https://kccarchives.cvlcollections.org/files/original/17/455/Families-B1.pdf 243b51c6efa871f7f074c4397be39e33 PDF Text Text grandchildren, and 12 great great grandchildren. by Georgia Megel BABER, Vy. EARL F27 W. Earl Baber, retired rancher and farmer of Burlington for many years, was one of the leading ranchers in this area. Mr. Baber was owner ofa fine operation where he specialized in the feeding of cattle and hogs. His brand was Inverted TY. His main crops were feed wheat. Mr. Baber cnme with his parents to Cheyenne County in 1906 where they took a homestead of 160 acres. In 1913 Earl Baber took a homestead of 320 acres. He still has his original papers of relinquishment, signed by L. to R.: Mattie (Br"-meier) Smith, Everett Armstrong, Georgia Megel, Betty Smith, Clara Brammeier, Emil fumetrong, Cora (Petefish) Youet (oldest), Charleg Armstrong. Front: Mary Elizabeth and John Everett Armetrong - SOth Anniversary, April 8, 1958. father, Lonson Butler Armstrong, came to Kit Carson County, Colo. in 1906, south of Burlington, to a homest€ad. The Butler, in his name. was his mother's maiden name. Lonson married Cora Smith, they had three children, Cora, Mattie, and John Everett. Cora, the mother, died when John was 1 year old. Grandfather Armstrong worked as a janitor for Dr. and Mrs. Gillette in the old Burlington hospital. My mother, Mary Elizabeth Towers, was born July 6, 1886, in Illinois. She came to Burlington about the snme time in 1906, with her parents, George and Emily Towers and brothers and sisters, by emigrant train. Emily Towers was a Ruddel. Her brother helped build or rather brick the old Burlington courthouse. Grandfather Towers raised fancy horses and brought them on this train also. They stopped in Kansas City to feed the horses. My mother, Mary, took her two sisters into the drug store here to shop or look around. Mary lost track of her younger sister, she went right up to the store owner and accused him ofstealing her sister. But the girl was later found and she was neither lost or stolen. They homesteaded south of Burlington, about 1 mile north of the correction line and 6 or 8 miles to the west. My mother was 18 at the time and she also took a homestead of her own. Grandfather Towers ran the last livery stable in Burlington. John Everett Armstrong married Mary Elizabeth Towers in Burlington, April 8, 1908. They raised 8 children, 5 girls, and 3 boys. I, Georgia Lonzona Armetrong (Megel), was born the 2nd daughter on Nov. 13, 1910, on the farm south of Burlington. I was named Georgia Lonzona after both my grandfathers. I remember going to a school where the teacher was Della Hendricks. When my brother Everett was born, I was going to school in a adobe school house. We only went to school five months one year. Joe Boyles was a neighbor to father and when they moved into Burlington, they gave father a boat. Dad would hitch the horse up to the boat and haul us kids and the school teacher to school in it in about 1918. Mrs. Borten, whose maiden nAme was Wedmore, had 3 children and she taught them and me school in her own house. Once I boarded with a neighbor, Clarence Nickerson, and his wife Blanche. They didn't have any girls so I stayed with them. They bought me a newgxeen coat. I well remember his beautiful white horse, he'd put me up in the saddle with him and we'd ride. They were Seventh Day Adventists, and once they took me to Denver to a meeting in tents with them. One tent for the colored folks and one for the white folks. We kids went right in the colored tent and sat down. My oldest sister, Cora, didn't want to leave home or board out so she rode a horse to her school about 5 miles away. I remember I took the eighth grade twice, because Dad wouldn't let us girls go into Burlington to work. They said I was too young and should take the eighth grade again for something to do. So I did. All my brothers went to the service during W.W.IL Everett was a tank driver, in the Army in Germany and he got wounded and Woodrow Wilson. Mr. Baber lived on this land until 1944, at which time he moved to his present home in Burlington. Mr. Baber and his family underwent many hardships during the dust years, but by dint of.hard work and courage, they cnme through with flying colors. "Baber Corner" has always been a landmark in the area, as it is about halfway between Cheyenne Wells and Burlington. At the time the homestead was taken in 1906 there was only one other house on the route to Cheyenne Wells. W. Earl Baber was born in 1892 in Jameson, Missouri, to Josiah S. and Susannah West Baber. His parents were married in Indiana in 1883 and lived to celebrate their sixty-third wedding anniversary. Earl Baber attended public schools in Missouri. He married Gladys Harker, the daughter of Clinton B. and Mary Logan Harker, in Cheyenne Wells in 1923. Mr. and Mrs. Harker were married in Missouri Valley, Iowa, in 1893. Mr. and Mrs. Baber are the parents of three children: Carol, Williem E. Jr., and Joseph Lynn. Carol is maried to Martin Darnall, and they are the parents of six children: Linda, Lelia, Jimmie, Judy, Timmie and Terry. William Baber Jr., married the former Lois Pratt, and they have two children, Jerry and Betty. William is the manager of the International Harvester store in Burlington and in 1959 earned a trip to New York as top salesman of farm equipment. Mr. Baber served as a member of his district school board. He is well known throughout his area as a hard-working, resourceful farmer whose perseverance has been rewarded with success. received the purple heart. Emil was in the Air Force and Charles was in the Navy in Japan. Sister Clara married Elmer Brammeier. They lived south of Burlington in a sod or adobe house. Sister Mattie married Edgar Brammeier, brother Emil married Betty Yotsey. (Betty's mother was also a Brammeier). Sister Betty married Jack Smith after the folks moved into Denver. Everett married Laura Wright from around Denver, and Charles married Dolores from Kansas. My folks moved into Denver and daddy worked at Denver General Hospital. He took the trays of food up to the patients. Mother and daddy stayed in a nursing home to the last. Mom was buried in Burlington, July 9, 1973, and Daddy died in 1975. All my family and uncle Bert Towers are buried in Burlington. They left 51 grandchildren, 60 great by Janice Salmans BACKLUND FAMILY F28 Alvin Lorenzo Backlund, born in Stromsburg, "The Swede Capitol of Nebraska," on Nov. 8, 1885, and Florence Judith Elmgren, born in Ogallala, Neb., Jan. 3, 1888, were united in marriage Nov. 12, 1911. Both were of pure Swedish descent, their parents migrating to America, the land of the free and the brave. Following in their parents' footsteps the Backlunds, with their two small children, Alvin L. Jr., and Maxine Frances, "migrated" �to Burlington in March of 1920 to seek their fortune in the undeveloped west. Mr. Backlund, along with his brother Theodore William, come to Burlington several weeke in advance of his family, the two men starting an implement buginess known as Backlund and Company, dealers for Hart Parr tractors and other farm equipment. According to the daughter, the arrival of the family on the scene was an unforgettable day. They traveled by train, there being six passenger trains daily in Burlington, stepping off of the train into a raging dust storm go intense you couldn't see your hand in front of your face. To add fuel to the fire, Mr. Backlund was not on hand to meet the train and the mother, having lived in the city most of her life, was appalled by her first glimpse of the little one-horse town. The children heard her mutter as she grabbed their hands and start€d walking down Main Street, "Now, why did Al ever bring me to this God forsaken hole?" Yet when they moved back to Lincoln, Neb., in 1938 because of poor economic conditions, she cried the hardest because she didn't want to leave her beloved home in Burlington. Brother Ted remained in the community and operated Backlund and Company until his retirement in the late took turns in teaching small groups of boys and girls who attended school. The gray wolves were very bad in the northern woods, but I never heard of them attacking a person. They were rather curious animals, and would follow a rider or sleigh for miles. I remember the spring I was four years old, we drove to town and the wolves followed the sleigh home, a distance of fourteen miles. Mother used to trade with the Indians and get venison for tea, sugar and other supplies they wanted. We never had any trouble with them, and they seemed quite friendly. When I was nine years old we moved to Lake View, Michigan and there I saw my first church and Sunday school. We lived here three years, then father, who was a country doctor, and of a rather roving disposition, decided to return to the lumbel samps. We lived there for awhile, then again we moved back to Lake View and lived here for three years more. By this time mother's health was very poor and she was ordered further west. We got a light wagon, fitt€d it up with a mattress and made it as comfortable as possible for The family used to sit around and tell tales of early days in Burlington and one of their mother, loaded our belonging on other wagons, and started west. We did not hurry, and enjoyed camping and visiting at other camps and small towns as we cn-e along. We always planned to stop at a town or farmhouse where we could procure eggs, butter and milk. When favorites was when their Dad told them about the land promoters bringing people by train we cnme through the northern part of Iowa, it was still unsettled, nothing but shanties '60's. to the community to endeavor to sell them land. In order to impress them with our "western hospitality" they would go out in the country the day before the arrival of prospective buyers and pay a rural family to have a bounteous meal ready at noon the next day. They would then act as if they just happened to be in that vicinity at mealtime and the "friendly" family would "invite" the group into their home to share their meal. Another son and daughter joined the family circle while they lived in Burlington, Carl William and Charlotte Anne. When they returned to Nebraska, all of the children moved with them with the exception of Maxine. She married John Rollin Hudler on Nov. 12, 1936, and has stayed in the good old home town, the Hudler family having owned and operated the local newspaper, "The Burlington Record" for the past 55 years. Mr. Backlund moved back to Burlington following the death of his wife Florence in 1965, living here until his death in 1976. The two brothers now make their respective homes in New York City and the younger sister in Log Angeles but Burlington will always hold a soft spot in their hearts. by Maxine lludler BAKER, ELMER C. F29 I was born March L3, 1872 near Detroit, Michigan and while still a small child, moved with my parents into the north woods of Michigan among the big lrrmfel camps, and lived in a dugout during the severe winters. I went to school in a log house; the seats and desks were made from split logs. I started school to my own mother when I was three and one-half years old. My mother was a teacher and she and a cowin, dso a teacher, and long grass. I remember some of the natives showed us how they would wind the long grass into rolls for fuel; and it was surprising to us how long it would burn. We traveled on west and finally we arrived in McCook, Nebr., and settled south of Indianola, on Beaver Creek,living there and helping to build the railroad from Oxford, Nebr. to St. Francie, Kansas. This was in 1886, and the town of Danbury was just start€d. In 1886, we came to St. Francis. Kans. and father took a homestead out north of Kanorado, about eighteen miles and about five miles south of Jacqua, which at that time was composed of two small general stores, one drug store, and a small hotel. When I was seventeen years old, I began teaching school in the district in which we lived, and that little frame school house is still standing. I taught there the first term and Miss Jessie VanWinkle, who later becavne my wife, taught the second term. I taught several terms of school in Kansas, then cnme to Colorado and taught in the public school for two and one-halfyears, resigrring the position to work in the office of the county treasurer. I worked in this office about four months and then became affiliated with the Stock Growers Stat€ Bank, and stayed in this work from 1902 to 1907. I then organized the Baker Abstract company, and began my work from the original set of books started by Daniel Kavanaugh, the first county clerk (elected) of the new county, and containing entries made from Elbert county before Kit Carson County was organized. In 1910, I returned to the bank and worked at banking and abstracting until 1,916, when I gave up banking and devoted all my time to the abstracting business, in which I'm still engaged. In the early days we used parched rye for coffee, and hauled our water from the Republican river. One of our neighbors by the nnme of Van Horn had a hand dug well over one hundred feet in depth. He would charge us five cents for watering a team and ten cents a barrel for water hauled. The emmigrants used to resent this charge. They did not stop to consider the expense of putting down a well like that. We used sagebrush for fuel and would plow up the plants, thus getting the long tough roots which made good firewood. This was stacked up close to the house and was easy to get in all kinds of weather. This was an interesting country; people came from everywhere, bringing with them their talents and culture, their ideals and nmbitions. We tried to make the best of the conditions and times in which we lived. Everybody worked at what they could get to do; amusements were few and we learned to be content with what we could work for and get for ourselves. by E. C. Baker BAKER, R. E. FAMILY F30 Robert E. Baker and Bonnie (Wanda Lee) and son Bobby David age 7, migrated to Burlington, Co. in June of 1955 from Cozad, Nebr. In Oct. of the same year another son Barry Lee wag born. In partnership with George and Aldean Pischke they purchased the Ford Garage from Perry Miller, located on the corner of 13th and Martin. Two years later the dealership was enlarged and moved to Rose Ave. located at the now Chadderton Ford. In 1962, the dealership was sold to Edmund Ebeler. The Bakers then purchased "The Men's Shop" in partnership with C.E. McCartney and H.J. Mcune. Later Bob purchased C.E. McCartney's interest. Bob and Bonnie were active members of the United Methodist Church serving on numerous committees. Bob was church treasurer and Bonnie taught children and adult Sunday School classes. Bob, an active member of the business community, served as President of the Chnmber of Commerce, President of the Lion's Club, Master of the Masonic Lodge and President of the Golf Club, is now serving on the Local Housing Authority Board. Bonnie was President of the Ladies Golf Club, President of the Quo Vadis Womens Club and President of the Library Board. In 1962, Bonnie assumed the job of the Swimming Director of the local swi--ing pool located at 18th and Senter. She was instrumental in planning the new pool located beside the High School and introduced many swimming progra-s including Competitive swim program affiliated with the West Kansas Swim League and was a qualified Missouri Valley A.A.U. Referee. Bonnie retired from the pool in 1982 and became more active in the operation of the Men's Shop. Bob has many hobbies including golf, fishing, motorcycling, wood working and is interested in art and does watercolor, pen and ink and oils. Bonnie's hobbies are sewing, reading, and as a member of the Library Board is looking forward to the construction of the new Library. Son Robert David graduated from Burlington High School in 1966, and served in the Navy Seabees for four years, two of which �were spent in Vietnnm. After the service he attended LaJunta Jr. College and graduated from the University of Northern Colorado at Greeley, Colo. in 1975. Now he has his own business, "Baker Development", in Greeley. His main hobby is Hot Air Ballooning. Barry L. graduated from Burlington High School in 1975, and attended General Motors training school in Dallas, Tex. He is now employed at Weld County Motors in Greeley, Colo. Barry regides in Fort Collins, Colo., with hig wife Valerie and two children: Bryson and Breanne. Barry's hobbies are his family, golf and boating. Valerie operates her own Day Care Center. by R.E. Baker BANEY, LELAND F3r The Baney's, Leland and Dorothy with their two small daughters, Ann and Linda moved to the Smoky Hill Community in January of 1950 from Benkelman, Nebraska, locating about two miles south of the Smoky Hill School in an adobe house. Leland, farmer and rancher, had the opportunity to lease some of the land his late father-in-law, Edward Zorn had acquired in the late thirties and early forties. About two years later the drouth of the fifties hit with the next four or five yeare being rough financially. Our cow herd had to be gold when the pastures remained dormant. In fact for four years little was produced with many very bad dust storms. One night we were with Allen and Eloise Joppa returning from a card party at the Bob McClelland home when the wind and dirt hit' making it impossible to see. Until you have experienced this situation, it is hard to degcribe. Only by putting his head out of the car window were we able to find our way A blizzard in early November 1957 is not to be forgotten. The day had been warm and dressed accordingly, Leland accompanied Leo Windscheffel to Burlington to a night meeting,leaving his car on the correction line. When leaving town it was snowing hard with a strong wind. Not realizing the motor had blown full of snow, Leland started for home. After two miles the engine drowned out from the melting snow and he was marooned for 32 hours, near the Wayne Iseman home which was then vacant. Fortunately the temperature didn't drop much below freezing. Recess at Smoky Hill was usually a ball ga-e and everyone played. This particular day eight year old Ann was catcher with Kay Meyers Carson batting. Ann, too close to the home plate, was hit in the head when Kay swung. The wound required several stitches and proved a valuable lesson for the young player. Ann and Linda both love the farm and enjoyed feeding cattle, branding, moving irrigation pipe, changing water, harvesting wheat, trucking the grain, shocking feed, etc. So many young people today will never experience these things and the beauty of nature which God has provided because the fanily farm is rapidly fading away. The dry, windy years, grasshoppers, hail, late and early frosts, blizzards, sometimes one following another had been hard, but we have had many bountiful years, too, with the good outweighing the bad. The area has been very good to us, the memories are plentiful, with many wonderful lifetime friends and a place we will always call home. by Dorothy Baney BARBER, MADGE PETERSON F32 home. We found this to be an active community with the Smoky Hill Gun Club, Friendship Circle H.D. Club,4H, community church and Sunday School, Friday night pinochle parties, pot-luck dinnere plus all of the school activities. Smoky Hill even had a volleybdl team for several years, entering a tournnment in Goodland, Kaneas. Players were Orville Chapin, John Robertson, Bob McClelland, Tom Lnmb, Joe Long, Claude Bell, and Leland Baney. They won every game to the finals being defeated only by the Goodland coacheg te"m. During a Christmas progrnm at Smoky Hill, Helen Woods Newberry was playing the role of Mary in the Nativity scene, singing to her newborn son, Jesus. Linda, age 2, seated on the front row got up, went up on the stage and stood looking in the cradle. When Helen finished her song, Linda returned to her seat, much to the reliefofher parents. June, 1955, following a day of fishing with Linda' her father and some friends, Ann was helping clean their catch in the garage that evening. Going to the houee she was frightened by the dog running through the sweet corn and she forced her arm through the storm door. A pie- shaped wedge of glass penetrated her arm severing the nerves, muscle and vein, requiring two major eurgeries at Children's Hospi- tal in Denver. We didn't have many boughten toys. We walked on barrels and stilts and rode horses. We had one saddle horse Pop raised from a wild horse. It seems the colt's mother had died, so Pop raised the colt along with Delphia. Anyway, Tony was our constant companion. We had him trained to lay down so we six kids could pile on. Pop would never let us use a saddle, so when one kid fell off, they all did. Tony would stop, lay down, and we would all remount. Tonyshould have been born a mare. He would find a newborn calf in the pasture and keep the mother away. In otherwords, he tried to adopt any small animal. One fall Pop took the lumber wagon and traveled to the railroad station (Laird) to pick up apples, potatoes and coal. Oh, how I hated to desprout those potatoes. Anyway, Pop heard this whimpering at the side of the road. In a gunny sack were two small puppies. He brought them home and we cdled them Trim and True. In those days everyone had what they called an ice cellar. The farmers dug holes in the ground about 15 feet long, 10 feet deep, and 10 feet wide. They lined the hole with straw and cut slabs of ice from ponds and lakes and packed them in the ice cellar with more straw. That was our ice supply for the next summer. One fall when the ice was gone, we kids put planks, 2 x L2's, down in the ice cellar and crawled into the cellar to play in the straw. Suddenly we got tired of that and all crawled up the planks, but Harry, the youngest sti[ in diapers. Harry would start up the plank and Trim and True would grab his diaper and pull him down. Mamie ran screaming to the house, "Mom, come get Harry, Trim and True are going to eat him." Pop always hauled ensilage to the cattle in the lumber wagon. Of course all we kids and the two dogs would go along. One day the dogs, feeling extra frisky, barked at the cattle and were chasing them away from the bunks. Pop picked up a hammer, not meaning to hurt the dogs. The handle hit True in the head and killed him instantly. We kids bawled for days. My parents lived close to the canyons and breaks. Sometimes the snow got 10 to 15 feet deep in the gulleys. We kids would work for hours pushing a four-wheel horse buggy up a steep hill, then all the kids and Trim would pile in the buggy and down we would go, Wayne and Madge Barber. I was born on Friday, June 13, 1913, to Fred and Mamie Peterson in Yuma County, Colo. My mother was an orphan and had a hard life, so she didn't plan on any girls as they had it too rough. I was the third girl born to Mom as I had two older sisters (Delphia and Eva). The midwife that cared for Mom and me had four boys and no girls. She begged Mom for me, but Pop said no. Mom had three more children; Max, Mamie and Harry. We grew up in hard times. Mom was never well and Pop had a hard time just to feed six hungry wolves; but we never went hungry and never felt deprived. pallmall. Of course, when the buggy got to the breaks, it buried its wheels in the snow and stopped immediately and kids and dog would fly in seven directions. Not too long a ride, but what a finish and what fun! Of course we would go to the house sopping wet to the skin and cold as frogs. It was the younger kids' job (me included) to gather two bushel baskets of pig pen cobs for the breakfast meal. We got into the habit of playing until dark to gather our cobs. One night we were fishing around for cobs among the shucks when we heard a bobcat screem. If you have ever heard a bobcat, you have no idea what a blood curdling noise it is. I think all four kids hit the swinging gate at the same time, I'm not so sure that Pop didn't have to make a new gate. But somehow the cob gathering was never so late again. ) In those days the wolves ran in packs. I remember Pop had walked 3 miles to help a man put up hay. Aft€r dark he started the 3 miles home. The neighbor had given Pop a ham. With the ham under one arm, he started �home. About a mile from home, he heard growling and snarling behind him. Pop walked faster, but so did the wolves. Through the pitch dark he could see the eyes of about a half-dozen wolves that had gotten a whiff of the meat. Needless to say, Pop dropped the ham and made tracks. Eva and I were always building a play house from apple crates and oil barrels. I guess we were like the renter that moved when the rent came due. Seems we moved the play house every 2 or 3 days. My two older sisters were in the Christmas program. Me being only four years old, I felt left out. The teacher said I might give a four- line poem. I was really proud. My mother made me a new blue dress for the big occasion. I pranced down that aisle and stopped to turn around and see all those people looking at me. Of course I got speechless and forgot all of the lines. I gathered up the tail of my dress and started sticking it in my mouth. It seems hours later thatDelphia jrrmped up and said, "Mnma, go get Pigeon," (my nickname). So my stardom never got off the ground. My first four years of school were spent in a one-room country school house. In this neighborhood were a few 17 and 18 year old boys that had nothing better to do but come to school and bug the teacher. She would expel them but they were back the next day. One day in early December she announced that we hadn't been good and there would be My parents died several years ago. Mnmie manied Fritz Brenner, more of a banti rooster than anything else; would rather fight than eat. He generally found someone to accommodate him. I guess Fritz had to live a little faster than the rest of us as he was quite young when he wae killed in an airplane accident with Gale Rogers. Mnmie remarried and now lives in Lakewood, Co. Wayne and I were married in 1932 and in 1935 I had a baby girl (Bonnie Dell). In 1937 I had a baby boy (Charles Dwayne). In 1942 we moved to a farm south of Burlington. We raised wheat, cattle and tried beets for one year, but found them too expensive to grow. In 1968, Wayne contacted emphysema. We rented the ground for a few years and finally sold the ranch in 1973. Wayne's health gradually worsened, and he passed away in 1978. We lived through some tough times, hails storms and bad health, but Wayne gave me a good life and I always knew I ceme first. I have 7 grandchildren and 3 great-grandsons. I have so many good memories of growing up and later with my family and Wayne. So don't be afraid of Friday the 13th - it was pretty good to me. Everyone should be as lucky. If you're not convinced, count the letters in my maiden name. A piece of cake! by Madge Peterson Barber no treats at Christmas, which was the custom. The big boys waited for a real snowy day and when the teacher went to the outhouse, they pushed desks against the door and said they would let her in when she consented to treat us. We got out tteats, but this teacher BARKER, GEORGE FAMILY resigned after the first of the year. A man teacher finished out the term and we really learned our ABC'g. When I was about 10 years old my family moved to the Tom Ashton ranch. I got my next four years of school at the Laird Public F33 I and one of the girls walked about a quarter mile to the mail box, on the way a convicted and served some 40 years in prison. car until the dance was over and bring us home. When I was about 16 years old, a flood destroyed this dance hall, and we girls, having acquired boyfriends, went to dances in a tworoom vacant house. The young people of the group nickn4med the place Hallwood. It was at this dance hall I met my future husband (Wayne Barber). My two older sistcrs maried brothers and live in homt* around Wray. Both my brothers served in World War II and live together at Wray. Gidley, could