Grenola Gazette: Fifty-seven years ago when A. R. Meek chose Miss Cassie Frank to be his wife, he chose her as she did her wedding gown, for the qualities that would wear well, and his judgement was not misplaced.

At Greenfield, Indiana, January 27, 1873, they were married and left at once, for the then, far West and took a Kansas claim four miles north of where Grenola now stands. Here these two worthy people raised their family of six children and three of them were at home and helped them celebrate the occasion of their 57th anniversary on January 27th.

Eleven years ago they moved to Grenola and are now enjoying the modern comforts of life.

In honor of the day their daughter Miss Minnie, prepared a delicious 12 o'clock dinner. Besides the family at home, Mrs. Belle Yates and Mrs. Emma Aubuchon were honor guests. A special was rendered for them over the Milford radio station. They also received congratulations from their absent children and friends.
Submitted by L. Morgan

We are in the market for hides and will pay the highest cash price for them. -----Hall Meat Market in Bartlett’s store.
Submitted by L. Morgan

Hon. E. G. Dewey has disposed of the Moline Review to Mr. U. G. Sutton, editor of the Grenola Greeting. Mr. Dewey has had charge of the Review for a couple of years and has made the paper pay reasonably well. Mr. Dewey is one of the best writers in this part of the state and will be missed. He will devote his time to the postoffice.

Mr. Sutton has taken charge of the Review and will conduct both it and the Greeting at present, but will doubtless sell the Greeting later. Success to him.
Submitted by L. Morgan

Lewis Richard, or "Dutch Louie" as he is often called has bought property in Severy and is having a house built on it into which he will soon move, we understand. Louie settled on Indian creek in 1871 and he has lived here ever since. He has always been honest and a good industrious neighbor and citizen; on account of poor health lately he has rented out his farm in the east part of Paw Paw township on Indian creek to Frank Seimers.
Submitted by L. Morgan

Miss Jessie Mecracken received a telegram yesterday from her sister Miss Nannie, at Blackfeet, Idaho, stating that Miss Libbie Zeller died there that morning of typhoid fever. Miss Zeller was well known to most of our readers. She was the oldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. Zeller and spent her girlhood days in Longton. She was a teacher in the Longton schools before leaving for the West. She was teaching in Blackfoot when taken sick.
Submitted by L. Morgan

June 23 was a gala day for school district No. 8 at Busby. It was the last day of Miss Mintie Nichols' school. She came into our district a stranger to teach our spring term of school, and to say she has made a success is putting it mildly. The pupils and patrons have learned to love her and she, them. The days being long, she has for some time been holding the pupils a short time after school hours drilling them for the last day. The last day came and our big hearted Jim Kitterman fitted up the fine grove where the People's party had such a grand rally last August, and here they came in wagons, buggies, horseback and on foot, not only patrons of the school, but large numbers from a distance, until it looked as if we were going to have another grand rally. About nine o'clock Miss Nichols marched her pupils, about 50 in number, from the school house to the grove. It was a sight to see them march, keeping perfect step, enough to make an old soldier ashamed of himself to think how he did when he first went out in the "awkward squad." The stand was draped with our big national flag, which contains 50 years of loyalalty and patriotism in its folds. Mrs. Sprague had given the use of her organ and our Jim had his guitar, so we had plenty of music, vocal and instrumental. The program was carried out to perfection, the pupils, large and small, performed their parts so well that it showed great generalship in the teacher. Then the dinner! It was fine and plenty of it. At 1:30 p.m. we had more music and then Prof. D. M. Barkley, our worthy county superintendent, spoke for an hour and held the large audience in rapt attention. Short speeches were also made by F. P. Sharp, J. W. Cutter and W. W. Hensley. It was such a grand success that Mr. Barkley thought it prudent to put on the brakes a little and he addressed the children and told them that their teacher, whom they so greatly loved, was only human and liable to err like other people. Mr. Barkley forgot that Painterhood, especially Busby, never did things by halves. The pupils presented Miss Nichols with a fine album. It was a day never to be forgotten by those who were present. - A Patron.
Submitted by L. Morgan

