1 10 1803 https://kccarchives.cvlcollections.org/files/original/16/434/Vona.pdf 513a37a5bfbad3a2e9317ec92e8d113c PDF Text Text railroad was progressing. The first entry on the abstract is June 19, 1888, when R.S. Newell obtained a patent for a 240 acre plot of Elbert County land, legally described as -ffiffi ST I -f -t----r---l sF#,F- | 'J' l*l 'J' l* * a [ llt l'l,Fl'l+l,l'"t4'l t t'l:lGI 'tuJJJrlJ!.t ST SI $ffiI........-n ffi- ffinffi!t l'H+l+l't'l"l{'4',| E% SW V+ and. SE% 536 8 R47. The July 3, 1888, warranty deed to C.F. Jilson preceded the July 13, 1888, plotting of Claremont when the original confines of our town were set. The entries of the years through 1914 are a series of land exchanges some of which were Nffi entry that makes one know there was a building is a December 31, 1914, item when 1I "Stratton State Bank" appears on a trust deed item numbered #30. The liquidation sale for the real property and bank equipment appears as item #42 with Henry G. Hoskins notarizing. That the town's name !n s \J s ,sT s s N \ 1--,;_l|-rI. \ due to tax sale with name of McCauley, Campbell, A.W. Winegar, Ferris, Bourquin, Hugo and Clara Stegman, J.A. Collins and Blair involved in the transactions. The first f- x #+4 ffiffi N fljJ11dfinfl ROC/( /SLANO PuaL /c .5rl sr H/6Huay y^ti;":,L was now Stratton is clear. The ensuing transactions are a review of names associated through the years with Stratton's development: Stratton State Bank to Harstine, and then to C.S. and Nora Wall; Nora Wall to Claus Rose Jr. and Justus Rose at the death of her husband; the Rose's to George F. Batt; the Batts to Swidbert A. and Edith A. Hornung, and so on through the years to the present owners D. and - Donald Patricia C. Guernsey. If all the joys and heartaches of those who owned this property t{ t! a I VONA through the years could pour out of that abstract, what a story we would have! by the Editors VONA HISTORY Story 1 T377 Some of Vona's History as taken from the book Vono's Yesterdays and other sources. The information was compiled by the Vona Centennial-Bicentennial Com. in 1976, the members being: Joyce Miller, Barbara Thorson, DeAnna Cure, Keith Gurley, Wilma Woller, Claude Rasmussen, Lila Taylor, Harriet Ford, and Carl Harrison. Submitted by M.D. Haynes: "The Rock Island was the by Janice Salmans VONA'S HISTORY T378 {i ':.iat ,3:'',t : last of the trunk lines to cross the eastern plains of Colorado. Vona, in Kit Carson County, was named for a niece of Pearl S. King, a Burlington lawyer. Some say he was a printer not a lawyer. There were no settlers, only living things being jack rabbits, prairie dogs, and a few coyotes and antelope. First people were those connected with the railroad, such as depot agents, section bosses, and pump men. In 1888, a contract was taken by E.H. Haynes to grade two miles of Rock Island road bed at Bethune. The engineers indicated to Mr. Haynes where the Vona station would be located, so he filed a homestead entry adjoining that spot. However, no town lots were to be laid out until nearly twenty years later, when the southwest forty was platted, and about that time a plot was deeded for the cemetery. A brother of Mrs. Haynes, Z.J. Kiser, filed on a quarter section cornering to the south-west." The following history was written by Elmer H. Haynes, probably in the late 1930's. Mr. and Mrs. Haynes first lived north of the AF ;; .:':* i t,::::'..:1.. t. ., *?* :'1,L1,1 Vona street scene l .: section house in a dugout, but later they were able to secure a frame building formerly used as a saloon. "Vona those living some - For distance from our town, we will say that Vona is located in Kit Carson County in the exact center from north to south and almost the center from east to west. The location is just rolling enough to insure good drainage, the soil is a rich sandy loam. All vegetation common to this climate and elevation grows well. Blue grass lawns do especially well without irrigation or occasional irrigation. Water is found in unlimited quantities at about 80 feet and chemists find it pure and healthy for drinking purposes. For several years the town was kept by the railroad, the school being maintained entirely by the taxes �country was rapidly settled. Early in 1908, Wiley Baker, a young man recently arrived from Iowa, established the Vona Enterprise. i*,. fi l iI*' doz.; 2 lbs. coffee, 250; Gasoline, 164; Percale, 100; Gingham, 70;4 pkgs. starch, 250; 19 lbs. sugar, $1.00; and Flour, $1.65. Area population in 1913 368; Bethune - Burlington 25; Stratton 350; VonaSeibert - 250; and Flagler - 100; 250. The Vona band -performed at the first- Flagler Fall Festival in 1913. Members: Iversen. Karver. Scheid- Vona street scene looking north. )-l Baker's paper was the only democratic paper in the county and strenuously supported the Democratic ticket that fall, which ticket by strange coincidence, with one exception, was successful. The county was overwhelmingly Republican, but dissatisfaction with the way the county assembly nominated the ticket, caused rank and file to rebel. Possibly Baker's paper contributed to the result, but there is diversity of opinion. The Enterprise was later moved to Stratton. In 1908, E.H. Haynes was elected county judge and moved to Burlington. In 1916, he returned to Vona where he resided until just before his death in 1944. A sample of Vona's 1908 grocery items: tall salmon can, 114; coffee, 170; lb. bread loaves,4 for 150; sardines in oil,3 for 100; and peanut butter, 100. From the Vona Enterprise Prices in 1909 - Town Lots, $1.00 each; Hay, $12.50 per ton; Eggs, 15q per Coal chutes were also erected for coaling engines. John D. Delaney of Kansas, was the first section foreman, and Henry Wallace the first permanent railroad agent. A Mr. egger, Carlstedt, Smith, Alexander, Mohr, Mohr Jr., Hansen, and C. Hansen. Postmaster Dawson moved the Post Office to the I.D. Fuller store on Feb. 4, 1909. Brinkman was pumpman for years and lived on a farm northeast of here. Erastus R. Johnson operated the first store in town, in a frame building, where Buck's filling station was later on. The store was built in the summer of 1889. Later he went out of business and was succeeded by the Erskin Bros., Lee and Jim, who later took on John Delaney as a partner. The first lumber yard was established by Z.J. Kiser. The stock consisted of three carloads, but the demand Old Alexander Hotel in Vona. being meager, the stock carefully assorted, it supplied the demand for about a year, when the enterprise went out of business. The same year, 1889, Will Rogers started a newspaper, which considering the population of the town was about 20, survived for more than a year. The nearest doctor, Dr. Paul B. Godsman, was at Burlington, 28 miles distant. Incidently Dr. Godsman was married at a settlement by Janice Salmans VONA'S HISTORY T379 w, %.t t-. W: r,-rii All ready to leave for Calif. from Bert Kvestads Their set up included a boarding house, paid by the railroad. When the railroad was Men were paid $20 - $25 a month and board. A few months residence each year was required by the government before a patent 'fuas issued to a homesteader. For several years Mrs. Haynes and children held down the claim while Mr. Haynes was away on earth moving projects. Final proof was made on the homestead in 1895, the family left, and were not to return until 1907. In 1906-07 the bulk of settlers filed on claims, as the attention of the settlers again turned to the fertile lands surrounding Vona, and the looking for a point on the line to locate a watering and coaling station, they found an inexhaustible supply ofwater at a reasonable depth. A well 16 feet in diameter was sunk 3/ of a mile east of the station and piped to the station and this, for many years was the main watering place for engines. (A man was put in charge of pumping machinery at the well. Water was made available to one and all, and some homesteaders hauled water for as far as 10 or 15 miles away.) commissary, blacksmith shop, stables and many tents. They had 30 fine mule teams. *''' 1- , 'l -": 'r-m ffi north of what is now Seibert, called Hoyt. The settlement even had a newspaper, called The Hoyt Free Press. Hoyt moved south to form Seibert when the railroad went through. In 1888, the nearest habitation to Vona was located at the W.P. Davis ranch, located on the river, 6 miles north. The 3 Dunlay brothers did the grading through the Vona territory, with their camp 3/+ mi. east of town. , ,t"& Vona Baseball Team Story 2 The town of Vona was incorporated on June 9, 1919. The first mayor was William E. Melling. The town clerk was H.K. (Harlan) Haynes. The trustees were as follows: Adam Elsey, Ben Wilson, Jim Stover, Charles Davis, Charley O'Neil, and William Odle. Other mayors were: Oscar Strehlow, Gus Fuhlendorf, Ray Roberts, and Robert Edmunds. The present mayor in 1986 is Leslie Tanner and the town clerk is Katy Burd. Council members are: Tom Burian, Lucy Clapper, Gary Currie, John Cross, Bob Fox and Sherri Stone. Dale Richards takes care of the water and Leslie Tanner is the park caretaker. In the late summer of 1920, George Moyes and Clair "Herk" Hill organized the �Van Meter American Legion Post #1b6. It was named in honor of the Van Meter bov who was the only soldier from the Vona area to be killed in the World War I. In the summer of L921, Marc Waynick, Stanley Haynes, and Clair Hill having heard about the game of golf, laid out a six hole course, \ri in the pasture of Mr. E.H. Haynes. ^ i.', ,@;)'''''''t:"'" ffi ..,,,. ':;..1,. ' -'', i.;,t,,,t*,, .. I 4 :,.;:t:L: i l:,.l,l,,ii" After the fire looking to the east 'Loveland's "Grand Lady of Golfl' Practiced on Vona's Course'taken from the Loueland Daily Reporter and Herald in 1974, told about Vi (Violet Munter) McDill, using the Vona cow pasture golf course in 1922, when she was the principal of the Jr. High here in Vona. In 1924 the businessmen of 3 towns in Kansas, Brewster, Goodland, and Kanardo; and 3 towns in Colo., Burlington, Bethune, and Vona; held a meeting and organized a Class "D" Semi-Pro Baseball League. It was planned for Mr. Hill to manage the Vona team and be the catcher, but the other towns nominated Herk to act as Pres. of the league, which was to be under the supervision of the Sports Editor of the Denuer Post. So a new manager was appointed for the Vona team. The season was a success with Brewster the Champions, and Vona finishing 2nd or 3rd. Also in L922,Rev. Mathews, a Baptist church, and started to teach several people how to play. As Mr. Hill said "Several of us did pretty well, but they always beat the socks off :ii. us!" ,* In 1920, Mr. A.V. Jessie of Seibert bought iarl: the Vona Bank and hired Marc Waynick from Pagosa Springs as the cashier. 'Vona's Bank Robbery Scare' as told by Clair Hill: "At the time I was working at the International Trust Co. in Denver, They sent me to come to Vona as the assistant Cashier, which I did. Mrs. Waynick was the bookkeeper. In the fall a bank robbery and burglary crew were operating out of Colorado Springs. The Sheriff of the county at Burlington got word from the underground that a bank somewhere in this area was next in line to be knocked off. So he came to Marc and me and told us what we Pictures after the Vona Fire in 1936. I might expect. But he said emphatically . . . "Don't keep a gun in the bank at all, your lives are worth more than the money they could get." But, he went up to Haynes Hardware store (second door from the bank) and had him load two rifles and put them where he could get them quickly if he needed them. Then, in case of a night burglary, he told us every night to wipe the safe and the vault door with a coal oil rag, so that he might get some fingerprints if possible. Nothing happened for months. Then one bitter cold morning in January 1922, Marc and I had picked up the mail at the Post Office and gone to the bank at about 8:45 and left the front door unlocked as we would be open for business at 9:00. We had gone around to the front window and let the blind down for better light and was reading the morning mail. About that time a stripped down auto (I mean stripped down just a seat for two, - a steering wheel), and no cover for the engine) ,t_ drove up and stopped at the curb right in .& &.gr 4* a:*, Fire destroyed almost an entire block of buildings. front of our window. Because of the bitter cold the men had handkerchiefs over their faces. When we looked out at them sitting there like that we just hnew what was going to happen to usl Well, . . . the men got off the car, took the handkerchiefs from their faces, went in Carey's and got a sack of groceries, came out, got into the car and drove off. Marc and I were so weak all dav we could hardly walk." �k June 7, 1936, Hotel, Barber Shop, Pool HaIl, Dance Hall and Hardware buildings leveled after the fire. H.K. Haynes was the candidate for State Representative the fall of 1934. The first l11t:., l;y:.1;'.,1.,,t1ifi l .rr, :,.1ii.,., serious setback experienced by Vona came in the early morning of June 7, 1936, when a fire of unknown origin started in the pool hall. As Vona was without proper fire fighting equipment, all adjacent buildings were consumed. The Gagnon Hotel, the dance hall, Carey's general store, and the two-room Haynes Hardware Store were a total loss. Only the " I'r'rlrl ,1, .;.r, ,ii;;,;,,::',t,,:li11l1:' ,1.i .,:,|t, arrival of the Burlington Fire Dept. with a chemical engine prevented the spread of the fire to the other buildings, thus saving the entire east side of town. At the time the principal businesses of the town were represented by two general stores, lumber yard, wholesale oil establishment, two elevators, show house, drugstore, restaurant, hotel, and pool hall, the Baptist and Christian Churches, both with good substantial buildings. E.R. "Buck" Weaver's filling station was saved by the application of what little water there was. by Janice Salmans VONA HISTORY Taken 1906, L. to R. Glenn Howell with them, S.L. Howell, Charles Gray, Ruby (Fuhlendorf) Clark Howell, Harry Howell, Clara Howell, unknown woman and Shep the dog. by Janice Salmans T380 NUBIAN ffi WATERPROCF BRUSHING t.,I Two early businesses which were along the south side of the park in Vona. �LAND AND FAITMS ln Eastern Colorado For Salc, Trilcle, Rcnt or Lcerse Juit a ferv of thc many bergaina in Eartcrn Colorado Land that I have listed. lJon't wait. Time nreans Money if you care to take advantage of these figurer. Ilanch of -l$rl rreru:. ,\ !().)(l frtnle house, harl rocrlr lor ii hr'.rrl ol;tock. l'ell. rlin<ltnill an,l t.rnks. .lr) ltr.> u.rtlcr c'ultivatiou, eoocl l.r:l-l,c for irrt(t lrc.tl of stock. Itricc S.l.l5 r. roo(l tcrl:ls. F:..'rl of i6() acraJ, ail rrririqr itilce lrn,i cross ftrtcetl, ('0 ircrt's rrrrrlcr i-tr]tir'.rtior: f rirnre hrtrsc and llaru , gotr l * r.)l arrd s'intlnrill; 1 nrile frr.,rrr tosrr Sl.5(Xt. irrrm ar:rl l)astlrre of +s() acres, iril ttntlrr fencr; h()us(, btrn. too<l grovc, 16() acres undrr culti\'ttiotr rll lrVel lJil(i, ort r rttral illril rottt!', I'rr, c $iirt)tt Farin of 161) ircrcs, lli trr,,lcl le:rrc, good frarle hott.e, lr.,rrt, '.reli, R,r:tl franrt chickerr lioilsc, "ltt a('r.r\ ul)rlcr crrltivntion, i nrilcs ir,rrn torvl. I'rice $:tr')rt, Farnr of 3lrr rcras, I rnilc frtlrrr toln. lrotrse, barn, gr.rnJr]-. rvell, rrirrrlrrrill, r.ll turder fcnc.'atrrl cross lctrce,l. tit) rcres uuder crrltilatiorr, ell t illairit' lrurtl. I)ricr. S:S-it). A iarr:r oi l6() r,.res ,i 1.i nriles fronr i(,,,\n, ll(rise, steblc, rll lu1(icr feil,t,::, .ifl J(i,-s urirltr ctrltir.rtion, $(rn{l \1.eli ii leer d., 1,. ;'ri. c $i+(r0. Ij.rrrrr oi 16,) r\res. : l,iic. frorrr tou,t, fLiir,rt lrorr:e, barn, end orrt buildings, +r) reres, les: than lJ fect to \rctrr. 27 asrcs of alfrlfa, rveli aud rvixlrnjl[, all trutler ferrce, \'olr;;g grove, snrall orch:rrl IrIing rlatcr, 1,5{) trcre5 oi trllairlc land. I'ricc $.i.35{): ' j rlola, l{ irr one ycar, l:,t]311"a ,, tw() J(irrs, ilrttrestat6per eLI)i I,ayr!)lc arrntrallt'. -\ l.rrgc rnr()lr,:t of rlcerled iiind fronr $(i tu {il.-5al l}('r acre, accorrtrrrg ..o distiulce frr)ru toNll. 'l-irree lots iu the torvn of \:onir, free for a tlour rnill sitc, shallors ',o ri'atcr.rnd J S,.\r\l stll)i)l-t of it. .\lsavs havc I.Irrnrrsreatl Relinqrrishrrrrrrts orr lrand. \\'rite me itr regard to tllcln. '['orvrr lots in Vona for saie. For a Quick Sale and Square Deal, Iirt your land with me. S. L. Howell Vona, Colorado. Land Agent of 25 years' Experience in Colorado. 1,r ! �1l ,!.. ... .. I .,..' .:ii'"'ar:l . {r r,.r:,.,r]i, i:rjl -.,:,. , 'a1: '' 1r / 1,.' i Uili6tt l'uld ,r;,', ! '|".a i c*or rur .f, , I rora ot lrnrlitrsn\ t *bdrtlrd'r No. slr &b6r t t,re. \o. i { $9'lkbot1rr.lrB !'' t,!id no. i &l&hslt eft, oi.t ao i InLo! *u q@oll Cantiltg.,it ': I I re I 471 l.!,:!t, .,t:: d: f ,1,.,.,,.,,,;,,,tt;&,{,,;1,.,,,; Shffi'r*fl&rfi Yatrlrltiur.,Pa& t"/{'(:'--: S.N. Howell and Eliza owned the grocery store where the Post Office is now. -, /t \teai**&':$. 1S8.t /,5froLLAgs, 'l- nr.&{. ill!mrr\.' by wagon train to Colorado with the S.L. Howell family, and the DeWitt Walton families. Next from Harriet Mohr Ford: My folks came to Colo. as homesteaders from Corsica, So. Dak. in the fall of 1908. Father, Mother, Brother Bill, and myself. I was three years old. Our household goods, machinery, horses and cattle cnme by emmigrant car. We came by train. Our sod house, 1 mi. north and 1 mi. east of Vona was built before we arrived so we moved right in. I started school in the old two room school in Vona, later I went to the 3rd, and 4th grades in the small building in the west part of Vona. My 1st teacher was Mrs. Laura Alexander. My father had a harness shop in Vona, he learned the trade from a school in Chicago. Harness business was limited so most of the work was repairing ol Ptnpty,$ VONA'S HISTORY T381 Early Families The Howell Family by Glenn Howell: My father, S.L. Howell, came to Vona in 1887, before the Rock Island Railroad was built. His closest town was Haigler, Nebr. and he traveled by team and wagon. I am the oldest person that was born in the Vona area that I know of. I was born 8 mi. north and 2 mi. west of Vona in 1889. When the Railroad cnme through, my father homesteaded 2 mi. north of Vona in 1890 and 20 years later I homesteaded just crossing on the northeast of his place where the buildings are now. I built the cement house and barn on the place.* *tI (Janice Salmans) believe the place he is referring to is known to us as the Bernard Waidron place (owned by Kenneth Pickard) and where the Carl and Barbara Matschke now live with their children: Larry, shoes and other leather goods. He later opened a cream station. Some memories of J. Carl Harrison: The land adjoining the Haynes homestead on the west was homesteaded by a man named Perle King, who plated the town and named it "Vona" after his daughter, Vona King. The only families living at the Vona site in 1890 were Mr. Saggua and family, Jack Kiser, and E.H. Haynes family. But a few homesteaders settled North of Vona in 1887, before the railroad. Some of the names familiar to old timers were: W.R. Linford, S.L. Howell, D.C. Waltner, Nobel, Fisher, Corrall, Gardner, Thomas, Shaffer, Gunther, Deakins, Bryant, Phillips, Vernon, Pickenpaugh, Shotwell, Bun, and Besdecker. At that time, the settlers went clear to Haigler, Nebr. for provisions, and hauled water from a spring on Hell Creek, about 15 mi. Northwest of Vona. W.P. Davis settled north ofVona in 1888 and later was elected County Treasurer. Alvin Ferris, the forefather of all the Ferrises in the Vona and Stratton area, came in 1888, the forefather ofall the Ferrises in the Vona and Stratton area, came in 1888, then with the Linford family, moved to Vona in 1890. He helped build the first school house in Vona. Linford Linford Ferris another past resident of Vona was later employed by the Rock Island, coaling trains. Mr. Wm. Burnett homesteaded north 1 mi. and west 1 mi. of Vona. told in a letter how she came with her family His daughters Ruth and Alice were early day Earl, Jessica, and Anna in 1986.1 Flora �VONA IIISTORY T382 OUTNe0u0nmo ,,,,1:;.,6,*{,ii: :e:tttiir,l Fnnp FLauaeas t I k*. Ernnl L Jupn {i (. Publi+\eJ by Feeo FlaruaoaN voNA, cor-oRiDo Rabbit Hunt 1930's Out In Colorado Vona. By Opal M. Boger: In about 1910, Carey Poet office was established 16 mi. north and 37r east of Vona in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Carey. Postmaster Carey was a farmer and ran a general store in one of the two rooms in his house. My father (N.O. Gulley), Vz mi. from Carey, was appointed mail carrier from Carey to Tuttle Post Office, 9 mi. east of his home. He made the trip 3 times a week with Rabbit hunting around Vona. teachers, and his son Wm. Burnett, was County Supt. of Schools for term 1893-94. He was the 3rd. Supt. Another Vona homesteader, George Bent, was about the first County Treasurer of Kit Carson County as it was cut of Elbert County in 1899. ' outThis history was furnished by Mrs. Flora Linford Ferris, a daughter of W.R. Linford (who built the Linford building in Stratton. It is now the "Someplace Special" store on the main street. By 1908 in the south area there was a homesteader on every quarter section. By Mrs. Ben Boese: The Pleasant Valley community was settled by a group of German Mennonites from South Dakota. They built the church in 1912. Some family names were: Boese, (A.M., Ben M., John, Henry J., and Jacob) Corneilus Schultz, Dirks (Harry, John, and Ben), Adolph Schmidt, Unruh (Jacob and John), Matilda Kliewer and Mary Heinricks, A.B. Becker (father of the Beckers of Vona), Ratslaf, Wiens, Peterson, Buller, Pankratz, and Wedels. Some of this group left after proving on their homesteads, others stayed on a few more years. One by one they all left but the Ben Boese and A.B. Becker families. A.L. Boese. Wilbert and Leander Becker, were all prominent in the Soil Conservation south of horse and buggy. Carey Post Office was discontinued when the Vona Post Office extended to our community in 1916. The original Carey still stands enlarged, remodeled and owned by Mr. Woods. Now, some 76 years later, few seem to remember there was once a place called Carey. History of the U.S. Postal Service of Vona, Colorado 80861. Established in Kit Carson County 5-18-1889, Erastus R. Johnson; Henry Wallace, 2-1change of postmaster 1980; Change of Postmaster Alvin L. 7-9Ferris, S-11-1894; Office Discontinued - R. Erastus 1907; Est. in Elbert County in Vona 1-19-1899: Reestablished Johnson 1-2L-L907; Change Archie L. Ferris - Stover 8-30-1907; -Postmaster James M. Change Postmaster - Wm. H. Dawson - 12A. Louise 9-1908; Change Postmaster Haynes 9-18-1914; (she died-2/14/77, aged - changed from Fourth to Third St. 90) Office Wm. L. 10-1-1919; Change Postmaster -Butler 4-L5-L924; Change Postmaster 6-9-1936; Change Postmaster Ray L. Ford 10-13-1949; InauguraMerlin C.-Ford -tion ofthe United States - Postal Service 7Joann Pickard 1-1971; Change Postmaster (sister to Merl Ford) 5-3-1985; Vona's first two mail carriers - George Smith, and - 1986 South Route August Carlstedt; Today Pat Rueb, Asst. Abe Frll, North Route -Rita Rueb; clerk Nancy- Megel. - by Janice Salmans ETIN L. &DD �And I l'll .d *1ll !h.6 !!t to to q th.E !. ou .!d o! S.L .ll hjp Frank Boger in his blacksmith shop in Seibert, Co. sf^roM l!,B0G[n' BIACKSMruA $.H0P,.,,,,: r-.i.r:a'wd,::'i:. -.. !u rhooruj*h!'! rh. 3ld, tlrd v x. *esi hrnd THE BOGER BLACKSMITH SHOP T383 Frank Boger started his blacksmith shop in Seibert in 1929. It was built by Frank Boger, John Boger, Elmer Everett, and Jess Miller and was painted by Jess Miller. He was assisted in the shop by his sons, John and Vernis, for the first few years and then operated the shop by himself for several more years. Failing health forced him to close the shop in about 1937. The building is still standing on the south side of Highway 24 about one block east of Main street. The building is now owned by Twila Gorton. by Joyce Miller Statement from the Boger Blacksmith shop. VONA'S DOCTORS Dr. V.M. Hewitt T384 The Stories as told by Mrs. Hewitt: In 1923 after completing his medical education, Dr. J.T. Myers drove to Eastern Colorado in search of a spot where a doctor was wanted and a community of such that he would want to bring his family and make it a home. As he traveled he drove into Vona, a thriving little community, with two churches, several grocery stores, a lumber yard, bank, two grain elevators, a cream station, restaurant, hardware store, two hotels, two garages, and believe it or not a livery barn. Rock Island gave good service in and out ofboth passenger and freight. Yes, and the depot was well taken care of by the pleasant helpful agent. The post office was in the front room ofone ofthe homes, accessible to every one in town. It was later moved into a separate building facing the street which ran parallel to the railroad track. The crops had been good and looked favorable, so after talking to businessmen, of which S.L. Howell was chairman, he decided to locate here. S.L. Howell found a place for his family to live and in a short time after the doctor got settled in his office, his family anived October 10. The house was quite new and very nice, but there was no electricity, so the coal oil lamp was brought into use and for better light, the Coleman gasoline lamp. A small wood stove did a very good job of heating and cooking �too. There were no indoor toilets. but we did have water piped into the house, which was unusual for such a community. School was close by and all grades were taught. Within several months the men of the town got together and bought a Koehler plant, which was housed in a basement. if I remember right, and even if we didn't have but one or two lights on at a time we were happy with it. After sometime, K.C. Electric Company came in and then most everyone had accommodations of electricity. There were only two or three telephones in the town, ofwhich one was for the doctor. Out in the country there were very few phones and those that were there, the telephone wire was barb wire fence, but somehow in case of necessity, willing neighbors were on hand to give assistance if needed. Roads were not very good and out on the prairie it was mostly trails which led to one farm house then another and so on, so in case you were not familiar with all these trails you stood a good chance of getting lost, which happened many times. In wintery weather Dr. Myers many times went as far as he could by car, then some one would take him on in by wagon, sled, or horse to give medical aid to a sick patient or deliver a baby. One time when he was called out about eighteen miles or so and after giving medical aid to the sick he started home and was caught in one of those awful blizzards. He drove as far as the car would go, not knowing just what to do and realizing he couldn't stay in the car, he looked out into the storm and saw a dim light in the distance. He decided to take a chance and walk toward that light. Cold and half frozen he finally made it and there found a door opened to him, a welcome refuge, a warm fire, and a hot cup of coffee. After about thirty-six hours the storm subsided and he with the help ofthese friends, got the car dug out of the snow and he got on the way home. In the meantime we at Vona had had no word from him and all were very concerned as to his welfare, so the men got a posse together and started out to look for him. After going several miles they met him coming in, a wonderful relief to all, and thankful to God for his safe-keeping. Many were the experiences similar to this one, but there were also many happy times when we all got together for an evening of singing, homemade ice cream, taffy pulls, and popcorn. During these years the Doctor's health was failing and in 1928 he went to be with his Lord. About a year later the men of Vona were anxious to get a doctor to take Dr. Myers' place. One day Dr. Hewitt was driving to Denver; he stopped to get gas for his car and something to eat. Some one heard he was a doctor and the news spread like wild fire. Soon several men encountered him and tried to interest him in locating here. They advised him that Dr. Myers' office was intact and everything he needed was there and the rent was paid. After making several trips to Denver and back he decided to locate here. The news spread rapidly that Vona again had a doctor. Calls began to come more and more in town and out into the country. He was not acquainted with the country-life; having formerly always lived in the city, nor was he acquainted with the winding country trails that led over the prairie to some distant frame house or adobe hut. Therefore ignorant of these conditions, he would have some young man who knew the country, go with him on these calls or drive for him. He could be called out at any time day or night. Oft times when far out into the country he would stay hours with a sick patient or maybe a night with an expectant mother until her baby was delivered. Thus he grew to love these folk and knew them as no one else could. Many of these calls were very hazardous especially in winter when snow was falling or the wind blowing up a gale. Sometimes he had to be met somewhere with a horse-drawn sled or a pony to ride to get to the home of the patient. One day he asked his young man who went with him, "What in the world do people away out here in the country do, when someone is sick and desperately needs a doctor?" Hesitating a moment the young man said "Well, I guess they would have to call the doctor two or three davs ahead". by Mrs. Hewitt VONA'S DOCTORS T385 There were no hospitals close until a few years later, thus many minor surgeries were done in the office, such as pulling an aching tooth, setting a fractured arm, or shoulder, taking out a pair of tonsils, or opening and treating a festering boil or varicose ulcer. Sometimes he fitted needed glasses to one whose eyes needed help. In Vona the people recognized the need for some place for sick folk to stay while being treated daily for their ailments, so several homes were made available to fill such a place and also some were readied for an expectant mother due for delivery, especially in bad weather, til the child was delivered and both were cared for until they were ready to return home. Other homes were made available for older folk who could no longer care for themselves; they could in these homes find needed medical help and care. During the drought and depression of the thirties plus the terrible dust bowl days, the country calls were just as hazardous as in the winter blizzards. High winds, plus the droughts, blew out crops and left much of the prairie barren, even of a little grass. Cattlemen had to feed their cattle with feed thev hauled in or maybe drive some to distani pastures, or sell some in order to provide for his family. Money was scarce, but those who possibly could paid for their medical services and those who couldn't, would bring the doctor what they had, be it poultry, eggs, milk cream, or a pig, or whatever they had, you nrme it. It made a wonderful relationship between them and their doctor, one he never forgot; he loved them with all his heart. On one particular occasion after delivering a baby, he looked for something to wrap the baby in but found nothing, maybe just a few rags. On leaving after the care of the mother and child was complete, he reached into his pocket, pulled out some bills and gave them to the mother to buy some needed clothing. On another occasion a young man came to visit his brother and family, who lived north of Vona. He had heard much about the rattlesnakes or buttons on the tail of a rattlesnake and longed to have some, for some had any number of rattles or buttons depending on their age. One day while out hunting they came across a big rattlesnake. They tried to kill him but he made for his hole, and this young man, not knowing the danger or ways of this snake, grabbed his tail while he was going down his hole, thinking he would get those rattles. The snaked turned and bit him in the thick part of his thumb. The brother immediately rushed him to the doctor and treatment was quickly given, but the venom had already gotten into his system. The doctor worked with this man the rest of the day and all night and well into the next day, and finally won the battle for his life, but Iater on he lost part of his hand. Others who in one way or another were bitten by rattlesnakes, didn't survive for medical help came too late and these are the tragedies that grieve a doctor's heart. When rains began to come, grass began to grow and everything and everybody began to regain that cheerful, hopeful, upward look, which is so prevalent in these wonderful eastern Colorado folk. Hospitals were being built, roads and highways improved, many modern conveniences were made available, all of which made the doctor's life much easier, although he still answered calls be it day or night. He learned to love this country life and most of all he loved the people he had served so long and given them his best. He was a most capable physician; he knew his medicine, symptoms and treatment as very fewdoctors knewthem, and he was numbered among the best. As he realized his health was failing, he made one request, that his remains would be Ieft among the people he so loved and served. He died in 1957 and as he requested, he was buried in the Vona Cemetery. by Janice Salmans OTHER CHURCHES IN THE VONA AREA T386 In the early homestead days, church services were held in most of the countrv schools. The following established churches were also in the Vona area: Church of Christ, 13 miles north of Vona; A Catholic Church, 17 miles north and z/q west: Church of the Nazarene, 15 miles north and 1 west; and the Holland Church, 15 miles north and 2- % west of Vona, called the Dutch lst Reformed Christian Church. FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF VONA T387 The First Baptist Church of Vona, Colorado was organized July, 1912, after Rev. M. Hatch labored faithfully to unite the Chris- tian fellowship who became the fourteen members to sign the charter. They were: Messrs and Hubert Dawson; Dr. and Mrs. J.W. Thomas and daughter Irene; Mrs. Bertha Fuller; Mr. and Mrs. J.M. Thomas and daughter Jannie Mae; and Mrs. S.L. Howell. Jannie Mae Thomas Mumford was the youngest charter member and has con- �Stevens in March 1924. Brother Steadman led in his second evangelistic campaign, services long remembered for the 136 who came to the altar and the membership of the church was raised from 46 to 250. A quotation from the annual Church letter reads, "We have freed our Church from all debt, have First Baptist Church of Vona. tributed much of the data for this history. The lots on which the Church was built were donated by Mrs. S.L. Howell. The people were not able themselves to finance the construction of the church building, so a loan was secured from the American Baptist Home Mission Society and a mortgage was given for the same. Many years later, after much sacrifice and trust in God for provision, the debt was finally erased. Out of the experience came the purpose and motto, "We shall pay as we go henceforth." The services started in the shell ofthe building even before there was a floor, using the joists as seats for the worshippers. The Sunday School was organized as a union school in 1909 and met for classes in the school house. Later a Church was built on the hill, intended for use of the Union Sunday School but when it was dedicated as a raised the Pastor's salary to $1,500.00 and are planning to enlarge the church building. The average attendance at the Young Peoples' Class is 30. However, it was not until some years later the annex was started. In December, 1926, Rev. E.R. Clark was called here and served the Church until July 1928, to be succeeded by Rev. J.F. Starr in September 1928. Brother Starr continued as Pastor during the critical financial period of the "Dust Bowl" years. Nevertheless, during the ministry the annex was finally started and the basement completed. Money was raised from proceeds of ten acres of water melons harvested on the G.M. Ott farm north of Vona; by returns from ten acre harvests donated by various farmers; by a gift of $72.00 from the Calvary Church (a group of believers who assembled in the old Boger School, twelve and one half miles north of Vona until in 1931); and in addition, numbers of individual gifts of money and chickens. Because of hard times, the Church was disappointed in not being able to complete the building at that time. The financial wife brought a chapel car to the siding on the conditions had become so bad our Pastor and his wife doubled their pledge and voluntarily accepted a reduction in salary. Brother Starr accepted a call to the First Baptist Church in Golden, Colorado in June 1936. For several months, supply Pastors came to us, until in October 1936, Rev. W.L. Bledsoe accepted the call to the ministry here. He labored with us faithfully and patiently, finally inspiring us to proceed to the completion of the work on the Church building. He assured us that God would surely supply help, as he certainly did, for Rock Island Railroad and held meetings things were accomplished no one ever during the fall of 1912 and the spring of 1913. thought possible at the beginning. The annex Christian Church, the Baptist group separated themselves as soon as the Baptist Church was under construction. Mr. J.M. Thomas was elected Sunday School Superintendent and he served until 1918, when he moved away. He was succeeded by John Warrick, who led the school for nearly 19 years, and was followed by Chester Burd. After the charter was granted to the newly formed Church, Rev. M. Sangston and his Several converts were gained by the meetings and added to the Church to strengthen it. The first resident Pastor to be called was Rev. Ira J. Calahan, who ministered from 1913 until in February 1915. Recently a pulpit chair has been dedicated to his memory by the gift of his daughter, Mrs. Erie Colm of Ashsland, Ky. He serviced the church faithfully for three years until his death while still Pastor here. He was succeeded by Rev. E.L. Crane, State Missionary Evangelist of the Colorado Baptist State Convention. He served for one year, to be followed in November, 1916 by Rev. E.M. Lockhart who continued through 1917. Rev. J.L. Rupard began his ministry in June 1918 and served until June 1919. During his time here, he and his wife lived in the back part of the church, formerly the classroom of the Hi-Fliers Class. It was at this time the building ofthe parsonage was started. Brother James Davis held special meetings in 1918 and several new members were added to the church. In July 1919, Rev. J.C. Matthews came art Pastor and during his ministry of two years, the first meetings of the Eastern Baptist Association was held in Vona. Rev. E.M. Steadman, also held his first series of meetings during this time. Rev. B.I. Compton became Pastor in October 1921 and servedfor two veers. to be followed bv Rev. Charles was finished, providing a chapel, Sunday School room and Pastor's Study. The Auditorium was redecorated, installing a new ceil- ing, and the exterior of the Church was painted white. Both members and friends of the Church gave generously of time and labor until the Church was completed and building was dedicated on September 4, 1938. On this date, the 25th anniversary of the dedication of the original Church building, the new annex was dedicated. Dr. W.F. Ripley delivered the morning address, which was followed by a chicken dinner served to 130 persons present in the basement dining room. During the afternoon, the history of the Church was read by Mrs. E.B. Wilson, prepared by her and Mrs. Ray Deakin, the latter overseeing this present edition of our history. Greetings were received from Pastors and members not able to be present. Special music was rendered by a male quartet. Former Pastor, Rev. J.F. Starr of Golden preached the dedicatory sermon, and an address was given by Rev. W.L. Jaeger of the Colorado Baptist State Convention. Rev. W.J. Peterson of the Flagler Church led in the prayer of dedication. 147 persons attended the services. Brother Bledsoe continued to serve until in August, 1939 and was succeeded by Rev. George Thompson, who settled here in October 1940. Brother Thompson was one of our minist- ers ordained here. The ordination taking place November 12, 1940. While Pastor, he and his wife met with an auto accident in which her face was disfigured and she was left with severe nervous strain. With determined devotion, they continued until in January 1944. The two pictures: "The Three Wisemen" and "Christ in Gethsemane" were painted and donated by the art pupils of Mrs. John Hale. The Christian and American flags were donated by Lela and Imogene Burd in 1943. Special meetings were conducted by Evangelists Arthur Nyborg, Leonard Get- tings and E. Woody Hodson, the latter donated the large pulpit Bible used in the services so many years. Through their ministry, the Church was greatly strengthened so that it assumed full responsibility for its financial program. At this time the bathroom was installed in the parsonage. Splendid B.Y.P.U. programs stimulated large attendance under the leadership of Mrs. Thompson, the record attendance being 183. The Thompsons assisted the young people in publishing "The Ambassador: a newsy, spiritual monthly, primarily for the purpose of giving cheer and of lending spiritual support to "our boys" in the service. The Chester Burds helped to carry on this work until the war was over, also donating the mimeograph used for the paper. Several boys from our Church served in World War II in the armed forces of our country and an honor roll was kept in memory of them. Only one gold star appeared on the banner, and that for Wayne Adams who was slain in action. His memory is also honored in the name of the local American Legion Post - Adams Crum Post. During Brother Thompson's ministry fifty five were added to the membership, sixteen were lost by letter or death, and eighty three were dropped from the Church roll by revision of the Board of Deacons. Three Pastors have been ordained here: Rev. James Bennett, July 20, 1924; Rev. George Thompson, November 12, 1940; and Rev. V.M. Horton, June 1, 1947. Two others were to have been ordained here. but due to bad weather which prevented a sufficient number to attend, it was postponed to a later date; when Rev. W.J. Peterson and Rev. John Falconer were ordained at the Flagler Church, the latter under the direction of the Vona Baptist Church, December 16, 1926. Rev. Clifton McGlothlan came to the Church, April 30, 1944 and served here until September 29, \947. During his ministry the Primary Department and the Young Married Peoples' Class were organized. State Evangelist, Edwin Boone and Evangelist "Big" Jim Kramer held special meetings, and the Pastor also conducted a two week series of meetings. Brother McGlothlan preached once each month at two school houses, one north and one south ofVona. The church sent the Pastor as a delegate to the Northern Baptist Convention which convened in Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1946. Upon his return he urged the Church to support and cooperate with the Conservative movement. A back porch was added to the parsonage and a distillate furnace was installed. Up to this time Pastors had to provide their own stoves. A light was placed at the entrance to the annex and a piano was purchased for the prayer room. A lamp was also installed on the piano in the auditorium. Rev. Virsil Horton, a student enrolled at �the Rockmont College in Denver, came to the Church as Pastor, April 6, 1947. He was ordained here June 1,1947. On Januar5i lst, 1948, our church joined the Conservative Baptist Association of Colorado and pledge support from our undesignated missionary giving; 50Vo to Conservative Baptist Foreign Mission, 40% to Conservative Baptist State Mission, and l0% to the Rockmont College in Denver. Improvement to the Church included a built in kitchen, with sink, range and hot water heater; a new chimney and new baptistry. Evangelist Jesse Powers of the Fuller Evangelistic Foundation of California choral work, especially at Christmas and Easter. by Myra L. Davis VONA CHURCH OF CHRIST T388 held a series of meetings and there were thirty five additions to the church. Fourteen were dropped from the roll. Brother Horton was succeeded by Rev. Nihl D. Johnson, who began his October 1, 1948. Two of our young men enrolled in the Rockmont College in Denver in October 1949, they were Forrest Tanner and Wayne Gouge, the latter with his fanily residing in Denver. The Church voted affiliation with the Conservative Baptist Association of America, January 26, 1949. A new Church Constitution and By Laws replaced the former constitu- tion which were lost, January 25, L949. by Evangelist Roy R. Boese, who as a young walls white, building a shelter and steps to the back entrance and a new entrance door at the head of front steps; cement walks and steps were put in at all front entrances to the Church; a table was built and a cupboard loaned by Mr. and Mrs. August Carlstedt; a reed organ was donated by Mr. and Mrs. Robert Miller; an upholstered davenport and chair were donated by Mr. and Mrs. Harold Pickard; and a circulating heater was purchased to better heat the basement for gervices. Brother Johnson greatly improved the parsonage by contributing materials, redecorating the walls throughout and building in the kitchen cabinets and shelves. He also installed and contributed electric wiring and outlets for the Church's kitchen, a yard light as the rear entrance to the Church basement and installed a transformer and buzzer system for the Sunday School. Special missionary speakers were: Rev. and Mrs. Paul Okken of Belgian Congo, Africa; Rev. and Mrs. Bernard Von Ehrenkrook, Vona Church of Christ. The church located on the corner of East Second and Howell Street in Vona is known both by the term Church of Christ and/or Christian Church. According to the Sept. 15, 1923 Christian Standard, page 5, "The Vona Christian Church was organized in the fall of 1909 by Minister Gill, whose daughter, Mrs. John Collins, is still a member. The organization failed in 1916 and was not revived till the fall of 1919 when only five members could be found. For some few years they have been without a settled minister, but April of this year they were in a position to call David Graham to the charge. The membership now stands at forty-five." Some records were lost in a fire in 1955. The following has been partly gathered from memory and more recent records. On March 27, L9LL, Judge Elmer H. Haynes deeded the land to the Church of Christ. A building was constructed by volunteer labor pouring hand-mixed concrete to make the 8" inch walls with a small furnace room basement. The baptistry was built in with the platform. Mr. W.E. Melling designed and made the pulpit, communion table, and railing along the front of the platform and they are still being used (1936). David Graham, R.J. Frederickson, R.C. Turner, Dr. W.L. Straub served as ministers in the 1920's. Rachel Boast and Mrs. St. John also served in the early days. Ministers from Burlington and Arriba, William Sutton, Lloyd M. Green and Hany Bixel held afternoon services for a time in the 30's and ing the Moody Bible Institute film, "Dust or church basement and preached full time from January 1, 1941 to February 28,L942. Charles Baer preached some in the 40's. Mrs. Amelia Africa. Baccalaureate and Commencement services are held annually in our Church by the High School. Two annual Good Friday gervices have been held with communitywide participation. The choir under the direction of Leander Becker renders a real service in served an internship to the Christian Mission to the Chinese in Hong Kong and influenced Wong Yan Wing to come to the United States for Bible College and Seminary training. Wing is now back in Hong Kong, president of a Bible College he was influential in starting there. Clair and Karen (McArthur) McManigal were called to serve the Vona church after the Palmers left in 1972. The church doors were closed from Feb. 19TB through Dec. 1977. Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Palmer returned to Vona in Dec. L977 and again started having appointees of the C.B.F.M.S. to Brazil, South America; Rev. Robert Welsh of French West Africa; and other speakers were: Mr. William Ward, field worker of the Red Feather Lakes Conference; and Mr. Charles Wilson, show- Destiny". The Ladies Missionary Fellowship sends barrels and sacks of Whit€ Cross materials to the Okkens for use on the Mission Field in thur, and Paul Palmer. Karen McArthur served a summer internship to the Navajo Indian Mission in Arizona. Paul Palmer services on Jan. 15, 1978 with eighteen present. In the fall of 1983 and spring'84 the church members and friends lowered the ceiling of the building and installed a new lighting system and paneled the walls and did some painting. This improved the interior Special evangelistic meetings were conducted man lived in the area, from June 12th through the 26th, 1949 and from June 4th through the 18th, in 1950. These services met with fine success and attracted wide interest with good results from each series of meetings. Church improvements included redecoration of the Church basement by painting the these years the following members of the church went to Bible Colleges: Charles Baer, Hazel Burian, Rogeray Palmer, Karen McAr- 40's. Eugene Raymond Palmer lived in the Howell kept the Sunday School together many years when there was no minister to help. Brother Palmer returned to Vona in June 1948 and continued with the church through June 1972, working on the side to support his family. During this term of ministry there were at least 38 that made the good confession and were baptized and at least 18 others transferred their membership. Also during decoration and has helped with heating the building for services. Special gospel meetings were conducted in August 1981 by Elbert and Ruth Moreland, in September 1984 by Tom Weaver and Alan Barber, and in September 1985 by K.O. Backstrand and Alan Barber. Many other ministers and missionaries from various places have shared their time, talents, and message with the Vona church over the years. The church has had a large percentage of its younger people attend Colorado Christian Service Camp, also a number of adults, and has reached a lot of children in the area through vacation Bible Schools. The congregation has fluctuated during the years due to people moving in and out of the community, young people going elsewhere after graduation from high school, and the normal death toll. The church continues to have regular Sunday morning services with Bible School classes and worship service with communion and preaching. Frequent fellowship dinners and home Bible studies are also held. Eugene Palmer passed away Dec. 4, 1986. by Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Palmer THE NEW FRIEDENSBERG MENNONITE CHURCH T389 The Mennonite community south of Vona was mainly settled in the year 1907. Most of these folks came from the Avon. South Dakota territory, There the Mennonite Church is nnrned 'The Friedensberg Mennonite Church', meaning: Hill of Freedom or Peaceful Hill. Our Church was named The New Friedensberg Mennonite Church. Even the shape and gize was modeled like the South Dakota Church. A Charter for the New Friedensburg Mennonite Church was issued by the State on Nov. 18, 1910. In early 1912 the Church was dedicated by Rev. H.R. Vothof Kansas, and a English sermon was delivered by the �shattered by a loud grating noise descending down the wall. All eyes were turned to about the middle of the south wall. Soon we heard slight scratching noises ascending the wall. All was quiet for a while. But then again that loud descending noise, followed by that slight ascending noise. By this time Bro. Bergen was getting somewhat frustrated. Nobody was listening to his sermon. In rather a loud voice he said "Don't pay attention to the noise. Who ever is there is paying more attention to my sermon than you are". After the services we got hammers and New Friedenberg Mennonite Church. 17 mi. south and,2t/z mi. west of Vona Rev. John H. Epp of Hillsboro, Kansas. Rev. Henry U. Schmidt was our first Pastor. He was very instrumental in organiz- ing the New Friedensberg Mennonite Church. Rev. Schmidt was from Oklahoma, but had also lived at Avon, South Dakota previously. He deeded a four acre plot of ground from his homestead in the northwest corner of the northeast V+ - 10-48, for this Church. The Church designated that one acre on the south of this deeded land be divided into lots for a cemetery. In the early days this Church many times was filled to capacity of around one hundred. But so many homesteaders did not remain long. The attendance was very sporadic and usually declining in numbers. Rev. Schmidt served this Church until the first part of 1920. Rev. Schmidt sustained a grievous loss in the death of his wife in March of 1920, due to the birth of a little son and the death of the little boy a few days later. He, with the younger children left for Okla- homa, where He pastored a Mennonite Church for many years until he was well in his eighties. With the departing of Rev. Schmidt our Church was left without a regular pastor. We kept on with Sunday School and special programs and many times had a minister from our General Conference serve us once a month. Among those visiting our Church other than the Rev. Voth and Rev. Epp mentioned above were the Reverends Frey, Unruh, Regier, Harold Ratslaff, Richard Tschetter. John Barkman, John Esau, Derksen and others. Rev. Roy Boese, when visiting his relatives, would serve our church and also when he was pastoring the Vona Baptist Church, would give us a sermon numerous times. Eldon Boese would also give us a sermon when he was visiting his home folks. In the early fifties we had a regular Pastor in Leonard Ewert, who served us so ably. Later Rev. J.W. Bergen from the Mingo Mennonite Church, south of Colby, Kansas, served us very well once a month. It was during the Iate fifties, when Rev. Bergen was at our Church that the well known event of coons invading our Church occurred. The first episode of coons was an event that will not soon be forgotten. Few had ever seen or even knew that coons were in the vicinity. That morning we had a period of singing and a long time in Sunday School classes. Prayer to God was made on that beautiful quiet Sunday morning. Bro. Bergen was in the midst of an intense interesting sermon, when all of a sudden the quietness was screwdrivers and opened a small space in the wall where the noise appeared to come from. The beam from a flashlight revealed shining eyes from some little furry animals clinging to the top of the space between two studdings. We did not have to wait long. Soon that Vona School which was replaced by the present building. About 1918. loud grating noise descending, but this time the noise stopped at the opening, and out popped a cute Iittle raccoon, about the size of a half grown cat. Soon we had four of these cute kittens scampering on the floor of the Church. All of us were excited. We had to dodge the path of those coons as we and the coons clambered all over the floor and furniture of our Church. I don't believe any of us knew the behavior of raccoons. The boys finally captured the four kittens in gunny sacks, and they were taken home by some of the boys. The coons had dug a hole underneath the foundation. and somehow had found an opening between the studdings, and could reach the attic of the Church. The four little coons must of got trapped where there was no opening at the top of the wall. We piled rocks on top of the hole. The coons pulled the rocks away. We found one t..:' ,: 1920-1921 Vona School dead coon in the attic. So we left the hole open. We were afraid the coons may die in the walls where we could not get at them. In time we did not notice any evidence of coon activity so we piled more rocks atop the hole. That did not stop the coon activity. One Sunday morning what did we see but big bare Vona School in the 1950's spots on the roof of the Church. They had tried to go to Church again by crawling up the corners of the Church, and tearing the shingles off the roof. We could see the scratch marks on the west corners of the Church. We covered the two west corners of the church with sheet metal. The coons crawled up the east corners, and ripped off more shingles, so we covered all corners with metal. We have not noticed evidence of coons at our Church for several years. They are smart cunning animals. We will wait and see. Since the parting of Bro. Bergen, attendance at our Church, The New Friedensberg Mennonite Church southwest of Vona, Colorado had decreased until even Sunday School has all but ceased. It is a sad situation, indeed to see the seemingly end of worship at this Church, and the deterioration of a Church building. Building the Vona School Gymnasium in the 1960's by Wilbert Becker VONA'S SCHOOLS T390 As told by several of Vona's past and present citizens, Elmer H. Haynes: "The first School was held in the residence of E.R. Johnson, located Vr mile east of town . In the summer of 1889. Mabel Dascod was the teacher. During the fall, a frame building was erected on the Haynes homestead by the district. The school was erected on the hill about 300 feet north of the depot. E.H. Haynes was the teacher during the winter of 1889-90. Later the school was disposed of to private parties and a larger two-room build. ing built in the north part of town. Later this was sold and the present buildings, with the �*,.:,:i:,:a.- ''. .' :,,.f,,',,r,l;1 ;: Old Shop and finished symnasium ward to better things ahead. Mr. A.M. Boese cheerfully volunteered a number of acres in the southeast corner of his 160 acres known as the S.W.