more easily attend high school. Grampa who was in his seventies, becems 15s manager of Shell's Motel (presently Little Cottage Motel on Rose Ave.) and he and Ruthie lived on the premises until he retired. Like Grampa, my mother was a lot of fun, teaching me how to roller skate by zipping down the sidewalk, shouting over her shoulder, "Do what I do!" She'd also taught me how to swim, by wading into the shallow end of the town pool, holding her hand under my belly until I learned to dog paddle, even though she didn't know how to swim and was afraid of the water. Thus when I was only 11, since Sim was in the hospital, Grampa was living in Oregon with a daughter, and Mother suddenly died, I was devastated. However, Grampa packed his belongings, came back to Burlington immediately, moved in to care for me and I mended. After Sim and Hazel Carmichael were married the next year in 1939, Grampa we never thought much about there being a generation gap between us, even though he was nearly 70 years older than us. Jim, the last of the Barker children, just recently died and, he, like his father before him, was sharp and witty right up to the end. Grandpa George Barker with Oregon grandsons in front of his farm home, SW of Burlington about by Georgeanna lludson Grusing 1920. Eventually the clan grew to young adulthood, and we girls wanted to learn to dence. Our mother didn't approve, said dancing l,ed to ruin, but Pop took us girls to the dances at Olive Lake Resort. He would sleep in the grandehildren who had been widowed, orphaned or were out of work. On Thanksgiving Day 1919, my grandmother was killed instantly when a hot water tank, attached to a wood cook stove, exploded. She had been firing up to prepare the holiday dinner. The same year, my mother and dad, Sim Hudson, were married, living in Burlington. By then all the other Barker children were scattered from Iowa to Oregon, but Grempa continued farming into the Dirty Thirties. Quitting then, he moved into town so that his most recent charge, granddaughter, Ruthie loyalty and fairplay, Hazel, Sim and I all dearly loved him. After Marvin and I were married, Grampa came to live with us, until his death in 1952 when he was 90. Sohehow the ranch south of Laird. the courts it was an accident. He was had room for the varioug children and continued to live with us, offand on for 8-10 years. Because of his great sense of humor, School. That was quite a change from a oneroom school house and the trauma of head lice, measles and scarlet fever. After eighth grade graduation, my family moved back to neighbor picked us up. We noticed he had blood on his hands and clothes. When we asked why, he said he had butchered and hadn't washed his hands. We found out later he had murdered his wife, drug the body to the pig pen and tried to tell town, as part of the phone service. A few years later when Bell Telephone came in, Grnmpa sold out, and bought a farm 13 miles SW of Burlington, not far from what is now our place (Marvin Grusing Farms). For many years Grnmpa lived in a building that was little more than a shack, but he always In 1906, my grnmpa, George Barker, along with hig family, arrived in Burliiigton and bought the phone office whibh wao just north of the present Masonic Lodge, on the south end of Main Street. (Grampa, originally ftom Indiana, had married Clara Bell Cor in Kansas and there they had seven children: Peerl, Tressa, Emttta, Georgia, Jim, my mother, Dolly, who wag born in Phillippsburg Dee, 10, lgQl, and Lolin who died as irr infant.) The girls sefv6d ae t6lephone operators, while Gr"-pa and Jim serviced the,lines, which weie strung on fence posts. Usually the two were offered hot noon meale at the hotieb of thcir cduntry customers, who appreciated Grainpa's girls' r'unning errands rill <iVcr BARNHART - TEEL FAMILY F34 Charley F. Barnhait and Sarah Jane "Jennie" Teel were married May 31, 1905, in Menlo, Kansas. Charley was bofh iri Hunbpldt, Nebraska, on Nov. 26, 1882, the oldest of ? boys urd { S.,tlC. Hi's parente, Jarnes Frairtlin, Sf. and Martha Fraircee (McKee) Barnhart, moved to Rcyinolds, Nebr. in 1E8i! and then in 1891 moved to a farm 1l mileg' *est of Hoxier Kansas, where they were neiihbors td Jehnie's family. Jennie Was boirr in McFall, Misbouri, on May 6, 1885, In 1889 her paiente, John Jispoi dnd saiah llariiidh; �(Rogers) Teel and nine children, made a 21day trip by covered wagon to a farm near Lenora, Ks., and 5 years later moved to Rexford, Ks. Jennie wae the seventh of 13 children, 9 boys and 4 girls. all who had participated. In these days of plenty, some considered the "rabbit drives" inhrrmdls, but at that time it was a matter After their marriage, Charley and Jennie stayed in the Menlo, Ks. area for several about 22 miles, and get their supplies by lumber wagon. A lot of their supplies were bought by the barrelfull and dried fruit in 100 pound boxes. Beside farming, -Charley also went with the threshing machine, helping and taking care of the machine. While Charley and Jennie lived at Bonny, one child, a daughter, Pearl Marie, was born Dec. 1, 1921, so 6 of their 7 children lived with them while they operated the post office. In years. Charley owned a steam engine threshing machine with which he did custom work. They had an old cook shack with iron wheels that they pulled to the fields with them. Jennie did the cooking for 15 to 16 men. The family ate and slept in the cook shack. While they were in Kansas 5 children were born: Everett Lee, Feb. 23, 1906; Florence "Esther", Mar.27,1908; Ira Glen, Feb. 11, 1910; Leonard Nelson, May 6, 1913; and Wilbur "Dean", Oct. 3, 1918. Charley, Jennie and these 5 children came to Colorado in 1918. Charley came in a covered wagon with a few head of horses to help in the farming. Jennie and the children came out on the old "Jersey" trqin and Charley came into Burlington in the covered wagon to pick them up. They moved onto a farm belonging to Charley's sister, Nora Frazier and her family, three miles south of the Republican River near the Yuma-Kit Carson County line. Charley's sieter and family moved to Idaho. In 1919 their son, Everett, got his foot caught in the stirrup of his saddle. His horse ran, dragging Everett and breaking his leg. Not having all the medical technology of today, it took geveral men to hold Everett while the doctor pulled to set his leg. Then he had to have bucket of gand hanging from his foot for quite some time. There were also a lot of cactus stickers to be pulled out. Late in 1919 they bought the Bonny store and post office from Ike Bonny, Sr., who was moving his family to Idaho. On Jan. 6, 1920, Charley was appointed Postmaster. The store and post office occupied one room in a 4-room house where the family lived. The mail cnt'e three times a week on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. One carrier took mail from Burlington to Hale. The carier from the Bonny post office would then meet this carrier at the old Broadsword echoolhouse 14 miles north of Burlington on old Highway 51 (now 385) and take the mail back to Bonny. The job of carrying the mail back to the Bonny post office was first done by Mr. John Baughman and later by Mrs. Dile Henderson. When the post office was closed, Mr. John Winfrey was the carrier. When the mail arrived, Charley's family would sort it and put it in a cupboard with several little cubbyholee. The neighbors, who crme for their mail by horse and buggy, wagon or horseback, sometimes brought eggs to sell to Jennie, and usually picked up a few groceries. Jennie also baked bread and cookies to sell. This was always a good chance for a visit since there weren't too many opportunities t,o do so. There were also ground to farm here so Charley farmed it ag well as that on his sister's farm, doing the work with just his hofses. He raised mostly corn and barley, a few hogs and chickens. Corn sold for only 8 ceuts a bushel in 1923. Since it wouldn't even pay to haul it into town to sell, they burned it for fubl instead. When the rabbits got so numetous and were eating up all the crops, they had to hold "rabbit diives". They would drive them from the east side and from the west side. The side getting the least number ofrabbits had to furnish an oyster supper for of survival. They had to haul the grain to Burlington, the summer some of the children slept in the covered wagon. They had such a problem with mice and rats Charley told them he would give them a penny for each one they could catch, so they had traps set everywhere trying to earn their penny "bounty". They also had to be on the watch for snakes. One day a snake got into the house and curled up around the legs of their heater. Esther BARNHART WINFREY FAMILY F35 On January 27, L933, Leonard Nelson Barnhart and Iva Mae Winfrey were married at St. Francis, Kansas. Leonard had moved to Kit Carson County with his parents, Charlie F. and Sarah Jane "Jennie" (Teel) Barnhart in 1918 from the area around Hoxie, Kansas, where Leonard was born on May 6, 1913. He lived with them during the time they operated the Bonny Post Office and after its closing helped on the farm. [va's parents, James Warren "Jimmie" and Jessie Mae (Biggs) Winfrey lived in the same general area ofthe country and she was born at their homestead on March 11, 1914. After their marriage they lived with Leo- nard's mother and step- father, A. Dile Henderson, whom Jennie had married after Charlie was killed in a threshing machine accident. Leonard was helping Dile farm. It jumped on the counter and started screaming. She was so scared she had a terrible time trying to tell them where the snake was. was a little crowded as there were Jennie & Charley had played on the county baseball team in Kansas, so he and his family attended and played in baseball games whenever there was one in progress. The Happy Hollow schoolhouse was about a mile and a half from brother, Dean, and two younger sisters, Pearl and Marveline all living in a small 4-room house but with a lot of love and patience they managed quite well. them, and they attended the community Sunday School which was held each Sunday. One Sunday there were 200 people there. They also attended school programs, literary box suppers and had picnics as part of their social activities. Since everyone usually had to come to these events by tenm and wagon, they would heat a big rock and put it in the wagon to keep the children from getting too cold. The Bonny post office was discontinued on Feb. 29, 1924. That spring Charley, Jennie and their family moved to a farm at Hale, Colorado. Here their 7th and youngest child, Marveline Frances, was born Nov. 5, 1924. In 1928 they moved back to the old Bonny farm. There was no store there at this time. They were living here when Charley met his death. He was helping with the harvest at the farm of Oscar Anderson and became entangled in a belt on the threshing machine. He died while being taken to the St. Francis Hospital, Oct. 26, 1930, and is buried in Fairview Cemetery in Burlington. Jennie and her children continued to farm. Later she married Mr. A. Dile Henderson, who had also been widowed. After his death in 1943, Jennie lived with her youngest daughter, Maweline and her family, until her death Jan. 15, L972. Jennie is also buried in Fairview Cemetery. Of Charley and Jennie's seven children, four are still living. Esther, with her husband, Harley Rhoades, and Ira with his wife, Louise (Smith), live in Burlington, Colorado; Dean and his wife, Jane (Levine), live in Wheat Ridge, Colorado; and Marveline and her husband, Wanen Fetters, live in Littleton, Colorado. Pearl passed away Mar. 14, 1935 at the age of 13 years; Everett, who married Vivian Agen, passed away June 26,1972 and, Leonard, who married Iva Winfrey, passed away Oct. 29, 1980. by Alice (Barnhart) Jacober Dile, Leonard & Iva, and Leonard's younger Leonard and Iva's first child, Alice Mae, was born September 5, 1935, at the house on the hill just south of Iva's parent's home. After she was born they moved to Dile's farm, which was later owned by George Brenner and where Jerry Brenner now lives. Their second child, Leona Marie, was born here on December 24, t937. They farmed here for a while and then moved to the old Reinholdt (or Cook) Ranch near the Republican River. In the spring of 1939 Leonard and his brother Wilbur "Dean" decided to try their hand at something beeide farming. They moved to Frederick, Oklahoma, to operate an O.K. tire recapping shop. Leonard & Iva, along with Alice and Leona, went in their Model A Ford. Dean and Jane slept in the recapping shop as they only had a l-room motel where they did their cooking, washing, etc. They would go to the movies to see the Lone Ranger. Since it was in serial form, Dean and Jane would go one night, and Leonard and Iva the next time so there was someone to stay with the two small girls. Business was not very good and they were far away from everyone they knew so later in 1939 they came back to Kit Carson County. Jennie and Dile were still living on the Ranch near the river so Leonard and lva moved back into the house where Alice was born and started farming again. They were actively involved in the box suppers, baseball games, and Sunday church services at the Happy Hollow Schoolhouse. In the summer of t942 they moved to Denver where Leonard, along with Chest€r Teel, worked on a construction crew at Camp Hale, near Tennessee Pass, in the Rocky Mountains. This camp was built to train soldiers for winter fighting. When the construction was finished. Leonard started working at the Denver Medical Center. On February 9, 1943, their third child, Dorothy Kay, was born in St. Joseph's Hospital in Denver. When Leonard was drafted into the Army they purchased a small hodse in Burlington at 246 18th Street. Thisallon'ed Iva and their �three children to be ne{uer their relatives while Leonard was in service. On March 28, 1944, he was inducted at Ft. Logan, Colo. and assigned to Cnmp Swift, Bastrop, Texas for his basic training. Following his training he served in the Phillipines with the 4169th Quartermaster Depot Co. Aftpr returning from the Army safely and receiving his Honorable Discharge on January 9, 1946, he worked for Hommond's Creo-ery driving into the country picking up eggs, cream & milk from the farmers on his route. Later he worked in the County Assessor's Office under Parke Guthrie and also in the County Treasurer's Office under Snm Travis. On December 4, L947, their fourth and youngest child, Patsy Lee, was born at the Kit Carson Memorial Hospital in Burlington. The family continued to live at 246 18th Street until 1953. Their oldest daughter, Alice, had graduated from Burlington High School in 1952 and was working in Denver by then, and Leonard's cousin, Emmett Teel, wanted him to go to work in a company he was forming. Leonard started working for him the summer of 1953, and in October of that same year they bought a house in Edgewater and moved. Leonard continued to work for the R.A. Haines Refrigeration Co. until his retirement in 1977. He was thoroughly enjoying his free time and was always busy helping someone until he suffered a heart attack on October 4, 1980. On October 29, 1980 he passed away following complications brought on by the heart attack. Iva still lives at 2215 Ingalls St., Edgewater, CO. Three of their 8 grandchildren and the only great-grandchild also live in Edgewater. The other 5 grandchildren still live with their parents. Alice and her husband, Ed Jacober, livc in the Wet Mountains near Westcliffe, CO.; Leona and husband, John Strasheim, in Arvada, CO.; Dorothy and husband, Bill Hoppers in Golden, CO.; and Patsy and husband, Scott Williarns in Boulder, CO. by Alice (Barnhart) Jacober BARTMAN FAMILY F36 My father, Ed Bartman was born in Big Rapids, Michigan, on July 5, 1882. He worked on railroad bridges for the railroad before coming to Colorado. In 1907 he proved up on a homestead 22 miles northeast of Bur- lington, Colo., and 17 miles north of Kanorado, Kansas. My mother, Elva Smith Bartman was born in Wyoming, Iowa in 1887. She attended a Teacherg College and Normal in Davenport, Iowa. My mother's father, Moses Smith, moved from Iowa to Colorado around 1908 and homesteaded. He then sent for the rest of his family. Myuncles, Ed O.K. Smithand Myron Smith, co-e and proved up on a homest€ad also. There was a need for teachers so my mother, and my aunt, Mae Smith Morgan came and taught school. Mothers homestead was about 10 miles west of our home. Dad first built a little god shanty to live in. This was later used as the hen house. He then built a 4 room adobe house, where all seven of us were born, with the help of a midwife. Ed Bartman and neighbor, Estes Straughn and son Burrell breaking a mule. They tied the mule to a horse that had been broke and understood commands. In the background are the farm buildings on the homestead of Ed Bartman. The long concrete barn in the center was destroyed later by a tornado. My dad built all the farm buildings, an old lumber grainery (still standing), a long cement barn, a hog house and milk house with a windmill. A tornado in 1935 picked up the barn and car shed, carried it, dropping it in a field. In 1927, I helped dad dig a basement with a plow and scrapper. He built forms and poured cement, partitioning this off making rooms for us to sleep. A cook stove and coal heater were used for heat. I was the oldest of seven. My brother Wilfred died around the age of 20. My other sisters are Grace Bartman Baker, now living in Tennessee, Edna Stahlecker of Seibert, Colo., Minnie Goebel (deceased), Edith HixenBaugh and my brother Lawrence Bartman all live in Denver. Dad had horses that he raised to work in robe made from horsehide and lined with wool. I can still hear that flapping as we moved along full speed. Happy Hollow had only 10 grades, so the last two years we had to live in Burlington to finish school. I worked very hard for my room and board. I did all of the housework, washing and ironing for a room in the basement and a little food. I remember always being hungry that first year. The last year I stayed with the Haun family and was treated very well. There was a salesman that came by and sold us a "Red Star Medicine Kit". It was a briefcase that contained every pill imaginable for everything. There was a book we often consulted "The Peoples Library". It described and gave treatmenLs for every disease imaginable, for both humans and the field. He later had a "stud" and a "Jack" and raised horses and mules, as they could work harder than horses. I drove the mules livestock. on a cultivator, harrowed, two rowed and canned in jars or stored in the cellar. A disked. We later got a Fordson tractor and a Farmal that I drove. I remember going to Kanorado, Kan., 17 miles away, with a horse and wagon full of grain. We left before daylight and it was dark when we returned. It was so cold we would get neighbor would come and help butcher a cow and a hog. The beef was canned in jars and the pork salted and cured, for hnm and bacon. Chicken was always available. We killed them as we ate them. The washing was all done on a washboard until the 1930's. Mom even made her own out of the wagon and walk to keep warm. This was where we got our winter supply of coal. We often burned "buffalo chips", corn cobs, sometimes even corn on the cob, as it was We were almost self sufficient. The garden provided all our vegetables, which were either soap. All water had to be carried to the house and heated on the cook stove. cheaper than coal. The Windcharger brought electricity to our home. This consisted of a single light hanging from the ceiling, and a small radio school in 1921. Dad would ride me horseback or I would walk. It was 2Yz miles. Later my brother and I rode horseback. Our horse "old Major" was so tricky, he would rub his bridle off and start running, or just stand, or knock us off. We were too little to get back on, so used only to listen to sermons and the news. Before this all we had was kerosene lamps. In 1931 my dad went to Colorado General The school we all attended was called "Happy Hollow" (District #38). I started we would just stand there until help would come. He never left us. My dad built boxes by 3 of the neighbor's gates so that we could get off and on the horse to open the gates. Later a road was built so we could all go by buggy. "Old Major" would sometimes refuse to climb the hill or sometimes would get part way up and back down, the shaft would come uncoupled and that would give him an excuse to run. We would have to hang on to keep from falling out of the buggy. We had a lap Hospital where they found he had a brain tumor. It was removed and he fully recovered. He repaid the cost of his hospitalization and surgery by working for the county dragging roads, while at the snme time running his farm. Every Sunday we all went to a community Sunday School held at the school house. Someone would lead the singing, then we would separate for our lessons. There was no preacher except for occasionally an Evangelist would come and hold revival services. I and others were baptized in a horse tank. We sometimes went to Kansas, 6 miles away to �a church called "The Gospel Hall". Church was a very important part of our livee. At home we had prayer, and Bible study day. I realize that we owe a debt of gratitude to theee homest€aders as we become aware of their hardships and struggles for survival. I remember well that they lived what they taught, a life of hard work and total honesty in all things. by Edna Stahlecker and Louise Bartman Wagner BASSETTE, WILLIAM H. AND HENRY M. F37 William E. Bassette came to eastern Colorado in the latp 1800's, from Connecticut. He homesteaded land southeast of Burlington and built a sod house, part of his family was already grown and remained in Connecticut. He lost his wife and later married Harriet Foote who was a school teacher. Aftpr his death, Harriet moved into town and was well known to many of the townspeople ae she sold California Co. pro- ducts. That company was later known to become "Avon" Products. Arnong the children accompanying him to Colorado was a younger son Henry Marion, Burlington in 1934, going to Santa Fe, New Mexico where she married, she worked in banking there and later in the Denver area where she and her husband moved to in 1951. She now lives in Loveland, Colorado. Dessie Lola was born in 1918, she left Burlington in 1936 and went to Las Vegas, Nevada as her older brothers and sisters were there and all working. She still lives in Las Vegas where she and her husband Elbert Bailey have had a big part in promoting schools and training for the Retarded Childrens Progrn-. Irma Margaret was born in 1920, she also left Burlington in 1938 and went to Nevada, after her marriage she moved to California where she and her husband had a grocery and meat market. She passed away in 1963. The old home of the Bassette family still stands today. It has seen many changes, but still holds many memories, some very happy and some sad. There are still Bassettes living in the New England and northeastern states, but the William H. and Henry M. Bassette fanilies are only history now. by Anna Bassette Cunningham BAUDER - GOEBEL FAMILY F38 who stayed for a couple of yeare then returned to Connecticut where he lived with an Aunt, Allie Curtiss, he had his schooling ed school at Columbine School Dist. #3 her first and second grade. In January 1936 we moved to Greeley, Colo. and rented an irrigated farm. We lived there until January 1942 when we came back to Burlington. We bought Carl's parents farm and other adjoining land. We farmed until 194? when we moved into Burlington and Carl was manager of Hart Bartlett Elevator until his death November 30th, 1965. I worked as clerk for the late Evelyn Whitmore Fabric Shop, for Reta Lounge, "Spotlight Fabrics", and Orths Dept. Store. Shirley married Dale Mangus, October 5, 1946. They rented our farm and in 1967, I sold them the farm. They have since added more land and have three irrigation wells. They raised three sons, Larry, Stanley and Tony. They now have eight grandchildren. Lany and family live near Parker, Colo., and he works for Mt. Bell. Stan farms and liveoon what was the Ethel and Ralph Jacober Farm. Tony lives on the Martin Bauer farm and works for his dad. Larry has three children, Stan and LuAnn have twoboys and Tonyand Tammy have two girls and one boy. I live at 814 - 14th. St. I keep busy doing china painting, sewing, quilting, yard work, participating in Senior Citizen activities, visiting and enjoying my family, especially the eight great-grandchildren. Carl and I are members of First St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 228 - LLth St. here in Burlington. by Ruth Bauder there and also worked. In the early 1900's Wm. H. bought land about 5 miles north of his homestead and built another home of sod and rock. Many stories were told of the early days, most were of the very hard times and often quitc trying BAUDER, ANDREW F39 Our great grandfather, Martin Bauder, was born in 1812, in the Black Forest area of times. Henry M. returned to Colorado in the early 1900's and married Sarah Elizabeth Pantzer. He built a home close to his father'g home and in the following years they raised a family of eight chil&en. They hired a live in school teacher to teach the first five children and another neighbor, Rogers, sent a couple ofhis children to the Bassette home for schooling until a regular school was established. Lat€r Smoky Hill School was built and a number of the small schools consolidated. The Bassett€ children all attended Smoky Hill during their education and Roy, the oldest son drove one of the echool buses for a couple of years. The eight children were: Roy Cecil born 1905 at his grandmother Pantzer's home in Goodland, Kansas. He died in Idaho in 1981. Earl Franklin was born in 1906, he re- mained in the Burlington area and worked for several of the large farms. He died in Denver Carl and Ruth Bauder at Stapleton Airfield leaving for Hawaii, September 1964. Carl John Bauder, son of Andrew Bauder Sr. and Christine Carolina Wall, was born May 30, 1902 Burlington, Colo. Ruth Irene Goebel, daughter of Henry E. Goebel and Mary Josephine Chandler was born December 6, 1908 at Burlington, Colorado. We started our married life in 1927 during in 1976. the depression and the terrible dust storm days of the early thirties. Carl farmed with his father; it was imposeible to raise a good Reno, Nevada. crop due to the drought and bad wind storms. We milked cowg and sold cream, also raised chickens for food and had eggs to sell. Money Mary Elizabeth was born in 1909, she left the Burlington area in 1933 and now lives in Mabel Ellen was born in 1911, she also left the Burlington area in 1933 and died in Las Vegas, Nevada in 1978. Glen William was born in 1913, he left the Burlington area in 1932 and worked in construction for Morrison-Knudson, in the building of "Boulder" Dnm and the Alamogordo Dam in New Mexico. He was killed in an automobile accident in 1937 in New Mexico. Anna Catherine was born in 1915, she left from selling produce had to buy all food, clothing and pay farming expenses. We had a meager living but had many good times with all our neighbors. They were Bill and Martha Schlichenemayer, Martin and Anna Bauer, Ethel and Ralph Jacober, Bill and Freida Weishaar, Carl's parents, my parents, sisters and brothers and others. Our daughter, Shirley Jean Bauder Mangus, wa{r born October 4th, L927 . She attend- Granpa and Grandma Bauder at farm north of Burlington. �Germany. He immigrated to the Ukraine of Russia in the early 1800's, near the city of Balta. Our grandfather, Andrew Bauder I, was born there in 1838. In 1862, he went to Germany. He married a girl from Switzerland, taking her to his home in Russia. They raised a family of 5 sons and 3 daughters. He was a blacksmith. The immigrant were not allowed to own land. All young men at age 18 were subject