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treasury. The state's general school and
county tax amounts to only fourteen mills.
Wash.
The church has continued its strong missionary program and Mission Fest is always
a highlight of the church year. Hope Church
still has a strong commitment to the work of
the Lord and this we will pass on to future
generations in the hope that a small bit of this
history will bring them closer to the origins
of their church and the dedication needed to
work together in God's family.
by Mrs. Emil Strobel
BURLINGTON
T253
It is 38 miles from Burlington to Sherman
Center; 35 mi. to cheyenne Wells; 60 mi. to
Haigler, Nebr.; 55 mi. to Wallace, Kan.; 168
mi. to Denver. It is plain to be seen that
Burlington is the only town near the center
A view of l4th Street looking north with the old
Christian Church building (the IOOF Hall) to the
far right. This picture is later because of the water
tower far center.
of this vast tract of tillable land. Elbert
county is in good condition financially, in fact
it is in the best condition of any county in the
state. The county's paper sells at par, the
county is out of debt and has money in the
Every officer in the county, except sheriff is
a Democrat. One thousand people depend
upon Burlington for a trading point. There
will be five times that number before the
"leaves begin to turn" this fall.-May 20, 1887
Colorado with her gold and silver mines,
her coal, her iron, her wood, her stock
interests, and last, but not least, her undeveloped agricultural resources will in a few
years become one of the richest states in the
Union. No place astonished the traveler so
much as Burlington. Only four weeks old and
today almost every branch of business repre-
sented,
but sti[ there is room for
more.
Travelers and land seekers dailey crowd the
shops and eating houses and many others
undergo the painful task of standing up all
night or holding down the soft side of a pine
floor. Land is going fast and in a short time
the area of government land in Elbert county
will be of very small proportions. The
bounteous rainfall we have enjoyed this
spring has virtually made the road to success
a solid stone and the tread of progress more
than sure. Labor and capital move hand in
hand, and their social union the joy of all.
Everybody is satisfied. No one is grumbling,
and east Elbert county's boom will continue.June 3. 1887
The following information was obtained
from copies of the Cheyenne Wells Gazette
as notated below. The paper was issued on
Saturdays. Mail Route Information: June 4,
1887: "A new Post Office has been established at Burlington in Elbert county." State
News. August 6, 1887: "Burlington gets a
carrier with mail but once a week. The
contract has been let to a Mr. Watters of that
place." December 22, 1888: "The mail route
from this place across to Burlington will be
discontinued after Jan. lst." Stage Line
Information: March 24, 1888: "The daily
stage line between Cheyenne Wells and
Burlington is now in operation. The time is
Mayor and Town council, city of Burlington, 1889, L. to R.: E.T. Lemieux, T.G. Price, R.L. Hubbard,
T.J. Jones, Mayor, Robert Clark, D. Kavanaugh, and George W. Talley.
Panarama view looking north and a little west. Far center is the depot with
located just north of Neil's Furniture Store building.
reduced an hour and the driver doubles the
road, making seventy miles in twenty-four
hours." April 7, 1888: "The daily hack to
Burlington is a great convenience to travelers
to the inland queen." May 26, 1888: "Joe
Burger is now driving the Burlington hack."
September 22, 1888: "The Burlington stage
line is reduced to a one-horse concern in a
very delapidated condition." Freighting:
it prominate chimney and railroad boxcars
on track. The house in center would be
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Burlington, very early 1900's of 14th Street, notice the windmills and board sidewalks. Photo is taken
looking south with Montezuma Hotel on the left.
January 14, 1888: "Last Wednesday afternoon Jake Pierce, a freighter living 20 miles
north, was on his way to Burlington with a
buffalo calf was shipped to Denver Sunday
by a Burlington farmer."
load of coal. Going down a grade at Wells and
Cave kept by John B. White, in attempting
to set the brake on his wagon, he was thrown
off the side; his left arm catching the wheel
by Janice Salmans
was badly broken near the shoulder. The
fractured member was set by Dr. Crum, and
Pierce departed for his home the following
morning." Note: The Wells and Cave mentioned were in Sec. 28-13-44 of Cheyenne
county. John B. White ran a store there. Prior
to the county divisions in 1889 this would
have been in Elbert county. Citizens: "A live
l4th Street, early
walks.
1900's,
building on left could be where the Burlington Bakery is now with narrow board
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One
of Burlington's first hardware stores was
operated by D. Kavanaugh.
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The good old day's of a cow in every back yard even on l4the Street. Notice the Courthouse just left of
center in background with newly planted trees around it.
PIONEER LIFE ON
THE PRAIRIE
Later small buildings were erected
and
settlement made just east of the main street
of Burlington, about three-fourths of a mile,
now known as "Old Burlington," but for-
T254
merly called Lowell. 'Ihe first store in this
settlement was owned by Charles Lamb; later
Abe Hendricks started a small store in a
building which he had erected and which was
moved to New Burlington in 1888, and is now
occupied by the Burlington Call printing
HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF BURLINGTON
The first settlement was mostly a tent city
about one mile west of the present city limits,
and on what is now the John Lueken farm.
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The creamery, notice bare light bulb hanging from
ceiiing.
office.
The first school in Burlington was held in
small vacant building on what is now North
Main Street. The teacher was Miss (Molly)
Daves, who had a homestead adjoining the
town.
The first Postmaster was E.T. Lemieux,
a
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This picture was taken in 1905-06, shows a complete view of Burlington at that time. The photo was taken from the roof of the schoolhouse facing west. The
street on the left is Senter Street. Do you recognize the lovely old homes? Part 1 see part 2.
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Part 2 Notice the windmills and the small trees. At the extreme right you can see the depot and the only elevator
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�appolntect rn May, IUU/. Eugene Worcnester
first editor, printing the "Burlington
Blade" the first newspaper in Burlington.
The Printing shop was in a building located
was the
where the Sim Hudson Garage now stands.
R.S. Newell and associates bought the school
section in which New Burlington is now
located, and which was the expected Rock
Island Depot site at that time. When the
Railroad was built through the County in
1888. all the business houses where moved
from Old Burlington to New Burlington, and
rebuilt along the intersection of Senter
Avenue and Fourteenth Streets, the present
business section. Daniel Kavanaugh was the
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first Hardware merchant; T.F. Sutton was
the first Mayor, and the Board of Trustees
were: T.G. Price, H.E. Neal, Daniel Kav-
anaugh, H. Wilson, M.E. Cook (who operated
the first drugstore) and G.W. Talley.
The first physician was Dr. C.A. Gillette,
who rode horseback for many a mile over
blizzard swept prairies to care for the sick and
suffering, and often times bring to the world
another "pioneer" who was to carry on the
work of building a new community.
by Della Gamble Hendricks
BURLINGTON,
T255
T-8, R-44, both tracts of land being in Elbert
County, Colorado. These were both preemp-
tion filings, and after six months residence
both men proved up on their claims, their
final receipts being dated February 23, L887
and February 15, 1887 respectively. Other
parties, who were located on land near what
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hardware, Skyland Beauty Shop, Lee's Barber Shop and Marion's.
the tract just west of the golf course, Rachel
E. Van Winkle on the present golf course, Ed.
F. and George Bevelhimer on the half section
across the road to the south, S.M. Mayfield
on the quarter section south of the Court
House, and P.A. Troutfetter on the quarter
north of Mr. Kavanaugh.
In July, 1886 Dan Kavanaugh filed on the
SW % S-31, T-8, R-43 and about the same
time Chas H. Dicks filed on the SE 1A S-34,
--
About 1910 with McCurdy's meat market and the Record Printing Office on left of picture. This is the
block which now holds Zimbelman's, Gracie's, The Prescription Center and Sound Center, Snyder's
in now Burlington were A.L. Teagarden on
TOWN OF
COLORADO
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At this time the surveys for the Rock Island
Railroad were still being made and no one
knew just where the new railroad would go.
About September in 1887 the line of the new
railroad was determined and a town was laid
out in the SE % of S-34, T-8, R-43, where the
John Lueken farm is now located. Quite
a
sprang up with a few frame
buildings and many tents. Among those
located in tents was Mavnard E. Cooke who
little city
operated a drug store. This store was later the
moved to Old Burlington, then to the present
site of the Dunn Garage and later to the
Weinandt and Brown building, where it is
still continued. This is probably the oldest
business in the county and during the fifty
years has had only four different managements.
The men in control of the Rock Island
Railroad (or Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific
Railroad as it was the known) decided that
a town should be located where Burlington
is at present and purchased a tract of school
Iand from the State and laid out the town.
The town was platted and owned by Mr. R.S.
Newell and C.F. Jilson, Trustee. Mr. Jilson
was trustee for a group of Rock Island
officials and controlled 51 percent ofthe town
site.
Previous to this time the town of Lowell
had been laid out in what we now know as
"Old Burlington" and by a
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This picture was taken in 1902 of the Burlington, Colorado town band. The large 2 story building in backcentei of picture is the Stockgrowers Bank building. Left to right: 1. F.N. King, 2. Hainline, 4. Harvey
Cluphf, 5 Hubert Buchle, 9. Firm Moore, 13 Harrison, 15, Roy Hills.
compromise
arrangement the settlers on Sec. 34 moved
their business establishments to Lowell,
which was replatted and the name changed
to Burlington. This proved to be a very short
lived affair as the town of New Burlington,
with its depot, drew all the business houses
from Burlington. Among the buildings moved
to the new site were the Montezuma Hotel,
the Ned Brown pump house, Buchanan
Cream Station, Wilson Printing office and
the corner building adjoining, and the Dunn
Cream station.
At first the business houses were arranged
along Senter Avenue and a line of small
buildings occupied by cafes and small stores
fronted the main stem where the Vogt
residence and the telephone office now
stands. For a long time the Block from the
Montezuma south and that across the street
were the principal business locations. The
Ned Brown building was one of the first
pretentious buildings erected and that was
practically the only building on that side of
Main street north of Senter Avenue.
Eight separate plats have gone to make up
the building of Burlington. First was the plat
of Burlington on the present Lueken farm
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that he "was a wolf'and it was his night to
howl. He generally would end up in the city
Bastille repenting at leisure.
During the year 1887 while Lowell, afterwards Burlington was growing up there were
about forty buildings in the town. The
Burlington Blade was the first newspaper
and was owned and operated by the Townsite
Company in the name of Senter and Donelon
and with E.P. Worcester as Editor. The first
issue came out on May 13, 1887 and was
printed at Eustis, Kansas on the press of the
Eustis "Dark Horse".
This paper advertised the town of Lowell
as the "future County Seat of Eastern
Colorado." The Rock Island railroad was
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Burlington, Colorado, May 19, f 9f 5. The Montezuma Hotel is on the left. The F.L. Aten building on the
right us now occupied by Marion's Shoe and Dress Shop.
of town, which was abandoned and
from Cheyenne Wells and from points on the
was the platting of Burlington as "Lowell".
Wells and later from St. Francis, Kansas.
The big event in the life of the town was,
of course, the completion of the railroad and
I believe that the first regular train went
through sometime in September 1888. Some
of the early merchants were Charles Lamb,
who operated a general store, D. Kavanaugh,
west
consolidated with (Old) Burlington, second
Later this was replatted and Burlington was
consolidated with it.
Cleveland Addition was platted between
the Railroad track and Burlington. New
Burlington was laid out and covers the
present business section of Burlington. First
Addition was laid out on 240 acres to the west
of New Burlington. Brown's Addition runs
for a half mile along the west side of Highway
No. 385 and north of the Railroad. Burlington
Annex was laid out south of the highway.
When the Town was incorporated the quarter
section including the cemetery were included
but were later separated from the corporation.
by H.G. Hoskin
TOWN OF
BURLINGTON,
COLORADO
B. & M railroad. Mail came from Cheyenne
who had a hardware store about where
Snyders hardware is now located, and the
lumber yard, which is now the Herman
Lumber Company, and others whom I will
already on its way and the B., & M. Railroad
was to pass thro'the town on its direct way
from St. Francis to Pueblo.
Surveys had already been made and there
was no question but that Burlington would
be a railroad junction. People coming to the
New Eldorado were advised to take the B. &
M. to Haigler, or the U.P. to Cheyenne Wells
and then come overland. Three hack lines
brought people and supplies to town. The line
to Haigler, operated by G. Dederick,
E.T. Lemieur was appointed the first
Postmaster, receiving his appointment in
May, 1887. I am inclined to believe, that the
first mail came from St. Francis, Kansas or
Haigler by stage.
gone
Among the leading business houses of the
new town were Hubbard and Donelan, Real
Estate, Insurance and Locating: Webb and
Johnston, Real Estate, Insurance and Locating. Thomas Reed, Locator; Neal Brothers
and Teagarden, Loans and Real Estate; Page
through the old wild west days when cowboys
and Leal, Real Estate and Locating. Kirk
enumerate later.
Burlington is too young to have
shot up the town and spent the years'
earnings in a few hilarious days. From the
first it was a very decorous community and
only occasionally did some man get the idea
Hiskey and Company, Real Estate; Frazer
and Cunningham, Livery (Star Livery and
Feed; H. Wilson, Flour and Feed; Barlow
Bros., Banking; A.J. Carpenter, carpenter; D.
T256
Before the railroad was completed goods
and materials were brought to Burlington
First Trades Day in Burlington, June 2 thru the 14.
A gathering seeking shade under the porch of the
Montezuma, early 1900's, note the fabulous hats
the ladies are wearing.
who
made daily trip, taking ten hours; Fry and
Smith made daily trips to Sherman Center,
Kansas (near the present town of Goodland)
taking seven hours, and Bridge and Waters
who made daily trips to Cheyenne Wells.
Trades Day looking south with Aten's Store on the right.
�Kavanaugh, Hardware; Joseph Eck, Liquors,
Northrup Brothers, Groceries;
Charley
Lamb, Groceries; Page and Leal, Burlington
House, A.J. Senter of Colby, Kansas was
President and H.E. Weld of Candy, Kansas
was Secretary of the Townsite Company.
The first Hotel was a two story affair 30 x
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600 feet, but I have no record of the landlord.
So far as I know, this building was afterwards
moved to Burlington and became the Montezuma Hotel.
On May 17, 1887 the first traveling man
reached the town of Burlington and sold a bill
of goods to Abe Hendricks, who opened a
General Store.
On May 30, 1887, E.F. Bevelhimer, living
west ofthe town, celebrated the first anniversary of his locating in the new country and
thus gives us the date of one of the very first
settlers on the Divide in the neighborhood of
Burlington. Nearly all of Burlington helped
him celebrate this occasion.
Among business men who located within
the next two years we find the following: G.W.
Talley, Livery; S.K. King, Land and Loans;
Bent and Mettev.
by H.G. Hoskin
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This is the old livery barn in Burlington which was operated by Elmer Harrison and Uncle Bud Yarnell.
Photo was taken on July 4, 1900.
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Forth of July parade in Burlington, early 1900's.
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�1920's, inside the
livery barn, your favorite garage.
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Main Street (14th St.) F.L. Wren, Spot Cash Store on left with Les Gain's Drug Store and Hainline's Barber
Shop. To the right, A.L. Anderson's Garage and the Montezuma Hotel.
TOWN OF
BURLINGTON,
COLORADO
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with Mayor T.F. Sutton presiding. The
Trustees were T.G. Price, H.E. Neal, D.
Kavanaugh, M. Wilson, M.E. Cooke and
C.W. Tallev.
in L927, is standing today.
Remember the dances held here?
The Armory built
T257
Their first action was to elect the following
city officers, to wit: T. Ellis Browne, Recorder; S.K. King, Attorney; A. Douthit, Marshal;
I.D. Cary, Treasurer and M.P. Worcester, as
Farm Loans, Burlington Lumber Company; Neal Brothers and Cement, Attorneys;
Northrup and Penfold, Groceries (Change
from Northrup Brothers) I.B. Cary and
Company, Land; Bean, Jeweler; City Drug
Store; Palace Saloon; B.F. Kaiser,
Blacksmith; T.J. Jones, Attorney; Clements
and Edwards, Attorneys.
The State Bank was organized with the
following directors: R.S. Newell, President;
D.S. Harris, Vice President; J.E. Barlow,
Cashier; C.H. Brown; F.K. Brown.
On August 16, 1888 the first Board of
Trustees of Burlington met in regular session
Big snow in 1923, Della Hendricks writes on back
of photo, "I could not visit schools until April."
Magistrate.
Three Ordinances were passed, the first
referring to City officers, their duties, salaries
and bonds; the second relating to animals
running at large and the third as to the
meeting of the Board of Trustees.
At the second meeting held on August 27,
1888, ordinance No.4 relating to misdemeanors and ordinance No. 6 relating to drays,
hackmen, etc, were passed and Ordinances
No. 5 and 7 were laid over. Dog tags were
ordered.
At the third meeting held the next
Ordinances No.
5
and
7
day,
were duly passed. The
first related to saloons and the second to
nuisances. The town marshal, A. Duthit,
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resigned and was allowed his salary of $5.00
which was the first money paid out by the
city. E.P. Worcester of the Burlington Blade
presented a bill for printing in connection
with the organization of the city, in the sum
of $48.45; T.G. Price presented a bill for
$23.80 for services as election judge and for
carrying ballotbox and returns to Kiowa; J.E.
Barlow presented a bill for $42.00 for funds
advanced to the County Judge of Elbert
County at Kiowa, and dl bills were allowed.
On September 11, 188, a saloon license was
granted to C.H. Mattox and on the next day
one was granted to W.T. Campbell. On the
17th of September Trustees Price, Cooke and
Neal were appointed a Committee to see
about a cemetery matters. At the same time
they were instructed to look into the matter
of a calaboose. On the 22nd of September the
Cemetery Committee was authorized to
employ a surveyor to lay out the ten acres in
the Northwest corner of the NE % of Sec. 36,
T-8, R-44, which had been given to the City
by the Townsite Company, to fence the seme
to see to the title.
Armistice Day Parade with the American Legion marching by, 1936.
The first relief expense paid by the City
was on
November 19. 1888 when the Trustees
�Charlie Davis pool hall in Burlington. Davis is
identified as the middle man in the group of three
gathered around the pool table. If taken during
Prohibition days 1918-1936, bottles on right
contained only soft drinks or near beer.
trough to be installed.
The new Board elected in 1890 composed
of C.A. Gilmore, Mayor; D.
Kavanaugh,
Richard Clarke, B.S. Barndollar, M.E.
Cooke, W.W. Paisley and M.S. Murphy as
Burlington City Park in the 1920's, remember the "fountain" in the center of the park?
Trustees.
allowed a bill for $7.00 for board, lodging and
telegrams for two boys who had been on the
the town under the neme of First Addition
On September 9, 1890, 240 acres on the
west side of New Burlington were annexed to
city's hands for three days. At the next
meeting, as the warrant had not been issued,
the City fathers apparently thought better
about the item and instructed the Clerk to
turn the bill over to the County.
A variety of matters came before the Board
of Trustees in the next few months, among
which were the following:
Asking the different fraternal orders about
having a part of the cemetery set aside for
their use. Petitions for a new County, which
Burlington wished to be 30 miles square;
adopting the name Fair View for the Ceme-
tery; setting a price for cemetery lots and
setting aside a Potter's Field. Securing a site
for a calaboose, etc.
At the election in April 1889, a new Board
was elected consisting of D. Kavanaugh, G.W.
Talley, G. Myers, Robert Clarke, LB. Cary
and T.G. Price as Trustees and T.J. Jones ag
Mayor. As this time bids were asked for the
construction of sidewalks and the successful
bidder agreed to build sidewalks for 22 cents
a running foot for sidewalks 2 feet wide and
29 cents for walks 3 feet wide.
At a meeting on September 17, 1889 bids
for city printing were received from the Kit
Carson County Advocate,
Burlington in the early 1930's. Taken from the water tower, notice the newer buildings.
the Burlington
Bommerang and the
by II.G. Hoskin
TOWN OF
BURLINGTON,
COLORADO
T268
Burlington Blade, and the Blade, backed
by the Townsite Company, took the job. Mr.
G.W. Talley presented a bill for services as
Marshall and the clerk shows in his records
that the bill was sent back to Mr. Talley with
a request that it be "itemized".
In April 1890, the Board made arrangem-
ents with the Railroad Company to secure
water from their well and ordered a city horse
View of Burlington from the top of the courthouse. Left the John Guthrie home, Burt Ragan home,
chautauqua tent. 2nd row: John Esch, J. Upton, Grant Mann's barn. 3rd row: E. Hoskins Sr. home, Roscoe
Hotel and the Frank Mann Building.
�to Burlington. A part of this tract had been
homesteaded by Rachel Van Winkle and a
part had been purchased by the Townsite
Company from the State of Colorado. This
Iand was sold at first for $3,000 and by
successive transfers to different parties fi-
nally reached a price of $50,000. This was laid
out in 83 blocks containing approximately
2500 lots and the owners began an intensive
campaign to give away the lots. Advertisements were run in the Police Gazette, and lots
were given to people in every section of the
Union. An additional tract was laid out in the
E Vz of t}:,e E % of Section 36, and was given
away under the same plan.
An Abstract of Title was furnished with
each lot free of all charges but was incorporated in the deed of conveyance to the victim.
All he was asked to do was to have the deed
recorded in the office ofthe County Recorder.
The advertising consisted of letters from
parties who had been given lots and which
they had later sold for as much as $250 per
lot. For a while business was good. Something
over a thousand lots were given away and
each party getting a lot paid the promoter
$5.00 as a recording fee. He then split with
the other promoters. About this time the
Postal Department began to investigate the
matter and the whole thing collapsed.
Along in 1890 and for several years there
after the town adopted a unique method of
killing two birds with one stone. The Rock
Island was asking an annual payment of from
$125 to $150 for water supplied to the town
and the funds to pay the railroad the town
would authorizethe sale ofa warrant for $250
to the highest bidder and the saloon keeper
usually bought it in for 50 cents to 60 cents
on the dollar. Then the town accepted the
warrant at face in payment of the saloon
license fee. This was regularly done up to
1897. Warrants were sold to John Hiller. E.E.
Bevelhimer and Carter Gutshall and others.
At the election held on april 8, 1898, Mrs.
Annie Newell and Mrs. P.B. Godsman were
elecf,ed as Trustees, and Mrs. Jennie Long
was elected by the Board as City Clerk. In
TOWN OF
BURLINGTON,
COLORADO
T259
and several horses were destroyed along with
the barn.
During this year the windmill and water
tanks were removed from the middle of Main
Street. A well was dug and the windmill was
placed over it and the first efforts made to
improve the cemetery. Also at this time, the
Town Council started on an orgy of spending
by raising the Town Clerk's salary to 95.00
per month.
Every indication pointed to the fact that
the town was growing up. Cement sidewalks,
quarantine regulations, ordering all hogs out
of town, taking the windmill and tank out of
Main Street, all pointed to some kind of a new
birth. A new and modern Hotel was projected
to built by a group of citizens and the town
was asked to deed the two lots that had been
obtained from
Mr. Newell to the
Hotel
Cooperation and take stock in payment. A
The depot in the 1940's.
The newly Organized Stock Growers Bank
was named as the meeting place. The Town
Clerk received a tremendous salary of $2.00
per month.
On May 11, 1903, the Town bought 300 feet
of 1 % inch fire hose and a cart and this was
the beginning of the world famous Fire
Department.
In December, 1903 an epidemic of scarlet
fever ravaged the country taking several lives,
and the Mayor of Burlington issued a proclamation forbidding any person who had been
exposed to the fever from entering the town
and appointing a special officer to enforce the
order.
In the spring of 1904, an epidemic of small
pox broke out and raged for several months.
At the 1906 election, George O. Gates was
elected Mayor and during his administration
the first cement sidewalk was laid. Also. the
Town had its first serious fire when the old
Boyles Livery Barn, which was located on the
corner just south of the John Penny home,
was destroyed. Much valuable equipment
call was issued for a special election for
waterworks bonds. Mr. Winegar offered to
trade block 8 to the town for the two lots
owned by the town, and after some argument
the offer was accepted. Waterworks bond was
carried by a decisive vote.
Apparently Burlington was no longer a
train stop for the Rock Island railroad. It had
grown up.
by H.G.Iloskin
NEW BURLINGTON
BUSINESSES
T260
April 1961, activity reached a peak in
Burlington during the past week. In addition
to the new businesses, several new homes are
under construction in every section of the
town.
T.W. Backlund announced this week that
he would open Thursday March 20 at his new
location just east of the V.F.W. Post Home
on Rose Ave. Backlund's formerlv located on
May, for some reason, Mrs. Godsman resig-
ned as trustee and was immediately reelected to the same place by the board.
The Townsite Company deeded the two
lots north of the present Winegar building to
the city as a site for town buildings. These are
the lots later traded to Mr. Winegar for the
city park site. Apparently no election
''
was
held in the years 1899, 1900 and 1901. There
were no meetings of the Board of Trustees
from April 2, 1900 to October 1, 1900.
At the election held in April 2, 1900, Mrs.
Boyles and Etta Rogers were candidates for
a position on the Board of Trustees and the
election resulted in a draw. The two ladies
drew straws for the office and Mrs. Boyles
was the lucky party. The other members of
the Board were J.W. Sparks, Mayor; A.W.
Winegar, A.V. Jessee, J.S. Penfold, J.L.
Eaches and Mrs. Maggie Sparks. W.D. Selder
was elected as Town Treasurer. E.C. Baker
as Town Clerk.
by H.G. Hoskins
Burlington Depot built in the 1890's. The ladies of Burlington would carry their lunches and wait for the
trains to come in so they could visit with the passengers while the train filled with water. This way they
kept up with the news of the world around them.
�Celebrating the end of World War
II in August of 1945.
View taken from top of elevator, many new cars
were damaged in this accident.
14the St., will continue with the Dodge line
of trucks and cars with Case, Farmhand, and
Oliver farm equipment as well as complete
maintenance. The new structure, a Stan-
Steel building, was constructed by Wes
Holmes Const. Co. of Burlington. The parts
department and offices are Iocated in the
south of the building along with the showroom and the shop is located in the rear with
access doors on the east.
King Motor Co., too will move in the near
future from its present location at 502 14the
St. to the building formerly occupied by
Jack's Body Shop at 1700 Rose Ave. "The
move amounts to better service to customers
as we will have a much larger working space,"
Gathering scrap for the war effort. Perry Wilson
and John Esch are on the right.
said V.R. (Bud) King, owner, earlier this
Train derailment near the Burlington Co-op in the
week when questioned about the construc-
1950's.
tion.
On to the front of the large quonset
structure. Charlie Sholes and the Foster
Lumber Co. have begun the erection of a
super structure 70 feet by 36 feet, which will
house the show room and offices. The rear
quonset, where the parts department and
shop will be located is approximately 40 feet
by 80 feet.
King Motor Co. offers Buick and Pontiac
cars and GMC trucks as well as irrigation
motors. The move will enable the firm to keep
the used cars along with the rest of the
business, instead of seperated as in the past.
King reported that the switch in business
address should be completed by May 1.
Construction was begun early Mon. morning, March 27,by a crew from the Burlington
Building and Supply co. at a site just east of
King Motor Co. to house Jack's Body and
Repair Shop. Jack Cheslock, owner and
operator of the shop, reported the building;
36 feet by 80 feet to be finished by May L.
Work also began Mar. 20, on a new office
A "dirty thirties" dust storm is moving in. You are looking north on rnain street. Note the Bank of
Burlington on far right of photo. Exact year is unknown.
building for R.C. Beethe, M.D., who is
presently located in offices at 411 14the
Street. The site of the new office which will
be at the corner of 15the and Lowell, in the
lot just east of the Kit Carson County
Memorial Hospital. Dr. Beethe stated that he
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Burlington Golf course and Prairie Pines Country
Club. Late fall of 1987.
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From the period of time starting about
the 1920's we can see the
development of Burlington move forward
and climaxing during the 1920's. The con1910 through
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struction of the buildings that are remaining
today such as the buildings on the four
corners of 14th and Senter Street and the
Winegar building, the Davis Garage where
Ben Franklin Store is now, the Penny
Burlington's first swimming pool on the corner of Senter and 18th Street built in 1935-37
needed a new office with better lighting and
WPA project
BURLINGTON
HISTORY
newer facilities. The building is being built
by L.C. Kelly and Sons of Denver.
Another new establishment which will be
open to the public soon is the V and L DriveIn Cafe, owned and operated by Virgil Dixon,
and located at the corner of Highways 24 and'
385 in Burlington. The building and the
booths were constructed by the Colorado
Mobile Homes of Stratton, with Dixon doing
the finish work himself. The drive-in will
celebrate its grand opening this Sat. April 1,
with free coffee and doughnuts to adults and
free ice cream cones to the children. The
drive-in will seat 20 people inside, will feature
everything from steaks to sandwiches with
fountain service as well. The establishment
will be open from 6 am. to 10 pm. each day
and the phone number is 271.
by Janice Salmans
as a
T261
sURLINGTON
aleurag lo Colorado
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Welcome to Burlington' 1956'
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building where Vance's Decorating is pres-
ently located and most of the other buildings
up and down "Main Street" as it was called
then were constructed during this period.
What a legacy of that time is left for us.
1917 brought on the threat of the first
World War and the registration lists that
were published were a reminder of the
population that was present in the county
and towns in this area. The rural population
was much higher in proportion to the cities
than it is today proving that if the agriculture
industry prospered the towns prospered too.
That can be proved today.
Fun activities were the annual County
Fair, Chautauquas, community variety shows
and productions, and the movies. Saturday
night band concerts came into being sometime during this period of time as Saturday
was always the day to go to town bringing
people into Burlington to conduct business
and purchase needed items and recreation.
There were two newspapers in town at this
time owned and operated by George Wilkinson and Pat Wilson. They were always taking
on the "Devil's Advocate" with each other
and during this time the activities of the Ku
Klux KIan were taking hold in the area
causing a lot of division in the community
even having political repercussions which
took years to heal.
The coming of Louis Vogt to Burlington
early in this century, brought an era of
culture that Burlington had not had before.
1926 Feb. 9 "Othello"
1927 Feb. 7 "Hamlet"
1928 Feb. 23 "Comedy of Errors"
1929 Feb. 14 "The Merchant of Venice"
1930 Feb. 26 "Macbeth"
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1931 Feb. 19 "Othello" (at Colorado
Springs)
1932 Feb. 10 "As You Like It"
The above plays were well attended by
people all over the county and beyond. Mr.
Vogt built a two-story house east of the
Montezuma hotel and
called "The Midway".
14th Street in 1956 looking north, taken by Willard Gross.
the building
now
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This picture was taken in November 1957. Looking south over the Town of Burlington. Fair grounds are in the lower right corner of the picture. The wide street
with all the cars parked on it is 14th Street (Main Street). Note old water tower at north end of street.
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This picture was taken in October, 1g58. Vantage is looking north with Highway 24 in foreground. 14th Street is in center of photo. Note the K.C.C. Memorial
Hospital and the Armory in middle of picture.
BURLINGTON
HISTORY
The County Commissioners bought the
T262
Carousel in 1928 which proved to very
detrimental to their political careers at the
time and under circumstances bevond their
control. Today proves that there is always a
rainbow after the storm with the counties
Carousel recognized as an Historic Landmark
of the nation. It's location in Burlington has
helped the town as well as the county.
