner County Historical and Genealogical Society at the Wellington Senior Center, 308 South Washington, Wellington at 6:30 p.m. Contact Jane Moore at 620-447-3266 in case of inclement weather.

See Programs for more information!

Amanuensis Monday - Caldwell Messenger Flashbacks!

"The Caldwell Messenger" Flashbacks Wednesday, 27 February 2013
Page 2, Col. 2

Here are a few tidbits - reprinted with permission from the 27 February 2013, Caldwell Messenger, Caldwell, Kansas.

February 22, 1883

The Oklahoma Boomers who went into the promised land from here began drifting back.  They found it no easy task to dodge the U.S. troops.

J. M. Thomas had money to lend to Sumner and Harper County farms at 10 per cent, plus commission.

R. Rue had a large lot of fresh burned brick for sale at lowest cash prices.

February 23, 1893

William Wykes, south of Caldwell, was appointed by Governor as a member of the board of Public Works at a salary of $1,000 a year and traveling expenses.

The station of Cicero, on the Santa Fe, south of Wellington, was discontinued.

Troop C. of the U. S. Army went south through Caldwell en route to El Reno. (Oklahoma Territory)

February 26, 1903

The Rock Island abolished the office of “foreman” and installed a “superintendent of shops.”

February 27, 1913
Mr. and Mrs. Abel Grimm and their two little girls were badly bruised in a runaway near Renfrow.

February 21, 1923
Flu epidemic is abating here.  The school has averaged four teachers a day out.

Meeting called for next Monday to form a cooperative association between Parents and Teachers.  It will be called PTA.

Sidebottom Brothers of Wellington have bought the restaurant business of Libby and Son on South Main.

February 23, 1923
Three arrested on bootlegging charges. One was bound over because the judge said he was persistently violating the liquor law.  Bond was $500.

February 26, 1923
Arrest six in raid on livery stable. City cops run in on “Crap” game Sunday afternoon after an anonymous complaint.

Amanuensis Monday - Flashbacks - Caldwell (Kansas) Messenger - September 5, 2012

Here are a few tidbits - reprinted with permission from the Caldwell, Messenger, Caldwell, Kansas.

August 31, 1882

A whole gang of pretty school marms passed through Caldwell en route for the agencies for positions.

August 31, 1892

Chas. H. Fay & Co. advertised that there was no sand in their sugar and no impurities in their tea.

John Blair had a shoulder broken when a riding horse fell with him on a slippery road.

H. A. Ross and Co. took a large advertisement telling people that they were too busy to write an ad but not too busy to sell merchandise.

The campaign was waxing hot - The Populist Party at that time being in their hey day.

September 4, 1892

Elton Scribner died of typhoid fever.

There were 16 road shows scheduled to appear at the Caldwell Opera House during the fall months.

September 5, 1912

Much space was being used to "lambast" Teddy Roosevelt and the Bull Moose party.

September 4, 1922

All Drury cottages are full for this week end.  There are many tents being put up for those wanting to stay from Saturday until Monday. 

Amanuensis Monday - from the February 18, 2010 Conway Springs Star-Argonia Argosy

Reprinted on February 18, 2010
Conway Springs (Kansas) Star Files from February 1900

Educational
The spelling match and box supper was well attended last Tuesday night and everybody reported a pleasant and profitable time.  Miss Maude Wycoff spelled down the school.

The boys have their football at last and now they will keep the "grid iron hot."

Alva Dautrich is getting to be quite a performer on the flute.  Ed Lange is studying on the mandolin and A. O. Harvey is taking voice lessons.  Among them all we have a variety.

Charley Skiles lingered a little too long in the parlor last Sunday night and his horse went home with the buggy, leaving Charley to walk.

Invitations for the masquerade ball at the opera house the evening of Valentine's Day, are being sent out.  This weill be the last of the season and great preparations are being made for the event.