to 4 years of military duty. Our father, Andrew Bauder II, was born in 1863. Being the oldest of the family, he was exempt from military duty to help his father who had lost an arm. My parents, Andrew Bauder II and Christina Wall, were manied in 1885. The U.S. Homestead Act of 1862 made it possible to homest€ad 160 acres of land, for a small fee, living on the land improving it. The U.S. sent recruiting agents to the German settlements in the Ukraine, encouraging people to come and take advantage of this. Elbert County, Colorado, was opened for homesteading in 1886. In 1889 it was divided, establishing Kit Carson County. Burlington was founded in 1888 as the County Seat, then a community of 10 houses. T.G. Price was the first mayor. In May of 1889, my parents, with 2 small children, came to the U.S., landing at Baltimore, continuing by train to St. Francis, Kansas, and brought by wagon to the place of their homestead, about 18 miles northwest of Burlington. The first things to be done were to dig a well by hand, and build a sod house, with a hard-packed dirt floor. Grand- pa and Grandma Bauder and their family arrived in November of 1889. My father received his citizenship papers June 18, 1901, in Kit Carson County. J.T. Jones was County Judge and T.G. Price was County Clerk. The early years presented many hardships prairie fires, grasshopper pla- droughts, gues, blizzards and duststorms. With only small plots of ground under cultivation, the hot winds of summer kept the yields small. Many times it was necessary for our father to seek work away from home to provide for the family, sometimes working in hay fields or as a ranch hand. There were times he worked in the Denver areaa a8 a ranch hand, Section worker, and at Arco Smelter. He made the trip with tearn and wagon, which took about 6 days one way. Wild game was plentiful in those days, so father provided meat for the birthday. The oldest son, Andrew III, served in World War I, with the Hospital Corps in France for Ll/z years. He died January 18, L972 at the age of 84. In the early years our parents walked to a little church about 5 miles north of home. I believe it was in Yuma County. In later years they went to the Lutheran Church north of Bethune. Our mailing address at one time was "Hermes" but I think it had been changed a few times. I walked l yz miles to school, going through a pasture that was grazing land for Texas Longhorns, belonging to Spring Valley Ranch. I was so afraid of them that I would go out of my way so they wouldn't see me. I, Clara Loyd, being the youngest of the family, didn't see the hardships of the earlier years. In my youth, we had a nice orchard of apples, peaches, apricots, cherries, plums, grapes and currants. A large garden supplied us with fresh vegetables for the table and plenty for canning - hundreds of jars for wintpr use. We butchered our own meats, some of which was canned, some cured and smoked, and always a lot of sausage. In the Fall the bins in the cellar were filled with vegetables and fruits, a large stone jar of kraut, plus the canned foods. We milked cows so had plenty of milk, crenm and butter. Our parents lived on the farm home for 50 years. In 1939, I moved them to Burlington, where I made a home and cared for them the rest of their lives. Mother died in 1944 and father died in 1947. They are buried in Fairview Cemetery at Burlington. by Clara Loyd BAUDER, GOTTLIEB AND KATHERINE F40 The Andreas Bauder Sr. family who were German settlers in Russia, migrated from the Ukraine area of Russia to Burlington, Colo- rado in 1889. Their oldest son, Andrew, had settled here a few years earlier. While the family was going through the red tape of getting passports and passage on a ship the second son, Gottlieb, become military draft age so was not allowed to leave the country with his parents. So he and Jake Schlichenmayer, also of draft age, finally escaped from Russia on forged passports made by an old Jewish man in their village. Then the two men were detained again at the German border because they didn't have the money with them for their ship's passage and train fare to Burlington, where free homesteads were promised to all. Finally, a German official got in touch with the families at Bremen, Germany, where they were waiting to board the ship to America. The parents wired the money back to the boys and they were allowed to go on. But there was yet another disappointment. When they got to Bremen the ship with their families and many other migrating families had sailed. So all they could do was wait for the next ship to America to sail. They then made the lengthy trip across the Atlantic in crowded conditions, without a change of clothing. After the long train ride from New York to Burlington and a twelve mile walk, they were finally united with their parents who had despaired of ever seeing them again. Gottlieb as a young man worked for a farmer in Nebraska, in the sugar beet fields near Greeley and at the Bar-T and other big cattle ranches. On Christmas Day, 189?, he married Katherine Fanselau, who was born in Pennsylvania. The Fanselaus were early homesteaders in Kit Carson County too. Gottlieb and Katherine'g firgt home was a rock house near the Spring Valley Ranch. In 1898 they took out their own homestead thirteen miles northwest of Burlington on the Launchman (Landsman) Creek. They lived first in a sod house, then an adobe house with a shingled roof. Besides the first child who died in infancy, they had six children. They were Walter, Anna (Bauer), Freda (Stahlecker), Emma, table with ducks, geese, prairie chickens, rabbit and eometimes a mess of perch or bullheads. The Landsman Creek with a few fishing ponds were about a half mile away. Once during a severe winter in the earlyyears, my grandpa walked to St. Francis, where there was a flour mill. He carried a 100Jb. sack of flour on his shoulders to his home so the family could have bread to eat. ln about 1906, a new S-bedroom house wag built of sandstone. A cellar was dug and rocked out, with 3 coves on each side, which stored vegetables and canned food. In about 1914, a cistern wag made and cold water wag piped into the kitchen, a luxury that few rural homes had. The house hag been remodeled and enlarged and is still in use today, as is the cellar. This is now the home of our niece, Shirley, and husband Dale Mangus. Through the years our parents raised a farnily of 11 children. At this writing there are only 3 of us left. The oldest daughter died Sept. 23, 1986, just two days before her 100th The Gottlieb Bauder family and home in 1909. From L. to R.: Walter, Robert held by Gottlieb, Katherine, Freda, Emma, and Anna. Herman was born later. �who died when she was 15, Robert, and Walter continued to work at the Equity Coop for years and was manager there the last eight years. He then worked in construction, raising a little wheat working on weekends. Herman. The children all went to Blue View School. The family suffered the hardships and deprivations of all the early pioneers but managed to survive through droughts, dust storms, and floods. During the big flood of 1933 the Launchman (Landsman) rose to within a few feet to their house. They were just ready to climb the hill behind the house when the water gtarted to recede. After the children were all grown Gottlieb and Katherine moved to Burlington in 1947, where they lived on tenth street the rest of He was active in the United Methodist Church and Rotary Club, and served as a volunteer fireman. During World War II, with a great short4ge of teachers, anyone who had ever taught school was drafted into teaching on an emergency certificate. I taught one year in a tiny school % mile south of Peconic. The next year I cnme into the Burlington School where I was to teach a few years until the war wan over. However, through summer school and their lives. extension classes I soon earned a life certifi- by Sally Bauder cate, then issued for two years in a teachers college, and finally got my degree and kept in Burlington for twenty seven teaching years, until retirement in 1972. The last seven years of teaching I also taught in the summer BAUDER, WALTER AND SALLY migrant school where some years we had as many an two hundred pupils. The last three years I taught arts and crafts to the whole F41 school. Walter Bauder farmed with his father for a few years until the spring of 1927 and he built a modest house on his own land four miles west and six miles north of Burlington, CO. On June 8, L927 he married Gertrude (Sally) Church. Sally had been teaching in country schools for two years and continued to teach there one more ye{u. On June 25, 1929, our first son Donald Wayne was born and on October 23, 1930 Warren Walter was born. We started life together with great hopes. Walt had horses and a small Fordson tractor to farm our quarter and some rented land. But the great depression of the early thirties and the terrible dust storms hit us the eame years. No one who didn't live through those dust storm days can begin to imagine what it was like to have a dust cloud roll up from the northwegt, envelope the house and turn day into night within minutes. We hung wet sheets over the windows so we and the babies could breathe. When the storm gubeided we Walter and Sally (Church) Bauder married on June 8, 1927. would sweep and shovel up fine dust that had filtered in, sometimes a gallon of it. In 1935 Donald was approaching school age. We were five miles from the nearegt school with no school bus and an old car. We had also raised very little the past two years. The last year we did raise grain we sold wheat for 30 cents a bushel, barley 17 cents a bushel, and eggs for 5 cents a dozen. So when Walter got a chance to drive the Equity Co-op oil truck for $60 a month he was glad to get it, and we moved to Burlington. Here the first few years we rented a house for $15 per month and we four lived on the rest. I supplemented our During these years our boys were growing up, going to school and carrying the Denver Post. They were both on state championship football teams their senior years, and both became Eagle Scouts. Don graduated in 1947 and Warren in 1948. Walter retired in 1966 and in June t977 we celebrated our fiftieth wedding anniversary. We enjoyed traveling together and did so as long as Walt was able. Walter died in July of 1985. I keep busy by doing china painting and oil painting and belonging to a few clubs here in Burlington. I e- also able to share my time by teaching painting to adults in the Burlington area. by Sally Bauder BAUGHMAN AND income in any way I could such as by upholstering overstuffed furniture, $5 for a chair and $10 for a davenport. COOPER F42 Remembering my introduction to this county was when I was a kid and I used to drive up in this part of the country with my Dad to look at this land. Baughmsn in the late 20's and early 30's prior to the dust storms has started buying land. The J.W. Baughman Real Estate Company was expanding and buying land in this area, out of Liberal, Kansas. Dad, Earl Cooper, was manager of that company. That is where the whole thing started to develop so far as my memory goes back. My early memories, of course, of this country was staying all night in the old The Walter Bauder family in L947. L. to R. Warren, Donald, Sally and Walter. Collins House; that was an oasis on Highway 24. All the way thru, everybody carne to stop at the Collins House. It made it very interesting to have a place to stop like the Collins House, and some of the people who lived there were very historical characters. I wish I could remember some of their names. We drove up here on our way to Denver because one of the headquarters was in Denver. After the crash of 1929 and the dust storms of the early 30's, all the farmers were having a very difficult time; they were moving off their farms all over the country. Being a land real estate company, my father particularly �and Baughman in general, did not want to see this country go back to the government for just reclaiming or not reclaiming. They didn't want to see the farmers lose their land. So at that time when the taxes were not paid, when the land would come up for tax sales they boWht gome of it with the idea at that time of holding it until the farmer or owner could redeem it. They did buy quitc a lot, and in due time before the legal time had run out several of the farmers or owners did reclaim their land. But many of them were so discouraged with farming that they gave it up entirely and for that reason since both Mr. Baughman and my father had purchased these tax titles they were left with quite a bit of it to clear. And in due time they cleared the titles on all the land. They reclaimed the land from the damage done by the dirt storms in the 1930's, and some of it had to have bulldozers brought in to level off the mounds that had been blown up during the duet storms. They got the land back in production, and great deal of it was put up for sale again. Dad did not sell any of his land, becauge he had not bought too much, as he wanted some land holdings for himself with the idea that someday he would retire and just look after his own properties. Mr, Baughman's land, of course, was always for sale because he was in that kind of business. But he always sold the land after it was reclaimed, or the farmer had paid to reclaim the land, and then he could buy it. So it was done for the benefit of the country. True, people did not appreciate or adhere at the time that outsiders had come in and bought up land since neither one of them were natives ofthis part ofthe country. But, since that time, many of them have told me that they could not have stayed on the farm or could have gone back to the farm if it had not been for the Baughman Real Estate Co. Since my Dad had sueh a strong part in it, I felt very close to this country. As I said, Dad had never sold any of his land, so at his death it was the family's wish that we not sell any of the land. Therefore, only a small percentage of Cooper Farms has been sold. And, of course, always the tpnant had the first chance to buy the land, but only a few pieces have been sold and the rest is still intact as it was purchased and developed by my father. And it is all rented to people who live in this part of the country. Being a part of this country and watching it grow, seeing things happen to the young people here and how everything was developed, it really gives you a very strong tie. History hae been made here the same ag anyplace else. We have developed a lot of April 1913 in front of George's soddy at Vern Simpson's bi*hday party. George is second from left, back row. Flo at left in front of him. telephone operator, soda jerk, depot to hotel baggage transporter, hotel clerk (all in Oak- ley) and wholesale hardware salesman; The later full time, probably accounting for his age (22) at graduation. He told about his traveling saleeman job and riding the train. When itmade apassengerstop, he would take his sales materials and call on his customers. If he didn't return by the time the train departed, the conductor would set his valise on the station platform; and he would catch the next rain. George was raised in a very strict Methodist home with two sisters and three brothers. His parents were Elmore E. Baxter and Margaret Annette Long-Baxter. They were an unusual family in that only the girls were provided with a higher education and this by an elderly aunt. George was the only boy to complete high school. His desire was to become an attorney, but eye problems and lack of funds hindered this. While he was a bachelor homesteading near Buffalo Creek, he shared his sod house with Vern Simpson. One of George's tall tales concerned their baking prowess. They had to tie strings around their biscuits because when removed from the oven, they floated in the air and you needed to pull a string to retrieve a biscuit. He also told of the time Vern, in anger, threw the milk stool at their only milk cow, killing it instantly. This friendship continued for years after both men acquired families. George taught at the Rose school in 1913. The Strode, Searcy, Gwyn, and Smith children were students. e v" things but structurally it has been the farming comnunity around Stratton that has kept everything going. by Lucile Clark BAXTER, GEORGE F43 Tbvo consecutive bumper crops of black cane near his parents' home in Kansas enabled George Marvin Baxter to come to Colorado and homest€ad 12 miles northeast of Flagler. He arrived in 1908 which was the year he graduated from Oakley High School. He farmed along with such other jobs as night Flo and George Baxter with his ever present tenm around 1915. �his serving as President of the Colorado Association of County Commissioners in 1943. He attended two national conventions of county commissioners representing Colorado. He was a charter member of the Flagler Lions Club and also belonged to the IOOF. Hie community contributions included at least two terms on the town council as well as being a member of the Rose school board. He was a good public speaker and story teller, and had a great sense of humor. His love of land was obvious as he frequently borrowed on his life insurance or mortgaged the family home or other real estate to buy more land. In the 40's he wae finally able to acquire what is now known as Scott Goodwin's ranch. He had admired this for many years. While returning from a California Christmas spent with the whole family, he had a heart attack at Walsenburg. His wife, Flo, was with him when he passed away there on January 3, 1948. His funeral was held on January 8 at the Flagler Congregational Church where he was a member. He was born in Lancaster County, Nebraska. The family bible has been lost and his birthdate is in George Baxter in later years, 1942 or 43. On August 11, 1914, he married Flora Moss. The nuptials took place at her parents' home in west Flagler (presently the Loyd Murphy home at 501 Kendall). Since George had already proved up on his homestead, they lived in a soddy on Flo's homestead about a mile southeast of his soddy. A Stock Brand (N/R) was issued to George on December 30, 1914. This brand was used throughout his lifetime as a prominent Colorado stocLman. Many of his happiest hours were spent at the ranch. The first child, Judson E., was born to Flo question. We have found three different years of birth August 17, 1885, '86, or '87, but we believe- 1886 is correct. He said "I never had a job I didn't like." He was blessed with many friends and earned the respect of those who knew him and those who worked with him. by Jean K. Mudd BAXTER, JOIIN AND IDA F44 May 11, 1918. A.L. Niles and son Arthur was eating breakfast at my parents' folk's house and were discussing a place to run some cattle, so Dad and A.L. Niles went to Flagler, Colorado, from Tennis, Kansas, to look for a place in 1930. Dad found a place 8 miles northwest of Flagler to rent, he wouldn't say he would take it for sure until Mother saw it. [t was a two story house. When Dad returned he took Mother and me out to Flagler to show us the place. Mother said it would be fine. It was in Lincoln, County, less than half block, so I went to school at Arriba, Colo. rode the bus. I remember coming into Flagler from the south. In November, 1930, Dad and Perry Keph- art left from Tennis, Kansas, by covered wagon and taking another wagon loaded with machinery with four head of horses and a saddle horse named "Baldy". Baldy was given to their daughter, Gertrude, Damon Cobb of Garden City. They came into Flagler in a blizzard. Bill Kliewer told them to put their covered wagon and horses inside the lumber yard and they stayed in the hotel. Perry made two or three trips hauling cattle and furniture with my brother-in-law Lewis Roderick's truck. Dad cqme back the last day, the day before Kansas. Mother, Dad and I left for Flagler Dec. 28, 1930, in a 1913 or 1914 three door Model T Ford with a brass radiator and side curtains. Dad had a big corn crop in 1931. It sold of 9 cents a bushel. Harold Phillips farmed with Dad for a few years. Our bad times were the dust storms. I can remember the first one Mother, Dad and I stood by the cave door watching as it just rolled in. old high school). When Jud was about a year old, while visiting lllinois with Flo, he contracted flu which resulted in pneumonia; and he nearly died along with thoueands of others in the epidemic of 1918. For this reason, George was called to Illinois. Sometime after this, a frarne house was constructed on George's original homestead. In 1921 or 22, George began work at the Our entertainments were playing cards, checkers and dominoes at home, we went to some dances and had covered dish dinners. Farmers Union (now Co-op). A few years John Willig Barter and Ida May Barter. The picture was taken when my folks and I, Gertrude waa on a trip up by Greeley, Colorado. Our neighbors were Kottmeyer's, Ensipahr's Honstein's and Stephen's. We got our mail from Flagler on the route, but we lived a mile and half from the mail box. Ray Thompson was our mail carrier. I would go after the mail on the pony and my dog followed me. My family shopped mostly in Flagler. My parents moved into Flagler from the country in 1941, from south of town. We went to the Baptist Church in Flagler. There were six of us children, Myrtie, a second child, Jean Kay, was born on February L3, L924, also delivered by Dr. Floyd, John, Florence, Fontelle and myself. I was born in Abilene, Kansas, Nov. 30, Williams and assisted by Stella Reavis. The family moved three more times before purchasing their home in Flagler in 1930 at 618 Pawnee which is still the home of Jean Baxter-Mudd. A new career was started when George was elected to the office of Kit Carson County Commissioner in 1932, a position he held until his death in 1948. Although the '32 election was a Democratic landslide, George won on the Republican ticket. He took an active part in all phases ofthis office and wag appointed to many committees which took him all over the State. This ultimately led to Hillsboro, Ill. Sept. 30, 1875, lived in Abilene, Kansas & moved north of Garden City, Ks. Christmas, and we had Christmas dinner with my sister Florence and farnily, at Lakin, and George on March 3, 1917. He was delivered by Dr. Williams at Flo's parents' home in north Flagler (a block north of the later a new building was constructed near the gite of the present Co-op Service Station. He had been promoted to manager by this time. Just prior to this, the family moved to town (George's brother, Ralph, and family moved to the ranch) to what is presently the Adolph Cole home at 709 Navajo. While living here John Willis Baxter was born in Rockford, Ill. Sept. 1, 1876. Ida May McAdams Baxter was born in 1916. I worked at the M & S Cafe and Wiiliams Drug Store in Flagler. When I was working in the M & S Cafe, I met Norman P. Todd of Coldwater, Kansas. He was working at the Lavington Garage in Flagler from 1948 to 1.949. Then he began working for Colorado Interstate Gas Co. in November 1949 at Lakin, Kansas. John Willis Baxter, Ida May Baxter, Norman Todd, and Gertrude Baxter Todd, taken in my folks yard in Flagler. Norman and I were married April 14, 1950. He retired after 28 years with CIG. We have two children, John Philip Todd born August 4, !954, and Kathleen Marie Todd (Shook) �born Sept. 15, 1955, in Lamar, Colo. They went thru school at Beaver, Oklahoma. We have four (4) grandsons. My husband Norman is a Mason and has been since he lived in Flagler. We both belong to the Eastern Star. Norman and I and our children belong to the Presbyterian Church at Beaver, BEATTIE, TIMOTIIY AND JoELLEN (oRTtIr) painting business. JoEllen has a dress boutique and Arts and Crafts Shop. One Sunday each month, she plays the organ at a quaint little church, which is the oldest church in New Zealand, that is over 150 years old. Two years ago they built their new home overlooking the Bay of Islands. Oklahoma. by Frances Orth by Gertrude Marie Baxter Todd BEATTIE - PUGH FAMILY BECK - MESSENGER FAMILY F46 F47 Myparents, Frank LouisBeattie and Daisy Pugh Beattie, and their children, Blanche and Louis, came to Colorado in April of 1910 from Grinnell, Gove County, Kansas, by immigrant train. They settled on their homestead 9 miles north and 1 7z miles east of Stratton, but lived on the J.W. Borders'homestead, northwest of Stratton several miles until a small frnme building was built on the homestead. By fall they had a two room sod house where Gladys Beattie Clair, Mary Beattie Klotzbach, and James were born. By January 1915 they moved into the adobe house where Hettie Beattie Helton, Frances Beattie Lo- Tim and JoEllen Beattie Jan. 15. 