The 30's will always live in the hearts of
those who lived through them with the
f
financial losses from the closing of the Stock
Growers Bank as well and the drought that
set in this area. Even small towns suffer when
there are national disasters. In this area the
loss of revenue from the agriculture sector
made for hard times on "Main Street" too.
With the price of corn going to an all time low
of 25 cents per bushel - and some only
received 10 cents per bushel
- it
was no
wonder that people burned corn instead of
coal.
.
For entertainment many people went out
to the country and hunted rabbits and also
looked for arrow heads and other Indian
artifacts that had been uncovered by the
raging winds removing the soil from the
plains surrounding Burlington. Some people
traded arrowheads for groceries. Politics, of
course, can always provide us with entertain-
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ment and in 1936 a bet was made concerning
the outcome of the 1936 election. As a result
the town and community was given a gteat
celebration
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with a barbeque, parade and
it in this
dance. For more insight read about
section.
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East side of 14th Street with the Winegar building on the right. The Bakery, the Satin Petticote, Midway
Theatre, Willies Flower Shoppe, Sears and the Bank of Burlington at end of block. February 1988.
WPA projects in Burlington consisted of
construction of the curbs and gutters in New
Burlington. The Community Center with the
gym was built and "out houses" were built
�The Abbott House
This is the largest home in Burlington,
Colorado. It was built by the late William
Abbott at a cost of $10,000 in the early 1900's.
Nine apartments with two baths, heated by
a Holland furnace. The house has 2t/z stories
with a basement. A strictly modern home. If
you buy this you are sure of living for life. It
is completely furnished. Beautiful blue grass
Looking south we find W.B. Drug, Mode-o-Day, Homm-Attorney, Coast to Coast, Heinz Office and Supply,
The Family Practice, Vance's Decorating, and Peoples Natural Gas Co. on the east side of the street and
Marion's, Lee's Barber shop and Skyland Beauty Salon, Snyder's Hardware, The Sound Center and The
Prescription Center, Gracie's Crafts, Zimbelman's Jewelry, The Burlington Record and Equitable Savings,
on the west.
and given to the country schools. There were
other small projects too but the best one was
would be used. Everyone felt
a
part ofthe war
effort.
the construction of the swimming pool in
1935-37. This provided the town with lots of
enjoyment for many years until the new pool
was built in the 1960's.
The 1940's found us again preparing for
yard and hundreds of perennial flowers,
shrubs and trees surround the house. A three
apartment garage is adjacent to the house.
Will sell on terms or take smaller house or
clear land for part payment on same. This is
a very desirable apartment house or would
make a wonderful hospital.
This ad was found in 'oHenry's Scrapbook."
We do not know the year but this house is still
standing and now owned by Mrs. Orma
Turner. It is still a very beautiful home.
war and do you remember hearing the sirens
and pulling all the shades so that the town
was all dark? Our imaginations went wild.
Everyone helped with the scrap drives,
gathering newspapers for the paper drives,
Old Historic Building Changes
Hands
Penny Bros., became the owners of the
building, just north of their store, which now
houses the creamery operated by C.J. Buchanan. The purchase was made from Jacobs and
Milburn, who bought the ancient landmark
smashing cans and saving anything that
at a land sale, held by the county. The history
of the building, which is to be raised, to make
roorn for an implement department of their
store, is varied indeed. According to historian, H.G. Hoskin, it was a store operated bv
C.A. Lamb, from 1887-1892. John Hillers
took over the place for a saloon from 18931895. Later, Roscoe made it into a hotel, pool
room, and soft drink parlor; from which
it began to be leased as apartments,
and cream stations. Several operators of
cream stations preceded Mr. Buchanan, who
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The west side of the street showing Ben Franklin, Men's Shop, Orth's, Nunn-Attorney, and The Corner
cut. Februarv 1988.
has been there 3 or 4 years.
This building was one of Burlington's first
buildings that was erected in June, 1887. But
it's passing will likely cause little regret, since
the Penney's will build a modern store
adjoining the brick building now housing
their hardware and implement building.
Old Burlington Business
Dr. H.M. Hayes purchased the two-story
brick building on 14th St., last Saturday, in
which the Burlington Hospital is located. The
building also contained the Burlington Bakery, and the Red and White Grocery Store.
Feb. 10. 1944.
�Reed Motor Co., tractors and
Looking north we find many of the same buildings as seen in the 1940 but fronts are kept up to date and
several new buildings Heritage Savings, are seen along with stop lighLs. We have come of age!
C.D. Reed, owner and operator of Reed Motor Co.
Dave's Welding Shop, owned and operated by Dave
Sielsky.
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The Bank of Burlington with its new exterior and the potted trees give 14the Street a prosperous look.
BURLINGTON
HISTORY
Burlington Construction Co., Guy Ancell, operator.
T263
Going to the movies at the Midway Theater
and munching popcorn from the sack and
watching the newsreels reporting on the war
seemed that most
everyone attended them and remember the
Saturday Afternoon Matinee watching Roy
Rogers movies. Those were the days and the
cost was 12 cents at one time. Remember the
bon-fire celebrating the end of the war?
Tradgedy hit the community with the
disaster striking the Smoky Hill Community
when the tornado destroying homes, schools
and crops. The town of Burlington pitched in
will never be forgotten. It
Sim Hudson Chevrolet, Oldsmobile and Cadillac.
Christenberry's Welding and Radiator Shop.
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Marinello Beauty Salon. Dorotha Hemmond,
owner, Located in Montezuma Hotel.
Burlington Telephone Office, located behind Montezuma Hotel.
Guthrie Electric Shop, owned and operated by
John Guthrie. This building was the original
schoolhouse for the Burlington area.
Carter's Produce, owned and operated by Floyd
and Estie Carter. Buyers of cream and farm fresh
eggs.
Hotel West, located on Senter Street was once
thriving hotel and later on, a restaurant.
a
Cowan's Produce, located on Senter Street, buyers
ofcream and eggs. Lowell and Fern Cowan were the
proprietors.
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Local Telephone operators at work. Behind the
desk is Elsie Nass, and operators from left to right
are marie Wood Smith, Peg Roberts, and Bonnie
Warren Shamburg Real Estate, later managed by
son, Bob Shamburg.
Kit
Carson County Abstract Co. Henry Hoskin,
Abstractor. Also the home
Farnsworth Hendricks.
of
Twrell-Hoskin
Insurance.
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Rose's Beauty Salon, operated by Rose patterson.
Ebert Lynn, one ofthe original barbers in the town
of burlington. He also bought animal hides during
the earlier days of the town.
and gathered together and helped clean up
after the storm.
With the dry 1930's behind them the
farmers were experiencing good crops and
with it brought better times for the towns.
Land prices which saw a bottom of $1.50 were
now bring $40, $50, and even $60 per acre.
New homes were constructed and business
could afford to renovate their stores and
build new fronts so that main street really
took on a new look.
Albert Kirshmer built a one-half million
bushel elevator which we thought was huge.
Thomas & Thomas, Attorneys at Law. Thornton
H. Thomas and Richard D. Thomas.
Combine crews filled the town during harvest
through July and we wondered if it was safe
to go out at night with so many people about.
The late 40's saw the building of the Kit
Carson Memorial Hospital in Burlington
which has served the community very well all
these years. This was a great community
effort with farmers donating wheat, clubs
donated money and labor for furnishing the
rooms and lots of labor in the actual building
was donated, a really wonderful coming
together of individuals to provide a needed
�Hendricks Mortuary, Wm. R. Hendricks, County
Coroner.
Chuck's Service, Mobil Service operated by Chuck
J.C. Pennev Co.
Siehr.
resource in the county.
Burlington became the headquarters for
many of the construction personal who were
involved with the building of Bonny Dam.
This influx of people made a housing shortage and the construction of houses on Bonny
Drive remain with us today reminding us of
this time.
The Kit Carson County Courthouse was
renovated and an addition added in 1950 at
the cost of $190,000.00. This was a beautiful
building after the construction was finished
and is serving us well in 1988. The grandstand
at the
fairgrounds was also constructed
during this time and has been used for the
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U.S. Post Office
Neil's Furniture, Neil Willirms owner.
fairs and other activities through the years
with 1988 seeing the area in front of the
grandstand landscaped to compliment Carousel park and provide a very attractive area
for everyone to enjoy.
BURLINGTON
HISTORY
T284
Safeway Store, Don Thompson manager.
Harrison's Ford and Mercury, Hobart Harrison,
Owner.
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Esch Lumber Company, owned and operated by
John Esch.
Tom Ambler Hardware, owned and operated by
Tom and Midge Ambler
Loyd's Cleaners and Clothiers, Mac Loyd, owner.
Office of R.C. Beethe, M.D., Physician and Sur3urlington Locker Service, owned and operated by
lliff
Hoschouer.
Wilbur Larson, manager of J.C. Penney Co. Where
do you go today for a display of hats such as this?
geon.
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W-B Liquor in the Wilson Building on main street.
Ben Franklin Store, managed by Petty Family.
DeHollander's Shoe Store. G.E. DeHollander,
owner. The Burlington Record, John Hudler.
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Standish Drug Co., John Standish, owner.
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A.B. Morrow, Appliances and Propane Gas.
Knapp's Plumbing, Doren Knapp owner.
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Gnmbles, owned and operated by John and Faye
Dr. H.M. Hayes, Physician and Surgeon.
Brvner.
Wilson's Gift Shop, Bessie Wilson owner.
The most frightening happening was the
return of the dry years to Eastern Colorado.
It brought back fears of the drougth of the
thirties. 1954 was the dryest year ever
recorded in the history of keeping precipitation records. With the drought alway comes
the horrendous winds that whip the soil into
the air and create dust clouds that spawn so
Kelly's Pool Hall.
Williams Cafe, Lon Williams, Mgr. Recreation
Basement was teen gathering place managed by
Shorty Vance.
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%up
from Goodland, Kansas or picking up a
station if the clouds were just right and
,ti.
watching wrestling on Saturday nights? The
changes of social habits brought about with
the coming of television were never contemplated at the time. Remember Jim Gernhart
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much emotional havoc and physical discomfort, that they are is never forgotten. Thanks
to more advanced technology and the advent
of irrigation and better farming practices and
regulations this dry period did not leave the
scars of the thirties for most people.
The advent of television coming to town
was really exciting. Remember watching the
screen waiting for something to be broadcast
Hayes Building
conducting and celebrating his own funeral
and then advertising it?
The 1960's rang in a new era with so many
advancements and the new crop of sugar
beets that would create an environment that
brought great expansion of implement dealerships, irrigation equipment and building of
new businesses in Burlington. In 1965 Plateatr Natrrral Gas Oomnanv camc to town and
�constructed pipe lines to serve the town and
rural areas. They built a new office with the
"Blue Flame Room" adjacent the business
area. This was a community room and was
used by the community free of charge for
many years and filled a need that existed for
family gatherings as well as public meetings.
Word was received that our cherished Rock
Island Railroad was taking out bankruptcy
and would be no more. The end of what was
our beginning, became a redity. After much
work and hopes of keeping the rail service
active the end came for the Rock Island.
Later thanks to the hard work of many
businesses in the area, Kyle Railroad was
organized and purchased part of the track
serving this area and once again in the 80's
we see boxcars filled with grain moving on the
rails.
The completion of I-70 was realized after
years of bumper to bumper traffic out here
on the plains. The new high school was built
in south Burlington and the new swimming
pool and Parmer Park became a new source
of enjoyment.
Pralle Electric Shop
Jack's Cleaners, owned and operated by Jack and
Eunice Boyles
King Motor Co., V.R. King owner.
BURLINGTON
HISTORY
Langston's Style Shop, Walter and Hazel Langston. owners.
T286
State Farm Insurance Office, S.T. Jarrett, Agent.
Adolf Shoe Shop, Emmanuel Adolf, owner.
Park's Jewelry and Watch Repair, H.H. Park,
owner.
Dunn Motor Co, A.B. Dunn owner.
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Burlington Bakery, Harold and Gladys Clouse,
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Midway Theatre, Neil Beezley, owner.
Lusch Cleaning and Laundry, alongwith Milestone
giving altitude of Burlington
The Middle school was built in 1971 on the
west side of town. The Prairie Pines Country
Club and new gold course made their appear-
ance along with many new homes and a
greatly expanded business community within
the town. New residential areas were being
filled on all sides of Burlington. New buildings were now being constructed on 14the
Street changing the skyline of town making
it have a up and coming look yet still having
some of the old landmarks visible as you
glance down the street.
The 70's saw the peak of agri-business in
Red & White Grocery Store, Earl and Albert Zick,
owners.
Burlington Dress Shop, Pauline Kloeckner, owner.
�65 HAOO263!. 93
263 2A
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607. PAGE It
PICTURS *
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63 tclPanng
Halduare, Appl{a
Red Front Grocery, owned and operated by the
Yergin Fnmily.
Park's Barber Shop, Charlie Park, barber and
owner.
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Penny Bros. Hardware, Appliances and Implements.
Bill Yersin, owner and operator of Red Front
Market.
Dr. Glenn S. Flatt, Dentist, Hemmond Bros. Real
Egtate and Insurance, and Harold Boland, Insurance.
Masonic Hall, former building occupied by First
Christian Church.
this area. Land prices were at an all time high
and housing costs climbed as well as interest
rates in the late 70's.
As we look back over this period of 100
years we see a similar pattern that has a habit
of repeating itself but we can never believe
that it will happen again and so in the 1980's
we find that many reversals have visited us
but many new things have come into being
by the foresight of men and women who have
a persistent belief in this community.
The joint effort of town and county
W-B Drug Store.
Duckwall's,
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brought about the Burlington-Kit Carson
County Airport which culminated in a huge
grand opening in the fall of 1984. Much effort
was put in this project as well as in the
courting of the State of Colorado for the
construction of a prison facility in the
community.
The greatest "party" was held when Bur-
J.M. McDonald, Burlington's first Department
Store. Located on the ground floor ofthe Montezu-
D.D. Lahey, M.D., Physician and Surgeon.
ma Hotel.
lington opened all doors and celebrated
"Mike Lounge Day'in 1985. A hometown boy
makes good is indeed reason to have such a
gala occasion for everyone to participate in.
The parade was one of the best in history as
well as the tremendous turn out for the
barbeque at the High School grounds. Truly
a day to remember.
The idea of "Old Town" was conceived and
acted upon and today we see a fabulous
tourist attraction that will hopefully provide
lots of enjoyment for the community as well
as visitors from around the world.
It is hard to write that the stress of the
agriculture industry has greatly effected this
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Carper's Cafe, George and Frances Carper owners.
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.
Felzien's Cleaners and Clothine. Harold and Cecil
Felzien. owners.
community as well as the farmers and
it but it must be noted
that this areir on the great high plains has
given birth to a populace that is very tough
and persevering and we just don't give up
ranchers surrounding
�very easily and hopefully the fall of land
values and real estate in Burlington has seen
the bottom and is on the upswing again soon.
We have experienced some of the worst
blizzards and hailstorms in history these last
few years and yet we repair our homes and
businesses, try new ideas, reorganize, try new
ventures, and take the challenge of the future
with new hope.
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BURLINGTON
HISTORY
Strobel's Texaco, A.E. Strobel manager.
Sloan's Motel, Everett and Eunice Sloan, owners.
Hi-Lo Motel, J.M. Powers, manager.
Miller's Phillips 66 Service.
RyIe Walters Garage
Fonest Miller, owner
T266
The Rock Shop, owned and operated by Ralph
Binard. Later became W-B Liquor, owned and
operated by Cecil and Harold Felzien.
of Miller's Phillips
66
Service.
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Binard's's Conoco Service, Ralph Binard owner.
Highway Cafe and Service, Thelma and Kenny
Gray, operators.
Stevens Cafe, managed by Mrs. J.V. Landers.
Ellsworth Pontiac, Lee Ellsworth owner'
Stevens Motel, also managed by Mrs. J.V. Landers.
Chat'n Chew Cafe, Freda Schlichenmayer proprietor.
It is my hope that this short overview of
this community will bring back memories to
you and that you will fill in the many blank
spaces that have not been recorded. Time is
always a factor and we do the best with what
we have and hope that you will forgive us for
our failings as we know that there were some
very important events that have not been
recorded because they have not come to mind
or have not been recorded by someone over
the years for our use.
Without ths sqmpilation of newspaper
�clippings, pictures, and other articles and the
of Henry Hoskin, Bonny Gould,
Mable Park, Irene Boger, and many others
who have opened up their picture albums,
keepsakes, and have shared them with us,
this history could never have been accomplished by this writer.
Many happenings that were not mentioned
is this writing may be found in the pictures
accompanying this article. We are grateful to
Willard Gross and the Bank of Burlington for
the record of the town in 1956 that we are
sharing with you. Pictures can say so much
more than words.
writings
V.F.W. Post Home.
Burlington Liquor, Arthur Wittmuss proprietor.
Sinclair Service, Bud Bolin manager.
Dairy Queen, R.V. Johnston, owner.
BURLINGTON
MAYORS
T2B7
Dillon Oil Co.. H.C. Dillon owner.
Busby's Frontier Service
Skelly Service, Junction
Lincoln.
of
Highway 24 and
Hi-Lo Jr. Motel, J.M. Powere, manager.
Lyle Busby, owner of Busby's Frontier Service.
Smith's Service, E.H. Smith owner.
H.G. Hoskin 1912-13
T.G. Price 1914
F.L. Bergen 1916-18
Hank Schell 1919-20
George O. Gates 1921
John S. Boggs to Sept. 1922
F.W. Kukuk from Oct. tg22 to Mav 192b
C.D. Reed 1925
C.E. Roller 1926
O.H. Loomis 1927
Beeson Oil Co.
T.F. Sutton 1888
T.J. Jones 1889
C.A. Gilmore 1890
H.E. Metting 1891
J.W. Sparks 1902-03
Wyatt Boger 1904
William Abbott
1905-06
George O. Gates 1908-10
Burlington Building and Supply, Kenneth Bishop
and Wesley Holmes, owners.
J.M. Swenson 1928
R.E. Hook 1929
Orin P. Penny 1930-31
J.W. Alexander 1932
J.D. Brown 1934
T.W. Backlund 1936
Wm. H. Jacobs 1938
J.M. Chalfant 1942
�Henry Hoskin 1946
R.W. Plummer 1948
Harold McArthur 1950
R.C. Binard 1956
Harold McArthur 1958
Gene Williamson 1960
Harold McArthur 1964
Bill Yersin 1968
Rol Hudler l970-Currently mayor in 1988
and serving the longest term in the history of
Burlington.
Hart-Bartlett Sturdevant Grain Co., Carl Bauder,
Burlington Livestock Sales Co., Ditus Brox. owners
Manager.
and operators.
OUTLYING
BURLINGTON
BUSINESSES
T268
Gassner's Conoco
Bulk Delivery R.I.
Gassner,
owner.
Aerial view of Burlington Basebal Park and Kit
Carson County Fairgrounds.
New Burlington Equite Co-op Elevator, located on
Railroad Ave.
Standard Oil Co., Bill and Russ Wilcox, owners.
Dickineon's Grocery Store, Wm. Dickinson owner.
G.R. Schlosser of Schlosser's Concrete.
Gold Bond Hatchery, C.G. Gould, owner.
Plains Grain Co., Jim Rawson, Mgr.
Skate Bowl, skating rink and bowling alley, owned
and operated by C.G. Gould.
Standard Milling Company built by A.G. Kirschmer.
Old Burlington Equity Co-op Elevator and Feed
Facility at the north end of 14the St.
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The Country Ware House owned and operated by
the Fundingsland farnily. This building was the
original Fost€r Lumber Company building.
Foster Lumber Company near the downtown area.
Gordon Hamit, Mgr.
fi
Baker-Pischke Ford, owned and operated by Bob
Baker and George Pischke.
Kit Carson Motel, located on Highway
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CURRENT MAP OF
BURLINGTON
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IIOLD BURLINGTON
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MAP
BURLIIiIGTON
Furnished by
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R. L. WILKINSON
COUNTY ASSESSOR
Kit Carson CountY
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Old Map of Burlington - 1920's
MUNICIPAL POWER
PLANT
T27r
Prior to the year of 1920, the town of
Burlington was served electrically by a
franchise gas and electric company which was
privately owned. Carbide gas was used for
Burlington Light and Power Plant as it was in 1956.
some street lighting and cooking. Electricity
was used for main street lighting and some
residential lighting.
In 1920, the consumer demand for electric-
ity had increased tremendously and
the
privately owned franchise asked the town to
assume control of the operation as it was not
possible for them to keep up with the
demand.
Pete Cha-bers, left and Frank Sulivan stand by boiler for first steam engines in the Burlington Power
Plant. The plant had two Corliss steo- engines to produce electricity installed in 1920.
In January of 1920, the town installed two
Corliss steam engines with coolers. Cost of
the two engines totaled $44,493.
In 1921, the town completed the building
which now houses the generators we use for
stand by purposes only. It was constructed at
a cost of $14,604.92. Two additions have been
added to the building since it was completed.
The steamers purchased in 1920 proved to
be adequate until 1933 when the town council
purchased two Fairbanks Morse diesels at a
anst nf IRAO OOO Onc diasel wns s f.wo cvlinder
�140 horse power and the
other
a
four cylinder,
180 horse power engine.
In 1937 a 6 cylinder Fairbanks Morse was
installed at a cost of $38,900. and in 1947
another Fairbanks Morse unit was purchased
for $82,000. A switch board was purchased for
In October of 1950 another Fairbanks Morse unit was purchased for
$151,500. In March of 1960 a White eight
cylinder was bought for $233,137. The city
$25,000.
purchased an Enterprise 12 cylinder at the
cost of$405,000 with the present switchboard
being purchased at the same time. August of
1969 saw another Enterprise installed at a
total of
$4357,310.
Burlington is one of six towns and cities in
Colorado that own their own electrical facilities in the 1960's. The late 70's brought
changes that resulted in purchasing power
from Public Service of Colorado.
by Les Mclain
BANKS IN
BURLINGTON
This picture was taken around 1912-15. The gentleman is Henry G. Hoskin, father of Henry Y. Hoskin
Kit Carson County Abstract Co. The bank was the Stockgrowers State Bank.
who owns the
T272
One of the first "classie" buildings on Main Street,
Organized in 1901.
Bert Ragan, right, in tellers window. This is the
State Bank Building where the Stock Growers
bank moved into after the Stat€ bank closed. Now
Bank of Burlington.
Stock Growers State Bank Earlv 1900's
Burlington State Bank - organized in 1908
Officers: Frank Mann - President
Wyatt Boger - Vice President
Geo. Gates - Cashier
Bank failed December 1922
Stock Growers State Bank organized by
Winegar and Weare in 1901
W.D. Selder Cashier.
At first a private
Bank. In 1910 named Stock Growers. Warren
Shamburg came from Goodland in 1915, to
be the cashier. Bank failed October 3, 1931.
Bank of Burlington organized by a group
of citizens and Mrs. Tubbs.
The Earliest Banks were:
Bank of Burlington 1887
The Bank was owned by parties from
Illinois. It voluntarily suspended in 1890 and
paid depositors in full.
The Robert Clark Bank was the first Bank
after 1890 and after Robert Clark became ill,
Albert Clark paid depositors in full and
closed the bank. The former Hainline building occupies the site of Clark's Bank. The
First National Bank organized by E.G.
Coombs in 1919, suspended and accounts
transferred to Stock Growers. no losses.
by Editors
The Stock Growers Bank was located in the building on the corner of Senter and 14 Street where The
Corner Cut is now. Standing at the counter is E.C. Baker on the left and W.D. Selder on the right. Others
are unknown.
�WINEGAR BUILDING
T273
Iowa. After Selder sold out, Winegar continued under the name of A.W. Winegar Real
Estate Company. The company was one of
the oldest business firms in town and operated out of the Winegar Building until 1928.
the Fundingsland Real Estate Office, and Dr.
Courtney's office. Later during the 1940's the
The First National Bank of Burlington, run
by Winegar's son-in-law, Edwin S. Combs,
was located in half of the ground floor space
when it opened in 1907, and the Penfold
in the building.
Grocery Store, one of the first grocery stores
in town, occupied the other half.
In 1917, Winegar added on to the rear of
the building for apartments. A second alteration in 1920 resulted in the front portico and
The Courtney (Winegar) building in the 1950's.
The Winegar Building is significant for its
association with A.W. Winegar, one of the
original settlers in Burlington, and a prominent businessman, and as a landmark struc-
ture in Burlington.
Burlington, located on the outermost eastern edge ofthe state was incorporated in 1888
and is the largest town (1985 population:
3116) in Kit Carson County. It is located in
the heart of deep well irrigation, and is a trade
center as sell as a center for agriculture,
enclosed second story porch. No further
alterations occurred on the building, and
except for the replacement of some window
panes with glass brick, the building appears
exactly as it did during the 1920's.
The Real Estate business became poor
during the late 1920's, and in 1928, the
Capital Life Insurance Company was forced
to foreclose on A.W. Winegar. The building
Warren Shamburg,
two local businessmen. Shamburg was the
manager of the Stock Growers State Bank,
founded in 1901 by H.G. Weare, W.D. Selder,
and A.W. Winegar. The bank was the first
business in Burlington and remained a
private bank until 1910.
The Depression was hard on the residents
and businesses in Burlington, as it came at
the same time the farmers were fighting the
economically depressed, Burlington has nev-
effects of the Dust Bowl Era. As was often the
case, businesses closed and banks failed.
er grown into a major city. It's three block
commercial district is dominated by small,
plain, one and two story brick structures.
The Winegar Building occupies a corner
location at the center of town, and is the
largest and one of the oldest structures in the
commercial district. Built in 190 by A.W.
Winegar at the cost of $30,000, the building
is unique with its classical detailing and light
colored brick.
A.W. Winegar was instrumental in the
establishment of Burlington. along with W.d.
Selder and others, he started the First
Emmigration Company in the county for the
purpose ofacquiring land cheaply and selling
to immigrates from kansas, Nebraska and
Dr. Courtney continued to own the build-
ing and operate his doctor's office on the
second floor until in 1970's when he sold it
to Daniel McCraken who in turn sold the
building to Gray Hooper in 1978. In recent
years, the building has served as apartments
for Mexican immigrates. The building is now
vacant and has been vandalized.
by M. Hasart
THE BURLINGTON
SCHOOL SYSTEM
T274
was sold to C.D. Reed and
cattle, medical services, education, and recre-
ation for the eastern plains. While not
VFW held its meetings and activities in the
basement of the building. During the 1950's,
the National Farm Loan Office was housed
The Stock Growers State Bank failed in
1931 and Warren Shamburg was forced to
convey his share of the Winegar Building to
the State Bank commission who was in
charge of the liquidation of the bank. The
Deputy Banking Commissioner turned
around and sold the half interest to C.D. Reed
for $500 in 1932.
During Reed's ownership, Doctor Robinson operated a hospital on the second floor
of the building. Reed sold the building in
1943 to Dr. Roy F. Courtney who had moved
to Burlington at the start of World War II.
At the time, occupants of the
included J.A. Ragan, who ran
a cream
building
station,
Following a meeting to organize a school
district in the newly established area of
eastern Colorado, namely the town of Burlington, school opened on Dec. 26th of 1887.
One of the rooms of the Montezuma Hotel
served the purpose with Mary Davis as the
first teacher. Thirty-five youngsters were
"herded" to school that opening day by their
parents in hopes that it would, to dome
degree, curb the "prairie wild spirit". At least
they would know the children's whereabouts,
and by chance something useful might be
taught during the duration of the term.
Ranging in ages from six to sixteen, most of
them came from the small town, with a few
coming from the homes of settlers around
Burlington.
The school was established under very
trying circumstances. Burlington, located in
the eastern part of the state, was over one
hundred miles from the county seat, which
was then Kiowa, Colorado. There was no
direct rail lines, and the wagon roads were
poor to say the least. Laws at this time did
not provide for the building of schools, the
payment ofsalaries, erpenses, and free books
as later became law and
rule. Nevertheless, the children were present
in numbers, every settler and town resident
providing their full quota, and the children
did need some education.
A small frame building was built in 1890,
measuring about 18x30 feet. Rows of pine
desks, extended in one piece clear across the
room, with a bench built on the front for the
next row of students.
It took a teacher of more than average
ability to manage eight grades of children,
fresh from the prairies, many with cactus in
their shoeless feet. The playground was an
open lot with unlimited amounts of buffalo
grass, laced occasionally with a cactus or two.
Many modes of entertainment originated
from this "lot", such as show and tcll with
your favorite pet prairie dog, someone else
bringing their pet coyote pup, or sometimes
an owl or even an occasional rattlesnake.
Since many of the children rode their native
ponies to school, an occasional pony race
during recess was not uncommon. A wise,
teacher, while not approving, had to look
upon these things with apparent interest, and
await the time when the objection could be
eliminated.
This mode of education sufficed until the
in the same manner
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Main street in the 1920's with the Winegar building at left of picture.
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students were already meeting
in
other
meeting places in the town. The north half of
the school building was erected in 1916, with
another similar half being added in 1919,
under the contractor of the late J.A. Haughey. This addition doubled the capacity of
the building, as well as modernized it to the
tune of $150,000. The building now housed
all 12 grades, Home Economics, as well as a
gymnasium.
After only 2 years of use, in January of
it was destroyed by fire. The books and
1923,
equipment from 3 of the 26 furnished roome
were saved. Many of the townspeople, as well
as the local fire department, answered the
alarme thatwere sounded, helping in any way
possible. Since there was no pumper available, with the low water pressure they were
unable to get water to the top floor, and by
morning the magnificent structure was de-
Burlington School before it burned in 1924.
stroyed.
However, the pioneering spirit of the
community was still alive, and school reopened on January 14, with classes being held in
Chicago, Kansas and Nebraska Railroad
announced that the Rock Island route would
build their line through Burlington to Colorado Springs and Denver. After much surveying, the route was set to run just north of
the old town of Burlington.
When the county was organized on May
the District Courtroom of the Courthouse,
the Methodist and the Christian churches,
3,1889, an election was held. The issues were
building a courthouse for $5,000 and/or a
schoolhouse for $4,000. Both measures
passed. Free lots had to be given for schools,
churches, as well as a courthouse.
Roff & Roff were the contractors chosen to
build the two-story building our of brick. C.A.
Eatinger, who had filed a homestead southeast of Burlington on the Beaver Creek, was
one of the workmen hired to burn the brick
on the south side of Beaver Creek south and
east ofBurlington. In later years he wrote, "I
feel I have an interest in your school. The
contractor dsqemped without paying his
help."
The first record of a graduation was in
1908, being from the eighth grade.
by Bonnie Witzel
BURLINGTON
SCHOOLS
During the school year 1911-1912 the total
enrollment was 129 students, with 13 eighth
grade graduates. Highschool students numbered 15, but no graduates as yet. The next
year enrollment reached 155 with 7 students
completing the eighth grade and 3 graduating
from highschool. Highschool
enrollment
climbed to 26. 1914-1915 brought a total of
173 students with 30 of them in highschool.