% of 33-9-48, 6 miles south and tYz west of Vona for the school. The school house was no sooner finished til plans were under way for celebrations. No holiday went by without pie suppers, oyster suppers, box socials, watermelon feasts, picnics in the summertime which usually had a high-spirited baseball Beme between the single and married men. The first year of school started in 1908 with Miss Emma Ligget as teacher. Miss Amber Palmer, a homesteader taught 3 years. They taught all eight grades with 30 to 40 children. This was District #47." Opal M. Boger: "In 1911, a small adobe brick building was erected 1% miles east of Carvey. (Carvey was located 16 mi. North and \Vz mi. East of Vonal) This was our school, District #42, commonly called Kechter. It was also our church, meeting place, and Hi-Plains Grade School, Vona. capacity of 200 pupils was built at the cost of $6,000.00, in 1917." Glen Howell "My first teacher was Ruth Bernett in the early 90's. I think she got about $10.00 per month. She lived on a homestead." J. Carl Harrison: "At that time (1930's) there were no consolidated schools. All country children went to one-room country schools. Only town children went to the town school. There were five country schools in the south Vona trade area and I think about the same north. Church and Sunday School was held in several of the country schools. Some of the first area teachers in the south were: Jim Barrett, John Matthews, Mr. Thompson, Marie Farquer, Blanche Johnson, and Carl Harrison." Harriet Mohr Ford: "Our school system now (1976) operated jointly with Seibert, has always had the distinction of being a school where you could be proud to have your children attend. It has always maintained a structure of education and morals above reproach." Horace Boger as told to Joyce Boger Miller: "The Boger School was a one-room frame building, built in about 1909 about l2t/z miles north and 1 west of Vona. It was later moved one mile to the east. The Unity Sunday School was also held here. Some of the first teachers were: Gailon Lewis, Vern Meyers, Sadie Dulmer, August Carlstedt, and William O'Seeley." Reflections of Arthur L. Boese: "In 1907 homesteaders began to trickle into this community. In the next two or three years all the land had been filed on with a house on every 160 acres . . The hub of this community centered in the Pleasant Valley School. A large sod building was put up with volunteer labor. I can see them yet, working like beavers with all the joy and satisfaction of accomplishment and always looking for- Rainbow Sunday School. Chris Heinrich was the Supt. of the Sunday School. In some school terms over 40 pupils attended. The first teacher was Miss Bessie Wilder. Others were: Grace Van Winkle, Ida Martin, and Wilma Ford. These were all local girls, daughters of homesteaders. Miss Wilder and Miss Van Winkle had homesteads of their own north of the school house and just over the county line in Yuma County.ln L922, a Iarge frame school house was built on the same corner on the opposite side of the road. Miss Estel Straughn from near Burlington was the teacher that year. Members. of the Board of Directors were: Jacob Kechter, Chas. Andrews, and Erastus Godfrey. Some of the family names of pupils in District #42 in the years 1911-1923 were; Achley, Atwood, Arthur, Atterbury, Andrews, Bolin, Calkins, Calhoun, Hagan, Hamilton, Gulley, Godfrey, Woods, Wilkerson, Wasson, Phillips, Kechter, Keeley, and others." Some other schools of the north Vona area were: Kerl School called West Point 10 mi. north and - located 2 east of Vona, Bowers School located 12 north and 41/z east ofVona or 1 -east ofwhere Mick Monroe used to live. Brownwood School west of the Brownwood - Vz mL Store, Seaman School and 1 west - 16 north of Vona, Hunter School near the Ed R. - and Vz mi. east Stahleckers or about 16 north ofthe town ofSeibert, and some adobe school buildings were: Progress 4 mi. west of Moffitts or 19 north and 5 -mi. west of Vona, Weakland 8y2 N. of Vona, and Rehor's - north School 17 and 1 west ofVona. Some other schools were: Flannigan School N.E. of Seibert 7 miles, Murphy School - 3 west and 4 north of Vona. Harmon School Seibert, and Solid Center North -of Stratton, Plainview East on- the river by Joe Brachtenbach, -and First Central and Second Central Schools located south of Seibert." Mrs. L.L. Grimes remembers some of the families that attended the Murphy School were: Borens, Youngs, Burcars, and the Grimes. There were many more. Violet (Fuhlendorf) Edmunds remembers the Plainview School was 9 mi. north of Stratton. and the Solid Center School was 9 north and about 3 west ofStratton as this is where their boys went to school, and the Hanson School (an adobe) was 3 miles east and 5 miles north of Vona, before the Ashview School was built. Then in 1916 Hanson was torn down and the Ashview School was built and was District #54. (Violet Fuhlendorf attended all her school years here). The first teacher was.Ada Sack, and the 2nd teacher was Mae Peterson. who sill lived in Flagler in 1986. Gwen (Salmans) Malone remembers: "Mv brother Kyle Riley stayed with us for awhile and went to the Ashview School in about 1945." Mrs. John Wigton remembers some of the schools south of Vona: "There wag the McConnell's School, the Green Knoll School North of Dean Wigtons, the Pleasant -Meadow School down on the correction line, and the Pleasant Valley School. Some of the teachers at Pleasant Valley were: Evelyn Olsen, Mrs. Tressel, Mrs. Elvina Ezra, Matilda Kliever, Mary Heinricks, and Mrs. John Wigton. We had all eight grades in one room, and the older children knew they had to get most of their work done by themselves so they just studied harder. The S.tate had a course of study for us to complete and we always got our finished by the end of the school year." Mrs. Harriet Ford says: "Our boys went to the Green Knoll school and one day a dirt storm came up so the teacher sent the children home. Well, the parents thought the kids were safe at school and the teacher thought they were home, but the boys got into Drake's grainery and hid till the storm was over. Mr. Drake found them when he heard them after the storm was over and sent them home." Wilbert Becker says: "In 1921 the District #47 of Pleasant Valley was consolidated with #68 and called #68." Everett Duncan who was on the school board of Dist. #36, Pleasant Meadow in 1948, when the schools consolidated intotown says: "There were three schools in Dist. #36 - (1) Pleasant Meadow 12 south, and 1 west; - south Spring.Creek 13 3 west; and - south andand Rose Dale 16 2 west of Vona. because the- district was so large. There was also a school called Lucky Point - 9 mi. south and lVz east ofthe Vona Road." Some teachers at the Progress School north of Vona were: Edna Bartman (Stahlecker), Myrtle (Cowgill) Shaw, and Margie Boren. A teacher at Murphy School was Daisy Frank- father. In 1948 when most of the country schools consolidated into Vona the senior graduating class was: Clarence Macon, Frieda Steiniger, Nedra Steiniger, Bill Edmunds, Arthur Tubbs, Virginia Herrell, and Kenneth Hubbell. In 1950 the state passed the School District Reorganization Act and a committee was appointed to reorganize the school districts, at this time Vona District #R-3, - were formed. and Seibert "District #R-2 When this happe4ed some of the buildings were moved into town and the equipment was auctioned'off. Thebuildings were used for the lower grades 1-4 and a lunch room.,.The teacherage house was once a country school. In 1963 a gyrnnasiurn was built and the school house was remodeled to accommodate grades K-12 and even had a Special Ed. room and library. On April Fool's Day in school year 1970-7I, the Seibert School burned and the high school students went to Vona. InL97L-72the grade school students went to Seibert from Vona, and Seibert's high schoolers went to Vona. They received their diplomas and took the class sneak together.lnlgT2-73, the high school moved to Seibert and the grade schoolers moved to Vona. The schools were called Hi-Plains High and Hi-Plains Grade School and retained their own District num- �bbrs,of 'R,2 in Vohe and R,3 irr Seibirt. In the fall of 1984, the Colorado l€gislative bodies notified the Seibett and Vona Dig' tricts that they would no longer.give egch district more state money than they would get if they were one district. Thig announce' ment took away all the advantages of .opera' ting together but remaining separate districts. The school boards: (Seibert) Carlog Arnold, lVilford Huppert, Terty Tagtmeyer, Ervin Jones,and Kelly Burr; and (Vona) Joe Gurley, Lyndell Salmana, $teve Miller, (Daryl) Pickard and Nean l;iebl, deciddd to hold a consolidation election. On Dec. 31, 1985, both districts passed the proporal, The Hi-Plains Dlsttict #R-23 wag created on ilan. 1, 1985. The new district's firut order of business wag to set up new director distticts, A five member board was elected to replace the original ten member boardl Carlos Ar' nold, Nean Liebl, Kelly Burr, Myra Devis and Ervin Jones. In 1988, the School Board was: Terry Clapper, Myra Davis, Vickey Eagleton, Ewin Jones and Janice Salmans. The Staff are: Elementary: Sherry Stone, Peggy Henry, Mary Molford, Terri Cooper, Nora Hubbell, June Guy, Carol Smith, TerrY Ingram, Dorthy Tanner, Mrs. Shaw, Barbara Thorson, Wanda Miller, Katy Burd, Madne and James Matthews, Dale Richards, Rick and Sherry Dykstra, and Wanda Cross, High School: James Smith, Diane and Steve McCracken, Jean Mrieon, Ronald Stone, Jerry Guy, Rita Ross, Lance Shaw, Judith King, Kerry Sayles, Melvin Lievin, Etma Boren, Janet Shotti Jqnice Niles and Slim Goodwin. bY rsnlce Sslnaas voNA GnADU-ATSF;9, ' 1918: Gtace Smith and Clemenza Carey. 1919: No record or no graduates. 1920: William Alexander 1921: Ralph Meisner, Robert Smith and John Falconer 1922: Emma O'Neill 1923: Bessie Snap and Alvin Ferris 1924: MaiY Haynes 1925r Fern Butler and Reba Edwards 19?6: Verna Sparks, Beatrice Strode and Oscar Sbode. 1927: Vernon Monroe 1928: Ftancis Burcar and Alice Miller 1929: George Card, Bessie Miller and Ena Molyneux Class of 1930: Mary Flanagan; Wilbert Becker; Helen Fredrick; Emmett Teal; Andtew Boese;.Iean Deakin and Minnie Kerl. Class of 1931: Arnold James Class of 1932: Wendell Starr Class of 1933: Jensen, Wilson, Warrick, Haynes, Heiken, Bigelow, Becker, Rush and Boeee. Class of 1934: Morgan, Braddy, Haynes, Bates, Heiken, Klassen, Weaver and Carey. Class of 1935: Carpenter, Lane, Kemper, Gagnon, Moser, Ferris, Shepherd, Deakin, Ancell, Adams, Haynes, Carlstedt, Bigelow and Wilson. Class of 1936: Pete Loopstra, Joe Kordes, teroy Fuhlendorf, Rose Tanner, Clara Boese, Arthur Summers, Eugene George, Ralph Tanner, Junior Carpenter and Abe Becker. Clags of 1937: Dorthy Smith, Alma Bigelow, Laurene M. Herrell, Agnes Dalgetty, Verl Monroe, Evelyn Swift and Lela Burd. Class of 1938: Robert Harrison, Doris Moser, Guy Harrison, Max Deakin, Clara Carpentet, Roy Howell, Louise Bigelow, Doris Klassen and Frank Swift. Claes of 1939: Daylon Larson, Hazel Adams, Harold Pickard, Samuel Lane, Ina Mae Moyles, \{alter Coleman, Georgia Carpenter, Floy Herrell and Robert Sharp. Class of 1940: James Loopstra, Raymond Summers and Hein Loopstra. Class of 1941: Wayne Fuhlendorf, Leona Pickard, Corananex Wilson, Maxine Carpenter, Wanda McDougal, Quentin Wilson, Leon Ford, Lucy Woller, Merlin Ford and Pauline Hubbell. Class of 1942: Alice Helderman, Eugene Elsey, Imogene Burd, Russell Lowery and James Inman. Class of 1943: Ed Carpenter, Forrest Jeffers, Leon Louis Carter, Forrest Tanner, Paul Inman and Reatha Lou Morgan. Class of 1944: Juanita Hewitt. Bob Ancell. Martha Woller, Doris Carpenter, Pat Ford and Robert Herrell. Class of 1945: Francis McCaffrey, Neva McCaffrey, Hazel Thompson, Helen Klassen, Glen Edmunds and Rose Ann Bigelow. Class of 1946: Kenneth Pickard, Robert Austin. Cornelius (Jack) Klassen, Lois Carpenter and Lucie Burd. Class of 1947: Ramon Ford, Betty Jean Howell, Thomas Burian, Shirley Summers, Irene Burian and Opal Fuhlendorf. Class of 1948: Bill Edmunds, Virginia Herrell, Kenneth Hubbell, Nedra and Frieda Steiniger and Arthur Tubbs. Class of 1949: Joann Ford, Margaret Shore, Paul Jackson, Rudy Card, Daniel Thompson, Darrell McCaffrey, Keith Yonts, Velma Pickard, Virginia Jackson and Norman Travis. Class of 1950: Virgil Schwartz, Norma Jean Monroe, Vaughn Monroe, Nora Mae Doughty, Charlotte Marleen Boese, Kenneth McCaffrey, Marvin Thompson, Richard McCaffrey and Kenneth Stoltz. Class of 1951: Roberta Coleman, Thelma Monroe, Betty Jackson, Eldon Boese and Dolores Kerl. Class of 1952: Everel Yonts, Harold Monroe, Robert E. McCaffrey, Daniel Hubbell, Lawrence Megel, Robert Edmunds, Harold Carlstedt, Edith Helderman, Bradford Doughty and Melba Mae Card. Class of 1953: Arlene Becker, Virginia Grimes, Bernita Stoltz, Colleen Eastin, John Webb and Joyce Edmunds. Class of 1954: Wendell Jennings; Keith Schwartz; Shirley Hendricks; Marjorie Schwartz; Mary Jackson; Duane Megel; and Earl Wilkinson. Class of 1955: Beverly Boese; Helen Zimmerschied; Arlene Thorson; Zelz Thorson; Melvin Edmunds, Benny Grimes, Duane Monroe: Jean Monroe; Walter Reeder; Paul Schreiner; Johnny Steininger; and Jaunita Thompson. Class of 1956: Fern Pickard: Eugene Patterson; Hazel Burian; Marilyn Corwin; Steve Card; Esther Reeder; Harry Covey; Donna Zimmerschied; Leroy Wolf; Clifford Reeder; and Loren Wilkinson. Class of 1957: Kay Ford; Gene Fredrich; Margaret Waldron; Jerry Megel; Gladys Lobmeyer; and Robert Eastin. Class of 1958: Anna Belle Jackson; Burleigh Becker; Ronald Eastin, Barbara Duncan; Sandra Stewart; and Chester Monroe. Class of 1959: Nels Thorson; Larry Lob- meyer; Donna Becker; Don Pickard; and Wayne Miller. Class of 1960: Virginia Duncan; Evelyn Fell; Agnes Helderman; William Eastin; David Miller; and Lief Thorson. Class of 1961: Douglas Becker; Marvin Becker; Deanna Browning; Ronald Fell; Carol Megel; Dewey Staatz; Wilbur Staatz; Linda Tanner: Albert Tubbs; and Donald �Kenneth Hinton, Keith Gurley, Vicky Waldron. Class of 1962: Jim Patterson; Karen Thor- son; Lany Eastin; Beth Hoffman; Marilyn Duncan; George Card; Loretta Fell; Reba Staatz; and Larry Gurley. Class of 1963: Larry Pickard; Glenn Schaal; Barbara Grimes; Linda Schreiner; Patricia Stewart; Gary Salmans; and Lowell Fredrich. Class of 1964: Joyce Boger; Carl Thorson; Daniel Tanner; Rogeray Palmer; Carol Ford; Bruce Vanatta; Betty Duncan and Donna Fell. Class of 1965: Lyndell Salmans; Janice Wolkensdorfer; Darlene Browning; Don Specht; Richard Harrison; James Krei and Terry Clapper. Class of 1966: Janet Austin; Linda Kasten; Avis Staatz; Mitchell Wright; Paul Palmer; Roger Harrison, and Robert Staatz. Class of 1967: Deanna Becker, Lany Burd; Chryl Clapper; Barbara Harison; Joe Gurley; Myron Vanatta; Margie Wolkensdorfer; Keith Wright; and Sharon Woller. Class of 1968: Don Gurley; Vickey Camp; Robert Kasten; Jane and Joan Ford; Evertt (Bud) Monroe; Chryl Pickard; Roger Paintin; Daryl Pickard; Karen Pickard; and Carlton Woller. Class of 1969: Rick Burd; Paula Clapper; Michael Curtis; Wanda (Walker) Cross; In Memory of Kelly Ford; Faith Peplow; Rita Pickard; Sharon Stewart; Nora Tanner and Virginia (Ness) Sechrist. Class of 1970: Debra Brinkoff; Lana Burd; Betty Cemp; John Miller; Daniel Mills; Nadine Wigton; and Charles Fell. Class of 1971: Jody Clapper; Stan Woller; Patty Kasten; Rod Burd; Peggy Harrison; Vivian Pottorff: and Ron Harrison. McCaffrey, Donald Walden, Kevin Jarnagin, Claude Rasmussen, Victor Harrison, Kenneth Tanner, Rosa Camp, Floyd Camp, Terry Hebbell and James Mason. Class of 1977: Cathy Levin, Jerry Clapper, Dave Marx, Carmen Dykstra, Marla McGriff, David Bowser, Paula Bancroft, Dale Mills, Margaret Mason, Carla Livingston, Lana Blackwell, Sherry Jones, Kerry Tagtmeyer, VONA PIIOTOS T393 ' '-:',i' ri:il, ',illa: Shari Gorton, Kathy Gurley, Rick Taylor, Eugene Tagtmeyer and Cindy Graham. Class of 1978: Lori Kasten, Jack Burian, Danny McCaffrey, Terry McCaffrey, Tracy Miller, Cecilia Hase, Clint Jones, Larry Tagtmeyer, Rhonda Cowen, Tim Clapper, Susan Woller, Myra McGriff, Alan Bancroft, Darrel Santala, Linda Mason, Mary Pelser, Lavonne Kranz and Don Graffis. Class of 1979: Walter Marx, Julie McCaffrey, Janet Miller, Chris Clapper, Tim Levin, Darlene McCaffrey, David Myers, Gerald Masters, Brian Blackwell, Julia Burian, Ernst Robinson and Bill Taylor. Class of 1980: Laura Jones; Gary Hansen; Lori Burd; LaVon Dykstra; Michelle Hat- Vona Lake located below what is now the Daryl Pickard home. Highway 24 would run north and south through the center of the picture. field; Mary Kasten; Jim Turner; Valerie Cochreham; Pam McCaffrey; Jeff Hase and Rhonda McCaffrey. Class of 1981: Chris Arnold. Robert Bowser, Victor Cockreham, Chris Harrison, Annette Hase, Konnie Herman, Monty Levin, Mike Livingston, Brenda Marx and Barbara Matthews. Class of 1982: Penne Boyd, Russell Burd, Michael Ford, Ilene Graham, John Hase, Judy Hobbie (O'Neill), Cynthia McCaffrey D.E. Musselman. wife and familv. and Gary Robinson. Class of 1983: Julie Arnold, Jay Bancroft, Bill Leabo, Mark McCaffrey and Cary Thorson. Class of 1984: Vinette Cockreham, Scott Edmunds, Ted Ford, Mike Levin, Ken HI.PLAINS GRADUATES 't[ Mason, Shawn Nelson, Bob Newton, Connie O'Neill, Ronnie Point, Elizabeth Strothman T392 Class of 1972: Sheldeana Jarnagin, Vicki Hubbell, Janet Livingston, KathrYn Schmidt, Sandra Smit, Nathlia Myers, Terri Taton, Daryl Aumiller, David Brinkoff, Charles Clapper, Wayne Graffis, Ray Reid, Rande Short. Robert Harrison, Ellsworth Pottorff and Ronnie White. The first class of Vona and Seibert combined after the fire in Seibert. Class of 19?3: Barbara Gail Burian, Joseph L. Burian, Doyle C. Atkins, Terri Bancroft, Donald Brinkoff, Rhonda Lee Csmp, Sandra Kay Curtis, DeAnn Kay Edmunds, Ana Silvia Ikana, Connie Sue Livingston, John Eugene Graham, Deborah Lou Hughes and Charles L. McCaffrey. The first graduating Class of the Hi-Plains High School. Class of 1974: Rebecca Myers, Joe Marx, Ellen Rasmussen, Randy Gorton, Janice Knapp, Marilyn McCaffrey, John Levin, Charles Turner, Janet Short and Jim Graham. Class of 19?5: Brent Hostettler, Danielle Hubbell, Carl Blackwell, Deanna Brinkoff, Bert McCaffrey, Rodney Bancroft, Janette Graham, Raymond Niles, Karen Viken, Alberta Marx, Larry Fox, Karen Monroe, Kim Edmunds, Cheryll Levin, Lorraine Tanner and Sandra Hughes. Class of 1976: Lynne Greer, Rick Dykstra, Arthur Tutner, Randall Herman, Laura Fox, and Debbie Wamsley. Class of 1985: Vanice Kay Cockreham; Charlotte Ann Cruickshank; Michael Terrance Hastfield; Stacy Ray Jones; Marty June Levin; Kimberly Kaye Liebl; Nancy Kay Miller; Michael Joseph Myers; Sharnell Dawn Nelson: Rita Joanne Strothman; Joel David Tanner; and Charles Lawrence Thor- Clara Howell by the Vona Cemetery. son. Class of 1986: Lisa Arnold; Steven Herman; Chris Huppert; Carol Mason, Pamela Matthews; Frank Miller; Duane O'Neill; Marla Peterson; Michael Smith; and Joan Wamsley. Class of 1987: Rhett Atkins; Kelly Broska; Kristy Burian; Bob Cruickshank; Dawn Davis; Jeff Hartman; Jeff Huppert; John Kalb; Bill Mason and Carie Thorson. Class of 1988: Caryn Arnold; Jqff Clapper; Velvet Cockreham; Jim Cross; Ahgie Fox; Jennifer Gurley; Andy Hase; Sharon Huppert; Robin Liebl; Ed Martin; Lance McAuley; Kirby Peterson and Scott Tovrea. A L923 view of Vona taken from the top of the elevator by M.D. Haynes. John Deere Equipment horse drawn in forefront, businesses along the south side of the now a days park. To the far right was the Depot. Behind it is the now Miller home. �*,: ,. '}ta \ g &'.gr..*{'F ' f. .,r $ ,s,:' :' 'i ; x * X Gwenith George, Verdie Elsey, ?, Queenie Ferris, Grace Perry, Emma O'Neill, Mary Haynes, Fern Butler and coach Violet Mun- ter. In 1959, Vona won the State Consolation Championship against Sierra Grande of the Class "C" in the E.C.C.A.A. tournament. The players were: "A" Squad, L. Lobmeyer, D. Miller, N. Thorson, L. Thorson, D. Becker, D. Pickard, W. Miller, B. Eastin, D. Waldron, M. Becker, and D. Staatz, manager, Coach Nichols. "B" Squad: G. Card, J. Patterson, A. Taken about 1910 from the north looking south VONA PHOTOS T394 Tubbs, R. Fell, D. Prickett, L. Gurley, W. Staatz and L. Eastin, manager. In 1963, Vona Football 8-man team: L. Fredricks, G. Salmans, L. Pickard, G. Shaal, D. Tanner, C. Thorson, R. Palmer, L. Salmans, T. Clapper, M. Wright, P. Palmer, R. Staatz and Coach Harmon, won the League Championship. The Basketball team that year was League and District Champs. "A" team: D. Tanner, C. Thorson, L. Fredrick, L. Pickard, G. Salmans. "B" team: L. Salmans, T. Clapper, G. Schaal, R. Palmer, M. Wright, P. Palmer, R. Staatz, and coach Harman. The 1984-85 sports season in both boys Carlstedt Restaurant football and basketball worked their way to the state semi-finals. In Football, they lost to Day Springs Christian in State playoffs. The team: J. Tanner, M. Meyers, C. Thorson, S. Towea, D. O'Neill, F. Miller, M. Hatfield, K. Broska, B. Cruickshank, S. Herman, S. Jones, M. Smith, L. McAuley, A. Hase, K. Peterson, B. Mason, J. Cross, Managers: T. Clapper, D. Towea, J. Guy, coach, Jim Smith, Assn't. coach, Roger Beottcher. In Basketball, they posted a 17-6 record on their way to the State tournaments in Colorado Springs. They won the East Central League title with an undefeated record. In the Third Place contest, the W.E. Melling, prominent early day resident, first mayor and a carpenter. Patriots lost to Aurora Christian, taking fourth place in State. The team: M. Meyers, C. Thorson, S. Herman, J. Hartman, B. J.J. Gladden Store. SPORTS T395 The first basketball team of Vona School was in 1922, consisting of: Bennie Stover, Bob Brown, Glen Drydale, Carey, Fogg, Bill BiIl Dawson Postmaster 1908-1914 Kenneth Fogg, Kenneth Haynes and the coach Jim Inman. The first girls basketball team, L922: Cleo Elsey, Susie Fuller, Onsita Chester, Harriet Mohr and Bessie Knapp. The second team: Crickshank, M. Smith, S. Tovrea, J. Cross, L. McAuley, B. Mason, coach Beottcher. In 1988, the sports fans watched the HiPlains Patriots host the 6-man State finals against the Arickaree Indians. They lost to the Indians giving them second place in the championship. Three helicopters from the Denver TV News landed near the field to record the game plays. (Channel's 4, 7, and 9). The team: Lance, Eric, and Kurt McAuley, Jim, and Mark Cross, Scott, and Dwayne Tovrea, Ed Martin, Kirby Peterson, Jay Clapper,, Andy Hase, Jeff Burian, Jim Salmans, Rob Kasten, John Guy, Marc Santala, Brad Currie, Phillip Anderson, Clint Hubbell �and coach Lance Shaw. Other sports played at the school were basketball boys and girls, track, baseball and one of the favorite of girls sports, volleyball. At one time soccer and tennis were even included. LIONS CLUB m WORTHWHILE EXTENSION TIOMEMAKERS CLUB T397 T396 @ t.NJ the roadside park, for the convenience of travelers, of which there are many, who stop to have a meal in our town. The ladies have, sponsored girls for Girls State, purchased chairs for the hospital, Little League Baseball suits, sponsored and paid for summer swimming lessons, provide Easter and Christmas treats for the school children, a fan for Grace Manor, sheets for the hospital, cleaned Band uniforms, clock for the hall, plants to the rest home, and numerous other worthwhile projects for the benefit of the surrounding community. In 1976, they won second place in the "?6" Clean Up Day, and were awarded a tree from the state, which is planted on the school lawn. Some of their popular donations and fund drives are the Easter Seals, Pennies for Friendship, Polio, Heart, Cancer, March of Dimes, Red Cross, and Boys Ranch. One of the popular places for their memorials is to Sitting L. to R.: Gladys Little, Billie Clapper, Mary Lobmeyer, Katy Burd, Harriet Ford, Sybil Burian, Nida Corwin, Velma Pickard, Gwen Salmans. Standing L. to R.: Edna Doughty, Fern Moffit, JoAnn Pickard, Jan Hadachack, Wanda Miller, Unknown, Agatha Grimes, Wilma Woller, Jenny McClelland. Vona Lion's Hall On the 16th of May, 1952, these members of the Vona Lions Club got together and formed their charter: Ray Ford, Frank Wilson, Merl Ford, Elmer Kerl, G.H. Herrell, Creed Browning, Herschel Salmans, Otis Watson, J. Hendricks, Andy Corwin, Louis Pickard, Michael Freeland, Willard Bowerson, Kenneth Pickard, Joe Zimmerscheid, Fred Wilson, J.H. Lobmeyer, Wayne Brin- give to the Scholarship Fund. The present day members and their membership follow: Pres., Linda Miller, 13 years; V.P., Sherry Stone, 17 yrs.; Sec., Nancy Megel, 3 yr.; Treasurer, Agatha Grimes, 30 yr.; Historian, Wilma Woller, 20 yrs.; Harriet Ford, 35 yrs.; Violet Edmunds, 35 yrs.; Edna Doughty, 30 yrs.; JoAnn Pickard, 34 yrs.; Marvel Brinkhoff, 27 yts.; Billie Clapper, 25 yrs.; Becky Harrel, 1 yr.; Shirley Grimes, 13 yrs.; Loretta Fell, 13 yrs.; Fern McCaffrey, 7 yrs.; Joyce Wamsley, 1 yr'.; Betty Davis, 15 yrs.; Virginia Hubbell, 15 yrs.; Rita Rueb, 14 yrs.; Myra Davis, 1 yr.; Barbara Matschke, 5 yrs.; Tanya Taylor, 3 yrs. TOWN OF VONA 1988 koff, Ambrose Hill, A.L. Boese, Robert T398 George, Jay Davis, A.W. Morgan, Lloyd Megel, Jim Pickard, John Murphy, Dr. Hewitt and Ray Roberts. Lw* One ofthe annual events is the Bingo booth at the fairs. The Lions have been instrumental in purchasing needed glasses for people of the area. The Lions Club and the Home Demonstra- tion Club donate time and money to the annual Vona Day and now its called homecoming. They help with the street events, donate money for the prize winning floats and announce the parade. The Lions club was built in 1954-1955 to house the Lions Club but also to furnish a place for the numerous community activities. In 1988, the members present are: Lloyd Briggs, Pres.; Dan Hubbell, V.P.; Rocky Stone, Sec.; Carl Matschke, Tres.; Carl Woller, Tail Twister; Steve Miller, 16 yr. member, Lyndell Salmans, Dick McAuley, Grant Iske, Larry Megel, Kenneth Pickard, Abe Fell, Pat Rueb, Merl Ford, (he was Sec. for 21 years), Mike Ford, Lynn Grimes and Paul Clapper. Bi Centennial Quilt Shown at Fair Booth In 1951, the Worthwhile Extension Homemakers Club of Vona was begun with the following Charter members: Katy Burd, Billie Clapper, Wanda Dasenbrock, Edna Doughty, Laura Dunn, Violet Edmunds, Harriet Ford, JoAnn Pickard, Rosie Reeder, Gwen Salmans, Charlotte Scothorn, Norma Young, Verna Hoffman, and Hazel Ford. The officers were elected as such: President, Violet Edmunds; Vice-Pres., Katy Burd; Sec.-Reporter, Wanda Dasenbrock; Treas., Harriet Ford; and Parliamentarian, Hazel Ford. Among some of the first activities were buying folding chairs for the Lions Hall, Starting the Mystry Pals, and a Halloween party, The ladies take turns cooking for the Lions Club, serving numerous funeral dinners and in the early years they served many Mother and Daughter Banquets. Some of the items they have helped to purchase were chairs, tables, park benches, park equipment, (o-ong which is the spring horse put up in memory of Hazel Ford), they helped fix the swings, a recent addition to the park is the basketball court and the new Gazebo, to accommodate picnicers. The ladies maintain The old Fire Department in Vona I lilr3 Jo U.S. Post Office in Vona, CO a^l ; rKrr l13l �Oasis Service. Tom and Nadine Burian Mainstreet view of Vona, looking to the south VONA, SOUTH OF IJWY 24 T399 '.,.ffi'"... The new Vona Fire Department Delts Fixing Shop, Ronald Delts Vona Grain Co. Lone Pine Liquor; and Video Sales. Jim and Francis Cemp �ON f,nmp Service. Jim Camp Fron Burllnglo!, CO, to soull oD Hfhrry 315 1 nlb, trr;l lYz ulhr, Wrlct for rljrr. Starting et'X Orval Burd Hydrolic Repairs. Orval Burd i::i,li' r'll. .'l:]i]. ,.j':ll ..]:,,:li liil',', :rrl, :tl-lt:.]::i:;;,i jr;'$ 'riltlf$r .:,'a,:: r.,!l,t.:iri: r,r$a ::r.. l. :::', t . i',:r'l' , t ,,., . ;:: ... , -, .. |.\ a\ tt I a5e otd,wr.g9tl � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource History of Kit Carson County Description An account of the resource Brief historical stories and elements from the founding and recent history of Kit Carson County, Colorado. Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Book Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Vona Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 1988 Subject The topic of the resource History Description An account of the resource A history of the Town of Vona as recorded in the book History of Kit Carson County. Type The nature or genre of the resource text Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Salmons, Janice Hasart, Marlyn Smith, Dorothy Language A language of the resource English Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. History of Kit Carson County Volume 1 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource text/pdf Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Curtis Media Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/</a> https://kccarchives.cvlcollections.org/files/original/16/433/Vignettes.pdf 7f92085a73de4bc346d85c24dead8dbd PDF Text Text VIGNETTES t' ,''.'' ,:.' , . ,,t: "Prairie Life Blood" by Sally Bauder .',':,,, �COLORADO SKIES T42l MOM'S CREAM PIE T42A normal for this area. About 2 P.M. the color changed from dark blue to red. That wasn't normal. This cloud was headed to the southeast. COLORIDO SKIES At evening when the setting sun Spreads its brilliant rays across the sky, \:e gaze in rapture, as one by one, The flan:e-tinged clou(ls go uafLing by. i{e aatch the change from lold to gray, As the miraculous beauty fades from view, And niAht creeps on in silent array, l'Ihile moonbeams shine with siLv'ry hue, The eternal drama in the skies, Fron' evening's glow to daun's fa i nt rays, Reflects llis promise "l vill arise," .\nd brings bright hope to darkest days. Garold's parents, George and Agnes Pain- inisce about when we are together, such as the old Majestic Range, mince pies, chili suppers and cinnnmon rolls. But the thing that always tin, and I stood on the doorstep and watched a tornado go pastjust to the west ofthe barn. We could feel the force it created as it went past us. It was deathly still where we stood. As objects came to the edge of the whirling cloud, they would drop to the ground. One was a new binder canvas that was still rolled bring joy to our hearts and tears to our eyes is "Mom's Cream Pie." It was some eort of a custard pie. You could tell by the color and the nutmeg on the bubbles that would form on top. Mom would say, "I think I'll make a cream pie" and all four of us boys would be at attention right away. Why she seemed so powerfully proud of it, we may never know, as it certainly wouldn't take a prize at the County Fair. Just how it was made I'll never know, even though I saw the process many times. It was made in a pie shell. The filling was made with milk and included sugar and flour. There was not a crust on top, but the filling was sprinkled --DeIla Hendricl<s by Della Hendricke WHEAT HARVEST TIME I.916 There are many things we talk and rem- T422 There really wasn't much wheat planted in Kit Carson County in 1916. Most of the homesteader's farm crops were a few acres of corn, some cane, or millet cane for horse feed, and millet for cows. There was an old saying among corn farmers that their corn should be layed by the 4th ofJuly. Then a good share ofthe farmers would head for Kansas to find work in the wheat harvest. They would leave their wiveg and farnily to hold the homestead down, take care of the pigs, chiekens, and milk cow. A man could hire out single handed to work in a header barge for 91.50 per day. If he worked as a stacker he could draw 92.00 per day. All wheat in those days was harvested with horsedrawn headers and horsedrawn barges to catch the wheat as cut by the header. Then the headed wheat was stacked in the wheat field. Then as soon as the stacked wheat had gone through the sweat, which took a few weeks, it was thrashed with the old thrashing machine. I went to harvest wheat in 1916, south of Colby. I took six work horses and was lucky enough to get ajob. I ran the header for 97.00 per day for me and the horses, and board for myself and the horses. After the wheat was cut, the farmer hired me and the horses to do some summer fallowing. This was in the form of blank listing with a two row lister. At least this short session ofcash wages would supply me with some ready cash to help finance myself through the fall and winter. with nutmeg. As it baked, you could see the top ofthe filling set and form big bubbles that would rise and turn first gold then brown and then burst. When it was done it was not one half inch or one inch deep - it would be about one fourth inch thick or perhaps three eighths inch at the very most. It was vaguely like a custard but not a sissy-type custard. It was a solid layer of crust, sugar, flour, milk, and nutmeg of a pretty uniform consistency and quite durable. You would take it out of the pan and bit it and feel it and taste it and it was good. Then, you could put a piece in your jacket or pants pocket and hours later you could take it out and eat it and it would be in one piece and it would taste the same. It was good and it was durable and Mom was proud of it and we never talk about it but that we laugh and cry at the same time. No one will ever make anything at all like "Mom's Cream Pie." up and landed undamaged. The tornado was on the ground for nearly a mile. Garold and Melvin Sweet had just gone to the Joe Garner place and were within 300 yards of the house when they realized there was a tornado in that cloud of dust coming at them, so they vacated our pickup truck and hit the ground. It began to hail so Garold moved under the truck. A moment later the tornado turned the truck upside down, leaving the well tools that were in the back, in the spot he had just left. Joe Garner was in the house at the time. He laid on the floor until it passed. Although it was damaged, they drove the Garner car back to the Paintins. There were no serious injuries. Their pockets were full of sand and we had to pick cactus needles out of their backs. Our truck was thrown about 100 yards up a hill and almost completely demolished. The Garners had most of the outbuildings destroyed including a large barn. Some livestock were killed and trees uprooted. The house was da-aged but left standing. It took only about a minute to demolish a life time of work. by Jean.Paintin TO A SOD HOUSE by Carl TY. Bruner T426 TO A SOI] HOUSIJ THAT WAS MY TRUCK Come, pause beside the crumbling walls Of this aged sod house standing here Upon the wind-ssept loneLy plains-- T424 It was May 8, L952. The clouds began to form in the west about noon. That was A passing relic of the oLd frontier. Once these walls were olde and straight, Fresh sneLling of the ner Eurned sod, NhiLe on the broad, Iow windo\i sills A bride had placed geraniums to nod. SheLtered here from nature's elements \ sturdy broocl of lusty children Sreui Absorbed the homely virtues of the waLLs; liax€d bravely slrong, upri3ht and true. And these sod hones across the land Made possible a conquered west; So, Let us pay homa3e to an oLd pioneer For the many lives its roof has blest. --SeLetha Broton by J. Carl Harrison by Seletha Brown That was my truck! �I'LL DRM, YOU PITCH T426 usually would head for the barn, not necessarily taking the shortest route. They would usually go thru a fence row or two on their way home. This action could happen with the hayracks, too, but wasn't as dangerous to the driver. The Paintins built a large barn with a loft in 1929. It was handy in the winter to pitch the hay down to the alley below, but it was work to get the hay up to the loft before this feature could be used. Once the racks were loaded, they were driven into position below a large door near the top ofthe barn. A pulley was hooked into the sling which was on the bottom of the rack. The pully ran on a track inside at the top of the barn. This was pulled up and thru the loft by the horses hooked on at the opposite side of the barn. This large barn, along with twenty five hundred bales of hay in the loft, was destroyed by fire June 20,1963. Picture from the collection of Gladvs Paintin Gieck. by Jean Paintin The Paintin Barn, 193?. The farmers and ranchers etill hope and pray today, as they did in the early years, that their feed crop, which was planted early in MORNING IN JUNE T427 the summer, would escape any drouth, grasshoppers or hard rains and hail at the wrong time. Even a quick moving thunder shower would deposit enough moisture to reach the thirsty roots of the sorghum plant in the sandy soil. The Paintins farmed just a short distance up the hill from the Republican River. A good feed crop was a blessing but the process of harvesting this crop depended on the patience and strength of men and animals. They equipped their hay racks with a sling made from rope and boards which were stretched across the bed of the rack. They would be up before dawn to feed their horses. After a hearty breakfast of pancakes, sausage, MORNING the hay field on their first trip. This was at least a two man job per hayrack. Depending on how well broke the horses were was the deciding factor whether one man drove the team while the other pitched on the hay. If they were broke well enough to trust them to react to voice commands of "getup" or "whoa" you had it made. Both could pitch on the hay from wigwam fashioned shocks of feed which had all been done by manual labor or from windrows previously made by using a hayrake. The hayrake was pulled with their most trustworthy horses since this was a dangerous piece of equipment. It was light weight and easy to pull. If the horses decided to spook and run, the driver could get the thrill of his life if he was lucky to be able to hang on and not fall under the rake. A trip to the ground meant getting rolled thru stickers, dirt and eventually one or more of the rake teeth getting to him. Once out of control, the horses by Opal Boger FAREWELL TO MY SHANTY T429 FARE-II"ELL TO MY SHANIY irJ::r-cli to trllr pre-eDption sLranty, I have $ade my final proof. The cattle will hook down the salls And some will steal off the roof. Fareuell to my sheet iron stove, That stands in the corner all cold; The 3ood things I've baked in the oven Tn Lan3uaJe can never be told. FarewelL to my cracker box cupboard, llriEh a gunny sack for a door; FarewelL to my stoc!( of 3ood thin3s, That I uever shal1 rvant any nore, to n:y I itL Ie pine bedstead, Tis on thee I slunrbered and sLept; FareweLI to the dreams Ehat I dreampt llhile the centipedes over me crept, Fareue l I IN JUNE i\lhat 's so rare as a mornj.ng in June? My morning rides are over too soon. 1 check the cattle over the hill, And then return to the old windmill, Where I get a drink fron the bottom of the uell. The tefrp and flavor, one just can't tell. I shate my drink with my faithful mount, Before I finish the cattle count. Now who in the world could ever say, There's a better uay to start the day? --J. Carl Harrison Farewell to my down holstered chair Ii'ith the bottom sagged to the ground; Farewell to the socks, shirts and bretches, That filled again to the ground. Farewell to my nlce littLe table, hlhere under I have oft put my fee!; And think of many good things, Such as bacon and beans to eaE. Farewell to my sour dough pancakes, That none but myself could endure, lf they did not taste good to a stranger, They were sure the dyspepsia to cure. eggs or steak, biscuits and gravy with lots of coffee their work would begin. They wouldn't get a coffee break. They harnessed, watered and hitched the horses to the hay racks and loaded the water jugs which were wrapped in wet gunny sacks. Maybe they wouldn't be quite on the rack and one horse would take off with a jerk. Depending on the weather, the horses were usually pretty frisky at that time of day and would give them a bumpy ride to hours late to work. The problem was that no one had thought to call Gus and tell him of the hunt, so he spent the hours wondering what the delay was and Ruth was left wondering whether she would have threshers to cook for or not. Farewell to my coffee, tea, and crackers; FareuelL to my water and soap; by J. Carl Harrison THE LION HUNT FareweLL to my sorgum and flapjacks, Farewell to my lallacadope.': Farewell to my entire pre-emption, Farewell to your hills and your sand; I've covered you up with a mortgage, T42A There was a year, along in the late 40's, when rumors went the rounds of a pair of lions that were making their home in Kit Carson County. They were reported to have been seen in the Kirk area and south of Stratton. On one occasion our community, 13-15 miles north of Vona, wag alerted. The men were to go to the Gus Schreiner home early that morning to thresh wheat. Very early that morning, the phone rang. Burt Smit said a lion was seen going into the grove of trees just t/t mile east of the Harry Smit house. He said the threshers were all going to hunt it down, so Horace Boger and his man, Fred Lowery, went too. We called Harold Summers as we knew he would want to be in on it. So, eight or ten men stalked through the small grove of trees ready to shoot but no lion could be found. If there was one, it had escaped or perhaps a large yellow tomcat had been mistaken for big game. Be that as it may, the men were two Farewell to my quarler of land. --Jack Messenger *Gravy made with bacon grease, flour and wat er . poem by Jack Messenger WHEN I MET RUBE PRATT T430 I saw Rube Pratt three or four times in my life. Once I saw him standing in front of the Daniels and Fisher's Tower dressed in his red suit and the great coat with the brass buttons. He was opening the doors for people as they drove up to the store. He made a very �impressive sight for the tourists and customers. That was the last time I saw him. I believe I remember him at a baseball game and I heard my father say "I didn't mean it Rube." I think I saw him crank start his model "T" auto once. I know others would talk about how he would lift it up to crank it rather than PIONEER DAYS IN COLORADO T431 by Mrs. Sarah Blakman to get down on his knees. But I do know when I first met Rube Pratt, I remember it quite well. Rube was a big man, he was reported to be the biggest man in the Armed Forces (Navy) in World War I. He stood about or over eight feet high. Considering his size, he had a small head, anyway, on him it looked small. His head was always bent forward as if he were looking down. It was said that he had hurt his neck as a boy doing acrobatics off a hay stack. We were living in Stratton at the time, about 1918. I would have been about seven years old. There was a store on Main Street, we called the "Ten Cent Store." It was a narrow, long store, with a door in front, and display windows on each side of the door. Display tables were placed on each side of the aisle and goods were piled on top ofthe tables for almost the length of the building. Now, I don't know for sure how I got there, although I have a vague recollection that my mother was not far away. I was underneath one of the tables about half way back in the store. I was playing with or looking at something, I really don't recall what. I heard the door open, the floor was covered with light, then a shadow. I looked up and saw the shoes. They were gize eighteen or nineteen at least. The soles were almost one inch thick. When they hit the floor, the boards shook and they were coming almost directly at me. I PIONEER n:i{YS IN COLORADO When I left my home in Nebraska, for Colorado I was bound; And when I arrived at Claremont, I viewed the country round. There were antelope, coyote, prairie fox and cent.ipedes galore, And such a wild and desolate place I had never seen before. There $rere prairie dogs, or.rls and rat.tlesnakes; they lived under the ground together, And the dogs would come ouE and bark at you, in almost any kind of weather. We put. up at the Claremont Hotel, and the people \rere very kind; But, dear me, I was homesick for the home I had left behind. And when our household goods arrived, we rented a two-room shack, But I thought I would freeze to death for the floor was full of cracks. I covered them over with papers and put carpet down, And so we lived for over a year in this little Claremont town. Then we built a nouse on our homestead, I sure thought that was great, And now I love Colorado, more than any other state. --Sarah Blakeman scooted back a little but not much, fascinated by the size of the man that wore those shoes. Away up on top was this tiny head sort of looking down at me. It seemed to me as if he had to duck his head to keep from hitting the ceiling. I think he saw me, a small smile appeared on his face, maybe he said something, I don't remember. I can't tell you whether he came back to the aisle or went out some back door. But I do remember and will never forget the day I met Rube Pratt. by Carl YY. Bruner WASHDAY T432 Washday started with trips to the milkhouse where our water supply was located. Water ran directly from the windmill into a Iarge, cement tank. We carried the water to the house in milk buckets and sat them on the stove to heat, even on the hottest days, when the range threw out a great deal of heat. Up until about 1916, Mom washed on a washboard and wrung her clothes out by hand. Then they got a "modern" washing machine which was operated by hand. For me, that was much harder work than rubbing the clothes on a board. The lack of soap was a great drawback. We had no powders, bleaches or fabric softeners, only the great chunks of lye soap that Mom made from rancid grease, lye, and water. Soap making meant building a hot fire under the huge iron kettle and then one had to stand by it for 3 or 4 hours and stir round and round. Then the soap cooled overnight and was cut into bars. After rubbing the clothes with the strong soap, the white clothes had to be boiled in more soap and water, then rinsed and wrung and finally rinsed again in water, to which bluing had been added, wrung out again and finally hung out to dry and sun. It was a terrible job and my Dad always helped with the washing. We only washed once a week. by Opal Boger �THE DOCTOR T433 Williams Pharmacy Letterhead by Fred Page and Vivian Williams TIIE DOCTOR I ile! Doc lli [ | iinis, I thoughE the man was srirr I l. He dldn't carry surplus aei;lrt, And neithcr sas he ti I l. t^lhen f irst we vis lced for qutle u wiri I c Dlscuss ing thir1..!s ac hand, And as orrr frlend Iy clrat progressed, He seemecl to just exp0nd. .{nd lf a dead beat beat his bilt, Doc didnrt seem to nrind; He'd srnlle and say I'cr sure thac child Will not be deaf or bIlnd. The woman that's so s1c1( Upon the bed of pain, I'n sure my pilts vcry soorl l^tiIl end the aufuI strain. And tf I do oot get tllat bilt, I'l1 get by sonrelrou; It's better far co end tlri.s uuY, Than t€ke their only cou. I'd hate Eo take a big faL fee Fron one so short of breath, And 1n a fee short weeks flnd out The lady starvcd to deatl). And so In just a fek short years, The man I oncr thou8hc small, Burlington Centennial Parade, May 14, 1988 Had eldened to a large expanse And stood most sl.x feet tall, When civic problems ralsed their lread And ended in I fight, You'd flnd old Doc a busy nran Just batt lln; for the right, For things t() really helt, hls torn He aluays ilave hls basL, And at a fairly eartt age, to resL. Worn out, he lent And as we journey through this lle look down on a pup, But vhcn ue ileet a nrarr like Doc It'e're aluays looking up, Llfe, llou strangc lndccd ln thirty yeors The man I once thoughl snall, llould seam to have enormous wei.ght, And toeer above us aIl, If he and I should n'eec again, And I believe ue wilL, Ua'l I .lut .^ ^no Doc,IneedapllL '.,i I I {nrArr,'^t He'll say, does anyone remenrber nc, Or even love f,re still? I'I1 say, Yes, Doc, buc only chose L'ho tried to pay thelr bills, --Frederich Russ and Alene Davis Pagc Pn,:'SCI1IPTION SERV J CI' SEIiVIN(; IIASTI]]IIN ('OLC)IIAtrr) SIN(JIt 190{i WILLIAMS PHARMACY l\t. l'. end l-. 1,. \\'illi:rlrrs FLAGLEN, COLORADO \' l.)TllR I NA lrY strt,nLlES �MAKING BUTTER T435 We did not just walk in to a store and buy a week's supply of butter. We milked the cows, strained the milk through a flour sack, then separated the milk from the cream by running it through a separator, which was turned by hand. We sat the cream away to sour (overnight, I think) then it was put in a churn and the churn was turned by hand until butter formed. We drained off the buttermilk and drank it for supper. Then the butter had to be washed through many changes of cold water until all signs of milk was removed. Then it was salted well and molded. We did not have a butter mold, in Mom shaped the butter with her hands and made a fancy design on the top with a knife. Remember though, that the milk buckets, straining cloth, separator, churn, and the dishes used in the washing and molding all had to be washed thoroughly with soap, rinsed well and sunned for several hours for purification. All the hot water for those jobs was carried from the supply tank at the milk house, heated on the stove, and carried back to the milk house to wash these items. by Opal Boger "Carousel Pony" in stained glass by Rene6 Loutzenhiser THE FLOUR SACK T434 One of the faithful standbys of the depression era was the flour sack. Its uses were many and varied. We had a large tin can with a tight fitting lid that we used for a flour bin. The sack was opened and the flour poured into the bin. The sack was then completely opened up by removing the string. This string was no less aprize than the sack. All string was carefully saved and used for tying sacks, packages, for sewing ripped clothing, and even for quilting. The sack bore the brand name of the flour, printed in bright colors that were very hard to remove. This was in the day before Clorox One of the messiest jobs was making cottage cheese. The curds of milk were poured into a sack and hung on the line to drip out the whey. Then the sack must be washed out in several batches of water and rinsed 'til all the dried milk was removed. There was no end to the uses ofa flour sack. by Opal Boger -a or other bleach. My mother soaked the sack in kerosene then scrubbed it with homemade lye soap. Usually the sack went through many washings before the printing faded out completely. Some of the brand names I remember were, "Pride of the Rockies," "Snells" and "Clyde's Best." Many flour sacks were made into clothing. Most common were our "bloomers" or "drawers," aprons, bonnets, and even dresses. They were also used for tablecloths, curtains, dish towels, and lining for quilts. Some were not ripped apart but were left in sack form to store dried fruit. dried corn. seed corn, dry beans, chicken feathers, etc. On every farm clothesline 2 or 3 of the snowy white squares flapped in the wind. These were used only for straining milk, morning and night. Then they were washed and scalded and hung out in the sun until the next milkins. Drills of vesterdav �DUST STORM T436 I'ioT cu,{FF, B1JT DUST i.rhen the <iust storm was over, the wind its force had spent, We grabbed the broorn and duster and oter the house r\re went. I,,'e shook out all the curtains, we swept it out with care; The dirt lnas over everything, it aLmost made me s\{ear. But at last the worll was over, the cleaning job r,ras done. If ever a pound was taken out I knew r,;e took a ton. The wind it stopped its blovring, we didn't know it then, But it r'as resting up and getting prinred to do it once again. At 50 nriles an hour it came r^rith its dust cloud and its roar, And filled rhe house up all again just as it did before. It. riled me up a litEle then t.o come again so soon; By steady work, and patience, too, we cleaned her out by noon. When bang! There came another just like the one we had. trrterll srneep out the house no more, Ehis dustrs become a fad. hre just wipe off the table, arnd scrape it off fhe shelves, And srveep some pretty little paths around to suit ourselves. It'e wipe our feet off nice and clean before we go to bed, hie crawl right in and take the quilL and cover up our head. i'lhen dawn has come and time to rise and take another chance, I lay the covers carefully back and then I dust my pants, Put on my shoes and socks again, and sweep a little land, Then spend the day a spittin' dirt and wishing it would rain. But happy days will come again, as sure as you're alive, And we'll talk and laugh for 40 years of the storms of '35. of what would happen if their parents should hear of it. They watched to see if the peddler would stop at the next house and he did. The boys became more worried and watched the road for their parents to return. At last, they saw them coming and they saw the neighbors go out and stop them. Then down the road the buggy came bouncing. The mother climbed out of the buggy crying, "Oh my God, everyone in the country will think my boys are crazy! Oh, how could you shame us so?" And on and on. Jake said he wasn't so much worried by his mother's tears as what his dad would do to them. When he finally got up nerve enough to look at his father, he was surprised and relieved to see a smile and a twinkle in his dad's eyes. He knew his dad thought that that was as good a way to get rid of a peddler as any. by Opal Boger DIRTY'3O'S T439 After reading the article in the November 15th issue of the Farmland News headlined "The Colorado Plowdown," I'm inspired to write some of my first-hand experiences on the plains of eastern Colorado. In the early nineteen hundreds, in the free range days and my early cowboy days, I distinctly remember that we had the high winds that have always been the case on our high plains, but there was never any dust raised by the high winds. The prairie had a solid cover of mostly blue gramma and buffalo grass. We cowboys had to tie our hats on but there were absolutely no "tumbleweeds" rolling across the land. A few years later, when a few farmers and ranchers began plowing up more Iand and trying to raise more crops, I always supposed that the weeds that began to appear came in with the seed that was brought here from other parts ofthe United States or other --C.C. Rivers poem THE CATALOG THE PERILS OF THE PRAIRIE PEDDLER T438 Blowing dust and the tumbleweeds, and other varieties of weeds accompanied by a My aunt and uncle, Gertie and Jake Dircks, lived about 17+ miles east of our place. One drier-than-normal weather cycle became the common thing in the 1930's. I know of several small farms in the 30's T437 The Sears Roebuck and Montgomery flard catalogs were used for many things. We did not order much in the years before 1918 nor did we order much during the 20's, but it cost nothing to wish. When we received a new catalog the old one was not burned. I went through and cut out families of paper people, furniture, and so on. We put the old catalogs in a hot oven and heated them to put into our beds at bedtime bo take off the icy chill. We used them to rest our hot irons on while ironing. Some were covered and made into an attractive door ltop. Finally they were taken to the back house rnd suspended on a string - the latest in toilet bissue. day they went to Kirk, leaving their sons, Jake Jr. and Ted, home alone. Ted was cooking dinner and Jake was working at a work bench behind the house when a man arrived at their place, traveling by bicycle. He was selling Bibles and he made his business known and asked ifhe could get dinner there. Ted couldn't refuse. The peddler asked if he was all alone. Ted, always ready for excitement, said, "Oh no, my brother is outside, but he is crazy and dangerous, so watch out!" Then he excused himself to get a pail of water from the water barrel. He ran by the work bench and told Jake to act $azy. Jake was willing! Soon he came staggering in with a wild look on his face. by Opal Boger countries. I always wondered where the Russian Thistle came from. I never saw our very common Kochia weed until in the 1940's. The peddler never took his eyes off of Jake and when Jake grabbed up the butcher knife and started for the peddler, the poor man ran for the door and sped off on his bicycle as fast as was possible in that sandy soil. The boys laughed in glee until they thought that had the entire layer oftop soil blown off, down to the yellow clay that wouldn't even grow weeds. When blowing like that occurred and drifted over onto adjoining grass pas- tures, the soil covered up and killed out the buffalo grass. There were times in the middle of the day, when an old dust blizzard came over that it became almost as dark as night. If you happened to be driving on a highway, you were not sure of the road ahead and yet you hated to stop. You couldn't see a car ahead ofyou but you could see the headlights ofthe car behind you. You could not distinguish the car. I have seen tourists from the East who stopped in one of our towns and they were so frightened they didn't know what to do. I've had fences that first filled solid full of tumbleweeds, then the weeds filled solid full of dust to the top wire to the extent that the horses and cattle walked over the fence and the top wire was out of sight. In that case I built a second three wire fence right on top �of the one that was drifted under. This might be a good place to insert one of my tall-tales: "I went out one day and dug a quarter of mile of fence post holes, planning on setting up a new fence. Well, the wind came out terrible that night but I went back out the next morning to continue my fencing. When I got to where I had dug the postholes, I found that during the night the wind had blown all the dirt away from around those postholes and had left the postholes sticking up out of the ground! I might add my sons' comment. He reminded me that we went along and kicked those postholes over so we wouldn't stumble over them as we continued building our fence!" That is the end of the tall-tale, now to continue my story, and this is no tall tale: During the dusty years I've seen snow drifts that were half dust, and my wife taped the key holes shut to keep some of the dust out of the house. The cattle would seek protection from the blinding, choking dust in barns and windbreaks. I suppose you wonder how we survived during those dry, dusty years. Farming and raising cattle just could not provide our livelihood so I took a second job. I was a country school teacher for twenty years. My first salary was $50.00 per month and later raised to $80.00. That kept us off any handouts and W.P.A. With the small portion of the land plowed in those days, I dread to think of what could happen if and when weather conditions return to the dry and windy conditions ofthe "dirty thirties" with such a big percentage of fragile, marginal land being plowed up today. by J. Carl lfarrison THE DINING TABLE T440 which it was fashioned. My most vivid memory of those table legs is that they are where I learned to dust. Frequently, I had to do the task repeatedly. I often thought that Mother could see a speck of dust a block away! The table could be expanded by inserting the leaves that were kept in the pantry. Three times a day the table was used for its original purpose, meals. At that time the entire family gathered around the oilcloth covered table together. What a warm, cozy feeling to have us all together. How uneasy I felt when someone was absent. The table was used all during the day, every day. On ironing day the smooth, sweet smelling sheets, pillowcases and towels were placed on the dining room table to be neatly folded before being put away. When Mother cut out garments to be stitched together on the treadle sewing machine at the south window, she spread the material on the table and carefully pinned the newspaper pattern pieces on the cloth. The up to 900 quarts of fruits and vegetables which were put up every summer for survival were prepared around this table. How well I remember, as soon as you were old enough to snap a bean, pod a pea, peel a tomato, peach, pear, pit a cherry or help prepare any other food item that could be preserved by canning, you joined the crew around this table. Packages for mailing and packages for birthdays and Christmas were wrapped on the table. On school nights, homework was done around the table where there was space enough for opened books, notebooks, maps and pen and ink. A kerosene lamp provided a limited radius of illumination. When the lessons were completed our reward was popcorn, or an apple or hot chocolate and the pleasure of playing games (Monopoly, rummy, and pitch were favorites) until time to get ready for bed. At times two or more families gathered for supper and the evening. Then the men used the table for cards while the women visited. During the day Mother also used the table as a desk for writing letters, making out lists, or figuring household accounts. As I left the demonstration of the new wonder appliance, I decided that if it could serve just half the purposes of our old dining room table, it would be worth twice the price. by Irene Armistead That dining table today! While watching a demonstration of a kitchen appliance chopping, shredding, sli- cing, mixing, and almost serving the meal, I couldn't help but wonder what my mother would have thought of such a household device. Then I remembered that we also had multipurpose possessions and the most versatile we called the "dining room table." We had other tables; the kitchen table, end tables, the library table and a lamp table, but when someone said "the table" it meant the dining room table. Our dining room was an extension ofthe kitchen. The table was round with claw legs as sturdy as the oak tree from Mrs. Perrv's "Sod House." A. G. Perry's "Sod House." �SHERIFF'S EXPERIENCES SIIERIFF'S ExpERrENCIs I:x".:';":Hif::: j:i,.i.?,"lii::".:::: I44l Calls come by night and calls come by day, They may be near or miles away. The telephone rings and soon by heck Wetre headed for the country to cover a wreck. Before we have taken our Ehings from the Erunk, We see that the driver is just plain drunk. Hets wandering around not a scratch on his hlde, While his victim3 lay stretched out side by side. I begin to question him, he breaks lnto tears, He says, ttl have just had a couple of beers.tt Today we hunt evidence, and dig up the facts; Tomorrow we're struggling with detinquent tax. Next day qre're hunting a motEled face cow, Ihen stay up all night at some nice family row. Next day we have court and the lawyers rave; The defendent sits there in need of a shave. ttWhere hrere yourtt they beller tton the first of November?tt Ihe defenddnt replies, ttI dontt remember.tr They argue around tiLl half past three, Then Ehe jury goes out and fails to agree; The judge sends them baclc, till their duty is done; But several hours later theytre eleven to one. Non that's just a sample of what we do, An endless variety of old and new. It may be a prowler, a burglar, a drunk; your watch or your trunk. He may steal your billfold, We set out to catch him and we do our best, We catch lhe percentage and lose the rest. You canrt catch them all, for some leave no clue, They don't leave their cards as you and I do. Sometimes they plead {uilty, and the judge will Then half the country will want him parolled. scold, They blame the depression, the new deal, the tariff, A few of the folks put the blame on the sheriff. Sometin:es there are fireworks, an officer gets shott While doing his duty, he's out on the spot. Just latel.y tv,o sherif fs were killed, By a maniac's gun, their blood was spilled. Ihen he set fire to the buildings, they had to burn, The sheriff and deputy will never return. So this is the way ttto men paid the costs ' To the wives and the chi ldren a provider r,ras lost . You cantt get excited when you're out on a call, Cause you might clo the thing you shouldnrt do at a11. You nrustnrt get nervous or Lose your head, For if someome gets shot he is a long time dead. Itrs a job requiring judgement' Patience and grit, So we have to eliminate those that don't fit. It takes a lot of time their mistakes to explain, I{hich is time wastecl without any gain. So it's quite a game, if you stay rig,ht in, You'Il get a pat on the back and a sock on the chin. But I like it all, and I'm shedding no tears' And by the grace of ?od, I'11 fill out ttro more years. --O.C. Dunlap, Sheriff �J.A. Grigg, separator man, the engine. His face and neck were burned almost to a crisp, his right eye was burned out, both legs were broken below the knees and his entire body was battered to a pulp, sup- over 40 acres before it could be extinguished. Many of the neighbors were not aware of