J. B. Dobyns, the postmaster of Howard, always kind, pleasant and accommodating, has been unusually so for the past week. Patrons of the office have noticed the angelic expression on Joe's face and many have been the remarks about it. So much comment was made that a reporter under took the task of discovering the cause. It did not take long to ascertain that the cause was the appearance on last Friday morning at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Lambert of a twelve pound boy, who announced that he had come to stay. Dr. Costello was present when he arrived, and says it is no wonder that grandpa Dobyns steps high like a blind horse in a stone quarry, as it is a fine boy.
Submitted by L. Morgan

Yesterday afternoon as Dr. Cheney and his wife were returning home from Elk Falls, and when near the residence of A. T. Ayres, in this city, the cart in which they were riding broke throwing the Doctor violently to the ground, and as the team gave a sudden spring forward, one of the lines broke. Mrs. Cheney with rare presence of mind, caught the remaining line and attempted to stop the frightened team but was unable to do so. The horses ran across the street, striking a post throwing Mrs. Cheney out on the cart tongue when one of the horses kicked, striking her on the forehead cutting an ugly gash which required several stitches by the physician to close it. The doctor was severely bruised and Mrs. Cheney's injuries are quite serious. It was a narrow escape from death.
Submitted by L. Morgan

The nine-year old daughter of Ed Champ, living on Hitchen creek, was bitten by a mad dog last Monday evening. The dog belonged to Wm. O'Neil at whose house the little girl was when the dog seized her by the calf of the leg. The child had a corn knife in her hand at the time and dealt the dog several severe blows on the head before he would release his hold. The calf of her leg was badly lacerated and her father left Tuesday with her for Winfield where he will have the mad stone applied. The dog bit a horse belonging to Mr. G. Mitchell and one belonging to John Abbott before it was killed.
Submitted by L. Morgan

Last Thursday afternoon, Dr. Arnold of Elk Falls was in the city, and while driving from the depot toward town his team, which was hitched to a buggy became scared and ran away. The doctor jumped out at the start and escaped injury. The team ran into Vanasdall's delivery wagon, upsetting it and throwing M. D. Watkins, the driver, out. Mr. Watkins was not hurt but the buggy tongue struck one of Van's horses cutting a great gash in its hip. The wagon was also badly wrecked. The runaway team finally jumped the hedge fence and got over into Dr. Rush's yard where it was caught. The damage to Vanasdall's outfit was fixed at $26.25 by a committee which the doctor paid.
Submitted by L. Morgan

Patterson & Son sustained a serious loss last Monday in the death of one of their bus horses. While the boys were at breakfast, the horse in some manner got out of the barn and took a run on the street. While making the turn at a crossing he fell and at once expired. It is supposed he bursted a blood vessel. He was a large black horse and a splendid specimen of his kind and death breaks up the best bus team in southern Kansas. This team was admired by all lovers of horses who seen them.
Submitted by L. Morgan

Last Thursday the residence on the farm of Mrs. Hanmer, about seven miles northeast of Howard, was burned down. The fire caught the roof from the stove pipe and as the wind was blowing a perfect hurricane, it was only by the most heroic effort that the greater portion of the contents of the house was saved. It was occupied by Mr.B. F. Ball and family. Mrs. Ball was in bed with a babe four days old, but was carried out and placed under a tree a safe distance and is none the worse for the rough experience. The loss is about $600, insured for $400. Mr. Ball desires to return the thanks of himself and family for the assistance rendered by his neighbors and especially to the Garrett brothers and families, Mr. Dickinson and sister and Miss Myrtle Sprague. The great presence of mind shown by Miss Sprague doubless saved the life of Mrs. Ball and the babe.
Submitted by L. Morgan

Ed Maxey's delivery team took French leave of him last Monday afternoon and succeeded in smashing the wagon into kindling wood before they were stopped. They were left standing in the alley in the rear of the store of Adams & Strong while Ed took some empty boxes into the store and while he was gone the team took fright and started down the alley at a "strip" gait. At the mill they turned and at the crossing they collided with a hitching post and left the wagon. They were caught opposite the Metropolitan hotel.
Submitted by L. Morgan

Boy Only Fourteen Years Old Charged With Forgery--ANOTHER YOUNGSTER IN TROUBLE
Andrew Morss, a lad 14 or 15 years of age, presented a check for $100 to the Howard National Bank for payment last Wednesday, signed by Orvill Clum of PawPaw township. The check didn't look just right to Mr. Thompson, the assistant cashier, but he paid it and when the young man went out, Mr. Thompson stepped to the phone and calling Mr. Clum up, learned that the check had been drawn for $3.15. A warrant was sworn out and the young man was placed under arrest.