In a period of 5 years the school enrollment
had increased more than 50 percent.
Upon consolidation of districts 16 and 18,
it was determined that a larger facility was
certainly needed, as some of the gradeschool
Co. purchased 4 new schoolbuses to
rural children to school.
transport
By 1930 the enrollment had climbed to 348
student.
During the 1930's the Mabel Parke family
donated a block of real estate to be used as
a football field and for the vocational Agriculture Department. This property was used
until the new highschool was built, and was
known as Walters-Hudson Field.
December 20, L945, brought about the only
serious bus accident in the history of the
school. A 1941 Chevrolet cloth topped bus
with 13 children and a driver rolled south of
T275
The first school b0ilding at Burlington, was later
the Guthrie Electric Shop, located east ofthe Hotel
West.
One of the first four school buses used to transport
the students from rural areag. They were furnished
by C.D. Reed of Reed Motor Company.
the Odd Fellows and American Legion Halls,
The school was rebuilt and opened the
following fall. Enrollment had grown to 400
students, and was taken care ofwith a faculty
of 16 teachers. A new superintendent, N.N.
Stevenson, was hired at a salary of 92600.
September of 1923 introduced Physical
Training into the regular cirriculum with a
regular teacher. All students were required to
take the course.
This same year C.D. Reed of Reed Motor
The first half of the school building was erected in 1916. This facility replaced the 2-story brick building
which was built for $4000.
�tary force behind this construction was the
five ladies on the Library Board whose
determination made a dream come true.
Carolyn King, Pearl Schell, Estella Penny,
Minta Coleman worked
tirelessly on the board for many years.
Bessie Wilson and
The first Burlington Public Library
was
established by the Inter Sese Club in 1921
and was located in the old school building
near the current sight of the Community
Center and Elementary School on 11th Street
and Senter. It was operated there until a fire
burned the school over Christmas vacation in
1923. Most of the books were saved. It reopened in 1924 in a city owned structure once
used as a power house located at 608 l4the
Street near the old train depot which is now
the Radio Room and City Police Department
at the north end of 14th Street.
The remains of the school building, following a late night fire in January of 1923. The completely remodeled
school had only been in use for 2 years at the time.
Burlington on then Highway 51 (now 385),
injuring several of the children. Fortunately
all recovered. The contract for bus transportation was to Sim Hudson Mtr. Co.
The fall of 1960-61, the school was changed
from a Class B school to Class A through state
reorganization. In 1961 the district became
District RE-6J with the final consolidation of
the districts. In 1965 all class A schools
became Class AA.
A special bond election was held in May of
1963 with the proposal of a new grade and
highschool facility of $895,000. Maher-Bonny
Construction of Aurora was the successful
bidder. The highschool was relocated south
of Highway 24, and was put into operation in
January of 1965.
in 1971 the bid for the proposed Middle
School, to be located in west Burlington, went
to Carson-Crider & Speicher of Wray.
Hobart Harrison, through contract with
the Burlington School system, furnished bus
transportation from 1946 until 1971. Follow-
Program.
Our community has indeed been fortunate
in the past, to have had people who were able
to see the possibilities and the capabilities of
children. We have educated future businessmen, farmers, doctors, lawyers, secretaries,
homemakers, and yes, an astronaut. Does this
make any one of them more special than the
rest ofthem? Certainly not, because each has
excelled in their own realm in their own way.
Why? Because our forefathers had a vision,
and they pursued it. Yes, they felt we all
needed an education to face the world.
by Bonnie Witzel
BURLINGTON
PUBLIC LIBRARY
T276
Special Education has been developed to
fill
preceeded by Mrs. H.G. Hoskin serving as
librarian from 1923 until 1945 and Miss
Phyllis DeHollander who served in this
capacity for several years.
Since 1975 the library has improved with
help and ideas from librarians, their assistants, the Library Boards, state and public.
Fannie Hoschouer took over as librarian
after Esther Winfrey retired in 1962 and
served until 1984. Della Yersin was appointed
and approved by the Library Board and City
Council at that time.
Special programs for adults are planned
through out the year. Some of these are
hag
the need, as has the Gifted and Talented
Mrs. Esther Winfrey was the librarian,
as well as money making activities.
grade.
thanks to the dedication of their directors.
1959, Quo Vadis club with president Crystal
Schlosser was in charge of the program and
hostess for the day. Accepting the building
for the town was Mayor Harold McArthur.
several grants, individual and club donations
By 1973 enrollment had reached 1011
students from kindergarten through 12the
Model U.N. teams have entertained and
excelled beyond their greatest expectations,
In 1958 with little help from the City of
Burlington and only a handful of interested
people, the five ladies on the Library board
did everything necessary to secure construction loans for their dream project, "A new
Library". William McKinnley helped draft
the plans for the building with the Burlington
Construction Company actually doing the
work. At a cost of $20,000.00 the new Library
was finished. The furnishings cost $4,700.00
and the time to move in was here.
Dedication of this new facility was April 12,
with thank yous to the City Council, state,
hired.
Through 100 years, the cirriculum
to expand and upgrade books and materials.
The budget has grown through the years
ing negotiations with him, a contract was
drawn and the district purchased 13 buses
and 1 wrecker for $45,000. In 1972 a Bus
Garage was erected adjacent to the High
School, and a transportation director was
changed somewhat. Not only are the 3 R's
still being taught, but a variety of other
classes are being offered. Recess pony races
have changed to athletics, and group singing
has become concert band and choir. Burlington High School has had the honor of
being State Football Champs in 1940, 1945,
1946 and 1947 and then again in 1976; State
Basketball Champs in 1948; and State Wrestling Cha-ps in 1973 and 1974. This channeled lots of energy in right directions, thanks
to the dedicated coaches. Band and Choirs
have performed throughout the state and
have received outstanding ratings, thanks to
dedicated musicians. Drama, speech and
In 1925, the town counsel and the Library
Board agreed to let the city support the
Library through taxation - so a mill or two
was set aside for this purpose which helped
The old Library at the north end of 14th Street.
The l5the day of February marked the
laying of the cornerstone at the new home of
the Burlington Public Library on the corner
of 15the Street and Senter.
Ethel Sloan, president of Zonta Club, was
master of ceremonies and responsible for the
program for this cornerstone ceremony. This
club also provided the contents of the time
capsule that was to be placed inside the
cornerstone that day.
The Zonta Club joined all other service
clubs ofthe area along with private donations
contributing funds towards the construction
of this fine library. The single most contribu-
National Library Weeks, displays, club meetings and book sales.
The section which used to house museum
items has been turned into the childrens
reading room. It now has a weekly story time
and there is a special summer reading
program. Both are very popular and well
attended.
New check out opportunities have been
added. A few of the ones now available are
large print books, music and story tapes, cake
pans, games and cameras. The typewriter and
copy machine are available for public use.
You are all invited to come in to brouse
around. Look at the aquariums and talk with
Dell's bird Dewey. Perhaps you may even
find a book that you would like to check out.
Our gratitude goes out to those who worked
�Burlington Post Office 65 Year* Xgo*
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Early Post Office was located in C.A. Lamb's Store.
Ihe first regular train service began in
of 1888.
Sep.
Mail service by trains continued until
the early 50's, when conveyance was changed
EURI"IIICTOI{
to truck and highway contracts. In the early
IIBRARY
1960's, contracting was given to the air lines
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ts59
and Airmail was the mode of transporting
mail 200 miles or more away from major
airports. Mail inside of the 200 mile radius
was by Contract Highway routes.
In April 1887, a Post Office was located in
the OId Burlington cite, (about where Hitchcock's is now located. at the time the site was
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known as Lowell. When the two towns
.
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l:,!a€:i l;;d6tr
*tz ti:iiL|.::
Zonta Club officers and members, L. to R.: Mabel Park, Zonta speaker from Denver, Mary Vogt, hazel
Hudson, dorothea Hammond, Ella Farwell, Ruth Morrow Billenwillms, Hazel Langston, Davie Powell,
Ethel Sloan and Clara Lovd.
merged the name of Burlington was given to
the new township.) The Honorable Eugene T.
Lemieux was commissioned to serve as the
first Postmaster on April 29, 1887, and he
served until May 15, 1889. The Post Office
was moved to New Burlington in the month
of August.
During the early days Burlington was
supplied and serviced nine other offices,
Bonny, Newton, Norford, Wallett, Yale,
Hale, Hermes, Beliot, and Cole. Only one of
.^:)";,;*;
these towns still exist today. This being Hale,
in which the Post Office closed in 1984. Mail
for those offices was delivered by horseback
and buggy. Carriers of that day were: Frank
Little; Berton Little; Earl James; John
McCracken; Bud Yarnell; H.O. Brown; V.O.
Corkly and Robert Boyles. One of the carriers
is remembered as having an enclosed brggy,
painted white with the wording "U.S.
MALE", painted in red lettering on both
sides.
Joe Boyles remembers sorting mail at the
"Tuttle Post Office" into pigeon holed cases
open on both sides, so that the postal patron
could help themselves.
The location of the new Post Office was in
the l\{orrow Appliance Building, (known
today as 347 l4the St.) In 1890, under the
postmastership of David Carnahan, the Post
Office was again relocated to a cite on the east
side of Main St. (near Carper's Cafe), now
known as 372 14the St.
February 15, 1959, Laying of the cornerstone ceremonies. L. to R.: Carolyn King, Pearl Schell, Estella
Penny, Bessie Wilson, Esther Winfrey and Ethel Sloan.
so hard to establish this
Library that
serves
this community now and in the years to come.
by Carolyn Sloan Hansen and Betty
Nider
BURLINGTON POST
OFFICE
T277
In the beginning of the establishrnent of a
new township in the year of 1887, the first
Burlington Post Office was established under
Postmaster Charles a. Lamb was instrumental in relocating the office in 1894, to 340
14the St. in an old frame hotel, called the
Girard-Ross building, (present day Coast to
Coast). Then in 1897, Postmaster Fred A.
King moved it to the Wilson Gift Shop, now
2430 Lowell Ave.
Annie Newell was the first woman to be
commissioned as Postmaster, to serve in
August 21, 1897, she served until Aug. of
1901. The office was then housed in the
Dunn's Creamery.
the administration of President Grover A.
During the term of Postmaster Charles
Greglow, the office was again moved, to the
old Odd Fellows Hall and remained here until
Cleveland and Postmaster General William
1915.
F. Vilas. Transportation in the early years
Postmaster Rhoda Yersin, accepted and
moved into the first building specifically
built for Postal use in 1917. "Another first for
was by stage coach and wagons, later on it was
transported by the railroad, around 1887.
�women!" The Post Office remained at this
location until 1922, when growth again
necessitated a larger office space.
The contract was awarded to Louis Vogt,
for the construction of a new building to
house the Post Office and it's employees. The
building was erected at 474 t4the St. (Burlington Bakery now), and the office remained
here for 26 years, with Robert L. Wilkenson
as the Postmaster.
Rural Free delivery was established in the
in 1917, during the tenure of Mr.
Wilkenson. The first Rural carriers were:
Hugh B. Morgan, Ed O. Smith, and A.E.
Calvin. Rural delivery has grown from
humble beginnings to 601 families, as indicated by records still available. Today the
rural delivery system has 446 families.
In 1948. the office was moved across the
street to 451 14the St. (Men's Shop) under
the Postmistress Mary E. Vogt. It remained
at this location for 10 years. The Post Office
was elevated to Second Class, Jan. 1, 1948.
The Post Office was relocated in 1958 to its
present location at 1490 Martin Ave. The
building was erected by C.D. Skoles, in 1958
area
and was then leased to the Post Office Dept.
It was dedicated on April 11, 1959, during the
Administration of President Dwight D. Eisenhower and Postmaster General Arthur E.
Summerfield. Dedication address was given
by W.D. Brewer, Regional Operations Director, USPO Dept. Denver, Co. Keys and Flag
were presented to Postmaster Mary E. Vogt.
The Burlington Post Office, under the
administration of Dale E. Pralle, Jan 1, 1969,
was elevated to First Class. Mr. Paralle
served until 1976. Revenue for the year of
1968 was $79,179.26, and grew to $171,406.96
during his tenure. The revenue is a very good
indicator when the growth is such that
it
should trigger a new review of space needed
and this began in 1977. Revenues grew to
fiscal year 85 to $306,858.00. Plans for a new
building which started in 1977 still have not
come to pass. In 1980, Postmaster Melcher,
concluded the crotiminous boundary program which then changed the delivery system
to include all of the State to the Kansas
border, starting from Rd. 41 to Rd. 60. Rural
routes are now traveling 129,048 miles annually. RRl, 142.7 miles, RR 3, 143.0 miles
and RR 4, t40.6 miles, 303 delivery days a
year. City delivery has grown to 1449 deliveries, served by 2 city carriers, present day:
John E. Perry 701 and Clyde Schaal, 702.
During the tenure of Postmaster Albert "Al"
Melcher, from 1977 to 1986, 10 years of effort
have not seen the goals set for this new
facility. In April 1, 1984, the contract and
lease for the old Safeway building, 270 l4the
St., set the remodeling and completion by the
glow, Rhoda Yersin, Robert L. Wilkenson,
Michal Vogt, Mary A. Vogt, Dale Pralle,
Albert Melcher, and Joe Rosengrants. Officers in charge who have served during PM.
vacancies were: Lowell "Bud" Hartwig,
Wayne F. Wilcoxen, Micheal Grossman,
Keith Bowhan, Larry Schweers, and Maria
Dollar.
Employees of the Burlington Post Office
from 1977 through 1988: Retirees: Eugene
Williamson, (Dis) Earl Perry, Shirley Fundingsland, Laurel Alleman, Howard Pickerill
and Cecil Felzien; Promoted: Geraldine L.
Troyer, S.P.O. 1984 and served in that
capacity until 5-01-84, when she wa promoted
to Postmaster Stratton, Co.; Linda Boyd,
promoted to S.P.O. 1984, presently serves in
that position; Kathy Witzel to Postmaster
Bethune, CO. 1985; Terri Billemwillms, to
serve as Officer In Charge, Cheyenne Wells,
Co. April 1986 through Sep. 1986; Transfers:
to Loveland, Co.; Michelle
Estes park, Co. 1983; Sandra
Cathy Minter
Gergen
to
Schmatjen to Colorado Springs, C. 1986; Pam
Morrell, resigned. New Hires 1977 thru 1988:
Cathy Minter, Debra Knapp, Michelle Gergen, Sandra Schmatjen, John Perry, Clyde
Schaal, Terri Billemwillms, Charles Turner,
Alan Billemwillms, Daniel R. Thompson,
Bernie Collette, Linda Boyd, Aaron Nutter,
Steve Chalfant, and Tom Cash.
Present day employees and job titles:
Linda Boyd, S.P.O.; William Stolz, Dist. Clk;
Terri Billemwillms, window clerk;
Charles
Centennial celebration set for May 7, 1988.
a
special
Cancellation for that day, plus running the
Cancellation Burlington, Co. 'A Century of
Pioneers'from Jan. 15, 1988 to June 15, 1988.
Postmaster of Burlington Post Office from
1887-1986 were: The Honorables Eugene T.
Lemieux, Joseph
M. Leal, Robert
L.
Hubbard, David Carnahan, Charles A. Lamb,
Fred W. King, Annie Newell, Charles Gre-
appointed.
December 6, 1908. The constitution and by
laws were presented and adopted and two
new members were added, B.B. Landers and
Albert Real. A committee was appointed to
appear before the city council and ask their
approval of the new organization as the
official fire department for the city. The city
council unanimously approved the action and
took steps toward buying equipment. The
first dance by the department was held in
May and netted the department the sum of
$31.30 which was set aside for the purpose of
aiding the town in buying the needed equipment.
On July 4, 1909, the department took
charge ofthe celebration and pulled offa very
creditable days sports.
The election for the issuance of water
bonds to build the water supply system was
held on april 20, 1908 with the result that the
bonds were voted by 47 to 18 against. In July,
the city council authorized the sale of 97,000
in bonds and the erection of a steel tower and
tank. The top of the tank was to be 100 feet
in the air and the tank was to hold 60.000
gallons of water.
The 7,000 bonds were sold to the Central
Savings Bank of Denver for 97 cents on the
dollar and the contract for the tower tank and
distributing system was given to the Des
Moines Bridge and Iron Company on their
bonds.
Carriers: Larry winslow, RR 1; Cecil Felzein,
Retired, Peter Thompson, RR3; Leonard
Koop, RR 4, Rural Subs. Alan Bellemwillms,
RR 4; Gordon Hamit, retired, Tom Cash, RR
3: and Steve Chalfant, RR 1.
As the town had no fire fighting equipment, the council bought 800 feet of hose at
36 cents per foot and a two wheeled cart for
$80. A hose house was erected in the rear of
the Montezuma hotel and on July 19, 1909,
the hose cart was installed in its new house.
Burlington now had a fire department, hose
Debra Knapp, PTF carrier 701; Bernie
Collette, PTF carrier 702 retired; Rural
bid of $8.800. The town then sold 94,000 more
house, hose cart and everything a
city had
except a fire. We should add that the hose
house cost $41.75.
BURLINGTON'S
VOLUNTEER FIRE
DEPT.
T278
A rather interesting incident happened in
August 1909 when the city council ordered
the city water commissioner, who had charge
of the pumps, tanks and mains, that he flush
both tank and mains as soon as he had
received a new barrel of gasoline. Evidently
the city was out of gas.
As the consumption of water for domestic
purposes was very light in Burlington. There
was very little circulation on the riser pipe,
and in December 1909, the riser pipe froze up
and the city was out of water for several days
while the repairs were being made.
In the spring of 1910, the fire department
was given some new material by the city and
a fire bell was purchased by the city. The old
bell was located on a tower just east of the
present Sim Hudson garage. Two taps on the
Oct. 1987 on the remodeling of the Safeway
The Burlington Post Office will have
the next meeting and a committee was
Turner, PTF window clerk; Gwen Chalfant,
PTF window Dis. clerk; John Perry, city
carrier 701; Clyde Schaal, city carrier 702;
fall of 1985.
After many delays, construction began in
store at 249 14the St. The work is being done
by Rhoades Construction of Castle Rock, Co.
Completion date is set for early in the spring
of 1988. It is to be completed in time for the
H.G. Hoskin are still active after 50 years of
volunteer service. Frank Boldt elected sec. at
bell called the city council together, three
Burlington Fire Department building, 1956.
The organization meeting of the Burlington's fire Department was held November 18, 1908. Those present were:
J.G. Upton, Phil Reichard, Frank Boldt,
Albert Guthrie, Walter Clark, H.G. Hoskin,
O. Rogers, W.H. Yersin, Art Abbott, R.
Wilkinson and Ed Hoskin.
Of these. Albert Guthrie. Ed Hoskin and
taps called the fire department to a meeting
and a continuous ringing meant a fire.
Later the calls for meetings were dropped
and a system of taps that designated the
location
of hydrant nearest the fire
was
adopted and was very successful. This old
bell served for many years and rang continuously on the first Armistice Day. As soon as
one ringer retired, another took his place.
Later the bell was sold to Kanorado and now
serves them. There never was a more hair
raising sound heard in Burlington than the
boom of that old bell in the middle of a dark
�night. At present the fire alarms are sent out
by a siren on the city clerk's office.
The present -1938- equipment consists of
the red Reo truck which carried 800 feet of
hose with ladders, hooks hand extinguishers,
helmets and various types of equipment; the
Ford truck which canies the pumper and
small quantity of hose which can throw water
over any structure in town, and the chemical
speed wagon, which is intended more for
county fires than for other purposes.
For a small city this is a well balanced
equipment, although many of the firemen
feel that a new truck combining the features
of the three now is use would be very fine.
Among the early spectacular fires was the
one at the old Coakley auditorium, which
stood where the new armory now is. Lightning struck the buildingjust over one corner
ofthe stage and ran down inside the building.
At the time a traveling company was putting
on one of their plays and they simply waited
until the firemen put out the fire and then
went on with the play.
Another memorable fire was the old red
brick school house. A janitor had left a bucket
of hot ashes in the hallway and the floor
caught fire from it. While the fire was not
very bad and was easily extinguished, the
firemen pulled the hose cart through an eight
foot drift of snow to get to the school house.
The storm was so bad that walking was
difficult, but to bull the narrow tired hose
cart with 400 feet of hose through the drifts
was real labor.
The three worst fires in Burlington's
history were those at the court house, December 1907; the school house, January 8, L924;
and the OK Barn on the corner north of the
E.C. Baker residence. Several horses were
killed in this fire and it was a heavy loss to
the owners.
The present organization consists of
twenty six active members, with John Guthrie as chief and four honorary members. The
honorary members are E.C. Baker, Arthur
Wilson. W.A. Hudler and G.S. Flatt. These
men pay $3.00 a year dues and are guests at
all the dire
department functions. The
functions are the annual ball on St. Patrick's
Day, the banquet in the winter and the picnic
in the mid summer. More businessmen
tainer out of Denver. The program included
a vocal soloist, a ballroom and acrobatic
dancing duo and a magician.
Later the firemen and guests went to the
firemen's hall, where coffee and doughnuts
were served, equipment inspected, and the
firemen, some of them tragic, some of the
equipment.
On December 16, 1945, The Montezuma
hotel fire kept the firemen busy for several
hours. The hotel was full that night, but all
escaped. One person was unaccounted for,
but later it was found that he had simply gone
comical.
home.
old timers enjoyed fighting fires all
over
again. Many fond memories were recalled by
Give List of Charter Members
Of the original 13 charter members. only
two, E.E. Hoskin and V.O. Coakley, were
there for the 50the anniversary. According to
the firemen's minutes books. the charter
members were J.G. Upton, Paul Reichart,
Albert Guthrie, Frank Boldt, Walter Clark,
H.G. Hoskin, C.G. Wilcox, O. Rogers, W.H.
Yersin, A. Abbott, R.L. Wilkinson (first chief,
Mr. Hoskin and Mr. Coakley.
The department was organized November
8, 1908.
A history of the Burlington volunteer fire
department is also a history of the town, for
the growth of one demands the expansion of
the other. Danger of fire in the early days of
the town necessitated the formation of a
department of combat the flames, usually a
severe fire emphasizing the need for additional members or equipment.
In 1906, before the department was organized, the livery barn located where the
the town has ever had.
The first water supply with which to fight
fires was furnished from two cisterns, one
located on the Standish Drug corner, the
other in front of Carper's cafe. Water was
pumped by hand with two men on either side
of the hand car arrangement. Water was also
carried by bucket brigade.
County Court House Burns in 1906 the
county court house burned, with very few of
the records being saved. Water was carried
from a well. located on the Fred Kiefer
corner.
In 1908, the fire department was organized,
with the motto "we never lose both the house
and the lot." The fire bell was located east of
the Sim Hudson Motor company garage.
The first annual firemen's ball was held
May 4, 1909, and showed a profit of $31.30.
purchase
1957
considered.
department celebrated their 50the anniversary Saturday night, when they gathered at
the high school gym for a banquet and
program. Approximately 100 firemen, their
ladies and guest attended the event, with
special guest being the three top officers of
the state fireman's association, Judge and
Mrs. Neal Horan; Mr. and Mrs. Arthur
Becker, and Ernie Anderson, all of Denver.
Appearing briefly on the program, the state
officers commended the local department for
their fine organization, pointed out some of
the problems of the state group, and outlined
future plans now under coneideration.
Chief Russell McArthur introduced several
of the guest, while Don Chadwick acted as
master of ceremonies and read a history of
the department.
Following the banquet and program, the
firemen and their guests enjoyed several
numbers presented by professional enter-
July 13, 1946, the firemen made the last of
several runs to Shank's Cafe, with a loss
estimated at $7,500.
The rural fire protection district
Fire signals were adopted in L923, and the
of a new fire truck was being
On January 7, L924, the school house
burned to the tune of $150.000. Firemen
thought later they might have saved the
school, if they had had enough water pressure.
The department stated to grow, with the
Other projects which the firemen have
sponsored for year to year are first aid, water
fights and contest, and the annual life they
give to Santa.
by Myra L. Davis
BURLINGTON
FOLLIES 1926
(See photo next
page.) T279
1. H.D. Klinker. with doll
2. E.C. Baker. with doll
3. Whitey Harry Yount
4. Frank Weber
5. Gordon Burr
6. Ralph Boggs
7. Mac McFadden, Charlie Chaplin
8. John Askey, Fauntleroy
9. Bruckner
10. Frank Spahr, Bridesmaid
11. Donald Smith, Bridesmaid
12. George Haywood, Chorus Girl
13. Roy Romberg, Chorus Girl
14. Dr. E.J. Remington
15. Alfred (Pete) Jennings, Baby
16. Richard Floyd, Mammy
17. Director
18.
19. Royden e. Hook, uniformed
20.
21.
22.
23.
Robert L. Wilkinson
Dr. O.M. Cassell
Lester Goins
Grant Stettler
24. Dr. Frank L. Bergen, Father of Bride
25. J.R. Walter
26. Ear. J. McCarty, Bride
27. Pawin Penny, Groom
28. Orin Milburn
purchase of a Ford pumper, and then a White
29. J.M. Heffner
chemical truck.
Pumper Helps Rock Island
The year 1929 was a busy one for the
firemen. The Rock Island had a wreck near
Flagler, and the pumper was sent over for two
or three days. In August of that year the
DeHollander Produce experienced a bad fire,
"Dutch" later giving a banquet for the
firemen in appreciation of their fine work.
The White Eagle oil fire also occurred that
year, with $10,000 damage and loss.
The fire at the old hospital building was the
next important event in the firemen's history,
30. Clyde Guthrie
31. A.W. Winegar
32. William Hendricks
33. Sidney P. godsman, uniformed
34.
35. Dr. Glenn S. Flatt
36. Rev. Benjamin Eitelgorge
37. Ted W. Backlund
38. Henry J. Wagner
39. Edward Hoskin, Jr.
40. Frank Williams. Tom Mix
41. Orville Swaim
42. George Cockrell
43. Mel Beidelman, in kilts
44. George Danforth, Jr.
followed by a response to an alarm sent in
from the town of Vona in 1936.
was
formed in 1952, and what is known as the red
truck was purchased. The new firemen's hall
came soon afterwards.
Perhaps the most outstanding civic improvement made by the firemen, in addition
to their regular responsibilities, was the
installation of street signs for the town.
Plains Equipment Company now stands,
operated by Uncle Billy Boyles, burned, and
was considered by many as the hottest fire
should be honorary members as we feel the
present members get more than their money's worth.
Firemen Observe 50the Anniversary 1907Members of the Burlington Volunteer Fire
In 1942 the department bought another
truck, this time a Chewolet, and the following year a resuscitator was added to the
�.l
Cf,r,1g.,'.r::,,.';'
! * ,:.S"
ll:.'l,1,::,''.,:l11,,,:.,,t'!tt:t,.:tl:i
:,,r:ll:la . ,i::ll.ll
f :,'r' }:rl:;,;'l
-,1 *
glil, ,,\ll:;l
21. Hugh Marquis
45.
46.
4?.
48.
49.
22.
Fred Goldsby
Lonnie Sturdivant
John Guthrie
Cecil D. Reed.
BURLINGTON
CORNET BAND CIRCA
L9T2
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Helen McCloud
Vince Ruddell
Verda Cook
Nelle Burr
Allice Mae Bogart
6.
7. Dorothy Bergen
8. Macil Roberts
9. Marjorie Abbott
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
Lorene Baker
Ila Castle
Amber Hudson
Dolly Barker
Ora Baker
Martha Abbott
18.
19. Russell Brand
20. "Bus" Rhule
T280
Billy Marquis
25. Roy Upton
26. Sm. Boyles
23.
27. Nanny Hoskin
24.
28. Maxine Abbott
�29.
30. Harriet Bassett
31. Puts (Clifford) Rathbun
32. Alin Stevenson
November 14the Burlington Colorado.
"BRING TIN CUPS Starting with a big
FREE LUNCH at noon, then . .
"FREE PICTURE SHOW-From Noon
33. Jimmy Barker
until Midnight, Featuring, 'The Devil is
34.
Sissy'
35.
"FOUR BANDS-Parade at 2:30 P.M. Four
bands-St. Francis, Kansas 55-piece band,
Goodland band, Stratton band and Burlington band
"TWO FREE DANCES-One at the New
Armory, with music by Jerry Petty's orchestra of Denver. One at the Old Armory, with
music by Russ Stone's orchestra, featuring
both old time and modern music.
"Come One, Come All for a Good Time -
36. Bandleader (Abbe)
37. Park Guthrie
38.
39. Frank W. Winegar
40. Luben Guthrie
41. Carl Pearce
42. Jim Upton
43. Jack Rulison
44. Mrs. Reece
a
45. Ed Hoskin
All Free!"
46.
All day long, automobiles streamed in from
farms and surrounding towns both east and
west along Highway North 40, which ran
47.
48. Rev. Brand
49.
50. Frank L. Bergen
51. Shirley Castor
52. Rev. C.A. Yersin and Henry Y. Hoskin
through Burlington.
DJ.
for the occasions, to hordes of hungry rev-
54.
elers.
55. Bro. W.H. Tipton
56. Frank Mann
At noon, Hudson's free lunch was served
in his garage - turned into an impromptu
cafeteria serving hot dogs, specially ordered
The free lunch problem almost got beyond
BURLINGTON DAY
FETE, NOV. 14, 1936
control. While 500 pounds of hot dogs had
been provided by the sponsors, early in the
game it was seen that these were not going to
go around, so every store in town was called
upon to supply lunch meats and an additional
200 pounds was secured and served. An
S.O.S. call was also made to a neighboring
town for more.
Election Bet Payoff Results in
Kit Carson County's Biggest
Party in lfistory
buns and after those gave out, the diners had
to be served with bread.
Estimating the day's crowd at between
5,000 and 6,000, it was also The Burlington
Record which came up with the above figures
T28r
Bizaare election bets. . . and their payoffs
. . have enjoyed a special place in America's
history since our young country's first straw
vote was taken.
And no history of Kit Carson County would
be complete without a detailed description of
what has been dubbed "The Biggest party in
the History of Kit Carson County" .
. . because Sim bet Ed that Roosevelt
would take Kansas from its native son Alf
Landon in the presidential election of'36 .
. . and won.
. . along with anywhere
from 6,000 to
10,000 revelers who made Burlington Day,
Nov. 14, 1936
..
. a date to remember.
It all dated back to the national election of
Nov. 3, 1936, when Burlington automobile
dealer Sim Hudson bet Burlington druggist
E.L. Weinandt that F.D. Roosevelt would
carry Kansas in the national election, despite
the fact that Republican Alf Landon was the
neighboring state's native son.
Reportedly, the bet was for 94,000; and
after the bet was made, the two got their
heads together and agreed the winner, whichever he was, would keep only 9500 for
himself.
The rest would be spent in giving a real
party for the countryside.
"All For Fun and Fun For All at Burlington
Day on Saturday, November 14th" read
headlines in the local newspaper, while a
special robin's egg blue handout (flier flyer)
was emblazoned:
"Sim Hudson and Ed Weinandt will be
. . . BIG FREE DAY. Saturdav.
hosts at a
The Burlington Bakery supplied
6,000
for the lunch. But
'guestimates' varied,
depending on the reporting broadsheet.