the explosion until after the fire had been put under conto atoms trol. Williams. who was not (Taken from the 1915 issue) posedly by the fierce impact of injured, dragged the men into Submitted by Lowell the furnace door as it was the circle that had been burned blown open. The steering over and saved them from beDunlap wheel that Grigg held on to ing burned up. One of the worst accidents was found nearly a quarter of Pugh stated that tne cause that ever happened in the a mile away. of the explosion was the fact history of the county took Fred Pugh was blown back Grigg had tightened the place near the Fred Dodd over the separator, falling on that pop-valve several times as he farm, l8 miles southwest of his head. One of his arms was thought the engine was this city, when the boiler of a broken, both hands badly ing off too soon. is blowIt suppossteam threshing engine explod- burned, and besides numerous that the steam gauge was ed, killing one man and cuts and bruises over the body, ed not working in proper manseriously injuring another. is suffering from a concussion ner and failed a register the The force of the explosion of the brain. His condition is exact amount to of steam the threw large pieces of the boiler considered very serious, but it engine was really carrying. over a radius of a quarter of a is thought that this young man Grigg started in to tighten the mile and tore a good sized hole will finally recover. The body valve before they had finished in the ground where the engine of the dead man as well as the the last job of threshing, and stood. Not enough of the injured man was taken to the the wonder is, the explosion engine remained to hardly residence of Fred Dodd. The had not occured when more identify the machine. remains were later taken to the men were around the outfit. The threshing outfit was the F.D. Mann undertakine The wreck was viewed by the property of Fred Pugh of parlors. deputy state boiler inspector Doctors Merrill and Bergen, Stratton and was being moved of Denver, and he siated that from the O.C. Dunlap ranch with Mrs. Dr. Merrill and to accomplish the results, the and was traveling on the road Mrs. Clark as nurses, were engine must have carried 500 when the accident occured. called to the scene and ad- pounds of steam, so complete The crew was composed of minstered medical aid. was the destruction of the Fred Pugh, owner; J.A. Nothing is known of the dead engine. Grigg, separator man; and man, except he is said to have The only part of 'rhe engine Geo. Williams. water hauler. a cousin residing near BeaverThe fact that Williams was ton. He had been in the coun- left near the place where it riding on the water tank try but three weeks, coming stood were the two front behind the separator, pro- here from Utah. In his pockets wheels and they were bent in bably saved his life. The was found a certificate of bap- toward each other. One of the escape of Fred Pugh, the tism into the Mormon church. large rear drive wheels was owner, is nothing short of a A small !'lcte book was also blown fully 8CI feet and left miracle. Grigg, the dead man, found stating he was from upright imbedded in the was horribly burned and bruis- Hobart, Okla., and was a ground. Heavy boiler iron was ed and died five hours later in member of Hobart Lodge No. torn like paper. Scraps of iron, 40, K. of P. The lodge was pieces of wheels, were strewn dreadful agony. The accident occured at communicated with. but no over the ground for a radius of about ten o'clock in the fore- reply was received. Unless over a quarter of a mile. noon and is without doubt one relatives are located. he will be Coroner Heiserman of of the most tragic in the annals buried in the Burlington Flagler, was called, but decidof this county. Grigg, the man cemetery Saturday. ed that an inquest was unwho lost his life. was at the Immediately after the explo- necessary. Late reports insteering wheel at the time and sion, the dry grass was set on dicate that Fred Pugh, the inwas blown fully 15 rods from fire. and burned over an era of jured man, will recover. almost instantly killed Fred Pugh of Stratton seriously injured Traction engine is blown THE GOOD LIFE L975 T442 We feel that we have been very fortunate to live this good life on our little ranch in Eastern Colorado. Here, I will mention a few of the special blessings of this good country life. First, the blessing of living in this beautiful world of prairie pastures and farm land. Also we have the blessing of as pure a water supply as is found anywhere in the world. It is not full of distasteful elements and minerals as is the case with much underground water and cannot be contaminated with waste spilled into it from above ground. I also feel that we have as clean and pure air as can be found anywhere. No smoke, smell or smog to afflict our health as is the case in many areas the world over. We are also free from the noise, the clatter and the rumble of the cities, whose noise is really a hazard to health and hearing. Sometimes it makes it almost impossible to concentrate or meditate on one's thoughts, reading or prayer. We don't have the hurry and flurry that are almost continual night and day in the large cities and many suburban areas. On our little ranch we have plenty of elbow room and are not crowded at any time. Not the least among our blessings is the fact that we have plenty of useful work that we are still able to do, which gives us much pleasure in the feeling of usefulness and responsibility. Winnie and I have the feeling that we are still contributing something to the good of humanity and that we are not too much of a burden to anyone although we are in our 70's and 80's. To us, it is a thrill to ride or drive out over our beautiful pasture land, most of it as virgin as when God made it. dotted with a herd of whitefaced cows and calves contentedly grazing which will leisurely come to my call expecting some small portion of food which they will eat from my hand. Each animal is an individual with a special name, description and date ofbirth all recorded in our "cow dairy-record book." Also, my saddle horse comes from the pasture on a run on hearing my whistle, expecting some special feed. During the temperate and warm part of the year I saddle my horse early in the morning about sunrise and ride to the pasture at that most beautiful time of dav to count the cows �and calves, check on water and salt and some mornings ride a mile or so of fence to check for needed repairs. On these early morning rides one has a feeling that you are really "away from it all." I occasionally would see an antelope, a coyote, a fox or a badger. The animals like our pastures as there is no noisy traffic within sight or hearing. I imagine that they have the same feeling that I do of being alone with God and nature and with no time schedule that must be met. Among the trees and flowers at home there are always the many different birds and the bees. Winnie and I have been bird watchers for years, a very interesting hobby. Some years when the clover blooms well we keep a few hives of bees and they are always industriously at work gathering pollen and nectar from Winnie's beautiful flower garden and also cross pollinating the blossoms on the fruit trees which causes the trees to produce a more abundant crop of fruit of which we have a plentiful supply most years. As winter approaches we find our basement well stocked with many kinds of vegetables, the product of Winnie's expert culi- nary art. Old Buttercup supplies us with plentiful good Jersey milk and cream of ,&: ,: il*!r-i: *' ''l r' Waiting to catch the wheat in the header barge. which we use a lot. Yes, and the biddies keep us in eggs. several times, mending worn spots on Mother's sewing machine. The monstrous, smelly I believe that Winnie and I are in better health than the average couple ofour age. So when we sincerely count our blessings, we are certain that you will agree with us that this is still the good life. We have a little country things were almost more than we two girls and Dad could handle so it wouldn't break all of Mother's precious sewing machine needles, but it seemed like machine repair was so much better than hand sewing, that we church here close where a small group of country neighbors meet faithfully each Sunday to study and discuss the Word of God. At the close of day we watch the setting sun, There's the evening meal when the chores persisted. Slats had all been replaced where needed and newly riveted to lie tight and flat. Roller bearing cages were rechecked and sickle blades replaced along with being sure are done, The stars light up as night draws nigh, And darkness drives daylight from the sky, We thank the Lord for His guiding light, Before retiring for the night. by J. Carl Harrison HEADER AND BARGE HARVEST T443 Back view of the header and the start of the wheat stacks, right of picture. sunbonnet ever tighter when gnats tried to get under and into my hair. "Sis!" No mistake now, and out I rolled. Sliding into fresh clothes left laying on my bed. . . soft, clean underthings, an old worn blouse and well-worn overalls, with comfy shoes over old socks - and I was ready for a bite of breakfast. Mother felt it was too hard for me to keep up the day-to-day going to the field with the menfolk, but it saved quite a few dollars and Daddy bragged on me so much and so eloquently that it would be a shame to let him down. Never sick, I couldn't pretend to be, so at age eleven I felt equal to the job and it did not hurt my budding ego either. Yes, it was harvest time in the mid 1920's, done at our farm with header and barges. The Harvesting wheat, front view of the header. "Come on, Sis! Get up. Daddy's harnessing the horses." My mother's gentle cajoling for probably the third time in the early morning of each summer harvest day rolled by my ears like so much buzzing from the pesky gnats in the harvest field. It bothered me but I'd brush it off and turn over, burrowing deep into my pillow to muffle the sound, just like I tied my stacker, a Mr. Scudder, had come from Salina, Kansas. He did it every year and worked very hard for the 912.00 a day that my folks felt he richly deserved if he could keep up with the young grain pitchers who tossed the fluffy yellow straw with loaded heads up to him from the header barges to shape into a wondrous stack that would shed rain and keep its loaf-like shape for the weeks until threshing time. Well over 60, he was often curt and snappy with those young whippersnappers who tried to make his life miserable in multitudes of ways as kids often do until their respect for someone older grows. We'd had the header canvases in the house the worn head was as good as could be so all those parts of harvest would go as well as one could prepare for ahead of time. We'd even made new rope to hold up the elevator. With a dozen dried apricot halves in the pocket of my overall's big front, some soft old gloves, two glass jugs wrapped with sewn-on denim thoroughly soaked for keeping our water, my sunbonnet as well as my straw hat, and remonstrance to "keep sharp," off I'd go to meet the men in the two barges and Daddy waiting with the six horse team, ready to sally forth to the field nearby or at times three miles away. My job was to keep a header barge under the elevator and move up and down at whatever pace was needed to make it relatively easy for the person in the barge to fill it very full and evenly all over to drive to the stack. We had two plodding old teams that knew the job so well they probably could have done it without my help, but together we made an essential part of the harvest crew. And I put up with a lot to get to be part of it . . . teasing, scarily riding the top of the elevator dangling my legs while one barge moved out and another pulled under in making the barge changes, oodles of chaff down my neck and scratches on any bare spots from the itchy beards, and the long tedious hours of round and round the field. But I remember it with relish. Seeing each field become a row of several stacks all lined up for the thresher to come and moving on to another field before a hail or rain could ruin it all seemed a real life-and-death matter and I was glad to be helping. No doubt, there were some events that scared me very much like horses acting up, but my dad was equal to anything, I thought, and I never felt any �danger. If we were harvesting on the home place, dinner was a beautiful sit-down affair with ham, chicken, noodles, macaroni and cheese or meatloaf and sometimes salmon loaf as a main dish, with accompaniments of gravy, over fluffy mashed potatoes, peas or green beans from the garden, cole slaw or jello, pickles and relishes plus pie or puddings. When the field being cut was several miles from home Mother would bring the meal to the field in the back seat of the car so the horses wouldn't have to travel, but rather get to eat and rest. It always seemed to me that the horses really controlled the harvest about as much as the weather. Ifone got colicky or they grew too tired, it would mean a shutdown and when the whole affair took a month maybe, there was no time to waste, so great thoughtfulness was taken for the horses. But dinner was glorious in the field, too. About the same food, served from skillet and pans as we stood or squatted in the barge's shade, topped off by lemon meringue pie was Mother's choice. And she'd bring freshly pumped water too if the wind was blowing so we'd have cool water for the afternoon. I can't remember that coffee or other drinks were part of the meal, but it wouldn't have mattered to me. But Daddy was always so tired, he seldom ate very much, but rather stretched out on the cool cement porch floor or under a barge and rested until he knew it was time to get going again. The harvest time was grueling for he always had the full care of the horses, currying and harnessing them, while they munched the oats and hay he had placed in their mangers. Furthermore, it was he straddling that sinuous header rudder wheel all day, guiding the huge machine around the corners and over the bumpy ground up and down the mile strips of wheat. It was no wonder he grew thinner than he already was with the passing weeks and often had deep pains in his side that Mother secretly feared was appendicitis ofthe chronic kind. It never really got him down but he wasn't much to complain, so we never really knew just how miserable he might have been. I can clearly remember how thin his overalls became in the crotch. and it made me wonder how much bruising his legs took. We worried about him a lot. If we had a break-down or a shower I was rather glad. He could have a change of pace, at least for a while. These were the usual kinds of chores to do too, like milking, and hogs to slop, and windmills to keep working, plus cattle to check on frequently. And Mother was doing her thing with garden, laundry, chickens and turkeys all that time, too, plus canning some if there was anything left to put in a jar after all our wonderful meals. Now, as I look back on that time each year, I am somewhat awestricken. Folks think the combine harvest days get wild and nervewracking. They should have been around in the so-called "good old days" of harvesting with header and barges! by Dorothy C. Smith IIOME BUTCHERING T444 cious as they made their clandestine plans. Maybe I felt a bit "left out." Then, shortly before they left, two of them came back in the school house and asked me to go along and I Did! by Marie E. Greenwood THE LADIES AID T445 by Eda llartman THE LADIES AID Home butchering at the Elvin Wilson's in the late 1940's. As a young girl I remember watching and helping with the butchering. Dad always did his own butchering, usually with the help of neighbors. He built a fire under a large barrel of water, and, when it got very hot, they scalded the hog and scraped the hair off. It was then left over night to cool out. When butchering beef, they always skinned the beef and sold the hide. Next day after butchering a hog, it was brought in the house and Mom would cut it up with Dad's help. The hams and bacon were salted down to cure. Was that ever tasty meat! They put them in a big stone jar. The sausage was ground and seasoned. Because there was always too much to keep fresh, Mom made patties, cooked it and put in jars and poured fresh grease on it and sealed the jars. She also canned beef and pork. It was my sister's and my job to cut up the fat for lard into small chunks. The next day Dad would get his kettle out, build a fire under it, and dump in the cubed lard and T'was in the spring of '35 Important plans s;ere laid, Before we knew r^,hat we had done I,le started Ladies Aid, In thirty years the sales rve served The piles of quilts we made Would stagger many a weaicer soul But nd the Ladies Aid. In characters boEh great and small In wonderous plays we played No acEor out in HolLywood Coul-d touch Ehe Ladies Aid. The money made in thirty years Put Con3ress in the shade. That's nhat Ehey need co run this land. They need a Ladies Aid. From l{odeL T's to Cadillacs In every car thats made No matter what the weather is I{e wenE to Ladies Aid. i'le wa Lked, we rodq ne pushed, we pulled And oft with mud were sprayed. !^lhaE if our ha ir was s light ly down I{e got to Ladies Aid. cook it until it was melted or rendered. Then he put it through a lard press and it was stored in stone jars. Mom used the lard for cooking and baking. When it began to be too aged, she used it to make homemade soap. She kept some of the cracklings and used them in making cornbread. .:.:r. l_ ,;,i.'rr,, by Florence McConnell MISS CHANDLER DID IT! T446 The other day thoughts of teaching school at First Central back in school year L922-23 came to me. So here is a bit of reminiscing about the high school where I was teacher that year. There were nine or ten students and we occupied one corner of the north half of the building which also accommodated the 5th,6th, 7th and 8th grades. I was 21 years old and the high school students were in their mid-teens. I think Theodore Smith was eighteen years old. However, they were a studious and well-behaved bunch and we had good rapport. Maybe I was being a bit kiddish when I joined them on the swing for a group The 1922-23 First Central High School students picture. Theodore Smith, Russell Greenwood. On the swings: Gertrude Church (Sally Bauder), Clara Radspinner, Hazel Lesher, Ruth Church, Ida Smith (Boecker), and the teacher Marie Chandler Near the end of the school term, the young folk decided to have a "sneak day" like the high schools in town. I was trying to be dignified and authoritative but not suspi- and Miss Chandler (Marie E. Greenwood). On top of the swing, I to r: Chester Storrer, Bertie Austin, (Greenwood). �VONA � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource History of Kit Carson County Description An account of the resource Brief historical stories and elements from the founding and recent history of Kit Carson County, Colorado. Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Book Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Vignettes Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 1988 Subject The topic of the resource history Description An account of the resource A series of poems and short anecdotes about life on the prairie as recorded in the book History of Kit Carson County. Type The nature or genre of the resource text Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Salmons, Janice Hasart, Marlyn Smith, Dorothy Language A language of the resource English Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. History of Kit Carson County Volume 1 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource text/pdf Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Curtis Media Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/</a> https://kccarchives.cvlcollections.org/files/original/16/431/Stratton.pdf b5a03677078f4e660b59c4a44ee7f953 PDF Text Text "Main Street" in Stratton, looking south, about 1910. Linford Building in center back. The Holloway Garage interior. W.T. Tyne and Montgomery Garage in the 1920's, now the site of Clark Storage called "The Barn", but used in many other ways during the years. In 1914 Clarence Reish built a large cement garage on the west side of the main street, Part of the Stratton Hotel dining room where meals were served family style. Ruby Ryun Pugh is at the piano and her sister, Almeda Ryun is on the right. The picture is of Amos L. Ryun. STRATTON T364 becoming the agent for Overland and Maxwell automobiles. He also built a large three story residence which Joe Collins Iater bought and used as his home. Ada Osburn and daughters Irene and Maxine lived there to care for Mrs. Nellie Collins. This establishment became a popular rooming house for railroad men prior to a disastrous fire. Later it was razed. Today the site is marked by Virginia Malone's home. In late 1914 interested persons of the Stratton community organized a Farmers Cooperative selling shares of stock. R.M. Farquhar was the first manager. Dick Rose was manager for many years and the business grew rapidly although while weathering the depression and dust bowl years the "going was tough". Today this establishment is the largest employer in the town and has ramifications in its operation that rank it among the top co-operatives in Colorado as well as the nation. Ben Davis has been manager since May 1, 1968. Stratton in 1926, looking toward the southeast; taken from the water tower; Collins Hotel in center foreground. �was elected the first mayor and the first town trustees were J.W. Borders, S.W. Messenger, E.W. Tarrant, A.D. Gemmell, D.O. Beahm, and Jes Holloway. Stratton's mayors over the years: 1919-21: J.E. Holtz; L92l-23: E.W. Tarrant; L923-24: Alex D. Gemmell; L924-25: Roy S. Wingfield; L925-28: J.W. Borders: 1928-34: Thomas J. Murphy; 1934-36: C.W. Waters, pro tem; 1936-38: I.D. Messenger; 1938-40: C.S. Wall; 1940-44: J. Ivan Howtz; 1946-48: J.R. Zur- cher; 1948-52: L.L. Pugh; 1952-58: G.L. Zutcher; 1958-64: 8.L. " Zeke" Kerl; 1964-66: Floyd Borders; 1966-68: Samuel Crocker; 1968-72: Max Toland: L972-74: Charles Nelson; 1974-82: E.L."Zeke" Kerl; 1982-86: Ezra Stratton's Men's Band beside the Stat€ Bank building. Eberhart later came into possession of the building where they conducted an implement establishment doing extensive construction to accommodate their business. In the mid '60's they sold this site to John and Dick Buhr for their grocery and locker plant. Mel Hatfield bought the business from the Buhr's and in 1966 sold it to Ed and Marlyn Dischner who have their very outstanding grocery business housed at that site. In 1915 when talk of incorporation of An early 1900's view of Stratton, looking north. In 1915 the Holloway Brothers built a large cement garage on the east side of the main street and became agents for Chewolet. That same year Collins and Blair opened a hardware store on the west side of the main avenue which they later sold to White and Mavity. B.M. Johnson was a later purchaser of this business. Carlos Dillon and Bob Stratton began, E.W. Tarrant was named chairman of the movement. On March 2, 1915, an election was held between 1 and 4 p.m. at the Linford Hall to vote for incorpora- tion. The vote was 64 in favor of and 49 against incorporation of the Town of Stratton. The incorporation papers were filed with the county clerk on March 15, 1915. This move was followed by city elections in ensuing years. The first election occurred on April22,1919 at the Linford Hall. J.E. Holtz Yoder; 1986-90: Roy Tatkenhorst. In 1916 J.N. Bradley built a large two story structure north of the Holloway Garage. The main floor housed the William Long Hardware Store, with living quarters on the upper level as well as office space for Dr. Cavey. In time the hardware store closed and Mrs. Florence Cavey operated a dry goods and variety store there for a time. Later the Frozen Food and Locker Plant operated by John and Dick Buhr occupied the building. Today the upper floor is apartments. A second disastrous fire in 1918 destroyed a home and the post office. These were replaced by brick buildings which housed the post office and the First National Bank for many years. In 1968 the post office was moved to a new permanent location at 313 Colorado Avenue. On November 4, 1918, the Federal Reserve Bank Charter was issued to officially create the First National Bank of Stratton The first cashier was M.E. Denver, president, E.W. Tarrant, directors: T.W. Triplett, E. McChesney, and Jes R. Holloway. Until its move to a new building dedicated November, 1962, the First National Bank was located at its original site. Many other businesses have occupied the old post office and bank buildings since, but in 1988 the town hall with its offices and court room moved to the bank building. The Stratton Spotlight and Golden Plains Insurance offices are housed in the old post office in the 100 block of Colorado Avenue. The minutes of town board of the 1920's when the board was accountable to only themselves were brief and to the point with little explanation. Today minutes are by Dorothy C. Smith STRATTON T355 One of the earliest fire ensines at Stratton. The famous Collins Hotel with its fabulous sunken garden which employed a full time gardener. �three year old sister died from scarlet fever at this time.) In the early years every home had a windmill or a hand pump and there were few if any trees for many years. One individual who planted many trees all over the town was Raymond Hughes, Vena Scheierman's brother. Until the first town well was drilled trees took second place. The wells which serve Stratton originated when the first well permit was procured in 1919. The town fathers were foresighted enough to procure four lots for the watertower site that year and paid for two in 1919 and two in 1920. In May of 1921, R. Salisbury, an engineer, appeared before the town board with information regarding the probable cost of installing water and a light system in the town, but, although local citizens were interviewed and A 1920's airplane view of Stratton and the "Golden Belt Highway" looking east . . now Highway 24. was 421. On February 24, L920, an ordinance was passed which prohibited the exhibition of motion or moving pictures and the opening of other places of amusement on Sunday, The west side of the Collins Hotel built in 1917. violators to be fined no less than $5.00 or more than $300.00 and costs of prosecution, and to go to jail until all costs and fines were paid. Although 88 petitioners tried to have this measure rescinded, the town board ignored the petition. In the fall of 1930 an epidemic of scarlet fever struck the community. And on November 16, the town ordered that all schools, churches. theaters. and so on be closed to check the spread of the dread disease. But on November 23, by order of the physicians, the town board lifted the ban on closing the school and decided to allow them to reopen. This disease was a terrible scourge in the years before modern day medicines. (Your author recalls things like this vividly for her ,'' ar.... meetings held, nothing transpired in this regard. Then in November of 1921, brave souls that the town board must have been, they awarded a general contract to Gordon Construction of Denver for the waterworks at $26,950, a $5,700 contract to Chicago Bridge and Iron Works for the water tower; and a $1,590 contract to Eureka Fire Hose Company, Denver for fire apparatus. James A. Reisch, Stratton, was given the contract to dig the wells for $2.25 per foot. Drilled in 1922, that well was located where the water tower currently stands. The first water bond was to "Construct Waterworks for Fire and Domestic Purposes" and was made possible by an ordinance passed in August, 1921, which the people of the town of Stratton voted on: 53 votes "for",43 votes "against". The Sundberg Garage with Chrysler auto sales and gas pumps was built in 1923, with a home in the south side and daughter's apartment across the front above. This building has known other uses through the years. . sale barn site, etc. But today it is known around town as "The Barn", a storage facility. At some time through the years a broom factory was established in a brick building behind what is now the Co-op station. For two years this was in operation, then in 1924 a northeast room in the factory building was ;i&w*15r$g A pleasant country home north of Stratton built by the Joe Garners in the 1920's. detailed, long and copious, in order to better document the town'g proceedings which are under scrutiny by not only the local people but the state also. But those early minutes reveal some interesting detail. By the 1920 census figures the town's population .L Coming into town from the north this is what one saw in 1918. A 1940's harvest scene on the Colorado Avenue approach to the elevators where waiting in line to unload was a many hour experience. �rruLcu uP ruf a Jau. Many fine homes were being built in this period, too, and the town board minutes note that it would Iike to haul dirt from any basements to the city street for use in building them up. Some of those building new homes at this time were families named Fuller, Borders, Weddington, Tarrant, Dages, Long, and the Gerke's, who lived at the farm now owned by Kenneth Pottorff, a showplace in its heyday; even then they had electricity, a bathroom, and forced air heat. The town had a marshall named William Hoeck who was very busy in those days but his pay was determined per dog destroyed! In the town board meeting on January 3I,1932, the board voted to pay 300 per hour for a man and 500 an hour for a man with his team, and one man and two teams 700 an hour. Apparently a job with the city was prized in that day. In February of L922 E.A. Brown of Kansas City estimated for the town that bringing electric current the 18 miles from Burlington would cost $19,488, and although the board's consensus was that this was much needed, it was quite some time before the project was accomplished. One big event July 8, 1929, was a terrible train wreck on Spring Creek west of town when lives were lost with some bodies not found for a time. This was so traumatic that people talk of the occasion yet today. But 't t \ apparently the railroad was soon running again, for the Stratton Press carried advertisements for a special round trip by Dorothy C. Smith STRATTON T356 excursion to Denver or Colorado Springs for $3.00 on the Rock Island by the next summer. The papers were full of farm sale ads . . sometimes three as week . . so times An influential couple in Stratton's history: Mr. and Mrs. Ray H. Calverley. ./:" f' tfria '$V W,n', A 1962 train derailment that occurred in town between the Kirk highway and the Stratton Equity co-op fertilizer plant. "& ."Va44. A big time in Stratton especially for the kids . "fur#WWm ittr' . installation of the swimming pools . 1973. were growing more economically depressed. The names of G.W. Waters, L.G. McChesney and Doctors Cavey and Keen appeared often in social news and advertising. Two barber shops were running competitive ads. Arrangements were made for a golf tourney on the Stratton course north of town on May 30 and there were numerous entrants. The Stratton Press was taking subscriptions at 91.50 per year. Several oil companies were leasing land in the area, among them Phillips and Gypsy Oil. Excitement was hiehl �directors. In 1950 the system was in place in Stratton. By 1956 having natural gas in the area became a reality when Kansas-Nebraska Gas was granted a 25 year franchise on March 1. In accord with the times an early 1956 ordinance granted the privilege of Social Security to town employees. In October 1962 discussions were frequent about a zoning 1:--'= ordinance but no action was taken. As early as February, 1959, the town began retaining an attorney, Dick Thomas of Burlington. In this era the Stratton Mobile Home factory was in full swing with 25 or so employees at the lst Street site across from today's Stratton Equity Cooperative hardware dock. The Zurchers were responsible for this business venture. October 1962 sawthe formal opening of the The lineup for Stratton Day's famous barbeque. city at 250 per gallon. The city was proudly maintaining its image the city library in 1966 by budgeting $525 for outhouses nuisances; because of many complaints, these were ordered abandoned and owned by the First National Bank helped the Iibrary greatly. Moved to the 331 New York in 1936 when the town board declared The American Legion Flag corps always heads Stratton's parades: left to right: Max Toland, Sam Rueb, Wayne Greenwood, Ray Schiferl. removed. Erv Jeppe received payment for orange paint he used in marking curbs and parking spaces, so some curb and gutter was in place. In August 1939 Mountain States Telephone and Telegraph received a 20 year franchise in the town. The town purchased blocks 3 and 4 in July, 1930, for $55.89 and received a quit claim deed for land that was the future park. MSA Federated Women's Club worked to procure a WPA project and funds necessary for planting upward of 100 trees. The club members and their husbands planted and carried water to start those trees. The next spring $250 was approved to pipe a fountain and install hydrants plus build a tennis court with WPA labor. At the same time the WPA was utilized in oiling 7 blocks of Colorado Avenue, the main street, and grading and graveling 30 blocks of side streets. Rotary Club began in this era. Lions Club came later in the 1970's. Celebrating Colorado's Centennial along with the nation's bicentennial was a memorable time. In March of 1934 Stratton's famous girls' basketball team played in the state championship game at a Stratton hosted tournament and went on to Wichita for national finals. In spite of "depression" talk the matter of an airport for Stratton was under consideration, yet the town board voted as an economy measure to turn off all lights on the streets except at each church, two at the Collins Hotel and those on the west side of the main street as well as at the Highway 24 intersection. Total Town of Stratton expenditures in 1933 were $8,582.21 which included the water bond payment. The 1988 total expenditures of the city were in excess of $200,000. Some contrast! At one point in 1935 the town had water problems for a gtocery filed a claim for damages to a compressor because they were not told the water was being shut off. Costs of $41.00 were paid. The need for water was increasing, and in July, 1935 a new pump was installed. The Rock Island Railroad was granted permission to obtain water from the First National Bank of Stratton in its new building. A significant mid-60's event was installing the swimming pool, owned by Stratton and located in the city park but leased and operated by the Stratton Swimming Pool Association. The town first began to assume some financial responsibility for The war years were trying for all and rations books for town vehicles were extra hard to procure. In November of 1946 Inland Utilities appeared at town board meetings regarding a new lighting system, and on January 20, t947, a contract was signed to provide this service. A new town well was drilled and pump installed in 1948 at a total cost of $4,619.75. Crops were good and prices high, so things looked promising. But people complained to the town board about the same things they do today: rowdy young people; running dogs and licensing of dogs; upstairs tenants in downtown apartments tossing bottles, water and refuse out of windows; occasional cesspool or sewer trouble; the securing of stop signs for intersections; hiring and firing marshals; and on and on. Problems of the times do not seem too different over the years. In 1949 Stratton became a member of the Colorado Municipal League and soon requested information on starting a sewer system, it estimated cost and the availability of any government funds for financing. In steps which followed with petition elections, Frank Liebl was elected secretary of the sewer that purpose. Free housing in a building Avenue home in the former Seventh Day Adventist Church, the library now occupies an historic landmark of the community. Today when Stratton's 1988 population is estimated at 654, we are celebrating the 100th anniversary of its platting and becoming an early 1888 frontier town. With this story we have tried to recount things that will excite your personal memories, helping you appreciate the genius and effort of the hardy, farsighted persons, the events and circumstance that led to this time in our history. If you recall persons such as Mrs. Blakeman, a pianist at the theater; Dr. Chamberlain, a dentist; the Chautauqua or the Hillman touring troop which came to town especially during Stratton Days; the lovely dress shops of Mrs. Mamie Weddington and Esta Bowers or Hazel Tuttle; of Wolgamott's ice plant and Hubbel's shoe repair shop; the lawyer Ikey Friedman; talk of the KKK cross burnings in the 1920's; that Stratton had its own "jet set", members of which wore tuxedos and formals to its evening and cocktail parties; of great meat markets run through the years by Lulu Dack, Hugo Stegman or the Kruse's and later by the Preedy's; of a 5 and 100 store; of five groceries at once in town and 3 or 4 cream- eries; that the West Side Hotel was still operating in the 1920's as Tressie Pugh does because she had to stay there once when she was detained from getting home to the ranch north of town; that upstairs in the Linford Building was a beautiful dance floor and the Odd Fellows met there: that the hardware store carried coffins; and how wonderful it was to visit the confectionery/bakery by the pool hall which was near where Jones Sporting Goods is today, and on and on . . then we have achieved the objective we had in mind when we started to write this story of Stratton. Sincerest thanks are due those who reminisced, or spoke of long ago stories, or told of the early years; to the town clerks over the years who wrote notes from which we drew many of the facts; to old newspapers and diaries; and to wonderful critics who helped by reacting to the story as it was being �written. Without you this would not be much. As it is, there is so much we have not said! by Dorothy C. Smith STRATTON PICTURES T357 :' 'Y,3, id'l'',, ' ::' :i- " _ W:X r,- b-- l --.--" -, .{ __.5=_-\ A parade entry when Limon was an arch footbsll rival. ll 0uE's Dodie Crocker in front of her clothing store in the Linford building before she sold it to become "The Family Affair" and they in turn to "Someplace Special" as it is today. September 1987, Mayor Roy Tatkenhorst received the official recognition of the Colorado lottery role in building the gazebo in the town park. Mel Grantham, Colorado State Lottery Representative made the presentation at homecoming. With the coming of I 70 the complexion of the south side of Stratton changed . . . the Stratton Equity Co-op's "Country Store". �{*-a"'l t{&s, tt A locomotive after the trains ran less and less. l! ':.a:.a;:,., ".6i\ More signs of the weather and its action in Kit Carson County and Stratton . . . thistles. The Stratton Bicentennial Committee, Zeke Kerl, Kenneth Scheierman, and Ida Boecker, receiving the Bicentennial Flag in 1976. Rotarians Gene Clark and Ugene Brown sacking candy for Santa's delivery some Christmas time. A Stratton Day Homecoming parade moving down Colorado Avenue. The girls'basketball team in 1933: Front, I to r: Miss Idris Phipps, Calista Schiferl, Leva Campbell, Stella Sholes, Helen Bardwell, Lucia Gerke, Lilah Druse. Back row: Violet Hernbloom, Sylvia Krauth, Netta Bertrand, Evelyn Ackerman, Magdelen Leoffler, Doris Beck, Coach Robert Murfin, forerunner of 1934 State Champions. �Burlingt on ne pu b lic an, August 7, 1903 Trunks and traveling Mtllisackg. *" w &4,''. & to: IjooalQood _qu-rlity and toir y_ejqh{€ on at Abbott'e. i ; A 320 aere ranch in tho Weet end jof tbe ibunty for sale. An ib'aldl rncs of water at cix to te; fcrt.' 'I{or priee aod termt iuqurrr at.Itepu$[ioai offics. Stratton observed Colorado's Centennial on August 1,1976, with a big bash sponsored by the Stratton Garden Club. Many familiar faces in this crowd watching the awarding of prizes for the day, before the birthday cake was cut. For Mnrtland f,ump and Jnpeflqi uut cod, posts, wire and atl llndt oJ building msteiial ca.ll at, the oflcc bf Iroster .Lumber Co. Burhnqton, Colo ,Groaeriee coet you F great deal in p vear. Tou .can sove a D.rce 8um oB youi groclery bili if fou let ug setl it. C. M. ilillisack. [heap Excursion fiate TO TFIE EA$T GffiEAT ROCK ISLAI'IT} ROUTI A 1930 banquet given by Ray B. and Julia Hoskins, the IHC dealer in Stratton, after the sale of one freight car load of IHC cream separators. Note the separator in the far background. BPECI.AL TRAINS ONI' NICHT oUT 'r'O OHICACC. Ttclrrr: also good oD regul&r tfalDs. olct,Y DrliEcrt r,ir'rr: Fnoru cr)LoRAE.SPIiII,TGS AND MANITOU. !f . II. Fj itTll. G. A. P. D.. Donver, Oolo&irln E. W. l:)ornDcon, A. G, n ,1.. Topekr Kat' John Sebastlsn G. P. A., Chltsco. IU. I I I i l 'rVHffAT WANTED. , (,'boice milling wlteat w::nte.,J 'fop rnnrket pnr:t. .I. W. Pnxror,l, Pr6r, itlre rllll. �theater was open only 2 or 3 years. Dad and Uncle Bob ran a roller skating rink in the building for a while. Aunt Kitten, Uncle Bob, and Bobbie lived behind the stage in the 3 dressing rooms and the film winding room during this time. On Thanksgiving Day the members of my mother's fanily (she, Aunt Ruth, and Aunt Kitten were sisters) had Thanksgiving dinner on the theater stage with a large table made of saw-horses covered with boards and sheets. At least 20 of us enjoyed this great celebration. Seen through the eyes of a child, what a glamorous place to live and to eat a special dinner. Our house with plain furniture seemed very ordinary in contrast. The roller skating business did not last but a couple of years. The Stratton High School then took over the theater for graduation exercises, plays, and to use an a gym for both boys and girls basketball games and practice. My brothers, sisters, and I played basketball on this court. Sometimes dances were held on Saturday nights. During W.P.A. days, when the new school addition was built, a g5rmnasium was included in this work. The old theater building was torn down shortly after this Shades of the 1930's but this was in 1977! school improvement was completed. by Belle (Beck) Danforth a l,.l f'" i*" r,l' l'. {t ;:t PROTECT' 8*' I DtSr ,l'ffi ,l *tr.,,, , Later day fire protection district equipment. TITE MAJESTIC THEATER AND ANNEX ice cream parlor with my Aunt Ruth Dages as proprietor. She sold all kinds ofwonderful T358 I was 6 years old in 1919 when we moved to Stratton from the farm about 20 miles south of town. Soon after that my father, Lewis Beck, and uncle Bob Collins built the Majestic Theater and Annex just north of what is now Bob Miller's store in the business district. Bob has old cars parked there now. The theater faced the west with recessed double doors in the middle and large windows on each side and a lobby all across the front. The ticket window was directly in front of the doors with entrances on both sides of the ticket window. Double doors on the north side of the lobby opened into the Annex when there was a movie showing. The annex was an ice cream and soft drinks, also sandwiches or popcorn if you were hungrier. Booths lined the south wall and there were those beautiful 'ice cream' tables and chairs through the middle. About 3 years later Aunt Ruth married Bill Dew. who worked for his uncle in Dack's Meat Market and they moved to Colorado Springs and the Annex was closed. Later Ada Osburn had a cafe in the building. The latest movies were shown in the theater and sometimes dances were held after the show on Saturday night. John Calkins or Percy Collins operated the projector, my dad sold the tickets, Uncle Bob played the violin, Aunt Kitten (his wife) played the piano, my mother took the tickets at the door. When we children became tired ofthe show and sleepy, we laid down on a comforter on the floor. behind where Mother sat, and went to sleep. Times were hard and monev was short. The �STRATTON T369 THE STRATTON POST OFFICE T360 To begin this history we take the liberty to quote from Nanatiues of Stratton, Colorado by Mrs. Dessie Cassity who lists the Stratton Postmasters as follows: Louis Roether, appointed September 11, 1888; George Hobart, appointed February 26, 1889; James T. Roberts, appointed March 24, 1906, Williem R. Smith, appointed December 29, 1906; Joseph M. Smith, appointed July 22,1908; Eva B. Hamilton, appointed May 1, 1913; M. Gladys Pugh, appointed November 2, 192L, name changed to Quinn, December 17,1925;8. Velma Logan, appointed April 25, 1934; Marie E. Greenwood, appointed April 15, 1943, serving presently. (These names are �Colo. and Dave Meyers from Colorado Springs during the interim before the present Postmaster, Geraldine L. Troyer, was ap- pointed on Aug. 3, 1984. federal government. A contract was awarded to Lloyd L. Pugh who constructed a new brick building with a parking lot at 313 Colorado added to Routes 2 and 3. Rex Powers served as rural carrier from 1924 to Dec. 31, 1959 when he retired. Fritz Kruse, who was the substitute at that time, served the route until Rich May received his appointment Sept. 1960. Fritz Kruse continued as substitute until he retired, Nov. 1966. Then Ray Schiferl subbed until he became acting postmaster Nov. 30, 1971. Other substitutes for Route 2 have been Darrell Fox and Jan Fox. Guy J. Brown was another 37 years career postal employee. He began carrying mail at Lake Village, Ark., then Jaspar, Mo. and Timpas. Colo. He came to Stratton, Colo. in 1936 and served on Route 3 until he retired Dec. 31 1959. He and Rex Powers retired at the same time. Norman Smith was his substitute and continued to carry until Jim McConnell was appointed Sept. 3, 1960. He continued to sub until Jim retired. Norman Smith began substituting for Guy Brown when he moved to town in 1948. After Brown retired Dec. 31, 1959, Norman carried the mail until Jim McConell was appointed Sept. Stratton Post Office was dedicated Aug. 10, Jim retired at the end of March 1985. On 1968. March 27,1985 Norman Smith was appointed regular carrier on Route 32. Fred Erbert is his substitute. Over the years the Post Office was located in various buildings a hardware store, - merchandise furniture store, general store, and a hotel. The quinns moved the Post Office to the front of their building, now designated as 125 Colorado Ave, and lived in :t,.i::::-,.:r.:. ",. . .. Stratton Post Office in 1988. the back. When Mrs. Logan was appointed, she moved the Post Office to the Linford Building, corner of Main St. and Colo. Ave. Mrs. Greenwood continued operations in that building until it was sold by the owners, the Bradshaw family. The Greenwoods then bought the Quinn building and the Post Office returned to 125 Colo. Ave., July 1, 1946. During the 1960's the Post Office Dept. instituted an Improved Mail Service progrem part of which was providing the Post Offices with more ample and permanent facilities. Under a lease-construction program, a local citizen would construct the building, paying taxes in the community, and leasing it to the The Linford Building, site of the Stratton Post Office from 1934 to 1946. Ave. The move was made and the new It would be impossible to name all the postal employees so to avoid the risk of ;-a*,. M ffiwxex,r Bob and Joan Nowak on a Sept. 1951, Stratton Day float presented by the post office. omitting someone I will mention only a few. According to Mrs. Cassity, Milo Davis and James L. Dages were two of the earlier carriers. There was a Thomas L. Van Hook who served as rural carrier several years before 1920. One of the most outstanding carriers was Noble L. Bradshaw. Appointed in 1911, he served for 40 years, Stratton until 1938, then Burlington until 1941. His con- veyances consisted of horse and buggy, mailcart, sled, seven Model T Fords, and several other makes of cars. Another faithful carrier was Raymond Hughes, appointed about 1920. When the snowdrifts were too deep, Raymond would stike out with a team and sled, go as far as he could by nightfall, stay all night with a farmer family, rest and feed his team, and complete the route the next day. About this time the Stratton mail carriers went together and had a snowmobile made. It was a kind of motorized sled that climbed over the drifts and they took turns using it. When I went into the Post Office, there were three rural routes and one Star Route going to Kirk, Colo. Route 1, extending northwest and southeast of town was served by Joel C. Bradshaw. Route 2 reached out northeast of town above the county line and was served by Rex P. Powers, and Route 3 was laid out southwest of town and was Rural carriers out of Stratton Post Office, Novem- ber, 1971: Rich May, Jim McConnell, Tom Conarty. dates were obtained for me by Representa- tive Donald G. Brotzman when he was serving in Washington, D.C., May 1963) Continuing with the above statistics, Marie E. Greenwood served as Postmaster until her retirement, Nov. 30, 1971. Ray W. Shiferl was acting Postmaster until his appointment on Feb. 4, 1972. He retired January 31, 1984. The Post Office was managed by two Officers-inCharge, Michele McHenry from Gunnison, Simon, David Finely, Norman Zogg. Tom Conarty retired June 31, 1978. At this time Route I was discontinued and the mileage served by Guy J. Brown. The Star Route carrier was Earl AtkinsJoel C. Bradshaw began his career as rural mail carrier when he started serving as 3, 1960. He was Jim's substitute then until On the Star Route other carriers besides Earl Atkins were Bill Thyne, Cecil Niles, Russell Spurlin, Bill Ehlers, Duane Spurlin, Ruth Spurlin, Leona Meyers, Audrey Eisenbart, Walter Meyers (17 years), Kathy Thompson, and Allen Greenwood. When Ruseell Spurlin was on the route it was extended from Kirk, through Joes, and to Cope, Colo., April 13, 1964. Elmer C. Kruse was another long-term employee. He was appointed post office clerk by Velma Logan, Oct. 1, 1941 and retired Nov. 30, 1971. He and Marie E. Greenwood retired at the same time. At Elmer's retirement party he remarked that at the time he took office, Iocal first-class mail that stayed in the office could be sent for one cent an ounce, letters on local rural routes cost two cents an ounce, and out-of-town letters were three cents an ounce. Over the years some of the other clerks were Albert Kimminau, Ray W. Schiferl, Joe Simon, Tillie Kruse, Betty Fox, Ray Droste, and Lucille Liebl. Ray Schiferl was associated with the Postal Service from 1952 until Jan. 31, 1984. He substituted on all three rural routes until he was appointed substitute Post Office Clerk in Sept. 1960. He served as acting-postmaster from Nov. 30. 1971 to Feb. 4. L972. He then received his appointment as Postmaster under the New Merit System established by the Postal Service. He retired Jan. 31, 1984. I would be remiss if I did not mention the substitute for his brother, Noble Bradshaw, Post Office custodians who so faithfully scrub, wax, and dust in the building, then Sept. 1, 1917. He substituted on several other routes until he got his regular appointment on Route 1, May 1, 1938. He retired June 30, 1955 after more than 37 years of service. He estimated that he had traveled approximately 600,00 miles during this time. Ray Schiferl, who was his substitute at that time, served the route until Tom Conarty was appointed Aug. 1, 1955. Other substitutes on the route besides Ray Schiferl were Joe Liebl, Joe water the lawn and the flowers in the planters out in front. Leona Meyers served for many years and now Kathy Thompson. Leona also subbed as star route carrier for her husband, Walt Meyers, and Kathy Thompson subs for Allen Greenwood. Bonnie Miller was another lady who took care of the premises. Terri Troyer, appointed Postmaster, Aug. 3, 1984, is the friendly lady at the window these days. She and her two genial clerks, �Lucille Liebl, appointed Nov. 11, 1973, and Ray Doste, appointed Oct. 12, 1974, are the ones responsible for keeping our mail rolling to its destination. After reviewing this history, Mrs. Troyer wishes to add these words of greeting: "The current Postal Personnel considers it both an honor and a privilege to serve the proud and friendly community of Stratton" by Marie E. Greenwood STRATTON PUBLIC LIBRARY T36l Legion Auxiliary were active in assisting with some library events and gifts. During the 1970's the main individual responsible for keeping the library abreast of developments in the state library connection and managing the local library was Doris Peters. Her devotion was exemplary and she served as long as health allowed. It was she who really interested the city in assuming some responsibility for financing of the library. Others who became involved after Doris left the library were Willa Peters, Darice Hostetler and Flossie Reeder. Membership in the High Plains Regional Library Service System, Greeley, and the services of the Northeast Colorado Bookmobile became essential in providing a large array of materials for the library's clientele. Purchase of the historic Seventh Day Adventist Church in 1984 with some city revenue sharing funds started the process that led to a move into a larger and more desirable location for the facility. Although remodeling had been undertaken without outside assistance other than community and city support, an early 1985 application for a Title II LSCA grant was honored by the Colorado State Library, providing monies to remodel and furnish the new site at 331 New York Avenue. The Century Club added further funding, demonstrating the commu- nity enthusiasm for the project. Rewiring, insulating, plumbing, refinishing and painting, a new roof, construction of shelving and desks, carpeting and new sidewalks and a remp preceded the formal dedication held on October 13, 1985. MSA Club further demon- Stratton Public Library housed in the historic landmark: Seventh Day Adventist Church of 1913. strat€d its interest by providing sod to landscape the area. A uniquely charming library sign designed and made by Will Morton, noted carousel restorer and artist, marks the historic site so heavily used by today's patrons. A 1987 Title I LSCA grant was received which made possible the purchase of a computer and its peripherals for use by library patrons with computer expertise as well as for librarian use. That the computer speedily links the local library with the loan services available through High Plains Regional Library Service System became possible, also. As this is written in 1988, Jewell Banister is the amiable librarian, assisted by Esther Lewis, a Green Thumb volunteer, and Dorothy Lucas who gives many hours of volunteer help. A University of Colorado architectural Doris Peters when librarian at Stratton Public Library. Establishment of Stratton Public Library began in an informal fashion in the 1950's when interested and devoted women recognized the need such a facility could fill and proceeded to organize their own books and materials into a small library collection. Gifts and some purchases with their own funds further enlarged the holdings. The first site of the library was a small room in the American Legion Hall, and some of those persons most involved were Dessie Cassity, who never flagged in her enthusiasm for the project, Patti Best, Rena Borders, Florence McConnell and Lucile Lepper Clark, who all took turns acting as librarian a few hours each week. In time the library was moved to a small building on Colorado Avenue where it was for many years. MSA Club and American student drew plans for an equal-sized facility as a class project which he presented to the library. The day is speedily approaching when consideration of making that addition may be necessary. by Dorothy Smith L945. . . GREATEST GRAIN CROP T362 Kit Carson County in 1945 became the wheat and barley center of the Middle West. Two days after the harvest began the elevators at Stratton were overflowing with wheat running as high as 55 bushels an acre and winter barley to more than 95 bushels per acre. With at least two weeks of harvesting A big harvest meant standing in line on Stratton's main street. Looking north toward the elevator. left, two of Stratton's largest garages were being used as storage space. Those rapidly filled up and farmers piled the precious grain on the ground with no immediate transportation relief in sight. A heavy rainstorm at that time would no doubt have caused a loss of thousands of bushels of grain. Farmers being handicapped with the lack ofsufficient harvest hands worked from earlv in the morning until long after sunsei, endeavoring to save the record-breaking crop. It was estimated that there were 80,000 acres in wheat and 70,000 acres in barley in the county. The following article taken from the Rocfry Mountain Nerus gives a very good account of the county's bumper crop: "With the rich prairie's soil yielding better than for many years past, the only sour note in the harvest picture is an inability to obtain railroad cars to move the heavy crops to the markets. 'I haven't seen anything like it in my years', Dick Rose, manager of the Farmers Equity Co-operative, said. 'I haven't seen so much grain, but I don't believe more than one car has been shipped out. The three Stratton elevators are full and the bins are filling up. Grain is being piled on the ground.' "J.R. Zurcher, mayor of this small farming community located in the center of sprawling Kit Carson County, had the same story to tell as did County Commissioner Tom Kennedy and Dr. James L. Keen, president of the Rotary Club. The harvest got underway two weeks ago and will continue another three weeks they said. The wheat is standing well and though there is a shortage of manpower, the huge wheat crop is being rapidly combined. With farms running from 160 to 1,500 acres or more, many individual farmers are harvesting in excess of 50,000 bushels. C.D. Pottorff, who farms 1,500 acres two miles south ofhere, is averaging 50 bushels ofwheat to the acre, and Joe Droste, who has 1,400 acres in wheat six miles northeast of Stratton, it getting about 35 bushels of wheat and 45 bushels of winter oats to the acre. "'This will be our biggest year since 1940', R.O. Woodfin of Burlington, Kit Carson County Extension Agent since 1933, said. 