1983 rain, and Frank were born. All of the children attended the Springwell School, District No. 43, 3/+ of a mile east of JoEllen Sue Orth was born November 2, 1951, daughter of Helmuth and Frances home and completed the eighth grade there. Blanche taught there later. She taught school for 39 years. Blanche and Gladys graduated from Stratton High School. Our mother passed away July 7, t924, and, our dad kept us all together and after we were all married and had homes of our own he married Elizabeth O'Neill of Smith Center, Kansas, June 23, 1949. Gladys and Walter Clair, Mary and John Klotzbach and Frances and Delphos Lorain moved to Oregon. Walter, Mary and Delphos passed away. Children of the above families are in Oregon. Hettie and Ed Helton live near St. Scott. Kansas. Four of their eight children live in the vicinity. Don and Dean live in Colorado. Mary lives in California and Margie lives in Oregon. Louis Beattie passed away in July, 1983. His widow, Esther Davis Beattie lives on the farm north of Stratton. Norman is in Montana, Delmar in Limon, Keith in Rocky Ford, Ivan in Lakewood, and Gene near Seattle, Washington. James Beattie passed away in 1963. His widow and children live in Denver. Frank Beattie and wife live in Denver. Son Leon passed away and Larry lives in Arizona. Homer Dove passed away in 1977. Son Marvin and family live near Kansas City, MO. His widow, Blanche, lives in Seibert, Colorado. by Blanche Beattie Dove (Lampe) Orth, at St. Francis, KS. She has one older brother, Dennis. She attended elementary school in St. Francis until third grade, then moved with her parents and brother to Burlington, CO, in 1959. JoEllen graduated from Burlington High School in 1969, and The University of Northern Colorado at Greeley, CO, in 1974, with a B.A. degree in Audiology. She later furthered her education at San Diego State University, San Diego, cA. In 1974 JoEllen and three college girl friends traveled through Europe four months. They rented a station wagon and traveled through ltaly, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, England, Austria, etc. In 1976, she and a girlfriend traveled through Mexico and on down to Yucatan. In San Diego JoElIen met and fell in love with Timothy David Beattie. Tim was born in Aukland, New Zealand. His mother Audrey, and two brothers still live in Aukland. Hie father is deceased. Tim is a nephew of the Governor General of New Zealand. Sir David Beattie, and his wife Lady Norma. Tim received his schooling in Aukland, graduating from The University of Aukland, majoring in Accounting. Since he has a great love for water and navigation, he has crossed the Pacific between New Zealand and United States, three times, and twice he used his 44 ft. sailboat (yacht). He and JoEllen have had some adventurous experiences starting from San Diego and sailed the Pacific to Aukland, New Zealand. They took twenty-two months to get there, as they visited many islands, including The Marquesas, Mangareva, Ta- hiti, Bora Bora, Cook Islands, Pago Pago, and many others. They spent quite some time at Tahiti, as they both worked, so they could purchase supplies and restock their pantry. They moved to Russell, New Zealand, about 150 miles north of Aukland. There is a lot of construction there, so Tim has a Four generations. "Ira", Isaac, Earl, Clifford with children Niel and Kent Messenger. "Ira", as he was fondly known by many people, was born to Isaac and Eva Strauser Messenger on September 2, 1866, in West Virginia. He cn-e to Colorado in 1886, and while working with a harvest crew traveling through Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma, met, courted, and married Lulu Phoebe Beck, daughter of James Vivian Beck and Mary Ann Neighbors of Ritchie, Missouri. They were married in Tulsa, Okla., in 1894 and resided for awhile in Cattlee, Cherokee Nation, Okla., where their first son, Earl, was born. Ira moved his family to Loveland, Co. in 1896, and in four years five children were born there. In 1901, he moved his family to Kit Carson County, on the Republican River, about 18 miles northwest of (Claremont) Stratton, Co. After a couple ofyears near the river, Ira turned his homestead back to the Gov and refiled on what is still known as the "Messenger Homestead", some 2l miles northwest of Stratton. Here he built his "!lss1s" first a sod house, and then several additions-until the final house was a 12 room modern home, finished in 1920. By 1907, four more children were born totaling 10 - with eight living at this time: Earl, Stella, Archie, Clara, Hazel, Mary, Eva, and Ernst. (At this writing, June 1986, only four are still living.) Ira and his family were very industrious as were most "Pioneer" families, so the farm prospered. In about 1905, lra purchased a grinding mill for the purpose of grinding flour, cereals, animal foods, etc. It was powered with a huge 16 ft. darius windmill with power gears and shaft. A power takeoff was run into a blacksmith shop and ran a drill �equipment. "Ira" and Lulu quietly lived out their lives in Stratton as good parents and grand- parents. Lulu passed away January 20, L957, and Ira followed on September 30, 1962. by C.W. Messenger "Ira" Isaac D. Messenger and Lulu Phebe in 1953, Stratton, Co. press and saw. Here Ira practiced his blacksmithing profession, as he had done for many years, and was to continue throughout his life. The windmill also ran a pump jack for one of the two wells that Ira and his brother, Bill, had drilled on the farm. This well watered the large orchard that was planted this same year. A big barn was built in 1915, a large rambling hog house and chicken house in 1919. In 1918, Ira was elected to the public office of County Commissioner, and held thig office until 1930. He was one of the commissioners responsible for the carousel being purchased and installed at the County Fairgrounds. The controversy over the expenditure of these public funds during "hard times" lost him the election in the fall of 1929. The Messenger Homestead was adjacent to the "Tuttle" General Store and Post Office, that was operated until approximately 1920. Ira purchased the old store and 80 acres adjacent to it in L92L, to add to his farm. In those early years "Ira" had the only pair of dental forceps in the community and though he was not a "licensed" dentist, he pulled many a man's tooth as a Good Samaritan. On August 29, 1925,Ira's two oldest sons, Earl and Archie, were standing in the barn door; they had finished putting the work horses in their stalls and were watching a thunderstorm approach, when a bolt of lighting struck the barn killing Archie, but sparing Earl. When his oldest son, Earl, married Lucy Charlotte Wood, daughter of Henry H. and Rachel Wood (close neighbors), on Aug. 8, 1926, and they returned from their honeymoon, Ira, Lulu and youngest son, Ernest, had moved off the farm to Stratton, allowing Earl and his bride to reside on the farm. In 1931 after his stint as County Commissioner, Ira built a large blacksmith shop beside his home in Stratton, and there plied his trade for another 15 years. His shop was always equipped with the best equipment available at the time. He had the only lathe between Chicago and Denver, large enough to "turn" a railroad car wheel. People traveled many miles to have him repair their �made the trip to Marion, about 70 miles north of Yankton, and homesteaded on the open prairies. Our father lived west of Marion, South Dakota, till he journeyed to Avon, South Dakota, and got acquainted with our mother, Katharina Schultz. They were manied Mar. 9, 1899. Our Mother's parents also were from Rueeian Poland. From the little village of Heinrichsdorf, about 70 miles east of Kariswalde, they had come to America on the Freighter Colina a few months before our father. Our parents lived on a farm south ofAvon till Oct. of 1907, when they boarded a immigrant train for Vona, Colo. With them were our brothers, Eli and Jacob and our sisters Lydia, Mary and Helena. A few cows and two horses and a two bottom gang plow were algo brought on the train. Our father was known as a big farmer in South Dakota, but he had heard the winters were not so cold or severe in Colorado. Our parents had a well and barn built by others in the early months of 1907, so they first took care of the crops in S.D. and arrived at Vona on Oct. 7,L907. The north part ofthe barn was used for the cows and horses. The south part was converted into living quarters for our parents and five children. A trapdoor led to the haymow for sleeping for the older children. Here in thig barn our sigter Justina wae born in the spring of 1908. The old deterioratcd barn still stande today, but you know the old fond memories of that old barn cause one to stop having thoughts of tearing it down. In 1910, our parents built a 18 x 24 frnme house, and in this house Leander and Wilbert were born. In 1916, the attic and roof were torn off. A second story was added, and a two story wing 16 x 30 wag added to the west. In this house our youngeet sister Alvina and our youngest brother Abe were born. On this old homestead ten children of the Andrew B. Becker family grew up. We hope each one has grovm up to be of influencial good to our God, to our communityand to our country. Our oldest sister Lydia (Boese) passed away in 1972, Jacob in 1976 and Eli in 1981. All are buried in our Mennonite Cemetery south of Vona. The old Becker homest€ad still belongs in the Andrew B. Becker family, in possession of Wilbert and Alma Becker. About 1900. Isaac D. "Ira" Messenger and Lulu Phebe Messinger Children L. to R. Earl, Stella, Archie, Clara (baby. BECKER, ANDREW FAMILY F48 Our Father, only two years old, emigrated from Russian Poland with our Grandparents, Benjamin and Susanna Becker, from the little village of Karlswalde, about 200 miles west of Kief, Russia. On November 10, 1874, they boarded the train for a thirteen day ride to Antwerp, Belgium. There they set sail for America on the English Ship Abbotsford. The Abbotsford ran into very rough seas, and collided with the Ship Indus. The Abbotsford was da-aged severely, so that much of the ghip took on water; and all feared the ship would sink, but miraculously it limped back to port and was repaired. In the meantime. some of our Mennonite families contacted smallpox, and were quarantined, including our Grandfather's family. Our little Aunt Elizabeth, only a few weeks old, is on the passenger list ofthe Abbotsford, but we have no authentic information as to what happened to her. She may had died from smallpox in England or was buried at sea. The Abbotsford tried to sail for America while our folks were quarantined in England, but was wrecked again. It never made the Atlantic crossing at that time. Our folks sailed to America on the Steamer lllinois and arrived in Philadelphia on Jan. 28, 1875. In the spring of 1875, our father's folks traveled on Yankton, South Dakota Terri- tory. That was the end of the rails at that time. So by oxen and horses our father's folks by Wilbert A. Becker BECKMANN FAMILY F49 August Fred Beckmann was born Oct. 17, 1892 at Cook, Nebraska, the son of John Henry and Caroline (Riensche) Beclrmann. Anna Christina (Henning) Beclrmann was born Jan. 9, 1899 at Gaylord, Kansas, the daughter of August Henning, Sr. and Bertha (Kessler) Henning. August and Anna were m{uried Oct. 8, 1919 at Gaylord, Kansas after August returned from serving in France during World War I. They came to Flagler, Colorado in Januar5r, 1920, and farmed the Leseberg farm about 6 miles north of Flagler for several years. August, known as Gus to his friends, decided to take his family back to Nebraska. While �BEELER FAMILY deceased. He also spent some time with his F60 Abraham (Abe) Lincoln Beeler was born in the state of Kansas. He had three brothers, John, Lewis and George, and a sister Annie. He met and married Louiea Jane Kinney of Oregon and Mound City, MO. She had two sisters, Frances Springer and Emma Bucher, and a brother Willie. To this union four sons IG i were born, Charles (Charlie) General mother on the ranch near Flagler. Lloyd died at the age of two years. Marvin came with the family from the Indian Territory to Colorado at a young age. He married Marjorie Yewell of Flagler. They had a son, Robert Yewell, and a daughter, Elora Rose. Mawin and Elora Rose are deceased. Marjorie and Robert reside in the Denver area. He is a dentist, and she is in a rest home in Morrison, Colorado, now age 88. Marjorie and Hila both taught at the Robert. Beeler school, 2 miles northeast of the farms. The people that came to eastern Colorado in those early times were seeking new oppor- Kansas, then moved to the Indian Territory tunities and perhaps a certain amount of of Oklahoma. Marvin was born there, the adventure. Jackson, Hubert Kinney, Lloyd and Marvin They lived for a time in White Cloud, older boys in Kansas. In the early 1900's they bought a property adjoining their son Hubert's place that he had homesteaded previously. They built a sod house, added a frarne house later and *t. ."! by Lucille Beeler Morgan BEELER - HOUGII other improvements. These places were located on the Republican River, 12 miles southwest of Flagler, Colorado. The houses were about a block apart. The family were FAMILY F61 farmers and ranchers. Grandma made butter and sold it in August and Anna Beckman with Ruby, Wibna, Roy, Irma and Eldon in 1929. in Nebraska he was employed as a carpenter, but due to ill health and doctor's advice to move West, they returned to Flagler and bought a farm 9 miles northwest of Flagler and lived and farmed there up to and through the "Depreasion and Dust Bowl Days of the 1930's", selling the farm in the late 1930's and moving into Flagler. August worked at various jobs, even moving to Washington state for a short time; but, liking Colorado, he returned to Loveland, Colorado, where he lived the remaining years of his life. He died September 29, 1970. His wife Anna still lives in Loveland, Colorado. August and Anna were always active memberg of the Lutheran Church and 7 children were born to this union. Ruby LaVerne, who married Paul Huber, was born July 30, 1920 at Flagler. She was residing in Bellinghnm, Washington in 1986. Wilma Louise, married to George Corcoran, was born March 23, L922 at Flagler. She resided in Southfield, Michigan in 1986. Roy August, who was a Lutheran minister, was born May 6,1924 at Sterling, Nebraska, and died June 7,L977, at North Bend, Nebraska. Erma Jean was born May 23, L927 at Sterling, Nebraska. She died Oct. 18, L929, at Flagler, Colorado from the flu. Eldon Edward was born July 16, 1929 at Flagler, Colorado and was residing in Loveland, Colorado in 1986. Dale Henry was born August 12, 1931 at Flagler, and resided at Robins, Iowa in 1986. Norma Faye, married to Ben Zimmerman, was born Nov. 1, 1936 at Flagler, and was residing in Loveland, Colorado in 1986. by Ruby Huber Flagler. They took eggs and crenm to sell at the grocery and creanery. She had a vegetable garden, also. Her life on the prairie was a change from the more settled and not such harsh climate of Colorado. She always wore a sun-bonnet to protect her hair and skin and long gloves made from old hosiery, with holes cut out for the fingers, to cover her arms. One bonnet was a slat one made by sewing pockets in the material and inserting cardboard strips to hold it rigid. They had an outside cave to store food that had to be cool, the milk, eggs, butter, etc. When they butchered a hog, some of it was ground and made into patties, fried and placed in large stone jars, covered in lard and stored in the cave for future needs. The harns and bacon were sugar-cured and smoked. The blizzards were so severe some winters, the men would attach a wire or rope from the barns to the houses and follow it to get out to feed the animals. There was the fear of losing their way. To build a sod house. sod must be cut from virgin soil with grass roots intact for reinforcement to construct the house. A minimum of lumber was used. The roof was covered with sod also. In spring, wild flowers bloomed on it making a colorful and startling effect. A sod house is real comfortable, warm in winter, cool in summer because of the thick wall. The inside was plastered and wall papered, making it quite attractive. The window sills were deep, making room for house plants. I spent a lot of time at Grandma and Grandpa's house. She read to me and as I became a better reader, we took turns reading aloud. It was wonderful training for me, and she seemed to enjoy it. She also helped me with public speaking, listening to my recitations over and over, never losing patience. She passed away in 1928. Grandpa died in 1919 when I was nine years old. He did routine work around the place. He hardly ever went to town, just seemed contented at home. Charlie Beeler lived for a time in Aroya, Colorado, where he met and married Hila Gillespie. One daughter, Norma Jeanne, was born to them. She and her father are both * r't't' Hubert and Clara Beeler and baby Marian Louise, 8 weeks old. June, 1921, on the farm southwest of Flagler. Around the turn of the century, Hubert (Hub) Beeler homesteaded on a half section of land 12 miles southwest of Flagler, along the Republican River where there were good alfalfa fields and wild hay to be mowed to feed the animals. There was farming ground where corn, wheat, potatoes and other crops were raised, an all dry-land operation. Wild sweet-peas, rose and plum bushes grew on the banks of the river. He built a sod house and outbuildings on the property. In the year 1909, he married Clara Josephine Hough of Wild Horse, Colorado, and three daughters were born to them, Lucille Winnie Mae, Eunice Lillian and Marian Louise. The family lived at this location until t924. Patt of our income was derived from Hubert's training of horses to be ridden and driven and participating in rodeos. He enjoyed reading Western novels and smoking his pipe. Our lasting memorieg of him were �Lowe, of Denver, son of Marlin and Ramona Lowe. Eunice married Roger Grosh of Kearney, Nebraska. She graduated from Beauty school in Denver and later went into the restaurant businesg with her husband. After a number of years, she was married to Larry Nason of Boston, Maes. and continued to operate that business of Denver until their retirement. Marian married George W. (Bill) Mulhausen of Denver and two daughters were born to them, Phyllis Batty (her husband is Roger) deceased since 1980. Lucille and Eunice graduated from Flagler youngest ones could do. But on a hot summer day there was no place cooler. The reward was High School. Marian attended school there until moving to Denver where she attended worth it. East Denver High School. We received a good education in Flagler. The experience of farm and ranch life and small town living are never to be forgotten memories. with his horse and cowboy hat and boots, a real Western man. Our mother raised fryer BEESON - PERKINS FAMILY see them slinking along the river, hoping to snatch a chicken for their dinner. We made an excursion out of taking the teams of mules and lumber wagon to gather cow chips for fuel, always on the alert for rattlesnakes. We had many good times in those early days, attending pie and box socials, dances, school programs, rodeos, baseball gemes and visiting neighbors. Lucille and Eunice rode their black and white pinto ponies to the Beeler School 2 miles northeast of the farm. Most activities were held at the school, also church services. when a minister could be acquired. There must have been many hardships on the prairie, but being young, we hardly noticed. There was good food, shelter, a few clothes, love, work to do and plans for tomorrow. In August of L924, Hubert passed away at age 42. The family then moved to Flagler and remained there until 1937. Our house was across the street from the Congregational Church where we attended services. Our life in Flagler was pleasant with friends and work, movies (free on Sat. P.M.), dances, school parties and lessons. Our big kitchen table was a center ofactivity. School lessons, games and correspondence took place by the light of the Rayo Kerosene lsmp with our mother close by doing crocheting, mending and quiltmaking. She often played the accordian and harmonica for us. Clara Beeler passed away in 1935 at age 44. The younger daughters moved to Denver in 1937 where they now reside. Lucille married Cecil J. Morgan of Arriba, Colorado, in 1930 at Littleton, Colorado. They then left the Denver area until 1940, when they returned to Lakewood, Colorado, and remained there until 1981, when Lucille moved to Sedona, Arizona where her son Del and wife Leah are now living. They were the parents of a daughter Rnrnona C. Lowe (deceased) and have one grandson David A. Their family and the land was very important to Ed and Mable. They worked hard and sacrificed for both. Their children were: Elsie maried to Walter Herndon; Edith married and Dianne Stitt (her husband is Jim). Lucille and Marian were married to men in the building construction business. The husbands all served in the South Pacific by Lucille Beeler Morgan chickens to sell, as well as eggs and creem, and boarded teachers. In the evenings we could hear the coyot€s near our place. By day we could sometimes also lived nearby. to Charlie Murray; Leonard married toAgnes Iseman; Midge married to Raymond Davis; Clark married to (1) Opal Schaal; (2) Charlotte Cranford; and Duane married to Gladys Gro-m. On that barren land their trees stood for so much. It reminded them both of the land where they grew up. So when there was nothing else to do, which was rare, there was always the water to carry, weeds to hoe, and theater in World War II. The men are all LuciIIe Beeler, age 10 years, and Eunice Beeler, age 6 years. Year 1920 on farm southwest of Flagler. and traveling in a covered wagon. Mar5r Ellen's father, Jasper Dickey, and his fanily F62 Edward Elner Beeeon came to Kit Carson County, Colorado, to file on a homestead in 1906 from Rawlins County Kansas. He was born to William Harrison Beeson and Priscilla Ann (Pickett) Beason 6 Aug. 1880 at Enosdale, Washington Co., Ks. Billy Beeson was the last of eight generations of practicing Quakers or the Society of Friends as they were sometimes known. The first Beeson to come to America was also Edward. He ceme from England in 1682 or 1684 and settled in Chester Co., Pennsylvania. His descendants moved south to Virginia and North Carolina, then west to Tennessee, Ohio, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas and Colorado. more trees to plant, work that even the Ed was on the school board most of the time the kids attended First Central School. They all graduated from there and were involved in school activities. One day Ed waved a greeting to the bus driver who thought he meant no kids on the bus today. So the driver left without any Beesons. Hurray, a holiday!!!! But no such luck. Healthy kids can walk right. Off to school they went. But not too -far. The girls decided to play hooky. This time (probably the only time) Len was the innocent one and continued on to school. What fun they found to do. Trying to time their arrival at home with the bus was easy. But Mom and Dad happened to see just one angelic son get off the bus that day. With much foresight Elsie, Edith and Midge placed pillows strategically for their welcome home. Ed and Mable moved to Burlington in 1944 to retire. They found a place where they could have a cow to milk, a calf or two to feed, and chickens to care for. Just so they weren't too far away from the life they knew and loved so well. Ed also worked for the city at the park for a number of years. Ed died 1 Jan. 1960. Mable died 4 Nov. 1964. Elsie and Walter farmed south of Stratton and are now retired and living in Stratton. Leonard and Agnes live in Burlington and are still involved in farming and ranching at the homeplace of the original Willinm !l611ison Beeson moved his family homestead. Duane and Gladys, before to Rawlins Co.. Ks. in 1892 and homesteaded 5 miles south of McDonald, Ks. Ed worked for Roy and Beech Berry of McDonald as a ranchhand. He nanowly missed being involved in the infamous Dewey-Berry shootout. But that day he had work to do elsewhere Duane's death in June 1985, farmed the land acquired by Ed and Mable a few miles from on the ranch. And while he was away Chauncey Dewey arrived with his hired men and in the ensuing gunfight three Berry's were killed and two injured. When Ed moved to Kit Carson Co. the original homestead he worked was that of Roy Berry. His brothers Frank, Clifford and sister Belle filed homestead's on adjoining quarters. If they went to Burlington there was at that time a trail that they took. It angled northeast to Burlington. About one-half mile out of town was the only fenced land between their place and town. May 21, 1908 Ed married Mable Bell Perkins, daughter of Willis/lVlary Ellen (Dickey) Perkins. Mable was born 28 Sept. 1890 in Seward, Nebr. The Perkins family moved to the county in 1906 and homesteaded on land just south of Ed's homestead. Mable remembered moving with her parents the home place. Clark and Charlotte are in Eads, Colo. and run a auto-parts store. Edith and Charlie are retired from teaching and logging and live in Grants Pass, Ore. Midge and Raymond, a retired electrician, live in Denver, Colo. The roots that Ed and Mable planted are strong. Their work, blood, sweat, and tears have sustained many. The land and times have changed so much. Wouldn't those old timers shudder if they could look down on us right now. Those times were hard but good and so simple. But didn't they do a good job and accomplished so much. by Lenora Sexson �BEESON - PERKINS GRAMM FAMILIES BEETHE - VOIGHT FAMILY F53 F54 Edward Ebner Beeson was born August 6, 1889 in Washington County in Enosidale, Kansas. There he grew up and later married Mabel Bell Perkins on May 21, 1908. They 1952. Connie was born in 1954 and Greg in 1960. Don worked in several capacities in Colorado Springs and moved to Burlington the spring of 1973 €ul manager for Mountain Bell Telephone. He retired from Mt. Bell in 1984 with almost 35 years service. He then went to work for the City of Burlington and was appointed City Administrator in January 1985. The Beethes attend First St. Paul's Lutheran Church. Dot served two 5-year lived in McDonald, Kansas. terms on the Burlington Public Library. Don is a member of the Burlington Rotary Club family farm south of Bethune where they raised their six children. The children are: and enjoys playing golf. In the early 1900's they moved to the Connie lives in Laguna Beach, Ca. and Elsie Beeson Herndon, Edith Beeson Greg in Newport Beach, Ca. Murray, Leonard Beeson, Velma Beeson Don enjoyed working with Burlington, Davis, Clark Beeson and Duane Beeson. In 1945, the family moved to Burlington, Cheyenne Wells, Stratton and Limon people while with Mountain Bell. Burlington (where Colorado begins) is a great place to live. Colorado where they resided until their deaths. Edward passed away on January 1, 1960 and Mabel passed away on November 4, t964. They are buried at the Fairview Cemetery in Burlington, Colorado. by Don Beethe Duane Beeson was born on March 21, 1931 in the family home south-west of Bethune, Colorado. Duane attended his first eight years of school at First Central. He attended high Don and Dot Beethe. BELLER - HUPPERT FAMILY F66 school in Burlington, Colorado where he graduated with the class of 1949. While attending school, Duane worked for R.I. Gassner at his gas station in Burlington, Colorado. He also helped his brothers farm and raise cattle on the family farm south-west of Bethune. Duane entered the United States Marine Corps on March L4, Lg52 and was honorably discharged on March 3, 1954. Duane was baptized on May 8, 1956 by Reverend H.E. Wilake and became a member a;, of the Hope United Church of Christ north of Bethune. Gladys Gramm attended the country schools of Emerson, Hook, Broadsword, and Blueview. In 1951 and 1952 she attended Bethune High School and in 1953 and 1954 ehe went to Burlington High School where she graduated in 1954. In 1954, Gladys worked at the Standish Drug drugstore, in Burlington, as a clerk, and at the Mountain Bell Telephone Office as a telephone operator. Duane and Gladys were united in marriage on June 10, 1956 at the Hope United Church of Christ. They then moved to the farm south of Bethune. Here they farmed, raised cattle and hogs. Connie and Greg Beethe. Dorothy Voight was born in Norfolk, Virginia and grew up in Jacksonville, Florida. She moved to Washington, D.C. and worked for the U.S. Navy. In 1951 she moved to Colorado Springs working as a secretary for the U.S. Air Force and met Don on a blind Three children were born to Duane and Gladys: Douglas, Jeanette, and Cheryl. All date. Don Beethe was born in Elk Creek. Nebras- School. Douglas graduated in 1976, Jeanette sisters and 4 brothers to Yuma, Colorado in 1932 to a farm 5N and 2W of Yuma. He grew three children attended Stratton High in 1979, and Cheryl in 1986. In 1982 Duane attended school in Denver and he received his real estate license. Duane passed away on June 4, 1985 at St. Anthony Hospital in Denver. He is buried at the Fairview Cemetery in Burlington. ka. He moved with his father, mother, 2 up and attended Yuma schools and served with the U.S. Army 6th Division in Pusan, Korea in L946-47. Don worked for his sister and brother-in-law, Gordon Sipple, on a farm near Clarksville, locatcd 24 miles NE of Yuma. by Cheryl Beeson In 1950 he went to work with Mountain States Telephone Company in Denver, and traveled throughout Colorado as a lineman for 2 years before locating in Colorado Springs for the dial conversion in 1953. During the winter of 1951, he worked with a line crew on the Denver-Kanarado Toll Line and the crew stayed in the Montezuma Hotel, which seemed quite new at that time. Don and Dot were married in Grace Episcopal Church in Colorado Springs in The newlyweds, Tony and Gertrude Beller, on the left with their attendants, Clara Weibel and Joe Knochel, on July I5, 1924 beside first St. Charles Church. Stratton On Tuesday morning July 15, 1924 at 8:00 A.M. at St. Charles Church vows were said by Miss Gertrude Huppert and Mr. Tony Beller both of Stratton. Rev. Edw. Muenich officiated. Bridesmaid was Clara Weibel and Joseph Knochel acted as best man. Gertrude Huppert, daughter of George and Mollie Huppert, moved here from Blue Hill, Nebr. in 1923. She taught school in several schools, including Greenknoll District in 1923. Tony Beller, son of Anton and Theresa Beller moved here from Lindsay, Nebr. on May 6, 1921. He farmed the land that he broke himself until 1948, when they moved to Denver where they now reside. Five children were born; they are Marianne Stevens, Millie �Luebbers, Ray Beller, Jerome Beller, and Margaret Winters. by Mrs. Paul Luebbers BERGEN, FRANK, M.D. F66 ca 1920" Standing L to R: Albert Guthrie, Jack Ruberson, Robert Wilkinson, Fred Kukku, Henry G. Hoskin, James Upton, Albert Beal, Carl Hamilton, Vern Coakley. Seated, L to R: Ed Hoskin, Frank Rose, J.E. Pilling and Dr. F.L. Bergen. "Burlington Volunteer Fire Department "F.L. Bergen - Country