Pat Wilson's Burlington Call tended toward the superfluous: 12,000 buns, 3,000 at the
free picture show, etc. But it was The Denuer
Post that waxed eloquent: 10,000 to 12,000
people cheering from the sidelines at the
parade, which lasted an hour and a half (30
minutes, said a local journal).
No matter how long, it was certainly the
parade that was the hit of the day, making
national media . . . including photographs;
and a Universal newsreel camera team was
also
in
Burlington to record the event,
showing it in movie theatres across the
United States to an estimated 50 million
people.
"Parade Caused Many Laughs", The Record recounted, with the following:
"The parade brought out a good laugh as
had been expected. Entries in this included
a car full of 'G-Men' with Sheriff Gates
leading the procession. The color bearer, and
the two sponsors (Hudson and Weinandt) of
the day, each astride a donkey, then followed.
"Represented in the parade were the
Statue of Liberty, Co. I., the Volunteer Fire
Department, Joan of Arc, a number of the
boys about town wearing barels since they
had lost their pants in the election, and a float
on which was carried on of the 'glorified'
privies of the new Deal, with the country
project supervisor demonstrating its use.
"W.P.A. workmen on a truck carrying a
small pile of dirt exemplified the 'speed' of
the W.P.A. Ex-President Hoover, with his
lawn mower cutting the 'grass which had
grown in main street' and carrying a kettle
containing the chicken for every pot'were
well done, and Al Smith, derby and all,'took
a walk.'
"The Burlington pep squad, high school
football team and the B.H.S. state champion
girls' basketball team all took part in the
parade. One of the stunts which made a hit
was the manure spreader which contained a
load of straw and was labeled 'Straw Vote'.
"A group of the younger generation riding
Shetland ponies represented George Washington, cowboys and other characters. One
pair of the tiny folk carried signs in the
parade announcing that they had voted for
the old age pension.
"The four bands also marched in the
parade and again made a decided hit with the
public with their bright colored uniforms,
splendid music and fast-stepping drills.
"The fire department created no little
excitement when the antiquated automobile
they had entered in the parade caught fire
(accidentally, of course) and was badly
damaged by the time the bucket brigade had
finished with it."
Free movies were also part of the day. From
the time the Midway Theatre opened at noon
until late at night, people were in line waiting
their turn to see the show. Manager Hughes
of the Midway estimated the number attending the six shows at 3,000.
In the evening, the dances at the new and
old armories were jammed.
There have many events that have taken
place in Burlington and Kit Carson County.
Without question, Sim Hudson's
"Burlington Day'is either the biggest or right
near the top.
Party lines were not drawn and everyone
extended a full measure of cooperation.
Perhaps no other stunt could have been
pulled that would have gone over with such
a success and gained for Burlington such
nationwide exposure.
"We congratulate Sim and Ed, and appreciate, as do all the citizens of Burlington, their
ideal and untiring endeavor in staging this
successful climax to a one-sided national
election," praised a Burlington broadsheet.
"Republicans have only the satisfaction that
they won out in Kit Carson County."
While both Sim and Ed agreed that the
$4,000 spent was well worth it, no doubt Sim
enjoyed himself just a tad more; after all, he
won the bet.
But the real winners were the celebrating
citizenry of Kit Carson County, where . . in
the year of 1936 . . . nothing could top "Sim
Hudson Day".
by Hazel Hudson
ASTRONAUT JOHN
MICHAEL LOUNGE
COMPLETES SPACE
MISSION ABOARD
..DISCOVERY''
T2a2
The third time was certainly the charm for
the launch of the "Discovery" space shuttle,
following two disappointing delays because of
weather conditions and computer problems.
�somewhat quiet."
Don Clamp, Mike's science instructor at
Burlington High School, said, "It's been
Mike's dream . , . to be an astronaut since
he was in high school." When asked,
"Did you
think Mike would ever become an astronaut?", Clamp responded: "Back then it was
an entirely new field. I think the primary
objective of several people in the educational
and business community was to assist Mike
in getting into the academy."
Mike enrolled at the University of Colorado in Boulder as a freshman. After completing his first year. he was appointed to the
ii:
aa'
i
United States Naval Academy. Upon graduation from the academy, he completed naval
flight officer training at pensacola, Fla., and
took advanced training as radar intercept
officer in the F-4J Phantom; he completed a
nine-month southeast Asia cruise aboard the
USS Enterprise, participating in 99 combat
missions;
\,
.
'&,
'.'
he transferred to Navy
Space
Project Office in Washington for a two-year
tour ag staff project officer; then resigned his
U.S. Navy commission in 1978.
Astronaut Lounge has a bachelor ofscience
degree in physics and mathematics from the
':
)::Y
a master of science
degree in atrogeophysics from the University
Naval Academy and
of Colorado.
Mike has been employed at the Johnson
Space Center since July of 1978. He was lead
t*n
odS,a;
Astronaut John Michael Lounge
Fisher accomplished several missions during
their flight, and set "a new world's record"
with the launching of two satellites, first
double deployment from a space shuttle in
one day.
Lounge's duties were deployment of the
Aussat-l satellite, already released the first
day when a sunshield would not close properly and work had to be completed quickly;
maneuvering the remote manipulator arm;
Mike Lounge Day on reviewing stand, featuring his
family.
Tuesday, Aug. 27,1985 was the culmination
of a hometown boy's dram to become an
astronaut, a goal which John Michael (better
known as Mike) set as a youth and pursued
throughout his career to its accomplishment'
Mike, along with flight commander Joe
pilot Richard Covey, James Van
Engle,
Hoften and fellow mission specialist William
and flight engineer during the ascent and reentry portion of the mission.
Following a perfect "touchdown" on Tuesday, Sept. 3, at Edwards Air Force Base in
California, the mission was heralded as one
of the most ambitious shuttle flights and one
of the most successful.
Mike was born in Denver June 28, 1946, the
first child of Percy and Reta Lounge. The
family moved from Denver to the family farm
north of Flagler in 1949, and moved to
Burlington in 1951. Mike graduated from
Burlington High School in 1964. He was
described by one of his teachers as "being an
excellent student, who was very serious and
engineer for integration of spinstabilized
upper stage payloads into future shuttle
flights and served as member of the Skylab
re-entry flight control team. he was selected
as an astronaut in 1980 and since then has
served as launch support team member at
Kennedy Space Center for the first three
shuttle missions. He has specialized in the
shuttle's computer system.
Mike and his wife, Kitty Haven, have three
children: Shannon, Kenneth and Kathy.
His parents, Reta and Percy, are well
known throughout the entire area. In addition to Mike, they have three living children:
Lana Sue Teman, who resides in Burlington;
Joe Lounge, who has received his doctorate
in education from the University of Northern
Colorado in Greeley; Cindy Lounge of Fort
Collins. Kathy Lounge Erker, their oldest
daughter, died in 1972.
Mike was scheduled for his second space
flight, which has tentatively been postponed
until the summer of 1988, following the tragic
flight of The Challenger cew.
"Dreams Do Come True" was the theme
for Astronaut Mike Lounge Day which was
held in Mike's honor on Oct. 12, 1985. A
parade with an excess of 100 entries was the
largest and best parade in Burlington's
history. Following
a football g'me
with
Sheridan High School, a barbecue was served
to a crowd of approximately 2,000 people. In
the evening Mike presented a slide show in
the gymnasium of his trip into space. The
response was so great that a second showing
had to be added at the last minute.
Mike presented the City of Burlington with
several items which are on display at the Old
Town Museum in Burlington,including a flag
which accompanied him on his space flight.
by Reta Lounge
�guards, along with representatives, Lt. Governor Nancy Dick, and Senator Jim Brandon,
were all greeted by an enthusiastic crowd of
an excess of 5,000 people from the entire area.
A barbecue was served at noon with an air
show following.
The Burlington City Council began working on the new airport approximately 11 years
before when a meeting with the Federal
Aviation Administration was held in the city
hall. At that time, the FAA informed the city
officials they needed a new airport as the old
one was extremely dangerous.
The council then began the long process of
screening firms to prepare a master plan for
a new facility.
On May L2, 1975, council passed a resolution authorizing the acceptance ofa planning
grant from the FAA for the airport master
plan. An agreement with Nelson, Haley,
Patterson and Qurik, Inc., was signed for the
master plan in June of 1975.
The FAA approved land acquisition funds
in 1980 and the ground was purchased in
August of 1981. The city had two separate
grants from the FAA for the land, one for 80
percent participation from the federal government and 20 percent from the city; the
other for 90 percent and 10 percent. Land
acquisition was $178,920 from A.F. Antholz
and $190,613.40 from William Peters. Total
land cost was $369,533.40.
The city then signed an agreement with
Isbill Associates, Inc., ofDenver for engineering for a new airport.
Float featuring Mrs. King, Mikes teacher, and his classmates.
BURLINGTON-KIT
CARSON COUNTY
AIRPORT
Sight preparation was completed by Boyer
Construction for $166,169 in March of 1983,
with the FAA paying for 90 percent of it.
On July 18, 1983, Mountain States Paving
was awarded the contract for the runway at
a cost of $770,504.50. At the same time,
T283
Saturday, October 13, 1984, proved to be
another historical happening and very special
event in the life of Kit Carson County. It was
the day of the grand opening and dedication
of the Burlington-Kit Carson County Airport.
The day dawned gray and cloudy, but by
noon the sun appeared and helped to make
this celebration a huge success. Hot air
balloonists, bands, aircraft displays, color
Taylor Fencing received the contract for
$13,804.20 for fencing around the property
and $68,038 went to Acme Electric for
runway lighting. All of these were on a 90
percent federal grant with the city paying
The old Airport north and west of town in 1950.
tr
,llr,';,,,'rli
.i:ii:r .:ir.:
'.H' i I
,'1,*?*,ilt
by Bonnie Witzel
'/
., .-
:..r:l o..*'
An airport advisory board was named by
the city to assist with the overall planning of
the structures. John Swick was the chairman
and was assisted by Harold Caroll, Harley
Hahn and Don Downen.
Total expenditures for the city for the
airport are approximatley $400,000. The
county contributed approximately $80,000.
Most of the city's money for the airport was
derived from the sale of the building sites
near the Burlington Middle School.
The airport was opened in July of 1984.
S |'.,
"
iail:r: ..:ri,
only 10 percent.
Herman Construction Co.. Inc. of Burlington was the general contractor for the
fixed base building at the airport and the two
hangars, which house 16 airplanes. Total cost
for the three structures was $314,600, all of
which was paid for by the city as the FAA
does not participate in buildings on airports.
'.2:,
-:
-"'r
Burlington-Kit Carson County Airport at Grand Opening and Dedication,
1985.
�BURLINGTON
METHODIST
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
T284
either side of the receding culprits. It is
doubtful if the Rock Island Limited ever
made faster time from Burlington, to the
Kansas line at Carlyle. Every time the
officers would shoot. the men would hit their
horses and lean forward for more speed.
When I heard this I told the people I would
take Burlington, if old Goliath himself should
To the members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Burlington, Colorado.
Having been informed by your pastor, Rev.
Gray, that you are building a church house,
I feel somewhat reminiscent and would join
you in your laudable enterprise. It takes me
back to the years that flitted by like the
happy birds that came to those plains at
spring time and then sought the southern
climate at the first blast of winter.
It was in the fall of 1887 that myself and
brother-in-law, Edgar Gilmore, left Furnas
County, Nebraska for Elbert County, Colorado. We drove via Haigler, Nebraska and
thence to old Guy, or Jaqua, on the Republican River.
From there we started for a Mr. John
Lewis, whom Mr. Gilmore had known back
east, and who lived near old Carlyle, Colorado. Stopping once in a while to inquire the
distance to Mr. Lewis' home, we were invar-
iably asked the number of his claim. After
having traveled about 20 miles up on the
Jaqua-Burlington road, we came to where
three men were digging a well near the
roadside. We asked them where John Lewis
lived, and the two men above ground, repeated his name over, two or three times apiece
to each other, and then asked the man in the
well if he knew. We heard him say that he did
not know any such person, but he asked the
number of his claim. We told him the NE of
l9-7-42. Then both men above, said, "Oh! He
Iives in that little shack you see about a half
mile yonder. We didn't know who in the
dickens did live there." And he had been
there about one year. When we reached the
little shack, we found that Mr. Lewis had
gone back to lowa, to get him a cook, but had
left Elmer Hicks and Jacob I. Love to settle
down for what proved to be a hard winter.
Here we met the Rev. D.W. Burt, whom we
had met on occasion of a ministerial meeting
a few years before, in the Northwest Kansas
Conference. He wanted us to help him in
special meetings, for he had learned that we
had evangelistic gifts.
We conducted a meeting at Carlyle, and
from there we went to old Logan, near where
Idalia now stands, and conducted a meeting.
After closing this meeting, we stopped at Bro.
Burt's home for a day or two and he said,
"Brother Thomas,
I
wish you would try
Burlington. You are more than welcome to it.
I confess I can not make an impression on
them, but I think with your musical talent,
you may be able to handle these people."
I made inquiry as to the morale of the place,
and was told that conditions had grown so
bad, that the legal officials were not able to
cope with the situation as the county seat was
at old Kiowa, 150 miles to the west. But I was
also told that members of the Masonic order
had determined to not let the foot pads and
scarlet women run their fair little city, and he
proceeded to test like members and they gave
notice for all undesirables to leave within 24
hours. The result was that Frank Walters'
fastest team was not fast enough for them.
Especially when Frank Bevelheimer, deputy
sheriff and an assistant began shooting on
meet me on the outskirts
of the city. I
therefore gave an appointment and on
a
cold,
late winter Sunday morning, I drove from
Carlyle in time to open the house, cut some
wood and start
a fire. This
was the old
Burlington that stood about one half mile
east and a little south of the present site.
There were six persons at the service. Four
women, one man and a boy, Master Frank
Swayzee, constituted the congregation. The
man was noble Joe Leal, assistant postmast-
er, but unfortunately a tubercular. He became a charter member of your church, then
went to Colorado Springs in quest of better
health, and failing in this move, he concluded
to try the old home where friends and loved
ones could give him cheer, but like Rev. Sam
Jones, his spirit traveled faster than the brain
of time, and he went hence.
After meeting the people a few times in a
two weeks' appointment, we announced a
special meeting, which many termed a revival. We used the old Gospel Hymn number
1,2,3, and 4. And I think we had the use of
Abe Hendricks'organ, which the Evangelist
promised to clean, and repair all defects, as
that was a part of his musical life, for the use
of it. The revival was held in an empty store
building that belonged to the Townsite
Company, standing on the west side of Main
Street (This was old Burlington) and only one
building north of it and that was a one room
shack, which was occupied by an atheist
carpenter, for rooming purposes. We had
obtained absolute control of the building, in
which we held our meetings from Mr. A.J.
Senter, the secretary and Judge Newell,
president of the Townsite Company, who
resided back in Kansas. For the first few
nights of our special meetings the young
folks, mostly the young men, would say,
"Let's go down to the Methodist circus." And
they would come filing into the room with
confusion enough to distract one, unless he
were a thorough Westerner. Being seated in
a
back corner, they would assume the air, now
turn on your circus, we are here.
But the only monkey they saw was the little
bald headed preacher, who was used to that
kind of monkeying, and he started in with a
thirty minute song service. We would use
some display songs, Iike, "No, Not One." etc.,
and some times would divide the house into
three divisions. When it came to the division
these young men were in, they would sure
sing, or holler, "No, Not one." We had singing
that would give credit to any community on
God's footstool. It was not long until that
band was broken, and the young men would
sit where they could avail themselves with a
book, and sing with an earnestness that
showed they were not bad fellows after all.
One incident is worth mentioning. There
were a few people in town and they feared we
were going to break up their dances, etc. The
leaders determined to pull off a big dance in
the same building in which we were holding
our meetings. They concluded it was a public
hall, and could be used for all public occa-
sions. The hall which had been used for
public gatherings before that, had just been
changed into the old Montezuma hotel. Our
first occasion after that
change. The merry dancers sent word to
Goodland and Eustis, Kansas, and quite a
number of joy seekers came over from this
occasion. They could not wait for us to fully
conclude our services that night. But bounded into the room in one body and began to
throw our improvised seats (lumber from the
Neil Brothers lumber yard, with nail kegs and
boxes for supports) in every direction. It
made so much noise in that large empty store
room, that we could not hear ourselves sing.
meeting was the
But we had written on the walls, with colored
crayon, these mottoes. On the south wall was:
"What Shall I Do to Be Saved?" and on the
opposite side was the answer, "Believe On the
Lord Jesus Christ." And at the front. where
all the people could see was "Thou, God Seest
Me," and "Give Me Thine Heart." For some
cause the terpsichoreans could not get up
steam. The evangelist requested his workers
not to say one word in criticism, but to go to
their homes and pray God to work the matter
out.
The dancers did not hold one hour. One
lady from Eustis, said she would have given
a quarter section of land if she had stayed at
home. The next night Bro. Ed Neil and I went
to replace the seats. This atheist carpenter
came in, although he had an antipathy for
preachers. If he saw me in time, when about
to meet, he would step to the outside of the
sidewalk and look across the street. And if he
did not see me in time to do that, he would
simply grunt in response to my "Good
morning." But on this occasion, he was quite
friendly and helped to replace the seats, and
gave the use of his tool chest for the support
of the end of two seats. And when all
was
done, he stood in the doorway and addressed
us. He said, "Well, gentlemen, I have been
roving about this world since I was sixteen
years old and have been in all kinds ofsociety.
I have been in the camps where they have a
green light burning in the gambling halls, but
I have never seen anything that would come
up to that affair last night." And he vanished
into his shack. He told a comrade in the
carpenter work, that he had not heard such
good singing since he was a boy at his
mother's knee. Every night he would sit in the
door ofhis shack and listen to the singing, and
then would "turn in" when the minister
would start the sermon,
Another incident of that meeting is with
me yet. We held for about one week and the
interest seemed to be growing all the time,
but some of the attendants would drop off a
night, if it got too serious for them. One of
these was David E. Swayzee, who was connected with the Burlington Blade, which was
edited by Gene Wooster. He was deaf to his
wife's entreaties, and would come only about
every other night. But being a good bass
singer, he could not stay away all together.
And just as all the people began to consider
the matter deeply, this Swayzee received a
letter from his sister in Ohio telling how much
she had been concerned about in the last few
days. There had been no correspondence
between them for years. But she stated that
he had come so vividly before her, and she
wondered if he was not going to live a
Christian life, so that they might meet up
yonder, since the were not likely to meet
again here on earth. This was too much for
David, and he came to the front ranks that
very night.
�At one of our testimony meetings in the
afternoons, Brother H.L. Page, a seeming
very unemotional man, was seen weeping,
and in his testimony he remarked that no one
had ever seen him weep in a church service
before. but he reflected that he had not been
concerned in the condition ofthe lost. before
hearing Bro. Abe Hendricks tell his touching
experience.
Brother Hendricks was a member of the
Baptist church.
At the conclusion of this meeting, we
organized with 36 members, counting probationers and all. We held our first church
social and praise meeting at Sister French's
home. Then came the scramble of moving the
town to its present site. And also Mr. J.F.
Doty, of Beloit, Kansas came to represent the
Rock Island as right of way man. The
Townsite Company and the railroad company concluded to get out a thousand extra
copies of the Blade and the Boomerang, each
week. We were employed to help the eccentric J.F. Murray of the Boomerang, as local
editor. Mr. Doty also requested us to help him
hunt the claim owners, where his company
was interested in the right of way. There was
Mr. Brady who had a preemption about four
miles west of town where the railroad makes
a curve to the south and then back to the
original line. This was to avoid the deep fill.
The company wanted a two hundred feet
right ofway, the standard being one hundred
feet. Brady had been absent from the dining
room at the Montezuma hotel, we saw Mr.
Brady washing in preparation for breakfast,
and as he came toward us I introduced him
to Mr. Doty. Mr. Doty said, "I believe you
have land that our railroad wants
through?"
Thomas, is now at Rennes, France, in the
transportation service.
Our sympathy was deep and sincere for
these brave pioneers, who went to that
evening land with the tinsel fringed hopes of
a conqueror but the different minion of the
isothermal, blighted and wrecked the fond
the Rev. Franklin Fonester Thomas, a
brother-in-law of Mrs. Martha Gilmore
hopes of most of them. We were on the plains
to
at old Floyd when the great blizzard, of
January 12th, 1888, whacked so many lives.
The Misses Etta Shattuck and Minnie Freeman, school teachers in Nebraska, save their
school children, but both of them lost their
feet. The next night after the blizzard, Prof.
C.V. Dilts of Canada, and myself, stayed with
Brother Mayfield, and glad we were to get
into his sod house. Personally, we had many
joyous visits with the Mayfields. And we
could add many incidents and smiles to this
article, but it is already too long.
Wishing your enterprise great success, and
hoping we may be able to visit your country,
we bid you God speed and good-bye.
Fraternally,
F.F. Thomas
Taken from the Kit Carson County Record, July 31, 1919, Burlington, Colorado.
by Rev. F.F. Thomas
BURLINGTON
UNITED METHODIST
CHURCH
T285
to run
"Yis sor," said Brady, "Oi have
a
thune, Claremont, Vona and Avondale. And
the next year, Kingston, Idalia and Friend
were added to the circuit. For the last year
we received $7.50 from the people. And this
was a dressed hog quoted at $3.50, a pair of
shoes $2.00 and $2.00 in cash.
It was our good fortune to help organize Kit
Carson County then; and it is our good
fortune to show the tourists the grave of that
same Kit Carson now. We were also prime
movers in organizing the first county fair, and
Kit Carson County sunday school Association: The first convention of said association
was held in Burlington on the 22nd and 23rd
of June, 1889. Mr. Peter Winner, superintendent of the Trinity M.E. Sunday School, was
with us. On the evening of the last day,
Sunday the 23rd, Dr. C.A. Gillette came into
Burlington from Bethune, and told us we
were once more the proud father of a
bouncing boy. And this same boy, Fred G.
but he felt the call to preach, so he studied
become a preacher, and then began his
career as a circuit rider. Like others, he came
to this country from Nebraska.
The first newspaper in town, the Bur-
lington Blade, notes that Rev. Thomas
preached his first sermon here January 15,
1888. There were six persons a the service
Joe Leal, a tubercular who was assistant
postmaster, 4 women, and a boy; Frank
Swayzee. It is believed that this and other
meetings held during the next two weeks were
to become the
Montezuma Hotel then located in Old Burlington which was somewhat east and south
ofthe present day city. A.J. Senter and Judge
Newell gave Thomas permission for the use
of an empty building belonging to the
Townsite Co. on the west side of the main
street, and a series of revival meetings were
begun on February 16th. For the first few
nights, some of the young men joked about
held at what was later
going to the "Methodist circus", but they
came. Rev. Thomas agreed to clean and
repair all the defects for the use of Abe
Hendricks' organ, and with his fine tenor
voice, he led the hymn singing for 30 minutes
before the preaching and said, "We had
singing that would be a credit to any commu-
nity on God's footstool". On February 25,
1888, the Burlington Methodist Episcopal
Church was organized by the 33 year old
remaining 14 were probationers, possible
youngsters not quite old enough for full
membership. Others believe to have affiliated
Brady.
"Yes, we can give you $40", said Doty.
"All right," said Brady, so quick that Doty
dropped the rubber band from his mouth,
which he had taken from his check book,
because of his surprise at Brady's willingness
took up a circuit consisting of Beloit, Be-
Rev. Thomas had college music education,
and had intended to make music his life work,
preacher with 36 members. Mary Cain Pearce
wrote in her diary that she and her husband
Carman Pearce signed the charter. Joe Leal,
Mary Wilcox and David Swayzee are known
to be among the 22 charter members, and the
'presumption' out west of town."
"Well, we are paying on an average of $35
to the claim," said Doty.
Ond caunt yez give more an thot?" said
to sell.
Doty had determined to give him $100, if
he required it on account ofthe double width
and rainbow shape of the right of way.
After the town was moved, we turned the
work over to Rev. Willis of Wallet and we
Lundy, he was fired with determination and
set forth to bring religion to Burlington.
with the group at that time were
Mrs.
Mr. and Mrs. L. French, Mr. and
Mrs. H. Ed Neal, A.J. Carpenter, and H.L.
Page. The first church social and praise
meeting was held at the home of sister Ettie
French, and Sunday church services were
later conducted at the D.E. Swayzee home.
Swayzee,
Burlington United Methodist Church, 1956.
A history of the Burlington
Methodist
Church from 1888 to 1987.
With the passage of the Homestead Act in
1862, settlers were allowed to claim unoccupied lands by a short residence and payment
of $1.25 an acre. Any citizen over 21 or head
of a family could acquire 160 acres of public
land by filing a claim and "proving up" on it.
The first of these homesteads, which were to
open up the vast western territory for
development, was taken up, a few hardy
individuals pushed on west into Colorado by
1877,but it was not until the building of the
railroad in 1887 from Omaha to Denver that
the attention of the landseekers was called to
the homesteads available here. At that time,
there were in the town; 6 saloons, 4 livery
barns, 2 stores, a print shop, a bank, and 2 or
3 cigar making places and a few houses.
This was a missionary field for the Method-
ist Church, but attempts to
convince the
people of Burlington to mend their ways had
been anything but successful. When word of
the unsavory reputation of the town reached
In April, an advertisement for sealed bids for
the erection of a church appeared in the
Blade. On June 4th, Mary Pearce noted that
the lst Quarterly Conference of the church
was conducted by Elder Merritt of Denver.
After the town was moved to its present
location, the work was turned over to Rev.
Willis, and Rev. Thomas who had a tree claim
at Bethune, took up a circuit of Beloit,
Bethune, Claremont (Stratton), Vona, and
Avondale to which Kingston, Idalia and
Friend were added the next year. That year
he received as his pay, a dressed hog amounting to $3.50, a pair of two dollar shoes and two
dollars in cash. Rev. Thomas also organized
the Kit Carson County Sabbath School
Association which held its first convention in
Burlington the 22nd and 23rd ofJune in 1889
with Mr. Peter Winnie, superintendent of
Trinity Methodist Episcopal Sunday School
in Denver as the speaker.
An election held in 1889 to determine the
county seat resulted in Burlington being
selected by a vote of 451 to 170 over
Claremont. The third marriage to take place
in the county, that of Elmer Castor and Mary
�Mrs. Annie Newell donated some land for
a parsonage, and September of 1899 found
carpenter Buchele at work on it. The Ladies
Aid was organized about the 20th ofFebruary
1900, and shortly thereafter, they had a
supper which brought $36 for the parsonage.
Mrs. Mary Pearce was chosen to be the first
president. The Ladies Aid met in the homes
and sewed or mended whenever they need
help. The highlight of the meetings was trips
to the farm homes of members. Mr. and Mrs.
Carman Pearce, Mr. and Mrs. Peter Guthrie,
Mr. and Mrs. Grant Stetler and others were
farm hosts. On one very happy occasion, Mr.
Peter Guthrie cnme for the ladies. There had
been a deep snow, and he had a big team of
horses hitched to a sled that took them all to
his home for a big turkey dinner. The Aid
gave a cake and ice cream social in the
basement of the Winegar Building to get the
first dishes for the present church. Everyone
was invited and asked to bring what ever
dishes they could donate. Following the
reunion of Methodism in 1939, when Episcopal was dropped from our church name, the
unification program combined the Ladies
Aid, home and foreign missionary societies
Burlington United Methodist Church 1988 celebrating their centennial this year.
E. Rice, was performed by Rev. J.N. Willis.
Grant Stetler brought his bride to his homestead. and Mr. and Mrs. Peter Guthrie and
family came to make their home.
Four lots were on the corner of l1th and
Lowell, were donated by R.S. Newell and C.F.
Jilson as a building site for a church. A trust
bond for $250 to the Church Extension
Society was signed by Trustees S.K. King,
J.E. Leal, Thomas Seaman, and C.C. Gilmore. Enough money was then raised to put
up a 24x40 foot frame building in May and
June, 1889. This was Burlington's first
church and the original Methodist church.
The ladies of the church held a strawberry
and ice cream supper and had a "fish pond"
and "post office" to help pay off the debt.
The first twins in the county, Clyde and
Sarah M. Guthrie were born. Rev. Willis
organized a church Sunday School. The
extreme drought forced many to give up their
homesteads and go back east to make a living.
People would go miles to hear a sermon and
enjoy Sunday School and services were held
at school houses and little churches all over
the country. When there were to be baptisms
at the Landsman Creek or the River, the
whole family would pile in the wagon and
taking a basket dinner they would be off on
a holiday. In 1894, the Burlington-Lansing
Circuit was created. It was a 5-point circuit,
and included Lansing, Browning and Liberty,
all north of the Republican River, and
Plainview, east of Burlington. It took a week
for the minister to complete the circuit. He
usually rode horseback or in a two-wheeled
cart, but the Rev. Mitchell, who bought and
repaired bicycles to sell to the boys, rode the
circuit on a bicycle. During the winter and
spring everyone worried about the preacher
when he was riding the circuit, because
ofthe
treacherous blizzards and swollen streams
that became rushing torrents after the spring
thaws. One Easter, some of the ladies spent
days and nights making lilies, and then hours
decorating the church. On Sunday morning
no one could get to church because of the
tremendous snowdrifts, but the minister's
family looked in the window to see the Easter
decorations.
Our Sunday School records for January
into the Woman's Society for Christian
1895 show that there were three officers, two
teachers and a total of thirteen present with
a collection of six cents. Fred Buchele was reelected superintendent; C.A. Yersin, assistant superintendent; Mertie Case, secretary;
Mrs. C.A. Pearce, treasurer; Mrs. Stella
Wilson, chorister. About 1930, with Mrs.
Fannie Ross in charge, the Cradle Roll was
established and babies whose names were on
the roll were "rocked" in a little service on
Children's Day. Vic Whitmore has been
responsible for the Cradle Roll since 1936.
The Rev. B.H. McCoy stayed with the
Carman Pearce's family and tells of writing
a letter and laying it aside until they had
enough money among them for a stamp. Mr.
Pearce always did the best he could to collect
Service, and Rev. A.W. Lenz chartered the
local W.S.C.S. on September 21, 1949 with
Anna Buol as president and 80 charter
members. Ruth Holland helped to establish
a circle which met in the evening, and Alene
Morgan assisted in the forming of Jeanne
Nave, Brinton, and W.F.C. (Women for
Christ) circles in 1960 and Hoepner in 1961.
Among the many accomplishments of the
W.S.C.S. and its circles are parsonage im-
provements and the furnishing of a complete
set of dishes to be used in serving banquets
to groups of a hundred. W.S.C.S. has become
United Methodist Women.
Through the efforts of Rev. Shea and Rev.
to Burlington on their way to the hills to
make their fortune, and before long, many
came through on their way back in disappointment. Answering roll at the 1897 No-
Potashinsky, Dr. Ammi Bradford Hyde was
secured to deliver the oration for the big
Fourth of July celebration in 1902. For a
quarter of a century, Dr. Hyde had written
notes on Sunday School lessons for the
Pittsburgh Christian Advocate, and his book
the "Story of Methodism" had a circulation
of something over 300,000 copies.