Not only had the check been raised from $3.15 to $100, but the name of the payee had been changed from Andrew Morss to Andrew Johnson.

The young man has only been in the county three or four weeks, coming here from Iowa. He will have his preliminary hearing Friday.
Submitted by L. Morgan

A son of Dr. Tressler of Fall River, about 20 years of age, was arrested a week ago last Friday and brought to Howard, charged with statutory rape. The name of the girl in the case is Book. Young Tressler waived preliminary trial and was bound over to appear at the May term of the district court.
Submitted by L. Morgan

George Hight, who lives three miles east of Upola, while harrowing in the field last Thursday, was struck by lightning. Mr. Hight was almost stripped of his clothing and was badly burned. His cap was found 15 feet from where he laid and one of the soles of his shoes three feet away. He could hear nothing and was in great distress for several days, but his hearing has now returned and the doctor has hopes of saving his life. The team he was driving was knocked down but soon recovered.
Submitted by L. Morgan

Elmer Scogin Disappears From His Home--It is Feared That He Has Shot Himself Or Fallen in the River.

Elmer Scogin, the 16 year old son of J.W. Scogin, who lives near Chaplin, eight miles southwest of Howard, is missing from his home. Elmer left home on the forenoon of the Fourth and it was supposed he went to the creek to fish. He had a six-shooter and some cartridges with him. Not coming back, a search was made for him, but up to today no trace of him has been found. Wm. Dorth, our informer, says there are at least thrity neighbors hunting for him. It is feared by some that he fell into the river and was drowned. The streams are so high, it makes searching very difficult. The boy is a fine looking fellow and will weigh probably 160 pounds.

It is just possible that the young man concluded to make a visit to some neighboring town. We hope this will prove to be the casee and that he will turn up all right.
Submitted by L. Morgan

While on his way home from Howard last Friday, Tom Cass, a farmer who lives near Cave Springs, was thrown out of his wagon and seriously injured.

The wagon was loaded with implements etc, and in trying to avoid a bad place in the road Mr. Cass drove one wheel of the wagon onto a culvert and the other wheel dropping into a ditch and overturned, throwing Mr. Cass out. The wheel struck him on the chin then dropping with full force onto his neck, almost crushing it. The gentleman was picked up unconscious and carried into a neighbor's house. Drs. Trowbridge and Hays of Howard were sent for. They found that Mr. Cass' jaw was broken besides being cut and bruised up in a serious manner. At last report he has getting along nicely.

Mr. Ferguson who was with him in the wagon got off with a badly bruised leg.
Submitted by L. Morgan

W. A. Annawalt was killed by the cars at Grenola Tuesday night Dec.6. He was auditor of the Rock Island Lumber company with headquarters at wichita, and was going to invoice the lumber yard at Grenola. He had thrown his grip off the opposite side from the depot and it is supposed that in getting off himself, he caught his clothing and was dragged about four hundred feet, when the wheels crushed his head. His overcoat was carried a couple of hundred feet further and dropped beside the track.

No one knew of the accident until the engineer of the west bound passenger train at 6 o'clock the next morning saw the body by the track. The remains were cared for by Hall & Wilbur's undertaking establishment, and his father at Wichita, was wired.

Mr. Annawalt was about 40 years old, and had held his position as auditor for about twenty years. He was unmarried.
Submitted by L. Morgan

Last Friday, February 23rd, was the eighty-ninth birth anniversary of Mrs. Abbie Longley, mother of E. K. Longley, and Mrs. S. J. Bascum of this city. In honor of that event, Mr. and Mrs. E.K. Longley entertained in their beautiful new home, Dr. and Mrs. J. L. Hays, Mr. and Mrs. S. J. Bascom and Mr. and Mrs. F. C. Flory at a five o'clock dinner.