'There is a lot of 40-bushel average wheat in the county. The county average should run about 25 bushels to the acre, which is exceptionally good. We are getting a five-year crop of wheat barley in one year, as barley usually runs about 12 bushels to the acre. This year the farmers are averaging about 55 bushels. One field owned by Leo Dusharm who farms north of Seibert is getting 95 bushels of barley to the acre.' Woodfin attributes the heavy barley yields to a mild winter last year and the use of two barley varieties, Ward and Reno, which are adapted to Colorado's eastern plains.'The lack of cars for shippping purposes can become very �serious if rain comes,'Mr. Woodfin said.'The weather is ideal for the harvest, but if it rains there will be losses in the wheat piled on the ground.' "'A few years ago people were calling this a dust bowl area,'Mayor Zurcher said.'I wish everyone in Colorado could see this haryest. You have to see it to believe it!"' We have seen great crops piled on the ground since, rows of grain bins on farms, and watched as huge silo-like elevators were erected in all the towns of the county. The transportation of grain has changed to accommodate the passing of the Rock Island Railroad in this area, and trucking is commonplace now. But there are many persons who recall vividly that 1945 year with the bounteous golden harvest, the essence of prosperity and joyous reaping. by the editors STRATTON PUBLIC SCHOOL T363 Tradition says that the first school in Stratton was held in a small frame building that had originally been a butcher shop, located on the spot at the corner of Colorado and Main where today's DG Liquors is located. Seven pupils taught by Charlie Dickinson attended. Very soon that building became too small and in 1895 a two story school building was erected on the area where the school stood for so many years. Pictures of the early Catholic Church show this considerable building in the background. According to records, Miss Ruth McCoulogby taught there in 1896 having the Roberts girls, Hazel, Inez and Susie, Manda Buller, Billie and Clara Lipford, and Albert Bradshaw as pupils. In the early 1900's Mrs. Jennie Wellman became the teacher. Her ntme appears consistently in Kit Carson 3rd and 4th grades, Stratton schools, 1923. County school records. Schools involved little expense in those days even if the money was hard to come by. Teachers and pupils handled all the work of modern day custodians and made sure there was fuel and that fires were kept as well as brought the drinking water. You know where the bathrooms were. Teachers salaries were so modest then as to be almost non-existent. By 1910 so many people had settled in the area that a larger building was necessary. Then a b rick building that has been torn down in recent years was built on the same location to replace the two story frame building used for 15 years. As athletics became part of the school program, space for playing floors was found in buildings about town. Many recall playing basketball in the Majestic Theater, located just north of present day Miller Store. This had a large floor suitable for not only the theater showings but dances and use as a gym floor. It was in those years of the 1930's that girls' basketball predominated over boys. Stratton girls went to a national tournament in 1934, and, although they lost in the early games, the town of Stratton was given great "press" in the newspapers and the laurels that came to those players is still recalled by many. A demise of girls basketball carne when injury or illness caused the Colorado school authorities of that day to drop all girls' competition from then on until the late 1970's when they were reinstated. Under the WPA programs begun in the 1930's by the US government a cement building which housed a modern gymnasium and four elementary classrooms was erected north of the brick building. Until 1961 this glrm was home floor for the many fine boys basketball teams flourishing in the school in those years. The home team locker was located in the furnace room under the stage. That stage with heavily gold fringed green velour stage curtains was the scene of many splendid productions in the form of class plays as well as the renowned Drama Club .,J productions under the direction of Mrs. Kivia Slade who is remembered as a teacher of mathematics and Latin during nineteen years at Stratton High School starting in 1942. Christmas operettas, National Assembly programs, productions by local clubs and organizations were also performed before the footlights of that stage. Many students recall painting the setting backdrops in preparation for a play or cleaning the footlight trough and replacing the lightbulbs. During the '50 and '60's this gym was the setting for elaborate Junior-Senior proms. Lots of romancing occurred behind those stage set flats, no doubt. In 1951 the two buildings were joined together by another structure which made The building which replaced Stratton's first school; used continuously until 1977 as a school. possible a school shop and its finishing rooms, a music department and a school lunchroom and its kitchen pantry. Previously the hot �Superintendent J. Oscar Smith carried the plans forth. Building was done on an almost sacred spot to past football players . . . the football field. Impressive dedication ceremonies were conducted on March 5, 1961, following the move into the building in January, which was done in one day with students managing the many trucks as by Dorothy Smith Today's Stratton Elementary School in 1988. lunch program had begun under the direction expectations of those persons so dubious kitchen to which everyone trooped at noontime. There was no shop program until J. Oscar Smith was hired in 1950 with this program in mind for the community school. The music program had no area of its own, but with the forming of a Music Club and the funds they generated for instruments and just come about. Stratton Schools under the direction of Superintendent Arthur G. Wat- of Marge Brown in the American Legion band uniforms, Joseph Lombardi in 1950-51, was able to organize the band that originated bands of today. Home economics had a program for a few years in the late 1930's but during World War II cutbacks this was dropped. In 1950 Dorothy C. Smith initiated a new department housed in the basement of the high school. One must recall that this year was the period of school reorganization and Stratton schools were trying to meet the The Stratton School pupils in 1915. about the wisdom of consolidation which had son at that time did a great deal to augment its programs and revitalize its offerings especially at high school levels. In the mid-'50's as state standards for school buildings became more restrictive, the constant cost of keeping the old high school building "under code" was studied again and again, and the feeling prevailed that a new high school building was needed. This was the era when St. Charles Parochial School was coming into the public school. With well thought out local plans, the services of an architect and bonding company and all the preliminaries needful to promote and produce this new buiding, the school board and �buildings, however. It's the story of people and activities. But without writing a volume of its own one could not mention it all either. Suffice it to say that Stratton Schools have a reputation for offering a diverse curriculum which has prepared many students for the college and vocational training they later pursued, that Stratton has had its share and more of outstanding football, basketball and wrestling teams, that music is an integral part ofthe school activity each year, that the home economics department and its related Future Homemakers of America organization has provided many state and district officers as well as one national officer, that the shop students are famous over the area for the splendid products of their efforts, that science fairs and related activities occur frequently, that dramatics is still an interest for many students, that the commercial and business offerings are distinctly geared to today's expectations, that the school boasts two libraries which are heavily used, and that the community is justifiably proud of its school. The Eagle Chapter of National Honor Society inaugurated and chartered in 1958 has chosen outstanding students who have made special niches for themselves in the entire world. People are a school, too! There are teachers' names that linger and are often mentioned around the community wherever those who felt their influence gather. . Margaret Walthers, Orville Reddington, Helen Price, The first grade at Stratton School in 1923. Violet Davis, Eleanor DeWalt, Ruth McChesney, Mabel Hemphill, Nell Van Devender, Idris Phipps, Harry B. Davis, H.C. Beibee, Curtis Bradshaw, Margaret Holstine, Wallace James, Hazel Chalfant, Frank Osta- noff, Kivia Thorene Slade, Olive Thiringer, Mildred Shenandoah, Jennie Tressel, Thelma Allen, Ruth Gulley, Virginia Felch, Rosemary McCormick, Lucile Lepper, Mabel Guy, Gladys Quinn, Helen Traylor, Joseph Lombardi, J. Oscar and Dorothy Smith, Arthur G. and John H. Watson. Coates Bradshaw, William Leckenby, Betty and Fred Rock, Lee Carpenter, Adeline Sawyer, Leland Monroe, Joan and Larry Vibber, Earl Knox, Elizabeth and Bill Kercher, Ron Neeley, Virgil Watkins, George and Jane Clark, Helen Mclean, Alyce Lewis, Elmer Boone, Joan and Harold Hagan, William McKinley, Robert Sparks, Roy Towns, Richard Buck, Ron Atkins, Betty Smith, Glen The Stratton Public School from 1895 to 1910. STRATTON T364 ues to house the Stratton High School. By 1975 plans for a new elementary school had been completed and the fine structure directed by each department instructor. This building with some modification and the addition of a separate shop building contin- Wry Stratton "S" Club has a homecoming "float". which now houses the elementary school was occupied Feb. 18, 1977. Envisioning a day when all the Stratton school might be located in a campus-like arrangement with playing fields and playground between the two structures occurred when the high school was built and the land was procured in the mid 1950's. When the present elementary building was constructed that long ago dream was realized. Yesterday's elementary building is now a bowling alley with two restaurants and the old annex houses a number of office spaces. T'e old high school has been razed and many former students have an old brick to stir nostalgia for times long past. MSA Club made arrangements to move the original bell which so long called pupils into school to a site near the present elementary school as a preservation measure. Any story of a school is not the story of Hunter, Roy Ingram, June Short, John Trued, Terry Miller, Nick Wilhelm, Wilbur Ziegler, Tom Pannell, Franceis Coles, Kathy Pickard, Cheryl Barry, Linda Stevens, Jim Martin, John Sporleder . . the list could go on and on. Superintendents through the years include some whose names may not have been recorded. Notable among the listed ones are Homer Peck, R.F. Murfin, Gerald Scofield, Harry Zinn, Arthur G. Watson, R.F. Becker, John H. Watson, J. Oscar Smith, Norman Downie, Carl Weigand, Valerie Sullivan, Wayne Brown and currently David Cockerham. No story is complete without the names of graduates either so they are given in another article entitled "High School Graduates Stratton and First Central". And how remiss it would be to conclude this account without reminding us of all the blizzards, the school bus incidents, the dust storm days, spring's muddy roads, the many trips to district and state events, the heartaches of losses or the glories and elation of victories, the long, long �with having played a considerable role in their lives. by Dorothy C. Smith *****{c****rfc***:l€ Freshman class; Stratton,1945-46: Front row, I to r: Rock Luebbers, Joe Weibel, Bill Fehrenbach, Allen Greenwood, Johnny Luebbers, Dean Campbell. 2nd row: Barbara Schermerhorn, Bertha Balanga, Mary Anne Green, Bernadean Rose, sponsor, Dolores Jostes, Doris Paintin, Marlyn Schmidt. 3rd row: Wayne Greenwood, Margaret Meade, LaVilla Sealock, Shirley Ferris, Dorothy Messinger, LaRene Herberger, Verla Jean Reisch, Ida Knochel, Norma Jean Hershey, Bob Bush. Back row: Bill Griffith, Norman Zogg, Sonny Webster, Bob Pickerill, Alfred Flageolle, Dick Borders, Harvey Rose, Donald Torline. bus rides daily for many kids, the patient highorhighschool,revolvearoundtheschool parents who waited for those who practiced, and its activities. That the life of any the beautiful spring days when school could community is determined by its schools is hardly"keep". . andonandon. . .thiswas recognized nowhere more clearly than in part of school, too. That Stratton schools Stratton community. Many have gone from have been a pervading element in the com- this community to higher education and into munity and county throughout the years is endeavors here and all over the world. Most mostevident.Thelivesof allfamiliesoftoday of them will credit Stratton Public Schools having children in school, elementary, junior Machinery "graveyard." June 23, 1988 Market report ..'.$3.51 Wheat .$3'00 New corn Livecattle'....$63.90 Feedercattle. ..$71.00 LiveHogs ...'.546.25 Grades 5 and 6, May 1925, Stratton: back row: Eugene Spurlin, Roy Folsom, Bob Reddy, Sonny Collins, Ernest Lidke, Paul Weddington, Ralph McFarland. Next row: Sarah Sholes, Ruby Ford, Dorothy Bardwell, Teacher, Edna Folsom, Beryl Montgomery, Dorothy Spurlin. Next row; Belle Beck, Lucille Holloway, Thelma Heltzel, -, Lois McOolloch, -, -. Front row: Claude Ellis, Jimrny Rogers, Curtis Rogers, Robert Davis. -. �Homecoming and Stratton Day were combined in 1966 for the first time. The Assn. began to organize the parade, plan the Stratton 5th/6th grades, 1926: Front row: Del Holiday, Floyd Hetzel, Carl Wood, Durward Riggen, Robert Holloway, Wayne Campbell, Vaden Hn-lin. Second row: Stella Chilili, Lucia Gehrke, Evelyn Ackerman, Lucille Chamberlain, Ruby Wolfrum, Dixie Turner, Stella Sholes, Lelah Kruse, Norma Scott. Third row: Evelyn Pischke, Allie Jean Beck, Helen Bardwell, Lloyd Einspahr, Roy Davis, Violet Davis Teacher, George Harnlin, Donald Wolgamott, John Brady. STRATTON ALUMNI ASSOCIATION T365 In March of 1949 a group of Stratton High School graduates gathered to form an Alumni Association. A set of by-laws were drafted similar to those used by the Burlington Assn. The group's main function was to keep an accurate record of the Stratton graduates as well as to raise money for contributions to the school. Some of the early fund raising activities were box socials, carnivals, and plays. The first Alumni banquet and dance were held in 1953. This also became the time when twelve members were elected to the board. When the Assn. was first organized only the twenty-five year class was honored. The graduates from First Central School were initially honored around 1961. Over the past years it has become a tradition to honor the ten, twenty-five, and fifty year classes at the annual banquet. Classes are recognized and given an opportunity to reminisce with old friends. Beginning in 1964 the honored classes had their pictures in the paper. banquet, and the Homecomingdance. Before this the Alumni had held picnic lunches on Homecoming Day. In order to increase the size of the parade the Assn. invited school bands from surrounding areas. Donations to the school have been made frequently and helped with the purchase of musical instruments, speaker system, trophies, the senior class picture album in the High School and the bell tower. Due to the hard times during the Depression the classes of 1934 and 1935 were unable to have their pictures in the senior class album. In 1986 the Assn. donated money to have these pictures framed. The Alumni began charging one dollar dues in 1965 to help cover expenses. After raising the Association's dues to five dollars annually or thirty dollars lifetime, the Board of Directors formed an Alumni Scholarship to be awarded to the most qualified applicant from the graduating senior class. The amount of this scholarship was originally $250.00 but has been raised to $900.00 due to the generosity of time and money given by the Stratton Alumni Assoeiation members. Key: Graduates of Stratton and First Central: *Deceased, FC First Central (Married name) 1909 Mable Pugh (Guy)* 1916 Grace Johnson (Tompkins); Loretta Taylor* 1917 Joel Bradshaw, II*; Marie Chandler (Greenwood) 1919 Evelyn Mulnix (Anderson) 1920 Leonard Hamilton*; Clara Pugh (Baker); Fern Vanhook (Reddington)* 1921 Curtis Bradshaw* 1922 Eleanore Cochran (Beahm); Allan Long; Aliee Mulnix (McNaryl); Gray Spurlin; Frank Wilson 1923 Floyd Borders; Violet Campbell (Barr);Joseph O. Chandler; Gertrude Church (Boulder); Ruth Church (Schaal)*; Fern Ford (Craig); Mary Horrell (Dvorak)*; Alice Poppert (Beal); Lillian Radspinner (Underwood); Theodore R. Smith FC; Fred Weibel*; Elizabeth Zittle (Woolsey) 1924 Blanche Beattie (Dove); Dorothy Cochran (Reish)*; Iva Crocker (Engelage); Virginia Felch; Florence Huscher (Ford); Harold Huscher; Amy Wood*; Ruth Pischke (Wells) 1925 Clarence Connaway; Grace Evans (Weybright); Esther Gerke (Scheierman); Esther Lindley*; Marshall Sims; Ida Smith (Boecker) FC* 1926 Ave Marie Kellogg (Parks) FC; Norma Mavity (Moody) 1927 Amanda Fuller (Borders)*; Mrs. Earl Carpenter; Annie Connaway (Spurlin); Mrs. Carl Hamilton*; Laura Powers (Shupp); Ambrose Williams*; Garvin Church FC 1928 Lewis Adkins; Gladys Beattie (Clair); Erma Gerke (Thompson); Vena Hughes (Scheierman); Leona Jones*; Gladys Lindley"; Roy McColloch; Justus Rose*; Ava Barr (Magnuson) FC; Glenn Smith FC 1929 Lucille Brantley (McColloch); Bertha Chamberlain; Margaret Day (Huppert)*; Verla Ellis (Pieper); Ruth Gerke; Helen Holloway (Jackson); Hilda Kruse (Claussen); June Rose (Schofield); Ruth Thyne (Spurlin)*; Helen Weibel (Berger); Ruth Wilson Stratton High School in 1988. (Norwack); Lawrence Erickson FC 1930 Burnelle Adkins (Horton); Belle Beck (Danforth); Edith Beeson (Murray) FC; �Bernice Brady (Kenper)*; Reva Braley (Jackson); Frank Brock; Irene Calvin (Hern- bloom); Mae Ellen Calvin (Kellogg)*; Edith Campbell (Johnson); Velva Collins (Beeman); lnez Dunhe- (McArthur); Velora Mulnix (Davis)*; Lee Ora Tuttle (Hanrahan);Wilbur Barr FC;Albert Glad FC; James Greenwood FC; Lyle Kellogg FC. 1931 Harry Holloway*; Lucille Holloway (Woodson); Margaret Holloway (Houtz); Leo Kirkendall; Robert Logan*; Georgia McCollough (Berandt); Robert Ready; Viola Wolf (Gacnik); Irene Dunham (Kennedy) FC; Clarence Iseman FC; Lloyd Parks FC L932 Aletha Allen (Bowers); Ted Burggraff; Robert Davis*; Helen Duncanson (Ancell); Luella Hernbloom; Marie Mase; Lois McColloch (Currier); Beryl Montgomery (Hutchins); William Morgan; Maye Rose (Blodgett); Lee Dunham FC; Claude Ellis FC; Ralph Greenwood FC; Warren Hodge FC; Helen Mitchell FC; Lloyd Perkins FC. 1933 Charles Allen; Helen Bardwell (Al- len); Allie Jean Beck (Iseman); Melvin Calvin*; Earl Collins; Ruth Gulley; Lyle Hooper; Helen Kennedy (Kerl); George Klocker*; Magdalene Leoffler (McKenzie); Ralph Pelle*; Edna Blucheck (Carlton); Collosta Schiferl (Swogger); Dorothy Hodge (Peters)* FC; Violet Norton FC; Wanda Norton (Perkins); Harold Pelle; Kenneth Scheierman FC; Norman Smith FC; Cloyd Storrer FC; Nora Wright (Johnson) FC; Orville Wright FC. 1934 Evelenne Ackerman (Folsom); Helen A. Bertrand (Lichety); Irvin Binkley Lucia Gerke (Cowles); Kathleen Green (Sister Evangeline); George Hamilin; Violet Hern- bloom (Kirkendall); Lilla Kruse (Campbell)*; Lillian Murphy; Iona Penne (Hous- mann); Stella Sholes (Arends); Reid Strong; Robert Barley FC; Clair Barr FC; Leonard Beeson FC; Loraine Iseman (Wood) FC; Marie Kiper (Lesher) FC; Ella Storrer (Lebsack) FC; Parker Swann FC; Wesley Taylor FC*. 1935 Lylah Ayers (Ness) FC; Doris Beck (Engelbrecht); Donald Bertrand; Mary Burggraff (Calloway); Lena Campbell (Keelet); Clarice Christian (Johnson); Mertie E. Christian (Crouse); David Davis; Evelyn Einspahr (Burnett); George Green; Mary V. Klocker (Dill); Clara Pautler; Ben Pelle; Oswold Pautler; Inez Perkins (Batholomew) FC; Evelyn Ritzdorf (Poland); Lenora Stom- bought (Scott); Harold Thomason; Leonard Willey*; Virginia Wilson (Foster); Edgar Geisit FC; Russell Glad FC; Lunette Swem (Kibble) FC. 1936 Earl Atkins; Lewis Beck; Lee Binkley; Rueben Beecker; Jeanne Bradshaw (Bruner); Louis Brueske; Helen Burggraff (Morris); Eugene Byrne; Mabel Garner (Scheierman); Dorothy Hanner (Danekas); Alfred Holloway*; Dorothy Huppert (Pierson)*; Willard Kirkendall; Sylvia Krauth (Bowers); James McFarland*; Juanita Nixon; Agnes Powers (Stramel); Doris Proctor (Peters); Eloise Proctor*; Faye Proctor (Byrnes); Fern Proctor (Penick); Magdalene Stoffel (Heiken); Viola Waechter (Ancell); Frank Wolf*; Mavis G. Ayers (Smith) FC; Agnes Iseman (Leonard) FC; Dale Lesher FC; Helen Magnuson (Smelker) FC; Ivan Smelker FC; Vaughn Taylor FC. 1937 Evelyn Atkins (Paintin); George Bowers; Nadean Brown (Zwetschke); Lois Jane Calverley (Schlihs)*; Wava Campbell (Hetzel);Alyce Dischner (Lewis); Arlin Erf- man; Irene Erfman (Hibbits); Delmer Glaze; Edward Klocker; Edmund Green*; Gordon Hernbloom; Frank McFarland; Thomas Moyer; Mary Pautler (Carnese); Ruth Sealock (McFatridge); Galen Thomason; Isabella Thompson (Kerr); Herbert Waechter; Maebelle Wolfrum (Boyer); Eldon Wolgamott*; Velma Beeson (Davis) FC; June McArthur (Martin) FC; Elywin Swann FC; Mary Alie Swen FC; Vance Taylor FC*. 1938 Lucille Bertrand (Wharff); Helen Churchwell (Rockwell); Veralee Conners (Schillings); Dorothy Feirstein; Louis Feirstein; Ruby Gehrke (Bates); Lucille Glaze (Clark); June Courtright (Hampton); Evelyn Gauge (Edmunds); Mary Knochel (Marnell); Emma Lucas (Lempp)*; Wilda Paintin (Pratt); Lewis Powers; Rev. Homer Rich; LaVerne Thomason; Mary Thyne (Flippin); Ralph Tryon; Marie Zubrod (Navrot); Paul Baetz FC; Maxine Iseman (Chandler) FC; Ila Magnuson FC*; Ella Mae Young (Meade) FC. 1945 Millicent Beller (Luebbers); Wanda Bishop (Churchwell); Roberta Calvin (O'Halloran); Marion Dischner (Borden); (Gibble); Lelia Reish (Raines); Juanita Rum- Helen Green (McCormick); Thelma Greenwood (Hutton); Marcella Knochel (Schaefer); Jim McConnell; Norma Jean Messenger Thompson (Gabelman); Arlie Vannatta Harley Pottorff; Almetta Russel (Johnson); mel (Johnson); Raymond Schiferl; Olive (Camp); Lyle Bunch FC; Dean Smelker FC; Dorothy J. Taylor; (McArthur) FC. 1939 Johannah Atkins*; Edith Bardwell; Joel Bradshaw III*; Myron Brown; Mary Burne (Gerligk); Alberta Collins (Rowe); Gladys Hernbloom (Hooper); Herschel Hoo- per; Lucille Hooper; Ruth Krauth (Slick); Agnes McConnell (Boecker); Irene Osburn (Buhr)*; William Parsons*; Neoma Rafferty (Smith); Ethlyn Ready (Springer); Olive Rowley (Eppelsheimer); Wanita Sealock; Catherine Simon*; Irene Stewart (Brown); Lucille Wolf (Kenney); Hazel Wolgamott (Guerin) Maxine Young (Wolgamott); Mary Pfaffly FC*; Shelby Taylor FC*; Donald Thompson FC. 1940 Clark Beck; Herman Bertrand*; Doretta Brown (McEnter); Lola Mae Calverley (Kidd); Gertrude Collins; Earl Davis*; Marcella Dischner (Greenwald); Wanda Gar- ner (Sweet); Clarice Hernbloom (Fager); Cleona Hernbloom (William); Letha Holstein (Lorraine); Jim Keen; Harold Kitten; Gerald Lempp; Julia McCormick (Lowe); Edna Payne (Godfrey); Bill Reish; Vesta Russell (Geoffrey); Bert Stombaugh*; Irene Zubrod (Cannon); Helen Zurcher (Glenskie); Rose Mary Zurcher (Cox); Clark Beeson FC; Charles Bunch FC; Alvin Lowe FC; Velma Lowe (Pratt) FC; Jessie Rich (Gaunt) FC. 1941 Bob Bowers; Arthur Dischenr; Tom Kennedy*' Laurine Kitten (Schiferl); Charles Krauth*; James Leoffler Sr.; Faye McColloch; Clarence Muchow; Lola Lohrman (Gramoll); Louis Pugh; Betty Reish; Joe Simon*; Loren Stombaugh; Pauline Stombaugh; Frances Thomason; Peggy Warrington; Francis Byrne; Dorothy Wilson*; George Wilson; Rev. Phillip Cline FC; George Kirkendall FC; Vivian Smelker (Whitmarsh) FC. 1942 Myrtle Collins (Mumford); Everett Holstein*; Violet McOonnell (Wolski); Rosemary McCormick (Gergen); Zelma Kennedy (Eubanks); Rev. Russell Meade; Marion Powers; Ethel Wolgamott (Evans); Julianne Zurcher (Savada); Rev. Oscar Borden FC; Oris Bunch FC; Wayne Iseman FC; Violet Magnuson (Bunch) FC; Bertha Swann FC; Darrell Taylor FC. 1943 Leon Beck; Marianne Beller (Stevens); Melva Freeman (Cline); Neona Gade (Pierce); Norma Garner (Borden); Laura Greenwood (Thomason); Evelyn Heintz; Floyd Hooper*; Kenneth Lindley; Russell McFarland; Leona Meade (Rich); Howard Pickerill; Lucille Rich (Schreiner); Bernadine Rose (Ardueser); Margaret Simon; Salvador Valesquez; Marion Webster; Verla Smelker (Martinez) FC; Shirley Taylor (Thompson) FC; Walter Rich. 1944 Joyce Beck (Clark); Vivian Bush (Schlichenmayer); Mildred Pelle (Drietz); Goldie Waechter (Doane); Charles Sholes*; Darlene Taylor (Pottorffl FC. 1946 Glennadene Copley (Cline); Keith Kruse; Luella Lucas*; Clifford Messenger; Lela Pottorff (Wilkinson); Florene Schmidt (Weibel); Dorothy Smelker (Clark); Mary Valesquez (Suazo); Rosalie Webster (Jorden); Andy Weibel*. 1947 Altha Borden (Ely); Bill Collins; Ed Dischner; Ardis Heningson (Valesquez); Dale Kindred; Betty Pelle (Lobmeyer); Betty Russell (Sutton); Dale Shermerhorn; Jerry Simon; Colleen Zogg (Travis); Eloise Valesquez; Rita Zurcher (Vinduska); Arlene Bunch (Rains) FC; Patsy Bush. 1948 Roberta Collins (Higley); Marvin Edmunds; Netha Hansen (Kindred); Melvin Hatfield; Roy Herberger Jr.; Conrad Jostes; Elva Lowe (Akins); Velva Lowe (Pickard); Ted Sallee; Melvin Smith; Dean Spurlin; Jim Spurlin; Don Valesquez*; Dale Wolgamott. 1949 Bertha Balanga (Johnson); Dick Borders; Pearl Collins (Hair); Shirley Ferris*; Alfred Flageolle; Mary Ann Green; Allen Greenwood; Wayne Greenwood; LaRene Herberger (Kauffman); Norma Jean Hershey; Francis Husenetter; Delores Jostes (Erbert); Ida Knochel; John Luebbers; Rock Luebbers; Dorothy Messenger (Weaver); Edna Miltenberger (Stegman); Bob Pickerill; Verla Reish (Hall); Harvey Rose; Barbara Shermerhorn (McDaniel); Marlyn Schmidt (Dischner); LaVila Sealock (Clark); Rosalie Stoffel (Greenwood); Joe Weibel; Kathryn Waldron (Burd); Norman Zogg; Maryarct Meade (Thomason). 1950 Lloyd Borden; Donald Borders; Anne Bradshaw (Struthers); Dean Campbell; Donna Carpenter (Borden)*; JoDell Carpenter (Talley); Theresa Isenbart (Baylor); Bill Fehrenbach; Bob Fox; Marvin Hatfield; Joan Nowack (May); Doris Paintin (Vondy); Donna Rae Pelle (Englert); Ellsworth Pottorff; Bill Pugh; Shirley Scheierman (Zoeg); Carcl Smelker (Newman); Arla Smith (Franke); Mary Spurlin (Newton); Claudine Stoner (Messenger); Betty Vinduska (Schawe); Eugene Waldron; Vera Sue Wolgnmell (Grimes); Peggy Zogg (Hubbell). 1951 Richard Bayles; Douglas Bishop; Maynard Bowen; Robert Fehrenbach; Duane Ferris; Chester Frankenfeld; George Miltenberger; Lavina Pugh (Decker); Virgil Pugh; Betty Jo Quinn (Roehr); Charles Sallee; Dorothy Schermerhorn (Neva); Franklin Smelker; Gordon Smith; Bob Spurlin; Melvin Thomason; Kay Webster (Wendler); Lily Woller (Hinton). 1952 Norman Beattie; Clifford Borden; Bill Day; Marlis Dinger James Brachtenbach; (Weaver); Lyle Garner; Joy Hatfield (Blancken); Leroy Herndon; Mary A. Isen- �bart (Sister Mary Cecil); JoAnn Jostes (Day); Kenneth Lobmeyer; Lelan Lucas; Bernetta Luebbers (Curver); Max Mason; Myron Powell; Eileen Powers (Tschetter); Connie Rhea (Decker); Sherry Rose (Martie); John Schermerhorn; Twila Smelker; Paul Smith; Frank Spurlin; Kenneth Stull; Delbert Tanner; Mary Waldron (Keeling); John Webb; Nola Webster (Engstrom). 1953 Carol Lee Conarty (Eberhart); Lodema Courtright (Templeton); Ferdie Knochel; Borden; Audrey Brachtenbach (Eisenbart); Dale Conrardy; Robert Dischner; Richard Flageolle; Darrell Fox; Janice Husler (Collins); John Husler; Dennis Kordes; Nean Liebl; Kathy Mitchem (Hartzman); Danny Rose; Neoma Sisson (West); Gladys Smelker (Norman); Velva K. Smith; Connie Stegman (Baker); Kathy Stegman (Leavitt); Ronald Stoner; Bill Swanson; Bernadean Tesmer; Bob Werner; Donald Wood. 1960 Lila Borden (Gilley); Barbara Bra- fler (Daugherty); Karen Potterff (Ziegler); Marilyn June Powell (Overholt); Colleen Stegman (Stutzman); John Schulte; Mary M. Selenke; Jean Shean (Erker); Robert M. Stegman. 1966 Dale Boecker; Kathryn Buhr; Larry Crocker; John Dasenbrock; Rodney Davis*; Joyce Dischner (Stockwell); Diane Flageolle (Miller); Doris Flageolle (Dombeck); Jennifer Garner (Singley); Delores Goodin (Setter); Vickie Hornung (Sutton); Jana Dee Johnson Claus Hume; Benny Miltenberger; Virginia Pelle (Malone); Kenneth Pottorff; Dan Schaal; Frances Selenke (Torline); Doris Spurlin (Stevens); Dale Strothman; Carrell chtenbach (Eisenbart); Dr. John Bruckner; Galen Conrardy; Charles W. Cure; Genevieve (Shalata); Linda Lewis (Miller); Dennis Merritt; Diane Pottorff (McCartney); Patrick Rueb; LaRita Sawyer (Addams); Sally Shean (Ehlers); Shirley Smith (MicHaelis); Bonnie Toland (Swann); Arlene Weingardt (Weisshaar); Gerald Thompson; Harold Sal- denberger); Joyce Hornung (Austin); Berna- (Rueb). 1967 Darrell Bezdek; Gary Brachtenbach; Stull (Blakely); Geraldine Summers lee; Maxine Urban (Erbert); Denise Verbiest (Kozial); Jack Wolf; Verla Wolgamott (Skufca). 1954 Delmar Beattie; Mary Ellen Bowen; Raymond Bowen; Ora Carrell; Dean Herndon; Roger Kliesen; Janet Luebbers (Bancroft); Martha Mclrvin (Baxter); Opal McNees (Nelson); Donna O'Halloran (Eberhart); Harold Pelle; Orilla Pugh (Harless); Kenneth Sallee; Eleanor Scheierman (Herndon); Albert Selenke; Una Smelker (Reese); Jean Smith (Mason); Marvin Tanner; Carol Webb (Powell). 1955 Ronald Atkins*; Shirley Bohling (Pearson); Paul Brown; Betty Jo Calvin (Bell); Louise Dvorak (McCormick); Gwen- dolyn Einspahr (Schlichenmayer); Charles Fox; Phillip Helsel; Palamon Hornung; LaVon Jostes (Taylor); Bob Krei; Glen Lucas; Dale Mason: Zella Mclrvin; Donald Peters; John Spurlin; Kenneth Stegman; Darlene Verbiest (Strothman); Delphine Verbiest (Wharton); Florence Denise Wilson (McCon- nell); Amy Marie Wood (Smith); Doug Woodson; Patsy Young (Havens). 1956 Harold Churches; Bonnie Bishop Droste (Rubio); David Flageolle; Delores Flageolle (Luebbers); Jerry Fox; Phyllis Goodin (Worthington); Anita Homer (Lin- dine Husler (Gelizeus); Lolita Klotzbach (Ramos); Carolyn Krei (Feldhousen); Mary Lou Liebl (Zink); Carolyn Mclean (Miller); Ronnie Meyers; Phyllis Pottorff (Albrecht); Beverley Scheierman (County); William Selenke; Doyle Smith; Janice Tesmer (Burrow); Ronald Wolf. 1961 Dan Anthofer; Judy Bohling (Payne); Margie Brachtenbach (Colpitts); Don Churches; Roy Conrardy; Charles DeCastro; Shirley Erker (Bruckner); Lorena Flageolle (Kimminau); James Garner; Alberta Lang (Schaal); Douglas Paintin; Luella Paintin (Hershberger); Doris Pelle (Weir); Doris Pugh (Durham); LaDonna Sawyer (Peters); Lynn Scheierman (Johnson); Pauline Selenke (Pesek);Audrey Wood (Smith); Patricia Thomas (Forbes); Mary Kay Werner (Huppert); Myrna Wilson (Bill); Jack Young. 1962 Rollan Bauman; Sylvan Bauman; Larry Brachtenbach; LeRoy Brachtenbach; Anita Conrardy (Balman)*; Betty Cure (Brossman); John DeCastro; Cecilia Isenbart (Fox); Diannen Erker; Marcia Grasser (Sister Mary Carol); Kenneth Hornung; Gary Huppert; Betty Jean Kordes (Brachten- (Schumann); Jack Brachtenbach; Rose Marie Droste (Stoos); Jerome Fox; Ruth Isenbart (Kimminau); Esther Mclean (Herndon); Drusilla Mitchem (Spurlin); Robert bach); Nancy Liebl (Feist); Teresa Liebl (Douglas); Glenn Pence; Sandra Pottorff (Berry); JoDell Pugh (Musgrove); Leonard Pugh; Lyle Sawyer; Betty Bea Scheierman (Short); Bonita Sisson; Charles Smelker; Virginia Stegman (Dobler); Leon Thomas; Robert Smith; Dean Smith; Donna Spurlin; Duane Spurlin; Andra Stegman (Maxon); Melvin Strothman: Carmilla Werner (Pelle); Barbara Wilson (Edmunds); Raymond Mil- Janet Zrubek (Lasinski). Pottorff; Darlene Powell (Freytag); Marie Pugh (Idler); Elsie Smelker (May); John tenberger. 1957 Martin Bauman Jr.; Keith Beattie; Margene Brown (Smith); Raymond Droste; Betty Eisnpahr (Hansen); Albert Hornung; Ed Husler; Elaine Jostes (Hubbard); Tom Luebbers; Vera Malone (Noyce); James Mather; Juanita Meade (Marrow), Diane Pelle (McDermott); Leona Peters (Krentz); Mary Margaret Quinn (Sandy); Geraldine Rose (Ludwig)*; Herbert Scheierman; Elaine Smelker (Hornung); Gary Smelker; Richard Stramel; Carlyn Werner (Gerwick); Edna Woller (Robinson). 1958 Elaine Anthofer (Krueger); Ivan Beattie; Linda Calvin (Torline)*; Judy Conarty (Smith); Glenda Dinger (Levins); Bill 1963 James Best; Lynette Dasenbrock (Fankhauser); Ron Downey; Charles Ehlers; Donnie Flageolle; June Goodin; Anne Helsel (Young); David Hernbloom; Esther Husler (Luther); Robert Kerl; Charlie Mclean; Gary Pautler; Robert Pelle; Mary Proctor (Ehlers); Diane Pugh (Schulz); John Rueb; Delores Smelker (Rehor); Doyle Smelker; Linda Storrer (Swanson); Diane Werner (Kloeckner); Larry Wolf. 1964 Gene Beattie; Joel Bradshaw IV; Christine Calvin (Brachtenbach); Janice Conrardy (Anderson); Cynthia Davis (Beck- er); Carol Ann Droste (Whitten); Ernie Flageolle; Hary Fox; Verlin Garner; Linda Gramoll (Nemec); Gary Helsel; Irvin Husler; Wayne Huppert; Donna Jones (Fox); Robert Ehlers; Leo Isenbart; Walter Isenbart; Ange- Meyers; Jerry Miller*; Linda Paintin (Amack); Carolyn Pugh; William Rueb; Peggy Schwieger (Fox); Rose Selenke; Keith la Flageolle (Isenbart); Kathy Homer (Dobler); John Huppert; Robert Jacobs; Bill Krei; Weingardt; Kenneth Wolf; Daryl Wolfrum. 1965 James Bradshaw; Pam Bruckner Jerry Lucas; Danny McCormick; Ivan Schaal; Rita Selenke (O'Hayre); Richard Smith; Nedra Swanson (Pierce); Loretta Tesmer; Larry Torline; Ruby Urban (Mauer); Rita Werner (Ziegler); Jeanette Wolfrum (Embacker). 1959 Cordella Bauman (Pickerill); Theo (Jones)*; Vickie Calvin (Hahn); Diane Cibol- ski (Albertson); Paul Clark; Robert Coles; Ethel Mae Cure (Martin); Kathy DeCastro (Woodrick); Robert Downey; Ronald Einspahr; Darrell G. Garner; Terry Hornung; Dennis A. Johnson; Beverly Kordes (Beattie); John Liebl;Phillip Liebl; Sondra Leof- James Christopher Carnathan; Kenneth Clark; Edward Cure; Mary Ellen Cure (Bohnen); Dorothy Droste (White); Richard Grasser; Patricia Griffith (Alderson); Jerry Homer; Ronald Jones; Kathy Lempp (Lewis); James Leoffler, Jr.; David Liebl; Glenda Jo Pfaffly (Bauman); Connie Pottorff (Volskis); Pamela Powell (Boles); Dan Ricke; Leon Schaal; Carol Shean (McAlister); Linda Stegman (Johnson); Penny Brachtenbach (Carpenter); Timothy Weibel; Kenneth Witzel; Gary Wolfrum*; Larry Wolfrum; Edward Zrubek. 1968 Kenneth Bezdek; Mike Davis; Karen Downey; (Kerschner); Mike Eisenbart; Marvin Garner; DeeAnn Goss; James Sidney Hubbard; Jeanette Husler (Schreiner); Dennis Kindred; Mark Laue; Janice Lempp (Perkins); James Lewis; Marvin Megel; Beth Ann Miller; Gail Paintin; Leon Pautler*; Terry Pfaffly; Mary Ann Price (DeVinney); Elaine Rueb; Mary Lou Schiferl (Hubbard); JoAnn Schulte (Willis) Jolyn Schulte (Garrison); George Stegman; Dessa Shutte (Jantz)*; Connie Vinduska (Foose); Mike J. Werner; Gerald Wolf. 1969 LaDonna Brachtenbach (Anderson); Linda Cibolski (Miltenberger); Vickie Corliss (Schlepp); Pastor Clyde R. Denslow; Willetta Garner (McKee); David Gwyn; Delores Heit- schmidt*; Steve Hornung*; Sue Hubbard (Marrone); Sherry Krei (Merritt); Patsy Kordes (Eisenbart); Mike Laue; Mike Mclean*; Tom Mills; Janice Pottorff (Ecke); Steve Powell; David Ricke; Lester Schiferl*; Ed Schulte; Becky Schulz; Calvin Shean; Darris Taylor. 1970 Judy Best (Wall); LuAnn Brown (Lucas); Greg Buhr; J.D. Coles; Cheryl Courtright (Richards); Bob Cure; Kay Cure (Unruh); Marsha Davis (Kravitiz); Mark Dischner*; Dan Erbert; Larry Grasser; Rick Kordes; Bob Lewis*; Deborah Mattix (Huppert); Judy Pottorff (Winick); Sherry Pottorff (Lupher); Terry Pottorff; Bill Rau; Joan Ricke (Hick); Lois Schulte (Tilley); Tony Schulte; Patty Schwieger (Witzel); Linda Shutte (Einspahr); Dan Witzel; Donna Witzel (Gwyn). 1971 Virginia Bezdek; Candice Clark (Spicer); Deborah Courtright (Conrads); David Cure; Jane Cure (Hubbard); LuAnn Dasenbrock (Berens); Rick Davis; Bill Dykes; Jim Dykes; Jane Flageolle (Smith); Lynn Gramoll; Mary Gwyn (Tart); Billy Homer; Cindy Hornung (Luebbers); Pam Hotter (Smith); Jane Jostes (Ingram); Gary Kindred; James Liebl; Bunnie Mitchem (Chartier); Wanda Nusser; Randy Pickard*; Nick Price; Tom Proctor; Rex Salling; Charles Schulte; Della Shutte (Calhoun); Denis Smith; Pam Smith �(Liebl); Delmar Stegman; Leon Vinduska; Gary Wilson; Janet Zogg (Churchwell). 1972 Dennis Cure; Nona Eisenbart (Woller); Linda Flageolle (Davis); Mark Flageolle; Niles Ray Garner; David Hornung; Walter Hubbard; Janice Kindred (Still); Valerie Kordes (Thyne); Jeanette Lempp (Leurquin); Nancy Lowther (Sneed); Jo-es Mattix; James Monroe; Marilyn Paintin (Cranmer); Valerie Paintin (Taskila); Larry Pottorff; Sherry Reeder (Monroe); Marla Salling (Flageolle); Doyle Schiferl; Allen Schulte; Daniel Schulte; Barbara Schwieger (Hornung); Larry Shutte; Steve Stegman; Cindy Weibel (Ridder); Rick Weingardt; Roxie Wilson. 1973 Suzy Critchfield; Michael Cure; Rhonda Davis (Peterson); Mary Jane Dischner; Frank Droste; Andy Flageolle; Gail Grasser (Allen); Dianna Greenwood (Husem- an); Neta Griffith (Rau); Nancy Hadachek; John Malone; Sue Matthews; Joanne Monroe (Jones); Patty Parker; Timothy Pautler; John Rau; Mike Ricke; Stanley Rueb; Darrel Schulte; Theresa Stegman (Amos); Marie Toland (Wolfley); Diane Twomey (Denslow). 1974 Jody May Atkins; Bonnie Clark (Mattix); Rusty Critchfield; Alan Cunningham;William Cure; KathyDavis (Sims); Rick DeMichele; David Dischner; Terry Erbert; Steven Fox; Jackie Griffith; Jerry Hasart; Patrick Hornung; Kent Jostes; Alan Kopplinger; Alice Leoffler (Smith); Susan Leoffler; Neal Luebbers; Donald Malone; Karen Mattix (Albers); Kathy Megel; Carolyn Miller; Laurie Mittlestead; Sherry Nusser; Shirley Nusser; Edward Parker; Randy Ramos; Sheryl Reeder (Grant); Keith Rogers; Rita Schulte (Erber)*; FLaDean Wigton; Ronald Wolfrum; Devin Wood. 1975 Ronald Borden; Myrva Buhr; Bill Courtright; James Hadachek; Joyce Ann May (Malone); Mike McCormick; Tony Paintin; Arthur Price: Marc Pottorff: Laura Ricke (Strick); Terry Rogers (Atkins); Linda Schulte; Elizabeth Stegman (Pautler); Mike Weigand; Charlene Wigton (Gorton); Colleen Wilson (Weigand). 1976 Douglas Beeson; Janell Brachtenbach (Woods); John Cure; Lisa Dasenbrock; John Dischner; Norma Eisenbart (Fox); Al Finley; Greg Flageolle; Keith Greenwood*; Lester Hasart; Arlene Hornung; Kenneth Malone*; Mark McClay; Debra McCoin; David Megel; Paul Pautler; Debbie Pottorff; Edward Pottorff; Bill Price; Robert Rueb; Ruth Schukar; William Schulte; Lori Thyne; Janet Wood; Trish Zogg (Dorsch); Greg Grasser. 1977 Glenda Borden; Russell Corliss; Ron- ald Cure; James Fox; Patricia Fox; Sandra Garner; Carl Graham; Karen Greenwood; Edward Herndon: Kevin Hubbard: Kevin Jostes; Marilyn Leoffler (Turner); Gregory Liebl; Kathy Logan; Cindy May; James May; Paul Miller; Jennifer Page; Theresa Peters ; June Radabaugh (Daniel); Marcia Schulte (Stauter); Ramona Schulte (Wagner); Vean Spurlin; Cindy Stegman; Angela Thompson; Shirley Wigton; Lance Wood. 1978 Robin Arends; Shirley Brachtenbach; Donna Courtright (Hake); Theresa Cure; Tom Dischner; Tina Eisenbart; Fred Erbert; Janine Hornung (Fox); Corrine Graham; Terry Ingram; Kurt Jostes; Kendra Kliesen (Monasmith); Linda Leoffler; Dean Liming; Brian Luebbers; Dan May; John McCormick; Rick Peters; Craig Pottorff; Kim Pottorff; LarryRicke; Rita Stegman; Michelle Thompson (Cure). 1979 Carl Anderson; Drusilla Beesley (Jostes); Jeanette Beeson (McCormick); Judy Borden; Gay Nell Courtright; Trenda Garrett (Weisshaar); Stan Hornung; Ted Ingram; Lisbeth Jensen; Moira Kliesen; Vernon Knox*; Beverly Malone; Tom May; Jim McCoin; Laura McCormick; Marci Pickard; Jenny Pottorff; Mark Rueb; Ted Spurlin; Dennis Schulte; Richard Thompson; Tim Greg Whipple. 1988 Roger Austin; Devin Bauman; Kristy Dieterle; Kelly Eisenbart; Brian Fox; John Hornung; Mark Hornung; John Howe; Scott Huppert; Stephanie Krason; Mark May; Patricia Miltenberger; Chuck Pautler; LaDawn Polzin; Daisy Reese; Tonya Schwindt; Dan Topp; Judy Wigton. Wehling. 1980 Rhonda Austin; Marc Banister; Carol Beesley;Kim Downey (May);Bill Fox; Keith Fox; Christy Graham; Peggy Grasser; Annette Hornung; Tony Isenbart; Lynette Jackson; Kris Kimminau; Trina Kliesen (Benson); Jim Malone; Liz May; Stacey Mays; Monte McCormick; Tammy McCor- mick; Pat Price; Mark Schmidt; Janell Wigton. 1981 Lyle Austin; Brenda Eisenbart; Robby Edwards; Jacque Erbert (Schmidt); T.C. Garrett; Carol Herndon; Bill Hornung; Cindy Isenbart; Ed Isenbart; Jeanette King; Kevin Lueck; Trudi Malone; Steve May; Patricia Maya; Del Schiferl; Nean Schmidt; Terry Schwindt; Janice Simon (Pautler); Tammy Solberg; Jeanine Stegman (Hor- nung); Justin Tatkenhorst; Dave Thompson; Lisa Thyne; Kathy Wieton. 1982 Debbie Austin; Joy Borden; Bob Brachtenbach; Dorothee Bruckner; Todd Fehrenbach; Dennie Flock; Pam Fox; Whit- ney Hornung; Amy Isenbart; Barbara Isenbart; Wade Kliesen; Scott Pottorff; Dick Remos; Mary Ricke; Justin Rueb; Jackie Stegman; Denise Price; Darla Swanson; Jenni Thyne; Joe Valenti; Kenny Valenti; Deb Wilson: Pam Smith. 1983 Julie Austin; Diana Banister; Tammy Flock (Beeson); Connie Brachtenbach; Doreli Bron; Tanya Fehrenbach (Taylor); Rochelle Flock; Jon Fox; Leroy Frazee;Pat Kear; John Lempp; Joy Lowe; Tony Garrett; Steve Huppert; Tim Isenbart; Mary May; Ray McConnell; Tim Miller; Tom Miltenberger; Todd Pottorff; Laura Shulda; Ted Simon; Judi Smelker (Mitchek); David Solberg; Doren Spurlin; Bernard Stegman; Rodney Thompson; Rona Weis. 1984 Kendra Berry; Jacqueline Brachtenbach; Zane Brachtenbach; Cheryl Drescher; Donald Fox; Kenneth Fox; Michelle Fox; Susan Hornung; Timothy Hornung; Dolores King; Dana Kliesen; Garrett McConnell; Donna Monroe; Michael Ramos; Robert Schulte; Steve Schulte; Tricia Schwindt; Mitch Swanson; Rebecca Topp; Lawerance Yoder*. 1985 Shandra Adolf; Karine Berry; Eric Brachtenbach; Pam Brachtenbach; Christine Conrardy; Paul Conrardy; Russel Eisenbart; Greg Engel; Geri Freiberg; Roger Hopewell; Larry Hubbard; Joseph Isenbart; Melinda Isenbart; John Lightle; Kimberly McCombs; Deena Monroe; Ann Simon; Juleen Stegman; Carole Lightle. 1986 Lora Abbott; Cheryl Beeson; Howard Craig; DeAnna Fox; Lisa Gorryn; Anna Hartzmann; Mark Kelley; Ed May; Mike May; Bobbi McCombs; Jim Ramos; Leroy Shields; Karen Simon; Danny Shulda; Bruce Thompson; Gerald Weis; Rhea Wigton. 1987 Kerstin Berry; John Brachenbach; Matt Isenbart; Janine Martin; Rodney Martin; Lonnie Drescher; Craig Fox; Kim Fox; Donna McConnell; James McCormick; Gretchen Neumann; Layne Polzin; Jill Pottorff; Julie Pottorff; Lori Roesch; Alice Schaal; Pam Stramel; Rick Stramel; Wendi Swanson; ..CHURCHES' T366 Of the many facets of pioneer life that played meaningful parts in settling the area we know today as Kit Carson County, nothing assumed greater roles than education and faith in a Higher Power. This is evident from the large response to school stories and having a story submitted for almost every church in the county. With "Churches" we are calling to our attention that four of the churches featured in the 1970 book. White Churches of the Plains, written by Robert Hickman Adams and published by Colorado Associated University Press are about churches whose stories are recounted in the Kit Carson County History Booft: Seibert United Methodist, Immanuel Lutheran Church north of Bethune, Stratton United Methodist Church and the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Stratton which is now the Stratton Public Library. In his foreword to that book Thomas Hornsby Ferril, famous Colorado author, stated "People lacking beauty tend to create it." In its unique fashion the prairie was and is beautiful, but the stark and unending sweep of the plains before fences and roads, the trials, disappointments and daily monotony, the vicissitudes of weather, and the ceaseless change of seasons accompanied by infrequent times of exulting in accomplishment drew those hardy souls to attempt fulfilling their fragile dreams by grasping for some visible and constant symbol of beauty and steadfastness that would stay within their grasp. Building and maintaining these churches reflects to us the love and dedication and yearning of great hearts and minds among the early pioneers and their descendants reaching even into today. by Dorothy C. Smith CHURCH OF GOD T367 In the homestead days of 1912 and 1913, Grandma Thomas, who lived north of Stratton, felt the need for a church in her community. Mrs. Thomas began conducting cottage prayer meetings in her home. Grandma Thomas had contact with the Church of God in Kansas. Through her invitation Rev. Clarence Bright and wife held a revival in an adobe school house known as the Thyne School in the year 1916. Near the close ofthat year or the beginning of L9L7 a Sunday School was organized. In August 1918, Mrs. Pearl Norris and Miss Birdie Luther held a two weeks meeting in the same school house. At this time they decided to change from a Union Sunday School to Church of God Sundav School. �to raise money for the Building Fund. This began the practice of a Fall Ingathering Dinner which continues as a yearly extra project for the church. In 1965 bids were opened for the construction of the present building. Geo. H. Allen Construction Co. of Denver was the low bidder. Dan Rohwer was the architect. The Building Committee was Wendell Arnold, Howard Taton, Ray Bishop, Mrs. Joe Garner, Mrs. John Hasart. Kenneth Scheierman and Loyd Hostetler. The new church was dedicated October 24, t965. A dream of 12 years had come to be a reality. The church paid off their loan in 1972 and they are free ofdebt. A new building fund is being held for the construction of an educational unit. Merrill Smith pastored the church at the time the new building was constructed and returned to pastor the church again in 1987. The roster of Ministers is as follows: R.E. Hooper 1918-1923, T. Wade Good The Church of God, Stratton, 1942, in the process of being remodeled. (ready for the stucco). who lived in Stratton, and he was afraid to carry the loan so they refinanced to pay him off. In just a few weeks after the church paid him, the local bank failed, and the man lost all his money. The first building was a one room structure with no basement at a cost of between $2800.00 and $3000.00. It was dedicated in May 1920. Rev. Hooper pastored the church until . ot;-.'1."1*-r-' -,* _,-),'t- .r* The Church of God as it stands in 1988, built in 1965. They began using Church of God literature. R.E. Hooper, who lived south of Stratton, had felt his call to the ministry and he began preaching in the Thyne School and held services Sunday mornings. A.G. Lovell held a revival for the small church in the little school house in November 1919. This meeting brought out people from town. The people were in the process of starting a building fund to build a church. On December 6, 1919, a business meeting was held at the Thyne School for the purpose of deciding as to the wishes of the congregation in regard to building a new chapel and such other business as might be considered. The motion was made and carried that the church be built in Stratton. Will Sweangen was elected President of the Building Committee and R.E. Hooper was elected as SecretaryTreasurer. Pledges were taken and totaled $1850.00. Those who pledged were Mr. and Mrs. D.B. Sealock. Mr. and Mrs. H.D. Thomas, Mr. and Mrs. Joe Garner, Rev. and Mrs. R.E. Hooper, Mr. and Mrs. Will Sweangner, Will Sealock, Mr. and Mrs. D.B. Thomas, Laura Sweangen and Merlin McNees. Lots were purchased at the site of the present church buiding. The money was raised by pledges of money and articles from the farm. Some gave horses, cattle, chickens, machinery or whatever they could give which was sold at a public sale. The balance of the money needed was borrowed from an individual. The money was borrowed from a man 1923. T. Wade Good followed him and was with the church until 1926. Rev. Good supported himself one year during his pasto- rate in order for the church to pay off their debt. In 1934 Rev. R.E. Hooper returned to pastor the church again. The church purchased a parsonage and the Hoopers moved into it. It was located in the block south of the present parsonage. During his pastorage the church was remodeled and a full basement put under the church. Rev. and Mrs. C.W. Baldwin came to the church when the Hoopers left. The Church sold their parson- age and purchased the Hasart house which is still used as a parsonage. It has been remodeled since then. In 1945 the furnace smoked filling the church with thick black oil webs. The ladies of the church cooked meals and the men and women came in to clean away the heavy black smoke. They were very thankful that the church did not burn. In the early 1950's the church basement was enlarged to make ready for an enlarged sanctuary. In the middle fifties a building fund was started for a new church building. A God's Acre project was promoted one year when different farmers in the church gave a few acres of crop to the building fund. There was a drouth during this period and the amount of money raised was small. Kenneth Scheierman then offered to give up the lease on a quarter of land he was farming which belonged to Baughman's. The church rented it and farmed for the Building Fund. This proved to be a big boost to the Building Fund. During one year of this time, the income from the land had to be used to pay the current church expenses, Pastor Harold Taves and his brother-inlaw fished in Canada each summer and when they came home, they would have a fish fry 1923-1926, J.N. Richardson 1927-1930, W.B. Morgan 1930-1932, David Lighty 1932-1934, R.E. Hooper 1934-1943, C.W. Baldwin 19431947, S.C. Ritchhart 1947-1948, E.C. Arthur 1948-1952, Fred Bruner 1952-1958, Harold Taves 1958-1959, Merrill Smith 1960-1968, Wilbert Nelson 1968-1973, Merrill Cunningham 1973-1978, Wayne Woodworth 19781980, Donald L. Bloomer 1980-1987, Merrill Smith 1987-. by Mabel Scheierman SAINT CHARLES BORREMO CHURCH T368 Even before 1900, Franciscan priests from St. Elizabeth's Church in Denver served as missionaries for communities in East Central Colorado. In 1909, the Franciscans turned these missions over to the Diocese of Denver. Bishop Matz assigned Monsignor Godfrey Raber and his assistants to serve the many missions in the area. In Stratton, Mass was usually held once a year in the hall over the old bank (now the Roadrunner). Priests who came to Stratton during the years of 1909 and 1912 included: R. Charles Hagus, Fr. Cloppet, Fr. Felix Abel, Fr. George Fenske, and Father Alphonse Kieffer. In 1910, a committee was formed to raise funds and build a church. Leo Craig was appointed chairman by Fr. Raber. O.S. Taylor and C.E. Malamphy also served on the committee. Members of the parish contributed funds, labor by constructing the basement, and items to furnish the church. A Mr. Leofflor, who was not a Catholic, donated the land. The Catholic Church Extension Society donated $500 and an altar. A local builder, Mr. Huntington, was hired as the contractor. The cornerstone of the first St. Charles Church edifice was laid on November 17, 1910. Planks placed on nail kegs served as pews. Mass was then held once a month. In May 1912, Rev. George Fenske was appointed pastor of St. Charles and its missions, which at that time included Hugo, Burlington, Kirk and Seibert. Due to Fr. Fenske's illness, Rev. Alphonse Kieffer was appointed pastor in 1913. He first lived in one of the Sacristies in the church and ate his meals with the Ollie Taylors, who lived across �to travel on because ofthe ruts than were the side roads through the prairie. The Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Dubuque, Iowa arrived in September of 1919, and taught school in Stratton for the next eight years. Sister Mary Charles Duffy was the first directress. She became ill with the flu and died here on March 21, L920. She taught the upper grades and was an artist. Sister Mary Loyola was the next directress. Sister Mary Arangelia Duffy taught music for the eight years and gave individual violin lessons in the kitchen. Sister Mary Therese was the teacher for the lower grades. Sister Mary Agnes was the cook for the school and for Fr. Schmidt and the caretaker. She used a coal stove. Clara Knockel recalled sitting with her feet on the oven door to get warmed up. Other teachers included: Sister Mary Clara, Sister Mary Annunciata, and Sister Mary Juliana. Three lay teachers also worked during the last few years this particular order of sist€rs were here. Miss Mary Horrell (later Mrs. Joe Dvorak) taught the 5th, 6th, and 7th grades, in 1924-25 for 925.00 per month. Miss Grace Comerdy taught the first and second grades one year, and Miss Lucille Wisco the 5th, 6th and 7th grades in L926-27. This was the last year that the Presentation sisters cnme to St. Saint Charles Borremo Church built in 1910. Charles. In 1920, the cornerstone was laid for the St. Charles Academy. The initial cost of the building was $42,000, but the total cost was eventually $125,000 due to the accumulated interest. This was a controversial project from the beginning. It was commonly agreed that a larger school was needed. Some people felt that an academy where girls from the surrounding area could board and room would help develop the parish. Other people felt that this was too ambitious a goal. Once the decision was made, however, many people St. Charles Catholic Church built in 1949 replacing their first structure. The new Parish House and Religious Center built in 1983. replaced Father Kieffer. One of Fr. Schmidt's accomplishments was extending the church to the east in 1918, the new part being the Sanctuary. In 1919, Fr. Schmidt moved into the little white house so the Sist€rs could live and conduct school in the rectory. The south half of the rectory was for the upper grades. The lower grades were taught in the adobe addition. The adobe had double seats with three to a seat. There was a well with a windmill, also a cistern northeast of the The two story brick rectory built in 1915. the street to the west. With his own money, Fr. Kieffer built a little white house, approximately where the church stands today. This little one story house was moved, in later years, to the southeast of the church, but still in the same block, and the caretakers for the church property lived in it. At one time, George Quinn was one of the caretakers. In 1915, the two story brick rectory was built. An adobe addition was later added on the east side. Fr. Kieffer had his office in this addition, with a bedroom upstairs. He had to go outside and up the staircase to reach his bedroom. The adobe also had a cellar under the porch. In 1917, Father Felix Schmidt rectory. Sister Marie Therese would pull out a bucket of water and the students would all line up to get a drink after dinner. In the winter, since there was not much heat in the adobe, the students would take turns standing where the heat came into the room, holding their books to study all the while. Some children c'me by horse and buggy; some walked. Josephine, Alice and Anthony Walker walked eight miles to school when they couldn't catch a ride. The Knockel pledged funds. Unfortunately, a period of drought and hard times followed, forcing many to leave their land and move away, leaving the debt on those members of the parish who remained. Father Munich arrived in 1921. During the 1928-29 school years, the children attended public schools, and Father Munich conducted religious classes in the church each Saturday morning after Mass. Clara Knockel wrote that after Father Munich was sure individuals among older children knew their Iessons he would have them help with the lower classes. Miss Knockel would go up front and ask the lst, 2nd, and 3rd grade girls their catechism. Helen Weibel (later Mrs. Joe Bunger) was sent up to ask the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd boys their catechism. The Sisters of the Most Precious Blood from O'Fallon, Missouri taught school from September 1929 to May of 1960 when St. Charles.Academy was closed due to a shortage of teaching sisters. Sister Mary Walburges was the first Superior. Sister Mary Geraldine taught music. She had been on the stage in Europe before she became a num. Other sisters from that order who taught during these years included Sister Madeline, Sister Christine Marie, Sister Virginia, and Sister Aurelia who also taught piano to many children had to travel seven miles to school. Miss Clara Knockel remembered that the driver would put the top down on their Ford so that it could go faster. She recalled the time of a blizzard and two of the sisters wrapped her up in their shawls for the ride young men and women. Father Munich served St. Charles parish until 1936, when he became ill. He died in Denver in 193?; Father Henry J. Ernst was appointed pastor in September, 1937. He became ill in 1946, and home. In bad weather the highway was harder Fr. George Spehar and Father Edward Dinan �each assisted in the interim. Father Dinan was later appointed pastor and served the parish for over twenty years. Due to the growth of the congregation, a larger church was needed, The cornerstone for the new church was laid on February 23, 1949. The church was dedicated on July 28, 1949. A large hall containing an auditorium, kitchen and dining facilities was built in 1952 and dedicated on Dec. 15th of that year. In 1983, the old St. Charles Academy was torn down because its state of deterioration made it an unsafe place to hold CCD classes. The rectory was replaced by a building which functions as both the parish house and the religious center. The new rectory was dedicated on June 19, 1983. Pastors since Father Dinan include: Fr. II. These members, wishing to continue to observe the teachings and practices of their God-given faith and also to be loyal to the 2000 year tradition of the Roman Catholic Church, sought out priests, who were loyal to 'eternal Rome'of St. Peter and his successors. to offer the Traditional Latin Mass, the Mass of the Saints. Father Placid White, O.S.B., the first resident priest, came to the area from Springfield, Colorado where he had served the Catholics of Southeastern Colorado for sixteen years. At present, Father Eugene R. Berry of Aurora, Colorado offers the Traditional Latin Mass on a scheduled basis at Our Lady of Fatima Roman Catholic Chapel, Stratton. by Joann Hornung Maclnerney, Fr. Bannigan, Fr. Sobiesczyk, Fr. Wm. Murphy, and Fr. Edward Leonard. Fr. John Krenzke is the priest in 1988. Boys from St. Charles who became priests were: Rev. Hugo Pautler, ordained in 1932, Rev. George Weibel, ordained in 1948, and Rev. John Holloway, ordained in 1955. Girls from St. Charles who became nuns include: Barbara Wurtele, Mary Dvorak, Helen Wein- gardt, Augusta Weingardt, Elenora Byrnes, Kathleen Green, Mary Alice Isenbart, and Marcia Grasser. Early families in the parish include the Anthofer, Balanga, Brachtenbach, Brock, Dischner, Dvorak, Evans, Fierstein, Flageolle, Ford, Heiman, Horrell, Hahn, Taylor, Jostes, Knockel, Leoffler, Wm. Nowak, Paut- ler, Pelle, Quinn, Schiferl, Simon, Stoffel, Strick, Walker, Thomas, Thyne, Weibel, Weingardt, Wolf, Zurcher, and Thomasen families. Many descendants of these families are still active in the St. Charles parish and the Stratton community today. The history of this church were taken from materials written by Miss Clara Knockel in May of 1969, and a letter from Mr. Leo F. Craig in 1953, and personal conversations with Mr. Louis Pautler. by Elizabeth Whipple OUR LADY OF FATIMA CATIIOLIC CHAPEL T369 Int974,a group of Roman Catholics joined together because of the radical changes caused by the 'so called' reforms of Vatican Our Lady of Fatima Roman Catholic Chapel near Stratton. ST. PAULS LUTHERAN CHURCH T370 St. Pauls Lutheran Church was built in L92L. In 1949 the congregation purchased the Nazarene Church which had abandoned services in Stratton. St. Paul Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod, was started in Stratton by the Flagler Church as their mission church. Their pastor, Rev. Beirwagen came and gathered several families together for worship. In 1920 they organized into a congregation. The charter members came from the following families, the Wollers from Vona, Gaddys, Gerke, Pischke, and Lucas. They gathered in the John Gerke home for worship under the leadership of Rev. Vuesing, who interned here for one year. They were encouraged to build a house that could be used for a church. At that time they were a part of the Kansas District of the Missouri Synod. Funds were borrowed from the mission fund of the district and Mr. Joe Collins gave them the lots and helped them build their first house of worship. The church was dedicated in1922 free of debt as they had paid the loan off by that time. Their first Pastor was Rev. Webber. Next came Rev. and Mrs. Christ Adams. They stayed for a year and one half leaving due to health reasons. Rev. Biens came and stayed for a long time. During this time the church grew with the addition of the Grammol, Chris Zogg, Erth- man, Meyer, Einspahr, Scheierman, Mucho and other families. Later other families joined them from the Burlington area. They were the Lucke, and Seelhoff families. The Hasart family joined in the thirties along with others who cannot be recalled. In 1949 they traded their "house" for the church building of the Nazarene Church. The Nazarene Church wanted to sell their building but couldn't find a buyer prompting the trade for the house . . . Worship services were held there until 1979 when the congregation voted to fold due to declining membership. The Church building along with some of the contents was sold in 1980. Mr. Curt Jostes purchased the building converting it into a lovely home. The old bell went to Trinity Lutheran Church in Burlington. Mrs. Hilda Lucas is the only remaining charter member living at this time. by Hilda Lucas STRATTON UNITED METHODIST CHURCH T371 The Constitution and By-Laws of the Claremont Congregational Church were adopted March 10, 1888, when it was organized in the home of Mrs. Lucy Hobart. She and her daughter Clara were the only members. Rev. Martin H. Meade was a traveling pastor who came through and held services when he could. In 1889 a building fund was started. Rev. George E. Tuttle was the first resident minister, moving to Claremont on March 1, 1892. By July, 1896, when he left, there were 27 members, Some names that are familiar are Mr. and Mrs. N.H. Fuller, Mr. and Mrs. E.G. Davis, and Mr. and Mrs. Charles Wellman. Starting in the winter of 1896 services were held only once each month so the pastor could travel farther west and carry the message to more people. He served Seibert and Flagler, also. Rev. C.W. Smith then served Seibert, Flagler, Cope, and Kirk part-time and Clare- mont all of the time until March 1. 