A severe epidemic of scarlet fever struck in
December of 1903 followed by an epidemic of
vember Quarterly Conference were Wm.
smallpox
money for the church and the preacher's
salary, but it was a hard job.
Cripple Creek's boom brought sometimes
as many as twenty "Prairie Schooners" a day
Aten, C.A. Pearce, Grant Stetler, Pastor L.M.
Potashinsky, Presiding Elder B.T. Vincent,
C.A. Peterson and Mary Fleming from
Plainview; Mrs. Greatslinger, Fred Jenkins,
and R. Cassin of Lansing. The Pastor repor-
ted that he had traveled
1,086 miles,
preached 20 times, held 2 funerals, made 130
pastoral visits and organized a Sunday School
at Browning. At one of the homes where he
spent the night, he remarked at dinner that
the coyotes were a bad lot, destroying many
chickens. "Yes", said the little six year old
boy, "but they ain't half as bad on 'em as
preachers." The District Convention of the
W.C.T.U. was held at the church on November 20th, and Mrs. Telford, the state president, filled the pulpit on Sunday morning the
21st. L.D. Browning was elected president of
the Epworth League. The church
made
preparations for a grand Christmas entertainment Christmas Eve with good music,
good speaking, and a surprise for the children
from Santa Claus to remind them that "One
came to bring'Peace on earth, goodwill to
ment.tt
in the spring. Many died. Rev.
Mcleod's daughter, Mary Strawson, tells
how her father would visit whenever a child
was sick, then came home to bathe and
change clothes before joining the family, and
they were spared, but Nellie Thompson, a
little girl from the country who was staying
in their home, took the fever and died. Mrs.
E.C. Baker sat up all night to make a little
white dress for her to be buried in, and came
bringing
it
the next morning along with
a
bouquet of geraniums. In those days, people
who butchered brought the minister fresh
meat, potatoes, and other vegetables, and
they would give Pound Parties with each
person bringing some kind of food and
sometimes a pound
dollars.
of money
-
16 silver
It was about this time that the church
acquired its first organ. The town's fraternal
organizations all met at the old Odd Fellow
hall, where the Record Office is now. The
lodges had all gone together and purchased
a reed organ, and when it was replaced with
a player piano, the organ was taken to the
church. Among the possessions of the late Dr.
�F.L. Bergen, it is now the property of the
Henry Hoskin family. Ruby Aten, Mabel
Boger and others played it for many years at
the little church and later when it was moved
to the new building. A good piano was
eventually purchased and then a magnificent
pipe organ, followed by the Hammond organ
and the fine piano obtained when Dr. Henry
Beatty was pastor, which we still use for our
worship services.
A movement to erect a new church building
was begun during the pastorate of Rev.
Boner. A real estate boom was being enjoyed
and several large contributions were made by
promoters. Substantial nmounts were sub-
scribed on a three year plan, and a lot of
material and labor was donated.
The 1916 "Booster Edition" of the Kit
Carson County Record published by R.L.
Wilkinson stated that, "[t is pleasing to note
there is not a single saloon, dive or gambling
den in operation in our town. The Christian
influence is felt strongly in all circles. What
we are particularly proud of, and for which
we are becoming quite noted, are the moral
and Christian influences of our city. A more
clean minded, a more moral God loving and
God fearing people cannot be found in all
America."
Rev. J.A. Moorman furnished the cornerstone for the building we now occupy, and it
was laid by Bishop Mead in 1917. Everyone
was anxious to see the building completed.
Arthur Wilson writing in the Burlington Call
said, "Of light, pressed brick, the edition will
be a magnificent and stately addition to the
city. Being built at an estimated cost of from
$18,000 to $20,000, its magnitude and gran-
Nelson McCormick of Cedaredge, Colorado,
the Burlington Methodist church
yerus, many appropriate and useful gifts have
around the world and ministers from all over
the world have stepped into our pulpit.
At a special session of the Quarterly
Conference in 1957, the church gave approval
to plans for a new Church School Educational
Unit which was built at a cost of $32,000. A
building committee was appointed with J.V.
Brown, Chairman of the Board of Trustees
as chairman; Kermit Buol, Sunday School
superintendent as Financial chairman; Mrs.
Tom Ambler, Treasurer; Lay Leader, Howard Stewart, John Bryner, Sam Hendricks,
Willard Gross, Walt Bauder, Clark Hammond and the Pastor Paul Holland. Ground
breaking ceremonies the following year with
committee members taking part along with
E.C. Baker, the oldest member of the church;
Nancy McCartney, M.Y.F. president; and Iva
Olson, W.S.C.S. president, were a milestone
in the history of the church, this being the
first addition made in 40 years. On Palm
Sunday, 1959, special services during the
Sunday School hour, when the children each
carried a chair from the old building to the
new, signalled the educational unit's completion. Formal consecration was conducted by
Bishop Glenn R. Phillips and District Super-
been added to the attractiveness of the
church sanctuary and contribute to our
worship experience. We use the Hoskin
family Bible on the altar and lecterns. The
three piece set of oak pulpit furniture was
given by his family in Memory of Peter
Guthrie. To this was added the oak altar set,
consisting of the cross, two candle holders,
and the oak panel reredos given in memory
of Clementina Guthrie by her sons and
daughters, and wrought iron candelabra
dedicated to the memory of Peter N. Guthrie
by the Guthrie family and in memory of Ed
E. Hoskin by his family; and the oak table,
a memorial to little Sandra Rae Tallent by
her friends and relatives, presented by her
parents Mr. and Mrs. Dale Tallent. The
"Last Supper" tapestry was a gift of Mr. and
Mrs. Charlie Hammond.
Like Pearl Morgan, who was married to
Clyde Guthrie by Rev. Moorman at the A.S.
King home on August 3, 1918 and bid her new
husband farewell the following day when he
answered the call to the colors, the women of
the church have kept the vigil at home with
busy hands and prayerful hearts as their men
have fought in two wars for the cause of
freedom. Rev. Harold I. Wollard held the first
Honor Roll Service on February 7, 1943 as a
tribute to World War II servicemen. with the
families of 33 members and constituents as
special guests. For a number of years this
Memorial Service took place on the first
Sunday of February, and an impressive
Service Honor Roll plaque listed the names
deur surprises even those through whose
efforts its construction has been made possible. The people of Burlington honor and
appreciate the efforts of such progressive
of
citizens." The money raising efforts of Rev.
"In answer to President Wilson's request
for the co-operation of all the civil and
W.L. Botkin proved to be quite successful,
making slmost debt free occupancy possible
by 1919. The little churchwas sold, with some
of the material used in the construction of the
Hudson residence. The parsonage was moved
to the corner and with borrowed money paid
off by the Ladies Aid Society, it was enlarged.
In
recent years, other improvements have
to make it a more comfortable
home for our ministerial families, and an
asset to the community.
The treasurer's books for January 1929
show that $2,239.22 was paid for pews and
been made
other fixtures, and from time to time, various
improvements have been made on the church
itself. After extensive repairs and redecoration in 1941, October 12th was celebrated as
a day of re-dedication for the church, with
hundreds in attcndance. Participating in the
different events of the day and evening were
Dr. A.P. Gaines, superintendent of the
Greeley District; E.C. Baker for the Board of
Trustees; Sunday School Superintendents
A.V. Halsted and Iva Olson; Anna Buol for
the Youth Fellowship. Lois Halsted's church
school choir sang and graduation exerciseg
were held along with a pageant, "The Golden
Chord" costumed by Lorene Baker. Special
music was presented by the vested choirs,
Betty Harrison, Ora Baker, Bonnie Gould,
Avalon Guthrie, Nell Hayes, Dr. F.L. Bergen,
Walter Hem6qn6 and Minta Coleman, Elva
Mae Lundy and Jackie Hendricks at the
organ. Following the acceptance of an alabaster altar set to the youth group and the
communion table, gifts from Mr. and Mrs.
ka and our home missions, the influence of
communion was observed. Through the
100 from our church, among them 5
women, who served. Durward Ray Dunn
made the supreme sacrifice for his country in
World War II.
commercial enterprises in the furtherance of
the war". The Epworth League president
asked "co-operation in the study of the most
vital subject,'Co-operation with the Sunday
School' " on a Sunday evening in June 1918
at a big open air meeting on Grant Stetler's
lawn with special music rendered. The
Epworth League's modern counterpart, the
M.W.F. (Methodist Youth Fellowship) conducts business, holds diseussions and gets
together for breakfast meetings. Our own
Joan Harker is sub district president. Kenneth Ancell attended the Youth Convocation
at Purdue University as our delegate in 1959.
Cathy Penny, Norman Reinecker, John
Chapin and John Buol were our representative to the first Washington D.C. - United
Nations Peace Seminar in 1962. For the
Seminar in 1963, the church helped sponsor
Barbara Brown, Joan and Jean Harker.
Miss Anna Adkisson's Sunday School girls
organized a group they called the Sunbeams
in the spring of 1918. They had a Missionary
box, and saved money to buy Bibles printed
in Chinese to be sent to a Methodist Missionary in China. Members of that class were
Gladys Parsons, Oletha Eicher, Henrietta
Lidke, Mary Katherine Duvall, Mary Burks,
Lyla Ragan, Minnie Zick, and. Della Boger. In
1964, our Missionary interest reached an all
time high, with a budget of $3,319. In
financing the building of the church at PotePote in the Congo in 1960-61, and our support
of other projects in Africa, South America,
India, Pakistan, Hong Kong, Okinawa, Alas-
reaches
intendent Laird V. Loveland on May
10,
1959.
Four hundred members and friends helped
us observe 50 years of sacrificial and consecrated giving in an impressive and inspiring
manner carried out by Rev. J.T. Coulter on
February 27,1939. Bishop Ralph I. Cushman
and District Superintendent Dr. Charles O.
Thibodeau were with us on April 10th for the
second great occasion in celebration of our
Golden Anniversary. At the invitation of Rev.
Omer Timmons, Bishop Glenn R. Phillips
was with us when we reached the 65th year
of our Christian journey. As vigorous and
hardy as the people who endured the hardships of the prairie, red geraniums bloomed
in glorious profusion paying tribute to our
founders on our 75th anniversary.
The introduction of irrigation to Eastern
Colorado agriculture brought Mexican Nationals to work in the beet fields. Under the
direction of Rev. Ole Aarvold, the church
planned and conducted the first school for
children of migrant workers.
Following the 1968 merger with the Evangelical United Brethren, and the closing of
their Bethune church on Oct. 1, 1970, new
members were welcomed by the congrega-
tion.
Although major improvements were made
on the church building through the years,
costly repairs and necessary renovation determined the decision to remodel, and in June
1971, the last service was held in the old
sanctuary with worship services at the First
Christian Church thereafter until Jan. 1972.
Membership was at an all-time high of more
than 500 when the burning of the mortgage
and re-dedication of the newly-remodeled
building was celebrat€d in January of 1974.
Preserving a piece ofthe past, oak taken from
the old building was made into a communion
table and the original stained-glass windows
remain. The parsonage was sold in 1976, and
a new one purchased. Offices and needed
classroom space were added to the church in
1976, completing the modernization.
by Dorene Buol
�facility, so the building was remodeled and
enlarged, most of which was done by the
THE BURLINGTON
CHRISTIAN CHURCH
members.
Throughout these twenty-one
T286
years,
church services have been held each Sunday
morning and evening with the Lord's Table
offered. Bible Study
is
each Wednesday
evening.
This is a short history of
a
relatively young
church which remains strong because of
many dedicated people who desire to serve
the Lord. While various ministers came to
watch over "His" flock and left, it is because
those that loved the Lord gathered faithfully
in His name, giving unselfishly of their time
and talent, that this church has grown and
remains strong.
Burlington Christian Church.
People came to America
in
1620 to
find
Frank Witzel were the first elders.
Heeding the Great Commission (Matthew
28:,19,20), the congregation voted in August
1964 to send Clinton B. Thomas of Williamsport, Pennsylvania to the mission field.
Clint had previously served in Brazil as a
medical missionary, knew the Portuguese
language and he needs of the people. In
December, the family consisting of Clint, his
wife Phyllis, and their three young sons, Tim,
Ted, and Tom left their dear friends, security
and comforts to serve the Lord in Urucara,
Amazones, Brazil. They continue to labor in
this area today.
Missions have played a major role in the
hearts of the Christian believers, supporting
work in Hong Kong, Germany and New
Guinea. Locally, the congregation has helped
to start new churches in Goodland, Hugo and
Sterling.
The independent Christian churches on
the Eastern Slope of Colorado have a beautiful service camp at Como which is used
throughout the year. Camp is held for
children of all ages, plus marriage enri-
chment, singles retreat, family camp, men's
roundup, women's retreat and college-career
plus weekend skiing for Junior and Senior
High youth groups in the winter.
Burlington Christian Church has actively
supported two christian colleges in the area;
nnmely, Platte Valley Bible College at Scotts-
bluff, Nebraska and Intermountain Bible
College at Grand Junction, Colorado.
Our present church is located at 12th and
Donelan; it was purchased from the Trinity
Lutherans in 1966. (This building was originally located two miles west of Bethune and
south of the Correction Line. The concrete
steps are still there. The Trinity Lutherans
moved the building to its present location in
1944.) The mortgage was burned in 1972. By
1976 the congregation had out-grown this
for occupancy, and on December 5th, the first
Sunday services were held in the building,
with formal dedication held on December
1gth.
Almost a year later (Nov. 1955) the church
withdrew from the Arizona Convention and
the Denver Association and joined the newly
organized Colorado Convention and the
Platte Valley association. The next month
the congregation set aside Robert L. Edmondson and Jim Winfrey as deacons. Later
that month, Rev. Porter resigned (Dec. 14) to
move to California where he accepted a
church.
After being pastorless for two months, the
church called Rev. M.W. Richardson (Feb.
12, 1956). He served until May 7, 1958, when
he resigned to accept a church in Hotchkiss,
FIRST BAPTIST
Colorado.
T287
Rev. Harry Mallette became our pastor
July 2, 1958, and under his leadership, the
church moved forward. He served faithfully
The First Baptist Church of Burlington
until his resignation October 12, 1962, to
become pastor of the Valentine, Nebraska
a
new freedom, the right to worship as they
pleased. This idea travelled with the pioneers
as they headed west and started settling
down, making homes, starting churches and
schools, determined to live by the Holy Bible
with faith and prayers.
In April L964, a group of believers assembled to study the Bible as God's Holy Word,
believing on Jesus as God's only son and sent
to prepare the way. The Burlington Christian
Church was officially organized in May with
thirty charter members and Dale Mason as
Minister. Douglas Hillman, Jack Rutter and
tion for the church loan was made and shortly
thereafter granted.
By December the new building was ready
CHURCH
was founded through the efforts of Rev. and
church.
Mrs. A.H. Harmon. This Southern Baptist
Rev. Jack Porter returned and served a
brief interim - Oct. 21 to Nov. 13. The church
called Rev. Richard Holland on Dec. 5, 1962.
In the spring of 1963 a building committee
was formed and plans were made to erect an
educational wing onto the present structure.
This addition was dedicated on Aug. 22,L965.
On January 5, 1966 the church ordained
Loren Hurst as an active deacon. Richard
Holland resigned the pastorate here, effective Jan. 1, to accept a church in Brighton,
couple, with the financial help of two Oklaho-
ma churches, began gathering Baptists together in the late spring of 1952. A mission
was established and services were held in the
American Legion Hall until a building could
be erected.
A service organizing the mission into a
church was held October 5,1952. The church
was constituted with 13 charter members.
Representatives of the South Baptist Convention and the Arizona Convention took
part in the service. The church chose Rev.
A.H. Harmon to serve as its first pastor and
unanimously voted to join the Southern
Baptist Convention and the Southern Baptist Association of Colorado. Thus, under the
name "The First Baptist Church", a new
work was launched.
co.
After being pastorless for almost 6 months,
Rev. Don Larkin was called to be our pastor.
He moved on the field in the middle of June,
1967, and served faithfully until he resigned
in the middle of October, 1969, to accept a call
to Hereford, Texas.
On July 16, 1967, the church voted to
The following month workers of the Yuma
mission were accepted into the membership.
In the years that followed, the church started
work at Wray and Cheyenne Wells. The work
at Wray continues as a church, while the work
purchase the present parsonage. On October
9, 1968, the church voted to recognize Milton
Sharp as an active deacon. On October 21,
1969, the church ordained Thomas McCauley
Cheyenne Wells folded. During these
formative years, the church had the financial
support of a Pampa, Texas Baptist Church.
In the spring of 1953 a building fund was
started and Jim Winfrey was elected to serve
After being pastorless again from October
to March, the church called Rev. James Crow
of Meridian, Oklahoma, to be pastor. On
September 8, 1970, the church licensed
Ronnie Beeson into the ministry. February
10, 1971, saw the ordination of three more
deacons - Louis Stout, Don Johnson and Jim
Sharp. James Crow resigned in 1975 to go
back to Oklahoma. Later in 1975 Clyde Allen
was called to be pastor. He served approximately one year.
In February 1977, Aaron Nutter accepted
at
as chairman.
In the fall of 1953 (September 20th), Rev.
Harmon resigned to return to school for
further training. The church was pastorless
for almost
seven months. They elected a
Board of Trustees
-
A.C. Williamson, Jim
Winfrey and Earl Van Tassel, and three
- Ed Winfrey, Roscoe Johnson and
E.T. Straughn.
Finally, on April 11, 1954, Rev. Jack Porter
of Hackett, Arkansas answered the call for
pastor. The next month the church selected
six lots at Cherry and Donelan for the site of
the proposed building; thus setting aside
their action of January 13th, in which they
had selected three lots on 17th and Senter.
At their regular May business meeting, the
deacons
congregation voted to apply for a church loan
through the Home Mission Board. In this
action the church incorporated and two more
trustees were elected - Doyle Robertson and
Clyde Teague. In June, the formal applica-
and Arthur Schmidt as Deacons.
the call and has been serving the church
family since that time. Bob Churchwell, Jim
Jordan, Paul Rhodes, and Ray Rhodes were
ordained as deacons in May 1982 to serve
with Tom McCauley, Art Schmidt and Louis
Stout. Don Johnson and Jim Sharp resigned
from serving as deacons.
�FIRST CHRISTIAN
CHURCH (DISCIPLES
oF cHRrsr)
T288
The Christian Church of Burlington, Colorado was organized on November 22, 1908, by
a small group of Christians led by Brother
Charles A. Yersin. They first met in homes,
then in the local school house, and later in the
Odd Fellows Hall which was the second floor
of the building later occupied by Knapp's
Plumbing Co.
The charter members so far as records
show were: C.A. Yersin, Katherine Yersin,
W.P. Davis, Mrs. W.P. Davis, Nina F.
Norville, Winegar Norville, Mrs. S.P. Shaw,
William Parke, Mrs. William Parke, Pamelia
Brinkley, Cynthia Boyles, Rhoda Yersin
Scofield, Mrs. James W. Sparks, Mr. George
Pflum. Mrs. Edna Pflum.
Mr. Yersin, who had been ordained a
minister of the Christian Church at Liberty,
Missouri in 1875, served without pay the
growing church its beginning until 1917. At
this time Mrs. Yersin's health failed, so they
went to Missouri for the winter. A revival had
been held to increase the membership and
interest. It is presumed a minister was hired
for part of the time up to 1917. The congregation must have been consecrated. faithful and
prayerful. Early members remember that
many prayer meetings were held in the Yersin
yard, and the Aid Society met at the home
which was located 172 blocks east of Bonny
Drive.
The congregation grew to such an extent
that there was need for a church home. To
help with this project Mr. W.W. Brinkley
gave
part of his barn lots, and moved his fence
back. The basement was soon started and
rushed to be finished for use so the Ladies'
Aid would have a place to meet and serve
dinners. And there were many such dinners.
Many land seekers were brought in by the
Winegar Land Company. These men were
taken out to look at land, and brought back
to town to be served delicious home-cooked
his service to the church that the Christian
Women's Board of Missions was organized.
Mrs. Robins was our first president. It was a
strong organization at that time having as
many as fifty or more members. It did not
take the place of the Aid Society because
many women were avid quilters. When Mr.
Anderson left, Mr. Yersin was to keep things
going.
The next minister was Thomas Carey and
his wife who served for one year. They made
a temporary home in the church basement.
They left and again services were carried on
by laymen and Mr. Yersin.
We were able to secure Mr. and Mrs. Ernest
Hageman and family who served for 1925 to
1927. They did a fine work in Burlington with
their talent for music and their leadership
ability. The Christian Women's Board of
Missions and Aid Society were active. Mrs.
Nina Norville Winegar was chosen pianist
and Mr. Hageman led the choir.
Again the Iadies served many dinners to
help raise money for various church activities. A need for a parsonage was felt. After
many discussions the decision was made to
build if conveniently located lots could
providing some
expense money, but there are no available
records to show their accomplishments.
Memory is uncertain for the period from 1917
to
1921.
Rev. A.L. Anderson came in 1921. He and
his family lived in a temporary parsonage at
the south end of Main Street. It was during
September 1940 the army took many young
men for training at Fort Sill. Among those
was Asa Calvin, who served as a captain. Mr.
Green kept folks busy and made many
friends for the struggling church. Then came
discouraging news.
Several years before Main Street had been
paved. The expense of paving was allotted to
each lot along the street. The church group
owned lots on both sides of the street. The
paving expense had been overlooked for some
reason. Interest had accumulated on the debt
until it amounted to quite a sum. A loan was
secured from the Board of Church Extension
in Indianapolis to pay this debt. By serving
dinners, serving at sales, and quilting, and
gifts from outside friends the debt
gradually reduced.
Mr. Bashor, a
was
wheat
farmer, paid the last 9250.00. Again the Little
White Church was out of debt. Mr. Green left
for another field of ministry August 5, 1943.
Lawrence Baird and family came in September 1945. He stayed until May of 1946. In
Mr. W.F. Calvin, Mr.
Somers, and many
others whose names are not available.
Mr. Hageman and family left for other
work so we were without a pastor for several
months. Again laymen and Mr. Yersin
carried on.
In
1947
Mr. J.L. TSmer and family were
called. The leadership ability of these fine
people kept all departments active. Mrs.
Tyner, an ordained minister, kept young folk
and children interested.
Mrs. Tyner conducted a complete church
service for the youngsters in the basement.
This included communion and a sermon.
This service is outstanding in the memory of
those who attended the children's church.
The Tyners left in the Spring of 1936.
The bell was run faithfully as long as it
remained in the "Little White Church."
There is a break in the history here. The
of the Ladies' Aid kept
activities.
from friends, and many hours of labor given
by Mr. Haughey, a contractor, Mr. Hageman,
produce a fair living for everyone. During
that time the Little White Church continued
to point our spirits to higher goals. Credit
must be given to the laymen who continued
to carry on in spite of depressions in finance
as well as in church attendance.
Among these faithful leaders was E.T.
Straughn who always had scripture reading
church continued on; dinners and the work
young people in Christian Endeavor, TriCounty Endeavor and Rallies and other
October 16, 1943 Mr. Franklin Page and
Mrs. Page came to serve the church until
April 1945. Several months passed before Mr.
On December 1, 1910, the Little White
Church building had been completed, and it
wad dedicated.
The tower for the bell was included in the
building plans, but it was some time later that
the bell was purchased, again with money
given by generous people in town. It was the
cherished ambition of Mr. Yersin that a bell
be placed in the church. He loved to ring the
bell each Sunday to call members to worship.
On July 25, 1940, Mr. Lloyd Green and
family came. They worked faithfully with the
be
secured. The lots across the street west of the
church were possible by the very popular and
delicious dinners served by the ladies, by help
For several months there was no minister.
These were times when crops were not too
good. Salaries were very low. Mr. Sutton and
his family came from 1936 to 1938. The fall
of 1938 brought Mr. and Mrs. Coleman who
stayed one year. During his ministry two
young men were ordained to be ministers.
They were Bob Davis and Francis Wheeler.
These were the times when money was not
dinners by the Ladies' Aid. This money
helped with the building expenses.
A little later a mortgage was put on the
building to help finish it, but most of the
money needed came from generous gifts by
people who lived in Burlington at the time.
other work.
plentiful. Crops were planted in faith. Grasshoppers took their share, lack of moisture
reduced the crops' yield, and farmers were
left with the hope that the next year would
and a short message before communion
service which was never omitted. This held
the few faithful together. Another layman
was Asa Calvin who took his turn with the
morning services. Freeman was a faithful
pianist and music director for many years. At
times Mr. Jansen, a farmer minister, filled
the pulpit. Mr. Ralph Bixel came in 1939. He
remained only a few months then went into
Mr. Eugene Palmer and
family came. They worked faithfully with the
young people and in district church rallies. In
September 1947 the Alleys left for other
fields.
Mr. Pontius, an interim minister, came in
October 1947. Each week he drove out from
Denver. In May 1948 Mr. and Mrs. Colglazier
came to Burlington to make their home. Mrs.
Colglazier and Mrs. W.L. Fisher, choir director, added to the services with good song
services and music. Mr. Pontius continued to
serve until July 1949 when Mr. Green was
called back for a second time.
An Easter Cantata was presented to the
largest crowd ever to assemble at any of our
services. The crowd was so large a loud
speaker was put in the basement for the
overflow crowd. This made the congregation
more aware of the need for a larger building.
Finally plans were made to build on lots
September 1946
at 16th and Senter
Streets. The church building was sold to the
Masonic Temple. A temporary meeting place
had to be secured. The armory was rented for
morning services, and the basement of the
parsonage was used.
Services began in the armory on May 6,
1951. Here the morning church services and
adult Sunday School classes met. The Junior
and Primary Sunday School classes, and all
evening services, were held in the parsonage.
This building became the center of all church
already purchased
activities.
The Vacation Bible School for 1951 was
held jointly with the Methodist Church from
May 28 to June 8, 1951. It is reported to have
been a very successful church school. The
following year, while building the new
church, the Vacation School was held at the
parsonage.
Plans for the new church had been accepted and work was soon to begin. On Sunday
afternoon, June 2, 1951, a ground breaking
service was held on the lots at 16th and Senter
Streets. Several assisted in the service. Mr.
E.T. Straughn, Chairman of the Board of
�Trustees, turned the
first spadeful of dirt.
This was a very impressive service.
Records show that Mr. Ray Schlosser used
his equipment to dig trenches for the foundation and the basement. This work was
completed, a some of the foundation base was
poured by September 2, 1951. The laminated
beams were being erected by October 21,
1951.
The walls were put up ready for the
cornerstone by the first ofthe year, 1952. On
January 20,1952, the service for "Laying the
Cornerstone" was held. Mr. E.T. Straughn
gave the invocation, Mr. Lloyd Green, W.L.
Fisher (Chairman of the Building Committee), Asa Calvin (Secretary of the Committee), Lloyd Billington, W.G. Colglazier, Marvin Gilbert (Treasurer), Clark Rutter, Herbert Dillion and G.S. Schlosser participated
in laying the cornerstone.
The parsonage was sold before the new
church was completed, and the house just
east of the church was purchased for the
parsonage.
Mention must be made of the loyalty of the
church choir during our building days. On
March 25, 1952, a cantata, "The First Easter"
was given to a full house. Later a program of
religious songs was given on June 8. A
Christmas cantata was presented December
2, L952. During the building days there were
nineteen members added to the church.
The men of the church were very faithful
in giving of their time to work on the building.
Friends gave both time and money to help
carry on. Each summer the Christian Women's Fellowship, with the help of the men, had
a food stand at the County Fair. All of this
helped to make possible the early completion
of the building by the last of May 1953.
The seats were installed, the organ put in,
and everything ready for the long-anticipated
day when we could begin holding our services
in the new church building. The first service
was held in the new building on May 24, 1953.
June 7, 1953 the church building was
dedicated. At 2:30 p.m. the sanctuary and the
fellowship room were filled with friends and
members to be a part of the Dedicatory
Service. The program consisted in part ofthe
following service. Scripture and prayer by
W.L. Fisher. Greeting by Harold McArthur,
Mayor of Burlington, and by the presidents
of the various clubs. Greetings were brought
by Maurice F. Lyeria, Executive Secretary of
the Christian Churches in Colorado, and Mrs.
Howland, the State Secretary of Christian
Women's Fellowship, and Mr. Rolland Sheafor, Treasurer of the Board of the Church
Extension. The Christian Business Mens'
Club of Burlington brought a message in
song.
The lectern was loving built by William
Haughey and given in memory of his mother
and father. The pulpit wa(rliven in honor of
Mr. and Mrs. C.A. Yersin, and the communion table in honor of Mr. and Mrs. W.F.
Calvin. The sedilia behind the communion
table was given in memory of Mr. and Mrs.
Sommers.
Mr. Green continued to serve the church
until December 15, 1954. He did not leave
without helping to plan for the future.
Mr. John S. George was secured to come.
He preached his first setmon here on December 26, 1954. He was a quiet, consecrated man
who had planned to retire, but gave more
than two years of service in Burlington. He
went back to retirement March 17, 1957.
By this time Mr. F. Edward Carter had
been secured. He arrived in Burlington on
March 22, 1957. His reception in Burlington
was a chilly one, for one of the Christian
Men's Fellowship have found ways to raise
money to apply on the debt, and the Christian Women's Fellowship have been serving
dinners for the Rotary Club, and other
organizations. The debt on the building now,
as of November 1, is $6,131.70, and is being
retired at the rate of $300.00 per month.
A door is opening on a new era. As the tower
of the Little White Church pointed the
thoughts upward, keeping each worshiper
faithful and loyal, so the new church with its
graceful sloping roof framing the cross points
upward - an inspiration and challenge for the
future.
The historical progress ofthis congregation
again hits a highlight when on November 23,
1958, the Church reached its fiftieth year of
existence. The event was commemorated by
a day of services. The first of these services,
sponsored by the C.M.F. was held at 9:00
o'clock, in the first church home, the little
white structure at 14th and Donelan. now the
Masonic Temple. Although the building had
been remodeled, many felt a pang of nostalgia
as they listened to inspired works in the old
setting.
At ten o'clock services were continued in
the U.S. Armory, where we had held our
services from the time we sold our old
building until the Church was finished. The
C.W.F. was in charge of this step of the day's
program, with Mrs. A.R. Bemis of the
Colorado Missionary Society, bringing the
address.
An afternoon service was next on the
ground. G. Everett Figgs spoke on the subject
"The Church Looks Forward." The Fiftieth
Anniversary Celebration culminated with a
dinner in the fellowship room of the new
for a short time until we could locate a regular
pastor. Rev. Elmer Early was hired and came
with his family in June; he served only one
year, due to family illness.
Again we were without a minister. Rev.
Patrick came to Burlington on October 16,
1964 with his wife. Roxie. The Patricks had
three children, two boys and a girl; all now
grown.
By the summer of 1966 it had become very
evident that we were outgrowing our church
for educational purposes. There was much
discussion and study on this subject. The best
solution seemed to be to purchase the Wilcox
house, acrogs the street to the west and Vz
block north. This to be used as a parsonage.
By a
congregational vote
the
necessary
arrangements were made and by December
11, 1966 we dedicated our new improvements.