Mrs. Longley has been making her home in this city for several years with her daughter and son and those who have been so fortunate as to make her acquaintance always delight to honor her. Mrs. Longley was born amid the green hills of Massachusetts, and at an early age moved to the then territory of Wisconsin, where with her beloved husband they lived for many years and reared a large family. At the beginning of the war they moved to Washington D. C. where many of their relatives resided and where Mr. Longley acted as warden of the penitentary during the exciting war period. During her residence in Washington she became acquainted with the prominent personages of that day, including the beloved Lincoln, who frequently visited her home with his romping boys. Her memory of those stirring events is acute and she has the happy faculty of narrating them so interestingly as to delight her auditors. Few persons of her age are so vigorous in body and mind.

After the splendid dinner and congratulations form those present, Mrs. Longley favored the company with the following original poem:

John New is out of jail and has gone -----departed hence without delay. If he told the truth, or rather if his diabolical tale even approximated the truth, he was and is a great scoundrel; if, as a great many people profess to think, his story was totally untrue and he made the tale about John Frazier’s murder out of whole cloth, he is one of the greatest scoundrel’s unhung.

If he is guilty or innocent of complicity in the murder of W. H. Gibson and John S. Frazier, now that he is once more free to go and come as he pleases, he will surely be one of the most wretched men in existence; if he was telling the truth on the witness stand, he stands a self confessed murderer, if he lied on the witness stand, he was endeavoring to convict of murder a number of perfectly innocent men. In either event the poor scoundrel will certainly have a hard time of it for the rest of his life.--(Sedan Times-Star)
Submitted by L. Morgan

Last Sunday a fishing party consisting of A.M. Jackson, Tom Thompson, Mark McBee, Wm. Crooks, Dr. Rusk(?) and J.Q. Burchfield camped on the Osborn farm on Elk river. The party was equipped with a tent, a barrel of mineral water and the most modern fishing tackle. They lived in the tent and spent a portion of the time disturbing the quiet and peace of the oviparous vertebrate animal commonly mentioned as fish.

Monday morning after the fish had been sufficiently alarmed and the company’s mineral water exhausted, the tent was folded preparatory to a retreat to the original base of supplies. As the bedding was lifted from the ground an ugly blue snake shot out from under the clothing. To the astonished fisherman it appeared to be al least forty feet in length. The company were terror stricken. At first thought they were not certain whether it was a real snake or one of those deceptive phantoms sometimes created by the treacherous mineral water. After a minutes delay during which time each gentleman rubbed his eyes and felt of his head to be sure he was present with his senses, McBee made for the slimy intruder and slayed it. Upon measurement it was found to be six feet long.

Burchfield insists that he will never be found fishing with that party again for a crowd that attracts snakes is too tough for him, --Moline Republican
Submitted by L. Morgan

The Burchfield Mercantile Company---A Mammoth Business Concern
ESTABLISHED 1877
Their Fame Reaches All Over Southern Kansas---Popular With All

The Burchfield Mercantile Co. is the continuation of a business established just 20 years ago, when J.Q. Burchfield bought out M.W. Jones hardware and implement business. By a steady and healthy growth it has attained its present mammoth proportions, not without difficulties, however, for droughts, grasshoppers, panics, bad crops, conflagrations and “the crime of ‘73’ have all combined against it. But by good, aggressive business methods and superior management the firm has been carried through many campaigns of adversity and is now established on the most solid foundation.

The reporter is shown first into the hardware department, a large room 25 by 100 feet, conveniently and handsomely shelved and fitted for light and heavy hardware, cutlery, small tools, guns, and sporting goods, with rows and rows of fine heating stoves, gasoline stoves, ranges, cook-stoves --everything in the line; and acres of tin ware, copperware, graniteware, fancy designs, wire goods, etc. Passing through into the back room we had a large and well appointed tin shop presided over by Capt. Jess Smith, late of Moline, who can make anything from a can for fish bait to a tin roof for the state capitol.

Back of the tinshop we find a large wareroom 50 x 150 feet filled with wagons and farm implements. They handle Studebaker, Birdsell, Capitol and Moline wagons; the celebrated Gale Manufacturing Co’s farming implements; also the John Deere, the Hagle and all the Moline goods. These embrace everything in the line of farm machinery and plows.