1901. Brother Peter Rasmussin of Cope preached a few Sundays at 3:00 p.m. until Rev. N.H. Nash came to Claremont on May 5, 1901, for a salary of $100 per year. His parish consisted of Cope, Seibert, Bethune, and Claremont. On March 1, 1903, Rev. F.S. Hughes became the preacher in this parish. On July 3, 1904, he preached his farewell sermon to the Claremont Church. Rev. J.W. Tipton of Burlington filled in until September 4, 1904, when Rev. J.L. Read was called to be the pastor for a salary of $200.00 per year plus a parsonage, which was bought from Mr. Book for $450. At that time the average Sunday service attendance was 36. In 1906 the members voted to take up a collection at each service to be used as needed for the church. On June 14, 1908, the name ofthe church was changed to the Congregational Church of Stratton as the town's name had been changed. The Methodists had built a basement and used it for a time but were no longer able to continue having a church in Stratton. So the Congregational Church bought this basement and built the First Congregational Church on it for a total cost of $2,012.69. During the next 14 years there were increases and decreases in membership, pastors came and went, and services were held when possible. Sunday School was held regularly and officers of the church were elected and active. On September 22, 1922, Rev. Barton, pastor ofthe Seibert Congregational Church, became pastor of the Stratton Congregational Church, also. His salary was $1,600 per year paid half by Seibert and half by Stratton. Rev. Barton resigned September 16, 1923. Several ministers c"me and delivered a sermon but did not want to serve two churches. On Novembet 24, L924, Rev. J.T. Bainbridge of the Methodist Church in Burlington came over and held a worship service at 2:30 p.m. He agreed to do this on �I i i : AA Iu ,,"-m Stratton United Methodist Church, 1988, one of the "Little White Churches of the Plains" On October L2, 193L, the trustees of the Congregational Community Church voted to lease the church building to the Evangelical Church for 925 per year, although no payment is recorded in the financial statements of the following years. At a special meeting held in 1942, the Stratton Congregational Community Church became the Stratton Evangelieal Church and the deed to the parsonage and church property was turned over to them. The parsonage was sold to Mrs. Anna Scheierman and the house on the corner of 3rd and Colorado Avenue was Community Congregational Church, now United Methodist Church at Stratton, t920-23. an irregular basis. Then from December 1, 1926 until May 1, 1927, Rev. Jockins of Idalia Methodist Church served as pastor for the Stratton Church with two services each month. In February L927, a fire broke out in the little room under the stairs in the basement of the church. Mr. Stoner repaired the damage to the building for 9266.35 but the organ had to be replaced. ' A special meeting was called on March 28, 1927, with Rev. Jockins presiding. Under consideration was the changing of the church to an Evangelical Community Church or, if that did not pass, changing it to the Stratton Congregational Community Church. The motion for the first change did not pass, but the one for the second name change did pass. On May 2, t927, Rev. Alfred Alf came to Stratton, with his wife and 2 daughters, to serve as the full time minister of the church. A new constitution and By-Laws were written and charter memberships were accepted until the end of May, 1927. Rev. Alf served in Stratton for about one year. Sunday School and other activities were continued after he left but no regular minister was assigned. A worship service was held only when a visiting minister could be available. The Evangelical Church rented the sanctuary and started having regular worship services on February 10, 1929, with a membership of 46. Rev. C.E. Glaze was the pastor. bought for a parsonage. In L946 the Evangelical Church merged with the United Brethern Church thus the Stratton Evangelical United Brethern Church came into being. At the annual meeting held on March 27, !947, the pastor, Rev. Erickson, presided. The following officers were elected: Marge Brown, secretary; Geneva Hill, treasurer; trustees, Elora Calverly and Russell Sawyer; class leader Adeline Sawyer; assistant, E.R. Smith; Sunday School Supt., Earl Kindred; 1st asst., Vena Scheierman; 2nd asst., Marge Brown; secretary, Dessie Cassity; Membershin cnm E R Smifh ond Elnro fa"l.'."|.' Tearing down the church steeple and remodeling the kitchen were discussed and referred to the Ladies Aid. During the next few months the church steeple was discussed but nothing was done about tearing it down. In April of 1948, a building committee was elected to start on plans for remodeling the church. Ernest Pottorff, Vena Scheierman. and Art Lowe were elected. A goal of g12,000 was set for this project. Rev. Francis Bayles, Jr. came to Stratton as the pastor in June, 1948. The Building Committee was instructed to get an architect to make plans for the remodeling. In September the plans were presented for the remodeling at an estimated cost of$8,100. 96,100 was on hand or pledged, $1,500 promised from Conference, 91,100 promised for new pews by the Ladies Aid, making a total pledged of $8,700. The committee was instructed to proceed with the remodeling as economically as possible. On March 3, 1949, the estimate of amount needed to complete the project $b,260. A campaign for more money was started and the Ladies Aid would help to make up the difference. Volunteers could be dependld to do some of the labor. A loan in the amount of $6,000 was secured so the building could be finished. On January 15, 1950 plans were started for the rededication of the remodeled building. The rededication was held on March 19, 19b0, with an all day celebration. The Reverend Virgil J. Lnmm came to Stratton in June, Lgl2,to be the pastor ofthe Stratton E.U.B. Church. At the Administrative Council meeting held in November, 19b2, the three pulpit chairs were given to the Bethune E.U.B. Church. At the November. 1953 Council meeting it was announced that Stratton's invitation to host Annual Conference had been accepted. The dates were May 26, thru May 30, 1954. Plans for beds. breakfasts, and transportation for some of the guests to stay in Bethune, Kirk, and Seibert were discussed. Some of the meals were to be served by the Ladies Aid in the Church or perhaps in the school lunch room. Because of this careful planning the whole affair was a great success. During the next years, under Rev. Lamm's strong leadership, the church grew in mem- bership and attendance. Helen Kerl was appointed church treasurer in March, 19bb. Money was always in short supply but with every-member canvasing and a firm understanding of stewardship the bills were always paid even if things were pretty close sometimes. With faithful giving and some sacrificial giving the financial position ofthe church slowly improved. In June, 1957, Rev. Lamm suggested that the membership was increasing and it was becoming necessary to acquire more space. It was reported that the property north of the church might be available. Also the parsonage was getting very rundown and inadequate. Extensive remodeling and improvement was needed. Building a new parsonage might be more economical than the work on the old one. On April 23, 1958, the Council voted unanimously to buy the property on the north side of the Church for $8.800. A letter was sent to every member and a special meeting was called to vote on buying this property.On May 7, 1958, the vote was 84 for buying it and 18 against. At that time the average attendance at Sunday School was 115. The cottage on this property was greatly needed to use as Sunday School class rooms. The cottagewas dedicated July27,19b8. The final payment on the property was made on Sept. 17, 1958 instead of on the due date which was June 1, 1960. During the summer and fall of 1961 several suggestions on a new parsonage or remodel- ing were investigated. On September 21, 1961, a special congregational meeting was called to vote on trading the current parsonage at the corner ofColorado and 3rd Ave. for Nusser's lots, north of the E.U.B. Cottage, and $4,000 cash. The vote was 19 yes and 18 no and the exchange was made. Guy Ancell was given the contract to build the new parsonage with a full basement for 917,000, not including the wiring and fixtures, about $500, as Max Toland had pledged to do the wiring. Financial statement for the building of the parsonage - Cash on hand $4,127; borrow $7,500; making a total of 917,500. In March it was voted to borrow the $6.?50- still �owed the Conference at 6 percent interest, served nearly 4 years (through June' 1983). Sunday evening 18, and prayer meeting 16. In June 25, 1964 Rev. V.J. Lamm was sent Niwot, Colorado moved to Stratton on July the District and Conference Mission Teams. Membership remained a little above 100 for these years. In June, 1982, Rev. Bingham accepted the Hotchkiss/Crawford charge in getting more youth and more young families into the church. On September 7, 1966, he reported an average attendance at Sunday Greenwood, having married Ernest Greenwood, a long time resident of this community. The Auxiliary received a charter in June, moved to Stratton and served the Stratton/Seibert parish until his death in November, 1982. Rev. Douglas Lewis served this parish on weekends from January, 1982, until in June, 1983, when he became the fulltime pastor until June, 1985 when he moved back to South Carolina. Rev. Marge Huffman was appointed to the Stratton/Seibert Parish in June, 1985. Great plans are being made for the Stratton United Methodist Church's Centennial Celebration The charter members were Ursula Fitzgerald, from the Stratton First National Bank at 5 percent interest and pay off the Conference loan. At that time the average attendance was: Sunday School 80, worship service 70, to Peetz, Colorado. Rev. David Finley of 28, L964. Two of his first concerns were School of 46.0 and worship service 46.5. October was designated as Church Loyalty Month to boost attendance' Dorothy Smith and Helen Karl were appointed to prepare a prospect list and implement it with a followup call. In 1967 the 3 churches in Stratton, Church of God, St. Charles Catholic Church, and E.U.B. Church, started working together on helping the migrants in the community. A Joint Conference meeting with Kirk, Bethune, and Stratton on September 19, 1967' was held and the members were reminded that as ofApril 23, 1968, our churches names would be changed to The United Methodist Church. The curriculum of the E'U'B. and These were good years for the Stratton U.M.C. with a strong Sunday school and youth program. The United MethodistWomen were very active with members serving on the western part of Colorado and is still serving there in 1988, but is now Rev. Doris In June, 1982, Rev. Eldon Shoemaker in May of 1988. by Belle B. Danforth Methodist Churches had been written to- gether for the last two years. District orientation groups were suggested. The mortgage on the parsonage was paid off and a celebration service was held on October 29, 1967. It was suggested that the church recognize the uniting ofthe two churches in an appropriate STRATTON AMERICAN LEGION POST way at the discretion of the pastor. Rev. Finley used part of his vacation to attend the Uniting Conference in Dallas. A new bulletin board was erected south of the church and was dedicated on May 12, 1968. The memorial fund was reserved for a new organ. During the next four years membership decreased slightly but attendance at Sunday school and worship service remained stable. New hymnals were purchased. In June, 1972, Rev. Charles M. Wood was assigned to the Stratton/Seibert Parish. The membership in Stratton was 137, with an average attendance in Sunday school of 56 and in worship service 64. New loudspeakers were installed. A memorial plaque was placed in the church and.a2 drawer file cabinet with lock was purchased to be placed in the parsonage. A Baldwin organ was bought from Hershberger, McCook, Nebraska, for $2,395. A new furnace with air conditioning cabinets was installed with air conditioning to come later if money were available. A Building Committee was elected to work on plans for an education building. In June, 1974, Rev. George Dagenakis was appointed as pastor for the Stratton/Seibert Parish. After much work and some disappointments, the work of the Building Committee finally paid off. The contract was let to Ezra Yoder and the building finished near the end of 1977 at a total cost of $65,000' The trustees signed a 6 month note at the Stratton First National Bank which was paid off in 4 months. The dedication and mortgage burning was cause for real celebration with Greeley District Superintendent Jon R. Nieves joining in this time of joy and thanksgiving. In July, 1978, Rev. Frank Harvey came to the Stratton/Seibert Parish on a temporary basis. Rev. Doris L. Bingham was appointed fn fhio norioh fhe firsf nf Sentemher end T'J72 STRATTON AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY T373 The American Legion post and the Auxilia- ry were named for the first two World War I veterans killed in service, Nagel-Rehms. 1926, with J.G. Ford, Commander, and G.E. Quinn, Adjutant, conducting the ceremony. Ada Hunt, Cora Janeway, Gladys Quinn, Jane Pugh, Margaret Epperson, Olive Bertch, Anna Quinn, Inez Ford, and Henrietta Barry. Meetings were held at the Collins Hotel sitting room. Later they moved to the homes where they pieced and tied quilts to sell. They moved to the present Legion Hall which was built in 1948 after World War II. Activities through the years have included having Capper's hospital equipment for community service and use, making and sending knee robes to Fort Lyons and the VA Hospital in Denver, sending cookies with Christmas gifts and a TV for use at Fort Lyons, buying and selling poppies to help the Disabled Veterans, sponsoring space for the library for several years, sponsoring a girl at Girls' State, and hosting Gold Mothers teas. The Gold Star Mothers were Elva Holloway, son Alfred; Nettie Taylor, son Vance; Carrie Wolf, son Frank; Clara Hoyda, son Chester; Esther Mclean, son Chester; Clara Doddridge, son Philip; Lula Hooper, son Floyd; Rosie Gray, son Kenny Hanson; Hilda Lucas, son Ernst. Each year we fix decoration for the departed veterans on Memorial Day. We have a three generation trio of ladies and members: Grace Greenwood, Vera Greenwood, and Karen Greenwood Eastland. Two generation members are Edith Fehrenbach and granddaughter Tanya Fehrenbach Taylor. Our meetings are held the third Wednesday of the month in the dining room of the American Legion Hall. by Lola Gramoll The home of Nagel-Rehms Post No. 138 since 1948 in Stratton. Application for membership to maintain a Post of the American Legion was granted to Stratton. Colorado on June 15, 1922, to be known as Nagel-Rehms Post No. 138. The name Nagel-Rehms was chosen to honor the first two men from this area who had lost their lives in World War I. After World War II the membershiP swelled with World War II veterans being eligible for membership. The old Midway Theatre building was purchased to maintain the Post. The present building was erected in 1948 and continues to be the center of much community activity as well as providing the Legion's home. The Post now has a membership of 86. by Ray Schifierl M.S.A. CLUB HISTORY T374 "M.S.A. Club was organized in 1933 by a group of sixteen Stratton ladies who sought by inspiring relationship and mutual ex- change of ideas to better themselves, their families and their community." The first of 54 scrapbooks has this rather stilted sentence to explain the beginnings of M.S.A. Club. The first meeting was held Oct. 3, 1933 with Helen Liebee presiding as President. The second meeting wae a tea honoring Mrs. A.G. Fish. President of Colorado State Federation of Women's Clubs. Topics that were discussed at that meeting were Hitlerism, Monetary standards, Inflation and the N.R.A.Code. Of these Inflation and Monetary Standards, are still timely as are many topics that the ladies delved into during the years with emphasis in 1987 on obsewing the Bicentennial Celebration of the America Constitution. Now bv Derusing through fifty-four year- �worthy projects - the Community Scholar- ship Fund, the Heart Fund, A.M. Cancer Fund, March of Dines, CARE, Stratton Swimming Pool, the Kit Carson County Carousel Restoration Fund, Deric Bauman Day, and a donation to the United Methodist Church Library in memory of the late Doris Peters in recognition of 28 years of faithful membership in the Club. Another project sponsored by the Club was the establishment of a City Library, Mrs. Dessie Cassity, Chairman of the library Committee will always be remembered for her tireless efforts in finding a suitable building, soliciting financial support from the town, promoting the donation of books and securing the services of the Bookmobile beginning April 7, 1959. In 1968 the Club bought a set of Encyclopedia Brittanica for the Library. Much credit should be given to other members who supported the Library or served on the Board including the late Doris Peters who dedicated so much of her time as Librarian. When the Stratton Public Library MSA Club, the sponsoring organization for this book. Back row, left to right: Marie Greenwood, Shirley Hornung, Mabel Scheierman, Patty Witzel, Wanda Sweet, Florence McConnell. Middle row: Marlyn Hasart, Henrietta Schlte, Belle Danforth, Betty Stewart, Dorothy Smith, Dorothy Stegman, Eileen Cure. Front row: June Pottorff, Sharon Todd. books and scrapbooks we can recall that the M.S.A. Club has promoted a great variety of programs and projects such as Guest Night, Mother's Day Teas, Husband's Parties, reports from Columbine Girls State which the club helped sponsor, Safety programs, Energy Saving and Community Beautification programs, reports from 4-H Club members some of whom were delegates to the Citizen's Short Course in Washington D.C., talks by Foreign Exchange Students, a demonstration bythe County E.W.L., Ambulance Director, high school parties up to the year 1948 when we changed to honoring the High School Senior Girls with a dinner and evening of entertainment, In 1971, a program, arranged by Dorothy Smith and open to the public, featured a guest speaker, Mrs. Galla- gher, the Director of Ridge Home. Other outstanding programs have been "History of Early Pioneers", the Colorado water situation, Child abuse, Keep America Beautiful, Living with a Handicap with Irene Armistead, a paraplegic, as guest speaker; lawyer who explained the legal processes of estates and wills; The administrator of a Nursing Home, Hugh O'Brian Reports; Organ Donors; Reports on National Conventions; and County Nurse on Sex Education in the schools. In 1946, the Club entertained the other Clubs of Pikes Peak District with a pageant of Colorado History, using original script written and directed by the members with Oct. 26th, and are preserved in the scrapbook for that year. On Oct. 22, 1983 the Club celebrated its Golden Anniversary. Several State and District officers attended as well as former members. and members of other Federated Clubs. A history of the Club was read as well as letters from former members. One former member who was 96 years old that year is still keeping in touch with the Club at the age of 100 years in 1987. M.S.A. has had many outstanding pro- grsms and special speakers. On February 19, 1974 the club hosted a group ofboys from the Colorado Boy's Ranch, LaJunta, Colorado. After partaking of a scrumptious supper, the boys favored the club with a musical program and Indian dances for which they are famous. This program was open to the public. In 1977, Jo Downey, Executive Director of East Central Council of Governments, gave a program on Housing and Community Beautification. Other enjoyable programs were on poetry by Bonny Gould, Art by Roy Duell, Hummell Collecting by Frank Liebl, Doll Collecting and repair by Naomi Allison of Greeley and Oil Painting by Sally Bauder of Burlington. One of the most enduring projects of M.S.A. Club is Stratton's City Park established in 1939 with tremendous physical effort from members and their husbands who carried water to nourish the trees. This site is an attractive addition to Stratton and the many tourists who use its shade and ameni- correlating background scenery. In 1947, the ties each year. The public swimming pool and tennis courts are there. Now a part ofthe city many of the organizations in Town participating and competing for prizes. government's responsibility. M.S.A. is very proud of the latest improvement, the delightful gazebo provided with lottery money. The Club has made a number of donations to the San Juan National Forest in the name of bereaved members. They have also contributed to many health drives and other Club put on a Talent Show Contest with In 1958-59, The Club celebrated its Silver Anniversary. The past presidents were contacted and the letters which they wrote constitute history in themselves. These letters were read at a special Guest Night on outgrew the small downtown building, the club supported the city of Stratton in its mandating of efforts to establish new quarters and develop greater use of the town's facility. M.S.A. Club chose sodding of the area and some floral plantings surrounding the historical site, once the Seventh Day Adventist Church, as its major contribution to this project. As M.S.A. Club members as well as Stratton Public Library board officers, Belle Danforth and Dorothy Smith have been closely involved in this endeavor. In order to finance their activities the Club has had many money making projects. For the last seven years it has compiled and sold Community Calendars to the people in the Stratton Community. Birthdays, anniversaries and community and sports events are recorded on the calendars. During the years, the members have been actively involved in the pursuits of the District and the State Federation of Women's Clubs. M.S.A. Club has always taken its turn at being convention hostess club. Several members have served as State Chairman of various departments. Four members have held the office of Pikes Peak District President - Manda J. Borders about 1950. Mabel Scheierman in 1964-66, Florence McConell in 1972-74, and Shirley Hornung in 1976-78. Many awards have been received at District and State Conventions including ribbons on our scrapbooks. Others have been environmental undertakings and several years the Club was cited for collecting the most cancelled stamps. In 1982 they received the Sears Community Improvement Award. One member, Dorothy Smith, was sponsored by the Club as the Colorado Mother of the year 1973 and was honored by the Colorado Mother's Committee as a Colorado Merit Mother at a luncheon in Denver April 21, t973. In 1982, the Club nominated Whitney Hornung, daughter of member Shirley Hornung, as teenage volunteer of the year. Another community project was the preservation of the old bell and belltower taken from the recently demolished old brick school building and placed in front of the new elementary school building where it was dedicated during the Stratton Day-Homecoming celebrations Oct. 8, 1983. The most recent large project sponsored by M.S.A. CIub with members Marilyn Hasart �November and December being combined through the years 1962 ending in October and Dorothy Smith as co-chairman, is the monumental task of gathering and compiling a History of Kit Carson County to be published in 1988 in celebration of the 1966. In the following years they have gone back to March through October meetings. They have enjoyed lessons on many garden subjects led usually by a club member. They have toured gardens in the community and have had some interesting field trips to other gardens and green houses from Goodland, Kansas to Denver. Colorado. county's century of development. Past Presidents: Helen Liebee 1933, Winnie Bradshaw 1934, Genevieve Murfin 1935, Florence Cavey 1936, Mary Evans 1937, Gladys Herburger 1938, June Scofield 1939, Ellora Calverley 1940, Gertrude Rose 1941, The Club promoted flower growing and Dessie Cassity 1942, Leona Stapp and June Scofield 1943, Polly Thiringer 1944, Gladys Herburger 1945, Myrtle Hanley 1946, Marie Greenwood 1947, Manda Borders 1948-49, Mabel Guy 1950, Lucile Lepper 1951, Mary Anne Bradshaw 1952-53, Dorothy Smith 1954-55, Mabel Scheierman 1956-57, Lucile Lepper 1958-59, Eleanor Proctor 1960-61, Betty Miller 1962-63, Doris Peters 1964-65, Florence McConnell 1966-67, Wanda Sweet 1968-69, Helen Mclean 1970, Dorothy Smith 1971, Doris Peters 1972-73, Mabel Scheierman 197 4-75, Belle Danfofih L976-77 , Eileen Cure 1978-79, Dorothy Smith 1980-81, Florence McConnell 1982-85, Patty Witzel 198688. by Marie Greenwood STRATTON GARDEN CLUB T375 The Stratton Garden Club was organized in 1957 fulfilling the dream of Mrs. Dessie Cassity. Mrs. Cassity had visited friends and relatives who were members of a Garden Club and her keen interest in gardening prompted Stratton Garden Club soon after organizing: Left to right: Mabel Scheierman, Helen Mclean, Dessie Cassity, Belle Pottorff, Edith Malone, Gladys Kerl, Cora Hansen, Marge Brown. her to action. She invited a group of ladies to her home on June 19, 1957. She also invited members of the Burlington Garden Club to give direction in the organization of a Garden Club for Stratton. The Club began after that meeting with Mrs. Cassity as its first president. The CIub elected to not become a federated Garden Club because ofthe reports and emphasis on items that were not of interest to them. Dues could be kept at a lower figure and Mrs. Cassity wanted women to belong. Gladys Kerl, Louise Smith and Mabel Scheierman became members in that first year. Helen Kerl was an Associate Member for a number of years in the beginning of the organization. The three ladies who became members that first year have been members of the club all through its 30 years of existence. The Club year begins in March and ends with an enjoyable early Christmas party held in the month of October. The Club held monthly meetings the entire year except for arranging by holding flower shows in its first years of existence. In 1957 they had a flower arrangement show in connection with Stratton Day. They gave three prizes; first of $1.50. second of 750 and a ribbon to the third place winner. Mrs. Marie Greenwood won the first prize, Mrs. Heiman won second and Mrs. Marge Brown the ribbon. The Club has had many projects to beautify its community. They had a very lovely flower bed in the city park and also a flower garden around the flag pole at the old grade school. They planted evergreen shrubs at the new school and donated for landscaping at the High School. They have made donations to Stratton Library, the swimming pool, and Christmas decorations for the town. They helped the Rotary Club in donating in the Park for Christmas. They have been faithfully donating to the Stratton Community Scholarship Fund. They have made floats for many Stratton Day parades and have won money several times. Several years they took Christmas goodies to the elderly and shutins. They have had art shows which included not only flowers but quilts and other types of hand work. Stratton's observance of Colorado's Centennial on August 1, 1976, was spearheaded by Stratton Garden Club. Deceased members have had living memo- rials placed in Stratton City Park and the United Methodist Church yard in Stratton. This Club has not been a money making club. In all of its 30 year existence it has probably only had one big money making project. by Mabel Scheierman IF AN ABSTRACT COULD TALK! T376 Studying abstracts for several properties in our search through Stratton history revealed the wealth of history one could glean from an abstract if given time. The excitement of acquiring a piece of land, the struggle to keep its expenses currently paid, the taxes espe- cially, the regrets and sorrows that were attached to letting it go into other hands or the thankfulness of getting it off one's own hands . . . it is all written between the lines. This is the "story" told by the abstract of the oldest building in Stratton today: the one at the southeast corner of Colorado and Main which today houses the D.G. Liquors and Stratton Garden Club members on a June 20, 1985, tour of the Denver Botanic Gardens and the Governor's mansion: Standing, I to r: Kenny and Mabel Scheierman, Dorothy Flageolle, Dorothy Smith, Karen Topp, Marge Brown, Charlene Garner. Middle row: Doris Gulley, Eileen Cure, Laurine Schiferl, Gladys Kerl, Helen Kerl, Marie Greenwood, Louise Smith. On floor: Lib Boone, Joyce Clark, Belle Danforth, June Pottorff. Roadrunner Cafe and Bar. Built in 1908 or 1909, Stratton has been a town for several years and most buildings built to that time had been frame construction. Fires destroyed blocks of the town during that period of time, so no earlier building remains. Kit Carson County was yet Elbert County and had not resolved the Morton vs. Kit Carson County naming choice when the � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource History of Kit Carson County Description An account of the resource Brief historical stories and elements from the founding and recent history of Kit Carson County, Colorado. Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Book Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Stratton Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 1988 Subject The topic of the resource history Description An account of the resource A history of the Town of Stratton as recorded in the book History of Kit Carson County. Type The nature or genre of the resource text Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Salmons, Janice Hasart, Marlyn Smith, Dorothy Language A language of the resource English Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. History of Kit Carson County Volume 1 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource text/pdf Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Curtis Media Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/</a> https://kccarchives.cvlcollections.org/files/original/16/429/Stage_Routes_and_Trails.pdf 58073161ad732d6c7daaa326497c1d74 PDF Text Text such environment would be classed as a StnoKey Hfrl .l4Bice Salmans Vona, Colo. tenderfoot. rral-r Besides that, he had been in a run-away. Let's let his companion, Albert Richardson, tell us about it: "Descending an abrupt hill, our mules, terrified by meeting three savages, broke a line, ran down a precipitous bank, upsetting the coach, which was hurled upon the ground with a tremendous crash and galloped away with the fore-wheels. I sprang I I Krt Carson Serbert Fort 8.1 HauLhorne SPrlngs out in time to escape being overturned. From a mass ofcushions, carpet sacks and blankets soon emerged my companion (Greeley), his head rising above the side of the vehicle like that of an advertising boy from his frame of pasteboard. Blood was flowing profusely from cuts in his cheek, arm and leg, but his face was serene and benignant as a May Morning. "He was soon released from his cage and taken to'Station 17', a few yards beyond, where the good woman dressed his wounds. "Spent the night at'Station 17'. As usual we slept in the coach which vibrated in the strong prairie wind, rocked like a cradle." LosL SPrinqs Now anyone in a run-away with mules as motive power would not be held accountable o for some time to come afterwards-what he K1t carson Hill said, did, or wrote. So perhaps we should take these statements he made at this time with a couple of grains of salt. We have given you an over-all picture of this trail. Now, let's get down to the local scene and trace it more specifically. ttl .,\,cfrl qnrindc Zce 'r I ) a I Smokey Hill Trail a - I SouLh Fork RepubJ ican Rrver When the route left Beaver Creek near Ludell, Kansas, it went over a high divide in a northwesterly direction, entering Nebraska at a point 76.26 chains (305 rods) west from the southwest corner of Section 35, Township L North, Range 34 West, thence going down a long draw or creek, 8 or 10 miles, coming to the Republican River in Section 28, Township 2 North, Range 35 West, then up the river about a mile where Station 18 was located in Hitchcock County about one mile from its west border, a short distance from where Indian Creek comes down from the northwest on the north side ofthe river. This was about twelve miles below The Forks. Then it followed the river up past The Forks and re-entered Kansas at a point 9.65 LEAVENWORTH AND PIKES PEAK EXPRESS ROUTE Tt34 "On this route there is no poisonous or alkaline water, nor sagebrush, two peculiarities and disadvantages of the Santa Fe route. There is no sand except in one body of 40 miles in extent and this is along the Republican with plenty of water, timber and grass at hand. Now we wish to present some of the merits ,f this route and later on the reason for its ,bandonment. "They further say that the region which they have just traveled is the best grass country in the West, that there is an abun- The Leauenworth Tirnes of April 3, 1859, dance of water and timber for emigrants and that in these respects it is far superior to the rublished the following account of two nembers of the surveying party: i'hursday afternoon Messers. Ewbank and )owning, two experienced mountaineers and ,ld Californians, returned from the reconraissance upon which they with others, had reen dispatched by Jones and Russell of the )verland Express. Their statements are clear nd explicit and most effectively put an end o all outside caviling as to the wisdom and oresight of the company in adopting a route rhich they pronounced unequalled for the equirements of travel, and of which the oaximum distance is not to exceed much ,ver 500 miles from Leavenworth to Denver )ity. Platte route." This does not exactly coincide with Horace Greeley's statement that we mentioned in our previous article, where we quoted him as saying: "For more than a hundred miles back, the soil has been steadily degenerated until here, where we strike the Republican River, we seem to have reached the acme ofbareness chains (39 rods) west from the southeast corner of Section 31, Township 1 North, Range 37 West, and continuing up the South Fork to Section 34-1-39 where Station 19 was Iocated. The above information about the trail from Station 17 to Station 18 and on to Station 19 we have obtained from our good friend, E.S. Sutton of Benkelman, Nebr. Mr. Sutton and Mr. Carmody found the site of Station 19, there being part of a sod enclogure 100 by 103 steps and trenches that were still visible in 1940 when they made their investigation. The survey on the Kansas-Nebraska line was made in 1859 shortly after the trail was established and the surveyors made mention of it, both where it entered and left Nebraska as the "Jones and Russell Wagon Road to Denver City." As to the exact location ofthe trail up the South Fork was somewhat uncertain we and desolation. I could match this station and its surroundings against any other scene on decided to see if by checking the surveyors' field notes we could obtain some definite our continent for desolation." But we must remember that Horace Greeley had been brought up in the East where there were lots of trees and timber, that he was a city dude, and coming out West from information. The results were very gratifying. Cheyenne County was surveyed in 1873, the township lines in 1872. The surveyors made note of crossing this trail 50 times in laying out the �section lines up and down the river and only four times did they fail to make mention of it. from South Benkelman, Highway 61 crosses the old trail, a little over one half mile (184 rods) south of the state line. In the Asa Clapp and John Ramsey neighborhood, it entered Section 30-1-38 102 rods east from 4 the northwest corner of said section and left it 80 rods south from said corner. By the E.S. Carman place it crossed the section line between Sections 17 and 20-2-39, east 215 rods from the northwest corner of Section 20, 56 rods east of the river where it was then. By St. Francis, the road that crosses the railroad tracks going north past the old stockyards, crosses the trail 8 rods south of the corner where the road turns west. The trail went in a southwesterly course from there and was west from the power plant beyond the old railroad grade. It went where the old railroad grade was made or very close to it on up to the old Benkelman Ranch and passed just a jew rods north of the old building site in Section Ll-4-41and where the present buildings are. The so-called Burnham bridge further up the river is where the trail once went. The river was further west at the time of the t survey. ,q -al -J^ g a E !r ,+ I $g ?r, at :6 'd, It crossed Battle Creek about 40 rods north + of Section 29-4-4L, crossed a dry creek or I : z 0,) ? q Io a )q' B o ?/ z ' : ! s.' , 3 C z Iq o +o! \r+ , r t J o z z E I o c u I .{ z o went up to higher ground, continuing sou- thwesterly and westerly for six to eight miles before getting back to the river. One day in January, through the courtesy and guidance of George Homm, an old-time rancher in that locality, we were able to locate the view the old wagon track of said trail. In Section 25, Township 5 South, Range 44 West, they can be seen dimly, but in Section 35-5-44 they can be seen as plain as day; in t ! draw 30 rods northeast of the stone house on the Sheldon place, went midway between the old Jacqua store and the section line corner south, crossed the Kansas-Colorado line at a point 66 rods south of the northwest corner of Section 4-5-42 a few rods south of the remains of the old lra Whipple place on the state line and thence on up the river valley pastHale and BonnyDam in southeastYuma County, Colorado, continuing on up the river from there. It continued up the river in much the same manner until it reached Landsman Creek, or as some called it Launchman. It followed this creek upstrerm about a mile or more then I r'l o i I fact, they can be seen a half mile away. It's quite interesting to view some of the old markings left by those early travelers who o I : t 3 o <l t 2l o o{ I I .*"t; Leavenworth & Pike's Peak Express Route 1859 4 blazed trails through what was then a wilderness. Installment 4 One can't help but stop and think ofThe hopes and aspirations that caused them to press forward to an unknown goal. The hardships and suffering they encountered along the way. The heartaches and disappointments that overtook so many ofthem before reaching the journey's end, some falling by the wayside, caused by hunger and thirst, some overtaken by the wintry blasts that swept the plains and freezing to death by the lack of shelter, and others slain by some foe they could not defend themselves against. One cannot help but think of these things when one beholds the markings of the old �trails. Contrast that with the comfort we have today in going from place to place. May we verify the above statement by quoting from some writings of men who were participants in this trail blazing drama of crossing the plains, almost a century ago. But first let us get the setting where some of this took place, and the reason for the suffering and privation that overtook these travelers, who had set out to cross the plains, in their quest for gold, or for a more comfortable living than they had 'back home' in some of the eastern states. Many of whom never reached their destination, but perished along the way. First, let us quote from the field notes of E.D. Boyd, chief engineer for the L. and P.P. Express Company: "Station 22, (supposed to have been \Vz miles northwest of Seibert, Colo.) on the south bank of the Republican; large spring in bed of river which sinks immediately below. "Since first striking the Republican our course has been nearly parallel with it and our which we descended, seeming no more than two miles away. At last we struck the old trail from Santa Fe to Salt Lake, rode a mile along the dry bed of Cherry Creek, and at eight this eleventh morning, reached Denver City." Horace Greeley wrote the following in his diary: "Here is 'Station 22,' and here are a so called spring, and one or two considerable pools, not visibly connected with the sinking river, but doubtless sustained by it. "And here the thirsty men and teams which have been 25 miles without water on the road, are met by those who have come up the longer and more southerly route by the Smoky, who have been traveling 60 miles since they last had water and shade. "The Pike's Peakers from the Smoky whom I have met here, have driven 60 miles at one stretch, the time required being two days and the intervening night. From this point westward, the original road nearly level. Smoky Hill route is abandoned for the one we have been traveling, which follows the Republican some 25 miles further." "For the last 23 miles there has been no wood or water, but grass is good. "The Smoky Hill routc comes in from the southeast. Then beyond there"A ride over the rolling divide of some 20 miles brought us to the'Big Sandy,'running southeast to become a tributary to the "The South Fork of the Republican comes in from the southwest." Now quoting Albert D. Richardson, writer for the Boston Journal, and traveling companion of Horace Greeley, on their trip over the Leavenworth and Pike's Peak Trail, from his book, Beyond the Mississippi: "June 3, 1859, met several Indian villagers, their ponies drawing lodge poles on their backs. "Passed hundreds ofemigrants. Spent the night at Station 21 (a few miles above Bonny Dam). June 4th. We still follow the Republican which at one point sinks abruptly into the earth, running underground for twenty miles and then gushing up again. "After riding twenty-five miles without seeing a drop of water, at Station 22, we crossed the Smoky Hill route which, from a point far south of ours, abruptly turns northward across the Republican to the (South) Platte. "Emigrants who have come by the Smoky Hill tell us they have suffered intensely, one traveling seventy five miles without water. "Some burned their wagons, killing their famished cattle and continued on afoot. "We are still on the dessert with it soil white with alkali, its stunted shrubs, withered grass, and brackish water. End of day's journey." "June 5th. At daybreak, Pike's Peak, more than a hundred miles away, appeared dim and hazy on the horizon and we began to feel the inspiring breath of the mountains. "Our dining station was Station 25. Towards evening Pike's Peak loomed up grandly in the south west, wrapped in its ghostly mantle of snow. In the northwest Long's Peak was sharply defined against a mass of ominous black clouds. "Supped at Station 26, we made a comfortable bed in the coach, and rolled on at the rate of seven miles an hour, slept quietly through the night. "June 6. Woke at five, still in motion, and obtained a glorious view of the mountains, their hoary peaks covered with snow and their base, thirty miles across the vallev into Arkansas. "Like the Republican it is sometimes a running stream, sometimes a succession of shallow pools, sometimes awaste of scorching sand. In the course of the 20 miles or so that we followed up its northern bank, I do not remember of any willow or paltry cottonwoods. I recollect only that the grass at intervals along its narrow bottoms seems a little better than on the upper course of the Republican." Unquote. Installment 5 This portion of the Smoky Hill route and on west was called the 'Starvation Trail.' More people died on the Smoky Hill from hunger and thirst than Indian attacks. The following is taken from the Rocky Mountain Neus, as of May 7, 1859, explaining how the 'Starvation Trail' got its name: "Two footmen have just arrived via the Smoky route. They appear to have suffered severely from hunger and thirst. They report having passed some 10 or 15 bodies unburied and many graves. These men say the lived for nine days on prickly pears and a hawk." A pioneer train arriving in Denver about the same time reported: "We picked up three men who had given out and laid down to die ofhunger and thirst, having eaten nothing for four days, and brought them with us. "We traveled 150 miles without water, except for melting snow, which fortunately for us, fell twice during that time." Now quoting from another source: "The emigrants came in covered wagons, and on foot, even with push-carts and wheel barrows. "Poorly equipped and scantily fed, they braved the chilling winds, and the snow and mud of early spring in their eagerness to reach their goal, the desolate city oftents and cabins which were to become the'Queen City of the Plains.' "The Smoky, like the Oregon Trail, was lined with abandoned property, broken wagons, dead horses and oxen, and many unmarked graves." Here below is a story more gruesome yet than anv of the rest. as quoted from the Colorado Magazine, Volume 7: "Daniel Blue was rescued by the Arapahoe Indians and brought into'Station 25'in the early spring of 1859. "Statement of David Blue, late of Clyde Township, Whiteside County, Illinois, made this 13th day of May 1859, at the office of the Leavenworth and Pike's Peak Express Company, in the City of Denver" "We arrived in Kansas City on the 6th of March, taking the Smoky Hill route. Myself and eight others then continued on our journey, while the rest remained behind for the purpose of hunting buffalo. "Three or four days elapsed after the separation, when we lost our pack horse. Our stock of provisions was then very much reduced, and we packed whatever we had left and pushed onward. "After having traveled eight more days, two other members of the company left us. "Upon their leaving, our provisions became exhausted, and for ten days we lay still, endeavoring to kill a sufficient amount of game for our subsistence. "A few hares, ravens and other small game was, however, all that came within our reach. Our only firearm was a shot gun, all other arms having been thrown away in consequence of the weakness of their owners. "At the same time three others parted from us, with the intention of making for the nearest settlement for the purpose of securing relief to the remaining one-leaving but the three brothers, Blue, and a man by the name of Soleg, from Cleveland, Ohio-all of the part being very weak and nearly exhausted. "After a short effort to continue our journey we were again compelled to lay up, and the next day Soleg died from exhaustion and want of food. "Before he breathed his last he authorized and requested us to make use of his mortal remains in the way of nourishment. "We were then, I later learned, on Beaver Creek (should be East Bijou), one of the tributaries to the South Platte, and about 75 miles east of Denver. "After the consumption of Soleg's body, Alexander, my brother died, and at his request, we used a portion ofhis body for food on the spot, and with the balance resumed our journey towards the gold region. "We succeeded in traveling ten miles, when my younger brother, Charles gave out, and we were obliged to stop. For ten days we subsided on what remained of our brother's body, when Charles expired from the same causes as the others. "I also consumed the greater portion of his remains, when I was found by an Arapahoe Indian, and carried to his lodge, treated with great kindness, and a day and a half thereafter (that is on Wednesday, the fourth day of May) brought to the encampment of the Leavenworth and Pike's Peak Express Company's train, enroute to Denver City, under the charge of superintendent B.D. Williams, where I was received and taken care of, and left at Station 25, to recover sufficient strength for the continuance of my journey. "By direction of Mr. Williams, the second coaches that came along took up and brought me safely to this point free of charge." End of statement. In reviewing the statements made by the above mentioned persons-and comparing it with our lot in life as of todav-we certainlv �;1il"ffi ;:itrffi#il;'ru;ffi il'l,"Jl;iJil and our surroundings miserable. Nor to cuss and damn at the least provocation when everything is not coming our way. After all, most of us are not too bad off. Installment 6 If the detailed field notes of surveyor E.D. Boyd and his mileage chart and his descrip- tion of the terrain up the river is correct, 'Station 20'should have been in Section 304-4L on the old Charley Frodin place, about 4 miles from the Colorado line. Boyd's notes read: "Station 20, on bank of river. No trees. 1 mile west of dry run (dry creek) going northwest." The old wagon tracks can be seen on each side of the place, the south bank is 20 feet high or more and no trees ever were here. In section 25-4-42, they are very plainly visible, in some places, several tracks are to be seen side by side a foot or more deep. 'Station 21' was located 29.5 miles above 'Station 20,'and should be on or near the old Tuttle Ranch, somewhere around ten miles above Bonny Dam. A very dependable mail service was inaugurated by the Leavenworth and Pike's Peak Express in 1859 to Denver and points west. They charged a 25 cent fee above the regular postage charges for every letter delivered. Now we will let a mail clerk tell something about the mail service: "The post office was usually the first place emigrants inquired for. Then they could distinguish between mail and express. There wasl no mail opened on the road, of course. "The average time consumed in traveling across the plains was about thirty days; the stage made it in six and this naturally led the travelers to expect to hear from home immediately on arrival. "Our office was often the place of amusing incidents. Our patrons were continually trying to play smart tricks on us. Frequently they would return letters and demand the return of the money. At first we could not see through the trick. A letter that was not worth 25 cents to them after they had learned its contents, was almost sure to be brought back with the claim it was not their letter but was for someone elee of the same name. "We at first assumed everybody to be honest and conscientiously desiring that the right person should have his mail, we would . refund the money. But it was not long before we were paying out almost as much money as we were taking in and were loaded down with letters marked,'Opened by Mistake.' "We saw the necessity of changing our method ofdoing business, so, in case ofdoubt, when mail was called for, after questioning whence the expected mail, we satisfied ourselves (in case as a last resort a letter had to be opened to prove its identity) by opening it ourselves at the supposed owner'g request. "I remember, on one occasion, of opening a letter, that the applicant requested me to read a little of it and in that way he could tell if it was his. I did so. It commenced by saying: 'Dear Bill: Your wife has been raising hell ever since you left!" The man said,'Hold on, don't read no more-I think that's my letter.' He took it and paid for it and disappeared in the crowd which was constantly hanging around the window. "Another case of about the same character was a letter from some point in Iowa. It commenced by saying: 'My dear beloved #;'il-: Hi "::r"iT Ji:' *frXil1''iil,"l!,Ti the quarter and read the rest myself.'He took the letter and paid for it without any further public reading." The Marysuille Sentinel published this early-day item: "Traveling the hard way-two men passed through our town last Monday evening enroute to Colorado. They had their'grub' and effects packed in a wheel barrow and seemed determined to make the trip in good order. Both are stout, hale fellows and every mile or so they'change posish'-one walking along leisurely and the other giving motive power to the wheel banow. If they don't succeed and make their 'pile,' there is no virtue to perseverance." From the same paper we glean this com- ment about the styles ofthat day as expressed by a red man: orawn Dy rour mures or norses," These terms no doubt obligated Jones and Russell to adopt the road by way of the Platte regardless of their earlier preference for the shorter route by way of the Solomon and branches of the Republican. E.D. Boyd, surveyor and describer of the earlier route, had this to say: "If it had not been for Jones and Russell's connection with the Salt Lake City mail, the change would never have been made." A writer in the Leauenworth Herald of February 18, 1860, had this to say: "In the spring of 1859, Jones and Russell sent a corps of experienced men to view and mark out a route from Leavenworth to Denver City. To avoid crossing large streams, it was thought best to keep the divide between the Smoky Hill and Solomon Rivers on the south and the Republican on the north, and I doubt very hoop skirts on, he exclaimed: 'Ugh! Heap big much whether a better natural track for a road the same distance can be found in the United States than there was found to the head of the Solomon River. From that point wigwamt." the viewers had no guide other than their own "The other day, while a big Indian was calmly surveying a "white squaw'with large Some crossing the plains in the early days met up with such things they did not seem to appreciate too much. Here is the way one gave vent to his feelings about the'eats': "I loathe! Abhore! Detest! Despise! Abominated dried-apple pies. I like good bread; I like good meat, Or anything that's good to eat. But of all poor grub beneath the skies, The poorest is-dried-apple pies. Give me a toothache or sore eyes In preference to such kind of pies." Installment 7 The question may be asked, and rightly so, what caused the abandonment of the route up the Republican Valley? The gold rush to California and the Mormon migration to the valley of the Great Salt Lake increased the demand for improved mail service to those western communities. The first government contract for a regular overland mail service was made in 1850 with Sa-uel H. Woodson of Independence, Mo., who was engaged to serve the route between that frontier outpost and Salt Lake City by way of the Oregon Trail. This service was none too good, partly because of poor equipment, Indian raids, rough terrain and the Iengthy route. Several concerns had the mail contract for a short time. In April, 1858, a contract was made with John M. Hockaday of Independence for a weekly mail from St. Joseph to Salt Lake City by way of Fort Kearney and Fort Laramie. When Congress, early in 1859 failed to pass the customary appropriation for the support of the Post Office Department, the Postmaster General felt obligated "to review the existing mail service of the country with a view to its curtailment." It put J.M. Hockaday & Co., in a tight squeeze, causing them to sell their line. On May 11, 1859, Jones, Russell & Co., of the Leavenworth and Pike's Peak Express notion of the direction to Denver City. The course taken from that point was north of westwhich I presume was to strike the waters of the Republican as soon as possible, perhaps a mistake on the part of the viewers instead of going due west." The same writer goes onto say: "It became in the interest of the express company to move their coaches and stock to the Kearney route-not from choice of route as I under- stood from the agent-but they have purchased the contract for carrying the mail to Salt Lake City by Kearney, therefore, the express company changed the passenger route but retained the new route (Republican valley) for their heavier wagon trains in carrying stores, etc." By the above statement we draw the conclusion this route was used for some time. When the Kansas-Colorado state line was surveyed in 1872, the surveyors made this notation: "Cross wagon trail oftroops." So no doubt it was used at times by the troops, by buffalo hunters and others who had reason to follow the river. No doubt those who came up the river to locate a good site for the Benkelman Ranch came up this road and used it going up and down the river. In all probability, John Dunbar, W.W. McKay and John Goodenberger, who came up from Benkelman and located the site of the new town of Wano, traveled this road. The emigrants who were surrounded by Indians on Battle Creek and rescued by troops, undoubtedly traveled this road. The mail route from the Benkelman Ranch and on to the Tuttle Ranch used it, as well as ranchers who lived up and down the valley. Thus we have tried to give you a comprehensive account of the establishment of the Leavenworth Pike's Peak Stage Line Trail, its use, the terrain and condition of the country it traversed as it appeared to those who traveled across this trail almost a century ago, and the hardships and difficulties they encountered. Co., purchased the Hockaday contract which called for the transportation of the mail "from St. Joseph, Mo., by way of Fort Kearney, Nebraska Territory and Fort Laramie to Salt Lake City, Utah Territory, and back once a week in 22 days each way, at $190,000 per annum, the service to be performed in carriage or covered wagon, by Marsha C. Squires and Simon E. Matson �OLD STAGE COACH LINES tlargler, Nebraska; wray, uolorado; or statlons on tnrs route were dlscontlnued ln Cheyenne Wells, Colorado, an old railroad town. Most supplies came from Cheyenne Wells as that was the closest. 1860. In the early 1800's an old stage coach route angled across Kit Carson county from Haigler, Nebraska to Cheyenne Wells. Later the stage coach ran from Cheyenne Wells to Beloit then up to Columbia, a place east of Stratton, then north to Tuttle Post The price was 25 cents per hundred pounds with 4,000 pounds being the average load. In 1859 there was a stage coach route that passed through the county, following the north fork of the Smokey Hill River, known at that time as Boyds North Fork. At a point south and east of the present town of Flagler it crossed over to the north side of the Republican River and went northeast to one of its stations, known as Boyd's Station #22, which was between Crystal Springs and Flagler. This route to Denver was used only a little over a year, as the government demanded the mail be carried over the more used route that went through Julesburg. The Tr36 office on the Republican River, and came back by way of Burlington to Cheyenne Wells to complete the two-day trip. This trip was made twice a week. The road from Cheyenne Wells to Columbia was made by Tom Reed, with the aid of a spring wagon, and three men. Later a stage route was made from Cheyenne Wells to Burlington. Frank Man drove the Stage- by Janice Salmans Jake Brommier and C.J. Eatinger wete early day freighters making the two day trip. coach. All the supplies were freighted from , Wallot, Colo. i'ang", lb nlUes northenst bt Rurlilrgtoq. t+- J. F. Gray, range, south af liiebsft, S€lbert, (loio. F. W. Buchele, ( o Bulllugtor,, iiolo' faug.e, soutFwesp of Gq I Fgtrelope IJuu', -r futtle' 0q1P' a,nd FT I -T lat:rr,t lailign5 , Colo '1n!t.,,1 arbort Pcrcr'9nt i) A '* yorrrg slocf. L'{'g Cid Sfage Reule Sharr 6, WFtteE, rlqilhgl,oD, Oolo. range, l0 nrlles southeagt of " /i r)gnr Dlp J if:.i t.t i.l $*ure 1a nllca north'e,Ist ot olore'rlont. i::io.r..i,l x/z Ee.r T L, !. pt U,0.,Iolrn8co, l,plrlbol'D, Iaans. r"nge.xoJtlr S]laII - Ranc:l ll !fllo!, Seomau,. h Burllngton, Colo. a r&nge, lortbe&st ot * 3r S' L. Howell di; Cbas. Howell' ltU I r' - voiro,, core. r|)Dge, 2 mlles nortb ol VoDa. E, A, Brddlc, Brirlinqton CcJ or adl Seibcri, Oelo. cilttle oll lett slde or bip, lrorEes on left shoulder. ljredltatthres. F H F Bcthune, C0lo. c&ttle on left sldA, horsis ou left, sho[lder. lRjoge. I mlles north of }lclhune. Fl.. J, Drulbar. Goll, Colo. RaDSe west of GofJ, (l('lo te-L o-i L Cc Ior.rdn 'inr ec i!o I tn& (i. \Y. llro&(iswold E r .{\ ^ HDtc, colo. It&ogc Dedr Ilr,le. spr i nq g !,le rL:.l Le .:r"l',:'.r'lg i.hi: .f.rai-i , p.li.rrli -o,i nvery few:cJ: ';irri,:rt i.; i C llU. BOrqurD, Claremont. Colo. E it Cheyenne hells Coloraiu J6 s l'aDge, Dbrtheg,st of Cler€mDnt, Henry Ha,rtstloe, 2 -H Laftborn. KaDs. raDgs, west trom Stole lrne. w) I, P. E!re, EurllbgtoD. Colo. rango. Dottboe|tJo Burllogtori. C [/) - c' w' smlth' rl., fb$€ir L'Ul'i. taol!, beif li'lrllt. Old Stage Route -{ �SMOKEY HILL TRAIL COUNTY Tr36 rlqers f,nat were rnf,erested m seerng how tast they could run their route of 18 miles. The first rider picked up the mailbag on the state line 5 miles east of Bonny Dam. The pickup was made at L0:35 and they made the transfer 4"n*Ae o a I ? €u b: .f Betty Reimer adding letters to the "mail Bag" from Kit Carson Countv. \\ 't t 'lr I I ,t I i( Making the run, Dave Corliss and Betty Reimer with Betty Corliss in back, through Kit Carson County. store designating it as part of the Leavenworth and Pike's Peak stage line 1859 to 1984. Tuesday morning, May 15, the Kit Carson County riders resumed their responsibility of running the mailbag through the county to the next exchange with Lincoln County. Seven riders and several interested neighbors gathered for coffee and rolls at the Dave Reid ranch north of Seibert. They left about 8:4b and followed the south fork of the Republican River southwest toward Station "22" cafled. Crystal Springs. The seven riders were Dave and Betty Corliss, Dave Reid, George Trail of Death with present day towns shown. by Editors PROJECT MAIL BAG Tr37 to Kit Carson county riders at 12:10. They were a colorful bunch of riders that ranged in age from L6 to 24. They were Julie and Collette May, Dee Kerst,Ron and Kelly Chamberlain and Louie True. Some 25 riders, newsmen, and interested residents met for a sack lunch and a lesson on Dave Corliss ranch, which was near the Bag" was to stimulate the public's awareness of the original Leavenworth and Pike's Peak Express route across Kansas and Colorado. The route was the white man's first commercial "wagon road" through the country. The reason for the line was the discovery of gold in the Denver area that began the "Rush to the Rockies". The Leavenworth & Pike's Peak Express Route had 27 stations. Four Mile Park was probably is as close a site as can be found. Betty Corliss, Betty Reimer, Elsie Lidle and Tuttle Store and Crystal Springs. The Boy photography and storytelling. The arrival of the mailbag at the Yuma-Kit Carson county line, May L4, L984, was an exciting event for all of those gathered five miles west of Hwy. 385. Jim Mclaughlin and his riders made a colorful entry into the little parkway designated as a spot where we would make the mailbag switch. They had six relay Hubbard, Ernest Cure, Buster Jenkins and Shorty Hostetler. They reached the dam at 11:00 and then rode on to Flagler where the mailbag was turned over to Mary Liz Owens from Lincoln County at the Airport Cafe. The purpose in having a "Project Mail Dave Corliss, Buster Jenkins and Fred Magley rode together with the mailbag to the original station "21". The Tuttle Store Marsha Magley placed a marker at the Tuttle the last stop along the route. Kit Carson County has two of these historic stations; the � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource History of Kit Carson County Description An account of the resource Brief historical stories and elements from the founding and recent history of Kit Carson County, Colorado. Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Book Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Stage Routes and Trails Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 1988 Subject The topic of the resource History Description An account of the resource A history of the Stage Routes and Trails in Kit Carson County as recorded in the book History of Kit Carson County. Type The nature or genre of the resource text Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Salmons, Janice Hasart, Marlyn Smith, Dorothy Language A language of the resource English Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. History of Kit Carson County Volume 1 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource text/pdf Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Curtis Media Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/</a> https://kccarchives.cvlcollections.org/files/original/16/427/Seibert.pdf 065f9ef25cbd9fa5038454a0b4ec7783 PDF Text Text A history of Seibert must begin not with that town, but with the town of Hoyt, Iocated originally about four miles north of Seibert between the Republican River and Buffalo Creek. Hoyt was established in 1887 by a Doctor J.S. Hoyt on whose homestead the town developed. Doctor Hoyt, along with many other newcomers, established his Howard Kious and children with an early day auto 1916. ready to go to Church north of Vona - homestead along the Republican River because it was such a tremendous source of water, As a locator and surveyor, Doctor Hoy't was instrumental in bringing homesteaders to Colorado from Haigler, Nebraska. It was he who established the trail from Haigler to the new town of Hoyt by surveying the route and Seibert, which was incorporated in 1917, was a patent town, meaning the town's lots were given away. In order to own a lot a person had only to pay the taxes on the lot. If the taxes weren't paid, the lot was put up for auction. Many individuals claimed lots in the town, but few managed to pay the taxes, thereby losing their lots. Nevertheless, businesses did spring up. by Judith King SEIBERT T332 turning up the sod along the trail. Once a trail had been established, he helped freight homesteaders from Haigler (at that time one of the stopping points on the railroad) to Hoyt. Two of these homesteaders were his mother and sister. Not much else is known about Doctor Hoyt. He seems to have faded from the picture after Seibert was established in 1888. He may have spent little time in Hoyt since he surveyed other trails than just the one from Nebraska to Hoyt. Although Hoyt only existed as a town for about one year, a great deal of development occurred there. The town sported a restaurant run by Mrs. Wiveness; a drug store and saloon operated by Jerry Sands; a post office with Leander Hutchens as postmaster; a An 1892 view of the Davis General Merchandise establishment. blacksmith; a livery stable and feed barn run by Bert Hendricks and George Tucker; two general merchandise stores, one run by Kate and Leander Hutchens and the other by \ Seibert water tower erected in the 1920's. A 1921 view of Seibert Main Street with Mrs. Punshon's Cafe on the right. Seibert in the 1930's. V.S. Fitzpatrick published the "Seibert Settler" newspaper. Arenscheild and South; a hardware store operated by Mr. Scheib; a hotel; andthe Hoyt Free Press, owned and operated by G. L. Olds. Hoyt also had a school which was in a sod house just south of the town. It had a dirt floor, homemade desks, and books gathered from the settlers. The first teacher was Mrs. E.P. Trull. Other teachers were Charlotte Rose (whose family homesteaded near Hoyt), Lora Scheib, Luella Bell McKenzie, and A.P. Blair. By the time Hoyt was fully established there were approximately 150 people living there. For entertainment, dances were held wherever there was enough space. Many were held in Scheib's hardware store, where the participants would dance up and down the aisles between the counters. A Fourth of July celebration was also held in Hoyt. Numerous people attended, including the men from the Rock Island grading crew and cowboys from the KP Ranch in Hugo. James Priest, an early-day homesteader, estimated there were 500 people present. Several fights broke out between the grading crew and the men from the KP Ranch. Priest said the drinking and fighting kept things exciting. When the railroad came through Colorado in 1888, water stops were established. Seibert, which was named for Henry Seibert, an official of the railroad who donated books for a library, was developed from one of these stations. Since the workers needed food, the first business moved from Hoyt was the restaurant owned by Mrs. Wiveness. The grading crew used their mule teams to haul this building to the new town site four miles south of Ho1't. It wasn't long before other merchants moved their businesses to Seibert. In little time, Hoyt became a ghost town and Seibert became an important stop on the railroad. Kit Carson County's first National Guard drilling for Army service before going to France in World War I at Seibert looking northeast. A July 3 celebration in Seibert in 1909. w, r'. DAvrs, 'rt. .rut A letterhead for the W.P. Davis store established in 1892. �""d;;i;;'tuilding south of the hotel was used for various purposes including a real estate office and at one time was a store run by Oliver Hendricks, though not for long. Also on the east side of the street, several Iots south ofthe hotel, stood a building built by L.C. Rogers, a carpet weaver. This building also served as a post office of which Rogers was postmaster. A carpet weaving loom was in the front room to the left of the door as one entered. The post office was in the northwest corner of the building. When a person wanted his mail, Mr. Rogers would quit weaving, unload his mouth of tobacco juice, and then go across the aisle to get the mail. Rogers'wife Mary was an agent for the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad for many years. Located about one hundred feet north of the post office was the Seibert Free Press, formerly the IIoyt Free Press. Its owner, G.L. Olds, sold the paper in 1889 to a Mr. Patterson who only published it for a few months before it failed. The paper's assets were sold to Frank Mann who used them to start a paper in Burlington. Thie early day store is the 1988 site of the Seibert Food Store. The first hotel, located at the north end of main street where the Seibert Community building now sits, was built by Oliver Hendricks. His sister Kate Hutchens and her husband Leander ran the hotel. Leander had Water well in the center of town in Seibert. Water was piped from the original Rock Island Railroad well to center of town. ?] dn i71 Sfrcef Seibert's resident physician was Doctor been the postmaster in Hoyt, but if he continued in this capacity in Seibert it was not for long. For a short time two brothers nnmed Davis operated a store from one of the hotel rooms. Kate Hutchens was a great supporter ofthe town and was fondly referred to as Aunt Kate. She did everything she could to further the town and was notorious for matchmaking. She gave parties at her house and organized the singing for Seibert's Fourth of July celebration in 1888. Kate and Leander had one son, Corta, an Indian boy whom they had adopted after his parents were killed in an Indian massacre. Corra, known to everyone as Hutch, was a good person and well liked, but he did have his bad traits. He had a tendency to get drunk and take up with women he didn't know. Hutch eventually maried Zella Buchanan, the daughter of the section foreman. In later years they moved to Denver to live. They had , h Jct bc r t :'-t,,r',j, : L;l' " .. ::...,..:.4'.,. f Paul Godsman. Along with his business partner Sidney Laune, Godsman ran the Seibert drug store. Though its exact location is uncertain, the drug store was probably located on the east side of main street north of the post office. Dr. Godsman had a consulting room in the back ofthe drug store, though much of his practice came in the form of house calls. Dr. Godsman married Charlotte Rose, a teacher in the community and daughter ofJohn Rose whose homestead was near the old town of Hoyt. Godsman and Laune eventually sold the drugstore stock to Bert Hendricks, and Godsman and his wife turned the drug store into a residence. Even though he was a doctor, Godsman was interested in the law and decided to change professions and became a lawyer. In time he developed a law practice in Burlington and later became a county judge. In 1918 he was elected State Representative for Kit Carson, Lincoln and Cheyenne counties, and even became a candidate for governor in 1922. He withdrew from the race, however, before the election. Paul and Charlotte Godsman's only child was a boy, Sidney, who also became an attorney. Bert Hendricks built the first house in Seibert, but he never lived in it. It was used as a saloon run by Jake Hoffman. The location of this house is unknown. The Hendricks family was quite large and several of them lived in Seibert. The most prominent, however, was M.B. (Bert) Hendricks. He owned a general merchandiee store situated on the west side of main street nearlv across from the hotel. by Judith King An early day Seibert street scene. �oEpot, Seibert, Colo Thistles stacked for cattle feed. for the street cars. Bert Hendrick's brother Oliver, who had built the Seibert Hotel, and his wife Tamah had four children: three girls, Hattie, Eulah, and Myrtle, and one boy, George. George was about a year younger than his cousin, Corra Hutchens. The boys often rode their horses together. On one such occasion the boys had tied the horses together with a rope, each end ofwhich had been fastened to the neck ofthe horses. The horses were about one length apart with George riding ahead of Corra. Seibert depot in the early days. SEIBERT T333 He also ran the livery stable to the west of his store. Hendricks and his wife Cora had two children: one boy, Abe, and one girl, Cordy. Bert and his family moved to Denver where he became the head of the track crew Suddenly, Corra's horse stepped into a prairie dog hole, stumbled, and yanked George's horse over backwards. George fell to the ground, and the horse fell on top of him, crushing him. Corra also fell from his horse but was not injured. George was taken home and attended to by Dr. Godsman, but he never regained consciousness. George died before the next morning. Naturally this was a terrible blow to his family. The lumber yard in Seibert was managed by a young man named George Bryant who ran it for a well-to-do uncle. also named .bffi &, Trucks, Seibert. The Holiday homestead near Seibert. Bryant, who lived in the east. George Bryant did not particularly like the lumber business, but he was in love with a woman named Dell Rhinehart whose brother was the telegraph operator. However, when Bryant's love for Dell came to nothing he gave up the lumber yard and left Seibert. The uncle came to Seibert to see about the business. he was anxious to find someone to take over the lumber yard. After having asked Paul Godsman for advice, he asked the doctor to take it over. Bryant eventually persuaded Godsman to take the business. However, because he was now county attorney and needed to be in Burlington most of the time, Godsman engaged Jim McCombs, who owned a coal yard near the lumber yard, to work both yards together. McCombs did this for a number of years. Later, McCombs, along with Stephen Bell, purchased the lumber yard. In years to come, a man named Weaver became the manager. Jim McCombs, who ran both the coal and lumber yards, had settled on a homestead near the old town of Hoyt near the homesteads of his sister and brother. He hauled lumber and coal from Wray or Haigler until the railroad was finished. McCombs was a great talker and a very personable man. However, he had a terrible birth mark on the left side of his face. One person described it as looking like a bunch ofgrapes; another said it didn't look like human flesh. Even though g How most folk paid for their groceries. The egg and cream money was the only ready cash. this birthmark hurt him socially (some people couldn't even beat to look at him), McCombs was described as a fine man who managed to get people to overlook his affliction. However, it did prevent him from having a family of his own. Stephen Bell, who later became one of the �The second Seibert post office building with Jim Priest, John Kistler, Joe Smalley standing; Francis Hendricks, Bert's daughter, and Effie Priest sitting with Bill Shanahan. ,, Mae and Jess Messinger in their grocery store in Seibert, Colorado in 1925. Homer Hughes had this rare spotted mule, the only one known in the United States. which he sold for $200. Jess Miller, a well-known Seibert oil dealer and collector of artifacts. Doc Williams and his 1911 Maxwell. owners of the lumber yard, and his son hauled water from Hoyt to Seibert before a well was dug. The railroad dug a well which was to be used only by railroad personnel. Everyone SEIBERT T334 w else had to drink the water from the barrels that had been hauled from Hoyt and had sat in the hot sun. The section foreman's wife, Nellie Buchanan, frequently gave settlers water from the railroad well. She felt that the settlers were important to the growth of the west and deserved to have fresh, cool water. The supervisor came and told Mrs. Buchanan that she was not to give anyone but railroad employees water. She told him she would not refuse anyone a drink and finally convinced the supervisor that she should be able to give the water freely. As it was, the well never went Fosha Gorton, Jr. in the 1930's by his Conoco pumps and station. Until the railroad built a section house, the Buchanans lived in railroad cars to the north of the tracks. Seibert also had a large depot drv. in which town activities and church services by Judith King held for a number of years. When the railroad went out of business, the depot, which is greatly different from the original, was Jess Miller's old home at Seibert. moved to a point along highway 59 and is at this writing a gas station and cafe. Scheib's hardware store was also moved to �gas station and cafe on the west side of Highway 59. by ,Iudith King SEIBERT CEMETERY T336 The Seibert Cemetery is located one mile east and one mile north of the west edge of :il;fi Seibert. After checking through available records, I find the first marked and identified graves in the Seibert Cemetery are Mary Agnes Glaister 1870-1891 and George R. Hendricks 1882-1891 and Henry Howell 1882-1893. The oldest persons buried there are David Herald Born, 1817-1894, and i*1 .t& l' Joseph Glaister, 1819-1909. ,,]s Seibert in 1955, looking from southeast to northwest. Another interesting resident of Seibert was Jess Miller. Jess claimed to be related to the notorious Jesse James. He also claimed to have killed a man in Missouri. He did kill a man in Seibert in 1948. Jess had a filling station on the northwest corner of the There are many unmarked graves in the section which we have no way of identifying in any way. So it is very possible there were others before our records indicate. There are ten World War I veterans, three World War II veterans, six Civil War veterans, two peace time service veterans and one Spanish American War veteran, that are identified as such. There are a total of 34 Veterans buried in the cemeterv to this date. 1987. by Twila Gorton intersection of Highways 59 and 24. He also sold "historical" relics and had a cottage camp. Diagonally across from Jess's filling station was a beer bar. Some of the men who frequented the bar had taken to harassing Jess who was getting on in years and was somewhat senile. One day Jess went over to Chicken ranch on south side of Seibert, owners: Emmett Bell and later Martin C. Johnson. Seibert and was located on the west side of main street in about the middle of the block. Bill and Charles Blake ran freighting business and used oxen teams to haul merchandise from Hugo and Haigler. A large school house was built by the railroad in 1893. It was located about four blocks south of the present - day school house. However, this building burned. Part ofthe present school also burned in 1971. The students were sent to school in Vona. Later, the Seibert and Vona schools consolidated, forming the Hi-Plains School District. In the 1920's Seibert also had a bank. However, it closed during the depression years. AIso during the thirties, in order to provide much needed jobs, the Work Projects Administration (WPA) sponsored the building of the VFW hall (now the Seibert Community Building) after the Seibert Hotel and the building next door burned down. One of Seibert's most prominent citizens during the late 20's, the 30's, and the early 40's was Valentine (V.S.) FitzPatrick. He operated the town's newspaper, the Seibert Settler, and served six terms as mayor. During the difficult depression years he and his associates created the National Directory Company and published business directories for Colorado. FitzPatrick, who at this writing in 1987 is 101 years old and resides in Aniba, Colorado. has written a series of books titled The Back ?roil which recounts his life and give a history of specific areas in Colorado. the bar to get a beer. The men began harassing him, pouring an open beer in his front pants pocket. Then one of the men threatened to cut off Jess's long handle bar mustache of which Jess was quite proud. Jess told the men if they tried to cut off the mustache he'd kill them. He then went to his station. One of the men followed, weilding a knife and telling Jess he was coming to cut off the mustache. When the man reached the station, Jess took out his gun and shot the man between the eyes. A trial was held, the verdict of which was justifiable homicide. Businesses thrived during the 20's, 30's and 40's. Although they are too numerous to list individually, they included grocery stores, gas stations and service garages, creameries, hardware stores, a blacksmith, a telephone company, real estate offices, insurance salesmen, restaurants, a bank, a pool hall, and a theater, to name just a few. The number of businesses declined throughout the 50's, 60's and 70's. The major businesses in Seibert in 1988 are as follows: the Seibert Food Store, located on Main Street just south of the Seibert Community building; the Seibert Equity Co-op Association, located on the north end of the town; Steel Corner, a welding shop, located on the northeast corner of the intersection of Highways 59 and 24; Witt's Travel Shop, located south of town just off Interstate 70; Seibert Liquors and Seibert Self Service, located east of Highway 59 on the west side of town; Turner's Service, located on Highway 24 one block west of Main Street; and a SEIBERT LIONS CLUB T336 The Seibert Lions Club was chartered Tuesday, May 10, 1949, at 7:30 p.m., in the old red brick high school gymnasium. It was done at banquet attended by the new members and their wives. There were 42 charter members; of the 42 members 23 have passed away as of 1987. Sponsors of the Seibert Lions Club were the Flagler Lions CIub. The charter night chairman was John Bear; welcome was by Robert Snell, Mayor of Seibert; invocation by Dr. A.G. Hahn, Pastor of the Congregational Church in Flagler; Toastmaster - Rev. A.J. Abel, Pastor of the Lutheran Church in Arriba; gift of sponsoring club - Bill Stebbins, President of the Flagler Lions Club; presentation of Charter - George A. Doll, Lions District Governor of Fort Morgan; acceptance of charter - Fosha S. Gorton Sr.. President of the Seibert Lions Club; and benediction - Rev. T.A. Marks. Pastor of the Evangelical United Brethen Church in Seibert. The first club officers were President Fosha S. Gorton Sr.; First Vice President Robert G. Snell: Second Vice President - Zoder N. Golliher: Third Vice President Harley L. Greenlee; Secretary - Howard Taton; Treasurer - B. Dale Hargrove; Lion Tamer - George B. Grey; Tail Twister Ralph L. Rowley; and the Board of Directors - Ward H. Cheu, Ben H. Short, Earl Livingston, and Cecil Boren. Members still in the club for the 20 year celebration were: Earl Boren, Earl Livingston, Ralph Gorton, Howard Taton, and Roy Dykstra. Through the years some of the clubs projects were seeding the park, starting a tennis court and an ice skating rink in the park. Home demonstration Clubs helped �with many of these projects. But through lack of use these soon deteriorated and are now gone. Glasses were purchased for the needy children. They helped build wooden bleachers for the school's outside activities, some ofwhich are now at the gun club. They helped sponsor the Seibert Labor Day celebration on Monday, September 3, 1951. They helped with all community activities. Through the years, following the chartering of the club, members began moving away, dropping out as members, and many passed away. This caused the elub to gradually grow smaller in membership. The last elected officers, found in the records, to be installed was in April, 1972, and, were: President - Hulon Webb, Vice Presi- dent Lion - Robert Schmidt, Secretary Lion - Gerald O. Guy, Lion Tamer - James Smith, and Tail Twister - Roy Dykstra. Both Hulon Webb and Robert Schmidt resigned and moved from the community in early 1973. The club was disbanded in 1973. by Twila Gorton It was becoming such a hardship and attendance was dropping gradually. As soon as the V.F.W. purchased the Old Post Office Building in 1963, we immediately started meeting in the small hall. We continued to meet there until September 1978, when the Vets decided to shut off the utilities in the hall because of the expense. We started meeting in our homes and are still meeting in our homes, There have been 133 members joined the auxiliary since it was chartered, many are deceased, moved away and are non-resident members. Many continue to pay their dues for the insurance we have as a group. There are 56 paid members in 1987. Highest membership was 67 in 1982. There are four charter members of the auxiliary still in the organization. They are Marjorie Gorton, Lois Atkins, Bortha Niles, and Alice Rose Stoffell. Officers are holding the offices over and over to keep the organization going. At this writing, 1987, the offices are: President - Nancy Phillips; Senior Vice President Delphia Burr; Junior Vice President - Mar- garet Tovrae; Secretaryflreasurer - Twila IIISTORY OF POST # 6492 AUXILIARY VETERANS OF FOREIGN WAR T337 Gorton; Chaplain - Louise Gamble; Conductress - Carol Smith; Guard - Ellen Cruickshank; Trustees 3 yr. - Jean Jarnagin, 2 yr.Lois Atkins, 1 yr. - Marjorie Gorton; Color Bearers # 1- Shari Graham, # 2 - Dee Felker, # 3 - Donna Gorton, # 4 - Jeanette Kemp; Historian - Marvel Geiken; Patriotic Instructor - Myrtle Shaw; and Musician - Bonny Hughes. by Twila Gorton The Women's Auxiliary to our post was instituted in May, 1947. First president was Mae Cruickshank; Sr, Vice President, Lois Atkins; Junior Vice president, Marjorie Gorton; Chaplin, Rose Kemp; Treasurer, Minnie Fingado; Secretary, June Short. The 2nd president was Lois Atkins, 3rd president, Marjorie Gorton,4th, Mabel Linder, and 5th Juanita Greenlee. They were a great help to us in getting our post home equipped. During out first three years they gave $50 towards building the stand, $275 to buy chairs, $100 for ladies shower room, lumber for the tables and cupboards, stove for the kitchen, helped to buy the stage curtain, gave money towards installing the ceiling, and gave the post cash services. When time came that the "White Ele- phant", our old V.F.W. hall and skating hall, was to be renovated into a new community building, we donated the big blue velvet stage curtains to "Old Town," in Burlington, in 1986. "Old Town" is now being developed into a tourist attraction. "Received Mar. 16, 1888" office of First Assistant Postmaster General. Signed by A.E. Stevenson: Washington D.C." "Post office to be located NE quarter of Section 16, Township 8, South Range 49, West of 6th Principal Meridian, County of Elbert, State of Colorado. This would be located on the direct route from Tuttle to Hugo on which the mail is now carried two times a week. Hugo being 40 miles southwest and Tuttle 28 miles northeast. The name of the nearest Creek Buffalo on the north, name of the most prominent River south fork of Republican on the South. Number of inhabi- tants in the town of Hoyt being 40 but expecting to supply 600 or more with mail." Instructions were to select a short name for the proposed office, which, when written will not resemble the name of any other Post office in the state. Hoyt was the name the Post office was called. A note of interest written at the bottom of the page signed by Charles H. Scheib, is as follows: "The town of Hoy't is located on the north halfofsection 16, township 8, south ofrange 49, west 6th PM. Elbert, County, Colo. No post office within 28 miles, the nearest being Tuttle, Burlington being the next which is 35 miles. Hugo is our nearest Rail road station at which place our people get their supplies, being 49 miles south west of us on the Kansas Pacific Ry. We desire a special Post Office and mail pouch so we can get supplyed from Hugo. Hoyt has five stores, one printing SEIBERT POST OFFICE T338 office, one livery, and five stables, one lumber yard, and one blacksmith shop. Charles H. Scheib prepared P.M. The first post office in Seibert was housed in a two story building which also served as a hotel and general merchandise store. Lee Hutchens was the first postmaster as well as manager of the store and hotel. Several people served as postmasters in the early years after Lee among them, John Sutton, Lee Erskin. W.A. Weaver. L.C. Rogers and Miss Lint. Robert Wrenn was postmaster for many years. In 1918 Mae C. Cates was postmaster followed by Mrs. Simmons in 1925 and later Zella M. Hutchens. Meryl D. Haynes became Zella's clerk in May 1930 and later served as postmaster from May 1936 until November 1943. Meryl many times. Some of their first money projects were serving for dances, sponsoring a basketball team, giving plays, and bake and rummage sales. The charter members were Dortha Niles, Mae Cruickshank, Rose Kemp, Rosa Akers, Minnie Fingado, Katherine Gleason, Norma Arthur, Marjorie Gorton, Alice Stoffel, Minnie Crum, Betty Cox, Edith Boren, Bertha Ricks, and Lois Atkins. Through the years the auxiliary has purchased or received by contributions, several hospital items which have been loaned throughout the communities at no charge such as hospital beds, crutches, wheel chairs, walkers, coffee pots, and folding chairs. We have also assisted with funeral dinners and Of interest is a copy of the application to establish the Post office at Hoyt, Co. dated 2-28-198 , which has been acquired through the Archives. This was applied for through the Post office at Hugo, Colo. by Charles H. Scheib, and through A.K. Clarke Postmaster at Hugo, the 12th day March, 1988. The application has a cancellation stamp recalls his salary in 1943 was 91500.00 a year. His clerks were Gladys (Andre) Kerl and Donna Fingado. His wife Myrna followed him as a temporary postmaster for about 9 Seibert Post Office, 1988. good Way back when days - in thethe townold before Seibert was founded, ofHoyt was located 4 miles north of the present location of Seibert. Mail came to Hoyt from Hugo once a week via wagon and horses. The rails hit Seibert Aug. 14, 1888, and Seibert was founded in 1888 and the mail came by train. The business places then moved from Hoyt to Seibert and the Hoyt post office "via Hugo" was discontinued. months. The post office was located in the bank building then. Two south routes were established about this time with Clarence Bell and Frank D. Allen as carriers. The routes were combined and Fosha S. Gorton Jr. started carrying the mail for both routes in July 1937. Fosha Gorton retired Dec. 1980. Ralph F. Gorton substituted as mail carrier for the rural routes from 1943 to Oct, 1980. After the Haynes moved to Pueblo where Meryl took another position with the Postal Service, George Simon was appointed postmaster in 1944 and served until his death in January, 1960. Earl Atkins who was clerk at �the time took over as Acting Postmaster with Arthur O'Neill as clerk; he held this position until May 1961 when William A. Fitman was appointed postmaster. Earl went back to his job as clerk, which he had 19 years in, having served from January 1946 to January 1975. Phyllis E. Fox served as clerk, having repla- ced Earl upon his retirement. Bill Pitman retired July 1979 with over 18 years as postmaster. The Cope Star Route has been in effect for Dick Baker secretary. A2 V2 H.P. siren was ordered March 1956 and was installed 1 block east and one-half block south of Main Street and Highway 24. The firemen were called at 6:30 PM Aug. 30, 1956 to respond to a flat car loaded with poles on the railroad track which had caught fire. The fire was extinguished with less than half of the poles being damaged. The April 29, 57 election resulted with Ralph Gorton fire chief, A.A. Curtis Asst. many years and some of its early carriers were chief, Fosha Gorton Jr. Sec. RobertW. Work, HenryGaylor, Mr. Winkler. Ezra Atkins had the route from 1942 to 1959. Vern Miller contracted the route in October 1959 and a few years later his wife Kay took proposed a fire District Aug. 19, 1957, Dale Hargrove and A.A. Curtis and bill Pitman to contact farmers & etc. Hargrove reported over with Vern and Kathryn Myers as The Seibert Volunteer Fire Dept. first substitute drivers. Other subs over the years most farmers contacted were skeptical of phone service. Curtis reported the town Greenlee among others. council decided the truck could not go out to fight grass fires, only to protect farm build- have been Martin Johnson and Harley Parker D. Calvin was one of the mail messengers bringing the mail from the Rock Iskane Depot to the Post Office when the mail came by train. George Simon also hung and picked the mail from the train when the Rocket came into being. In the early years the Post Office was located in a small building on the east side of Main Street. It was moved to the old bank building in 1936 and back to the east side in 1944 where it remained until Postmaster Bill Pitman had the new building constructed on the corner of Highway 24 and, Main, which they moved into in November, 1961. Since Bill Pitman's retirement there have been several changes in the Postal department. Sandra Claus to Colorado Springs was appointed as O.I.C. (officer in charge) and served from Aug 1979 to February 8, 1980, when Phyllis Fox was appointed Post Master of Seibert. Charles Turner was the clerk from 1980 till he transferred to Burlington post office. Jim Levin started as substitute Nov. 1980 and was appointed the Highway Contract Routes July 1, 1981, carrying both the former rural Routes south of Seibert that Fosha Gorton had been carrying. Eleanor Short was appointed clerk June 29, 1985. by Twila Gorton SEIBERT VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPT. T339 ings. Officers elected April 21, 1958 were Fire Chief Bill Pitman - Asst Chief Richard Baker and Sec. John Martin; same officers were of Vona. Colorado. One Ford F-600 used truck chassis. 1975 purchased - Pumper unit built by Steve Miller Vona, Colorado. The command car, purchased 6,23,1984, from the Flagler-Seibert Community Ambulance Service, is a 1970 Chevy Suburban that was used as an ambulance til 1984. The building houses 3 fire trucks, one command car, two ambulances. The original members of the new district were: Vern Miller Chief - Gene Hase, Assistant Chief - Jim Cowen, Rick Dykstra, Stan Geiken, Fosha Gorton Jr., Ralph Gorton, Jerry Guy, Wilford Huppert, Ervin Jones, Ed Killiam. MelvinLevin, Glen Myers, BillNoel, Ernie Noel, Jim Smith, Clifford Hughes, Mike Hatfield, Jim Levin, Kenneth McCaf- Bill Pitman Sec. June 2, 1959 orders were issued by the Board of Trustees that the fire truck could no longer be taken out of the incorporated boundaries of Seibert because of limitations due to insurance, and not having a 2nd truck to remain in town. At this time the only firetruck was a 1938 Ford pumper truck which had been pur- chased seconded handed and as of this date December 1987 only had 4049 original miles on it. Firechief elected 1965 was Earl Atkins Asst chief, Les Hase, Bill Pitman Sec.; 196770 Les Hase elected Chief. Gene Hase Asst Chief, Bill Pitman sec.; 1971 Les Hase elected Fire Chief, Glen Myers Asst Chief, Bill Pitman Sec.; 1972 Earl Atkins Fire chief, Dale Murphy asst. Chief and Bill Pitman Sec. Besides the phone being used for fire calls all these years at the Gorton Hardware store and the Ralph Gorton home, a special fire phone was installed in the hotel lobby in 1976. However. the whistle still had to be rung manually. Members wishing to retire from the board Mar. 15, 1976, were Dale Hargrove, Wanen Bowser, Bill Pitman, Alva Cruickshank and Les Hase. Officers elected in 1976 were Earl Atkins Chief, Asst Chief Vern Miller, Jim Cowen Sec. Again in February they tried to organize a Vona - Seibert fire District by getting members of Vona Farmers Union, Seibert ton Fire District but apparently this idea was also dropped. fire chief - Bob Anglen assistant fire chief - unit was built on the truck by Steve Miller frey, Carlos Arnold, Leon Blackwell, Dick Keiter and Wes Pelser. Meetings were to be held the 3rd Monday each month, Bob officers was held resulting with Ralph Gorton One Ford F-350 4WO Crew Cab 1980 chassis was purchased new and a fire fighting Elected Officers Mar 21, 1960 were: Ralph Gorton Fire chief, Asst, Chief Dick Baker, Farm Bureau, Vona's mayor and councilmen, were presented to the town council for approval, 19 members had signed for active status and 1 for inactive duty. Election of steel building. Contract signed 4-10-80. retained 1959. Seibert Volunteer Fire Department was officially organized in October 1954, and bylaws were written up at this time. Bylaws Committee: Orville Thisius chairman, Art Anglen, Chairman, presiding. November 15, 1954 Bylaws read: active membership be limited to 20, and must be 18 years or older. Three members were elected to the membership committee and were: Dale Hargrove, Virgil Hase and Les Hase. January 17, 1955 the copy of the bylaws director, Vern Miller lst Fire Chief. The building contract went to Don Herman Construction of Burlington for a 76 ft x 40 ft Vona's Fire Department and Seibert PTA together, but this didn't materialize. In 1965 they discussed joining with Strat- The first organization meeting with a lawyer was held Dec. 16, 1977 for a fire district. Seibert Fire District legally was established March 27.1978. A bond election to finance a new building and trucks was held February 12, 1980 for the amount of $80,000.00; this passed 84-2. First bylaws were approved November 19, 1980. First board members of the new district were Jerry Guy President, Bill Livingston Vice President, Ervin Jones Secretary, Rich- ard Herman Treasurer, Harry Hatfield * Herman, Bob McCaffrey, Dick McAuley and Stan Scheer. Present membership is limited to around 20 members. There are radio and telephone contact spread throughout the District, to help keep contact with the truck with messages, and also water trucks farmers have ready to go to assist if needed. A second fire whistle was purchased and installed about 1983 or '84 and is located by the fire house. Fire phones connections to the whistles were installed in six homes or businesses in Seibert so that it will ring into all at the same time and the whistles can be rung by any of the connected phones. The first ambulance housed in Seibert was in a garage at the time owned by the town and Iocated just north of Melvin Levin's residence, but is currently owned by Mel Levin. Seibert started housing their first ambulance in 1976, and the ambulance was moved across the street when the fire shed was finished in 1980. Also "Old Green", the Army Red Cross unit the service has as a back up unit, is housed in the fire shed too. The present ambulance we have is a 1976 van which was used by Flagler until the new unit was purchased and we received this unit May 10, 1984. by Twila Gorton SEIBERT ALUMNI ASSOCIATION T340 In the early fall of 1954, Evelyn (Scheidegger) Wanczyk, Leona (Scheidegger) Cowgill, and Twila (Murphy) Gorton, got the idea of starting an alumni organization. They immediately tried to get addresses and locate as many people as possible. In September, 1954, a meeting was called to gather interest- ed parties in the community, and the ball started rolling. Many hours were spent writing letters and with the cooperation of the Seibert High School Superintendent, George Cuckrow, we were on our way. The first banquet was held Saturday, October 9, 1954, in the V.F.W. Hall. Seibert organizing officers were: President - Leona �Cowgill, Secretary - Evelyn Wanczyk, and Toastmaster - George Simon. September 24, 1955, elected officers were: President Ralph Gorton Sr., Vice President - Cecil Boren, Secretary - Arthena (Aumiller) O'Neill, Treasurer - Lillian (Schemerhorn) Reid, Toastmaster Russell Goodwin, and Bylaws Committee - Russell Goodwin, Charles Boren, and Paul Short. The banquet continued for every year following. In 1958 other parties decided we should combine Homecoming and Community Day. Donations were asked for and a free barbecue was added to the event of September 27,1958. A large crowd attended at noon and a nice alumni banquet was held in the evening. In 1959 it was back to just a class serving the noon meal and no barbeque. In 1962 the graduating class of 1922, consisting of Ralph Burden, Martha (Abbott) Boggs, Ellowise (Allen) Pearson, Royal Reul, Olive (Johnston) Hill, Elmer Everett and their superintendant Homer H. Bishop, were here to celebrate a big day. September 20, 1969, a suggestion that possibly a potluck supper might encourage a better attendance, was tried, but the result was the worst attendance we ever had, with only 53 attending. Saturday, September 26, 1970, having no football game, the Roping club helped with the afternoon at the Rodeo grounds with activities and junior events. There was a 12:30 soccer game with Bethune, which ended up in a l-1- tie. At 5:00 p.m. there was a demolition derby west of town at the old baseball field. Because the Seibert High School burnt down on April 1, 1971, and the Seibert High School students were now attending school in Vona, the day's events were held on Vona's Main Street. The football game, Hi-Plains (Vona-Seibert) vs. Genoa was held at the football field in Vona. Seibert still held their alumni banquet at Seibert and continued to hold the annual dance in the V.F.W. Build- ing. In L972the Blue Vona Wildcats and the Red Seibert Bulldogs soon became the Red, White, and Blue, Hi-Plains Patriots. We then decided to hold our alumni banquet open to the public. Several attending the day's events suggested that they would like to come to the Seibert banquet, and it was decided that they could come. Both Seibert and Vona held separate banquets with Vona's being a buffet supper in the Vona lunch room. It was decided at both banquets to hold a joint banquet the following year. On September 29, 1973, the joint banquet was held and a large crowd attended. The banquet was held in the multi-purpose room in Seibert, CO. At this banquet it was decided to combine the two associations to the Hi - Plains Alumni Association, officers elected were: President - Larry Pickard (V63), Vice President - Kelly Burr (568), Secretary - Marjorie (Boren) Blackwell (S54), Treasurer - Ralph Gorton Jr. (364), Corresponding Secretary - Hazel (Thompson) Ford (Va5) andTq/ila (Murphy) Gorton (S41), and Historian - Mary (Jackson) McCaffery (V54). It was also voted to eend a girl to girls'state as has been Vona's custom. The parade and all day events, including the football games, are always held at Vona football fields with volleyball games, if any, being back in the Seibert gym. On Saturday, September 2L, 1974, the banquet was held but after discussion and lack of response to letters of invitation sent out, it was decided to try the Alumni banquet by not sending individual letters because of postage expense. It was thought that by just putting it in the papers and on the radio enough people would respond. In 19?5, after discussion as to lack of response, it was decided to try the alumni banquet every five years. In 1980 again the banquet was held with a good crowd. Again in 1985, there was a good crowd for the banquet at the school and the dance held later in the Seibert Town Hall. Twila (Murphy) Gorton has been an active officer of the Seibert Alumni Organization since it was first suggested and organized. She has also added some enjoyment for the old and young as a clown, throwing out candy and gum. For many years her grandchildren have also joined the ranks as clowns with her; even friends and her children have helped out, In later years many classes are holding their class reunions on the annual Seibert Day. It is always held on the last Saturday of July, this way people know ahead of time when it will be and can plan ahead for their vacations. This is also a convenience for most children do not attend school in the month of Julv. by Twila Gorton �l't' :: url.',t:: lli:' :' i:lar: ..r..il : $d,- "X*.6.. ;ee$ :. .:'u L $ '::' !!$ '.rr'ri:}lr:' l$' ''':'':."'*; -.rlF*J*. :4, $s'*!!lld1*il!*$'' N$ry"'$ "..'tl'" : @qtr$i �SEIBERT BRANCH, RLDS CHURCH ,,N' {t Reid was appointed Pastor. Bro. Wilbert Richards of Denver and Gerald Gabriel were also in attendance. Ministers from Denver. Genoa, Goodland, Wray, Pueblo and other communities helped with the spiritual growth through the early years. Some names which appear in the first decade ofour history were those mentioned above and Wesley Evans, Apostle D. Blair Jensen, Ward Houg- as, Owen Self, A.H. Christenson, Hilton Lamphere, Kenneth Buckmaster, Ernest Crownover, J.R. Graybill, Steve Bullard, Charley Zion, Conrad Graybill, Don Cash, Ted Sammons, Walter Lutz, Bernard Buchanan, Peter and David Judd, Calvin Carpen- ter, Pete Harder, Malcolm Barrows, Missionaries Herb Linn, Larry Shoemaker, Dale Argotsinger, Arthur Gibbs, and Norman Page. In 1956 the Seibert Mission became The original Seibert Branch of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Chriet of Latter Day Sainls building in November, 1956. part of the newly established Kansas-Colorado District. In 1957 Wm. Livingston was appointed pastor as Lewis Reid's health was failing. Lewis passed away February 27, 1958. Seibert was organized as a Branch in May 1972. Those having served as Priesthood in our congregation are Wm. Livingston, David Reid, Orlen Reid, Roger Reid, Norman Eagleton, and the late Lewis Reid and James Boren. Pastors of the congregation through the years have been the late Lewis Reid, David Reid and Wm. Livingston. Ground breaking services for the present building were held August 25, 1974, just north of where the church building was located at that time. Apostle Russell Ralston turned the first shovel of dirt, followed by Bishop Jack RLDS Church, Seibert. The Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Church in Seibert, Colorado had its beginning when a few people from the Fair Haven community, 8 % miles north of Seibert. attended a tent reunion near the river by Cope, Colorado, in 1920, hearing sermons from J.Charles May, J.D. Curtis and J.R. Sutton. This led to these missionaries holding a series of meetings in the Fair Haven School. Some were baptized at this time and church school was held in the school house almost every Sunday. Many of the people traveled by horse and wagon to attend. Priesthood from other congregations came when they could and others were baptized from time to time. Some of the early members of the church were the families of Alva Cruickshank, Lewis Reid, Earl Boren, J.A. Brown, Ernest Akers, J.W. Gales, Ralph Roberts, Ben Bartlett, Ernie Bancroft, Claude Hughes and Mrs. Fischer. (These names are from memory and if we left someone out we apologize and would appreciate hearing who, so we could up date our history.) In 1951 a rural schoolhouse was purchased and moved into Seibert. It was set on a basement in what is now the parking lot just south of the sidewalk. This building served as our place of worship until the present structure was built in 19'i4-75. On October 5, 1952, with 30 members on the roll and a congregation of about 60 people in attendance, including some from Denver, Genoa and Goodland, Kansas, Bro. J.A. Hufferd, Counselor to the D.P. declared us a mission of Eastern Colorado District. Teacher Lewis Curtis, R.A. Lewis Landsberg, Seventy Norman Page, Edith Boren representing the eldest member of the congregation, Earl Boren, Mayor of Seibert and Sr. member of he building committee, Gordon Hamit, contractor, Rogene Livingston, Women's leader, David Reid, Bishop's agent, Sandy Hughes and Cheryll Levin representing the youth and others, followed by Wm. Livingston, Pastor. The service closed with Bonny Hughes singing "How Great Thou Art". Jack Curtis gave a benediction. A hamburger fry followed with about 40 people in attendance. We held our consecration service on December 2L,L975 with over 100 in attendance. Elder Wm. Livingston presided, southeast Colorado D.P. Lawrence Colby, Platte River D.P. Bernard Buchanan of Yuma and western Kansas D.P. Vaughn Young of Tribune, Kansas, extended greetings and made brief comments. The sermon of consecration was delivered by Apostle Russell Ralson of Independence, Mo. He stated it was his hope that this church building might become a center for the achievement of God's purpose in all who came to worship, and all those whose lives are touched by those who worship here as they reach out. We consecrate not only the building, but also the people, that the cause of Jesus Christ might become known among all men. Bro. Ralson said that as we consecrate this church and its people, we challenge you to respond to the challenge to be a light unto the world and this community. Other priesthood assisting in the service were Lewis Landsbe.'g, Elder David Reid with Orlen Reid as Deacon in Charge, assisted by Norman Eagleton. The dedication services were held September 5 and 6, 1987. Howard Sheehy, member ofthe First Presidency of the Church, was our special guest for the weekend activities. Bro. Sheehy grew up in Colorado and was pleased to renew friendships from his teen years. Dedication activities included a hamburger fry and pot luck picnic in the Seibert park September 5, with approximately 50 in attendance. This group returned to the church where the youth group, under the direction of their leaders David and Betty Reid, entertained with skits: Vickey Eagleton led the group in campfire songs; movies and slides of years past were viewed (My, how some of us have changed!); memories were recalled and special recognition given to Alva and Ellen Cruickshank who have been members of this congregation the most years; to Bonny Hughes for many years of service in the music department and a special moment for Pastor Bill and Rogene Livingston. David Reid served as emcee and President Howard Sheehy shared some reflectoins with us before we closed the evening with the group holding hands singing "We Are One in the Spirit" followed by prayer. Sunday September 6, dawned bright and beautiful as we gathered for services on Dedication Day. A communion service was held at 9 A.M. High Priest Lawrence Colby of Pueblo brought the ministry to worship. He and Sister Regina Colby sang "He is Worthy" as a special. We experienced a first in our congregation when we had two ordained women priests, Regina Colby and Barbara Reid of Maquoketa, Iowa, assisting Priests Norman Eagleton of Seibert and David Carlock of Pueblo in serving the communion. The world church began ordaining women to the priesthood following the revelation which was presented to the 1984 World Conference. A beautiful spirit blessed the congregation as the service ended with congregational response of prayers and testimonies. The dedication service began with a welcome and a "Praise Medley" sung by the choir; Jacque Levin, Norman, Vickey, Dawn and Carma Eagleton, Nick Price and Betty Reid, directed by Bonny Hughes. Carla Herman was organist. President Sheehy brought the sermon. Bro. Colby gave the dedicatory prayer. The choir sang "Faith of Our Fathers". Following the services a pot luck lunch and roller skating were enjoyed at the community center. Some people played volleyball at the park. We have at various times sponsored Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Skylarks, Orioles, Zion's League, Women's Dept., Young Adults and Choir. Some projects we have enjoyed are service to families such as taking in meals, cleaning, ironing, mending, etc., visiting rest homes, community Good Friday and Easter Services, Easter breakfasts, bread baking, goodie boxes to service people, fruit plates or baked bread for the elderly shut-ins or those alone at Christmas, community vacation church school, pageants at Easter and Christmas, serving banquets, retreats, cook-outs and swim parties or volleyball, riverside picnic and worship, community mother daughter banquets, world day of Prayer, funeral dinners, Christmas caroling, witnes- sing weekend, church growth classes and workshops, family social, puppet, clown, and chalk talk workshops; temple school classes; craft fair; Sr. Citizen dinners and activities; Scripture study and many more. We haven't done it all, nor have we done it all right . . . but we have done many things to try to further the work of the Lord here in Seibert. Some of the furnishings in the church bring to mind special memories . . . the pulpit was �a gift from Bro. Orval Schall of Loveland. Various memorials given through the years have proved our library, candleabra and brass flower stands, public address system, bhe curtain for the kitchen serving window, ceiling fans and our new organ. Our heritage is rich with the blessings of God and the cledication of the Saints. We are grateful for all who have contributed in the growth and progress of the work of Christ in the community. Praise the Lord! by Betty Reid new church organized, with 11 charter members as the Seibert Congregational Church. August 1, 1896, Rev. Charles W. Smith served as pastor of the Seibert Church. In the year of 1906 in order that a church building might be erected, grant loan of $215.00, was secured from the Congregational Church Building society, and a frame building erected, and dedicated on June 16, 1902 with an ordination service by the then pastor, Rev. N.H. Hawkins. With membership growth and church work growing during the pastorate of Rev. E.P. Owen, another grant loan from the Congrega- tional Church Building was secured for SEIBERT UNITED METHODIST CHURCH T343 $400.00 and a new building was completed in 1914. In 1915 the old building was sold to B.E. Roller, and the interior of the new building was remodeled and completed. In the following years m{rny different pastors served the church, and most of them preaching in other churches, such as Stratton, Cope, Flagler and others, and progress was very slow. The following persons served as pastors from the time the first church was built until the year 1920: E.S. Hughes, Jas. Read, Jan J. LeFebre, Mrs. E. Shimrock, E.P. Jnited Methodist Church, Seibert, built in 1914. Owens (who was pastor at the time the present church was built), Rev. A.E. Hartman, P.R. Kiplinger, Charles W. Smith and Mrs. Charles W. Smith, who alternated Sundays as they served for a second time, having served first before any building was erected. Serving from 1920 to 1926 were: Rev. A. Sturgis, Rev. W.P. Barton, Rev. Charles D. Gearhart, Rev. S.J. Snyder, Rev. Peter Rasmussen, and Rev. J.N. Trompin, officiating when there was no other pastor. There was little progress and being left without a pastor, they requested advice from Rev. I.A. Young, Evangelical Pastor who was visiting his daughter in Seibert, Mrs. John Schekel. Rev. Young suggested that the Evangelical Church might be able to supply pastors if the people so desired, resulting in Rev. B. Barthel, the District Superintendant of Colorado Conference of the Evangelical Church, visiting the Seibert community, and at the following conference session in 1927, Rev. F.D. Dexheimer was appointed pastor of the Seibert Mission. Rev. Dexheimer arrived and people of the community rallied immediately to his aggressive manner and much progress resulted and at a publicly announced meeting of the memberg of the Seibert Congregational Church held on August 25,1927, it was voted to see if the church would become an Evangelical Church, results being 28 in favor, none opposed. Rev. D. Barthel preached several Sundays before and following the above action. October 5,1927 , the Seibert Congregation- vlethodist Church today after brick was added to he exterior of the building 1988. Religious work began in the town of Seibert n 1889, by a D.H. Minich, a Home Mission- ry of the Congregational Church. Others vho helped get it established were Robert (nowles. Rev. Lee and Rev. Jones of lowa. In the spring of 1892, Rev. E. Tuttle, who vas commissioned Home Missionary for lastern Colorado, came and served as pastor rntil 1896. Meetings were held in the Seibert {ouse. Feeling the organization was not rroperly organized, it was voted to disband md reorsanize. On Februarv 10, 1896, the al Church disbanded and became the new Seibert Trinity Evangelical Church, a community church. Sixty-four people were received as charter members. A class was organized resulting with the following elected as Trustees - S.M. Abbott, President - H.C. Greenlee, Secretary - Martin C. Johnson, L.M. Brown, and John Schekel. A full basement was built under the church. A house was secured and purchased for a parsonage which was diagonally across the street. With the new basement and purchase of the parsonage a new debt of $465.66 was acquired. With the transfer of propertv from Congre- gation Church to Evangelical, the grant loan from Congregational Church Building Society became due in the amount of $615.00 plus interest. this was not discovered until twelve years later, however. The Seibert Trinity Evangelical Church was formally dedicated Nov. 4-5-6th 1927 by Rev. B. Barthel Dist. Supt. of Colorado Conference. Other ministers present besides the Pastor R.D. Dexheimer were: Rev. Nash of Genoa - Rev. I.A. Young, Denver Alameda church - and Rev. L.D. Hale of Stratton. A large crowd was in attendance and rejoiced throughout the day. During the following months, calls from Bethune, and many surrounding schools came for someone to preach, and Leslie E. Gabel was appointed by the Dist. Supt. Rev. B. Barthel to serve as Assistant Pastor of the Seibert Field and to serve many nearby appointments. He arrived March 15th, having been recommended as capable for the Gospel Ministry be the Sterling Congregation. Regular preaching services were held at Rock Cliff twelve miles south of Seibert, Second Central fifteen miles southwest of Seibert, Prairie Gem twelve miles northwest of Seibert and Bethune and Seibert. The Pastors daughter Roberta Dexheimer preached at Rock Cliff, and Rev. L.E. Gabel Second Central and Bethune. Rev. F.F. Jordan, an evangelist from Illinois, held revival services at Seibert and Second Central with many souls being saved and uniting with the Church, and by Conference time 1928 there was a total membership of 150. Christian Endeavor Societies, Women's Missionary Society were organized and also there was an active Ladies Aid Society. At this Conference Session the Seibert Society requested the Conference to be put on the selfsupporting Fields and this request was granted. The following year Membership reached 194 and a total of $3,620.00 was raised for all purposes, excluding building. The next year, however only having a parttime preacher, a steady decrease of membership and amount of money raised resulted. The severe depression, crop failures and dust storms caused many people to move from Seibert and businesses were discontinued. In the year 1936 and '37 a low of 94 membership was left and only $771.00 was raised for all purposes. From this time on the steady decrease, resulted in the church again being placed on the list of missions. However there was an increase of money raised and progress in spite of the war conditions and workers going to supply the war jobs. In 1938 the Church was painted, and in 1940 the balance ofthe indebtedness of$200 was paid off. In L943-44 the entire interior was repainted and varnished. Pastors who served the Trinity Evangelical Church include Rev. R.D. Dexheimer L927 -28 with Rev. L.E. Gabel as Assistant part-time - Rev. J.A. Brewer a short time 1929 - Rev. Wm R. Van Devender part-time 1929 - Rev. W.C. Johnson moved here from Colo. Springs Trinityin Nov. 1929, to May 1931 -Rev. A.G. Hettler May 1931 to December 1932 - Rev. T.A. Marks May 1933 to May 1935 and also serving Stratton 2nd year. Rev. B. Barthel Dist Sup t. from May 1935 to Sept. 1935 when Rev. V.H. Schroeder served Seibert and Genoa for some months and secured a supply pastor. Rev. S.E. Parrott who served under the Supt. until May 1936. Pastor L.E. Gabel served the feild from Mav 1938 to 1944. In �May 1942 the Smokey Angle, formerly part of the Kit Carson Mission was added to the Seibert Mission and the pastor who had also been preaching at the Cope Congregational Church took it on also. This field showed promise of a fruitful Mission of the Evangelical Church along with Joes Territory; Cope is 26 miles north of Seibert and Smokey angle 35 miles Southeast of Seibert. Rev. C. Lafoon served several years followed by T.A. Marks who carried on the ministry until 1950. Rev. Oliver Davidson was here one year, followed by Francis Bayless, assigned here from Stratton in 1952, serving two years. Rev. Raymond Scott followed him in June 1954 and progress strived all these years. A large Sunday School class of young people, youth and adults developed. Other accomplishments were interior redecorating of the walls, new furniture for the front of the church being added as memorial gifts. A Hammond Spinet Organ was given in memory of Fosha S. Gorton who passed away in 1955, by the Gorton families, and many other items. Money for floor tiles were given. An addition was added to the west side of the church during the ministry of Rev. Francis Bayless and the front of the church shifted from the north side of the church to the west side in the new addition. Under the ministry of Rev. Raymond Scott a rededication Service of the Evangelical United Brethern Church was held. In June 1958 Rev. Scott was transferred to Peetz. Co. and Rev. R.M. Churchill came to Seibert. During the year of Rev Churchill's pastorate, the E.U.B. Church was given a new coat of paint, a memorial fund was set up in memory of Mary Tiffany in a savings account. In 1959 a Wurlitzer piano was given in memory of Dale Jones by Irene Jones and the children. April 23, 1968 the Evangelical United Brethern Church and the Methodist Churches merged and beceme United Methodist Churches, and the first session of the uniting Conference began Tues, April 23, 1968 with Bishop W. Maynard Sparks presi- ding. June 18, 1968 Seibert took formal action to change its name to United Methodist Church, Seibert, Colorado with Dist. Supt. Lloyd D. Nichols here. panelling down stairs, padded cushions for the pews, paint for the interior, carpet for the church floors, all this brought about by the labors of the ladies by quilting, bazaars, selling nuts, making hen door stops, (which are in many countries of the world), and new tables for the basement. Except for the Adult Senior Sunday Class, the Sunday School was nearly defunct in 1975. April 1975 the church members decided to brick the outside of the church instead of painting. The Conference was contacted and a request for a loan from the money from the sale of our parsonage was made and the loan was granted. Mohave brick was ordered Nov. 1975, new doors were added from memorial money, and new storm windows were added at the time of the bricking. Under the pastorate of Rev. George Dageenakis in 1976 an active Youth group again was organized. Following Rev. Dageenakis was Rev. Frank Harvey and Interim pastor who filled the pulpit from June 1979 til Pastor Doris Bingham came Sept. 1, 1979. After Pastor Doris came the church once again grew in active membership and attendance and Youth activities. In 1980 the Dist. Supt Jon Nieves