The congregation now entered another
decade of worship and progress toward the
future, with faith and high plans for the
Church. The old bell rang out each Sunday
letting people know it was time to come to
share God's blessings.
November 10, 1968 the Church reached its
60th year of service to God. A celebration was
held, the program beginning with Bible
School at 9:45 with the dedication of the old
bell on the tower in front of the Church. to
the memory of Lloyd Billington. Special
speaker for the 10:50 service was Dr. Elza
Hawkins from Phillips University, Enid,
Oklahoma. The noon luncheon was followed
by the reading of the history and letters of
greetings from former ministers, members
and friends.
The congregation now goes ahead with the
same dedication and determination as that of
their ancestors and fellow Christian workers
of 60 years ago.
Rev. Patrick left the Church to serve his
Lord in Nebraska in 1970. Now again the
Church, the lighting ofthe birthday cake, and
a service led by the youth of the Church.
Church was left without a leader. During this
The First Christian Church of Burlington
looks forward to continuing its work for our
Lord as it has done in the past happy, yet
sometimes turbulent, years. Rev. Carter was
called to Loveland, Colorado on a Church
building mission. Rev. C. Wendelle Tolle
answered our call and came to direct our
spiritual needs, arriving in the fall of 1959. On
November 6, 1950 we achieved another
important goal. On this day we held a special
meeting for the purpose of burning the
pastor, the Rev. and Mrs. Norvil Underwood.
Under their direction and untiring efforts, 31
members came into the Church. 12 by
baptism and 19 by transfer. The Underwoods
were with the Church for seven months.
Their contributions to the Church were felt
by their visitation, their expertise, program
and management.
In 1970 Rev. George Sanders and wife,
mortgage. We had accomplished this feat by
prayer, hard work and monetary giving on the
part of the whole congregation.
years; however, during their stay these items
were presented as memorials - The cross on
The food booth at the County Fair
has
become a total church program. Profits have
increased each year. This goes a long way in
furthering the work of the Lord.
It was during this time that a situation
developed that was most unfortunate. Influence that came from the outside, contributed to the discontent of several families.
Finally these families of their own volition
left this church and formed another congregation known as the Burlington Christian
Church. It is considered an "independent"
congregation, not affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). It is to Rev.
Tolle's credit that he stayed on through most
of this difficult period for the sake of the
church.
In the spring of 1964 Rev. C.W. Tolle left
us to serve another congregation. Rev. Merandia, an interim minister, filled the pulpit
time the Church was served by interim
Barbara, came to gerve the Church. Somehow
interest dropped off during the next two
the communion table was given by the
Christian Men's Fellowship in memory of
Hubert Dillion, who was the first president
of the organization. The United States Flag
was bought during this time. Also, a new
Christian flag was bought from the carddund
monies.
Rev. Sanders resigned inL972. The church
officers decided not to call an interim minister, but to fill the pulpit with local members.
This proved very satisfactory.
Dr. Don Sarton and his wife, Cathy, and
two children were called to serve the Church
in July L972. A reception was held in the
Church Fellowship Hall to welcome the
young minister and his family. Dr. Sarton
brought much enthusiasm and hope to the
whole Church body. He was very interested
in the youth and this group grew accordingly.
One high point during this time was the
Witness Mission Week in March. Out of this
�gpowth was the formation of a Prayer Group.
Twelve young people accepted Jesus and
were baptized. Eight adults transferred their
The Sartons left the Church in November
1976 to accept a Church call in Loveland,
Colorado. The church folk felt a great loss at
membership.
A cloth for the Communion table was given
by the Ted Schnase family as a memorial to
their grandparents. Also, the choir robes were
given by Mrs. Mable Jewell in memory of her
their leaving.
sister, Mrs. Nina Christenson. Both gifts
added much to the worship service.
The Church enjoyed several years of a
debt-free period in which everyone felt the
freedom to relax after the long years of
struggle that began in 1908. We have only to
review the history of the lean times when the
few dedicated Christians put their trust in
God and their great faith in the future which
brought this beautiful structure so far for so
many new members to look at and to say
"This is our Church where we are free to
worship as we please."
A public address system was installed in
the Church sanctuary.
In1973, with the help of the lay members
of the United Methodist Church, a Lay
Witness Mission Week-end, a new spiritfilled awareness of God's presence was experienced by many. This brought about prayer
gloups.
The year 1975 saw the plans for a larger
educational and administration building.
The study and plans committee were: Nina
McCune, Wanda McClelland, Nada Jarnigan, Bessie Windscheffel, John Dobler, Jerry
Brenner, Kent Harrel, Gary Peterson, Duane
Smith. John McClelland and Ex-officio
pastor Don Sarton and John Swick, Chairman. Architect was Johnson, Hobson and
Associates out of Denver; Bob Root, principal
Architect. General contractor was Herman
Construction, Burlington, Colorado. Micky
McCune was chairman of the board.
The beautiful addition to the already
beautiful Church was an outstanding edifice
to honor the Glory of God. It was
dedicated in 1976. The addition provided
more class rooms, a game room for the youth,
much needed Pastors study and Secretary
offices. The kitchen and fellowship hall were
enlarged. The spacious facilities are used by
many organizations in the town.
In 1978 the Church joined with the Colorado Christian Home in celebrating its 75th
Anniversary. The Wee Blew Inn, a preschool, was begun in 2 rooms of the Church
in 1979. Extended sessions began in 1979.
This was a program for the little folks to
attend during regular Church services.
Work on the church was a spring project
in 1979. The pews in the sanctuary were
sanded and refinished. The baptistry and cry
erected
room were cleaned, painted, and repaired as
needed. The roof on the fellowship hall was
repaired.
In 1971 the Government had approved the
building of the low-income housing project in
Burlington. Since a nonprofit organization
had to be secured to sponsor this undertaking, the City Council approached the Church
to do this. After much thought and prayer,
the Church accepted the sponsorship of the
project. The project was started in 1972, with
the approval of the plans. The groundbreaking was in 1973. Completion in 1974. The
housing consisted of three units, each containing 18 apartments; one, two, three and
four bedrooms. Needless to say, this met the
demands of many people. The complex
became known as "The Burlington Manor".
giving it a foundation sound enough to stand
these seventy-five years.
by Mrs. Bill (Bobbie) Fisher,
Ilistorian
Rev. and Mrs. Norvil Underwood came to
serve the Church in the absence of a minister.
They spent many hours visiting to revive
interests that had been overlooked in the
months of building. Their special interests
were the young people.
Rev. and Mrs. Edward Barnes, along with
their four children, came to the Church in
June 1977 from lllinois. They came for an
interview in February to witness the worst
dust storm in the year; so many of the
congregation remarked, "They will not return." But as Rev. Barnes said in his first
sermon, "We have returned." The family was
welcomed with a reception sponsored by the
BETHEL ASSEMBLY
OF GOD CHURCH
T289
The dreams of founding a church in
Burlington actually began in 1965. Having
finished a building program in Castle Rock,
Colorado, Pastor William Behrman felt a
restless stirring in his heart to pioneer a
church in a new field. Believing that God
to remain in Colorado, he
obtained a map and, seeking the leading of
the Lord, was drawn to a small dot called
Burlington. With a small sum of money, a
Membership Committce. The Church now
faced the second phase of paying off the
indebtedness incurred by the building of the
educational unit completed the year before.
Rev. Barnes was interested in the creation
of workshop training programs. Bible studies
wanted him
and many other experiences that helped the
Church grow. He also added much to the
pioneer a new work in Burlington.
dignity and pride of the Church. He was
Sunday School began in the home ofDon and
Llmn Cave on the first Sunday in February,
1967. There were seven people in attendance.
a
man of high ideals as well as spiritual values
as shown in his attitude toward the congregation as well as with the town people. May 12,
1981, was Rev. Barnes last Sunday with the
Church. From that date until the second
week in July the pulpit was filled by local
men. At this time, the Pulpit Committee was
responsible for the speakers.
In Septerrber of 1981 the Pulpit Commit-
tee contacted the Rev. Kelby Cotton in
Kentucky, who showed interest in coming to
Colorado. After much conversation via telephone, a meeting was arranged with Rev.
Cotton and the congregation. The Rev.
Cotton and his wife, Lyn, with their infant
daughter, Emily, arrived in November 1981
to a happy crowd of Christians who were
eagerly awaiting their arrival. Needless to say
the reception given for them was enjoyed by
everyone.
The Cottons brought youth to the church
with many new ideas and much enthusiasm.
It
is apparent that with the love they brought
with them and the loved returned to them,
the Church will go forward in the years ahead.
As the months went by the interest grew, with
many inactive members returning to worship.
The Elders Prayer Circle, held each Sunday
morning at 9 o'clock, became the high point
of inspiration to the leaders of the Church.
In the twelve months the Rev. Cotton was
Pastor, twenty-two people have given their
lives to God either through baptism or
transfer.
In December 1982 the first woman to serve
as elder was given the honor and privilege to
serve her God and Church in this capacity.
Mrs. Bill (Bobbie) Fisher was given this
honor. This step showed a growth in the
Christian attitude toward all people involved
in the work of the whole Church, as well as
love and respect for all persons.
As this era in the life of the Church comes
to a close. the "old bell" on the tall tower
continues
to ring each Sabbath
Morning
calling the folk to worship. With determined
faith, we look forward toward years ofservice
to God with thanks to the little band of brave
Christians, who, in 1908, began this Church,
wife, five children, and
direction
a
strong sense of God's
in his heart, he made
plans to
Under the direction of Pastor Behrman,
Four months later, the Behrmans moved to
Burlington from their former pastorate, and
on June 11, 1967, the first service was held
with Brother and Sister Behrman as pastors.
They came with the promise of one family
and ninety dollars a month.
Services continued in the hospitable atmo-
sphere of the Cave home until July 16, when
Revival services under the Gospel tent were
held at the County Fairgrounds. There were
41 people present that first night while
flashbulbs popped throughout the service as
an inquisitive reporter from the Kansas City
Star gathered news for the Saturday edition
of the paper. Attendance reached nearly 100
in the tent meeting and many were drawn to
the Lord.
Services continued under the Big Top until
the Burlington Elementary School was used,
beginning September 3 with 34 in Sunday
School. Plans to build began immediately
and on October 23, 1967, a 9200 down
payment was made on the present property.
Groundbreaking services were held on March
31, 1968, inaugurating the construction ofthe
church building. The partially completed
church was the site of a July revival in which
heavy rains failed to dampen the revival
spirit as God blessed and people met God
each night. By Christmas of 1968, we were
able to have services in the sanctuary. Having
only bare floors, folding chairs, and plywood
over the windows, we sensed the blessing and
the leading of the Lord. The original sanctuary was dedicated on January L7, L974.
With the pressing need of space for Sunday
School, another educational addition and
office complex was constructed in 1975. In
L978,\yr acres of land on Rose Avenue was
purchased for the eventual construction of a
new worship and educational facility.
Groundbreaking ceremonies at the new site
were held in 1986. The new building will be
ready for occupancy in the spring of 1988.
The church was begun as a home mission.
With its growth, the missionary vision continues. There have been students from Bethel
Assembly of God in Bible College continuously since 1973. There are presently 16
�first services in their own church building,
purchased from Seibert, Colorado and moved
onto a church-formed basement, located on
47 acres of land 5 miles west of Burlington on
F't.24.
The church started a day school in the fall
L977 and ran the school for one year.
Dr. Paul Seanor continued as pastor until
September, 1978. Reverend Eager assumed
of
the position until March, 1979.
:,ji;:.,:ri:ll
tp::ilr1:t:
New facilities under construction in 1988.
In April of 1979, the church requested
sponsorship from the Fellowship of Baptists
for Home Missions. The Dick Stitzel Family,
missionaries under F.B.H.M., began their
ministry on Sunday, August 12th, 1979. It
was also in August that the church voted to
sell their 47 acres, with buildings, and seek
land in the town of Burlington. The land and
buildings were sold to one of the church
deacons, who graciously allowed the church
to continue holding services in the building
until they could relocate in town.
Eight lots on the west edge of Burlington
were bought from the city in the spring of
1980. Ground breaking services were held
May 31, 1981 and construction began in June.
On Sunday, January 2, 1983, the church
entered its new building. On March 5, 1983
at 2:00 P.M., the church gathered to dedicate
their new building to the Lord.
In 1987 the church building was sold and
now houses the Senior Citizens Center. Our
congregation joined with the Church of the
Open Door in Burlington, CO.
BURLINGTON
GOSPEL CHAPEL
T2gl
Pioneering the new church in 1967
involved in the full time ministry plus several
others in Bible Study and lay ministry.
Over twenty years have passed since the
dot on the map marking Burlington became
a reality to Pastor Behrman, but the vision
continues to grow and present a challenge to
share Christ and His love with manv.
by Pastor Behrman
Burlington Gospel Chapel
FAITH BAPTIST
CHURCH
T290
The Burlington Gospel Chapel is located
at 314 - 12th St. in Burlington, CO. It was
built in 1948 and the dedication was held in
the spring of 1949. As the church has no
Colorado to hold classes.
regular pastor, apparently there has been no
history kept. The congregation has varied in
numbers over the years, the largest crowd
being some over 100.
afternoon June 8, 1975,
by Roy Johnson
Early in 1975
a
group of four families began
to hold home Bible studies with Dr. Paul
Seanor traveling weekly from Adam City,
The fellowship was organized Sunday
in the Burlington
Community Center, where afternoon services
has been held. At that meeting the name of
Independent Faith Baptist Church of Burlington was chosen and the young church
elected its first officers. Meetings were later
moved to a small two-room building on Ross
Avenue.
On February 22,1976, the church held its
�LDS CHURCII,
BURLINGTON
Betty Hickman, Virgil and Evelyn Johnson,
Bill Water, Alice Sparks, Marvin and Bernice
T292
Gibson, Sylvia Rails, Charlotte Stosser, Basil
and George Budge, Amanda, Merrill and
Dale Clark, Mrs. M.B. Middleton, Max and
Gloria Wamsley, Mable Letcher, Marion
Cook and family. In August, 1966, the 4Square Building at 17th and Donelan was
rented for $15.00 a month, still a Dependent
Sunday School on Scott City. Bobby Knudsen was in charge. New members moving in
were: Bobby, EdnaLee, Robert, Eric, Edward
and Anita Knudsen; Edward, Janice, Galen,
Bruce, and Sandra Marie Cole; Leslie, Juani-
ta, Lynn, Lester Mark, Lance and Loretta
(Kris) Davis; Lonnie, Tora, Jami Lynn and
Devin Dunn, and Gerold Delehoy. Year 1967
the first missionaries to the area Elders
Smith and Wallberger. New members were:
Jo Clare Mangus; Guy and Maurene Kuttler;
Robert and Judy Watts; Ted, Gwen, James,
Burlington Branch LDS Church from 1972 to 1980
This is the story of the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latterday Saints - Burlington
Branch 1960-1988. The Sunday School teachin 1960 were Virgil Johnson and Myrtle
Collins. Members met in the homes of Betty
Hickman and Myrtle Collins and attended
ers
services
in Scott City, Ks. We
were
a
Dependent Sunday School on Scott City, at
this time. Members were, Myrtle Collins,
Reno, and Barbara Killian; Sanford and
Bruce Taylor; Carl and Dean Mullis; Judy
Lance; Ken Burdick. Gwen Killian conducted the 1st. MIA for the young people. In June
1968, the Billington family moved to Burlington, to take over the family farm. The
Knudsens moved to Burlington and rented a
house from Mollie Gross. Year 1969 the
Relief Society held meetings, and year 1970
found the Church still growing, with Brother
and Sister Larsen, missionaries, attending.
During this year, during a dust storm, a car
in which Roberta Uhren of Wichita, Ks. was
riding, ran under a big truck that had jackknifed in the road. She was taken to the
hospital in Goodland, expected to die. Bobby
Knudsen, the presiding Elder, gave her a
blessing, promising that she would live. A
daughter, Barbara Cook, came and took her
mother to Wichita. Barbara and her mother
paid a return visit to the Burlington Branch
in 1977 and thanked Brother Knudsen.
Year 1971 found the Church in the Colorado-New Mexico Mission. In the year 197172, Pat Billington was in charge of Primary
and doing the secretarial job also. Seminary
class was taught by Janice Cole. In June 1972
Bobby Knudsen was released as Presiding
Elder. Several baptisms were performed in
July at Bonny Dam. Sept., 1972, the lst.
Annual Branch Conference was held; we are
now an Independent Branch. The lst presidency is: Richard Chisholm, Pres. Lawrence
Burkey, lst Counsellor. DeWayne Glazier,
2nd Counsellor. Patricia Billington, Relief
Society Pres. Jo Clare Mangus, 1st Counsellor. Cheryl Condit, Sec. Sunday School Supt.
Dewayne Glazier, lst assistant, Bobby Knudsen, Maurene Kuttler, Sec. Supt of YMIA,
Bobby Knudsen. Pres. of YWMIA, Jeanette
Glazier. Primary President, Norma Burkey,
1st Counsellor, Cheryl Condit. Librarian,
Carla Billington. In January 1973, we had a
recorded 106 members in our Branch. In
Sept. Pres. Chisholm moved to Nebraska,
released of the presidency. Lawrence Burkey
is sustained and set apart as the new Branch
President, with DeWayne Glazier and Merrill
Clark as his counsellors. In Oct. the 2nd
Annual Branch Conference was held. In April
14,L974, Robert Lowe is sustained as Sunday
School President. On June 30, Bobby Knudsen was released as Elder's Group Leader;
James Baker was sustained and set apart as
the new Elder's Group Leader. On July 23,
the Primary held a Pioneer gathering at the
Burkey home in honor of the Mormon
Pioneers who reached the Salt Lake Valley
on July 24, L847. Pioneer attire was worn;
pioneer food was served. Stories of early
pioneers were told and songs were sung by the
Primary children. On Sept. 29, the 3rd
Annual Branch Conference was held.
Year 1975 finds a change in the membership again, several families moved out, and
new ones moving in. The 4th Annual Branch
Conference was held the 28 of Sept. We are
now in the Colorado - Denver Mission. We
start fund raising projects for our building
fund. Year 1976, the membership is now 111.
March 17, the Relief Society held its birthday
party at Pat Billington's home. A delicious
Mexican dinner was prepared by the Silvestre Garcia family. May 10, 1976 various
church members went to look at the Ja-ss
house, with the thought of a possible purchase to convert it to a Chapel. Salt Lake did
not approve it. The Relief Society and the
Priesthood had a booth at the Little Britches
Rodeo; they called it "Grandmother's Pan-
try" to help raise money for the building
fund. In August, Maurene Kuttler was sustained as Relief Society Pres., Julia Baxter
and Pat Billington as counsellors, Norma
Burkey as sec. Sept. 8, Charles Seymour
located some land across from the cemetery
in Burlington. Lawrence Burkey talked to the
owner, Les Patterson, regarding the purchase
of it. New families moving in were; Leon
Budd and family, Ivan Cole and family. Leon
Budd will be the assistant Mgr. of the Co-op.
Linda Budd is sustained as the Primary Pres.
Glenda Cole and Bonnie Bryant is the
Grandmother's Pantry at Little Britches, June 12, 19?6
counsellors. Leon Budd is sustained as
Branch Clerk. November 23. the Fifth An-
�Couns. Peggy Norman and Mary Larsen; Sec.
Frances Hamblin; Primary Pres. Cheryle
Lowe; Couns. Judy Ballensky and Sally
Gaily; Sec. Norma Burkey; Sunday School
Pres. Lester Davis; Couns. Adam Burkey;
Sec. Pat Billington. April 13, a change in
meeting schedules is recommended by Salt
Lake to help cut down on travel expense.
Juanita Davis is sustained at Chorister in
Primary; Peggy Norman is sustained as
Nursery Leader in Primary. May and June
finds members working on the sprinkler
systems, digging out the trenches several
times, due to the rain storms filling them up
several times.
July 13, we have a new family, James and
Maxine Matthews and daughters. He is the
new superintendent of the Vona-Seibert
Schools. Oct., 1980 the Branch has 146
members on record. Oct. 5, we get General
Conference piped into our Chapel from Salt
Lake. Oct. 13, we put grass in at the Chapel.
Many hours of service, fund raising projects;
our goal was $28,000.00, for our part. Up to
this time my history was taken from history
written by Norma Burkey. The following
years will be condensed, I have tried to get
as many names as possible, however some will
be left out. Everyone has been important to
the building up of our Lord's Church here in
the Burlington area.
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Burlington, occupied in early 1980
The Presidency changed three times, Wes
Ballensky, 1981-82. Don Frankham 1982-85.
James Matthews 1985 to the present time 11988. The Relief Society changed three times,
Cheryl Low 1981-82, Aggie Hamilton 19831986, Juanita David 1986, to the present
time. The Primary Presidents, Sharon
Wyatt, Mary Kaye Baum, (President now).
Patricia Billington is YWMIA President
now.
The Relief Society is the women's organi-
nual Branch Conference was held, the new
presidency, Leon Budd, Pres. Lawrence
sustained as Pres.; Wes Ballensky and Timothy Tucker as Counsellors; Lawrence Burkey
Burkey and Dale Baxter, as counsellors. Dec.
23, the Primary and Sunday School presented a Christmas Program telling of the
birth of Christ. Santa arrived at the party
with sacks of candy for the children. In the
summer of 1977 more families are added to
as Clerk; Mike Marting, Elder's Quorum
Peggy
Music chairman, Cheryl Lowe; Librarian
Norma Burkey and Bunnie Bryant. This is
the Burlington Branch: Hugh and
Norman and children, Michael and Barbara
Marting and children, Irene Owens, Ivo and
Barbara Peterson and daughter, Connie
Pemberton and son, John and Cheryl Lowe
and son. August 1977, three acres were
purchased from Ralph and Lester Peterson.
The title is final this month. It is located on
15th St., west of the Burlington Cemetery.
Pres. Budd pledged March 1, 1978, as the
date to start the new Chapel. In December we
have the Wes Ballensky family move in; he
is the Pharmacist at Pangborns.
June 11, 1978, changes in the Presidency
are Hugh Norman Pres., Lawrence Burkey
and Michael Marting Counsellors, Wes Ballensky, branch Clerk. Jo Clare Mangus, the
Relief Society Pres., Bunnie Bryant and
Peggy Norman as Counsellors. Sept. 3,
President Norman announced that the
Church Presidency in Salt Lake has approv-
ed the Church building plans. Oct. 19,
President Hugh Norman performs the
marriage of Lance Davis and Lori Holm at
the home of Les and Juanita Davis in
Stratton. Oct.22, a new family of 11join our
Branch, Paul and Frances Hamblin.
March 18, 1979, the 8th Annual Branch
Conference was held. Paul Hamblin was
Pres.; Sunday School Pres. John Lowe; lst
Couns. Lester Davis: Sec.. Lori Davis: Pres.
of YM Lance Davis, Pres. of YW Barbara
Marting, Primary Pres. Pat Billington;
Couns., Judy Ballensky; Sec., Norma Burkey;
the 1st conference held at the rented Chapel
at
Donelan and 17th, and 75 members
attended. April 29, Lance Davis is sustained
as Priest's Quorum Advisor. July 1, Lori
Davis is sustained as YWMIA Leader: Adam
Burkey is sustained as 2nd Couns. in Sunday
School. August 4, 1979 that long awaited day:
"Ground Breaking" Ceremony at 1:00 p.m.
Many members and visitors were present.
After the Ground Breaking, we met at the
Burlington Park for punch and cookies.
August 8, MIA met at the Lance Davis home
in Stratton, for a cookout in honor of Susan
Billington and Elitha Pelton.
Sept. 14, 1979 our cookbook is organized
and sent to the publishers with 450 recipes
from the sisters in the Branch. October found
members working on the sprinkler system. In
Nov. and Dec. we have more fund raising
projects. Febr. 1980, the members started to
paint the outside of the new Chapel. March
16, 1980, the Burlington Branch held its 9th
Annual Conference in the New Chapel; 103
members are present. Sustained this day are:
Pres. Paul Hamblin; Couns., Wes Ballensky
and Harold Fillmore; Clerk, Lawrence Burkey; Relief Society Pres. Jo Clare Mangus;
of the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latterday Saints. The Mission of the Relief
Society is to help women: 1 - Have faith in
God and build individual testimonies of the
zation
gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 - Strength-
en the families of the Church. 3 - Render
compassionate service. 4 - Sustain the priesthood.
The Primary is an organized program of
instruction and activity in the LDS Church
for children between the ages of3 and 12. Its
purpose is to teach children they are children
of our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and
that Heavenly Father and Jesus love them.
They are helped to grow in their understanding of the gospel plan and are provided with
opportunities to put these principles into
practice. The Primary colors are red for
Courage, Yellow for service, and Blue for
Truth. Just as these colors are the foundation
from which all others are developed, so are
Primary teachings the foundation on which
children build firm testimonies of the Gospel
of Jesus Christ. Children meet weekly on
Sunday for religious instruction from the
Bible, The Book of Mormon, and the Doctrine and Covenants. The children also
worship through music. Some of these songs
are rmong the most beautiful children's songs
in publication today. They are happy songs
with wonderful messages. Primary activity
days are scheduled during a week day,
quarterly. These activities encourage children to interact with each other and have
wholesome fun through involvement in physical, cultural, creative and service events.
Activity days are sometimes held just for the
�children or they are coordinated with other
family activities. One of the most recent
activities was a special Christmas fanily
evening. All the members of the children's
families were invited. The members sat in an
informal semi-circle while the children pre-
sented the Nativity. Each child placed a
figurine upon a display table for all to view,
then explained how the object related to the
birth of the Christ Child. During the presentation all joined in with appropriate scripture
readings and Christmas Carols. A story about
Jolly Old St. Nick tied in symbolic giving of
Santa with the birth of Baby Jesus. Santa
concluded the program by carrying Baby
Jesus to the manger and placing him inside
moved to Burlington to serve St. Paul's and
Immanuel's, located eleven miles N.E. of
Bethune. He conducted two services every
Sunday, one in the morning and another in
the afternoon, alternating each Sunday. This
arrangement lasted the entire time that
Pastor Woelber served the two congregations.
In 1931 a frnme, three bedroom parsonage
built next to the basement church. In the
mid thirties the Great Depression plus four
was
years ofdrought caused many people to leave
the Burlington area. In the 1940's better
while families sang "Silent Night". Santa
crops were being raised and following World
War II with a rising economy, plans for a new
sanctuary were considered.
Pastor Woelber served both congregations
stayed to visit with the children, giving them
1947
treats and make out his Christmas gift list
while Moms and Dads munched on Christmas goodies and punch.
Dec. 20, 1987 - Members met at the Church
for a Christmas caroling party, after returning from caroling, chili and hot chocolate was
enjoyed by all. January 10, our High councilmen and their families came to our Church
Services. This was also Pot Luck Sunday.
(When we have Stake visitors we prepare
dinner for them ag it is a long way to drive
to and from Denver.) All the ladies of the
ReliefSociety prepare hot dishes, salads, and
desserts for the meal. Our membership at the
present time is 59 families
135 people. We
during the
had six families move away
fall
1987.
We
have two new
summer and
of
families moving in this month.
"Self-judgement in any direction is a
hazardous pastime. It is a fact of life that the
direction in which we are moving is more
faithfully for seventeen years and in
accepted a call to Loveland, Colorado.
In February 1947 Rev. L.C. Johnson was
called to serve, and under his leadership the
vision of a new sanctuary became a reality.
The erection of the new church presented
a spirit of cooperation and unity emongst a
group ofpeople that is seldom paralleled. The
decision was made
to build a
modified
Spanish Mission style, one that would be in
harmony with the nature of this territory and
fitting the general pattern of the buildings of
the city of Burlington.
The brick structure was built largely by
members of the congregation. Records reveal
that a total of 1589 man days and
113
evenings were donated.
The church furniture represented a great
deal of work. The altar, pulpit, lectern,
kneeling rail, and pews were all made at the
site. Solid oak was brought in by some men
of the congregation, nanely Leonard Krebs
important than where are." Elder Marvin J.
and Orvel Aeschlimann. The wood was
Ashton.
trucked by farm trucks from the oak forest
FIRST ST. PAUL'S
LUTHERAN CIIURCH
T293
leaving the older one free to be used primarily
as a Christian Education Building. The
building was given the name of The Alpha
House. Through the years a continuation of
improvements was noted.
For sixty years First St. Paul's eontinues
1961-1969; Roy Jorgensen 1969-1972; Keith
Hedstrom L972-1977; Wayne Mesecher 1977-
by Leona (Fanselau) TYiedman
was
laid to build a new church but financial
conditions did not warrant completion, thus,
only a basement structure with a flat roof was
completed.
In 1930 Pastor H.L. Woelber and family
On April 7, 1929 the church, under the
and Esther West in 1944-1949, these women
with their own hands helped to dig the
basement to move the church to its present
location on the corner of Lowell Avenue and
15th Street.
In 1984, Rev. Richard Messer and his
family accepted the call to minister and have
faithfully served our church ever since.
Under his pastorate the church is now
operating in the black and has a strong and
faithful congregation. The Fellowship Hall
was remodeled in 1986 and we currently have
plans to remodel the sanctuary.
Current members are: Rev. Richard and
Elaine Messer; Rev. J.V. and Bessie Walden,
Ida Ernest, Dixie Hasart, Ron and Cindy
Richardson, Faith Hase, Gene and Betty
Kirby and Annabel Taylor.
1986; Mary Wahto 1986.
charge. This organization then became
affiliated with the United Lutheran Church
of America. It was incorporated in 1926, and
the Rev. H.J. Diekhoff was called to serve as
a resident pastor. In the same year plans were
in Burlington.
from debt.
During the pastorate of Flossie Plummer
Johnson L947-L9542 Dennis Mueller 19541956; Donald Flesner 1956-1961; Walter Rath
in
purchased, the foundation was laid Nov.
1927. The church was then located just west
of where it is today.
During the assembly year of 1927 and up
to the fall of 1928 the church was without a
pastor the major part of the time. Sister
Elizabeth Clifford assumed the responsibility of work and regular Sunday Services. Had
it not been for the devote and unending
efforts of this saintly woman, there would
doubtless not be a Church of the Nazarene
held May 9, 1948.
In 1968 a new brick parsonage was built
H.J. Diekhoff 1926-1928: Otto Kloeckner
1928-1930; H.L. Woelber 1930-1947; L.C.
First St. Paul's Lutheran Church
assembly year of June 1927. Plans were made
immediately after organization and pledges
taken to erect a church building, a lot being
972 months to complete
was
It took
motto remains, "May we help you?"
Pastoral Ministry: C. Goede 1925-1926;
organized on June 8, 1925 under the leadership of Rev. G.K. Wienke and Rev. C. Coede
faithfully served the church until the close of
the building and furniture. Dedication
to provide the Burlington community with
the Living Word of God and is a strong
influence in the lives of many people. The
Firet St. Paul's Lutheran Church.
Charter members were: Mr. and Mrs. Carl
Patton, Mrs. Priscilla Linn, Marion Koutz,
Fred Patton, Mrs. Olive Arnett, Mrs. Alice
Ackerman, Mrs. Clara Fender, Mrs. Elizabeth Clifford, Iris Clifford, Miss Patton and
Mrs. Joe Joos.