Near by is a large ware room filled with fine buggies and carriages, carts, spring wagons, etc.---- the Studebakers, the Parry, the Anchor, and several other celebrated and standard makes.

In close proximity we find a large poultry house where Sir Walter Strachan has charge; he also takes care of the country produce department, the butter, eggs, etc.

Coming in through the grocery we find a large salesroom filled with everything in the grocery and produce line. Here we also find the good looking man of the firm -- or at least one of the good looking men, for they are all handsome--Commodore Arthur Goodwin, who can sell anything from bacon and molasses in the grocery department to sealskin sacques in the cloak department. The Moline trade won't be served by anybody but Arthur.

Next we find the dry goods and clothing with fine goods in the above lines and including boots, shoes and notions, Wm. Goodwin can be found here, looking solemn and dignified, but watchful and accommodating; here also is Bishop Bowman, the smooth, capable man of the house; also Doctor William Myers, late of Oklahoma, who is fuller of business than Washington is of office seekers.

If you live to get through this department, you naturally gravite to the south room where you find 25 x 100 feet of harness, saddles, and goods in that line, with a few extra fine buggies to fill up the space. Gen O.H. Lee bosses this department, and he hands you on upstairs where four or five men are busily engaged in making harness. The two large rooms upstairs are crowded full of stoves, vehicles, harness, heavy hardware, etc.

In a large room facing north on Washington street, we find organs, pianos, sewing machines, and musical merchandise presided over by U.D. Burchfield. Here you will find all of the best makes of pianos and organs.

Over on the north side of Washington street is a mammoth ware room in which you will find harvesters, reapers and mowers-- the Buckeye, the Deering, the Plano, the Walther A. Wood and others; also acres of cultivators, plows, seeders, drills, rakes, harrows--everything in the line. The Burchfield Mercantile Co. have a big business; they have four large sales rooms, besides two large upstairs rooms and three large detached ware rooms, and the poultry houses, besides acres of heavy machinery standing out of doors.

The firm is composed of the only and original J.Q. Burchfield who is so well known that he needs no introduction and his sons, U.D. the musical instrument and sewing machine man; and John Q. Jr. the "little giant" of Elk County, all around hustler and sub-manager under J.Q. Sr. It is a strong firm, a well established business and a very popular house. They buy altogether in carload lots and can give their customers the benefit of the very inside prices.

We must not omit mentioning the expert accountant, Lieut-Col. Fred Cook who has charge of the books of the firm. There is not a harder worked man in the house than Col. Cook and the fact that he keeps up at all is absolute proof that he understands his business perfectly.

Call on the Burchfields. They can and will do you good.
Submitted by L. Morgan

J.J. Holmes, Ends His Life- “Whiskey Did It”

The following is sent us by W.A. McCausland, from Moline:
There was a suicide here last night, (March 16) the particulars of which are as follows:

J.J. Holmes, a grade buyer for some firm in Texas, who has been located at Grenola, came over here Tuesday evening. He retired at about 12 o’clock, leaving a call for ___ (unreadable) a.m. John Cleveland called at 8 (?) a.m. and failed to get a response. Looking over the traason (?) he saw Holmes on his face on the floor. Upon opening the door it was seen at once that the man was dead. He lay on his face with one hand beneath his chin. He had disrobed, sat down on a chair and shot himself through the heart with a .38 caliber revolver, the ball coming out below the right shoulder blade and striking the wall of the room.

He had evidently sat a few moments after the shot as blood had run down his side and stained the chair. He left two letters saying that whiskey was the cause of his trouble. That his mother was removed from want, he had no one dependant upon him, and to save further disgrace thought best to kill himself. He was between 30 and 35 years old, and his mother and sisters live in Oklahoma or the Indian Territory. I could not learn which. His body will be shipped to them tomorrow. The strange thing is that no one heard the shot. Before shooting himself he carefully pulled back his undershirt and from powder marks on his body must have placed the muzzle of the revolver against his side. Justice of the Peace Hunter held the inquest.
Submitted by L. Morgan

HOWARD CONSIDERED AS LOCATION FOR MOVIE

A Home For A Very Wealthy Person? What could be more perfect than the H.G. Zirn residence, now owned and occupied by Geo. H. Sharp. It is still in mint condition and available to Hollywood. (Omitted Photo was submitted as courtesy of Mary Lou Kiner) Note: The location of the residence is where the Cattle Baron Inn B & B is today.(516 E. Randolph)

Howard residents are usually and justly proud of the city’s two new bank buildings, its new drug store and production credit building and the other businesses which have undergone face-liftings recently. But this modern appearance might be the reason for Howard not being the location of a movie which probably will be filmed in southeastern or south central Kansas.