Doctor," - post-humously by the Colorado Medical Comet Rebekah Lodge. Dad was sinularly Society for his many years of service to the honored by Rocky Mountain Consistory, people of the Burlington area. Ancient and Acceptcd Scottish Rite by being "Doc", as he was affectionately known by decorated "Knight Commander Court of the entire community, served many terms Honor." both as City Health Officer for Burlington "Doc" may be remembered by some of the and County Health Officer for Kit Carson "old-timers" for his public presentation of particularly the poetry of County. I remember during my childhood "readings" that he always carried in his car a supply of JamesWhitcombRiley.Doanyof ourreaders those hugh red quarantine signs bearing the recall his rendition of "Little Orphan Annames of those then horrifying - now nie"? From that day in 1908, when Mom (Anna obsolete diseases, "Diphtheria", Lou) walked with Dad down the wooden"Smallpox", and "Scarlet Fever". Medicine plank sidewalk from the Rock Island Depot came a long way during his lifetime; I remember his telling me that when he was a to the old Montezuma Hotel, she was his devoted companion until his death in 1959 of boy, "no one ever heard ofAppendicitis, but Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. an awful lot of people died of the Belly Ache." Being the wife of a small town doctor in "Doc" served as Medical Exnmine for those days required the patience of Job. I Selective Service during both World Wars, recall countless occasions when, just as the for which service he was awarded decorations. During most of this professional career, "Doc" served as "Physician and Surgeon" for the Rock Island Railroad, frequently boarding the train to attend a passenger who had become ill, then boarding the nert returning train, which was often several hours late. Somehow, "Doc" found time to do many things outside his professional activities: He was mayor of Burlington when the first electric power generating plant was estab- "Mrs. Bergen - Patience of Job." On one occasion I referred to Dad as a "horse and buggy doctor" to which, with his usual wit, he replied, "I never treated a buggy in my life." "Dad" wag Frank Leslie Bergen, M.D., who brought his bride, Anna Lou, to Burlington in 1908, and served that community and its rural surrounding area in the practice of General Medicine for some fifty years. Shortlv after his death in 1959 he was honored lished. He was a member of the Burlington Volunteer Fire Department most of his adult life, serving for a time as Chief, and for many years as Department Physician. He served First Methodist Episcopal church in almost every lay function from Board Chairman to Choir Director except President of the - and Mom filled that Ladies Aid Society, office on several occasions, as well as teaching classes in the Primary Department of the Sunday School. Mom and Dad were both always very active in fraternal circles, each serving one or more terms as presiding officer of the Orders with which they became affiliated, Dad with the Masonic, Odd Fellows, and Rebekah Lodges, and Mom with Aurora Chapter, O.E.S. and family was about to sit down and enjoy a meal together, the phone would ring, we would eat without Dad, and his food would go back on the stove until the distress of a patient was relieved. Many of our readers will recall the dust storms of the early thirties. No house was tight enough to keep out the dust. I recall seeing many a tear in Mom's eye as she saw everything in her freshly cleaned house covered with a thick coating of dust. My sister, Dorothy Louise Olsen (Nee Bergen) and I (Richard Van Bergen) were blessed with the most wonderful parents we could have had. Dad disciplined us and Mom spoiled us. Dorothy was eight years older than I, having been born in 1910 so, to me, it was almost like having two -mothers "Dot" alternating between discipline and spoiling. "Dot" and I both graduated from Burlington High School, she in 1928 and I in 1936. After teaching in rural elementary (one-room) schools in the Burlington and Bethune areas for a number ofyears, Dorothy became the wife of Edward W. Olsen. Although Dorothy passed away in 1946, she is survived, at this writing by Ed and three children, all of whom are married and have �children of their own. For some twenty yearg the writer was known in and around Burlington as "Little Doc", which though not appreciated at the time, appears in retrospect to have been quite complimentary. "Little Doc" (who now tips the scales at 203 lbs) left Burlington in 1940 to enroll at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music. The educational endeavor was interrupted by World War II and March 1942 found Dick in the "blues" of the U.S. Navy. His 1945 marriage to Geneva Miller made a he remains Kentuckian out of Dick - which Dad's death, reto thig date. Mom, after turned to Kentucky, her native state, and remained with us until her death in 1961. Geneva passed away in 1980 and in 1984 Dick was remarried to Marjorie Kathryn ("Midge") Harrison of Cincinnati. Dick's daughter, Donna (Stephens) and Grandsons, Ryan and Gregory reside in Plano, Texas. Dick retired in 1982, having served the last twenty years of his working life ae Director of Administration and Facilities for Ohio Valley Goodwill lndustries Rehabilitation Center. Dick enjoys reading his weekly copy of the Burlington Record, but seems somehow always to turn first to the "20", "40" or "60 years ago" column. by Richard V. Bergen in the Flagler Cemetery. On March 22, L908, Berry loaded out an immigrant car at Goff with farm machinery, wagon, buggy, harness, household goods, one runty pig and a few chickens and shipped the freight car.to Flagler, Colorado. He had a big tea- of draft mares ready to bring to the homestead too, but was advised the horses would not do well in the high altitude, so he sold the team for $300 and bought other horses at a farm sale at Colby, Kansas, which could also be readily used to drive the buggy. When Berry arrived in Colorado, he stayed with a neighbor, Henry Guhr, while putting up the house and barn, having borrowed a sod cutter from another neighbor, Zack Eckert. The two room house was ofa 14 x 32 foot size, and later in 1916 a third room was added. The barn was of a 16 x 32 foot size. A well was dug by neighbor Sam Proaps to a depth of 144 feet to good water. In about 1914 Berry dug a cellar under the kitchen part of the soddy, and then in about 1917 a granary, an 8 x 12 foot chicken house and an outhouse were built. During the time Berry was making the homestead habitable, his wife and baby daughter, who was born in April 1907 at the home of Berry's parents near Goff, were visiting in Indianapolis with relatives, but arrived in Flagler on the morning passenger train May 1, 1908. Three other children, two girls and a boy, cnme to bless this family on the prairies, all born in the soddy on the Eventually Berry sold the homestead, which after about 1911, included an additional quarter of land. This piece of land, the NW % of Section 18, 6S, Range 51, had an old dugout on it, so Berry in filing, had to first contest a previous homesteader's claim. In March 1925 the family moved to a farm northeast of Limon in Lincoln County, ending their living in Kit Carson County and life on the homestead. John and Jennie, as she was always called by her husband, were the parents of the four children, Margaret Clistie (Mrs. Elmer Slise of Genoa); Pauline Florence also called Polly (Mrs. Kelvin S. Gurwellof Loveland); Norma Katherine (Mrs. Verlie L. Holmes of Sioux Falls, South Dakota); and Mark Wesley, who was maried to Marjorie Cox. Berrys were also the grandparents of nine grandchildren; none however to cany on the name. John died in March 1966 at the age of 94, and Jennie passed away in August of 1963 at the age of 85. Both are buried at Loveland where they had lived the last few years of their lives in the Sierra Vista Nursing Home in Loveland, after having lived in and around Genoa since 1928 for over 30 years. Their son, Wesley, passed away in January 1986 in Maine, where he had gone to be with his only child, and is buried in Winthrop, Maine. homestead. BERRY, JOHN FAMILY which began in about 1916 with Ray Thompson as the carrier, the Berrys got their mail at Thurman, which meant a trip once a week by horse and buggy. by Margaret Berry Slise In 1914 a school district was formed in the area and a nice sod school house, 16 x 24 feet, with four windows in each wall, was built 1 F67 The story of the John Berry family in Kit Carson County began in 1907 when John Harvey Berry filed for a homestead, August 7,LW7, on SW % Section 7, 63, Range 51, in the extreme northwestern corner of the county, just south of the Washington County line and just east of the Lincoln County line. Actually Berry had become familiar with Eastern Colorado at an earlier time when a sist€r and family moved to Limon in about 1895 for employment with the railroad, and Berry had visited in their home. Later when that family moved to the Cripple Creek Gillette area in about 1898, Berry joined the % miles to the west of the Berry home. This BEST, BOB AND was just inside Lincoln County on SW % of Section 12, 6S, Range 52. This school was nemed Twin Lakes, as two large lagoons nearby filled with water from snow melt in the spring. A Sunday School, known as the Twin Lakes Sunday School, also met at the school. All four of the Berry children attended school and Sunday School at Twin Lakes. Berry farmed with horses and broke prairie sod for farm crops, mostly raising corn, beans, potatoes, barley, rye, cane, millet and some wheat. The neighbors all exchanged work in harvest and with threshing. Too, Berry was considered the neighborhood blacksmith. Berry also received help with the farm work from his eldest daughter. They would haul grain from the crops raised to the elevators in Flagler, 20 miles to the southeast, with horse and wagon, and would bring coal and groceries back for the winter supply. PATTI LU F58 In 1953 John Clark and H.E. (Gene) Clark, Patti's brothers, hired Bob to work for them in the insurance dept. of The First National Bank, Stratton, Colo. Bob had been born and raised in the state of Washington graduating from Montesano High School in Montesano, Washington and the University of Washington at Seattle, Washington. After graduating from High Also, one winter Berry hauled flour from Flagler to Thurman, a thriving town, seven School in June 1941, Bob enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served until the end of WWII and was discharged in February 1946. Patti was raised in Kirk, Colo. graduating from Kirk High School and Colorado A&M College (now Colorado State University). In January 1945 she was united in marriage to James Mustard who died in WWII. To this miles distant to the northwest in Washington County. In 1919 Berry bought a Monroe car which ended the days of horse and buggy union was born a son, James. During her college years and after graduating, Patti was employed in the Cope, Joes and Stratton napolis, Indiana, in that city and they transportation for the family. The Berrys, as all homesteaders, suffered returned to the Goff area to a farm southwest of town until the moved to Colorado. The bride was musically talentcd having played a violin with the Indianapolis City Orchestra prior to her marriage. She was born August 1, 1878, in Wurttemberg, Germany, and immigrated with her parents, two brothers and two sisters to the United States in 1881 at the age of three. Her mother came t,o Flagler to live with the Berrys in October 1922, following the death of her husband earlier, and was living in Colorado at the time of her death in January 1923. She ig buried blizzards, hailstorms, droughts, rattlesnakes, prairie dogs, coyotes, badgers, skunks, grasshoppers, army worms and jack rabbits, but endured. The family generally had a garden, chickens, a few hogs, and a milk cow, and several horses for the field work and transportation by wagon or buggy. By careful management they got through the long, cold winters comfortably with some coal and several tons of cow chips to burn for fuel. Prior to a rural mail delivery from Flagler, public school systems. Bob and Patti met in Montesano. Washington where Patti was visiting her in-laws. They were married in June 1947 and to this union two daughters, Susan and Judith, were family and worked with hie brother-in-law in various mining and mining related jobs. Later he returned home to his native home area in northeastern Kansas, Goff in Nemaha County. His parents had come to Doniphan County in the late 1860's in a covered wagon with an oxen tenm, from Lovilia, Iowa, and it was at Hiawatha that Berry was born September 30, 1871. On March 2, 1906, Berry was united in marriage with Marie Rose Probst of India- hardships and battled the elements of born. The family continued living in Stratton where all three children were graduated from High School. Jim is married to Denise Kale and they are now living in Boulder, Colo. where Jim works as a geologist. They have a daughter Alicia. Susan is married to Jim Carnathan and they have two children, Kim and Chris. Jim works at Caldwells in Burlington and Sue works at The First National �Bank, Stratton. Judith is manied to Dean Wall and they have three children, Kerri, Stephanie and John. They live in Denver where Dean is a minister and Judy works in a book store. In 1961John Clark sold his interest in The First National Bank to Bob and Gene Clark and they continued as the managing officers until they sold their interests in the fall of 1981 and retired. Patti passed away in April 1982 after a long illness. In May 1983 Bob was married to Serena Simon, Con Simon's widow, and they are presently living in Stratton. by Bob Best BIGELO\il, EARL NLTPIJAZ F69 My grandfather William Seymour Bigelow was born in Goffrey county, Iowa, May 21, 1869 and died Feb. 11, 1948. He was the 4th child of Dr. Eliphaz Bigelow, born Oct. 20, 1823, died Oct. 25, 1877. Great-grandfather Eliphaz originally came from Marion, Ohio, before moving to Iowa. He traveled many miles with horse and buggy or riding a horse to attend to the ills of the sick. Grandfather William Bigelow married Mertie Steward on Sept. 11, 1889. Mertie was born Mar. 27, L873 and died Mar. 8, 1945. It is said that the Stewards were related to President Howard Taft. They had 8 children: F,arl, 7 /L0/L890 to 3/5/L964, married Eliz- abeth Fuhlendorf; Bliss, 9/L5/L852 to 3/8/1980, married Mary Noel; Minnie, 2/15/1895 to 2/28/L983. married Ben Steen; Hazel, 8/26/ L897 to 12/21/1968, married Alex Todd; Clyde, 5/241L90L, married Christine Cook; Glen, 10/26/1903 tn 4/14/1916. Glen is buried in the Seibert cemetery; Roy, L/L7/L906 to r/L9/L906; and Lyle, rr/7h910 to 9/L2/L97L, married Ione Sheppard. Clyde is the only uncle or aunt I have living on either side of my family. My father was born in Phillips county, Kansas. In 1907, grandfather with father and Uncle Bliss immigrated from eastern Kansag to Seibert, Colo. Grandfather was allowed to ride in the caboose ofthe train free, but Earl and Bliss were gtowaways in the immigrant car and hid in an empty piano box when the train had stops. At a stop near Belleville, Kansas another immigrant family joined this train. The Bigelows became acquainted with Ed Gagnon and his son Pope. The Gagnons homesteaded 3 mi. east and LVz mi. south of Seibert. Grandmother Mertie and the rest of the family came by train and joined grandfather, Earl and Bliss about 10 miles north and two west of Seibert, where gandfather had homesteaded. During the first years of homesteading, my father, Earl and Uncle Bliss roa-ed away from home to find work to earn moneyto help support the regt of the family. While home at one time, and ready to leave again, grandmother cried because she did not want the boys to leave. Comet Halley was to arrive in 1910, and she was afraid it might hit them. In the fall of 1910, Earl was picking corn for John Kistler, who lived northeast of Seibert, where the Charles Borens live today. At that time the Murphy school was a little north of the Kistler place. Earl started courting the pretty young school teacher of the Murphy School, Elizabeth Fuhlendorf, who later became my mother. I, Alma L. Bigelow Becker, was born in 1919. some cases furnished transportation to the missionary, which at that time was horse and buggy. He was one of the charter members of Immanuel Lutheran Church of Arriba and and ranching, but due to health reasons later a charter member of Zion in Flagler. He served both congregations in various official capacities and in general gave much of his time and efforts to the upbuilding of the church. Mr. and Mrs. Blancken celebrated their Golden Wedding anniversar5r in 1930 when many of their relatives and a host of friends helped them celebrate the occasion. His wife father had to change to other work to make passed away in April of 1939. Earl Bigelow was a staunch member of the community. For years he served on the board of the Vona schools. He helped support baseball teems, and was a member of the Christian Church of Vona. Earl was one of the first in the county to irrigate with deep wells. He loved farming a living. For many years he was in the insurance business. In 1946, my parents bought grandfather William Bigelow's home in Seibert. Here my father passed away on Mar. 5, 1964. My mother will be 97 years old in July. She lives in this house, does her own housework, goes to Senior citizen parties and other events. Her wit and humor are still so enjoyable. In 1946, she was called to teach the Pleasant He was engaged in farming during his lifetime and only the last few years did he fail to take an active part in the work on the farm. During the last 12 years of his life he was blind. Otherwise he enjoyed good health and his mind was especially clear. He passed away October 10, 1948, at the age of 94 years, 6 months and 1 day. by R.W. Blancken Valley country school. This is the same school my husband, Wilbert Becker, attended in grade school and also the first two years for Burleigh Becker our son, and Elizabeth's oldest grandson. The children of Earl and Elizabeth Bigelow are: Floyd, 9/25/LgL5, manied Ruth Lusby, one daughter; Howard, 5/23/Lgl7, married Elendor Southards, two sons and two daughters. Elendor died in a house fire in Benton City, Washington, 1966. Howard married again to Lona Mitchell; Alma, L/15/19L9, married Wilbert Becker, two sons and one daughter; Louise, 9/26/1920, married Girth Dykes, three sons; and Rosa Anna, LL/29/L927, married Gerald Tubbs, one son. Rosa Anna passed away Nov. 25, 1970, due to diabetes. by Alma L. Bigelow Becker BLANCKEN, DIEDRICH F. BLANCKEN, GEORGE WILLIAM F6l George William Blancken was born at Frohna, Perry County, Missouri on December 5, 1894, seventh child of Dietrick and Marie (Eisenberg) Blancken. The family moved to Colorado when George was eight years old, in May, 1903, where they took a homestead northwest of Flagler. He was baptized into the Lutheran faith in Frohna, Missouri, and he re-affirmed his baptismal vows by confirmation on February 16, 1909 with Rev. H. Schmidt (his brotherin-law) at his parents'home before a church was built in Arriba, Colorado. Later his family becsme active charter members of the Zion Lutheran Church in Flagler where F60 Diedrich F. Blancken was born April 9, 1854 in the Province of Hanover, Germany, and came to this country when 8 months old with his parents, being on the sea eleven weeks. They settled in Perry County Missouri on November 28, 1854 near the town of Frohna. On July 29, 1880, he was united in marriage to Mary Eisenberg of Amsbert, Missouri. To this union 10 children were born, seven girls and three boys, Matilda, Magdelene, Martha, Marie, Minnie, Frederich (died in infancy), George, Julia, Natalie, and Oliver. In 1903 Mr. Blancken and his family came to Flagler, Colorado, where he took a homestead. In the pioneer days ofhomesteaders in this country, he gave many newcomers assistance in filing on their land and many times took them into his home until they could build shelter on their own claims. He took an active part in the building of the Lutheran Church in Arriba and later was one of the first members of the church in Flagler. In the early homestead days when missionaries were sent from the Lutheran Church he gave them living quarters and in George took an active part in the church serving in various positions. On March 6, 1918, George was united in marriage to Minnie Elizabeth Settgast. To this union were born two sons, George W. Jr., Richard W. and seven daughters, Helen, Harriet, Madge, Julia Maria (who died in infancy), Velma, Eunice and Nona. George served his country in the armed forces during World War I and was a member of the American Legion Post #81 of Flagler. After being discharged from service, he and his wife, Minnie farmed his parents' farm northwest of Flagler for a few years. They then purchased their own farm southeast of Flagler, known as the John Thompson place. In 1938, they purchased the Jewells'farm northwest of Flagler which they later sold and moved to town. George and Minnie celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on March 6, 1968 with all eight of their children present. Minnie passed away on May 3, 1970, after a brief illness. George was united inmarriage to Elsie Mae Whitt of Greeley on April 21, 1974. She preceded George in death on February 25, 1984. George was engaged in farming during his lifetime. During his later years he enjoyed fishing and was an active member of the �Senior Citizens Center of Flagler and supported their many activities. George passed away on January 6, 1986 at the age of91 years one month and one day. George saw many changes in the community and town of Flagler during his 91 years as well as changes in the entire world. From farming with horses to man on the moon, George could recall many interesting stories from the past, but a good lesson to learn from this man was that he didn't live in the past. He was active in today's world, keeping up on current events and modern times, a challenge to all who knew and loved this dear man. by B.W. Blancken BLANCKEN, HENRY c. F62 At the urging ofthree other brothers living in Colorado, Mr. and Mrs. Henry C. Blancken moved to Flagler, Colorado, in 1894. Arriving by train they found only a few buildings and much open country. They selected a tract of 160 acres of land five miles west of Flagler and homest€aded it. As a young man Henry was a cooper working at a flour mill in Aldenburg, Missouri, where he met Mary Reinemer who lived on a farm with her parents. Henry courted Mary for three months, driving fifteen miles with horse and buggy. Finally a wedding day was get for July 10, 1883. The wedding was a large affair with people coming from all around to witness the formal occasion observing all the old German customs. They lived to celebrate their 50th anniversary together. They lived on a farm near Flagler until 1911 when Mary's health compelled a change and they left for Texas. Failing to find a satisfactory location there they went to Linn, Kansas, where they engaged in the restaurant business for three years. In January, 1915, they returned to Flagler, where they owned and operated the Flagler hotel and later engaged in the mercantile business. by R.W. Blancken BOECKER - SMITH FAMILY F63 Edmund Boecker the first of eight children of John and Martha (Jorges) Boecker, was born in Gosper County, Nebraska, on February 24, 1907. The family moved to a homestead 15 miles north-east of Stratton in 1910. John Boecker was a carpenter, a blacksmith for the neighborhood, and owned and operated a steam engine threshing machine. In January 1918, he passed away, leaving Martha with four sons: Edmund, Emil, Reuben and Elmer. Edmund was then sent to relatives in Nebraska where he worked and went to school. He was confirmed in the Salem Lutheran Church near Elwood, Neb- raska, in 1921. In L922, he came back to Colorado and farmed the homestead, also worked with Fred Pugh. In the spring of 1939 he went to work on E.R. Smith's ranch, south of Stratton, and in June 1941 was married to Ida, fourth of five children of E. Rowland and Myrtle (Schlegel) Smith, was born in Omaha, Nebraska, on July 20, 1909. The family soon moved to the Sand Hills of Cherry County, Nebraska, about 12 miles northeast of Whitman. Here the four children walked a mile to the Rosebud Soddy to attend school. In November 1919. the moved to Kit Carson County Colorado where High School was being taught. Theodore, Ida and Glenn Tinker AFB in Oklahoma City, he met Vicky Lynn Carey, and they were married in Ponca City, Oklahoma, on February 3, 1969. He was soon sent to Vietnem for several months then back to Merced, California. He spent several years at Altus AFB in Oklahoma, then 31/z years in England. In 1977 he was sent back to the U.S., first at Rome, N.Y., then Minot AFB, N.D., and now at Dyess AFB in ABilene, Texas. We still live in Stratton in the house my father bought from Les Collins, and which Collins built about 1918. Note: Ida died July 11,1986, after a sudden, intense illness. by Ida Boecker BOESE FAMILY F64 graduated from First Central High School during the 20's, and Harold passed away at age 16. After graduation, I continued school to take shorthand, Typing, and other needed subjects, and on Saturdays took Extension courses from Colorado Teachers College in Greeley. J. Carl Harrison, who taught near Vona, would come in his Model T and pick up Mrs. Felch, who was teaching at the Piper School in Cheyenne County, and myself, and take us all to Burlington, Stratton, or Flagler, wherever the classes were held. I started teaching one-room schools at $75 per month in 1928, and alternated teaching and attend- ing college until I had taught six years and received my B.A. degree from Colorado State College of Education in 1938. It cost me $1000 per year to go to college then. The next three years I taught at Willard, Colorado, until I was married in 1941. After we were married, we both continued to work on my father's ranch until September 10, 1942, when Ed was drafted into the Army. He was sent to Camp Robinson, Arkansas, then to Qamp Butner, N.C. In April 1943, he was sent overseas, and spent the next 21/z years in the Pacific in Hawaiian Islands, Makin, Saipan and Okinawa. After the war with Japan ended, he was discharged on Nov. 10, 1945, after 38 months without a furlough. While Ed was in the service, I taught two years at First Central School, then helped my folks move to Stratton. The next few years we lived in several places where Ed worked in construction and farm work. Then our son, Dale, was born in Goodland, Kansas, on January 27, 1948. In 1954, when Dale started to school in Stratton, Vona. We are all members of the United Methodist Church in Stratton. Dale and I sang in the June, 1969 at Stratton, Colorado. Dale enlisted in the U.S. Airforce in January 1968. while he was stationed at Ida Smith. I began teaching in Seibert. I stayed there 5 years then spent eleven years teaching in Ida, Dale, Vicky, and Edmund Boecker. Taken can Legion Post 138 in Stratton for 27 years and is still a member. choir, and Ed has been head usher and Sunday School Superintendent for many years. I taught the Adult Bible Class in the Sunday School for 26 years and still play the piano. Ed served on the board of the Ameri- Arthur and Lydia Boese, September 3, L922. My grandfather, Ben H. Boese, was born in Russian-Poland on June 14, 1871. When he was three years old, he gailed with his parents on the ship Colina and landed at Ellis Island, New York on September 2, 1874. Five days later on September 7 they arrived at Yankton, Dakota Territory which is now South Dakota. They settled near Avon on a homestead. On November 22, 1895 my grandfather married Mary Dirks. Three children were born to this union in South Dakota Edith, - more Arthur, and Roy. They lived twelve