Rev. Earl Manly was called as pastor and
pastorate of Rev. Oren Maple, was dedicated
to God and in Oct. 1929 the last note on the
property was paid and the church set free
of Arkansas.
by Juanita Davie
The Church of the Nazarene.
CHURCH OF THE
NAZARENE
T2S4
Church pastors: Rev. Earl Manly, Rev. J.E.
Zimmerman, Rev. Arthy Gossett, Sister
Elizabeth Clifford, Rev. Oren Maple, Rev.
J.E. Zimmerman, Rev. Edwin W. Reed, Rev.
Harold Ripper, Rev. J.E. Shamblin, Supply
pastor F.W. Holstein of Stratton, Rev. Harold McKelleps, Rev. A.C. Mize, Rev. Henry
Goode, Rev. R.C. Bentley, Flossie Plummer
and Esther West, Rev. Raymond Cotton,
E. George Greiner, Gene Hudgens,
Donald Hicks, Donald Guy, Henry Schott,
Rev.
On Sept. L2, L926 the Burlington Church
of the Nazarene was organized with 12
charter members, fruits of a revival held by
Rev. C.W. and Florence Davis, District
Superintendent and Evangelist for the Colorado District.
Rev. Floyd Totten, Rev. Garfield Dixon,
Supply pastor Orvel Gibson, Rev. Henry
Schott, Supply pastor Rev. Townsend, Rev.
Kenneth Jagger, Rev. Robert Bauer, Rev.
Cleo Elsberry, Rev. Gerald Bell, Rev. Ray-
�mond Burton, Rev. James P. Bailey, and Rev.
Richard L. Messer.
SAINT CATIIERINE
OF SIENNA
by Dixie Hasart
T296
TRINITY LUTHERAN
CHURCH
T295
Trinity Lutheran Church was organized on
February 11, 1923. Seven families were
St. Catherine of Sienna Catholic Church
represented at this meeting. Prior to this
time, Rev. F.W. Bierwagen of Flagler, Stratton and other points had conducted services
in the homes of some of the members: W.J.
Sellman, near Kanorado, Kansas; H.D.
Klinker, J. Lueken, and Victor Olsen all of
occasionally even baled hay for pews. Sometimes the services were held in the armory.
Some of the early day families in the
congregation were:
Burlington.
Later, services were held at the Odd
Fellows Hall, the basement of the Bank of
Burlington, the basement of First St. Paul's
Lutheran Church (A.L.C.) the Christian
Church and the Nazarene Church of Bur-
lington. An effort to obtain its own house of
worship was initiated by the Rev. Beins and
the members of 1930, but not until 1941 was
a building fund established and the "God's
Acre" plan was adopted to build up the fund.
There was a resolution to build in September
of 1943. However, a church from Southwest
of Burlington was bought and moved into
Burlington at l2th and Donelan and on
November 26,L944 Trinity Lutheran Church
was dedicated to the Glory of God. In 1948
The congregation was privileged to celebrate
its 25th anniversary in that church. The Rev.
F.W. Bierwagen served Trinity in the years
1920-192L. Rev. H.L. Buesing also served as
student pastor during this period. Other
pastors serving the congregation were Rev.
Edmund Weber, Rev. C. Adam, then in 1925
Trinity installed its first pastor, the Rev. W.
Wilk. Those who followed are Rev. H.R.
Beeins, Rev. E.C. Schmidt, Rev. C.E. Kleber,
Rev. Walter Malinsky, Rev. Walter J. Bartling, Rev. Dale Schultz, Rev. Ronald Leach,
Rev. Alfred Schubkegel, Rev. Carl Cunningham, Rev. John Chovan, Rev. Douglas Lenser, Rev. Robert Graul, and Rev. David
Ahlman.
In 1963 The Stewardship Committee began working on plans for a new church since
the congregation was out-growing the one
they had. The property at 7th and Senter was
and
rectory at 18th and Martin, Burlington.
Father Joseph Lane, first pastor at St. Catherine's
in Burlington.
Burlington,
Co.
The first Catholic services held in Burlington were in about 1910. Around that time,
a small group of Catholic families succeeded
in
for a priest from
the Vogts,
Shannons,
Westgarths, Dorings, Binards, Kellys, Daniels, Eschs, Koenigs and Gergens.
In 916, the small congregation, working
with Father Keiffer, who was then pastor of
St. Charles in Stratton, erected the main part
of the frame and stucco church on the corner
of 18th and Martin. Frank Hoffman applied
stucco in 1939. Additions were added at a
later date. The property was donated by A.W.
Winegar. From then on Mass was usually
celebrated once a week in Burlington, unless
the pastor from Stratton was unable to get
here because of the weather or bad roads.
Priests from Stratton who ministered to the
Burlington mission were: Fr. Kieffer, Fr.
Schmidt, Fr. Munich, Fr. Ernest, Fr. Spehar,
and Father Dinan.
The parish continued to grow through the
determined efforts of the Altar and Rosary
Society whose members held various money
making projects to furnish and maintain the
church. A proud day was the purchase of the
first electric organ.
In 1950, on the promise from the archbish-
Colorado
op of a resident pastor, the parish raised
Springs to hold services in Burlington about
once a month. The services were held in
homes. with chairs, wooden benches, and
enough money to build the rectory. Fr. Dinan
supervised the construction. Fr. Joseph Lane
was the first resident Pastor in Burlington.
arranging
'.t
purchased and ground breaking services were
held on May 17, 1964. The cornerstone was
laid on August 2, L964 and a local contractor
was hired to do the building. On November
29, L964 Trinity's new house of worship was
dedicated. On April 5, 1970 a special mortgage burning service was held.
In September 1971 the old parsonage at
10th and Lowell was sold and a new parson-
t:,:;:::;.1;
:'::4,,i::t;)
built at 365 gth St. It was finished in
Mid-August of L972.
St. Paul's Lutheran Church of Stratton,
Colorado, was the mother church of Trinity
and when they disbanded, the bell from the
tower of that church was given to Trinity. A
stand for it was built on the lawn of Trinity
age was
ir.:.li'l:l',]
'ii:u:arrrli
it was dedicated on Sunday, September
19.1982.
and
.
by Bill Deines
The new church building completed in 19?6.
�He became well known and loved in the
community and was also a source of some
awe, as he owned and flew his own airplane.
Following Fr. Lane were Fr. Slattery, Fr.
Gallagar, Fr. Mclnerney, Fr. Brunning, Fr.
Sobiesczyk, Fr. Wm. Murphy, Fr. Edward
Leonard, and now Fr. John Krenzke, in 1988.
In recent years, when "standing room only"
conditions sometimes resulted in spite of two
services each weekend, it became apparent
that some kind of building project would have
to be undertaken. With Fr. Mclnerney's
encouragement, the parish council, in 1969,
established a parish building fund and held
the first building drive. Regular monthly
members. Lawrence J. Pugh served as the
first Commander.
Military Order of the Cootie Flatlander
Pup Tent 19, Organized March 11, 1950, with
25 Charter members. Lawrence J. Pugh
served as the first Seam Squirrel.
Ladies Auxiliary Veterans of Foreign Wars
William Hogate Post 6491. Organized
December 29,1947 with47 Charter members.
Fern Reynolds served as the first President.
Post home located at 48678 Snead Drive.
Meeting nights for V.F.W. and Auxiliary
members the first and third monday of each
month. Cootie meeting nights the third
Wednesday.
collections were taken for the building fund
and many other fund raising activities were
held by the parish, including the annual
Mardi Gras and the lunch booth at the county
fair.
As the building fund grew, so did the needs
of the
congregation.
After
assessing the
future needs of the parish, the parish council
in 1974 received archdiocesan approval to
purchase a larger property, and began plans
for a combined church and pastor's apartment. A three fourths block of property was
purchased from Pat Andrews on the east side
of Burlington, and Henry DeNicola, an
architect from Denver, was retained to design
the structure. After final approval of the
plans by the council and the Archdiocesan
Building Commission, a contract was signed
with Don Herman of Burlington to begin
construction. Ground breaking ceremonies
were held Sunday, August 31, 1975.
The first Mass in the new church was July
3, 1976, and Archbishop Casey dedicated the
church that year. Instrumental in bringing
the congregation to this proud moment were
the members of the parish council and the
pastor Rev. W. Murphy. The parish council
members during the two years the church was
being built, who donated a tremendous
amount of time and effort to this cause were:
Phil Loos, Pres. of the council, and also
Grand Knight of Burlington Knights of
Columbus Council, Pete Strick, vice-pres. of
the parish council; Darlene Dvorak, recording
sec.;
Mary Korbelik, financial sec.; Duane
Ridder, financial chairman; Ernest Tomes,
parish council organization coordinator; Joan
Tomes, pres. of Altar and Rosary Society;
Kathy Foos, religious education chairman;
and Carl Dvorak, chairman of the parish
stewardship progmm and building fund
chairman.
The mortgage was retired in December
1986. Future plans are to add a wing to be
used for religious education and social activi-
by Gene Kirby
by Mrs. Carl Dvorak
WILLIAM HOGATE
POST 6497
T297
Veterans of Foreign T[ars
Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United
States
The Burlington Charter was organized on
March 6, 1946, William Hogate Post 6491.
The post was orsanized with 61 Charter
used as a Museum.
The 80th Annual Convention of the Colorado Federation of Women's Clubs was held
in Burlington,May 5-7,1975. Our project in
1976, was to donate the money to restore the
Carousel, which was Kit Carson's Bicentennial project. We donate yearly to the Colorado Boys Ranch, Care, Penny Art, Minnie
L. Hardin, M.S. Society, Burlington Public
Library, and make tray favors for the local
hospital for the month of December. The
Burlington Women's Club and Inter Sese
Club will host the Pikes Peak District
Convention, Sat., April 16, 1988, in Bur-
lington.
INTER SESE CLUB
by Ina Gay
T298
GREEN VALLEY
EXTENSION CLUB
1914-1988
The InterSese Club was organized in 1914
and joined the State and General Federation
in 1917. The members worked in and with the
Red Cross during the war years of 1917-1g19.
T299
We sponsored the first Christmas tree in
Burlington in 1919 and sacked a few treats.
This has grown through the years and the
club now sacks 1200 sacks of candy for this
annual community project. Fruit baskets are
also delivered to the shut-ins.
In 1921, we sponsored the Burlington
Library and $25.00 is donated yearly for the
purchase of new books and a Memorial Book
is placed on the Memorial shelf for deceased
members. The club helped to beautify the
City Park by planting and caring for the trees
and also helped to beautify the court house
Iawn. The annual Mother's Tea was started
in 1923, with just the members mothers. Now
over 250 invitations are hand delivered to all
the ladies 65 and older within the city limits.
Favors and refreshments are made by club
members and the event is held the last
meeting in April.
In May
40th anniversary in May, 1986. L. to R.: Nola
Mangus, Bernice Eberhart, Naomi Gilbert Walters, Bertha Hines and Alma Davis.
1930, the Inter Sese Club hosted
the seventh annual Pikes Peak Dist. convention. Some of the events we have sponsored
are: an Art Show during National Art Week
in 1935; Placed an electric fountain in the
City Park in 1937; started a
Cemetery
Improvement Association in 1941; Sponsored
a Girl Scout Group and gave books to the
Limon City Library; gave 9808.37 to the Kit
6
Carson Memorial Hospital and articles of
clothing were sent
ties.
Two Heirloom Fairs were sponsored, and
from this came the idea of a Museum in
Burlington. While plans were being drawn
up, the Penny family home was given to be
&*
to the Greek Orphan
Relief in 1947.
Several Memorial trees were planted on
the Hospital grounds and money donated to
a Nurses Scholarship Fund. We entered the
a Better Community" by
sponsoring the Annual Easter Seal Sale and
contest "Build
helped several crippled children receive
Medical attention in 1948-49. During the
World War II years, Inter Sese sent clothing
packages to several families in Germany.
In 1960-62, during the "Lets Share Happi-
ness" we sent boxes of clothing to the Pueblo
State Hospital. A Pioneer Doll Contest was
sponsored in 1964. The 50th Anniversary of
Inter Sese was celebrated in 1964. We raised
funds to purchase an ice maker for the Kit
Carson Memorial Hospital in 1968, amountins to around Sl ^O00-
1987 members, L. to R.; Back row, Kathy Dowd,
Jo Nell Monroe, Bernice Eberhart, Jeanne Gantz.
Front, L. to R.; Lyla Davis Enyart, Naomi Gilbert
Walters, Alma Davis, Mildred Hines and Minnie
Schmidt.
1946-1986
The Green Valley Extension Club
was
organized Jan. 8, 1946 at the Green Valley
School with Naomi Gilbert as President. Nell
Schmidt, Vice Pres. Nola Mangus,
Sec.
Treas. Other members included Rose Korbel-
ik,
Persis Mangus, Bernice and Lena Eberhart, Gladys Demaree, Alma Davis, Esther
Mtrlnh Fla*ho lfi-ao l\t"-+l- pi-^^. Itl^-
�Our county made special "Tote Bage" for
the National Extension Homemakers Meeting held in Estes Park in June of 1986. A
carousel lion was the logo for the tote bag, and
they were rated Outstanding. Lyle Enyart
and Bernice Eberhart attended that National
Meeting.
For our 30 Anniv. we invited former
members. On the 35th, we all went out to
dinner at the Ramada Inn.
In 1986, on our 40 Anniv. we invited some
40 former memberg to a very special party at
the Prairie Pines Country Club. We did sort
Back row, L. to r.; Nyla Loutzenhiser, Florence
Mills, Katherine Diekman and Diana Miller. Front
row. Eileene Morrell and Avis Schritter
ence Duffey, Martha Kaestener, Julia Broad-
sword, Ona Gillespie, and Leatha Sprinkle'
Joining the next year were Lyla Davis, Viola
Brown, Marjorie Jacobs, and Thelma Snelling. Bertha B. Wear was the County Exten-
sion Agent and she was instrumental in
getting the club organized.
The club was active in all of the educational
aspects of home economics, taking advantage
of as many lessons as possible in the area of
homes and families, making that the highest
thought of every homemaker. Green Valley
was also active in the County organization,
members holding many of the county offices.
Every year they entertained another club
or invited guests to a Special Tea in honor of
National Homemakers Week. Among those
festivities were a Mock Wedding, a Negro
Minstrel, A Hobo Party, A Hawaiian Luau,
A School Days Party, An International Tea,
A Linkletter House Party, A Carnival, A May
Pole Brunch, An Old Fashioned Tea, Making
and Wearing Silly Hats, A Trip to Ireland,
and A Silly Style Show.
Money was donated to many worthwhile
causes. and we went all-out for the Cancer
Fund. All but one of the members who have
died. died of cancer. Donations were also
to 4H, Girl Scouts, BoYs Ranch,
Hospital incubator, baby things, Flight For
Life, Grace Manor Rest Home, lap robes,
ladies lounge, East Central Disability Center,
Ft. Lyons, The Carousel, and for a nursing
made
scholarship.
There were baby showers, wedding showers, funeral dinners and House warmings. We
assisted Bertha Wear on a trip to Hawaii in
1965. Each year we prepared a fair booth and
received some Grand Qfiampions, Reserve
Champions, and lots and lots of Blue ribbons.
We made a float for homecoming and also
an entry in the Mike Lounge Parade. A state
bird quilt was made in 1951 and raffled off
at the County Fair. On our 10th Anniversary,
of a replay of the activities during the forty
years. Then we honored the 11 deceased
members with a memorial service. The
entertainment was re-doing some of the fun
times, like the Negro Minstrel, The Mock
Wedding, etc. The record of the 10th Anniv.
was played and was enjoyed by all. Naomi
Gilbert Walters was the only charter member
and she was presented a corsage. Kathy Dowd
was the Colorado Young Homemaker, served
on the State Board, helped at the State
Meeting in Sterling, June 16-19. Naomi
Walters was the District I North Star Award
winner. Lyla Enyart, Kathy Dowd and
Bernice Eberhart attended that State Meet-
the community.
As
it
was
just after World War II,
we
adopted a family in Holland that needed help
due to the war. The Marshal Plan made it
easy for us to pack a barrel with coffee, sugar,
and cocoa, along with clothes and ship it
overseas for less than $5.00. It was a very
enjoyable project for many years. We later
sent just money so they could buy the things
that they needed. Mr. Rhoada, a fellow from
Ireland, very kindly translated the letters for
us.
The Club had numerous projects such as
the School Lunch Progrom, fair booth, 4-H
Club, taking part in all County Council
meetings, serving food at sales, Red Cross
lessons, school eye exams, entertaining at
other clubs, carnivals, and helping the men
with the Gun Club, etc.
Due to so many of the people moving to
town or out of the community, plus several
of the ladies that were left starting working
outside the home, it was necessary to close
out the club in about 1980. It will always be
remembered as a bright spot in the neighbor-
hood for nearly forty years.
by Velma T[alstrom
ing.
Through the 40 years we have had some 46
members enrolled. We still have four of the
ones who joined that first year
- Naomi
Walters, Lyla Enyart, Alma Davis and Bernice Eberhart.
Other members on the roll in 1986 include,
Minnie Schmidt, Mildred Hines, Eileene
Morrell, Avis Schritter, JoNell Monroe,
Kathy Dowd, Esther Wilcox, Irene Kennedy,
Florence Mills, Katherine Diekman, Jeannie
Gantz, Ina Gay, Nyla Loutzenhiser, Diana
Miller and Oea Ann Payne.
In those early years, this club was about the
only social function for most of the homemakers, and it still remains one of the special
get-to-gether times for most of us. We are
proud to be one of the entries in the Kit
Carson County History Book.
Signed,
The Green Valley Gals
by Bernice Eberhart
THE FRIENDSHIP
CIRCLE HOME
DEMONSTRATION
CLUB
BURLINGTON
WOMEN'S CLUB
T30r
This club was organized as the Burlington
Junior Club under the sponsorship of Inter
Sese Club on January 28, 1938, and was
federated the same year. There were nine
charter members, none of whom are still in
the club. However several of the early
members are now finishing 42 to 46 years of
membership. In 1941, the club grew up and
became Burlington Woman's Club. In the
same year we began to organize a junior club
of our own became Quo Vadis Club.
As we look back through the years, we see
them filled with accomplishments, gleaming
with warm ties of friendship and enhanced by
personalities that have striven to make a
great organization, always working for the
betterment of the community, the nation,
and the world. In the forty-eight years of the
the KXXX Radio Station in Colby came out
T300
club's existence many women have come and
gone from our membership, blessing us for a
time with their talents, their helpfulness,
their inspiration, and their love.
Many are the projects undertaken by the
club in a wonderful spirit of fellowship.
During World War II, with a definite goal and
something vitally important to work for, our
Mangus was presented the "Good Neighbor
Award." We have it on a record and we play
it at other Anniv. parties.
We served lunch at farm sales, and had
family picnics. We have an annual Birthday
On February 4, L947, the ladies of the
Smoky Hill Community met at the home of
Bessie Ogle with the County Home Demon-
Federation project of buying a bomber. We
collected hundreds of pounds of silk and
and did a "Hello Neighbor Party." Persis
party,
a
christmas
gift
exchange, made
goodies for widowers of former members, and
helped deliver hot meals to shut-in senior
citizens. Selling Texas Manor Fruit Cakes is
a money making project since 1976. We
collect Pennies for Friendship every meeting.
A One-Act Play was presented by the club
in 1952. It won first place in the county and
then went to State where it won first place
directors award. It was directed by Bernice
Eberhart.
stration Agent, Mrs. Bertha B. Wear, as the
presiding officer until officers were elected.
Elected was Bessie Ogle, President; Jane
Matthews, Vice-President; and Velma Walstrom, Secretary.
The charter members were Lettie Butterfield, Flo Chapin, Irma Collins, Alice Daniels,
Flora Drager, Leona Guffy, Amanda Jansen,
Jane Matthews, Wanda McClelland, Hazel
Morton, Wilma Norton, Bessie Ogle, Ethel
Pearce, Inez Richardson, Ruby Scott, Grace
Sissell, and Velma Walstrom. Each year we
added more members, and some moved from
activities increased. We bought $15'700
worth of defense bonds to help the General
nylon hose to be reused for parachutes,
helped the Girl Scouts collect grease, and
pounded out 11,000 pounds of tin cans so the
tin could be salvaged. Members gave blood,
donated to the War Chest, and also filled and
shipped many kit bags for the soldier. A war
bond auction was sponsored at which the
auction of donated merchandise resulted in
the sale of $65,750 worth of war bonds. We
helped in the collection of used clothing to
ship to war torn countries and helped in the
Red Cross drives. Two destitute English
families were adopted by the club. Packages
�of clothing and food were sent to them for
several years for which we received many
letters of appreciation and thanks.
For several of the early years the club
sponsored the Christmas Seal carnpaign, but
since 1950 our special project has been
sponsoring the annual Heart Fund drive. The
first year we collected $246 while the 1985
total was $2,732.
Burlington Woman's Club has always
supported the town library with our time and
donation of books and money. Several members served on the library board, and volun-
They were the post having the "largest and
the smallest" persons in World War I. They
were Rube Pratt and Jack Magee.
In 1987 they were forced to turn in their
charter because of the death of most of their
membership.
All members have good memories of the
good times they had in the past.
by Henry Hoskin, Final Adjutant.
RETIRED SENIOR
VOLUNTEER
teers conducted a summer children's story
hour.
When
Kit
Carson County Hospital was
built, the club raised $500 for furnishing a
room, then more to tile the room and buy
drapes. In later years we sponsored the Pink
Ladies and held a raffle to raise money for
landscaping the front hospital yard. Our
special project for 1985 was carpeting the
entry, reception room, and offices. Over the
years the club has also donated to many other
worthwhile causes such as polio, cancer, Red
Cross, Easter Seals, Save the Children, and
of gifts and money
have been made to Colorado Boy's Ranch,
and we have helped send a girl to Girls State
others. Contributions
for manyyears. The needy in Burlington have
never been forgotten at Christmas time nor
any time the need was known.
The means to support these numerous
projects has not come easily. With each
member contributing her time, energy, and
ingenuity, we have used many money making
schemes from traveling teas
to food sales,
from rummage sales to auctions and raffles.
The club has joined wholeheartedly in
various community activities - participating
in skit nights and talent shows and construction floats for parades, the last of which was
for Mike Lounge Day in 1985. Over the years
we have also enjoyed many cultural, educational and entertaining programs given by
club members and guest speakers.
This is the story of a cultural influence in
a modern community. We believe that in
concerted action lies strength for any cause
we choose. We are grateful for the privilege
of
serving through Burlington Woman's
PROGRAM
When Betty Goss was co-ordinator in 1973,
the Burlington - Bethune R.S.V.P. was
started. Very few records were kept then,
however the following was found.
Betty Hostetler was hired as director in
July, 1973 and Betty Goss was co-ordinator.
In Aug. 1973 Betty Goss was made the
director and Nelda Hendricks the co-ordinator, Marlyn Bates somehow worked with
Nelda. In 1974, Betty quit and Billi Haynes
was hired as director. The Advisory Council
by-laws were written at that time and better
records were kept. Dorotha Hammond was
hired as co-ordinator. In 1975, Billi Haynes
quit and in June 1975, Ruth Kraxberger (now
Loutzenhiser) was hired as director.
Dorotha Hem6sn6 was co-ordinator till
1985, in May 1985, Linda Rower was hired as
co-ordinator, she served till May 1987, then
Sharon Zeigler was hired and she quit in Oct.
30, 1987 and Nov. 4, 1987, Betty Stoltz was
hired and is the present co-ordinator.
The first council members were Fred
Kiefer, Ida Stone, Theresia Kramer, and
Aldene Beringer. Some members changed,
some quit, others passed away and at present
members are: Carol Kosch, Josephine Strick,
Lenora Young, May Vedsted, and Theresia
Kramer, and the county commissioners are
always on the board.
In
area
Club.
by Sally Bauder and Dorothy
Reinecker
ARTHUR H. EVANS
POST #60
T302
The American Legion
Arthur H. Evans Post #60 of the American
Legion was organized in 1917 in Burlington,
Colorado.
Every year since then they decorated the
graves in the Burlington, Settlement, and
Happy Hollow Cemeteries. They were forced
to abandon the project about 1980 due to the
lack of membership.
For years they were instrumental in American Legion Baseball and all kinds of community activities. For years they were responsible for the Junior-Senior Prom in Burlington,
Colorado.
T303
trying in the Bethune
started met in the Imanuel
19?3, Betty Goss
to get
Lutheran Church basement, however no
interest was shown. she then combined
Burlington and Bethune and started to meet
at the Blue Flame room, when that closed we
met at Trinity Lutheran Church a few times
then changed to the Christian Church. The
S.O.S. Center opened in 1975 and after a year
the R.S.V.P. started to meet in the S.O.S.
Center once a month till 1983 when we
started to meet twice a month so more work
could be done.
At the Blue Flame room small craft articles
were made, Cyril Hoag started glass bottle
crafts, with no success. A trip was made to the
Wheatridge Home of Retarded Children in
Wheatridge, Co., someone had donated quilt
patches to the home, we were asked, would
we sew crib blankets with the patches for
them. That started our sewing projects, the
men made wooden pull toys. No record was
kept as to how many blankets were made, but
two trips were made to take blankets, toys,
and used clothing to the home. After those
patches were used up, two orders of factory
patches were ordered, then people heard that
we were in need of patches and have been
donating all the patches we need.
After sewing crib blankets for several years
we began making lap robes for the hospital,
West Nursing Home, and Grace Manor. We
also sewed bibs for Grace Manor. When those
needs were filled, we began to sew quilts for
the Boys Ranch at LaJunta. We made two
trips taking 12 quilts each time, we also took
homemade cookies on the last trip.
When Linda was co-ordinator, we started
to sew quilts for each client at the Dynamic
Dimension Center, 17 in all. The last quilts
were taken Sept. 22, 1987. Then we sewed 17
chair pads for them, before Sharon Zeigler
quit.
Besides that work we made other crafts for
bazaars, sewed two quilts and hand quilted
them to sell, also tied some quilts to sell and
had bake sales and bazaars, to help buy
materials we needed to finish quilts etc. The
men helped build cupboards for the S.O.S.
Center and helped with crafts. They started
woodworking by making sewing kits; chickens; then roosters; lawn decorations; aggravation game boards (sold these for other
materials needed); they also made a table and
do whatever is needed even repair work of any
kind.
We had people working in school, some
chauffeured people where needed, when
there was no need for the bus, helped at Grace
Manor to feed people and helped when they
went on their trips. We helped with community programs; went with the S.O.S. Band, to
sing; went to Senior Day at the Capitol; to the
State Fair; the Circus in Denver; Ice Capades;
and had picnics at Bonny Dam, at the park,
and had hamburger fries. We served the
wedding reception for Ted and Hazel Back-
lund. We met at the Center and went to
speakouts, the first speakout was at Burlington, an we went to Recognition Days once
a year at Kit Carson and Lincoln county. The
first Recognition Day was held at Flagler
park in 1974, with a hamburger fry. The next
year we had a picnic lunch in Flagler park. In
1976, it was held in the school gym, then in
1977, each county held their separate recognition day; with Kit Carson's being at the
Seibert School. Burlington-Bethune made
the corsages and table decorations. From
1978 on,
it
it
was held in Flagler school, a couple
was in the gym with snacks after
the program. Then they started to serve
lunch paid by R.S.V.P. and then have the
of times
It was well attended.
Burlington-Bethune, with the help of the
program.
county commissioners, were able to get a bus,
Aug. 6, 1987. The last few years we out grew
the center, so started to look for a larger
building, when a good hearted citizenhanded
us a check to buy a nice big building, then we
started to raise money for it. We were able to
move in the basement of our building by Aug.
25, L987, with the R.S.V.P. doing the work,
etc., we are now working towards getting the
upstairs furnished with a kitchen for the
meals.
Beginning Jan. 1988, meals were served
here. The building, now called the McArthur
Senior Center, is located in the northwest
part of Burlington, away from traffic, where
there is plenty of parking space and
also
space for recreation.
The Senior Citizens are happy to have their
building and are thankful to everyone who
helped in obtaining it.
by Theresia Kramer
�Dortha H. Hammond, Ella Farwell, Eileen
Stewart, Ines McArthur, Naomi Gilbert,
COMET REBEKAH
LODGE
T304
Beluah Schahrer, Gladys Clouse, Helen
Kreoger, Ethel Stewart, Lucy Russman,
Many will remember a certain date on May
which Halley's Comet was
expected to fall upon and destroy the earth.
It was at this time Sister Sallie St. Clair.
President of the Rebekah Assembly of Colorado, Sister Ernestine V.G. Boggs, state
secretary and Sister Minnie Cook, a former
Gladys Farnsworth, Doris Hawthorne, Anna
18, 1910, as the day
resident of this county, journeyed to Burlington to institute the local lodge.
Charter members of the lodge were: Gertrude McCloid, Anna Stephenson, Anna F.
Dunn, Etta M. Stetler, Mabel Boger and
Grant Stephenson.
It
was Sisters St. Clair and Boggs who
ruggested the name "Comet" referring to the
calamity which was
to befall all, and
the
Lodge's designated No. 1.23. Thus Comet
Rebekah Lodge No. 123 was instituted with
Anna Stephenson as its First Noble Grand
and Anna Nightengale as Vice Grand. Other
officers installed were: Gertrude McCloid,
P.N.G.; Mabel Boger, Secretary; Ella Stetler,
Treasurer; Mary E. Wilkenson, warden; Inez
M. Chase, conductor; T.P. Hoskin, chaplin;
J.G. Upton RSNG; Mary Williams, LSNG;
Grant Stephenson, RSVP; Myrtle Danforth,
LSVG; M. Bernice Chase, inside guardian;
rnd Lewis B. Cline, outside guardian.
Other members were: Ethel Burr, Gertrude
Upton, Mary Haynes, Parmelia Brinkley,
Grant Stetler, Amos Williams, Louis Chase,
Melvin Winslow, Elida Christenson, Sara M.
Winslow, Clytie Hoskin, Martha Potter,
Wyatt Boger, John Pilling, Edward Hoskin,
Sr. and Mary Winslow.
The Comet Rebekahs withstood the Halley
Comet calamity and is still withstanding
lome 65 years later. The lodges comprising
District No. 13 of the IOOF and Rebekah
Lodges are as follows: Rebekah Lodges,
Burlington, 123, Cheyenne Wells, No.
BURLINGTON
GARDEN CLUB
Louise Holmes, Vivian Kiefer, Emma Mullis,
Grace McNeill, Ruth Bauder, Alma Davis,
44,
invited Nannie Hoskin and,Lizzie Wilkinson
Keifer.
A Poem written by a charter member,
Mabel Boger follows:
On the eighteenth of May, nineteen ten,
A group of women, and also men
Desiring to form a Rebekah Lodge
For the good of mankind, and the Star to
to help draw up plans for a garden club. They
asked Helen Calvin, Pearl Schell, Selma
Laymon, Martha Hudler, Pearl Vallin, Jean
dodge.
fined 100.