A story carried in the Wichita Eagle last Friday, stated that Howard was one of three southeastern towns which is under consideration as a site for the filming of a story which takes place in the 1920’s dealing with the early flyer and his son. The art director for the film, Joel Schiller, had been in the area several weeks previously and mentioned Howard, Cedar Vale and Mount Hope as good possibilities, with Cedar Vale having the edge due to the presence of an old home there which is “ideal for a very wealthy person in the film.”

Schiller returned to Wichita last Friday and was joined by two other members of the Hollywood studio, Monday evening. It is believed that they are in the process of narrowing down the possibilities which Schiller discovered in his search.

The Courant-Citizen contacted the Wichita chamber last Friday and gave them information concerning the suitability of Howard as the location. Upon request of the Howard chamber of commerce, KG &E, The Electric Co., sent two of its public relations men to Howard, Monday, to prepare pictures of Howard and suitable sites throughout the town to be submitted to the studio officials.

The Wichita chamber of commerce, who is helping the Hollywood studio gather information concerning the possible sites was contacted by this newspaper Tuesday afternoon. A spokesman stated that he had no information at the present time as to the final choice or the time it will be made. It is thought that the decision will come later this week.
Submitted by L. Morgan

Mr. & Mrs. A.H. Kling Golden Wedding to be Observed

The children of Mr. and Mrs. A.H. Kling, Howard, will honor them with a reception Sunday, February 14, in celebration of their golden wedding anniversary.

The reception will be held in the educational building of the Howard United Methodist church. Friends and relatives are asked to call between 2:00 and 3:00 p.m. The couple requests that no gifts be presented.

Hosts will be the six children and their families: Mr. and Mrs. Harold H. Kling, ElDorado; Mr. and Mrs. D.B. Schwartzkopf, Ulysses; Mr. and Mrs. Loren Kling, Lenexa; Pastor and Mrs. Don G. Harper, Cedar Vale; Mr. and Mrs. Verne L. Kling, Salina; and Mr. and Mrs. Mark Doyen, Barnes.

Marie Clark and Henry Kling were married February 16, 1921, at the home of the bride's parents, the late Mr. and Mrs. B.F. Clark, northeast of Howard. Pastor Harry E. Crane performed the ceremony with Mrs. Opal Wucherpfening, nee Kling, and Frank Clark as the attendants. The couple farmed in the Fairview community until they moved to Howard in 1942. Mr. Kling received his appointment as postmaster of the Howard post office in 1941, a position he held until his retirement in June 1967.

Through the years the Klings have maintained an interest in community affairs. They are active members of the American Legion and Auxiliary, Grange, and the United Methodist church.
Submitted by L. Morgan

RECEPTION TO HONOR WALTER WEBSTERS

The children of Mr. and Mrs. Walter C. Webster, rural Howard, will honor them with a reception, Sunday, March 21, in honor of their 60th wedding anniversary.

The reception will be held in the First Christian church basement, Howard. Friends and relatives are invited to call between 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.

Hosting the reception will be their two sons and daughter and their families: Mr. and Mrs. Hrold Webster, Wichita; Mr. and Mrs. Dallas Webster and Mr. and Mrs. John R. Barnes, Howard.

Maude Biddinger and Walter C. Webster were married March ?? 1911, in the home of the bride's father, Sanford Biddinger.

Mr. and Mrs. Webster have lived all their married life on the farm where they now reside. They have six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

They request no gifts.
Submitted by L. Morgan

  back to Newspaper Index Page

Copyright © Genealogy Trails All Rights Reserved with Full Rights Reserved for Original Contributor

Return To Top Of Page

Return to Elk County Trails
Return to Kansas Trails
Retrn to Genealogy Trails