was approached about the possibilities of a full time pastor at Seibert, but we were informed by the Supt. that we would have to have an additional $9000.00 in conjuction with the $11,000 budget that we were trying to meet before we could think about it. So after much discussion and hopes it was decided to set up an improvement Fund and thus it was started. But still in 1987 we are still a two charge church and hopes dim. 1981 brought about a speaker system for the church. The young ladies Carpet Capers U.M. groups also installed two much needed ceiling fans in the church. Later they have gotten a stereo, T.V., kitchen stove, microwave oven, and other help. New Gold Choir robes were purchased from a personal gift for the 14 robes. Doris Bingham was pastor in 1981. Improv- ements to the church included a new roof. new ceiling fans, choir robes and a P.A. system. A thirty member group, including Seibert's U.M. choir, presented a Christmas Contata directed by Denis Stahlecker. Choir members also joined Stratton's choir to Pastor David Newman was here in 1969 but when Rev. David B. Finley was here in Jan, 1970 we were a two charge church with present ajoint Easter Contata. Fourteen were Stratton. membership was recorded via transfer. The In 1970 the church Membership voted to sell their parsonage (the former John Martin home) to Hulon Webb. Year 1972 showed still a decrease in Sunday School attendance, a week of Special meetings were held with Dr. Nichol Presiding. Dr. Charles Wood came to Pastor the two churches inl972. The front of the church was paneled to add a great appearance to it. Due to an apportionment assessed on our churches by the Conference, which was based on membership, it made it impossible to meet the apportionment, as many of the members were older persons and non-resident members who wished to still have their names remain on the roll. The United Methodist Church does not recognize an inactive list for such members, so our apportionments were too high to be met. Without the help of the United Methodist Women through the years it was next to impossible to survive. Many times they came to the rescue with finances in various wavs. Special Seder services were held on Maundy Thursday. Pastor Lewis started "Kids Klub" which was geared towards Grades One through Six. The children of the community met once a week for study, recreation and refreshments. The Seibert/Stratton parishes cost shared a VCR, but this was dissolved later. Seibert participated along with other local United Methodist congregations in a special program in Burlington in honor of Bishop Sano. Pastor Doug Lewis moved to South Carolina in June with Pastor Marge Huffman coming on board as his replacement. Membership rolls were updated and audited showing a decrease in membership to 54. Recognition was given to Bessie Short who celebrated her 100th birthday. Richard Gilbert completed his six year term as District Superintendent. Mason Willis was named new District superintendent for the Greeley District. The Seibert congregation participated in a "Hats Off' Celebration planned by the Stratton U.M. Church honoring Pastor Marge Huff- man's ordination as an elder. The Youth Group has remained active over the years and has almost always had representation at Buckhorn Camp and/or the Up With Youth Conference every year. They participated in a variety of activities, usually in conjunction with the Stratton U.M. Youth. Another active group over the years has been the United Methoidst Women (U.M.W.). They hold an annual bazaar and use the profits from this event for local church needs as well as various mission oriented concerns. The U.M.W. distribute fruit baskets at Christmas and send cards and visit sick and shut ins throughout the year. The Carpet Caper Group, composed of the younger U.M. members, also contribute to church and community needs. This group has made hundreds ofwall hangings over the years and are now concentrating on barbed wire wreaths and country crafts. Other yearly traditions include Galilean Services at Bonny Dam, Bible School held jointly with the RLDS Church and a Sunday is set aside each spring to honor graduating Hi-Plains seniors. by Twila Gorton confirmed and baptized and an additional Pastor reported six funerals and two weddings in the Seibert community in 1981. The Seibert congregational joined in voicing their opposition to homosexuality in the church. Pastor Doris Bingham left our parish in May and Eldon Shoemaker served as pastor for a brief period of time until his death. Reverend Douglas Lewis came as a interim pastor at the close of 1982. Pastor Lewis continued to serve the Seibert parish on a part time basis until June at which time he was asked to serve Seibert/Stratton as full time pastor. The combined choirs presented an Easter Contata directed by Maxine Matthews. Seibert's choir was a part of a community contata, directed by Denis Stahlecker, which was presented on Good Friday. Seibert voted to participate in the three year Church Development and Redevelopment Program, a fund raising effort to enable the construction of additional United Methodist churches. Seibert's membership totaled 95. SEIBERT CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE T344 A Church of the Nazarene was organized at Seibert, Colorado, Sunday morning December 22, 1940, with Rev. C.W. Davis. District Superintendant in charge. This organization was the result of the revival held by Rev. and Mrs. Paul Doddy of Casper, Wyoming. Rev. Vogt and Rev. Mize started the revival. The Lord wonderfully blessed and gave us souls and victory in this meeting. Rev. George Vogt acted as pastor, his salary started at $4.00 per week. Charter members were: Miss Daisy Hase, Mrs. Hope Hase, Mrs. Opal Hase, Mrs. Margaret Hase, Mrs. Laura Sawhill, Mr. Ben Sawhill, Mrs. Opal Sawhill, Miss Dixie Sawhill, Mr. Robert Sawhill, Miss Nellie Sawhill, Miss Betty Sawhill, Mrs. Isabelle Clifford, Mrs. Mertie Bigelow, Margaret �Clevenger, and Floyd Clevenger. In 1941 the elected trustees were: Brother Ben Sawhill, Brother Floyd Clevenger, the Sister Isabelle Clifford, to serve one year on the annual board. Three trustees for the church board were: Sister Laura Sawhill, Sister Margaret Clevenger, and Sister Isabelle Clifford. Rev. Vogt appointed Isabelle Clifford, secretary, and Brother Ben Sawhill, treasurer. The church started holding their meetings in the Blake Building on the west side of Main Street. July 6, 1941, Rev. Vogt was Pastor. In September 1941, Sister Lillian E. Johnson, sister:in-law of Pastor Vogt, came to serve. They rented and began meetings in the old shops building across the street, north ofthe Griffith, the Elphis Church be moved to Seibert as property of the Nazarene. The property located two blocks east of Main Street and one block south ofHighway 24 had been donated to them. At July 8, 1946 annual meeting, permission was given by District Superintendant, Glen Griffith, that the Elphis Church could be moved to Seibert where a basement had been made for it. The church still sits there in 1987. Rev. Walden rode the top of the Elphis Church in the chimney from north of Vona to Seibert. The cost of moving the Elphis Church was $800.00 and the money was borrowed from the District, and was paid back on a monthly basis. The money was raised by Laura Sawhill, who raised chickens big White Elephant building on the north end and sold them. purchase the shoe shop building and did at a tax sale October 17, 1941, for approximately come, the church voted to purchase other lots to square the property. New song books were $350.00. In 1941, The Women's Missionary Society, also purchased. of Main Street. They decided to try to made a quilt for the campground, bed spread for the Missionary Cottage, two dresses and a blouse for a Missionary family. The wallboard petitions were taken out of the building to make room for services. With the help of the Stratton Church and Mrs. Howell of Vona, the church was soon ready for public worship. Two rooms in the back were living quarters for the pastors. The celotex wallboard was given to Rev. Vogf, for two stoves. In February 1948, after Rev. Fraley had In April 1951, it was decided to buy some seats from the county for the church. Sister Lorraine Ripper and Sister Berneice Markey came to serve the church from August 1954 to July 1956. In August 1956, Rev. Helsel came. Permission was given to his Pastor Johnson resigned May 30, 1942, due request to lower the ceilings in the parsonage at his own expense. Discussed telephone for parsonage; prices to be checked. Sometime before the end of 1956 an overheated stove has caused a fire in the church, and asphalt shingles were put on December 1957. Rev. Helsel left for a calling to Manzanola on to his health. Miss Anna Nuter, of Broadwater, Nebraska, came as pastor to assist Pastor Johnson a while. Rev. Anna Nutter left the following notes, in part: "I arrived in Seibert, June 20, 1942, were here in November 1959-1960. Restrooms were put in the church at this time and that night a hail storm damaged the church roof and broke a west window out of the church. Oil stove purchased $5.00, a heater $1.50, and a bookcase $1.00 for parsonage (Mrs. Combs of Hastings, Nebraska, gave a rug for the church, Mrs. Johnson donated an organ stool.) As offerings increased the board decided the salary to be $5.00 per week. The entry way January 12, 1958, and Rev. Guy, of Burlington, filled the pulpit until another pastor could be gotten. Rev. Floyd Totten and wife also. October 1967, the church was cleaned and floors varnished. In September 1968, a gas stove was purchased for the basement. Rev. and Mrs. Walden returned in November 1960, to serve the Seibert Church. Membership having gone downhill, due to people moving away, transferring of member- ship and deaths, had made it financially on the north was built before winter and made the parsonage more comfortable and unfeasible to maintain the church any longer. by Floyd Clevenger. The church paid Mrs. closed. warmer. Coal and cobs for fuel were furnished Johnson for the linoleum on the kitchen floor. April 4, 1943, five members were taken in. Six children were dedicated to God. On May 13, little Betty Noel's funeral was held. A stove was purchased for the church for $12.50. The minister was recalled and accepted, salary was increased to $6.00 per week by a vote of members to increase the salary a $1.00. The pulpit, altar and piano was varnished and the church roof repainted. Brother Ben Sawhill furnished over half of the expenses and did most of the painting. Mr. Perrine was hired to help and also donated part of his time. Attendance average was 15. (End of notes). At the annual meeting in 1943 it was voted to get Brother Ben Sawhill a preacher license for the coming year, this was granted' and was also granted for the following year. Rev. Howard and Anna Howetter carne in 1944' 1945. Brother Walden came as pastor in 1945. It was agreed to have Pastor Walden see about having the Elphis Church, north of Vona, moved into Seibert. A motion made at the request of the Seibert Church, that through the courtesy of District Superintendant So due to failing health, Brother Walden retired on July 1971, and the church was Brother Walden and Mrs. Walden are making their home in Seibert, CO, where they purchased the parsonage building and prop- erty in approximately L972. The church property was sold approximately the same year to Edie and Carol Reed. by Twila Gorton ..WIIITE ELEPHANT'' COMMUNITY BUILDING' T345 The "White Elephant" as it became known for its size after being built as a WPA (Works Progress Administration) project about 1934 or 35 was never completely finished until the VFW was formed in Seibert, Colo. It had a finished stage floor and one of the meeting rooms on the side had flooring finished, but the other one and the main floor had a sub floor in it with a little flooring laid. However, when the veterans tried to lease it, they had to wait for sometime to start work as the Moser Grain elevator had wheat stored in it for a couple years prior to that, which had to be gotten out. The VFW. John Maurice Wren Post # 6492, Ieased it in Jan. 1947, and held every kind of a project to help make money to complete the building as the school, needing a bigger gymnasium wanted to lease it, so the veterans borrowed money from the bank to finish the building. The school used it for several years until the new school was built in 1952, and the veterans lost their lease. A mortgage burning ceremony was held March 14, 1953 for the debt incurred on the hall. The veterans had a 99 year lease on the hall with the town. But due to the dwindling of active members and various things through the years the expenses became too hard to meet so the veterans bought the old small Post Office building on the east side of main street in 1963, and the big hall was turned back to the town. The building housed the Civil Defense emergency hospital unit for about 25 years, beginning in the 50's. This unit included everything necessary for a good hospital in a disaster, including an operating room which was stored in crates, stacked 4 feet out from the wall and to the ceiling, and a generator, cots for 200 patients. But all this equipment was disposed of about 9 years ago by the civil defense director Agnes Loutzenhiser. During the years the VFW had the hall, the building was used for roller skating weekly and in later years as it started to go down in activities, it was used only through the summer months for the skating due to heating the building. Early years activities were regular Saturday night dances, men and women town team basket ball games and town team leagues being formed, and many town team tournaments. About 1982 the town board made a financial commitment to maintenance of the building and repaired the roof. The community started suggesting the necessity of a nice community building perhaps in the city park, where some beautiful sod had been placed and some new buildings for a picnic area and barbecue pit had been erected. After the state highway department had some loads of dirt to be placed somewhere (more than was needed on the streets), Dale Murphy suggested to Mayor Ralph Gorton, that they dump it into the northwest corner ofthe park area, and try to fix it into a nice area for uee. Thus it was taken before the town council and the park project was soon begun about 1982. So once again Dale Murphy, being on the town council, suggested that there were great possibilities of the "White Elephant" being renovated into a nice community building, since it was already sitting there and of no use and deteriorating. He drew some blue prints which were presented to the town board with favorable reactions and the possibilities of checking into grants was suggested. The search for money in the emount of $65,000.00 for the work that was planned began. Murphy Construction submitted the low bid for the remodeling work on the building of about $48,000 to lower the ceilings, build walls, partitions, heating, laying carpets for the new town office, kitchen and dining room area, and rest �rooms, which had to meet specifications for the State Health Department for preparing meals for Project Srnile for local senior citizens. These appliances were purchased separately by the town, councilman Jeny Many people prefer the hall now be called the Community Hall instead of "White Elephant". I still think "The White Elephant" holds a distinction for Seibert, Colorado. Guy said. The rear of the building was also renovated by taking out the old rest rooms, two rneeting rooms and a storage room and shower rooms and the stage to make the skating area about equal to the previous area plus the bleachers on the north side were removed. by Twila Gorton DAYS OF THE OLD WEST Renovations came about from grants received with the help of the East Central Council of Governments, with Mary Jo Downey's help. Ten thousand dollars each The "sqauws": Anna Guy, Minerva Stone, Elnora T346 Yti:J,J:'irt|;rs plav their roles well at the "Davs came from Coors Foundation and Baughman Farms, which had formerly had large farm holdings in the Seibert Area. The Arthur E. Johnson foundation in Denver and Gates Foundation contributed $15,000 each. With the renovation finished in 1987, the outside was ready for a coat of paint. Jerry Guy town councilman was visiting with County Commissioner Bill Hornung and was told of the program offered by the army. Bill had a nephew, Lt. Col. Michael Pendergast, who had told Bill about the battalion and cities participating in an adoption program where local communities "Adopt" Fort Car- Y;;"'.. 'lri::ili.,irr,., :ill *),,,,;... The 1939 enactment of "Old West Days" begins. son units, and the soldiers have and will continue to do volunteer civic projects, such as painting the town hall. Units and their cities also exchange invitations to social, athletic and entertainment events. Carol Levin, city clerk, was instructed to contact Lt. Col. Pendergast and soon the bond was made and Seibert adopted the 68th Transportation Battalion. July 13th, 1987 Capt. Anthony Swain and four other soldiers flew to Seibert in a large Army Red Cross helicopter and landed on the school grounds near the ball field. A survey was made of the building as to the facilities to accommodate the crew to come (there were some ladies) and to what would be necessary for the job. While the 'chopper was landed the The wagon train prepares to make camp while Indians are at their tepees in the background. ehief White Eagle the only real Indian in the Indian raid enactment. I children and adults were invited to inspect the chopper, go aboard and even sit in the pilots seat. What thrills! A bus load of 27 soldiers of the 68th Transportation Battalion arrived Friday, July 27th and the project began, in spitc of high winds. Dinner was served by the community for volunteers who helped. Again supper, breakfast and dinner on Saturday was pre- pared and served before they departed for their base in Colorado Springs, the job finished. The association with the soldiers was a very enjoyable one. The Indians attack the settler's camp. Soldiers from the 50th Ordanance Co. participated in the bed race on Seibert Day July 25, 1987, and kept their record of winning by defeating over 8 other teams, and being known locally famous as winners. Other members of the 68th transportation and 50th Ordnance Company enlivened the parade with the Battalion color guard and company guidons, and also participation in other events of the day. The Battalion Commander and Sergent Major acted as targets in the town dunking booth. Another highlight of Seibert Day was when Lt. Col. Michale Pendergast flew in, in the big Army Red Cross helicopter, landing at the school first, then taking the chopper to the vacant land south of the city park where the day's events were taking place, and people could look at it and visit if thev wished. The flurry of gunsmoke and dust obscures the view as the battle rages. The old "prospector", John Peterson, 1939. �not. A large beef barbecue lasting for hours awaited the hungry actors and observers. Later, there were parades, trained horses exhibitions with a set of four putting on 'i ftr. "rn-ai*." mounted for the attack. interest the other business men in staging a re-enactment of that massacre. Some of the "settlers" in the Old West Days: Fosha Gorton Jr and Sr. with Dorothy Lundey and Elfie Gorton. "Most of those businessmen had a thousand reasons not to do it. They voted it down, 10 to 1. "It'd be a nice thing," they said, "but people are to hard up ." But a few including Fitz, went ahead and did it anyway. The result was open air theatre which would rival Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show in excitement and authenticity. Featuring more than 400 local people, the show highlighted a full day of activity that became nationally known in its three year existence, 1938-40. Preparations began long before the big day, which was Labor Day each year, with creation of props and costumes, and with development of the script. The day before, truck loads of horses and riders would move into town from as far away as Loveland, and one Aurora man would bring his wagon and four %--j head of trained oxen. About two dozen cowboys would ride in from the south country, Second Central south ofFlagler, and east of there, on horse back, and bed down in a local barn. Early the next morning, the "Indians" went into makeup. Their skin color was darkened with liberal doses of brick dust (which didn't come off very easy, especially if you had wrinkles), and they were decked out in Indian garb crafted from burlap bags and bows and arrows built by local Boy Scouts. At 9 a.m. the large crowd of observers gathered on a hillside, to watch the show. A long prospector, with long whiskers and an old burrow, wandered into view, and as he slowly made his way across the basin, under the watchful eye of the audience, the "Indians" quietly slipped out of sight behind the hill, to await their moment. As the prospector left the basin, a train of about 40 covered wagons entered and formed a circle. The horses were unhitched and taken behind the hill to avoid scaring them. Then came the Indians over the hill, in single style. Roughly 140 of the Indians were mounted: others were on foot. The Indians { George Simon, another "settler", perhaps. t attacked, dragging the settlers and their families from the wagons, "killing and scal- ,1 r2 t:,. ti tr d$ ping" them, or riding off with a few as prisoners. But the Indians didn't have it all their own way, either. The settlers fought "\. "Indian" Warren Kemp . . . Old West Days. In 1859, Indians attacked a wagon train of settlers near the site of present day Seibert, killing most of them. In the late 1930's a few of Seibert's merchants, led by former news- paper publisher V.S. Fitzpatrick, tried to back, firing black powder blanks, and "dead" Indians fell from their horses to lie in the dust. True to their roles, the "dead" men lay still as a hundred horses continued to race back and forth, but never stepping on anyone. And then it was over, with the surviving Indians racing back to their tepees, leaving scores of massacred settlers, and at least one burning wagon, in their wake. The squaws and the maidens entered the battle- field only long enough to "finish off' the crippled. But while the show was over. the dav was square dancing on horse back, prize fights, rodeos and horse races, culminating with a square dance in the street, which lasted to 3 or 4 a.m. During the first year, as the Highway 24 ran through the town, patrolman directed traffic and many people upon being stopped, would be amazed at the bustling busy little town, and when told would immediately pull off the highway and take the days activities and the word passed fast to other parts of the nation, and in 1939 the Iocal promoters sold nearly 2,100 tickets for 25 cents each, and when the show started, there were 748 cars registered in 34 states among those parked on the hill. In 1940 all 48 states were represented. Two of those out-of-state visitors were in the motion picture business, and they almost had the Seibert celebration on the film for posterity. In 1940, a movie producer and five crew members were coming to film the show. When they didn't show up on time, the show was delayed for an hour or more, but as the crowd grew impatient, the show went on without the film crew. Later, they received the word that the airplane carrying the movie crew crashed somewhere near Deer Trail, enroute from Hollywood, killing all aboard. An end came to the show in 1941 when the United States entered World War II. Men of fighting age joined up or were drafted, and there no longer were enough cast members to stage the massacre. It never was staged again, although a rodeo and barbecue continued for several years. During all three years, with hundreds of people on the ground in the field, with horses running and milling about, with cowboys and "Indians" lying "dead" onthe ground. . . no one was seriously injured. One man was burned by the direct hit with a wadding from a blackpowder pistol, and Fitzpatrick was kicked in the leg by a horse. "But at the end of the show, I offered up a prayer of thanks, that nobody got hurt," said Fitzpatrick. AII in all, things pretty well came off without a hitch. There were riders, horses, mules, warriors, gquaws, Indian maids, oxen, wagons, cattle and herders whiskered oldtimers, emigrant women, and old-fashioned boys and girls. Yet, by use of the timed script, the show proceeded like the real thing, with only one rehearsal. "Nobody had a dime, coming out of the thirties," but they gave a lot of themselves. One of the years a true Indian Chief was here and took park in the celebration. He was Joe Davis, "Chief White Eagle." There are many fond memories of these celebrations. It is impossible to write the excitement in put into your blood stream at the time. by Twila Gorton THE SEIBERT BOY'S BAND T347 The Seibert Boys Band from Seibert, Colorado, composed of boys ranging in age from 8 to 15 years, gave a serenade in front of the News and Times office vesterdav �August 27, L889 from C.F. Jilson Trustee of the county of Shawnee, Kansas to School District # 37 of Kit Carson county, Colorado, all of lots 1 thru 18 block 27 in the town of Seibert. A deed made May 2, 1918 went from the school to J.L McNeill, the school board members were: Pres. A.C. Tinsley, Sec. Frank D. Allen, Treas. Elmer Everett. Later Oct. 6, 1919 it went from McNeill to Felix A.C. Schmitt April 18, 1921 from Schmitt to J. Henry Tihan, Bishop in Denver, - then onto Bishop Urban J. Vehr. The property is cunently owned by Louise L. Gamble of Seibert. All transactions ofthis deed are not included just some to tie the school and church into this story. Apparently there was a little white building used for the school for a short time prior to the building of the two story frame school. Dwight Frankfather said the first school was a single story white frame building located in Ted Cruickshank, 7 year old drummer, was the youngest member when the Seibert band started. In 1916 Mr. G.W. Klockenteger organized the trained the band. afternoon. The band, in company with the five Seibert business men who financed the enterprise, is on a tour of the state in five automobiles, and for the last few days has been camped in the tourist camping grounds in city park. The band was organized two years ago by it's director G.W. Klockenteger, a Seibert banker, and is primarily a character building plan. While it is founded on a somewhat similar basis as the Boy Scout the National Guard - El Paso Countv Democrat. by Twila Gorton SEIBERT SCHOOL T348 movement, it is independent. But tho it would seem that the music is only incidental, too much cannot be said in praise of the boys and their directors as regards to their playing. Scorning ragtime and "easy pieces", the Khaki-clad kids rendered different overtures and marches with all the ease of seasonal musicians. When one considers the ages of the boys, he can realize in a degree the credit due Mr. Klokenteger for their performances. The present trip is an educational one H.L. Cated, C.D. Frankfather, E.L. Smith, Dick Hendricks and their director - the founders of the organization - furnishing the cars and meeting the expenses. They have visited so far Colorado Springs, Seibert school built in 1893. given by the Seibert Boys Band, an organization ofthe boy scouts from a little town of300 population on the Rock Island in the eastern part of Colorado. The boys are on a tour of the state, traveling in automobiles furnished by the vice president of the Seibert State Bank, Mr. G.W. Klokenteger. Mr. Klokenteger organized the band last September at his own expenses and trained the boys himself. Seibert is the little town in eastern Colorado that within three days after the call of President Wilson, furnished a Company for Martha Abbott (Boggs - Allen) says she went to school in the one story building starting in 1918, and went three years of her high school years, while three grades were combined to each of the four rooms, grades L-2-3- 4-5-67-8-9 and 10-11-12 being together. Her senior year she attended school in the second story which had been built and finished so in 1921 fall classes began in it. This addition was being done in 1921 at a cost of925,000. Their class being the first to graduate from the top addition, they also had given the first Junior - Senior banquet in 1921, was the first class to organize and have a class sponsor. An excerpt for the annual says, "We also had the went to school in Seibert School in 1910 in the white two story frame building. A copy of the "first High School Annual - One of the big features of the Mask Ball last Thursday night was the band concert deeded to the school District all of block 13 and 14 in Seibert, July 17, 1917, and on this property the large red brick school house (a half basement and one story) was erected. honor of naming the Seibert High School Annual "The Yucca". which name shall be carried through all the forth coming years." A note from Maxine Messinger (Radcliff) is: A note per "Reminiscence" by Della Hendricks is that Elaine and Bill Hendricks Canon City and Cripple Creek, traveling .slowly enough to take in all places of interest and to inspect all interesting features. Yesterday they visited the rifle range and gave the guardsman a concert. They will remain in Denver till Thursday in order to view the circus today, leaving then for Estes Park Denver (Daily) News, August 23, 1916. the southeast edge of town, and was built by the Rock Island railroad in the late 1880's. The picture included shows the white frame building after the second story had been added about four years later, making it a grade and High school. The picture says it was built in 1893 and was the first grade and high school. The first graduating class of 1919 including Reva Sawhill - Florence Muck Lida Cruickshank and Elizabeth Schauffler graduated from this building, but no exercises were held, Paul R. Veeder the Supt. Records in Book 7 4 page 581 at the county clerks office shows that G.W. Klockenteger "1922" in the hands of Maxine, which was Seibert School built in 1917, top floor added in 1921. dedicated to The Seibert High School shows; Faculty: V.E. Worley, Mrs. W.I. Conley, Marie Farquahar, Mrs Avis Simmons, Lora Mae Moore, Ora Cruickshank (Maxine's 2nd After much researching there isn't much to be found on the history of the early schools of Seibert. However after many phone calls to a few of the old timers who are living that attended the first Seibert school and the Red Brick school, I will try to piece together a bit there was a consolidationin1922 with several other districts, and many new students joined of history. their ranks from these districts, which was Records from the Abstract Office in Burlington, shows a warranty deed record # 6260 from C.F. Jilson to school District # 37 was recorded at 3:15 PM January 9, 19 893 by R.G. Cambell. recorder. The deed was made apparently when students began coming to town to attend high school to graduate. The two story white frame building in block 27 was torn down and twin houses built from the lumber according to Dwight Frank- grade teacher) and Agnes Beedy, her 1920-21 year. From the annual the information is that �of the building and stopped and reported it. It was in the early pre-sun-up hours. The fire was extinguished and kept contained mainly in the northeast class room of the middle section, and the evidence was discovered. Some typewriters and other articles were missing from the building. The gymnasium is the three story red brick building, being to small for regulation basketball games was condemned for the league games, the school district leased the V.F.W. Hall (The White Elephant) from the veterans for their basketball, proms and other activi- ties from 1948 to 1953. In the 1940's a small frame building, the old Progress country school was moved from 12 miles north and 3 Vz east of Seibert to town and was located to just the north east of the brick building and was used for some Jr High classes and a shop. Later this building was sold and it once again returned to the country to the Denis Stahlecker farm. The fall of 1950 brought about another Hi Plains High School, Seibert, 1988. furter. These houses are now owned by Ervin Jones and Gladys Tovrea, and were built approximately 1918 to 1920. I have received much help from many people and wish I could include all the remarks but it is impossible, but I wish to thank them for the help, for without it, it would not be possible to put this information together for an almost lost history. Thanks to John (Jack) Messinger, Dwight Frankfath- er, Martha Abbott (Allen), Vernis Boger, Myrna and Meryl Haynes, Dwight and Pete Guy, the telephone visit was great. &:r',. ., ' $i ,,' -.;l $ View from south west part of Library and Home Ec section after the fire. There was a fire in the Red Brick school in 1948 during school vacation, which had been deliberately set, as inflammable soaked rags were found under each fire hose at each flight of stairs in the building. A trucker coming from the east on Highway 24 (The only highway then) saw flames in the east windows .:at:: ..,....:,. .r:i:,\i..a.,.:r,:i:',,:, consolidation, this time bringing the remaining country pupils to town, ending the area of most small country schools. The Seibert School then became Seibert Centralized School R-2. After the high school and gymnasium had been built and in service for several years the need for a new and safer elementary facility began to be discussed among the patrons and a committee of: Luthur Tatkenhorst, Chairman; Marvin Burr, Orlen Reid, Lloyd Short, and Fay Knapp started checking into the possibilities of a new addition, in Oct 1959. In addition to the road for a safer elementary school building it was brought out that other school needs included. a well on the school property, landscaping, a lighted baseball and football field, a kindergarten, and elementary teachers salary closer to the line with High School teachers salaries. A bond Vote in February 1960 carried 5 to 1 in favor ofthe above proposed. This would also help with the accreditation ofthe school, as it seems that prior to this accreditation requirements were on the High school. A multi purpose room, lunchroom combina- tion, new administration offices, teachers lounge, and the seven class rooms for elementary were added. Later some landscaping and lights were put up for the baseball field. The Addition had been added to the west side of the gymnasium and high school unit, and stretched to the south. The year of 1960-61 was the first kindergarten class in Seibert, with Ollie Taton being the teacher, this was held in the basement of the old red brick 3 story building. The pupils were: Mike McElroy, Nila Niles, Charles McCaffrey, Deborah Hughes, Theresa Bancroft, Michael Mitchell, Connie Livingston, Charles Pelser, Terri Taton, Kenneth Viken and Doyle Atkins. After the new elementary was built the first Kindergarten class to attend were: Johanna Atkins. Sheree Mitchell, Jo Ann Miller, Kathryn Webb, Janice Knapp, Marilyn McCaffrey, Fred Bloom, Seibert School in the 1950's which burned on April 1' 1971. Rodney Smith, John Levin, Randy Gorton, Joseph Marx, and Cordell Atkins in 1961-62. June Short the teacher. April 1, 1971 brought disaster to the Seibert community when by-passers out on I-70 spotted flames in the windows of the gymnasium area of the school at 3:45 AM and once again came in to town to report it. The previous day had been one ofvery high winds and dusty conditions with the winds continu- �ing through the night and into the next day. The fire had evidently started in or near the g'ym area, from something caused by the high winds. The gym and the complete high school addition of the building were destroyed, but with the help of fire fighting equipment from Vona, Flagler, Stratton, and I believe Burlington was bringing a water truck, the elementary wing of the school was saved. The high winds at this point were a contributing factor in saving the part of the building that was saved, because it was blowing so hard from the northwest that it helped to keep the flame away from the west wing. The rest of the school term was finished in the local churches, VFW Hall, Elementary Classrooms. Mr. Hardy's home (a teacher), and the multi-purpose room, and kitchen, which the fire protection safety commission had okayed as being safe for use. The graduation ceremonies were held on the church yard of the Re-organized Latter Day Saints Church in Seibert. C.L. Stiverson a former Supt. giving the address. by Twila Gorton Year 1929 - *Albert Bell - *Ben Wrenn *Bonny Gaunt (Clay Gould) - *Bruce Jones - Cecil Boren - Goldie Mae Lambert (Cox) - Richard Plecker) - Robert Edwards - *Robert McBride - Shirley Short (John Matthews) - Vivian Smith (Murl Mayberry) - *Virgil Short - Voyle Larson*Lila - Claude Ingram - Inez Jones (Melton) Johnson (Reginald Allen). Year 1930 - Herbert Shults - Joe Campbell Doris Stewart (Baum) - Ada Brower -(Clarence Scheidegger) - *Marguerite Bonham (Heber) - Madeline Ott (Leander Becker) - Gwendolyn Eaton (Elmar Kerl). Year 1931 - *Harley Greenlee - *Viola Sheets (Seal) - Wayne Jones - Loretta Bonham (Collins) *Duane Oldson - Floyd McCart - Norma Johnson (Conoly) - John (Jack) Messinger - *Lucille Rose (Chris Peterson - George) - Shirley Bonham (Tay- scHooL Year 1919 - Reva Sawhill (Ed C. Wolfe) *Florence Muck (Anderson) * Lida Cruicksh- ank (J.B. Richardson) - *Elizabeth Schauffler (Green Dwight Cruickshank). Supt. Paul R. Veeder. Year 1920 -Zelma Probasco (Bridge) Supt. A.B. Cook. Year 1921 - Gladys Messing (Anderson) - *Grace Minter (Joe McCannon) - Marie McMulkin (Deutsch) - Charles Conley (first Male Graduate). Year L922 - *Olive Johnston (Herk Hill) - *Elmer Everett Martha Abbott (Boggs Allen) *Ralph W. Burden - Royal Reul Ellouise Allen (Pearson) - Supt. Homer Bishop. Year 1923 - *Mavis Leao (Maitland Helderman) - *Mabel Zimmerman - *Lillian Schermerhorn (Lewis Reid) - *Walter Burden - *Lindley Cates. Yeat 1924 *Julia J. Howard (Clayton Kivett) - Ruth Beckman (R.8. Elder) Vaughn L. McKenzie - *Ted Albert Cruickshank - Dorothy Burden (Everett Beckman) - Supt. James P. gttit. Year 1925 - Hazel Holton (Don Stewart) Myrna McKenzie (Meryl Haynes) - *Murl Mayberry - *Zella Sawhill (Lester Yonts) *Clio Huff Iva Ross Paul Reul Mary - Huff. Year 1926 - *Zelma McKenzie - *Maurice Wrenn - *Ruth Minter - Evelyn Duncan (Blythe Allen). Years 1927 - *Wayne Gesner - Robert Bancoft - Mary McCart (Martin - Blodgett) - *Francis Reul - Jerome Hinshaw - *Aubrey Edwards - *Velma Campbell (Miller) *Effie Priest Cogswell). Year 1928 - Nelta Cates (W.8. Copeland) Yarnell - *Velma Manion (Stewart) - *Edna*Murray (Williams) - Clara Yarnell (Ritch) *Robert Walker - Short - Lloyd S. Roberts - George Van Der Koi - Charles Boren. Year 1938 - Earl Allen - Lorene Miller (Scott) - Evelyn Johnson (Rabou - Smith) Russell Goodwin - Don Parrott - Eugene Perrine - *Paul Short - John D. Martin Christine Johnson (Bill Simmons) - Eugene Edler - Supt. E.G. Bjornstad. Year 1939 - Wayne Peterson - Lois Jones (Kenneth Smith) - *Doris Copley (Baker) Dorothy Gillispie (Berger) - *Katherine Clark (Crabbe) - Cecil H. McCormick Delbert Rowley - Robert Miller - Raymond Cox - Eloise Ruth Livingston (John Martin) - Maxine Smith (Wayne Peterson) - *Cecelia Ruth McCormick (Sterling Johnson) - Dorothy Rasmussen (Cribbs) - John Aegerter *George Thomas Winkler) Supt. E.G. Bjornstad. - Year 1940 - Juanita Perrine (Chester Jackson) - *Irene Aumiller (Eddie Thweatt) - Pearl Martin (Geo. Pfalzgraff) - Asa Faye Johnson (Ernie Bancroft - Savage) - Ralph Year 1932 - Garland Guy - Viola Short Edward Miyoshi) - Supt. E.G. Bjornstad. Year 1941 - Robert Guy - Burleigh Sharp *John Atkins Donald Hamilton - Jacqueline Olmstead (James McKee) - Esther Simon (Cecil McCormick) - Winifred Kemp (Thaine Ingram) - *Leila Gillispie (Hicks) Twila Murphy (Ralph Gorton) - Supt. E.G. Bjornstad. Year 1942 - George Simon - Leonard Watson) - Vernis Boger. Oleta Gillispie (Eide - Hollman) - Harley Short - Leroy Guy - Dougal Robbinson - T349 E.G. Bjornstad. lor) - Robert Andre - Gladys Andre (Kerl) Melvin Shipman - *Dan Oldson - Bernice Harmon (McBlair) - Pearl Minter (Bert Floman) - Dorothy Short (Lt. Col. James (Earl Pursley) - Roland Shults - Emily Jones (Ervin) - Bertha Larson - Ralph Schekel - GRADUATES OF SEIBERT HIGII (Don Parrott) - Ray Stewart - Viva Livings- ton (Vernis Boger) - Eugene Oliver - Supt. *Ruth Sperry Orville Larson Fannie Boger (Robinson) - Lila Jenkins - Kenneth Eaton. Year 1933 - Albert Larson - *Alice Alexander (Oldson) - Lloyd Edwards - *Glen Newton - Marjory Manion (Miller) - Vera Livingston (Wallace Gattshall) - Arvetta Shipman (Mauldin) - *Paul Scheidegger Elwyn Hays - *Ray Sperry - Homer Killalay - *Minnie Anderson (Walter Eastin) d Merl Ingram (Baker) - Gerald Shults - Lavon Eaton (Roland Shults) - Clem Patrick McCart - Supt. M.H. Brown. Year 1934 - Frederick Lyle Aegerter *Nita Elaine Mason (Paul Miller - Frank) Sterling Johnson - Marjory Edweards (Lammerman) - Gertie Vera Sears (Pat Shea) Gerald Max Roller - Leona Irene Scheidegger (Peters - Earl Cowgill - *Birney Eugene Short - Fosha Sheldon Gorton Jr. - Eva Rowley (Murray Walker) - Fern Lavinia Gardener (H.J. Martin) - Rodella Henrietta Hase (Chas. Boren) - *Pearl Faye McCart (Art Gaines) - *Mark Garrett Stewart Frank Marion Allen - *Leora Mae Andre (Phil Garlick) - *Gordon Erskine Clark Ruby Letitia Perrine (Murphy - Murphy) Supt. M.H. Brown. Year 1935 - Jane Simpson (Gearhart) Marion Simpson - Clyde Jones - Florence Sheets (Harold Adair) - Viola Perrine (Baxter - Gettman) - *Leroy Newton - *Tom Holland - *Marie Jones (Frank Smith) *Thurman Shipman *Leigh Short *Leigh - - Short - *Jay O. Guy - Thaine Ingram Robert Brown - Mildred Woltkamp (Lyle Eagerter) - Donald Everett - Supt. Richardson. Year 1936 - *Lucille Bonham (Weiser) *Edwin Cox) Judson McCormick *Ralph Gorton - Norvin Gillispie - Weldon Parker *Dale M. Schekel *Rose Rassmussen - *Lucille -(Barstad) Knowland - Alta Sessler (John Pulver) - Supt E.G. Bjornstad. Year 1937 - Alice Short (Burr Keller) Hope Smith (Virgil Hase) - Troy Murphy Norma Brown (Gerald Brown) - Max Parker Marcella Sawhill (Ground) Las Perrine -*Helen Jo-es (Reynolds) - Fern Aumiller Aegerter - *Norma Olmstead (Daily - Kemp - Betty Aegerter (Bob Miller) - nGerald Cox Darlene Akers (Zuckelwoski) - Illa Mae Jones (Hojara) - Donald Clark Loyd R. Moore Jr. - Supt. Art Watson. Year 1943 - Dixie Belle Sawhill (Gouge) - Marvin Taylor - *Eva Rose Livingston (Leonard Kemp) - Doris Rose (Crum Gagnon - Loyd Murphy) - Eleanor Scheidegger (John Atkins - Flood) - Betty Jo Stittsworth (Ray Schroeder) - Arthena Aumiller (Dick O'Neill - Ruby Wood (Flageolle - Van Winkle) - *Dale Taylor - Supt C.W. Lanning. Year 1944 - Jack Chew - Elbert E, Akers - Vivian Radebaugh (Morford) - Ma"y Christie (Earl Allen) - Martha Lou Ricks (Lloyd) - Gene Clifford - Maryld Edmunds - Supt. C.W. Lanning. Year 1945 - Robert T. Sawhill - Orline Reid - Wayne Aumiller - *James Boren Dorothy Johnson (Gene Cummings) - Dale Bartlett - Supt. W.G. Brandstetter. Year 1946 - Josephine Atkins (Joe Mazella) - Ira Cooper - Ruth Laffoon (Cline David Reid - Neville Dunnan Jr. - Jo Anne Bancroft (Bob Waldron) - Juanita Winfrey (Adrewjeski) - Louise Johnson (Azel Dorsey) - Supt. A. O. White. Year 1947 - Wm. Earl Livingston Jr. Joyce Aumiller (Bob Austin) - Betty Lou Cox (Orville Monroe) - Edna Blanche Aumiller (Akin - Gerald Duncan) - James William Akers - Dorothy McCart (Ray Atkins) - Supt L.W. Mortenson. Year 1948 - Marjory Aumiller (Merrill Amsberry) - Ruth Lange (Ruhter - John Stewart) - Norma Cruickshank (Arthur Nisson - Hunter) - Katherine Jackson (Paul Short) - Ruby Lange (Kunkel) - Betty Paxson (Jones) - Eleanor McGriff (Harley Short) - Rogene Boren (Bill Livingston) Supt. Chas. Berhens. Year 1949 - Betty Lou Hughes (David Reid) - Donna Rae Paxon (Hawley) - John Graham - Gale Corwin - Dorothy Cox (Virgil �Schwartz). Supt. George B. Guy. Year 1950 - *Vera Barnes - Dorothy Akers (Claude Rogers - Noel) - Jeanne Malm (Pursley - Bosley) - Barbara Boyd (Wm. Snow) - Bonnie Boren (Clifford Hughes) Floyd Reid - *Paul Eugene Bramlett Jr. - Supt. George B. Guy. Year 1951 - Dale Steele - Vern Miller Doyle Atkins - Erma Fulton (Jim Boren) Supt Geo. B. Guy. Year 1952 - Duane E. Miller - Esther Bramlett (Lawrence Taylor) - Sam Brewer Mary Lou Miller (Dusty Henderson) -*Irene Fuller (Orlen Reid) - *Shirley Hartley (Elbert Akers) - Melvin Levin - Betty Malm (Berelue) - Bob Kramer - Supt. George G. Guy. Year 1953 - Joan Boyd (Donald Finken) Sharon Linder (Leonard Mullen) - Myrna Belle Clifford (Brecheisen) - Carol Ann Wold (Malm - Rothgeb) - *Patty Boren (Richard Baker) - Virginia Kelley (Duane Miller) Gary Tagtmeyer - Phyliss Levin (Bob - Fox) - Thomas Weaver - Colleen Oliver (Ira Cooper) - Charles Boren Jr. - Wilma Bloder (Angel) - Supt. Ray Bartlett. Year 1954 - Marilyn Kay Malm (Norma Kent) - Clinton Lee Jones - Roger London Reid - Ruth Marie Bramlett (Sylvia Pierce) - Jacque Kae Boren (Melvin Levin) - Arnold Duane Kelley - Carol Imogene Hase (Melvin Mullen) - Ray White - Ethel Arlene Taylor (Goin - French) - Patricia Ann Harmon (Weihmuller) - *Harvey Leroy Bowser Alice Brewer (Don Burch) - Frank Lee Miller - Nylen Bruce Bartlett - Marjorie Lee Boren (Leon Blackwell) - Irvin Leon Blackwell Supt. Ray Bartlett. Year 1955 - Bonnie Peters (Dick Wharry) Blackwell (Thomas Sims) - Doris - Arliss(Bowser Fuller - Randall - Vernon Pelser) Sonja Viken (Al Randall) - Warren Golliher - Richard Herman - Annabel Oliver (Steinke Jr.) - Koenig) - Margaret Weaver (Ken Potter) - Barbara Cruickshank (Jack Scheidegger - Smith) - Marjorie Smith (Norman Crabb) - Doyle Fulton - Ronnie Hartley Supt. George B. Cukro. Year 1956 - Janet White (Jacoby) - Mary Golliher (Wayne Weaver) - La Vada Reid (Hefner - Britt) - Marlyn Hase (Don Herman) - Edith Malm (Stough) - Shirley Cowgill (Roy Tatkenhorst) - Tom Sims Donald Herman - Junior Kelley - Eugene Hase - Harold Dykstra - Roy Tatkenhorst Jim Miller - Floyd Taylor - Donald Levin Supt. O.B. Lauth. Year 1957 - Robert Hase - Alma Tatkenhorst (Marvin Dove) - Verda Maloney (Don Weaver) - Marvin Dove - Leo Thorson Beverly Harmon (Claude Robinson - Tom Miller) - Helen Hase (Bruce Colyer) - Al Leo Leoffler - Patty Martin (McFarland - Herman) - Bill Oliver - Supt. C.L. Stiverson. Year 1958 - Meredyth Hargrove (Richard Herman) - Iris Hargrove (Lynn Fisher) Dallas Weaver - Helena Hase (Jim Milller) - Lloyd Kelley - Barbara Harmon (Harry Lee) - Gene Miller - Ralph Zrubek - Bonnie O'Neill (Lloyd Kelly) - Grace Levin (Robin- son - Jagger) - Darlene Herman (Larry Fadenrecht) - Florence Pelser (Delmar McGriff) - Raenita Monroe (Artzer) Shirley Smith (Ray Daily) - Supt. C.L. Stiverson. Year 1959 - Carlos Eugene Arnold - Ethel Kay Cruickshank (Vern Miller) - Aileen Faye Hase (Dhooge - Leroy Lamb) - Gordon Lesley Hatfield - Ronald L. Kelley - James A. Levin - LaNell Mason (Harold Dykstra - Dunn) - Benny L. Noel - Don L. Ray - Jerry Ray Short - Jacque Marie Taton (Saunders) Roberta M. Thorson (Lee Miller) - Donald L. Wanczyk. Supt. C.L. Stiverson - Neil W. Patty Eastin (Dennis Hickman) - Supt. Hulon Webb. ty Twila Gorton Williams (last 10 weeks). Year 1960 - Larry Leoffler - Larry Hase - Larry Schnell - Vernon Tovrea - Sue Short (Gerald - Maloney) - Gerald Maloney - SEIBERT HISTORY T360 Ralph Atkins - Donna Herman (Corky Patterson) - Dixie Herman (Delmar Mullen) - Peggy Martin (Hamm-Rick Eckroth) Supt. Neil W. Williams. Year 1961 - Myra Tovrea (Elrod) - James Harmon - Virgil Taylor - Margaret McElroy - Everett Urie - Ardis Jones (Ronald Kelly) - Deborah Murray (Joe Balweg) - Supt. Neil W. Williams. Year 1962 - Dee Ann Gorton (Donald Felker) - Paul Pitts - *Sidney B. Hedgecoke - Barbara Graffis (Dewey Staatz) - Margaret Ward - Patricia Weaver (Larry Leoffler) - Ronnie Tovrea - Bonnie L. Tatkenhorst (Paul Pitts - Miers - Larsen) - Marvin Kelley - Supt. William W. Welsh. Year 1963 Stanley Scherr - Mike Hatfield - Stanley Graffis - Fred Bloder - Gary Atkins - Dick McAuley - Faith Hase - Myrna Jones (Roger Gosnell) - Sharon Tovrea (Jarnagin - Jolly) - Charlotte Santala (Lonnie Polzin - Marvin Thomas) - Supt. William W. Welsh. Year 1964 - Ralph Francis Gorton Jr. - Merikay Erck - Donna Eastin (Horton) Keith Taton - Joe Tatkenhorst - Bob Stevens - Margaret Conarty (Earl Hedge- coke) - Jacqueline Phillips (Kalb - Anderson - Wise) - Allen Niles - Ernie Noel - Rex Reid - Supt. William W. Welsh. Year 1965 - Glenna White (Terry Clapper) Betty -(DennisTaylor (Wilkins) - Ardath Pitman Fowler) - Pamela Joan Gorton (Dwight Young) - LeRoy Miller - John Phillips - Larry Kemp - Charles Ward Larry Hostetler - Supt. William W. Welsh. Year 1966 - William Cowgill - Ervin Jones Seibert Community building. T - Hazel Stahlecker (Lengel) - Jeanette Kay Gorton (Larry Kemp) - Jerry Eastin - James D. Smith - Carol Atkins (James Smith) Steven Santala Supt. Wayne Lorance. Year 1967 - Cheryl Conarty (Bill Reese) Linda Kemp (Dan Denke) - Linda Johnston (Gilley - Wahl) - Barbara O'Neill (Rick Young) - Jerry Millsap - Beverly Hase - .. -r,..:*i-. ,-1: ' ' t'*-.: ;,;:/;Xf),,; l',::;* The old depot moved to the west side of town in 1959 is now Nile's Restaurant and Gas Station. 1980's. Darice Pitman (Larry Hostetler) - James Gorton - Ron Phillips - *Dean Short - Supt. Wayne Lorance. Year 1968 - Kelly Burr - Melva Stahlecker Bowser (Ron Towea) - Cathy - Margaret Short (Leroy Miller) - Merla White (Ron Oneal) - Tom Taylor - Keith Specht - Terry Tagtmeyer - Maxine Hill (Scott) - Sup t David MacKaye. Year 1969 - Marilyn Atkins (Kenny McCaffrey) - *Robert Graham - David Hostetler - Mickey Livingston - Meredith Murphy (Bezdek - Slocum) - Rodney Murray - Larry Newman - Vickey Reid (Norman Eagleton) - Gary Short - Barbara Turner (Schaffer) Supt David S, MacKaye. Year 1970 - Marlis Jean Conarty (Hamm) - Ronnie Lee Hase - Roger Lynn McCaffrey - Denis Stahlecker - Ralph Lynn Specht Mary Jo Tagtmeyer - (Stan Ravencamp) Mary Ann Turner (Sebert Morgen) - Supt. David S. MacKaye. Year 1971 - Fred Niles - Kenneth Lynn McCaffrey - Doris Graham (Jim Leoffler) Original bank Building as seen today 1988. �STRATTON T35l To tell the story of the development of the Town of Stratton is a formidable task. $m Everyone sees and recalls things differently; tgoo Jro; N.H. Fuller's Store before 1908. This store burned in 1908. Seibert Days, 1986. i r', r;,:.',:9 Interior of Fuller Store after the restoration ltll following the fire. r,.l1.' ':a, ft.l ,,9, 'l :i.14 few remain who were here even in the 191015 period who were old enough to be sure of their memories, and so constant is the evolvement of any city or town that it is difficult to explain in an accurate, meaningful manner. With these realizations in mind we L:3 ?; have written the story of Stratton. When the town of Claremont was laid out by R.J. Newell at Frankfort, Kansas, and G.F. , :l Seibert Days, 1986. J'ct ry Jilson of Topeka, Kansas had the town of Claremont site surveyed on July 13, 1888, the stage was set for two other prairie early day towns to cease existing and another one to assume their place. The location the men platted and surveyed was Section 36 in Township 8, south of Range 47. This site we know today as "Stratton", a warm and friendly community, located in a richly endowed farming area in central Kit Carson County, Colorado. The year this book is published marks the centennial year of the town of Stratton. Records indicate that on May 6, 1888, the Chicago Rock Island Railway Company had laid its roadbed and tracks to a point on the sand creek three miles west of what is now Stratton. A small town called "Columbia" had been laid out previously three and one half miles south and east of the site where the railroad finally passed. When it became Seibert Equity Coperative Association. 1976 - Seibert Park. obvious that the railroad was bypassing Columbia, reality had to be faced. With the railroad built and a depot erected and well drilled, the town of Columbia was moved to the railroad site and the name of the new settlement and post office became "Claremont". Among those moving establishments there the fall of 1888 with four good teams and wagons was a Mr. Bell who moved his store �office located in part of their store. Dr. Tripp, M.D. was Claremont's first physician. Mrs. J.W. Borders recalled those times and how her father, Mr. Fuller, sold his blacksmith shop and bought the general store from Mr. Bell. She told of very trying times when her father would travel to Benkelman, Nebraska, for supplies for the store, leaving her at home alone. Once three or four gaunt and bedraggled Indian braves came into the yard and looked things over before they started walking round and round the house. She tried to keep completely hidden, thinking they would finally go away. They peeked in the windows and stomped about but did nothing menacing and in a few hours trailed off across the prairie much to her relief. Five farmers lived around Claremont Wellman and Kern east of town along the railroad, Fuller on the north and Hobart and Chalmers northeast of town. Otherwise the expanse was open prairie. People became discouraged with farming for the years of the '90'g were less than favorable for crops. Records reveal that many soon moved away. s Cleaning up after the October 6, 1908 fire that destroyed the whole block where N.H. Fuller Store stood. and all its stock from Columbia. (It is known he had a post office in his store as he was a postmaster, but whether it was Columbia or Claremont post office no one is certain.) Mail was delivered from Claremont to Beloit and also to Tuttle, an inland post office located about eighteen or twenty miles northeast of Claremont. Then J.T. Roberts moved his store located in Beloit to the new town of Claremont. Mr. Roberts was paralyzed in both legs and had to handle his business from a wheelchair. Sam Schaal, Sr. wrote in the Norrotiues of Stratton Dessie Cassity compiled in 1967 that Jim Roberts had "dry goods, drugs, groceries and a little hardware. He sat in a wheelchair, as he could not walk, but his head was all business. To get trade he would pay one or two cents per dozen more for eggs, and sell a sack of flour five cents cheaper than Burlington, and that would do it. He got around pretty good in the store. At noon his wife would come after him for dinner and bring him back, and the same morning and evening." They built a board sidewalk wide enough to accommodate his wheelchair from his home to the store. In a few years Claremont consisted of a railroad depot, the two stores owned by Mr. Bell and Mr. Roberts, a blacksmith shop operated by N.H. Fuller; a saloon; a hotel operated by Miss Smith located on the lots across the street south of today's Stratton Equity Coop Hardware store; a printing shop; the Claremont Leader edited by A.V. Griggs; the Claremont State Bank, Mr. Root, presi- dent; a drug store; and a hardware store owned by the Hobart brothers with the post A Stratton Day Float in 1912, probably a first; Mrs. Fuller at left, Children: Floyd, Hazel, and Hal. Roy Jones driving and his son to the right. Then the saloon, bank, and drug store closed. Mr. Roberts purchased Miss Smith's hotel and made it into a residence, where he lived many years, until he sold his store to his nephew, S.O. Otis Roberts and moved to Rogers, Arkansas. by Dorothy C. Smith �the Roberts store which had become a general store handling everything from groceries and hardware to patent medicines and anything one would choose to order. "Order farm implements, plows, wagons, and in two weeks you would have it and you paid for it when you got it. I got two John Deere plows and a Moline Wagon from him, and saved ten dollars each on them," Sam Schaal, Sr. related. The first school had Charlie Dickinson as teacher to seven pupils in a small frame building on the spot where D.G. Liquor now stands. This building became too small and in 1895 a two story school building was erected on the ground where the school building stood the next 15 years. Teacher in 1896 was Miss Ruth McCoulogby, pronounced McCalby. Her students included Hazel, Inez, and Susie Roberts, Manda Fuller, Clara and Billie Lindford, and Albert Bradshaw. In 1900 Jennie Wellman was the teacher. About 1904 the Rock Island Railroad decided to change the nnme of Claremont to Interior of N.H. Fuller Store, with Mr. Fuller on right rear. Note the gas lights before the fire. STRATTON T362 At some time in this span of years the post office had been moved to Hobart Bros. Hardware, so that when Hobart Bros. elected to close their hardware store and go into the sheep business, the post office was moved to something else because of many mixups caused by express and freight being sent to Claremont, California. The abbreviations Cal. and Col. were making mail and express a mess. A daughter of one of the pioneers ordered white fabric for a July 4th celebration dress. but it didn't come and didn't come. After waiting many months, authorities put a tracer on it and found the material in California. So with this and other dissatisfaction and complaints the United States Postal Department changed the office's name to "Machias" there was one like it in Maine, but they didn't think this would cause problems. But the Rock Island would not permit that name to be used for their station, so after lengthy negotiating the name "Stratton" was compromised upon. (The young Iady got her dress material for Christ- mas.) At that time the legendary Winfield Scott Stratton, a millionaire created by the discovery ofColorado gold, was scattering his monies prodigiously among colleges and other state institutions and some one must have thought this gesture might bring something to the town. No one has recorded any recognition of this man's response, but it is a plausible idea. And the name "Stratton" stuck, Winfield S. Stratton notwithstanding. In 1906 Stratton grew very rapidly. The Foster Lumber Yard was opened and another lumber yard known as the Square Deal was The firgt elevator in Stratton, Floyd Border's dad in picture. Stratton Friends! ,r t "{rF {{ '\.. I L lr ?41t & built on the block occupied today by the Twin Oaks Motel. When this yard closed in 1917 Joe Collins bought their lumber sheds and converted them into the Collins Hotel. The south half of the south wing of present day Twin Oaks Motel was that lumber yard. On October 1908 there was a disastrous fire along the east side of the main street of Stratton which consumed the general store operated by Mr. Fuller, a hotel, the land office, and the J.W. Borders residence which they had lived in only a few days. All were soon replaced except the hotel. From 1908 to 1910 the town experienced a real building boom at which time several impressive business houses were erected ,r.l .....,r;;?cl1i': ' tlq The hotel which bore many names. "West Side", "Farquahr", and "Commercial" about 1908 or 1909 operated by a Miss Smith and others. Some folk called it the Stratton Hotel. including the Stratton State Bank on the east side of Colorado Avenue in the building now occupied by the D.G. Liquors and the Linford Building in 1910 which is now the Someplace Special site. The Linford Building was built with a large hall on the second floor for use of lodge meetings, public meetings, dances, �STRATTON T353 The oldest building in Stratton, the "State Bank Building" built in the 1980-1910 era. The interior and dining room of Stratton Hotel when owned and operated by Mr. and Mrs. Amos L. Ryun. who owned and operated the store. Later the building was used as the post office. After the post office was moved, Logan Woodson, Jr. purchased the building and operated a dry goods store there for many years, living in the apartment overhead converted from what was once the community meeting hall. In intervening years this store housed a variety of businesses among them an interior decora- and picture shows. One can yet read the faded Spotlight published by Rick and Beverly original "W.H. Linford - 1910" sign in bold Ietters and numbers high above the Some- news. Currently it is the location of Someplace Wiley Baker and his father A.J. were also land agents at this time with their land office located on the west side of Main Street (Colorado Avenue) south of the Linford Building. Joe Collins and a Mr. Blair later bought the building and continued the land Special, a clothing store. In June of 1909 Hugo Stedman completed a large cement building on the west side of Stratton's main business street which housed a meat-market, a cafe, and a drug store with a hotel located on the second floor. A.B. Combs was the druggist. Later he sold the store to H.E. Janeway, who in turn after some years of operation sold it to Tom Harpham. Ivan Houtz purchased the drug store later and in the 1940's sold it to J.C. Bradshaw II and III, with J.C. ilI the acting pharmacist. The store became known as B & B Drug. Today the store is owned and operated by Charles and Julie Nelson who purchased the building and business in February 1967, and it is now known in business circles as B & B Drug, Inc. place Special marquee. The first Stratton newspaper was owned and operated by a man named Sharp, but it soon died as did the next one that was started. The "Stratton Democrat" was founded and edited by Wiley Baker in 1908 and on April 30, 1919 the name was changed to the "Stratton Press", a name which continued for the local newspaper for many years through numerous changes in ownership and editing. Roy and Gladys Herburger published the paper for many, many years, selling it to J.C. Carnathan in 1959. J.C. continued publication ofthe Stratton Press until 1979 when he sold it to Bill Schweitzer who ran the paper until November 11, 1982, Today the Stratton Gaddy appears weekly with local and area business. For many years Ready and Linford operated a blacksmith shop west of the Linford Building approximately where the William Cure home is today. D.O. Beahm and Eden Wade operated a store in the Linford Building for some years, then sold it to J.C. Bradshaw, Sr. by Dorothy C. Smith tor and two or more dry goods stores. Church in early times was held in school houses in the country. In Stratton the first known church service was held in Mr. Dryer's grocery store. In 1908 the Congregational Church built the first church building in Stratton. Later this site was purchased by the Evangelical Church which later became known as the Evangelical United Brethren Church. Today this church is the Stratton United Methodist Church at the corner of Kansas and Third Avenue. The first service of the Catholic congregation was held in the Woodman Hall in 1910. Originally "Robertson & Watt" Grain Company about 1910; Iater part of Snell Milling and grain, located west of main street. By Tuesday, September 22,L910, St. Charles Congregation dedicated the ground for the first building and conducted the cornerstone laying on November 17, 1910. During the intervening years the congregation has made many building changes and additions. Today the beautiful St. Charles rectory, church, and hall are outstanding structures one sees upon entering Stratton from I-70. The Seventh Day Adventist Church was built in 1913 and many faithful members kept it in operation until so few remained to attend that it was unfeasible to continue. Then the church was closed and remained empty for some years. In 1985 this historic �building is gone from Colorado Avenue and the old grade school houses the local bowling alley and a popular eating establishment. In 1912 Snell Grain Company of Clay Center, Kansas built a grain elevator in Stratton, and J.W. Borders became its manager. About the same time Robinson and Watt Grain Company built another elevator west of the Stratton main street which was purchased in later years by Snell Grain and in turn by Stratton Equity Co-op. In recent years this land mark was razed. By 1913 Stratton's population had reached 350 persons. The newspaper was The Enter- prise, formerly the Vona newspaper. by Dorothy C. Smith Ed Davis Ford Garage. landmark in the community located at 331 New York Avenue was purchased by the town of Stratton and remodeled to house the town library. Although the first service of the Church of God was held at a country site, the original church building was built in 1920 and St. Paul Lutheran Church also built within the next year. A few years later the Nazarene Church was erected, but this congregation closed services in 1949. St. Paul Lutheran then purchased this building and remodeled it. In the following years St. Paul's congregation diminished so that they sold the building which was then converted into a lovely, modern home. School had enlarged by 1910 to such a point that a two story brick building was built to replace the two story frame building used prior. Then in 1935 this building became too small and another cement building located north of the original building to be used for the grades one through eight was constructed as a WPA project. Part of this building was a large gymnasium, one of only a few adequate in its time. In 1951 additional construction joined the two buildings in such a way as to create areas for school shop classes, a music department, and a lun- chroom and kitchen. Since that time further changes have located the high school on Illinois Avenue in a structure dedicated in March, 1961. In 1976 a fine elementary buiding was completed in the vicinity of the high school building forming a small campuslike arrangement with the playgrounds, football and athletic fields between the two school buildings. Today the old high school -6char*{ " ,i 8&-A ! ,i i: ]i t:1 ,:t::,,,& :?1;a A I I I lT:l: The original St. Charles Catholic Church with old Stratton School in background. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource History of Kit Carson County Description An account of the resource Brief historical stories and elements from the founding and recent history of Kit Carson County, Colorado. Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Book Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Seibert Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 1988 Subject The topic of the resource history Description An account of the resource A history of the town of Seibert as recorded in the book History of Kit Carson County Type The nature or genre of the resource text Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Salmons, Janice Hasart, Marlyn Smith, Dorothy Language A language of the resource English Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. History of Kit Carson County Volume 1 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource text/pdf Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Curtis Media Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/</a> https://kccarchives.cvlcollections.org/files/original/16/424/Post_Offices_and_General_Stores.pdf 9ccb8a0da9da24d82816c883b7a4eb9e PDF Text Text were children. Many of us made our first purchases at these stores. Most items were staples such as coffee, flour, sugar, bread, lard, and other sundry items. Most of us will never forget the glass candy jars and the containers holding crackers, one of which is now my bread box with the words "National Biscuit Co" on the front above the glass POST OFFICES AND GENERAL STORES T98 Many of us can remember the little "Pa and Ma" grocery stores in our towns when we K IT I -r-r-----]--T; I I I tLCnt: o talley CARSOIi COUIJTY N o ioCarey I i-:. 9Cnapin i i oTu i: lel €.lAVea6a re oYa le G =#t - Lrvsial ofoyt r - 5 ia. 1r I can feel the excitement of going and Ct.''r i )l ll o 3:a. i2l 3e io i l I c c',a.': Poin I I o ,o.o o pest . preSent insert. These same stores were found on the prairie to provide the "necessities" for the growing rural population in a community. We must remember that transportation was by walking, riding a horse or taking the buggy to get the mail and make a purchase or two. I I inch = 10.6 mil-es The Colorado Prospeetor l;Xl:r tl c't \t!,t possibly meeting a neighbor and hearing "the news" filling the social needs of people who were rather isolated on their farms. Today finds us deep in the search for these small etores and post offices tucked away in the corner of someone's home or maybe in it's own building with a hitching post out front. From several maps and written sources we have been able to gather biLs and pieces of this puzzle and hope that you will find a new name to add to our amazing history of Kit Carson County. We know that some of these Post Offices and General Stores are missing from the material that we have including "Valley" and Eastonville southwest of Seibert which was a Post Office and Store. The map is incomplete but it is included so that you may have an idea where these places were located to help serve the people living in Kit Carson County at the time. Name, County, Established, Discontinued. Ashland, Kit Carson, Jan 14, 1890, May 15, 1909. Baltzer, Kit Carson, June 4, 190?, Dec 14,L907. Beaverton, Kit Carson, Oct 17, 1910, Nov 28, 1915. Berry, Kit Carson, Apr 13, 1911, Apr L5,tglz. Bethune, Kit Carson, Jan 19, 1889, May 15, 1.905. Bonny, Kit Carson, Jun 3, 1915, Feb 29, L924. Burlington, Kit Carson (Elbert), Apr 29, 1887. Cary, Kit Carson, Dec 12, 1910, Dec 30, 1916. Carlisle, Kit Carson (Elbert), Jul 21, 1887, Jun 9, 1890. Chapin, Kit Carson, Feb 15, 1890, Nov 10, 1894. Claremont (Stratton), Kit Carson (Elbert), Sep 11, 1888, Apr 24,L906. Cole, Kit Carson, Mar 7, 1907, Dec 31, 1919. Dodgeville, Kit Carson, Sep 14, 1907, Dec 14, 1907. Elphis, Kit Carson, Dec 8, 1916, Dec 14, 1923. Farley, Kit Carson, Mar 8, 1908, Oct 15, 1908. Flagler (Bowser), Kit Carson (Elbert), Oct 12, 1888. Goff, Kit Carson (Elbert), Apr 23, 1888, Jun 15, 1910. Hanover, Kit Carson, Jul 7, 1908, Jul 7, 1908. Hermes, Kit Carson (Yuma), Sep 11, 1908, Nov 15, 1919. Kukkuk, Kit Carson, Lpr 24, 1907, Apr 15, 1908. Landsman, Elbert-Arapahoe-Kit Carson, ".".r'':'1 ...1 ; I {1. r iL "..rrq.i Piolo co[rtcry Denvcr Publle Ubriry, WcJtcr! lllrtory. Old County Mep Nell's l8t9- mep of Colgrado show towns In Klt Cerson County that have long slnee faded from the scene. requent relerenees !o these pleces ln eerly newspapers lead one to belleve that al on€ tlme they served ite a populatlon. Mar 27,1883, May 31, 1908. Lansing, Yuma, Sep 17, 1886, Feb 28, 1910. Loco, Kit Carson, Mar 11, 1903, May 3L, 1922. Morris, Kit Carson, Mar 18, 190?, Mar 15, 1914. Oriska, Kit Carson, Dec 22, 1910, Dec 31, 1917. Seibert, Kit Carson (Elbert), Oct 17, 1888. Stratton, Kit Carson, Mar 24, 1906. Tuttle, Kit Carson (Elbert), Mar 27,1883, Mar 31, 1918. Valley, Kit Carson, Jun 2, 1898, Aug 15, �1901. Vona, Kit Carson (Elbert), Jan 19, 1889. Wallet, Kit Carson, Apr 8, 1890, May 15, 1907. Yale, Kit Carson, Sep 10, 1891, Nov 30, 1905. by Marlyn Hasart Beaverton (rural post office) was located about 12 miles southwest of Bethune or 12 miles south and 3 east of Stratton, and was in operation from about 1906 to 1920. It was on the correction line east of Paul Lowe and the Werner places. It was on the south side of the road and a windmill is still there. In 1906 Jim McPheters bought and ran the store ASIILAND T99 Ashland (rural post office) was located about twenty miles northeast of Burlington, and the Ashland post office was in operation from 1890 to 1909. AVENDALE T100 Avendale (rural post office) was located about ten miles northeast of Seibert. The Avendale post office was in operation from 1889 to 1890. at what was later known as the Dave Megel place. In 1916, John and Libby Higgons were the next operators. They sold groceries and notions. Then, they built a new sod building and moved the store to the corner just west of the Megel place, which is known as the Art Lowe place. About 1919, Mr. and Mrs. George Church bought out the Higgons goods, built a frame house for a store with living quarters in the back, just about a block east of the First Central School in Sec. 3-2-46. Mr. Church had to haul all supplie5 from Stratton about 15 miles, and at first by wagon. Later, he bought a truck with solid rubber tires. They kept a general store with a nice supply of items and I think they bought eggs and creom. When people got more cars, the business got unprofitable and they closed the store. After there was no longer a Beaverton, (sometime in the 20's) this building was used by some of the teachers at First Central for BEAVERTON Tlol housing. When the acreage was lost, someone moved the building and so closes another chapter of one of our pioneer towns. Sally (Church) Bauder (whose parents were once the owners of the Beaverton Post office) was one of Burlington's teachers for a number of years. by Isaphene Dunlap Lesher and Mrs. Gertrude (Sally) Church Bauder BELOIT Tl02 The Beloit Post Office was located about nine miles southwest of Bethune and was in Beaverton Poet Office and Store dated 1911, note cream cans and adobe brick or sod brick construc- tion. operation from 1888 to 1894. Mail was originally brought from Cheyenne Wells. When the route for the new railroad was first surveyed in 1886, it was announced that it would go west from Colby to Colorado Springs. Acting on this information and the information that the B & M railroad was going to build between St. Francis and Pueblo, the founders thought that their town would become the biggest town in the eastern part of the state. The men interested in the townsite were: the Roberts Brothers, J.T. Marion, D.H.Lem, Frank Durland, Shelby W. Betzer, M.F.L. Bezinge and Clement L.V. Sampson. Posters in red and white, 4 ft. long and 2 ft. high were put up all over central Nebraska. These posters invited settlers to come to Beloit, the future site ofthe county seat ofeastern Elbert County. Beloit was the voting precinct 12 and the elections were held there and at the Hoskins ranch until 1894. This did not come about because the railroad went west from Goodland and the B & M stopped in St. Francis. They were a full 8 miles off. Some of the organizers had been at the birth of Seward, Nebr., and they felt that they could duplicate the success of the city in eastern Colo. Beloit was laid out with this in mind. The townsite was in a tract of 44 acres at the points of Sec.'s 7, 8, 17, and 18, in township 10, range 45. 11 and onefourth acres were taken from each section in such a way that the section lines ran through the townsite center. A well, 200 ft. deep, was dug at the intersection and the buildings were placed in a square about 300'back and facing the well. This well furnished water for the entire countryside for a number of years. W.M. Hollowell of Columbia surveyed the Beloit-Cheyenne Wells stage road, Feb. 11, 1888. Parts of this road can still be seen running as straight as the crow flies across country. Where it crossed the Imoky, a barrel for water was sunk for wa5rfarers. Following excerpts were from the Cheyenne Wells Gazette: Feb. 11, 1888 "Already a store is in operation; a printing office is being built and two young men from Nebraska will publish a paper; a blacksmith is preparing to open a shop and a butcher shop will follow soon." April 28, 1888: "A mail stage will be put on between Beloit and Wells next week", May 5, 1888 "Beloit mail is now being carried between that office and this three times a week. The route will be extended to Floyd". The J.T. Roberts General Store and the Townsite Office were located southwest of the well. To the southeast was the sod residence of Marton Roberts which was afterwards used as the office of the Beloit Weekly Bugle. The Editor was named Betzer, then later Frank Gregoire (who died of typhoid fever). To the southeast was the Ed Hoskins blacksmith shop and the sod residence of C.L.V. Sampeon, which was also used as a school house. The Matthies Bro. Hardware store building and stock of the J.T. Roberts were later moved to Claremont. The Ed Hogkins blacksmith shop was moved to his ranch, two mileg east of Beloit. The Beloit Weekly Bugle outfit was sold to one of the Burlington papers and a special Beloit edition was printed for a few weeks and then ceased. Cattle rubbed down the sod buildings, the windmill and pump were sold and the well Beaverton P.O. and General Store dated 1914. filled up. In 1894, the county commissioners established a public road where Main Street should have been, but the dry years of 1893 and 1894 were too much for the community. The settlers moved away until there were �only one or two families left, and in 1894, Beloit ceased to exist. CAREY by Editors BOWSER (BOWSERVTLLE) CLAREMONT Tl06 Carey post office was established 16 miles north and 3 % east of Vona in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Carey, in 1910. Postmaster Carey was a farmer and ran the general store in one of the two rooms of his house. Mr. N.D. Guley Tl03 The town of Bowser, better known as Bowserville, was named for the dog of a settler in the area. It was a promising town until the coming of the railroad. At that time, Flagler developed at the site of the siding. For the next several months, Bowser provided was appointed mail carrier from Carey to Tuttle, located nine miles east of his home. He made the trip by buggy, three times weekly by using his faithful team, Sampson and Dolly. About 1915, the Vona mail route was extended into that community and the route from Carey to Tuttle discontinued, so the Carey post office ceased to exist. T109 Claremont was laid out by R.S. Newell from Frankfort, Kansas and G.P. Wilson of Topeka, Ks. In May 1888, the Chicago Rock Island Railway Co. had completed construction of their tracks to a point 3 miles east of present day Stratton on the Sand Creek. Claremont consisted of a railroad depot; store, owned by Mr. Bell; blacksmith shop, operated by N.H. Fuller; a saloon; hotel, operated by Miss Smith; printing shop; the Claremont State Bank, Mr. Root, President; drug store; hardware store, owned by Hobart Bros., with the post office located in part of their store; and Dr. Tripp, M.D. was Claremont's first physician. J.T. Roberts store (moved from Beloit) was the only store on Main Street, at first. A Mr. mail service for Flagler until Flagler was able to obtain a post office. Bowser was eventually absorbed by the developing of Flagler. CARLISLE TroT Fuller sold his blacksmith shop and he BONNY Carlisle (railroad post office) was located about eight miles northeast of Burlington. It was originally Lansing but was changed to Claremont. About 1904. the Rock Island Tlo4 Bonny (rural post office) was located about eighteen miles north of Burlington, and the Bonny post office was in operation from 1915 to L924. THE BROWNWOOD STORE TroS In the spring of 1916, the cement building that became known as the Brownwood Store was erected by Nick Brownwood and Charlie Davis. It was built on Brownwood'g property, 15 miles north and 1 west of Vona. The Brownwood Store carried groceries, as well as a line of general merchandise. It served quite a large area and customers came from quite a distance to bring in their eggs and milk and to do their trading. The store building also contained the Elphis Post Office. Elphis was the official name for the community but, most just called it the Brownwood Store. In about l922,the Brownwoods sold out to 'Mr. and Mrs. Dick Roorda and family. After Mrs. Roorda's death, Mr. Roorda's sister, Mrs. Rena Loopstra, came to help in the store. She was later joined by her husband, Fred. It was at this time that the Loopstras took over the store. During the early 30's, the store was a popular gathering place on Saturday afternoons. The people of the community enjoyed Carlisle so they could secure a post office box. This post office, in 188?, provided most of the mail for eastern Kit Carson County. There is no record of the platting of the town of Carlisle in the Burlington Platt Book. But apparently it was platted somewhere else because it was supposed to have had a total Mr. Bell was the first post master in decided to change the town name to Machias, due to the fact that so much freight was being sent to Claremont, California. The post office retained the name of Claremont. This was found unsatisfactory, and after much discussion the railroad and the Post Office Dept., agreed upon the name of Stratton, Colo. of 43 or 45 blocks. The town was established long before the coming of the railroad and was the point to which supplies were freighted from the B&M and the Kansas Pacific Railroad. It was located I % miles east of Peconic or in the S.E. %, sec.29-8-42 and was for 3 or 4 years a busy trading post that included several storeg, newspaper and even a school. It was later absorbed by the development of Kanarado and Burlington. The store was foreclosed in favor of the Wholesale Company. Frances E. Chaney, Elbert L. Callinger, William Hoyt and Armond Winn were associated with the early town. One person from Wallet neighborhood would go to Carlise on Tuesdays, pick up the mail, leave it at his home and the people would come get it. Mr. Elmer Fasse has farmed the Southeast l/t sec. of 29-8-42 for 30 years and in the center of this quarter is where the town of Carlisle was. Mr. Dara Hines told me he and his uncle used to deliver produce to Carlisle coming from Almena, Kansas using oxen to deliver potatoes, flour, beans and other groceries. When Elmer started farming this quarter there was a spot where the store stood and a deep dug pit no doubt what was left of the cellar where we found lots of pieces of stone crock ware and broken pieces of dishes. A person can still find the spot but due to farming over the area there is just a little depression there now. visiting and ball games. It was during one of these ball games, that Ralph Flageolle was killed and Burt Smit seriously injured when they collided while running after a ball. The Loopstras ran the store throughout the 1930's. In the early 1940's they moved to Englewood and sold the store to the Bill Weisshaars. The Weisshaars operated the store for only a short time before moving the contents to Idalia. The building, which is still standing, has about six miles northwest of Avendale, and the Chapin post office was in operation from been used as a granary since then. 1890 to 1894. by Ilorace Boger bought the Roberts store, then a few years later sold it to Fred Matthies. CHAPIN COLE T110 Cole (rural post office) and town was located about fifteen miles south of Burlington, in the residence of the family living east of the school about a half mile, on the Cole and Thompansen ranches. But was later moved to a location 13 miles south of the east side of Burlington. The family also kept some groceries for the convenience of the people that were always stormed in during the winters. Lee Moore said during the winter of 1918 (a WWI year) the snow was very deep. George Movis was one of the early postmasters in the town. The Cole post office was in operation from 1907 to 1919. COLUMBIA Tlll Columbia was platted next to the Rock Island and the platwas filed on May 28, 1888; however, Columbia never obtained a post office by the name Columbia and was little more than a plat. July 21, 1888, according to the Cheyenne Wells Gazette: "a post office has been established at Columbia under the name of Oranola. The old name was not permitted by the department owing to there being a Columbia in California" In the late 1930's. a Mrs. A.H. Fuller writes: TtoS "We came to Old Columbia and it was not Chapin (rural post office) was located known then where the depot would be built. When it was built, it was four miles west of where we were, and the nnme changed to by Janice Salmans Claremont, then Machias, and then later Stratton." Claremont vied with Burlington for the sit€ of the county seat, Burlington received 451 votes and Claremont 170 votes. �i1..li{ia August 18, 1888, "The contractfor carrying the mail from Cheyenne Wells to Tuttle has been awarded to Latham A. Smith of Columbia, at eight hundred and sixty seven dollars a year. It was a cheap bid." ullrEs. I lr9 uwv Duvry uuuuruE, wdD uquL uJ W.A. Richards. The first story had rock walls which housed the post office, creamery and store. William Richards carried mail with team and buggy every third day up and down the river. The supplies for the store were ordered and came by train to Burlington. Mr. E.E. Harrison distributed them to the small CRYSTAL SPRINGS Ttt2 On July 3 and 4, 1888, Lloyd Gross first surveyed the town. Crystal Springs was laid out on the NW %, of Sec. 9, south of range 50, and consisting of a tract of 1,902 ft. from east to west and 1,930 ft. north to south, in the SE corner of quarter section. Presumably the railroad was to pass through the center of the section, but to get a better river crossing and grade, it swung half a mile further south. Carilla M. Strode proved up on this piece of land and sold it to Stephen S. Strode, who laid out the townsite. The town had twenty blocks, part of them being 300 by 400 feet and the remainder 300 by 410 feet. Main street was 100 feet wide and the others 80 feet wide. Rather a unique plan for naming the streets was adopted. The first four streets running north and south were called: Chicago, Rock Island, Colorado and Railway. The other streets were named Spring, First, Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth. In 1889. Mr. Strode filed in the office of the county clerk an affidavit to the effect that none ofthe lots in the townsite had been sold and vacated the survey, by Janice Salmans ELPHIS TrrS Elphis (rural post office) was located near the site of Carey; the Elphis post office operated from 1916 to 1923. by Janice Salmans FLOYD T114 December 31, 1887, "Mr. Lewis Dyer of Floyd, a new town just located fifteen miles west of Burlington on the Rock Island survey, was in Cheyenne Wells today." Mr. Dyer was a member of the Floyd Town Company. May 19, 1888, The Beloit hack made regular trips to Columbia, Floyd and Tuttle. by Cheyenne WeIIs Gazette Today, Goff Store on the Spring Valley Ranch, 1988, formerly the McCriIIis Ranch. a post office located at the Lee Yount Ranch on the Republican River, then on to Hermes post office at W.A. Richards, then on to Yale post office located at the Sam Schaal Sr. Ranch and then back to Burlington a distance of 45 miles. He would make the trip three times a week, using horses and a spring wagon and sometimes a top buggy. by llarry & Ruth Richards WARNER STORE the Spring Valley Ranch 18 miles north of Burlington. Mr. E.E. Harrison, an uncle of Ruth Bauder's mother, carried the mail for several years. He would leave Burlington and go to Bonny post office located at the Harvey Runge Ranch, then to Goff, then to Lansing, Earlv 1900's. Art and Sarah Warner built the Warner Store in the early 1920's. It was located 16 miles northwest of Burlington. This store was built along the road on their farmstead by Art and Cecil Warner. It had a tall square "store front" with a gas pump in front. The merchandise that was carried consisted of groceries and other general store items along with overalls and men's work shirts. The people who traded there came from quite a distance along with the close neighbors. Sunday afternoons were special as the community gathered and had ball games each week and of course the store was always open with all the family helping to run it. The Warner's son, Warden died at the age of29 in 1933 and their father, Art died in 1934 leaving Sarah and Leila to care for the store. Leila married Ray Plummer and they moved to Burlington when he was elected sheriff. Sarah remained on the farm and ran the store until 1946 when she sold the place to Ed Knodel. Sarah died in 1968 and Ray Plummer died in L974. Leila now makes her home in Burlington. Leila's sister Elma burned to death at the age of 7 years. GOFF POST OFFICE The post office known as Goff, from 18971905 was located at the McCrillis Ranch; it's the big square house on the hill, which is now Richards, WiIIiam Richards, Edna Morrisey, May'rne Richards and man with gun unknown. T116 by Leila Plummer TllS Hermes Post Office, L. to R.; Unknown, John HERMES POST OFFICE TllT About 1908 Mr. Richards started a general store known as the Ranch Supply Company and a creamery and post office known as Hermes. On Section 35 Range 5 South 45, west and south of Old ldalia. Colorado 10 Hermes Post Office, now a barn on the Homm Ranch 1988. post offices and stores around the country going first to Bonny, Goff, Lansing, Hermes and Yale by team and buggy. Dances were held at Hermes for several years. On one occasion, December 25, tgl4, a group of young men, cheerfully celebrating Christmas, dared one of the men to ride his horse up the outside stairway which led into the dance hall. He did just that! How the horse got down I do not know. William Richards had some seven or eight of the young men arrested and brought into John Gerber's Justice of the Peace Court on December 26. Each one pleaded guilty as charged. All were charged with disturbing the peace, using boisterous and profane language and all had to pay fines and court costs. The post office and store were discontinued about 1917 or 1918. Mr. Richards sold the place in 1919 to Elmer Scherrer in Denver. Part of the building is still being used on the Homm Hereford Ranch as a barn. by llarry and Ruth Richards �YALE The paper was later sold to Mr. Robert Henry TllS Yale Post office was established in 1891 about 18 miles northwest of Burlington on what is now the Martha Schaal place. Sherman Yale was the first mail carrier and his wife was the postmastcr having the post office in their home. He carried the mail for 12 years and made the trip on his long route from Burlington to Goff to Landsman and then Yale three times a week with horse and brggy, some feat for the roads of that day. Mrs. yale was the postmaster until 1908. In the later years they had a little store in the home for the neighborhood's convenience. After he quit carrying mail, Mr. Yale was a county commissioner. In 1909 the first daily mail came into this area served by Yale post office out of Bethune and Yale ceased. Sam Schaal bought the Yale property. IIOYT T1r9 $ x Patterson. Later he moved the paper to Seibert and called itthe Seibert Freee Press. This plant was then later moved to Burlington and run as the Kit Carson County Record, by Frank D. Mann. When the railroad came through in 1888, it was located five miles to the south, so it missed the town of Hoyt and it folded up. The last business to move to Seibert was the restaurEmt. LANDSMAN Tl20 Landsman (rural post office) was Iocated near Landsman Creek and about twentv miles northwest of Burlington. There was always quite an argument over just how the Landsman Creek got its name, but as to the words of one old-timer: "A trapper named Dutch Jake had a camp on the creek where he shot buffalo for their hides and trapped the smaller fur animals. When a few packs of fur were ready he would trail down the creek to Indianola, Nebraska, and trade his hides for supplies. He usually stopped at ranches along the way, and his invariable greeting was, 'Wie Gehts Landsman'." The last word ceme to be applied to the creek on which he had his camp. The creek has been known by the name of Launchman, Landsman, Lostmans, and Lonemans Creek, but the United States Geographic Board officially named it Landsman Creek on October 3, 1928, and so answer was received: "On October 3, 1928, the United States Geographic Board rendered this decision regarding the name of the creek about which you inquire: "Landsman, a creek rising in south west corner of Kit Carson county, tributary to the was built. Hoyt (rural post office) was located about 5 miles north of the present day Seibert, about on the farm formerly occupied by Flory Jones. This was the stopping place between McCook, Nebr. and Hugo, Colo. for emigrant and supply trains. All mail was addressed to "Hoyt, via Hugo, Colorado, El Paso Co." Hoyt was also a few miles east of Station #22, at the meeting place of the South Fork and Sandy Creeks. The town of Hoyt had been nn-ed for Dr. J.S. Hoyt, a very early settler and first Doctor in that area and on whose land the town was situated. When the town reached its peak, it had several places of business including a saloon started by Jnmes H. Priest in 1887. Jim Priest filed on a homestead south of Hoyt in April 1887. A man by the name of Schieb had the first store in Hoyt. It was a two story frame building and apparently he used it for a drug store. Bert Hendricks also started a drug store. Mr. and Mrs. Lee Hutchens kept a general merchandise store in Hoyt. They kept the Post Office also. T.G. Oles moved a Bond printing press here in 1887, and put outthe Hoyt Free Press. Tt22 Jim Short and four sons, Oscar, Marion, However, to eettle all arguments on the matter, a letter of inquiry was sent to the Federal Board of Geographic n'mes, this buildings were moved to Seibert when the railroad LOCO POST OFFICE AND STORE Millard and Sam, came out to Flagler, Colorado in a covered wagon. His wife it remains. Hoyt 4t/z miles North of Seibert. The original 4 Carson county, to a J.C. Markle, who held it until his death. Republican river from the southwest. (Not Lastmans, Lostmans, Launchmans, nor Lonemans.)" This would make the neme of the creek on the highest authority: Landsman Creek." by Janice Salmans LARSEN Tl21 Larsen was originally platted on land homesteaded by James Stuart. The town was laid out on the southwest quarter ofSec. 298-42, a mile and a half east of Peconic by the Elbert County Townsite Company. The Company consisted of J.S. Markle, President; J.F. Keller, Vice Pres.' H.W. Clement, Sec.; L.C. Morris, Treas.; and N.L. and J.W. Clement were Burlington lawyers. Larsen was laid out on a large scale having 53 blocks and covering the entire quarter section. Among the lot owners were Lee Ramsey, County Clerk ofElbert county; Leo and Lucy Thomann, H.G. Stout, M. Doneland, W.S. Wagner and others who afterwards became prominent in Burlington history. Larsen died so rapidly that in 1890, it sold for taxes at the first tax sale held in Kit Martha and three daughters, Minnie, Pearle and Lena, came out on the Rock Island train several months later. Jim and sons left Colbv Kansas January 1, 1910. There were no roads or fences at that time. Jim and two sons. Oscar and Marion, each had a homestead south of Flagler. Marion's land was about 18 miles south and a mile east of Flagler. Marion built a house on his land and about 1911 he built on to his house and started a countrv store, which he called "Loco" after the loco weed that was so prevalent there. It affected horses and cattle, they acted crazy, stood around by themselves and would not eat much but the loco weed. Naturallv thev became very thin. There was a post office called Loco also. but I do not know where it was located. This post office was established March 11, 1902 with Charles D. Davis appointed as the first postmaster. About 1912 Marion Short moved the Loco post office into one corner of his store and he became postmaster there. Marion ordered some groceries for the store from Montgomery Ward and bought some in Flagler. Fish, pickled and smoked, came in small barrels as did crackers, pickles and other things. Candy came in bulk, he put it in glass jars. He stocked coffee beans. everyone had a coffee grinder. Then there was Prince Albert tobacco, with papers so you could roll your own. Later a cigarette roller came out and if used they looked almost as uniform as the packaged cigarettes. The cigarette holder was popular for awhile, it kept the brown stains off your fingers. Marion also sold shoe soles as people mended their own shoes at that time. Sleeve holders for men were popular, they were round elastic bands covered with colored rayon thread. He sold shoes and some clothing. I remember the ladies dress shoes. They were high topped and buttoned all the way up, you needed a button hook to fasten them. The store kept kerosene for the lamps and lanterns. In the fall everyone who raised corn bought a lot of shucking mittens. Since it was so far to Flagler, Marion often went on his saddle horse, unless he needed supplies. One thing about horses, if it came up a storm and you did not know which way was home, you just loosened the reins and the trusty horse always brought you home. They also watched for rattlesnakes. If they heard one rattle they would pivot on their hind legs and start back the way the had come. The country was quite thickly settled at this time, so there were many cowboys and farmers who traded at the store and made use of the post office. Loco was a busy place much of the time. The post office and store were really appreciated by the community. Marion married Susan Laws; they had one son, Howard. Sue enjoyed helping in the store. They began buying cream and eggs. Or �rs the farmers said, traded them for groceries, lhus the phrase, going to the store to "trade". Ihere were no flies here until settlers brought them here in their belongings. About 1918 Marion sold his farm and went ho the Army in World War I. I am not sure of the date he sold his store to Alvin B. ORISKA "jl..,1,:.', t. t:..'ltt':..,, Tt26 i!,,i:::iiliir:t::i:: :l.i.,,,, Radebaugh. Alvin lived one mile east and one mile south of Loco. He moved the Loco store and post office to his home, which was a sod house. In a year or so, Alvin built a frame building next door for the post office and store. He began selling gasoline as more people were buying cars. The two mail carriers I remember were Dick Burris and Lewis Clark. Mr. Burris lived on a farm and Mr. Clark lived in Flagler' When Marion came back from the ArmY, he and his family moved to Ft. Collins, Colorado. I believe Mr. Radebaugh was the Iast postmaster at Loco. The Loco post office was discontinued May 3L, L922. Loco (rural post office) was located about fifteen miles northeast of Wildhorse. The Loco post office was in operation from 1903 to 1922. Loco remained on the map into the 1940's. by Lena (Short) TYeatherlY LOWELL From 1910 through 191? Oriska was a thriving small community south of Stratton' T123 The Lowell Townsite Company with A.J. Senter as the president had the town of Lowell surveyed by T.P. Chamber on the S.W. % of Sec. 31-8-43. The date was April 20, 1887. On May 20, 1887, Lowell consolidated with Burlington. The agreement was as follows, Burlington came over from its original site on S.E. % Sec 34-8-44, and taking in the site of Lowell but retaining its original name of Burlington. The site of Lowell was originally an Indian Oriska (rural post office) was located about 22 miles north of Kit Carson, somewhere in the south part of Township 11, Range 47. Oriska had a store run by Ted Martin and a post office in operation from 1910 to 1917. There was a place called Mount Pearl on south of Oriska. Mail was brought to Van's The government erected a number of bins there for grain storage and later sold them off. We want to give thanks to Winifred James, TL27 A siding on the Rock Island Railroad, now September 1, 1888 "The name of the new town of Malow in Elbert County has been In 1919, right after World War I, Joe by Cheyenne WeIIs Gazette MORRIS T125 Morris (rural post office) was located about sixteen miles northeast of Burlington, and the Morris post office was in operation from 1907 to 1914. Morris was also called "Cottage House." by Janice Salmans became a hog buyer for Hugh Baker. Later on in the 1930's Highway 24 was oiled PECONIC the Kyle Railroad, is six miles east of changed to Flagler." and Lowell Boger. Later Herman Dane picked up. Then the homesteaders picked up their mail at the Oriska store. Noble Bradshaw was the last mail carrier. Carl Harrison was the last teacher of the Oriska School. MALOW (FLAGLER) Tr24 grain shed. It was operated by Herman Dane and this took the traffic from Highway 40 Iocated one mile north of Peconic. The Colorado Courtesy Patrol had an office there at Peconic in 1934. lnL927 Harry Vallin managed the elevator and Roy Martin helped him. In the late 1930's and early 40's Jay Duffy ran the elevator. Rabbit drives were held around there and many bands of sheep were unloaded there. Point from Stratton and Ieft at Oriska to be Campground. by Janice Salmans A dance hall was located at Peconic for a while, the hall was not much more than a Burlington, Colorado and is six miles west of Kanorado, Kansas on Highway 24. Elmer Fasse, Glade Larsen, Roy Martin, Millie Hines and Don Teman for this information. by Chet James Swenson and A.W. Winegar were instrumen- tal in bringing a lot of land buyers to Kit Carson County and to Eastern Colorado. In 1923 there was Postal service at Peconic and it was operated by a man named Loyal Brown and his wife Lena (Young) Royer. Following a blizzard one time a nine year old Glade Larsen, son of E.J. Larsen, who lived four and one half miles north of Peconic, remembers getting on his saddle horse with a flour sack and going to Peconic for supplies. About 1924 or 25 aman, Ross Tucker, and the Swenson Land and Cattle Co., built the elevator at Peconic. It was after World War I and the price of wheat was high-the people just knew that wheat would hit $5.00 a bushel and it was over $4.00 then-but it never did-the thirties and the depression set in with prices dropping to unbelievable lows. Joe Swenson was killed while rabbit hunting. He was crossing a barbwire fence and his gun discharged. PERRY'S CORNER T128 Peny's Corner (place name) is shown about fourteen miles southeast of Seibert on a 1916 map. PIKES STORE Tt29 The old frame building that stood as a landmark for so many years was swept into a mass ofbroken boards and scattered debris as a tornado swept across the prairie Sunday evening, Oct. 17, 1971. The roof of the building was lifted off as if gentle hands had picked it up and carried it nearly a quarter �-il:,':,.]l]l 1880's. Herman Tuttle was the first postmaster and several others followed. In 1909, Alma Root became the postmistress. This was the year that my father and r,,4..:at:lr,;: ..r,tr,irr,u: mother, N.O. and Bertha Gulley, homesteaded 16 miles north and 4 east of Vona. The next year my father was appointed mail carrier. His route was from post office Carcy, Yz mile west of his home, to Tuttle. He carried the mail three times a week with a team and buggy. It was a round trip of 18 miles. He remained the carrier until Carey was discontinued when the Vona mail route was extended to our community. This little rock building remains a landmark to those who remember it as it was in 1910-1920. Going to Tuttle meant a long ride on the hot days of summer and the cold days of winter. My mother was substitute carrier and often took me along. I always looked forward to getting our mail, as there was often a post card for me from my Grandmother Gulley or some cousins in Missouri. I have those cards still, and others, badly worn and the corners bent or missing, but the addresses of Carey and Tuttle are still clear. Social gatherings were sometimes held at Tuttle. I remember well one July 4th. We went by wagon to attend a picnic there. It was very hot and there was little shade at Tuttle, but a few tents gave some shelter from the sun. There was a merry-go-round, the first I had ever seen. It was owned and operated by Pike Store after tornado in 1971. mile away and set it down in one piece, the boards unbroken and still intact. The steel windmill was bent over flat on the ground by a mighty wind. general store; they are now used for storage. Mr. Culberson carried the mail in his 1913 Ford. building when I first went there with my parents. We did not often go to Pike's Store as there were stores nearer our home. Sometimes though, my parents, N.O. and Bertha Gulley, would go there to buy groceries. We went in from the west and I still remember the hills and valleys we passed through with the horses and buggy. Pike's remained a store until sometime in the 30's. After the store closed, the building was a house, but at the time of the tornado the building had been empty for a number of years. The out buildings had fallen down and the old cottonwood tree had died but it was laid down by the wind. Though Pike's Store no longer stands, the site will be remembered by those of us who knew it in the early 1900's. Pike's seemed a lonely place, even an ugly place some would say and yet it was a source of security, for within it's walls were stored the necessities of the homestead families. and a basket dinner. Fireworks were planned for the evening, but a rain storm came in the late afternoon. It settled into a slow steady rain that lasted several hours. My mother herded my sister, Velma, my brother, Nolan and I into a canvas covered dance platform. There we waited for Memories Of Tuttle Pike's store was built 12 miles north and 6 miles east of present day Stratton a few years after World War I. It was still a new a Mr. Clair. There were races and horseshoes This is a story that my mother, Opal Boger, sent to a local paper. After the story appeared in the paper she received the Ietter that follows this from Mrs. Mettie Sisson of the rain to cease. There was music and Stratton. dancing but, I crawled under the bench where some ladies were sitting, and to the beat of the music and many moving feet, I fell asleep "Tuttle, today would hardly be recognized as a place that was once the general store and post office of the community, 17 miles north and,4Yz east of Stratton, though the main part of the post office is still standing. Tuttle post office was established in the on the cold damp floor. It was still raining lightly when we climbed into the rain drenched wagon and started on our journey home with nine miles of muddy - w: &,',. by Opal Boger TUTTLE Tr30 Tuttle was located about 20 miles northeast of Stratton, adjacent to the Messenger homestead, and was in operation from 1883 to 1918. Tuttlb was one of the earliest post offices in this county. For several years it was a growing center of trade until the coming of the railroad. The early town boasted of one of the first regular church services taught by Mary Beiver. Three of the original buildings are standing, these include the post office and r.,,;,rg;t| i r *t Tuttle Store and Post Office in 1913. L. to R.: Aaron Burkart, The Root family, "Mother Flora", Alma, Doyne, Greta, Albert the father holding baby Carl, little boy Edgar, Vern, Eva, and Mr. Culberson the mail carrier. �:oads to go. We, who were small children that long ago Iuly 4th, remember Tuttle as a place where ile met and played with our friends. We :emember our parents taking time from their rork filled days to take us there. Most of all, I remember my father. That his lamily might have clothing and food, he drove rut each mail day morning, in all kinds of reather, with his open buggy and faithful, iast stepping team, Dolly and Sampson down ;hat long wagon trail to Tuttle." Mrs. Opal Boger Dear Mrs. Boger, "I enjoyed your article on the early days very much. The circumstances in our lives ilere very much the same. My father, Roy E. trones, canied the mail from Stratton to Iuttle for six months on a sub-lease, the winter of 1909-1910. He got $50.00 a month and used three beams. We lived 13 miles from Stratton on the lirect route to Tuttle. My brother and I would have a fresh team fed and harnessed, ready for him, when he arrived from Stratton rnd then again when he returned from Tuttle rbout two o'clock in the afternoon. He carried bhe mail six days a week. The snow was about two feet deep that winter. He made a little sled about 6 ft. long with a box about 2 ft. deep. With a lantern and a heavy comforter, covered with denim, he kept fairly comfortable. He often had passengers. One morning he new homesteaders. On had two ladies . this trip father stood on a ledge on the back of his sled and it happened that he had his most flighty team. The ladies were driving, a scarf fluttered and scared the team. They started to run. Father was a man who liked jokes so it was fun to see the ladies'excitement. He let them run a ways before taking the reins and bringing them to a halt. The ladies wouldn't drive anymore. One Saturday morning, father told Mr. Root he had a sick baby at home. Mr. Root said we will fix that so he held the mail in Tuttle until two o'clock. too late to take it to Stratton, so father could stay home that night and took the mail in the next day. I remember attending a Fourth of July celebration in Tuttle but don't remember any of the details. However, I remember the skating rink and dance hall in Tuttle. We went to just a few of the dances. I remember the Clark twins. They were so nice and were identical. The skating rink . . . I only remember going once. I thought I wanted to learn to skate. My brother got me the skates and put one on for me then I lost my nerve and wouldn't let him put the other one on. However he put them on, skated down the hall, came back quite speedily, and out of control. The stove was at this end of the hall and red hot. He had no control, hit the red hot stove with his hands and pushed himself back and landed in the laps of Mrs. Carl Root and another lady. They looked daggers at him. However he got to be a good skater and spent a good many Saturday nights in Tuttle. Good clean fun. A lot more crazy incidents but enough said." Sincerely, Mrs. Mettie Sisson by Joyce Miller VAN'S POINT TlSl known Missouri Freighter, Alexander Majors, also a Methodist lay preacher, and formed the R.M.W. Partnership, to fill government contracts to supply the Western Van's Point (place name) is shown about 11 miles southwest of Bethune on a 1916 map. WALLET POST OFFICE Tt32 The Cattlemen's Association of Kit Carson county asked me, Belle Winter, to recall events and history of early days, and especially the Wallet Post Office, of which my father, Alfred Wallet, was the post master during its entirety. The Post Office was opened on April 8, 1890, and discontinued on May 15, 1909. Before this date of April 8, my older brother, Fred carried mail from our community to Carlisle, south, and back twice a week on horseback. Peconic is now near where Carlisle stood; it was later absorbed by Kanarado and Burlington, after the Railroad came through. Later, the mail route was formed and another office was added, Ashland, northeast of Wallet. A Mr. Seifert carried the mail for awhile, when Mr. Teaman father of Henry and the late Charles Teaman of Burlington and Mrs. Lester Sheldon of Kanarado, carried the mail for several years with horses and buggy. All our neighbors always gathered at our home on Tuesday and Friday afternoons to visit and wait for the mail. The Ashland Post Office was later moved to the George Pratt home and I believe was discontinued at the same time as was the Wallet P.O. Fred Wallet also took care of the cemetery records for a good many years. Rev. Willis homesteaded in the Wallet vicinity and also Mike Higgins. The Huff family lived 2 miles w. of Wallet. by Janice Salmans LEAVENWORTH AND PIKES PEAK TRAIL, THE PONY EXPRESS Tr33 The earliest history we have of what is now Kit Carson county was when the great Army posts. In March 1859, they employed E.L. Boyd, to survey the Leavenworth and Pikes Peak Trail. For the lines in the Kansas Territory to the gold fields, they purchased; 52 of the famous Concord coaches, at $800 each and 800 of the finest Kentucky mules; each coach requiring 4 to 6 mules. Boyd was to survey the most direct route to Denver's gold fields, and place the stations as close as 25 miles apart or as water could be found. The freighting firm was stationed at Leavenworth, at the junction of the Republican and Soloman rivers. The stage line shortened the trip to the gold fields by keeping to the high divide between the rivers until the Republican veered northward and the route went 60 miles north to where Benkelman is now. to find Station #18. The stations were known entirely by number. Station #19, followed up the river to a point near Jacqua, Kansas, entering Colorado at that point, and the next station was #20 near the town of Hale. Station #21 was at the Arthur Pugh ranch. Station #22 was NW of Kipling, riding west out of Seibert and North to the Republican river, near "Rose" school. Station #23 was near the KP Ranch headquarters on the edge of Lincoln Co. At Station #22,Horace Greeley was known to have written dispatches and sent them east to the Neru York Tribune, , on the next stage. " . . stayed overnight at #21, and next day reached #22 about 5% miles northwest of Seibert . . traveled 35 miles since seeing water. At #22, therc was water bubbling up in the bed of the river." Here they, (Horace and companion; Albert D. Richardson, whom Greeley referred to as "My companion", in his book An Ouerland Journey, in 1859.), were met by the Butterfield stage, which had left the early Smokey Hill trail at Big Springs, located three miles east and 20 miles south of Seibert). Coaches traveled in pairs some distance apart but close enough to give protection or help if needed. All the way the L. and P. Trail was on the south of the Republican River until Southwest of Flagler, where there is a curve in the river. It crossed and went to the springs at the "KP Ranch" then on to Limon, and on into Denver on 13th Street. They traveled from Station #21 to #22 on June 3, 1859. They arrived in Denver the night of June 6, where Greeley and Richardson met Villars, who had to take the coach over the Northern route via Julesburg, then down to Denver. freighting firm of Russell, Majors and Wad- The partnership suffered important losses dell decided to have as direct a route as could be found from Junction City, to the Denver gold fields where there was sufficient water to supply the stations. when the freight trains were attacked by the Mormon's in the Mormon War of 1857-58. On April 3, 1860, Russell persuaded his partners The "silent partner" William Bradford Waddell, was a prosperous Lexington, Mo. merchant. He was a descendent of Gov. William Bradford of Plymouth Colony. His thriving wholesale and retail businesses led him into a host of other enterprises. In 1853, he and William Hepburn Russell contracted to send several freight trains of military supplies to Fort Riley. This venture making a profit that led them, in 1854, to send another freight train to California. In 1855, Waddell and Russell got together with a well- to launch the colorful, romantic, but financially unsuccessful Pony Express. The Pony Express maintained some 190 way stations along nearly 2,000 miles between St. Joseph, Mo. and Sacramento Calif. Eight lightweight, strong 14-15 year old riders, using 200 tough horses (to start), changing mounts every 10-12 miles. The riders covered about 100 miles before being relieved. Messages were written on half ounce tissue for $5.00 each dispatch, with elapsed time 10 days to lines end. As events proved, the price in money, horses, and men was too high and �Janice Salmans ale, cofo. Stalion 2 0 Vona, colo. 1885-1887 JAMES E. KNAPP, McCrilLis Horse Ranch Stations were on Lhe Leavenworlh and Pr.kes Feak Line in 1859. This line had the first Bar T Ranch mail contracl. year he-ce and moved north to Julesburg, rlc -^rLdgtrr ..)vpr nrnrprtrnn f lrei Station 2 0.Id Tuttle Ranch Burlhgton, Colo. R&!gc, 8&nd Cr€ek. The ]ine ran l 1 nlintihd ri'L!LY p1ed (Lovu.Lu '-l-hr" P!uJJ ^racc fOute rn nrirc Uent NUTEEAFOR,D BBOS. Boruntlont Colo. fnr Lhe Rrrnle. cil S;nok?. +h^ +h.! LrLdL PL ^r;-l^4 firsL rssue of the Rocky Mountain Nens, ApriI 22, 1859 rn Denver, Colorado. Selbert. Colo. goitls, left slde, r&nre. bottveaD RoDub hora€s loft slroulder. llcai rlvcr& Hell ofeet.. t- A'&-J. C, BR*DFEAW.', A Where Doc Hoyl shot Lhe lasl Buffalo in the summer of 1887. olerenoirt. Cclo. RrDge, lear Clarorboqt, AT JOIINl IIEDDINCI-A: co'I, Colo. ronge. ncal eofi. tz, HoyL, Colo slation 22 IJRA}I}TEIEII, BROF. Burllngtou. C.clo. T rouLbwert of BurllrgtoD. C. IY. FULIJMER,. F BuruDston' coro' EI d, c w nortltwert Bowser Col,orado u, *(o o 0ld K-P Ranch or Bu{:nston. rengo. StaLion 23 7 F Fl I I u 3 T|EIi,DBAMESBERGER, iurllngtoo.Colo. range, LortEa,q'r cieek. D. H, JONES, JTB old rtoct 01 BullDaton, Colo. rsuso,6outh or younl rtock. Wi.Llow Springs YVr|r. L'LAUSSEI{i Station at Iugo Co-1o. the Pony Express ended in financial failure after only 18 months of existence in 1861. As told by Eatinger, an early resident of Kit Carson County, "There was no trail up the North Smokey and mail was carried from Cheyenne Wells via Tuttle to Wray. Tom Reed who took a spring wagon and 3 men, traveling by camps, made a trail (by throwing up sod with a spade at short intervals) to Cheyenne Wells. The price for hauling was 25 cents per hundred. The Kit Carson Trail was another very early trail, extending from Bent's Fort, south near the Arkansas River, and north past the west side of Seibert to Cope Via Fort Morgan and on to Ft. Laramie near Cheyenne, Wyo. Addison W. Rogers'homestead was 11 miles North of Seibert (on the west side of Highway #59) known as Kit Carson Trail. A. W. Rogers'youngest daughter was the first white child born on the Kit Carson Trail. by Janice Salmans I Nowton, (lolo. ronge, soutb o! &sDublicau rlver. GEORGE &OSE: S6r.bert, Colo. Ranse. R€Dubllea,n nhd Dutll creel:, or left, sldo a&r nratE. crdD leftI undsrbl', ilsht Jc J. OAIIIP, tsurllngtonr eolo. r&pg€i Dortb of RurUDCiop. .r I 1 | F. J. HACHENBEIiCIER. uurlhgtolr, Colo. rriltc. 6 rnlles nortltgost of Burllurton u'"1eJ,T''"o,.,. 'oon [$hi:i r&nge, l.oEtmens creek. :f __ . R. 0. npsrEAD B3lbprt, colo. faDiae,.{Z rllllgs portheasl ol SeiP€rt. q, v - J. w. YA',rE8, St. Josepu, Mo. RaDge. Dear Fla.cl€r. Colp. C. W. gtDlttr, atent. Fl,rtler, Colo, rIFE E. T. EiEkrro, old dpttls, on ellilcr srde l oalves, on lrorEec, oD h:p shoulder Vona, Coip, IreDge sorrtb ol Yone' ! I � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource History of Kit Carson County Description An account of the resource Brief historical stories and elements from the founding and recent history of Kit Carson County, Colorado. Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Book Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Post Offices and General Stores Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 1988 Subject The topic of the resource history Description An account of the resource A record of the Post Offices and General Stores in Kit Carson County as recorded in the book History of Kit Carson County Type The nature or genre of the resource text Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Salmons, Janice Hasart, Marlyn Smith, Dorothy Language A language of the resource English Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. History of Kit Carson County Volume 1 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource text/pdf Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Curtis Media Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/</a> https://kccarchives.cvlcollections.org/files/original/13/1094/00000016.pdf d05b246d11457635f57315e2712a423d PDF Text Text � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Obituaries 1950's Description An account of the resource Obituaries from the 1950's, from Kit Carson County, Colorado. Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Obituary for Wyatt Boger Description An account of the resource An obituary for Wyatt Boger as taken from the Burlington Record in 1953. Subject The topic of the resource Boger, Wyatt 1872-1953 Obituary Genealogy Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ Type The nature or genre of the resource text Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Burlington Record Language A language of the resource English Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Obituaries 1950 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Text/PDF Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Burlington Record https://kccarchives.cvlcollections.org/files/original/26/1740/00000008.jpg 17be17a34e325f584557fde906169dc7 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Obituaries 1970's Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Newspaper Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Obituary for Wilson Hanna Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 1976 Subject The topic of the resource Genealogy Obituary Hanna, Wilson 1888-1976 Description An account of the resource An obituary for Wilson Hanna as taken from the Burlington Record in 1976. Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Burlington Record Language A language of the resource English Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Obituaries 1970's Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Text/jpg Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Burlington Record https://kccarchives.cvlcollections.org/files/original/27/1906/00000005.jpg 8e8f477dc200398bc2178fdd610df18b Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Obituaries 1980's Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Newspaper Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Obituary for William Yersin Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 1980 Subject The topic of the resource Genealogy Obituary Yersin, William 1916-1980 Description An account of the resource An obituary for William Yersin as taken from the Burlington Record in 1980. Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Burlington Record Language A language of the resource English Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Obituaries 1980's Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Text/jpg Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Burlington Record https://kccarchives.cvlcollections.org/files/original/26/1692/00000041.jpg d5099cd0a2c87d153fbc3aba2ac1bb8f Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Obituaries 1970's Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Newspaper Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Obituary for William Snyder Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 1974 Subject The topic of the resource Genealogy Obituary Snyder, William 1886-1974 Description An account of the resource An obituary for William Snyder as taken from the Burlington Record in 1974. Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Burlington Record Language A language of the resource English Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Obituaries 1970's Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Text/jpg Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Burlington Record