years in South Dakota and then in 1907 my grandfather moved the family to a homestead southwest of Vona. My dad, Arthur, was seven years old then, and he could tell us children of the many hardships they had as homesteaders. My grandfather helped build the Pleasant �watch for a lot of centipedes under them or you had them in the houee also. fuound 1940 my dad bought the homeplace from my grandfather. My grandfather died in 1957 at age 86. In my dad's younger years he threshed grain and butchered pork and beef for neighbors. In the 30's my dad worked for the AAA Office in Burlington (now ASCS) and during the 40's and 50's he was a traveling fieldman for the ASCS Officee in 15 countiee in eagt€rn Colorado. My mother, Lydia, died in 19?2 from severe arthritis. My dad, Arthur, died in 1982 at age 82. In 1974 my dad had given his farm to us children and when we divided it my sister, Elaine, acquired the building site. In 1985 Old Town purchased the house from Elaine and on August 5, 1985 my grandfather and my dad's house was moved to Burlington and placed in Old Town. by Pauline McCaffrey Ben H. and Mary Boese about 1900. Valley School Vz mile east of our place and the Mennonite Church l mile south of us, and remembered when all 100 chairs in church were filled. Most homesteaders constructed one or two room houses to live in till they could add on or build new houses. By 1915 they had built a larger house. BOGART FAMILY F65 B.O. (Oscar) Bogart homesteaded in Kit Carson County, twenty miles southeast of Burlington, Colorado, on the north branch of On September 3, L922 my dad, Arthur, married a neighbor girl, Lydia Becker. He was farming with his dad at this time. They needed a larger house so by 1924 they finighed building on to the present one, the Smokey Hill River in 1900. He ran cattle and sheep on the open range. He built a four room house and moved his wife, Martha and their two children, Elva and Reed, there in 1902. Florence, Susie and William were born enlarging it for two families. The house had a bathroom and also running water. in the sod house. In 1908, Oscar decided to build an adobe Arthur and Lydia had six children Elaine Harrison, Pauline McCaffrey, Charlotte Halseide, Elson, Beverly Miller and Wiilis who died at 10 weeks old in Dec. 1938 from whooping cough and pneumonia. I was only six years old but I can remember the dirt storms in the 30's, eo dark the teacher had to light lamps at school and we couldn't get home. Eggs sold for 5 cents a dozen and we picked up a lot ofcow chips to burn in the cookstoves and furnace. They made good fuel and burned a lot longer than cobs. Had to Martha and Oscar Bogart. house, so he rode horseback to the Settlement northwest of Burlington, to learn how to mix the adobe. j$k! :,,r9 The Bogart family in the surrey with their driving 1snm, Ginger and Ribbon. First he laid a cement foundation for the walls to sit on. He plowed about 1/2 acre of ground, which he fenced with woven wire. He put straw on the plowed ground then added the water. To mix it thoroughly, he drove cattle around and around in the mud mixture. When it was well mixed he put about 6 inches of adobe on top of the concrete foundation, making the walls eighteen inches wide all around the house. He let that set until it was thoroughly dry and really hardened. After that part was hardened, he would add another six inches of adobe on top, and so on until the wnlls were the right height. His neighbors then helped him with project. Fred Kukuk, who was a carpenter, helped to finish the building. Mr. Hayden did the finishing work on there inside, but Mr. Lemon did all the plastering and the tiling in the dining room. Theseven room adobe house is still in good condition today and is occupied by the Steve Rainbolts. Ogcar was always improving his place. He built a cow barn in 1912 and in 1918 he built a larger barn to protect his cattle during the hard winters. He planted 2 rows of trees around the house and a windbreak north of all the buildings. In October, 1908, the Smokey Hill River ran bank full after a heavy rain. There wag The Boese home, 1924, now part of Old Town. no bridge on which to croes. Ogcar was much concerned about that for if someone was ill and needed a doctor, there was no way one could cross the river to get one. He persuaded the County Commissioners to build a bridge across the Smokey for he would help care for �it. Oscar and Martha Bogart were very kind and thoughtful. They helped neighbors in need and if anyone was ill and needed help, they were there. We children all agree that we could not have had more loving parents nor a happier home. Martha passed away in 1936 at the home place. Oscar had a fatal heart attack in 1947 while he wag vieiting his son, Reed, and family in Mena, Ark. Elva passed away in 1978 and William in 1983. The homeplace was sold to August Reents in 1945. He sold it in 1947 to Edwin Rainbolt who still owns it. by Susie Bogart many trips to Colorado and eventually settled north of Vona. Their other sons, Wyatt and Jim, each lived with Frank and Ed before moving on to other ventures. Wyatt moved to Burlington and Jim was involved in mining in Leadville and South America. Andrew and Abigail came to Kit Carson County in about 1900 and lived with Frank and his family while building a home of their own 15 miles north and 1 east of Seibert. Andrew homesteaded the N.W. quarter of section 23 and their sons all went together and bought Abigail the S.W. quarter for her birthday. They later acquired another quarter to the north of Andrew's. This quarter was bought from their estate by Horace Boger. My uncle recently commented on how BOGER, ANDREW FAMILY Henry died while the family lived in Illinois. Their next move was to Chester, Nebraska where they lived for about 16 years. While living there, their sons, Frank and Ed, made much the ground has worn down over the years. He said that when his grandpa (An- F66 drew) used to come to visit, he came from the north with horse and buggy and that they couldn't see him until he topped the hill north of Hell Creek. Now a person can see for some distance on up the road. He also pointed out some of the neighboring places that weren't always visible from the Frank Boger place. One of the possessions that Abigail had brought with her was a rocking chair that she had gotten when she and Andrew were married. The rocker traveled with them from Illinois to Nebraska and on to Colorado. When Andrew and Abigail were no longer able to care for themselvee, they moved back in with Frank and his fanily. They moved all of theirfurnishings and dumpedthem behind Andrew and Abigail Boger in about 1901 Family records indicate that the Boger family history in America began in 1732 when Johann Paul and Anna Eva Boger and their family arrived in Philadelphia from a section of Germany then known as the Palatinate. The family settled in Berks and Lebanon counties and several of their descendants were among those who fought for independence during the Revolutionary War. A few generatione lat€r my great grand- father, Andrew Boger, was born at Bald Eagle, Pennsylvania on November 26, 1836. It is not known when he began to move westward from Pennsylvania, but the next record we have of him shows that on April 8, 1860, he married Abieail Brown at Cold Brook, Illinois. On August 11, 1862 Andrew enrolled with the 102 Illinois lnfantry Volunteers and served as a Union soldier in the area near Louisville, Kentucky. Andrew and Abigail lived in lllinois for thenext22yearc and their six children were born there. They were Ella, Henry, Frank, Ed, Wyatt, and Jim. Ella and Frank's blacksmith shop. A neighbor, Bunt Smith, borrowed one of the beds but the rest of the things remained there for many years. Andrew and Abigail lived at Frank's home until both passed away there in the latter part of 1920. They were buried at Burlington. Afrb,er Frank's family had moved to Seibert, Frank's Bon, Horace, and Opal Gulley were married and lived on the homestead. Opal rescued the chair only to find that the rockers were broken off of it. Frank told her that it had been his mother's chair and offered to take it home and fix it up for her. Opal's granddaughter, Holly Miller, now has the rocker in her bedroom though it definitely shows the hard times it has seen. by Joyce Miller BOGER, FRANK FAMILY Around 1890, they chose a location 13 miles north and 1 west of Vona and lived there by Squatters Rights with a dugout for their home. On Christmas Day, 1895, Frank married a former neighbor, Flora Slutts, at the home of her parents in Belleville, Kansas. Flora was born February L2,L873 atRed Oak, Iowaand had grown up in Belleville. In March, Frank and his bride start€d for their home at Vona, traveling by covered wagon, and printed here is part of a letter that she wrote to her family on March 27, L896. "Dear People, We are settled in our little shack in grand style. We drove down here the 25th and eat all alone. We have had lots of fun and this isn't such a bad country after all. Of course there isn't much but Buffalo grass and cactus to see now but we will try to make one ranch worth looking at. We got along fine on the road but we only had three nice days. We were only ten days and a half on the road. We stopped at Ezra Couchman's to water our horses. He was scouring his corn planter when we got there. The people in westem Kansas do not take much pains with their farming, if they did they would have better crops. I have our grub box up in the corner for a cupboard and we have a little hone made table and a little stove that we borrowed to use until we went to Eastonville. The stove is a no. 7. My bread pans are too large for the oven. Ed got all the lumber in this part of Co. He had the roof on and the floor down. As far as the lumber went. We only have to haul watpr two miles. We can get water for the horses about three quarters of a mile from here. My neighbor is a daisy. She worked in a cotton mill until she was 36 years old and then came west to grow up with the country. She is a funny old piece I tell you. She is going to let me have some houseplants. The claim Frank is going to get is a nice one. I an anxious to get our soddy built so I can start work in earnest. I am trying to bake bread but would be afraid to offer it to Boss for fear he would feel ineulted. Frank is cleaning house. We were pretty lucky on our trip. It cost us $9.28. Ed said the Buckskins looked better than they did when Frank left there. Love to all. Flora" In the years that followed, Frank and Flora had nine children. The first two; Elwin, born in 1897 and a baby girl born in 1899 lived for only a few weeks. Their next child, Horace, was born in Belleville, Kansas in 1900 and was 2 months old when his mother returned to Vona with him. They returned home by train and an old ledger contains the entry, "Jan. 19th, 1901: Expenses of Flora's trip F67 F.P. (Frank) Boger was born August 29, 1864 and his brother, Ed, was born October 5, 1866. The brothers were born and grew up in Viola, Illinoig and then moved to Chester, Neb. in 1883 with their parents (Andrew and Abigail Boger) and the rest of their family. Frank and Ed first cnme to Colorado in about 1885. They worked on ranches in the Peyton and Colorado Springs area, did some mining and ran a freight wagon between Cripple Creek and Colorado Springs. They spent the next several years dividing their time between Colorado and Nebraska. home. . Fare, $9.30. . . Sundries, $17.50." Their other children were born at home: Ellis in 1902; John, 1904; Mary, 1906; Louise, 1908; Vernis, 1912; and Fannie, 1913. Mary and Louise died from Scarlet Fever while they were still young girls. The Boger ranch was mainly a mule ranch, although they also raised cattle, farmed, and ran a blacksmith shop. Ed homesteaded just south of Frank's claim and the two brothers ranched together until 1908 when Ed died of injuries received when he fell from a horse. Flora was active in church and school and was a correspondent for the "Siebert Settler" newspaper. She also enjoyed politics and on � https://kccarchives.cvlcollections.org/files/original/17/455/Families-B2.pdf a9802230678e52a76f94fd70e8d51107 PDF Text Text for road work since the farming season is opened." June 20, 19224 "Road Overseer Boger assisted by Charles- Wyllys and Alvin Monroe graded the Vona-Joes highway. He reports the new grader as being very much easier on the tenms than the old one was." One of his memories of the 1920's was of a snow storm on December L4,L923. On that day he was hauling grain from the Sweazy place north of Vona where they were threshing. He took a load of grain into the Vona Elevator late in the afternoon and after he unloaded grain, he ate supper at the cafe. When he left the cafe it was snowing hard, so he headed for home. He had an old, open truck with no top or cab. It was a cold ride and the snow fell so fast that it piled up on the ground and on the seat around him, but he eventually got home. About two feet of Photo of Frank Boger's family taken at their home north of Vona in 1928. L. to R. Fannie, John, Vernis, Ellis, Horace, Flora and Frank. September L2, Lg24 a fellow correspondent from nearby Elphis reported, "Mrs. F.P. Boger and Mrs. C. Jewett were the clerks at the primary electiong held here Tuesday. This is the first time women were chosen for this work in this precinct and we feel a little "skeered" that the sterner sex will no more Horace Boger was a resident of the Vona area for 85 years. He was born to Frank and Flora Boger at Belleville, Kansas on November 19, 1900 and came to the family's home conducting elections". Ellis was the first to leave the ranch as he moved to California in 1922. Frank and Flora moved to Siebert in 1929 taking John, Vernis, and Fannie with them. Frank and his sons continued the blacksmith business in Siebert work. He attended school at the Boger school south of his home. When we were kids, and my cousins and I were wanting to go somewhere, our dads always told us that when they were kids they had to stay home and work and didn't get to run around. Several years ago we came across several issues of the "Seibert Settler" newspaper and through its news items found that they really did get to go places and quite often at that! We saw that they never did live that have a monopoly of such soft snaps as and Flora was the Justice of the Peace. Horace remained at Vona to operate the ranch and spent the rest of his life there. Frank's health failed in the late 1930's and they moved to Colorado Springs in 1939. Frank passed away there in 1940 and Flora in 1956. Other deaths in the family were: Ellis in 1970, John in 1982, and Horace in 1985. Vernis now lives in Pittsburg, Kangas and Fannie (Robinson) lives in Security, Colorado. The Boger farm is now occupied by Mrs. Horace Boger and her daughter and her north of Vona at the age of two months. He spent his childhood, EN most farm boys do, helping his father and learning the farming and ranching that would become his life's down! Through the 1920's Horace worked as Road Overseer for the county. The "Seibert Settler" also contained some items concerning this. April 18, L924 "Road Overseer, Horace Boger, is finding -it hard to find men snow fell and stayed on the ground all winter. The threshing job was not finished until the following March. His parents moved to Seibert in 1929 and he took over the farming and ranching. In 1939 he bought the homestead from his parents, On March 14, 1930 he married Opal Gulley at Burlington, Colorado. On March 15th they attended a sale at Seibert. Horace bought a table and six chairs, a 72 piece set of Blue Willow china, a library table and other odds and ends. Since he had been "batching" for a year, he had all the necessities for house- keeping. Opal was born to N.O. and Bertha Gulley on October 8, 1908 at Lawrence, Kansas and came to Colorado at the age of nine months. She grew up in the sandhills northeast of Vona and developed a deep affection for the sand, sage, and prairie wind. She attended Kechter School and Rainbow Valley Sunday School. Opal enjoyed working in her yard and planted many bushes and trees. Her fatherin-law, Frank Boger, brought her many of the things she enjoyed such as books, kittens, dogs, and the first calf born after she cnme to the farm. The calf, Rosemary, became quite a pet as well ffl a very productive milk cow. These things all helped to fill the many days that Opal spent alone while Horace fanily, John, Joyce and Holly Miller. by Joyce Miller BOGER, HORACE AND OPAL F68 p |,. l tl. OpaI Boger at her home in about 1936. Horace Boger at his home north of Vona in the mid 1930's. �worked at custom corn shelling and threshing. He did corn shelling and threshing through the 30's and 40's. Some of those who worked with him were: Bill Maag, Andrew Eggink, and Roy Crum. Corn shelling was a big event in those days. In November the corn was picked and when it was piled up the sheller would pull in. All the close neighbors would come to help scoop the corn into the sheller. Some of the women csme too and helped with dinner. At the end of the day there was a huge pile ofshucks or husks, a pile ofcobs, and the pile of golden corn. The cobs were used for fuel and the husks were fed to the cattle. Horace always loved the old machinery and in later years enjoyed attending the antique engine and thresher shows with his good friend, Mick Monroe, and was especially pleased when his granddaughter, Holly Miller, took an interest and like to attend these events with him. Horace and Opal had one daughter, Joyce, who was born December 20, L945 at Flagler, Colorado. There was a polio epidemic that year, so Opal and Joyce made only very limited trips away from home. Horace enjoyed reading and politics. He also enjoyed photography and accumulated a large collection of photos depicting life in the 20th century. Farming was his life and through blizzards, dust storms, floods, invasions of grasshoppers and web worms, good times and bad, he continued farming and was still actively engaged in farming at the time of his death on December 6, 1985. Opal remains on the farm and still enjoys books, her yard and nature. by Joyce Miller parents, Snmuel S. Frankfather and Anna Maria Gilson Frankfather, moved to Nebraska from Potterstown, Ohio, with three older children (Viva, Manley and Arthur) intending to homest€ad near Lincoln. All of that homestead land had been taken, so they went to Roca, about 10 miles southeast of Lincoln and homest€aded on 80 acres near there. Her father started a general merchandise store and her mother a hotel in Roca. Three younger children (Clay, Mabel and Grace) were born in Roca. In 1896, Samuel Frankfather, his wife and the three younger children went to Cripple Creek, Colorado, with two teems and wagons and two heavy tents. He staked a gold claim on Spring Creek, had it surveyed and patented, but did not strike gold. However, the neighbors did hit gold and on the strength of that find, Ss-uel sold his claim for 96000 and returned with his family to Roca in the fall of 1899. The next spring the family returned to Colorado and settled on a farm one and one-half miles northwest of Vona. When living near Vona, Mabel gave piano lessons in the Seibert-Vona area, traveling by bicycle. (Later her children learned to ride on For want of a nsme, decided on "Comet." The number assigned was one twentythree In spite of the hoo-doo, happy are we; Institution was had - the deed was done In fair Colorado, at Burlington. Mabel Frankfather Boger was born on November 25, 1880 and died on August 10, 1966. by Della and Irene Boger BOGER, WYATT F70 that old tall bicycle which had no coaster brakee.) She also finished teaching the school tcrm started by Dacy Lee who quit to marry her brother, Clay Frankfather. Mabel attended normal school in Burlington in July 1902, and roomed at the C.A. Yersin home. During his snmpaign for Kit Carson County Clerk and Recorder, Wyatt Roger met Mabel Frankfather and after his election asked her to be a clerk in his office. She worked for him and becsme his bride on June 3, 1903. Mabel and Wyatt lived in a small house in Old Burlington for a year or two before they built a four-room house on the blockjust east of the courthouge. When the family increased BOGER, MABEL FRANKFATIIER F69 Our mother, Mabel Frankfather Boger, was born at Roca, Nebraska. In 1868, her they remodeled it to an eight-room house in which they lived the rest of their lives. This house was eventually sold and moved to its present location, 536-9th St., Burlington. While raising a family of five children, Bertha, Lowell, Della, Irene and Erma (the second child, Willard, died in infancy), Mabel continued to work with Wyatt in his various offices. She was appointed Clerk of the District Court and held that office for 40 years (1918-1958) after which she retired. During part of this period she also served as Deputy Clerk of the County Court while Wyatt was County Judge. After his death she continued his work as Vital Statistician until ehe retired. Music was one of Mabel's prime interests and while in Cripple Creek, she played the organ and her brother Clay fiddled for oldtime dancing. For several years she played the reed organ and later the piano at the Methodist Church in Burlington. She also enjoyed collecting antique glassware, gardening, and sang alto in many choral groups. She was a charter member of the Aurora Chapter of the Eastern Star, and was a member for over 50 years. She also became a charter member of the Comet Rebekah Lodge, and remained a member throughout her life. She composed the following poem: 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 dodge Mabel Frankfather Boger on June 3, 1902 When Halley's own stal was at it's summit Wyatt Boger, June 3, 1903. Our father, Wyatt Boger (Andrew Wyatt Boger) was born near Viola, Illinois. His parents Andrew and Abigail Boger, with four sons (Frank, Edward, Wyatt and J"-es) moved to a farm in Kansas near Chester, Nebraska, when Wyatt wag nine years old. Wyatt walked from the farm to Chester for his schooling and graduated from Chester High School in 1891, after which he attended a teaching preparatory school in Hebron, Nebraska, and later Campbell University at Holton, Kansas. He taught school in the Kansas-Nebraska area. In 1893, he and his brother Edward left Chester, Nebraska, traveling by covered wagon, headed for Colorado to seek land for Edward. On the fifteenth day they arrived in Burlington. They visited the Land Office there to ascertain what lands could be bought or homesteaded. Land was selling for about $600 to $2000 per quarter, deeded. Some homesteaders were selling their claims for $25 to $50 (160 aces). They traveled on north to Vona, where a former neighbor lived. They spent a week with him while they scouted the area for land. Wild game, such as jackrabbits, antelope, wolves, badgers and prairie dogs, were plentiful. They decided on a piece of land and left the next day for the U.S. Land Office in Hugo to file the claim. On June 8, 1893, Edward paid $16 forthe SW% 34-6-48. They immediately left to return to the farm in Kansas where Wyatt was to resume his �ffi l a'.1 ,*^t1 f,*! r' Kensington, Kansas. George Ormsbee, well known in Burlington as a real estate broker, knew Mr. Boggs had always desired to be back farming as his children were growing up. Learning about land for sale in Kit Carson County he sold his business in Kaneas. Mr. Omsbee then completed the sale of the old Chicago Ranch, sixteen miles south and west of Burlington. The ranch consisted of 1440 acree of deeded land and 2 Yz sections of grass land for cattle raising. The home place was about % mile north, having a nice two story home, windmill and adjacent pond, plus small buildings for milk cows, hogs and -ut chickens. Mr. Boggs desired to have his children receive as good an education as possible that his ability would provide, so a move to Burlington was in order for high school. Later Wyatt and Mabel Frankfather Boger on their 50th wedding anniversary in 1953. teaching. In 1896 Wyatt returned to Colorado to engage in farming and raising of cattle with his brother Frank, who had acquired a farm 14 miles north of Vona. Wyatt first had a brand BJ - range Hell Creek, Seibert. Later, at Burlington he had a brand YY. In 1901 while traveling over the county by horse and buggy, ssmpaigning for the office of Kit Carson County Clerk and Recorder, he met Mabel Frankfather of Vona. Many times he rode the west-bound freight train from Burlington, jumped off at Vona, and walked to the Frankfather farm to visit her. When he won the election and assumed office in 1902, he asked Mabel to be a clerk in his office. Mabel Frankfather and Wyatt were married on June 3, 1903, in Seibert, by the Reverend N.H. Hawkins. The minister was late getting to the ceremony, which finally had to take place at the railroad station just minutes before the train left for Burlington. The ministcr had time only to say, "I now pronounce you man and wife". Wyatt asked him if without the usual ritual his statement would be binding. He replied: "It better be!" They established their residence in Burlington and remained there for the rest of their lives. Here their six children were born (Bertha, Willard, Lowell, Della, Irene and Erma) and five grew to adulthood and graduated from Burlington High School. The second child, Willard, died in infancy. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 1953. During his lifetime Wyatt was engaged in some private businesses and held offices, such as: County Clerk and Recorder; Clerk of the District Court; County Judge; Mayor of Burlington; member of the Board of Trustees, Town of Burlington; served on the Board of Education; established the first abstract of title business in Kit Carson County; owner of the first Burlington tele- phone system; Vice-President, Burlington State Bank; Treasurer, Colorado State Fair Board; Liberty Loan Committee (WWI Bonds); Kit Carson County War Food Administrator (WWI); Kit Carson County Se- lective Service Committee (WW[); salesman for Businessmen's Life Assurance Company, Kansas City, Missouri; substitute rural mail carrier for Burlington Post Office; and Vital Statistician for the eastern half of Kit Carson County. He owned a section of land north of Burlington and had a tenant farmer, but enjoyed looking after it and hunting for ducks, pheasants and rabbits, and fishing at Bonny Dam. He liked gardening and planted the first trees at the courthouse, and trees around his home and farm. Wyatt was a great lover of horses, often winning first prize at the County Fair for best ofbreed. His trotting horses were raced at the County Fair. He kept his horses in the big barn and pasture back of the house on land where the Kit Carson County Memorial Hospital is now located. Wyatt was initiated into the Masonic Lodge in Burlington in 1903 and was a past master, a 32nd degree Mason and a member of the Scottish Rite. He was a charter member of the Chester, Nebraska, Independent Order of Odd Fellows (1893) and continued his membership with that chapter. He became a member of the Comet Rebekah Lodge of Burlington in 1910. Wyatt Boger, born on February 23, 1872 died on September 15, 1953. by Della and Irene Boger BOGGS, JOHN FAMILY F71 John S. Boggs and family moved to Burlington, Colorado late in June 1917. His wife Daisy and children, Ralph 14, Ray 12, Irma 10, Harold 6, and Thelma 3. John Boggs had been engaged in operating a General Store at Reamsville and Kensington, Kansas. In addition he lived on a farm some three miles south of Reamsville, operating it in conjunction to his business. Later in 1912 he purchased a General Merchandise store in the family moved to Denver where Ralph and Ray were able to go to D.U. for two years in the early 1920's. So back to Burlington and also to the Ranch. Mr. Boggs was always interested in politics both from a precinct up to the county and -state level. As time carried he was prominent in the Grange, an agricultural agency, that was quite a factor in agriculture. Late in the 1920's he ran and was elected on the Republican ticket for county treasurer. For this he served three years. Then he felt he would like to run for a state office, when he learned he had a good opportunity to win; he entered the race and won, serving two twoyear terms. He filed to run a third term but was defeated principally by the Ku Klux Klan. This ended his career in politics, other than being active for others seeking office. Finally disposing of property south of Burlington, he purchased some one hundred acres northeast of Burlington, living there .until his death on February 16, 1946. John Boggs was a man you could rely upon. His word was his bond. He believed in fairness to all and his convictiong were not changed. Mrs. Daisy Boggs, John's wife, was a real lady. Her place was in the home. In times good or bad, she never complained. The five children she raised were always close to her. The children's problems became hers and they seemed to work out to everyone's satisfaction. She passed away Oct. 3, 1976; just six weeks short of her 98th birthday. Ralph Boggs, the first son, lived in Burlington until 1933. During high school drove a school bus and later worked for Mr. Cecil Reed, the local Ford Dealer. He married Martha Abbott, who formerly taught school in Burlington. They made their home in California. Ray, the second son, was a year and four months younger than Ralph. They both were close and went through high school and two years ofcollege. After returning to Burlington he worked for Penny Hardware. Latpr Mrs. Della Hendricks, County Superintendent of Schools, invited him to teach school, where at Bethune, a new four teacher school was constructed. He left there in 1928 to play ball in the oil fields in Wyoming where the opportunity cnme for a try out with the Boston Braves of the National League. His left shoulder bothered him, which eventually ended a short baseball career. He went into business with International Harvester and settled in Grand Junction, Co. He married and has three children. �Irma, first daughter of John and Daisy Boggs, was born Dec. 2, 1907. Her early schooling was in Kansas. She finished her grade school and went on to high echool in Burlington. She married in 1920 to Jn'neg C. Keese of Burlington. They worked at his brother's ice plant and later for Mr. Henry Klinker, local tire dealer. They moved to Fort Collins, Co. William Harold Boggs, fourthchild of John and Daisy Boggs, was born March 4th, 1911 in Rea-sville, Kansas. He finished his grade and high school at Burlington. He later went to University of Colo. In 1939 he and his wife moved to Steamboat Springs where he eetablished a hardware store. Thelma Boggs, the fifth and last child of John and Daisy, was born in Kensington, Kansas, November 2, L914. She completed her grade and high school in Burlington. Early in 1938 she moved to California near her brother Ralph and met and married her husband. After her husband served in the U.S. Army they operated a grocery store. land. We spent seven years in Arvada elementa- ry school. At that time there were only two schools in the town of 1800 people. Homer Peck, who once lived in Stratton, was the school superintendent. Rationing of many items was imposed by the government because of war time shortages. At this time we decided to return to the Kirk area to teach and farm. Ag late as 1949 new farm tractors were rationed. A friend informed me that there wae a row type Oliver tractor available in Kiowa, Kansas. I was able to make the purchase by phone and rode there with a farmer who was traveling in that direction. I drove the tractor back to Kirk, a distance of 400 miles. About this time our 3 daughters were attending school so Elizabeth found commu- nity employment to aid in financing my college education through summer school and night classes that were available at many of the schools in the area. I finally earned a Masters degree in education from U.N.C. in 1963. by Ray Boggs BOONE, ELMER AND ELIZABETH (sHrvELY) Our daughter Betty Smith, has been a primary teacher in Stratton since 1963. Another daughter Peggy Wright taught in Colorado and Arizona. At present she is served as elementary principal. Our time is filled with gardening, church, golf, travel, and community activities. chances. employed by the Good Samaritan Hospital in Phoenix. Carol, the youngest is living in ment. We have both retired and elected to reside in Stratton where I had taught 12 years and by Elmer Boone BOONE, FRED AND IIARRIETT BROWN F73 Elmer and Lib Boone with daughters left to right: Betty, Carol and Peggy. My teaching career began at the Fremont rural school in 1927. There were 36 pupilg in grades 1 through 8. The term was 8 months. The school board decided for a 9 month term the following year. After two years I began teaching in the upper grades at Kirk. Fe-ilies cnme for a 3 day outing. One-room schools dotted the plains. Railroad towns were first to have high schools. The Boone children attpnded the Fox School (1913-18). By 1920 non-railroad towns established high schools. Considerable interest result€d when the "Raleigh Man" brought his wares. Some were: salves, shoe polish, extracls, perfumes, combs, brushes, etc. He relied on the hospitality of the family for lodging, a meal, and feed for his horse which pulled his buggy. Communication was inadequate. The wallphone with the hand crank and barbed-wire fences were used. Soon the system expanded to include most of the area. A caller used a system of short or long rings to signal a neighbor. Everyone on the line could hear the ring. It was common for many to "listen in". This was a means for "keeping up" on community happenings. Mail was first transported by horse and carriage. Mail was brought from Stratton to While tcaching at Kirk, I beco-e ac- quainted with Elizabeth Shively. Her parents cane to Colorado in 1906 and 1908 to obtain homesteads in north Kit Carson County. They were married in November 1910. Their Tuttle 20 miles north. A canier took it from there to the Kirk area. Early postage rates were: postcard, 1 cent; a letter 2 cents. three children attended the Hell Creek School seven miles southeast of Kirk. They graduated from the Kirk High School. Elizabeth and I were manied in 1932. We The country store stocked food stuff, cloth and clothing, and hardware. The farmers brought eggs, cream, and poultry to market taught in Arriba the next three years. During this time we experienced the extremely severe dust storms that ruined crops and caused much distress in this and other statee. Betty, our first child, beca-e ill due to the dust that penetrated all buildings. Wespenttwo terms in Hugo where I taught the seventh grade. During this period a large area of Lincoln County was overrun by grasshoppers. They were so thick that all vegetation was consumed in their path. They resembled a giant carpet moving across the My parents, Fred Boone and Haniett Brown Boone lived on Fred's homestead west of Kirk. Fred came to Colorado with his father Otis Boone in 1898. Harriett had arrived at the Cope area with her parents and grandparents in 1888. Grandpa Cope established the Cope grove. It served as a recreation center for an annual old settlers'picnic. Entertainment consisted of: various types of horse races, baseball, tent shows, merry-goround, dances, fortune tellers, and games of Houston, Texas. She has experienced success as a sales representative in electronic equip- F72 Harriett Brown Boone to get funds for family expenses. Draft horses powered the feed grinder and corn sheller. The straw burning stesm engine powered the threshing machine. Fred Boone Fred and Hauiett formed a partnership with Cal Kness, called an Auto Livery in 1911 in Stratton. This was sold to A.S. Baker & Son. The Boonee returned to the farm. They rented the Watt's Ranch to raise cattle, hogs, chickens and grain. This venture lasted until 1918. They arranged for a public auction in �the fall with Claud Irvin. A week before sale day Fred suffered a severe attack ofappendicitis causing hig death. Years later Claud told Fred's son, Elmer, that he sold his first $100 cow at that sale. Harriett was left with five young children ranging in age from 6 months to 1l years. She found employment in Cope as a clerk in the general store. She also bought cream for the BORDERS, FLOYD business until he retired in 1965. Floyd maried Ethel Freeman from Genoa, Colorado, on Januar5r 17, 1987. They still reside at Stratton. by Floyd Borders BORDERS, JOHN W. co-op creamery. This building was moved years later to Old Town in Burlington. F76 Harriett's two older children graduated from the Cope High School. Both prepared for the teaching profession and devoted a lifetime to the field of education. by Elmer Boone BOONE, OTIS E. AND ELIZABETH r.74 One man stood alone and slightly aside from a tattered band of homesteaders who were lined horseshoe fashion around a grave sunken in the sunbaked prairie soil. A small crudely fashioned casket lay at his feet. He was speaking extemporaneously with the Bible held in one hand. After the close of his comments, the coffin was lowered and the loose earth shoveled over it to form a small mound. The mourners filed away to their claims in family groups and the lay minister Floyd and Rena Bordere watched them, wondering if he had fulfilled his task which had been thrust upon him. His answer came only two days later when he was again asked to say final words over the grave of an old man. Left to right Floyd, Hazel and Hal Borders "For those who would live long lives, I I recommend eating lightly and never more than common sense eind necessity demand," was his comment to those he contacted. He also stated "Many people dig their graves J with their table fork." O.E. Boone was born in 1860 in southern Illinois and was already a man of mature years and the father ofsix when he loaded his family and some possessions in a covered wagon (chicken crates on top and cattle trailing behind) to head west to Colorado and the bleak promise of a dryland homestead Floyd with his eister Hazel Harrison and brother Marion in 1986. near the present community of Kirk. In 1898 Floyd B. Borders was born January 27, Stratton (Claremont). Mogt of the choice land was gone by this time. He did not know the methods of use for 1903, to John W. and Mandy I. Borders at Claremont, Colorado, later known as Stratton. His education consisted of 12 years at the Stratton School. In his earlier years he worked for Holloway Garage and helping his the area received mail addressed to the Tuttle post office about 20 miles north of dryland farming. He was further handi- capped by modest circumstances and a large family. One of the first needs was water. A shaft 120 feet deep was sunk by a pulley and rope arrangement, raised and lowered with a draft horse. Patience, hard work, and the ability to adjust to the new environment was rewarded. By 1915 Grandfather Boone had purchased additional land and had a 320 acre farm, a modern nine room home, large barn with haymow, a silo and underground water lines to supply livestock. This was the Boone home for 21 years. He became restless and sold to a Mr. Young for $60 per acre. It was a good price, but in his later years he felt the decision to sell was a mistake. by Elmer Boone father on the farm. He was married to Rena Mae Hartwig, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Adolph Hartwig, on December L2, L927. To this union were born two children, Richard Lee and Donald Dee. Richard mauied Patty Lowe and they had three boys, Rich, Bill and Mark. They have a ranch north of Bovina, Colorado. Donald married Sandra Simpson and they had three children, Tom, Betsy and Mary. Donald who was an M.D. passed away in Fresno, California in 1985. Floyd's wife, Rena, passed away August 13, r"976. Floyd went into partnership with his father John W. and Oscar Hillencnmp in 1925, later building elevators at Vona, Flagler, Arriba, Genoa and Hugo. These were known as Snell Grain Company. He stayed in the elevator John W. Borders came to Colorado in 1897 with his father, landing at Vona, Colorado. He worked on the section for 130 an hour, 10 hours daily. He paid 94.50 for a week's board and saved money. He worked on ranches and herded sheep. At the residence of the bride's parents, Wednesday, April 9, 1902, Miss Mandy Iva Fuller became the bride of Mr. John W. Borders. Both were graduates of Stratton School. They homesteaded three miles northwest of Stratton, living there for five years. Then they moved into town and went into business with Mr. Fuller. They had just been located a few days when the Fuller Store and their home was destroyed by fire. They had four children, Floyd who maried Rena Hartwig; Halbert; Hazel who married Herschel Harrison: and Marion who married Eleanor DeWalt. "Bill", as he was called, was widely known as a grain dealer throughout Kit Carson County. He was the manager and main stock holder of the Snell Grain Company of Stratton. The business had six branches: Stratton, Vona, Flagler, Arriba, Genoa and Hugo. He bought out Snell Milling and Grain Company of Clay Center, Kansas. The elevator in Stratton has been added to many times since its beginning. Snell Company reorganized and incorporated and its name was changed to Snell Grain Company. Mr. Borders was a member of the Stratton Rotary Club and a Modern Woodman. He was one ofthe organizers and directors ofthe Colorado Grain and Feed Dealers Associa- tion. He was a pioneer in the truest sense of the �Church of God for the rest of her life. She taught Sunday School for 25 years and was song leader most of those years, too. In 1967 she was voted "Homemaker of the Year" of Kit Carson County. Rena was a trustee of the Stratton Public Library Board for many years. She also served on the Kit Carson County Memorial Hospital Board for 11 years. '':,,,' Rena's son Richard Lee Borders of Genoa, & Colorado married Patricia Ellen Lowe, daughter of Archie M. and Laura (Green- r wood) Lowe of Cheyenne Wells, Colorado. They have three sons; Richard Lowe, James William "Bill", and Mark Owen. her son Doctor Ronald Dee Borders of Fresno, California married Sandra Simson, daughter of Arthur and Genevieve (Nelson) Simson of Hemet, California. They have three children; Thomas Arthur, Mary Ann, and Elizabeth Irene. Dr. Donald D. Borders passed away on April 3rd, 1985. Rena passed away August 13th, 1976. Rena spent many hours doing beautiful fancy work and left a legacy of her work and Christian faith for all her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. ,,:trl, by Dick Borders Borders relatives at the S.L. Howell homestead, two miles north of Vona, Section 22-8-48 in August of 1907. Seated: Eliza H. Clark Howell, Myrtle Musselman, Clark Howell, Floyd Borders, and Uncle Newt Howell. Second Row: Roy Musselman, Emma Musselman holding Helen, HaI Borders, Manda Borders holding Hazel Borders, Will Musselman, Daniel (Granpa) Musselman, Nancy Musselman, Nan Musselman. Back Row: Sylvester Lowry Howell, Clara Howell, WiII Borders, Harry Howell, Glen Howell, Myrt Howell, Fieldan Musselman, Ruby Howell, May Howell, Burt Hughs, Laura Howell holding Rex and Charles Howell. word and endured many hardships in order to establish and maintain a solidarity of business for the Stratton area. by Floyd Borders BORDERS, RENA MAE HARTWIG maternity ward. Lusture Hartwig, Rena's brother, lives in Wichita, Kansas and Iola Hartwig Howe, Rena's sister lives in Hutchinson, Kansas. Rena accepted Christ as her Savior in 1932 and was a faithful. active member of the :ra,: .e;. '3.,' ?e, traveled to Stratton by railroad. Henrietta Hartwig, Rena's grandmother, metthe family {l at the railroad station and took them to lunch at Basleys Hotel. Then they were off for the homest€ad of Henrietta Hartwig northeast of Vona in her spring buggy. l wr ,$ ,.t .&'6 ,9 r$ t{ .* $ t( s 4 r( ,CC ,r$' Rena lived on the homestead with her * family and went to school in a sod school born to Rena and Floyd and on August 24th, 1932 another son, Donald Dee was born. Rena operated a maternity ward in her Dick married Patricia Ellen Lowe Augtut ',1 moved to Lexington, Missouri when a small child and started her schooling there. The family consisting of a brother Lusture and a sister Iola moved to Colorado in 1915. They lived there until moving to Stratton where she lived the remainder of her life. On May 18th, 1931 a son, Richard Lee was School in 1949. He served in the army for two years (eighteen months in Korea). He received an Honorable Discharge in July 1954. )r, { i}r Lti , 1i {) }r 3tu &.t ') r.t I t,.,r ..ti I t *)r &1,t 7:t ,*t '.'t?, :j i *, )' *., Y]t ,4,g ! rt. t t.t r "1 ! : t *i';!, tl l,,q ?itr {'{,,,t at *;'1, lJ t'c !r * 'g i tt it*,,,t *; l, $ l{ t*. ! ? !,, ' 9 ;., i'a't*.' r ilc,) n t{ ,..jst 0 t{ ir '** ,,0, 1.1 "& ' ,ft in Wellington, Missouri, the eldest child of Adolph and Nona (Finch) Hartwig. She son of John Willi"m and Manda I. (Fuller) Borders, December L2th ,1927 in Cheyenne Wells, Colorado. Rena and Floyd lived north ofStratton on a farm then moved to Vona and Dick Borders, son of Floyd and Rena Hartwig Borders was born in Stratton, Colorado May 18, 1931. Dick's great grandparents, N.H. Fullers came to Stratton in 1888 and his grandfather J.W. Borders in 1897. Dick graduated from Stratton High to the time Rena started operating her Rena Mae Hartwig was born June 23, 1907 Vona Road. She attended and graduated from high school in Vona. Rena married Floyd Benjnmin Borders, F78 home for approximately 12 years. Floyd's mother, Manda I. Borders had operated a maternity ward in her home in Stratton prior F77 house north of Vona about eight miles on the BORDERS, RICHARD LEE , t , I ,gp # {p. ,( i*, .}, ",:),|ffft, .,.@| Floyd and Rena Mae Borders, Thanksgiving 1974 ,' I , I I, .t, .L:. '11,.'' �29, 1954 in the Methodist Church in other children married and moved from the county. Cheyenne Wells, Colorado. Patricia, the daughter ofArchie and Laura Lowe, was born April 24, 1933 in Cheyenne County. Patricia's grandparents, Edward Lowe and Theodore Only one son, Willinm survives and he lives in Lafayette, Colorado. by Florence McConnell Greenwood, came to the Stratton area in 1907 and 1908, respectively. Patricia graduated from Cheyenne County High School in 1952 and attended the University of Colorado for two years. BRACIITENBACH GLASENER FAMILY Dick and Patty lived for one year in Stratton and Dick worked for Snell Grain Co. The Snell Grain Co. at that time was owned by the Borders Family. In August of 1955 Dick and Patty moved to Arriba where Dick began learning the management of the Snell Grain Co. elevator. October 6, 1955 Richard Lowe was born in Cheyenne Wells at the County Hospital. April lst 1957 Dick and Patty again moved. This time they moved to Genoa where Dick became the manager of the Snell Grain Co. elevator. Dick managed the elevator for over 15 years. During this time Dick and Patty had acquired farm and ranch property thus their interests were changing. November 6, 1957 James William "Bill" was born in Cheyenne Wells at the St. Joseph Hospital. December 19, 1959 Mark Owen was born in Cheyenne Wells at the St. Joseph Hospital. This completed the Dick Borders pnmily of F80 Adolph Brachtenbach was born Oct.2L, 1848 in Oberfeulen, Diekirch, Luxembourg. William and Mabel Bowker in Evanston. She was the daughter ofJohann Peter Glasener and Margaritha Welter. Barbara was born Aug. 29, 1855 in Oberfeulon, Kiekirch, Lur. Her parents came to America in 1869 by way of Canada. Adolph and Barbara lived in the Chicago Sons. Dick and Patty's sons grew up in the Genoa community going to church first at E.U.B. and thenthe United MethodistChurch. They took part in 4-H, as well as other community activities, and graduated from the Genoa area from their mariage until 1904, with Adolph operating truck farms in the areas of Skokie, Niles Center, Drexall and Cicero. Public High School. April 1st, 1972, Dick and Patty moved to their present home. This home ig the former Glenn Garten farm, which they had purchased from Glenn and Vera Garten. Dick is a member of the Genoa Lions Club and the United Methodist Church. He served on the board of directors for the Snell Grain Co. for many years. Dick was a member of the Genoa town board for a number of years. He has held several church board positions. Patricia is a member of Mayflower Chapter No. 118 Order of the Eastern Star, Past Matrons Club of Eastern Star Cheyenne Wells, United Methodist Church, and United Methodist Women. She served as secretary and treasurer of the Lincoln County Republi- can Central Committee, worked as a 4-H leader for over 10 years and has worked at many other community projects. Dick, Patty, and their sons and families farm and ranch in Lincoln, Cheyenne, and Kit Carson Counties. by Dick Borders They were the parents ofeleven children, ten of whom grew to maturity. Their first child L to R: Sitting, Mabel and William with children BilI, Lois, Charles and Klein. FAMILY Edith (Powers) Hasart. They then moved to Burlington, Colorado. He then left his family and wife Mable to work and support her younger children. She went to work at the new Kit Carson Memorial Hospital where she worked many years as a nurse's aide. AIso one older son worked at the hospital along with the youngest daughter. She worked to put herself through school. In the early fifties she met a man and remarried and moved to Michigan. He passed away and ill health forced her back to William H. Bowker brought his wife Mabel and family to Kit Carson County in 1934. They had a family of eight children, the youngest born here. The children were Lois Isabelle (Wilson), Charles, Klein, William, Gerald, H""ry, Neva, and Ray. away in 1957. He remarried and came back to Burlington to retire and he passed away in 1959. They are both buried in Fairview Cemetery. F79 William liked to roam so went several different places. They first lived on a farm died in infancy. The other children were: Peter, born 1881 who married Mary Ann Hammrich; Nicholas, born 1884 who married Katherine Lenzen; Michael, born 1887 who manied Amanda Buck; Henry, born 1889 seven miles south of Stratton. Some of the children attended District #59 School which is still standing. One of the boys'teachers was Colorado to be near her family and she passed BOWKER - JUDSON His parents were Jean Brachtenbach born Sep. 23, 1814 in Stagen, Diekirch, Lux., and Elizabetha Schandel born May 9, 1812 in Oberfeulen, Diekirch, Lux. His ancestral lines go back to the late 1600's in Luxembourg through Catholic Church records. There is a town named Brachtenbach in that country. Adolph left Luxembourg about age 24 to come to America. He spent some time in Paris, France, probably to earn passage monies. The 1900 census stat€s that he was in America 25 years (1875) so he probably spent about three years in Paris. He met and married Barbara Glasener of Evanston, Cook Co. Ill. They were married Nov. 17, 1879 in St. Mary's Catholic Church Their oldest daughter married "Boots Wilson" and remained in the county the rest of her life. The third son married a Stratton girl and raised twelve children. He worked for the Rock Island Railroad until his death. Son Harry married and lived in Burlington many years and worked for the State Highway. Son William married after serving in the Army and he worked at Kit Carson County Memo- rial Hospital and later moved away. The who married Elizabeth Morfeld; John, born 1890 who did not marry; Mary Catharine, born 1892 who married Martin Reker; Barbara Margaret, born 1894 who married Albert Hadley; Susan Lillian, born 1895 who married Carl (Jake) Morfeld; Edward, born 1897 who manied Ruth Rogers; and Joseph, born 1900, who married Ethelyn Stork. In 1904 the family moved to Ipswich, South Dakota to farm. They left South Dakota because ofthe cold weather. In the spring of 1909 they moved to a farm twelve miles southeast of Sidney where they built their home and resided until Adolph died March 24, L935. Barbara preceded him in death March 3, 1915 from cancer. Adolph and Barbara are buried in the Catholic Cemetery in Sidney. Descendants of this couple are still living in the area. Adolph and sons built the necessar5r farm buildings and a good house for his family. His place was neat and well kept. His smoke house hung with ham, bacon and sausages. Peter and family left the Sidney area in 1916 for Stratton, Colorado where they built up a farm. Peter died 28 Dec. 1935. Mary died 11 Mar. 1949. Four children survived. Nick farmed the homestead of Katie's gouth and west of Lorenzo for forty five and haU years until they retired and moved to Sidney. He died 11 June 1958. Katie and seven children �survived. Mike farmed some, returned to a breakfast being served after the ceremony Chicago, then back to Sidney. He died 2 Oct. 1964. Survivore are Amanda and two daughters. Henry and family lived over the hill from his parents. In 1938, they moved to Oregon byAthalia's mother, Tesga Sholes. Their first home was shared with Ade's mother so he could help with the farm work. and Henry died 15 May 1970. Elizabeth and two sons are living. One son deceased. John died 16 Aug. 1943. He was a First World War Veteran. Mary died 14 June 1959. Martin died 5 July 1954. They had five children. Elizabeth died in 1973. Albert died in 1960. They had one son. Susie and Jake Morfeld went to Oregon in the late thirties. Susie died 10 Oct. 1975. Jake and son died in February 1980. One daughter survives. Ed died in 1983, the last of his family. Ruth lives in Sterling, Colorado with her two daughters. One son and daughter died in infancy. Joe died 3 Feb. 1963. Ethelyn lives in Greeley, CO. with a son and two daughters nearby. Two sons died, Daniel in 1979 and Joseph in 1985. Adolph would live for awhile with one of his children and then stay with another. He loved to run foot races with his grandchildren. He never went back to Luxembourg. His brother Peter died in Chicago in 1900. His sister Mary resided in Chicago. She married a Schrieber. Blessed Pioneers! What choice Model A Ford. They soon moved to Sidney, Nebragka where Ade worked for the railroad and lived in a very small trailer house. The roof leaked, so when it rained Athalia had to move their newborn baby, Audrey, from one ancestors! They were Special. Ade was very proud of his first car - a 1929 spot to another to keep her dry. She was born on May 31, 1941. The three of them made another move to Dillon, Colorado where Ade worked long and hard hours on a dairy farm. He soon decided that he didn't want to be a 'dairy-man', so another move was made back to'good-ole' Stratton, Colorado. They moved to the homeplace where a daughter, Margie, was born on November 10, 1943 and Dolores on July 29, L945.In June of 1947 the family experienced a great loss when Dolores drown- Security Administration. Roger is a senior at Rangeview High School in Aurora. The Brachtenbach's youngest daughter, Penny, was married to Lew Carpenter on January 20,L973. They live at Johnson Lake, Nebraska and have one very special family member, their dog, Wiggles. Lew is presently doing sandblasting and Penny works at the Johnson Lake Marina. Adolph passed away October 20, 1987. **We thank our God who was with our family through the good times and bad times; and cherish the memories of our ancestors. by Margie Colpitts BRACHTENBACH, LARRY AND BETTY JEAN ed in the stock tank. During the year 1948 Ade and Athalia purchased their own land, five miles north of Stratton where they started building a herd of Hereford cattle, planted wheat and grew cane to feed the F82 cattle. On June 2, 1949 their last daughter, Penny was born. During the dusty years of the 50's the dfut storms were so bad the cattle would have by Cecilia G. Wilcox BRACHTENBACH, ADOLPH FAMILY F81 weeds sprouting from their backs and the cattle market dropped considerably, so that's when Ade started to raise Shetland ponies and in the 60'g changed to Appaloosa horses and Scotland Highlander cattle. In the late 60's Ade added another new animal the - and Buffalo, which turned out to be his pride jov. Ade and Athalia decided to sell their Buffalo, cattle and land to move into town and a much easier life etyle. This was done and a farm sale was held on August 18, 1979. Athdia developed Aplastic Anemia and on May 15, 1986 the Lord called her home. Their daughter, Audrey married Harold Eisenbad on June 6, 1959. Harold has been employed by the Stratton Equity Coop since 1958 and Audrey works for St. Charles Church and the Stratton Sale Barn. Their oldest daughter Tina (4-10-60) was manied to Dan Gruntorad on September 15, 1979 at St. Charles Church in Stratton. They live in Overton, Nebraeka where Dan works as a welder in Kearney. Tina is a homemaker and nother of three girls, Joni (11-1-81); Tami (10-24-83) and Keri (4-13-87). Brenda (6-2963) was married to Richard (Dick) Ramoe on June 14, 1986 at St. Charles Church. They are living in Colorado Springs, Colorado where Dick is employed as an Electronic Technician for Energy Service Bureau. Brenda is a bank tpller at Century Bank. Russell (10-26-66) attpnded Northwestern Kansas Area VoTech in Goodland, Kansas where he studied to be an electrician. He now lives in Colorado Ade and Athdia Brachtenbach on August 30, 1938. Adolph Nicholas Brachtenbach was born on the 24th of April 1914 in Dix, Nebraska. His parents, Peter and Mary Brachtenbach, homesteaded in the Dix area until moving to Stratton, Colorado during the year of 1918. They purchased land northeast of Stratton and built their family home. Adolph (Ade) married his hometown girlfriend, Athalia Sholes, on August 30, 1938. They were married at St. Charles Catholic Church with Springs, Colorado where he is employed by Riviera Electric Company. Kelly (11-28-69) is currently a student at Stratton High School where she is active in organizations such as FHA and was elected to a state office. Their daughter, Margie married Jim Colpitts on September 28, 1963 and lives in Aurora, Colorado. Jim is a Drywall Hanger and Margie is a secretary for St. Michael's Catholic Church. They have three sons, Rob, Rick and Roger. Rob (10-6-64) is in the U.S. Navy, stationed in Japan and repairs tel- etypee. Rick is in the U.S. Army, stationed at Ft. Meade, Maryland and works for National ,: i: i .'