The post office department will have ready for issue within three months books of postage stamps.  The book will be of convenient size, that it may be carried in the vest pocket, and will be issued in three classes, namely books of twelve, twenty-four and forty-eight.  The books will sell at 1 cent advance on the face value of the stamps.

Miss Ida Frantz returned Wednesday from McPherson where she had been attending Bible Normal at the Dunkard school.

Uncle Thomas Graham is a general favorite on the school grounds.  About two hundred and fifty know that he has a sharp knife when they have a dull pencil.

13 Free Things That Your Library May Offer!

 This great article at ilovelibraries.org, "13 Things You Pay For That Your Library Has For Free" by Linda McMaken shares just how many great things that you may be able to do and check out at your local library, for free, besides books!  


Many libraries have DVD's, Music, Language Learning courses, and more that you can check out and enjoy at home, as well as using the free Internet and Wi-Fi access at the library.


Want to get started doing genealogy?  Many libraries have a family history and local history section, some have volunteers available to help you fill in the blanks in your family tree, and most libraries have someone who can point you in the right direction to do more local and county research.  


The Wellington Public Library, located in Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas has a local history room, quite a few local newspaper microfilms, and a few surrounding city newspaper microfilms available, as well as some census records on microfilm.


Surrounding towns, Argonia, Belle Plaine, Caldwell, Conway Springs, Mulvane, & Oxford all have libraries, though many in the smaller towns are open just for short times each week.


Need to do Research in Sumner County, Kansas libraries? 


Call the numbers or write the addresses below to learn the hours they are open, (many are small and hours around holidays may vary) and and find out what research materials are available.


Argonia Public Library
120 West Walnut; P.O. Box 95
Argonia, KS  67004
PH: 1-620-435-6979 
Website: http://www.librarytechnology.org/lwc-displaylibrary.pl?RC=18330


Belle Plaine Public Library
222 W. 5th Ave;  P.O. Box 700  
Belle Plaine, KS  67013
e-mail: bplib@sktc.net
Website:  http://belleplainelibrary.com/ 

Caldwell Public Library
120 S. Main StreetCaldwell, KS  67022PH: 1-620-845-6879
Website: http://caldwell.mykansaslibrary.org/
City Website: http://www.caldwellkansas.com/node/202


Conway Springs Public Library
210 W. Spring Ave.
Conway Springs, Kansas  67031
PH: 1-620-456-2859
Website: http://conwaysprings.mykansaslibrary.org/


Mulvane Public Library
101 E. Main St.
Mulvane, KS  67110
PH: 316-777-1211
e-mail: mulvanelib@gmail.com
Website: http://mulvane.mykansaslibrary.org/


Oxford Public Library115 S. Sumner
Oxford, KS  67119
PH: 1-620-455-2221
e-mail: oxfordlibrary@sutv.com
Website: http://www.oxfordks.org/oxford-public-library.htm


Wellington Public Library 
121 W. 7th
Wellington, KS  67152
PH: 1-620-326-2011
e-mail: wpl@sutv.com
Website: http://skyways.lib.ks.us/towns/Wellington/library.html

Amanuensis Monday - Louis Strange Obituary

02 May 2011

Louis Strange Obituary
The Monitor Press
August 10, 1927; Vol 56, Number 32

Strange - After an extended period of failing health Louis Strange, a well known colored resident of this city and a veteran of the Indian wars, died at 2:30 o'clock Friday afternoon at the home of his adopted son, Russell Berry on East Third Street, aged 84 years.

Deceased was born in Bowling Green, Kentucky and served in the national army in campagns against the Indians following the Civil War. 

He is survived by two adopted children, Russell Berry of this city, and Mrs. Jessie Bailey, now of Chicago.

His wife died some twelve years ago.  He was a stonemason by trade, but for many years was a trusted employee of the Hunter Milling company until compelled to retire by old age and feeble health.

The funeral, with Rev. W. W. Arnett of the A. M. E. church officiating was held at the Frank Funeral Home at 2:30 o'clock Tuesday afternoon with burial in Prairie Lawn cemetery.