The first year a major effort was made to
encourage residents to beautify their yards
and gardens with prizes given at the last of
the season for the best looking gardens in
When Halley's own star was at its summit
For want of a name, decided on "Comet".
The number assigned it was one hundred
twenty-three
In spite of the Hoo-Doo, happy are we!
Institution was had, the deed was done,
In fair Colorado at Burlington.
Local members who have been awarded 50year jewels for their continuous membership
in Comet Rebekah Lodge of Burlington
are:
First to receive the distinction of achieving
the 50-year goal was a charter member,
Mabel Boger, who was honored and awarded
the pin in May of 1960. Mabel served as the
lodge's first secretary in 1910, and was Noble
Grand for two terms in 1912 and 1915, as well
as serving in other offices. She passed away
August 10, 1966.
Anna L. Buel was awarded the second 50year jewel in May 1972. Sister Anna served
as Noble Grand for two terms in L927 and.
1932, as well as other offices including that
of treasurer for 25 years. She also achieved
other honors including one of the highest
awards given by the IOOF and Rebekah
orders, receiving the decoration ofchivalry by
the Patriarchs Militant and LEAPM on Jun
e 6, 1969 at the IOOF Temple in Fort Collins.
Mrs. Buol passed away October 8, 1974.
Sister Ethel Sawyer was also sent a 50-year
jewel in 1972. She was residing in Bird City,
Kan., at the time. She has since passed away.
Pearl Sturdevant received the fourth 50year jewel, which was sent to her in 1973 at
her home in Pasco, Wash. Sister joined the
Iocal lodge on July 16, 1923 when Maye
rests, namely Friendship, Love and
Morgan was Noble Grand. She served in
creme Being, loyalty to your country under
nhose flag we live, and fraternal of your
fellow man, will always be living principles.
Past Noble Grands of Rebekah Lodge No.
[23 are: Anna Stephenson, Mabel Boger, Etta
Stetler, Parmelia Brinkley, Thomasine Hoskin, Mary Haynes, Mabel Boger, Rhoda
Yersin Schofield, Stella Nesmith Penny,
Mary Wilkenson, Myrtle Danforth, Lillie N.
Pilling, Anna L. Bergen, Gertrude Upton,
Mary E. Baker, Etta Stetler, Bernice Chase,
Iessie Gray, Rhoda Yersin Schofield, Maye
0. Morgan, Mary Chase Gassner, Phem
KuKuk, Davie Powell, Pearl Sturdevant,
{,nna Boul, Flora Klooze, Veta Jose, Maude
Jmith, Clytie Hoskin, Anna Bergen, Anna
Boul, Vera Magee Reeves, Dorthy Bergen
)lson, Dorthea Goldsworthy, Clara Bauder
Loyd, Bessie Goodhue, Alice Travis Shanron, Lela Plummer, Myrtle Aumiller, Alvina
llafer, Opal Towers, Mamie Park, Clara Flak,
Pearl Kockenteger Dawson, Ruth Ferseuth,
Pearl Van Dorn Stepens, Mary Evans, Helen
Ragan, Vera Walters, Florence Wigton,
On a February day in 1928, Bessie Wilson
Parnell, Avis Bader Schritter and Vivian
Flagler, No. 1300, Limon, No. 35, and Seibert
No. 128. Odd Fellows Lodges: Burlington No.
[52, Cheyenne Wells No. 153, Flagler No.
135, Limon No. 179, and Seibert No. 37.
The foundations upon which the order
Truth, is
rs solid now as in the early days of its
:onstruction; its principles, belief in a Su-
T305
many offices and was Noble Grand in 1926.
She moved to Boulder in the late 1930's and
later to Washington.
The most recent recipient of the 5O-year
jewel was Sister Phern KuKuk of Loveland.
It was presented to her on June 28,1974, at
a meeting of Grace Rebekahs in Loveland,
which she has attended since leaving Burlington in 1946. She joined Burlington Lodge
in January of t924, serving as Noble Grand
in 1925, as well as other offices. The jewel was
pinned on her by another Comet Rebekah
member who also resides in Loveland now
and attends that lodge.
by Vivian Kiefer
Lomis and Beulah Hamilton to join their
group and the Burlington Garden Club was
formed. The dues were 500 a year and if any
member was absent from a meeting she was
town. The club gave flower seeds to the Camp
Fire Girls and the Girl Scouts to enhance the
competition. To further their efforts in 1931
the club held its first plant exchange which
is still an annual project. In 1934 the club
urged the Burlington City Council to adopt
the gold zinnia as the city flower and after
this was done, gold zinnias were planted
widely in Burlington.
In 1935 The Burlington Garden Club held
its first flower show and the State Garden
Club president, Mrs. Fish, served as the
judge. Also that year the club spent 95.00 on
vases to be used for taking flowers to the
hospital and to those confined at home.
Bessie Wilson and Della Hendricks were
always interested in the world around them,
so they urged the club to undertake a study
of wild flowers. They spent many hours on
field trips while Mr. Woodfin took about 70
pictures for them.
In
1938
the Burlington Garden
CIub
sponsored the "Pioneer Parade and Flower
Show" during the county fair which was then
held in September. In 1951 the county
commissioners asked the club to take charge
of the floraculture booth on a permanent
basis.
In the early days of the club the emphasis
had been on the appearance of the town and
most of the programs had been about flowers
and their culture. This changed during World
War II when Victory Gardens were encouraged and the slogan was "Food for Victory,
Flowers for Morale".
From the beginning the club has had an
abiding interest in birds. Once it sponsored
a contest for the best bird house made by any
boy or girl under 16 years of age. Another
time it sought to protect birds by hanging
bells on pet cats. There is a note that 17 bells
were given out. There were also a few bird
baths in town but interest in them increased
when Mrs. Mead of Denver, wrote that she
had a birth bath mold that she would loan to
the club if it would pay the transportation
costs. To cover these charges each member
was assessed 150 and the club was able to
send for the mold. A large number of bird
baths were made and one of them is presently
on the hospital grounds.
In 1944 the Burlington Garden Club
sponsored the Peconic Garden Club which
had ten charter members. Later on a spot
prepared by the county, The Burlington
Garden Club erected a large fireplace as a
memorial to those who served in the armed
forces. There is a large bronze plaque on it
designating it as the Blue Star Memorial. On
�the site, the Burlington and Peconic clubs
placed picnic tables and benches for the use
of the public.
Another project undertaken by the Burlington club is where Highway 24 comes into
Burlington from the east at what we call the
"Y". The State Highway Department in
cooperation with the Parks and Recreation
Board designed a Wayside Park and recommended plantings for it. The club planted
many trees, shrubs and flowers, particularly
iris.
Probably the largest project for which the
club assumed responsibility was landscaping
the grounds after the Kit Carson County
Memorial Hospital was built. The landscape
plan, as drawn up by the women of the club
received an award from the State Garden
Club Federation in 1955 and won the National Award of Garden Clubs, June 6, 1956.
This was one of two awards presented to any
club west of the Mississippi River. It took five
years to complete the job and in this time the
club planted 46 evergreen trees, 10 deciduous
trees, 117 shrubs, 14 vines and 250 English
privit. Six benches were placed around the
grounds.
When the new Fair Grounds grandstand
built the county commissioners asked the
was
club to suggest a color scheme and so
it
recommended the rainbow of colors that were
used.
Over the years the club has participated in
many parades in conjunction with various
community celebrations the last of which
honored astronaut Mike Lounge in October,
1985. The club entered a float in that parade
and won first place in its class.
Over the past sixty years the club has been
active in many community functions. A total
of 202 women have participated in the club
which presently has 30 active members.
by Marion Janssen
QUO VADrS
FEDERATED
WOMANS CLUB
T306
To dispel the dark shadows ofwar, a social
group known as the Merry Maids of Bur-
lington Club was formed. These young
women were invited to become a Federated
Junior Club. With a membership of eight,
Jubilee Juniors was granted a charter in
March 1941, following admittance to the
Federation at a board meeting in Denver on
January 20, L941. Serving as advisors were
Mrs. Iva Penny and later, Mrs. Ruth Milburn. On June 6, 1946, in a beautiful, formal
candlelight service at the home of Mrs. J.C.
Coleman, Pikes Peak District President,
senior membership was conferred on a membership of nineteen. Quo Vadis, which means
"whiter goest thou", was selected as the new
club name.
Charter members were Alice Pischke
Boyles, Winifred Esch James, Betty Brown
Chalfant, Lois Sandst€dt Bishop, Phyllis
Sandstedt Eberhart, Mary Vailin Sample,
Roma Ross Stanton, and Maxine Wilson
Nixon.
Throughout its existence the club has
initiated and supported many worthwhile
projects for community improvement, social
welfare, and international understanding
including hospital aid, organization of PTA
and Girl Scouts, Christmas Seals, and Red
Cross work. The Howdy Hostess Program
was started in 1956 and continued for some
twenty years. A scholarship was established
in 1960 and a "Dollar for Scholars" benefit
bridge and pinochle party was given. This
became an annual fund raising event for the
scholarship fund through 1964. Various other
money making ideas were later used.
Community Service Projects included preparing March of Dimes envelopes for mailing,
filling sacks for Rotary Club for their annual
Easter Egg Hunt, skits put on by the
members for the Alumni Association, and
preparing floats for various occasions such as
Homecoming, and the Little Britches Rodeo
Parade. In 1949, the club sponsored a room
in the new hospital and the maternity ward
was chosen. A total of $450 was given to
advantages to the community and this club
has left a positive influence on the commu-
nity of Burlington.
by Kathy Lundien
AURORA CHAPTER
#73, ORDER OF THE
EASTERN STAR
T307
complete the room. Each year money was
given to purchase some article needed for the
ward. "Toys for Tots" was start€d in 1963
where a toy was given to any child who was
admitted to the hospital.
In 1968, members began conducting the
door-to-door Arthritis Drive. Each year in
which the club participated in this project
they were recognized by the Arthritis Foundation for collecting the largest amount of
money per club capita in the Tri-state area.
During the club year 1958-59, Crystal Schlosser, who was president, took part in the new
Library Dedication. The honor being hers
because Quo Vadis raised the most money
Aurora chapter of Eastern Star. L. to R.: Front.
Florence Remington, Pat Wilson, Mary Gassner,
Gladys Teselle, Clarence and Vera Magee. Row 2:
Laura Jacobs, Nora Broune, Carolyn King, Anna
Bergen, Peggy Wilson, Lois Halsted and Iva
Penny. Row 3: Dorothy Bergen, Mary Curtiss,
Bessie Guthrie and Alberta Swaim.
toward furnishing the new library. They
raised $94.00 by selling birthday and anniversary calendars.
Money making projects were as follows:
Annual Armistice Day Dance, which in 1945
netted $600 and $300 was donated to the Kit
Carson County Memorial Hospital Fund, the
Mother-Daughter Banquet, Children's Mart,
Traveling Food Basket, White Elephant Sale,
Rummage Sales, Food and Candy Sales.
The ladies did not always work, but did
have a little fun on the nights when they
entertained their husbands. The club had
their first Husband's Party in 1953. Each
year this continued. The early parties were
held on April lst, and in the latter years was
held in February. Another fun project was
having Pixie Pals from 1950-53. Names were
drawn and gifts presented on Birthdays and
Anniversaries.
Some of the club members to achieve high
honors were as follows: Mildred Anderson
served as district treasurer and junior vice
president, Koy Snowbarger served as district
recording secretary, and district president,
Pam Levitt served as district recording
secretary, Dorene Buol tied for second place
in the CFWC Short Story Contest, Marjorie
Robinson won first place in the state on her
story on Geontology, Kathy Lundien served
as district treasurer. Many of the club
members served as district and state chairman of the various departments. In 1976 the
club received a national award on OPERATION IDBNTIFAX (a crime prevention
program).
In May of 1982 this organization, regretfully, came to the conclusion that due to the
many other activities which the members had
there was no longer time for Quo Vadis and
the club disbanded. The many activities
which the club tried to accomplish were
Being desirous of organizing a chapter of
the Order of the Eastern Star, a petition was
circulated by "master masons and wives and
daughters". On a Thursday evening in 190b,
a large number of the petitioners met at the
masonic lodge room and selected the officers
to be recommended for appointment by the
Worthy Grand Patron. Those present suggested names for the Chapter and, after much
discussion, the name "Aurora" was adopted.
That name was suggested by Wm. M. Long,
who it seems had been much impressed by the
brilliant displays of the Aurora Borealis,
which had been visible here that fall. The
awe-inspiring spectacle seemed
name for the new Chapter.
a fitting
On December 29, 1905, Worthy Grand
Patron W.L. Bush was present for the
purpose of instituting Aurora Chapter. The
dispensation was read, to be in force until the
next meeting of Grand Chapter. A full set of
officers was appointed, these chosen in
accord with the wishes of the Chapter. Five
new members were initiated during the first
year. On August 27, 920 was sent to Grand
Chapter with a petition for a charter. However, at the meeting of Grand Chapter the
continuance of the dispensation of Aurora
Chapter was authorized. On September 20,
1907, the Worthy Grand Matron met with the
Chapter and delivered the Charter. That was
a momentous occasion. The work was exem-
plified for the Worthy Grand Matron,
a
practice which has been continued through
the years.
Some of our first regalia was described in
the early minutes of the Chapter. In 1908 a
"carpet" was purchased for $7.50. This carpet
was known as a "floor cloth" and was placed
on the floor of the labrinth for each meeting.
Painted on it were the five stars and their
�emblems
in appropriate
colors. Music has
always been of great importance in our work,
and the Chapter joined with three other
organizations in purchasing an organ. Our
has played an important part in our history
and we hereby pay them tribute!
by Marie lloskin
of the cost was $10.50. In 1926 the
Chapter paid the Rebekah lodge $30.00 on
share
the piano they purchased. Our own piano was
later secured when we started meeting in our
present Chapter room.
It
is interesting to know when various of
our customs were set. In 1929, an "instruction
committee" was appointed. This later became the proficiency committee which became required in 1934. We began supplying
our past matrons and patrons with pins in
1924. At the time this was quite an expenditure, because we had to supply pins for all
pins in
previous matrons and patrons
- 16
all. The dates for elections and installations
have been changed several times, having been
from November to May to September. Chapter dues have ranged from $2.50 to $12'50'
The coin march began in 1921, with the
money first being used to buy flowers for the
sick. We began publishing year books in 1945.
The last tradition to be added was that of
giving 25 year pins which we began in 1951.
During the early years, there were many
trials concerning our meeting hall facilities.
The janitor service was poor, regalia had to
be moved and carried up flights of stairs to
each meeting, and often there was no heat.
Then, beginning in 1947, plans were made by
the Masons for a new Masonic Temple. Our
Chapter pitched in by operating a booth at
the county fair for the next 6 years. In 1951
it was reported that the Masons had bought
the Christian Church and would remodel it
for a Masonic Temple. Then indeed did the
Chapter give liberally of the money they had
earned, for furniture and to help remodel and
furnish the basement. August 25, 1951, the
Grand Officers of Colorado came to Burlington and dedicated our Chapter room.
It
has always been a pleasure to welcome
the Grand Officers to our Chapter and to
entertain them with
a
banquet. Looking back
we find that at a banquet in 1913 two turkeys
cost $2.75 and a pound of coffee cost 300. In
1933 and 34, the banquets cost 500 per plate.
By 1948 the cost had risen to $1.50 and today
the cost is $8.00.
In
1929 an assembly of the Rainbow for
Girls was organized. An afternoon party was
given for prospective girls and their mothers,
to explain the order and encourage the girls.
Burlington Assembly #24 was instituted
January 25, 1930. Our Worthy Matron Vivian
was a Charter member.
In April 1978, shortly before official visit'
new carpet was installed, new drapes purchased, new pedestals and a new altar cloth
were added. Several garage sales and bazaars
were held to raise funds for these projects.
SCOUTING IN
BURLINGTON
T308
The scouting program was started in
Burlington in April, 1940, with the chartering
of Troop 38. The chartering institution was
the Burlington Rotary Club who has continually sponsored the program for the past 48
years. The first Scoutmaster was Lloyd
Green, pastor of the First Christian Church.
Bill Haughey was his assistant and when Rev.
Green Ieft Burlington, Bill became the
Scoutmaster. In 1944 Jerry Penny became
Burlington's first Eagle Scout. Walter Bauder was then drafted as Scoutmaster and he
helped his sons, Don and Warren, earn their
Eagle Badges
in
In June of
1945.
1945 Henry C. Beatty was
appointed pastor of the Methodist Church
and shortly thereafter assumed the duty of
Scoutmaster. Scouting really grew in Burlington during his leadership and 4 of his
Scouts earned their Eagle Badges. They were
Mike Winningham in 1946, Jim Penny 1948,
Bill Flatt 1949, and Dean Wigton in 1950.
During the fifties various men served as
Scoutmaster, they being Bruce Channell,
Dick Thomas, John Bryner, Gene Pinalto,
Elbert Akers, and Percy Lounge. In 1954
Burton Beahm became Burlington's 8th
Eagle Scout.
In the sixties, Scoutmasters were Percy
Lounge, Wert Frerichs, Gary Long, Larry
Schlasis, Frank Meggers, Kenneth Morrison,
J.B. Beecham. and Milton Harrison. In 1964
Roger Beahm received his Eagle and was
joined by Terry Buol in 1965. During the
seventies, Scoutmasters were Kenneth King,
Jim Timmie. Don Cornella, Lonnie Barlow,
Jim Richardson, and Glen Davis with
10
Scouts earning their Eagle Badge. They were
Randy Hertneky 1970, Harry Hertneky 1971,
David Hahn 1973, Kurt Lucas 1975, David
Hertneky 1977, Mike McCulloch 1977, the
McCullock twins, Mark and Mitch in 1978,
J.D. Richardson 1979, and George Hertneky
in 1979. The troop had some excellent
leadership during this period.
In the eighties the Scoutmasters were Glen
Davis, Rick Hiltman, Luis Rodriguez, Dwight
Holmes, and Kevin Schott who is presently
serving as Scoutmaster. During this period 5
Scouts became Eagles, they being Jason
Currier 1981, Greg McCullough 1982, Jeff
Currier 1982, Jay Tatkenhorst 1986, and Jon
we presently use on our Altar was Sister
Cromwell in 1987.
The Burlington Troop has the distinction
of having 2 families with 4 Eagles in each
family, they being the Hertnekys and the
McCullochs. There are also 4 other families
with 2 Eagles, they being the Pennys, Bauders, Beahms, and Curriers. The Burlington
Scout Troop has been very viable in our
Eileen's when she served as Worthy Grand
Matron and was presented to her by our
Rainbow Assembly.
Obviously it is possible to mention only a
few of our members by name in this short
resume of 80 years, but anyone who is now or
ever has been a member of Aurora Chapter,
Christmas sacks. the Chamber of Commerce
Annual Easter Egg Hunt, and various clean
up and paint up projects. They have manned
the grandstand concession stand at Kit
Carson County Fair for about 35 years and
the Little Britches Rodeo since it started.
During the past 80 years we have had
several of our eisters serve as Grand Representatives, Grand Pages, District Instructors
and various other committees. 3 sisters have
served as Grand Officers. Sister Eileen
Wiedman served as Worthy Grand Matron of
the State of Colorado in 1970-71. The Bible
community, helping
with distribution of
The profits from the concession stand
has
enabled many Scouts to go yearly to our Pikes
Peak Council Camp at Camp Alexander.
Other high adventure trips made by the
Scouts over the years was a canoe trip into
Canada in 1955 led by Willard Gross and
Herman Rau. In 1960 another canoe trip led
by Maddie Stubbs and Dr. Ray Beethe, and
in 1965 another group led by Ron Stoner and
Menil Amsbury. In 1970 a float trip down the
Green River into Dinosaur National Park was
led by Harry Hertneky, Weldon Vance, Curt
Penny, and Bob Hendricks, then in L972 a
wilderness trip into the San Juan Mountains
Area led by Jim Timmie, Lewis Carlin, John
Swick, and Bob Hendricks. In 1979 another
float trip led by Merle Worden and Harry
Hertneky, and in 1981 2 groups ofScouts took
the float trip down the Green River, the first
one by Jack Currier, Charles Walstrom, and
Glen Lucas, and the second one by Glen
Davis and Jim Morrison.
The Cub Scout program was started in
1949, one year after the Boy Scout program,
and has been serving the boys of the Burlington Community for 47 years. Again, the
Burlington Rotary Club was the sponsoring
institution ofPack 38. It is not known for sure
who was the first Cubmaster, but it seems
that Parvin Penny and Walter Bauder helped
at that time. In June of 1945, Willard Gross
to Burlington from Colby, Kansas
where he had started their Cub Pack in 1941
moved
and served as its Cubmaster for nearly 4
years. While in Colby he also helped organize
the Cub Pack in Goodland and
Oakley,
Kansas. Immediately upon moving to Burlington he was recruited to be the Cubmaster
of Pack 38, a position he held fot about 2r/z
years. The records are not very complete as
to who served as Cubmaster during the fifties
and sixties. In the fifties Rev. Omer Timmons, Edward Varela, Martin Buol, and Jim
Rawson served as leaders. In l96L Norman
Travis was Cubmaster and in 1962 Dale
Tallent was signed on and in 1963 through
1966 Willard again served 4 years, followed
by Max Hahn. Leaders in the seventies were
Dean Brown, LeRoy Arends, Glen Lucas,
Lonnie Barlow, Hal Williams, and Phil
Woodrick. Then came Pat Gergen in 1981,
1982, and 1983, followed by Obey Barnes in
1984 and 1985. Dale Hansen assumed the
Cubmaster responsibility in 1986 and presently is serving in that capacity. There have
been many dedicated Cubmasters, Webelo
Leaders, Den Mothers, and Committeemen
over the years. Many Cubs and parents have
been involved in the annual Pinewood Derby
and the Blue and Gold dinners and have
supported the Cub program.
Burlington also has had an Explorer Post
from time to time. The records show a Post
in 1966 with Ronald C. Stoner as Advisor.
Sometime after that George Wells and LeRoy
Arends were Advisors to a Post sponsored by
the St. Paul's Lutheran Church.
The Burlington Rotary club has done much
for Scouting over the years. They annually
conduct the finance drive to raise funds for
our Pikes Peak Council. The Council in turn
gives service back to our community in
providing training sessions for our leaders, a
scout camp, literature, and makes sure that
our program is on target and viable in our
community. Each fall the Rotary Club hosts
free picnic at the football field which is used
as a recruiting time to sign up new Tiger
Cubs, Cub Scouts, and Boy Scouts. In the late
a
�forties the Rotary Club, with the help of the
Town of Burlington, completed the "Scout
Kiva" building which previously had been a
cement water storage reservoir beneath the
water tower at the North end of Main Street.
This has been home to the Burlington Troop
for over 40 years. It appears that in the near
future, that the Boy Scouts and the Girl
Scouts will have a new Scout home that will
be built and donated by Harold McArthur.
Probably the one individual who has
promoted and done more for Scouting in
Burlington than anyone else is Willard Gross.
He has been a registered Scouter for nearly
47 years of which 43 years has been in
Burlington. He is known as "Mr. Scouting"
in our area. He has served many years on the
Cub Scout and Boy Scout committees and in
the absence of a Scoutmaster he has assumed
that position to keep the program going. He
is the recipient of the Silver Beaver Award
which is the highest award a Scout Council
may bestow upon a Scouter. He is also a
recipient of the Award of Merit which was
given by the Hi-Plains Scout District. Both
of these awards are given for outstanding
service to Scouting, for work with youth and
participation in church, business, and community activities.
The best known person to come out of
Burlington's Scouting program is Mike
Lounge who was a member of Troop 38 in the
late fifties and early sixties. Mike was very
active in Scouting and later received an
appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy. He
then joined the NASA program and became
an astronaut. In 1985 he made 12? orbits of
the earth in the "Discovery" Bpacecraft over
an 8 day period and was honored in 1985 by
the City of Burlington with a big parade,
barbeque, football geme and other activities.
Scouting has affected the lives ofhundreds
of boys in Burlington and we feel
it
has
helped them to "Do Their Best" and to "Be
Prepared" for whatever task they undertook.
I have looked at several old charters and
registration papers to locate names and dates
of those who have served. A lot of these
papers are missing and I have done the best
I can with what information I have to fill in
the gaps. I may have missed leaders, but I
assure you it has not been intentional.
by Willard Gross
ROTARY
T309
Rotary was born in the city of Burlington
on the night ofFeb. 23, 1905. Paul Harris and
three of his friends, out of loneliness and the
lack of fellowship between men of varied
professional interests, developed a club. It
was thus that Rotary was founded by men
who recognized the need for fellowship as well
as the need for securing additional business
through contacts with other business men. It
was soon discovered however, that the fellow-
ship derived from their meetings was far
On October 5, 1936, some Burlington
first organizational
businessmen held their
meeting. Nineteen charter members were
a constitution and
bylaws of the Burlington Rotary Club. Those
present and drafted
Charter members were: Ned R. Brown,
Claude Coleman, John J. Esch, Dr. Glen
Flatt, William H. Jacobs, Henry P. Klutz,
Elmer C. Baker, Walter H. King, T.W.
Backlund, Hugh W. Gleason, Carl Hamilton,
Harold Keese, Dr. M.E. Robinson, Louis
Vogt, Harry Shank, Arthur Wilson, T.H.
Thomas, Orin Penny, and C.D. Reed.
From this group, a board of directors were
in turn elected the first
officers of the club. The first board and
officers were: C.D. Reed, President; T.H.
elected and they
Thomas, vice-president; J.C. Coleman, secretary-treasurer; William H. Jacobs, sergeant
of arms; John J. Esch, Henry Klutz,
Dr.
Glenn Flatt, Ned Brown, and Dr. Murray
Robinson the board.
Charter night was held at Shank's Cafe on
Nov. 17, 1936. It was a gala evening and all
members were there with their Anns. Goodland, our sponsor club, had 20 Rotarians with
their wives, Denver 17, Colorado Springs 14,
and Colby 9, along with District Governor
Roy Weaver and Charley Aimes from Pueblo.
Berny Vessey was on hand from the Colorado
Springs Club and he got us offto a flying start
in the singing department. We believe he was
the prime reason why Burlington has always
been known as the "Singing Club".
In 1939-1940, the Aims and Objects com-
mittee recommended to the Club that they
sponsor a Boy Scout Troop in Burlington,
which was approved by the board. In 19411942, Rotarian Glenn Flatt was named
treasurer for the Boy Scout organization. The
usual contribution was made to the community Christmas program and a committee of
Jacobs, Rhoades and Hoskin were named to
assist in this work. The Club also voted to
make a contribution of $1 per member
towards the purchase of an ambulance for
war work.
In 1942-1943, arrangements were approved
for the holding of the annual boy
scout
carnival. During the year the club gave free
movie tickets to the boys being inducted into
the armed service.
In 1943-1944. one of the main efforts of the
year was the securing of a permanent meeting
place for the Boy Scouts, being sponsored by
the group. The board of directors voted to
buy a piano for the club that year. The
following year, since the war seemed to be
drawing closer to an end, the Rotary decided
to sponsor the
hospital as
a
community
project. tn 1945 and 46, much time was given
to sponsoring the hospital for Burlington.
New members were initiated into the club
that year: Rev. Henry Beatty, Harold McArthur, Kermit Buol, Bob Shamburg, Henry
Hoskin, Standish, Winningham, Fisher,
Pugh, Harrison, Bruner Penny, Houschouer,
Ardueser, Fundingsland, Zick and Powell.
Projects for the year were limited by
necessity due to the tremendous effort on the
part of club members to carry to completion
its one main project that of erecting the Kit
more important than the making of sales.
In the Rotary year 1960-61, the Burlington
Club reached its greatest heights up to that
time. The club was honored by having one of
its members for district governor in District
547, Walter King, charter member and 8th
president of the club was recipient of the
Carson County Hospital. The brickwork
rapidly neared completion and the cornerstone was laid in the spring of L947. At last
the hospital was complete and the first
patient was received in June 1948.
In 1951-1952, the Burlington Rotary be-
honor,
c'me a 100% Rotary Foundation Fellowship
Club. The Walking Blood Bank for the new
Kit Carson County Memorial Hospital was
sponsored and funds were raised to buy an
automatic elevator for the hospital. In 19531954, the club sponsored a drive to send lead
pencils to the children in Syria.
The Club had a rather unusual distinction
in 1954-55, in that it had three sets of fathers
and sons: John Buol with sons Kermit and
Martin; Thornton Thomas with son Richard;
and William Hendricks with son Bob. The
Club was responsible for a very successful
father's night with 100 local farmers in
attendance. In 1959-60, the group sponsored
the first all community talent show. New
members for the year 1960-1961 were: Mel
Semmel, Dale Kelly, Dr. Ben Jones, Dr.
Clancy Ross and John Hudler was reinstated.
In 1961-1962, the highlight ofthe year was
the 25th anniversary of the club. 5 members
of the 19 charter members were present.
During the year the club caried out a bicycle
safety program under the direction of Dale
Hanna and Dr. Beethe. A total of 159 bicycles
were inspected and licensed in Burlington. In
the spring, a bicycle rodeo was held with over
100 boys and girls competing for prizes. The
State Highway Patrol helped with the program.
The main feature of the year 1963-64 came
with the appearance of the Air Force Academy Band of 60 pieces. A packed house of
more than 1000 persons heard the concert.
In 1965-1966, the board voted to pay the
expenses for seven boys to attend the Christian Athletes Convention in Estes Park. New
members that year were: Fred Rock, C.W.
Patrick, John Swick, and Brett Bell.
The club assisted in sponsoring the F.C.A.
boys group who attended a state conference,
several exchange students from and to Aus-
tralia and Farmer's Night sponsoring many
farmers of the area.
Rotary sponsored a circus in 1973 which
proved to be well received. Nine new members were taken into the membership. Two
charter members and past presidents, Cece
Reed and Thornton Thomas passed away.
The Boy Scout fund drive was the largest ever
collected, $4,927,in 1976. Two members were
taken in and the club presented a "Variety
and Talent" show which was very successful.
In1976-1977 nine new members joined the
group. 1980 had a very successful Boy Scout
fund drive with $5,338.00 collected and six
new members were taken in. The annual Bell
Bonfils Blood drive was started and has been
an ongoing project through the 80's. The club
has served the annual Pancake Feed at the
Little Britches Rodeo as a fund raising
project. The club gave tribute to Willard
Gross, known as Mr. Scouting in this area and
organized the "Rooster Roundup" a brainstorm of Rod Rawson in 1982-83. Over
$6000.00 was raised by way of the roundup
and has proven to be a great success through
the 1980's.
OLD TOWN
T310
Old Town had its beginning when Edgar
Pratt went to Ernest McArthur to ask him
about moving a barn to Burlington from the
Charley Pizel place which is north of Kanorado, Kansas. They went to the fair grounds to
�
Dublin Core
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Title
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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
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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
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Burlington
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 Burlington as recorded in the book History of Kit Carson County
Type
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text
Creator
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Salmons, Janice
Hasart, Marlyn
Smith, Dorothy
Language
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English
Is Part Of
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History of Kit Carson County Volume 1
Format
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text/pdf
Publisher
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Curtis Media
Rights
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<a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/</a>