}., *. -r* '{il. '$:' Dee Hope and Laura Jean Brachtenbach eating Dee's birthday cake. Larry, Betty and Matt Brachtenbach. Larry was born on December 31, 1943 in Goodland, Kansas to Steve and Ruth Fla- geolle Brachtenbach. He attended St. Charles grade school and then high school in Stratton. He graduated from high school in 1962. Larry worked on construction crews for awhile after high school and then helped out on his mother's dairy farm after the death of his father in 1963. He spent 6 months in active duty after joining the National Guard. While he was working in construction, he helped build the First National Bank in Stratton and the gym in Bethune. I was born in Goodland, Kansas onJanua4l 22, 1944 to Val and Leona Kordes. I also �attended St. Charles grade school through 8th grade and then to public high school. After graduation in 1962, I moved to Denver and worked as a secretary. On November 12, 1966, we were married at St. Charles Church in Stratton. We started out our life buying the dairy cows from Larry's mother and renting her farm for 4 years. We had a lot to learn and did so real fast. The biggest disaster we had was one morning we came out to milk and found 7 cows and one bull dead. They had somehow gotten into a bulk bin of grain and had foundered. We were a while getting over that. Our first daughter, Laura Jean, was born January 25, 1968. We wanted to own a farm of our own and so we sold our dairy cows and bought a farm 15 miles north ofStratton from Ben and Amy Tesmer in March of 1970. It was an irrigated farm with sideroll sprinklers on it. In 1973 we broke out more pasture land and put in 2 Reinke center pivot sprinklers. We for the most part raise alfalfa, wheat and corn. We also rent two irrigated quarters from Leona Lennemann. In 1981 we purchased wheat land from Vida Mae Young. We raise Simmental cattle and sell a few bulls. We have about 200 cows to calve and during blizzards it is quite a job. Larry had purchased grassland from Lester Collins when he first graduated from high school. We rent the rest of our grass from other land owners. In 1963 we bought grass and wheat land from Vernon Gerke. Our second little girl, Dee Hope, was born on July 27, L97L. On July 17, L971, Larry was seriously hurt in a tractor accident. He spent 4 months in the hospital in Denver. We almost lost him and felt very lucky for a second chance. This community came to help with the crops, cattle and financial aid. It's a blessing to live in a wonderful small community like this. Our son Matthew was born on July 13, 1979, in Burlington, Colo. Laurie and Dee were both born with a genetic disorder known as Hurler's Syndrome. They were never able to talk and care for themselves, but they brought much happiness to our family. They were sick very often but at an early age they were full of life and seemed to enjoy the farm and animals them stories ofthe early days and show them pictures. Elizabeth would play the piano and sing their old country songs in German. They gave Jack and Jim a 1927 Chewolet car for helping them dig out after a bad blizzard we had. They also would hunt arrowheads on a hill near where Bill and Lil Novak lived. She told the kids that if she had her red apron hanging on the clothesline that was a sign to come over, that she was home and had Koolaide and cookies for them. Larry and his brothers and sisters were always very active in 4-H when they were growing up. by Betty Jean Brachtenbach BRACHTENBACH, PETER FAMILY Adolph, was born on 4-24-1914. Peter ceme to Colorado in 1916 and started breaking up land for farming. He brought his family to Stratton, Colorado and received the title to his land on March 1, 1918. The land he purchased was N.E.% and S.E.%; Section 7 - Township 8 - Range 46. When they arrived only a few small buildings were on the land so for six months they lived in a small grainery. Peter, his brother, John, and a friend, Frank Firestein, began building the family house. The weather was starting to turn very cold so it was necessary to work late into the night. In order to work so late Steve had to hold the lantern while his dad, John and Frank measured, sawed, fit and nailed the boards and that house still stands today. The Colorado winters would start in October and for days F83 Peter John Brachtenbach was born on October 25,1879 to Adolph Brachtenbach and Barbara Glasener. Peter's father. Adolph, was born October 21, 1848 in Oberfeulen, Diekrich, Luxemburg. Adolph came to America at age 24 and spent some time working in Paris, France to earn more passage money. After arriving in America he met Barbara Glasener of Evanston, Illinois. They were married on October 17, 1878 in St. Marys Catholic Church,, Chicago, Illinois. They lived in the Chicago area and operated a vegetable farm until f906. While operating the vegetable farm several of the children became ill with typhoid fever, caused from washing the vegetables in cold water. They moved from Chicago to Ipswich, South Dakota and took up dry land farming. Peter helped his parents until 1904 when he began to farm for himself and took Mary Hammrich as his bride on November 27. 1905. During their years in South Dakota two children were born: Margaret in 1907 (dec. 1975) and Steve on 12-13-1910 (dec. 1-9-63). They moved to Nebraska during the spring of 1911 where they farmed around the towns of Sidney, Dalton, and Dix. A second son, and weeks on end the temperature would stay at zero or below with an almost never ending wind. The winter blizzard was an awesome sight and sometimes cause tragedies such as the one in southern Colorado, where a school bus became stranded in a high snow drift and the bus driver and fourteen children ftozeto death. A third son, Joseph, was born in 1921 on the homestead northeast of Stratton. Peter and Mary lived on the farm until his death in 1925. Mary continued to farm with her sons for a number of years; she then moved into town where she lived until her sudden death in 1949. Mary was in good health and had traveled to South Dakota to visit one of her brothers when she suddenly became ill and passed away that same day. Peter and Mary always enjoyed playing cards and spent many Sundays visiting with friends and playing card games. Peter had eleven brothers and sisters of which ten grew to adulthood. Nicholas (1884-1958) married Katie Lenzen, had seven children and spent his entire life farming around Peetz, Colorado. Michael (1887-1964) married Amanda and had two daughters. Henry (1889-1970) married Elizabeth Morfeld, had three sons. They lived in Washington for several years and then moved very much. They were always happy then. Their favorite thing to do was to go with their dad to check the cows and ride with him on the balewagon. He would put a pillow in front of the steering wheel and they would ride for hours watching the bales being loaded. On February 20, 1980, Dee Hope died at the age of 8 and November 9, 1983, Laura died. She would have been 16 in January. In Larry's family there were 8 children; Jim, Jack, Myrna (Carlson), Larry, Denny and Carol (Farrell) and one brother and one sister that died as infants. When Larry was growing up, they lived on horses when they weren't doing chores or helping in the fields. He and his brothers broke horses for other people. Hunting arrowheads was also a big part of growing up on a farm. In my family there are 5 children; Denny, myself, Beverly (Beattie), Patsy (Eisenbart), and Valerie (Thyne). I remember most the Sunday dinners with family friends and all the gemes we could think of to play. Everyone went to town on Saturday for a good movie, which were mostly western or comedy. Larry said they would spend a lot of time with Moddy Moore and Elizabeth Burrie. They lived 1 mile north of their place. They would tell Margaret, Adolf, Peter, Steve and Mary Brachtenbach in 1914 �to Yakima, South Dakota. coal shed roofthe stove pipe from the old potbelly stove came outside there. They stuffed snow down the pipe until the steam and water John (1890-1943) never married. He served in the Infantry in World War I and stood guard at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Mary (1892-1959) was manied to Martin Reker. He worked at the Union Pacific Round House in Sidney, Nebraska and they had one boy and three girls. Edward (1897-1983) had been married 58 years when he passed away. Most of his life was spent in Sterling, Colorado where he and his wife, Ruth Rogers, raised two daughters. Joseph (1900-1963) married Evelyn Stork and had five children, three boys and two girls. Elizabeth (1902-19?3) married Albert Hadley and had one son. While they were living in Medford, Oregon Albert fell off a railroad car while at work and had both legs cut off. Susie (1903-19?5) married Jake Morfeld and had one boy and one girl. After living in Nebraska for a number of years they moved to Grants Pass, Oregon. **How grateful we are to God for guiding Adolph from Germany to this land of opportunity. May he also guide and bless future generations. by Audrey Eisenbart BRACHTENBACH, STEVE AND RUTH F84 Steve and Ruth's family taken one Christmas at Larry's, Back row: Jack, Denny. Front row: Carol, Larry, Myrna, Ruth and Jim. land in Colorado. He looked up a friend Pete Pitts that had moved to Stratton, Colo. He worked for the railroad and lived just north of the railroad tracks (old Joe McClean place). Prices were going up in a hurry after World War I and the steam engine tractor was being introduced. He found the land they were looking for north of Stratton. It had buildings on it and was close to town. Stratton also had a nice Catholic Church and school. There they built a new house, barn and a concrete hog shed. When Peter built the new house, they hand dug the cistern and pipeline for the water to the house from the well. They had hand pumps in the house so they did not have to carry water from the well to the house This was one of the first homes in that area to have water piped to it. There was also a deep bathtub with Lion's feet on it for legs. Steve helped his dad with the farming. He went to the eighth grade. Some of his schooling he got in a country school located in the eoutheast corner of Sec 16 T 8 S R 46 W. Then later they attended school at St. Charles school. The nuns that taught then were the Presentation Order and were from Iowa. They were mostly lrish descent and Father Munich was of German descent. They did not get along so for a few years there weren't any nuns at Stratton. Later the Most Precious Blood order cnme. After his school years, Steve helped his father farm and he began farming on his own. Then on April 12, 1932 he married Ruth Flageolle. They moved on a farm one mile north of his parents. This farm was owned by Lizzy Burri. They lived there for a year and then moved to a place south of Stratton owned by Aler Scheierman, where their first son Jim was born. They moved and farmed Ruth Steve Brachtenbach Steven Brachtenbach was born on Decem- ber 13, 1910 to Peter J. Brachtenbach and Mary Hammerich Brachtenbach in lpswich, South Dakota. He moved to Sidney, Nebraska with his parents around 1912. His father, Peter, farmed in the Sidney and Dalton, Nebraska area and then bought a half section of land north of Dix on November 2, 1916. He then sold it February 23, 1918 and with the profit from that land sale he hoped to buy several places in the next few years. They then bought a place 12 miles north and 4-% west of Stratton from Ray Bowers and lived there 4 years. They then moved to Steves' mother's farm and rented it until her death in March 1949 at which time they bought it from the estate. Jack now owns the home place. While they lived on the north place, Jim and Jack went to school at the Busy Valley country school. Jim and Jack would ride horses to school; later on they drove a three wheel car the two and one half miles to school. There were several boys in school and one would try to outdo the other with pranks. One time the teacher sent the kids outside after they ate their lunch. She had a visitor and locked the door so they would not come back in for awhile. Jack decided to get up on the roof of the coal shed, which was a lean-to attached to the backside ofthe school house. Above the built up and blew the pipe apart. Soot and water went all over the desk and books. The teacher's desk was a real mess. The teacher came outside to try to catch him as he jumped from the roof, but he outran her and got to his pinto pony and she got her horse but his little pony was faster than her horse and he got away. The teacher was not supposed to have anyone there during school hours, so she didn't report him to the school board. In April of 1962 they sold the north place to Fred Moffit. My mother, Ruth Flageolle, was the second child of the Flageolle family which lived at the "Brownwood Community" sixteen miles northwest of Stratton. Her parents were William Flageolle and Pauline Wynn Flageolle. She was born on February 5, 1914 on the homestead. She attended the country school for a few years and then St. Charles Catholic School in Stratton. She went through the 10th grade. As a young woman my mother helped in neighboringfarm homds during busy seasons doing housework to make money. My mother's main interest was her families health and happiness. She could challenge anyone of us to milking, riding a horse or even driving a tractor. She liked to shock feed and shuck corn. She always canned and preserved food and usually had the shelves full. At night when the work was done Mother liked to do her fancywork. My dad loved to fish and whenever possible we would go to Lake McConaughy in Nebraska or to Eads. He liked to eat them as well as catch them. He always taught us kids to take good care of animals and enjoyed helping us boys break horses. He always made sure he had a watermelon patch and potatoes. In the summer of 1962 he discovered he had termi- nal cancer. It was a very hard time for the family. He was in very much pain but he drove the tractor yet that summer. Jim and I had jobs and so Denny did most of the farming that summer. He was only 16 at the time. On January 6, 1963 he passed away in the Flagler hospital. Mother remained on the farm after Dad's death until Betty and I were married in 1966. She then moved to Chappell, Nebraska and worked for Leprino Cheese Co. for 10 years. She married Norman Robinson from Chappell, Nebraska. They own a home and live in Chappell where Norm is employed at Leprino. She still raises a garden and fresh chickens every year along with helping her husband raise hogs on an acreage outside of Chappell. There were six children in the family. Jim (9-14-1933) married Paulette Powell and they had 2 girls and 3 boys. Their two oldest boys were twins, Kieth and Kenny. The girls were Tonya and Yevette and the youngest boy, James. He lives in Ft. Lupton, Co. where he is a welder. Delbert (2-2-L935 to 4-6-1935). Jack (7-16-1937) married Marsha Richardson and they have 3 boys and 1 girl; Steve, Terry, Jackie and John. Terry was killed in a car wreck. They also have 3 grandchildren. They farm in the Stratton area. Betty (12-23-1939 to L2-27-1939). Myrna (9-19-1941) married Louis Tagtmeyer and has 2 sons, Eugene and Rick. She later married Mick Carlson, and they have a daughter, Shelly, and live in Chappell, Neb. �They also have 2 grandchildren. Myrna works at L,eprina also. Larry (12-31-1943) married Betty Jean Kordes. They had 3 children; 2 girls, Laura and Dee, who both died as young children, and a boy Matthew. They farm in the Stratton area. Denny (2-5-L945) married Christine Calvin. They have 2 girls, Connie and Pam, and 1 boy Bob and farm in the Stratton area. Carol (7-6-L947) manied Bill McNeil and had a boy, Jerry, and a girl, Julie. Later she married Larry Farrell and they have 1 boy, Jeff, and live in New York. Larry works in a cheese factory there. by Larry Brachtenbach went back east after two years. Then J.T. Roberts, who had homesteaded near Beloit, purchased the hotel and the etore in the early nineties. He operated it, with the help of his family, and a man bythe name of Scot Ready. It was a general store. They handled everything including drugs. If he didn't have what you wanted he would order it for you. He also had the post office and took care of the banking business for the ranchers and town people. He did all this even though he was paralyzed in both legs and had to get around in a wheel chair. To make it easier to get to his store he built a sidewalk of boards just wide enough for his chair. He took care of the store if the weather was nice, otherwise it was tended by Mrs. Roberts or one of the girls. He BRADSHAW FAMILY F85 enjoyed a very prosperous business for several years, then sold to his nephew, S. O. Roberts, and moved to Rogers, Arkansas. Billy Linford moved into town from his homestead about twenty-five miles northwest, and opened a blacksmith shop. He did a lot of this type of work, besides working on the section. The U.S. Post Office Department changed the name Claremont to Machias, as I remember the neme, about 1907, claiming that the mail was always getting mixed with that of a town in California nn-ed Claremont. They kept the nnme a few Days, but the people were not satisfied and the Department gave them the choice of Machias or Stratton, and they choee Stratton. That was in late 1890 or 1900. Albert Bradshaw with his niece Amy McConnell. I was about two years of age when my parents, two sisters and two brothers left Lincoln, Nebraska, in July of 1888, having moved there from Springfield, Illinois, in 1887. The household goods were transported by an emigrant car and the family by covered wagon to a small town called Columbia, Colorado. Homesteaders had pretty well settled the community around Columbia and another small place called Beloit. The railroad went through the summer after we moved to Colorado. This made the town thrive as long as they were building the road, depot, tool house, etc. But they did not build the depot in Columbia. It was built a few miles from there, and they called the station Claremont. The business men of Columbia moved all their buildings to Claremont. My dad helped move them. It took four good tea-s and wagons to accomplish this. There was a grocery store, a saloon which was built when the crew started work on the road bed, and all the necessarSr work connected with putting a railroad through. This only lasted as long as they were in the country. The homesteaders were not doing so well. They did not have enough moisture to bring up the seed they planted in the spring. Most of them left and let their land sell for taxes. However, my father stayed and saw the seed he planted the year before come up and do well. Some man, I do not remember his name, built a hotel close to the depot. The first owner of the store was Mr. Hitchcock, who A two-story building was erected which was used as a school on week days and a Congregational Church on Sunday. I think the first pastor was a Rev. Smith. Stratton always had a good school with good teachers. There was very little expense involved in running it, as the teachers and pupils did most of the work in taking care of the buildling and making sure there was a fire. Miss Rith McCoulogby (pronounced McCalby) taught the school in 1896. The nAmes of the pupils that year were Hazel, Inez and Susie Roberts, Mandy Fuller, Clara and Billie Linford, and Albert Bradshaw. I was working for Blakeman that year and attending school. The other children were closer to home. There also was a country school called the Blakeman school. Mrs. Charles Vysllman taught the school in 1897. After school Albert homesteaded on what is now the place where Ron Fooses live. Albert moved to Springdale Arkansas. He owned a little acreage where he kept a few cattle, milk cow and a garden. He still milked his cow until the ripe old age ofninety forced him to quit. Albert was the Uncle of Amy (Petefish) McConnell and the Great Uncle of James McConnell. by Dessie Cassity BRADSIIAW McFARLAND FAMILY F86 The years 1902 and 1906 are important to my family, for they are the years when my grandparents brought their families to eastern Colorado. In 1902, Joel C. and Mary Elida Bradshaw came with their children: Noble, Beulah, and Joel Jr. from White Hall, Ilinois, to homestead three miles southwest of Stratton. For several years they engaged in farming and livestock, but finding dry land farming very difficult, Mr. Bradshaw opened the Stratton Mercantile Company which he pursued until a fire forced his retirement in 1934. For years he was active in Republican circles and was County Assessor of Kit Carson County from 1908 to 1912. In 1906, John C. and Lucy McFarland brought their eight children and all their possessions in three cars of an immigrant train from Sioux City, Iowa, to Stratton. There they lived in a tent while Mr. McFarland and his older sons built an adobe house on his homestead. The house still stands today five miles east of Stratton on the "old highway". It only took five years for a dream to turn to dust, and the McFarlands to move to Arlington, Washington, where many descendants live today. My father and mother, Noble and Winnie McFarland Bradshaw, met while both worked, the former as a rural letter carrier, the latter as a clerk, at the Stratton Post Office. They were married September 7, 1911, in Burlington and lived in Stratton until 1938 when Noble was transferred to the Burlington Post Office to carry mail on R.R. #1. He retired from the postal service in 1951. Noble carried mail by horse and buggy from 1911 to 1917 when he purchased his first car, a model T Ford. From then on, a route that took him nine hours to service in good weather became at most a five-hour task. Therefore, for several years he worked during the afternoon hours at the First National Bank of Stratton. Winnie Bradshaw was a liberated woman before the phrase was coined. She was her hueband's substitute on his mail route and became adept at changing tires and doing minor repairs to the car. Winnie also was substitute postmistress at the Stratton Post Office. Then during the Great Depression the government decreed that only one member of a family could hold a government job, and Winnie was "retired." I am the only child of Winnie and Noble Bradshaw, having been born in Stratton in 1918. I have lived with my husband, Lee Bruner, and my family in Colorado Springs area since 1946. With the death of my cousin, Shirley Hamilton Long, in 1984, there are no longer any living Bradshaw descendants of this branch of the family in Kit Carson County. by Jeanne Bradshaw Bruner �BRADSHAW, CURTIS AND ATHELDA Spurgeon Hugh Braly, born 1879 in Brown Co. Kansas, was the 3rd of 10 children to Benjamin Franklin and Laura Anne (Sweangen) Braly. Curtis and Athelda Bradshaw were manied in Wray, Colorado, in 1927. They Spurgeon attended University of Attawa, Kansas and the State Normal School of Emporia, Kansas. Taught school for 3 years in Washington County Kansas before farm- were both from pioneer families. Curt was the ing. F87 son of Joel C. Bradshaw and Mary Elida Coates Bradshaw. He was one of five children. He was born on the homestead near Stratton, Colo. He worked in his fathers mercantile store while in high school. He graduated from Stratton High School. He received his associated degree in business. He worked in the business field for several years then decided his first love was music. He played in many dance bands in the area but will be most remembered for his many years of teaching band and choir in the Burlington and Stratton High schools. Many people will remember, as adults, getting out their old horn and joining Curt behind the bank or in the center of main street for the Burlington Saturday night band concert. Stratton will remember Curt and Athelda as the proprietors of the Red and White Grocery Store from 1946 t0 about 1954. Athelda Permelia Farster Bradshaw was the daughter of Ord Percy Farster and Belva Lockwood Farst€r. She was the oldest of five children. The family lived on their homest€ad near Burlington. She graduated from Burlington High school where she had been active in drnma. She taught in a one room near Bethune. She was an active community member of both Burlington and Stratton. Curt and Athelda were the parents of Curtis Coates Bradshaw II and Anne Bradshaw Struthers, neither of whom stayed in Kit Carson County. by Ann Bradshaw Struthers BRALY, SPURGEON AND IDA (SIIARP) F88 Ida May Sharp, born 1888 in Brown Co. Kansas, was the oldest of five children to Nathan and Flora Emam (Rork) Sharp. Ida taught school in Washington County Kansas 7 years prior to her marriage to Spurgeon Hugh Braly, in 1910. To this union one daughter Reva Grace was born in 1913. Reva later married John Dewey Jackson. Mr. Braly came to Colorado without his family in early L922. He cnme on the Rock Island Railroad to Vona, with 2 mules, hogs, furniture and other worldly goods. He bought SE% 13-7-48. On March L4thL922Ida Braly and young daughter Reva came to Vona on the Rock Island. Newt Howell of Vona took model A cars they did not have enough power to go thru the fine dry sand. So, sometimes the passengers had to get out and push or walk rest of the way. In some of the real bad sandy places, adobe was hauled into mix with the sand. Later years when the north country schools consolidated with Vona School, the Dist. #67 building was moved into Vona and used as the school shop building. In 1959, the Bralys moved into Stratton where Mr. Braly lived till his death in 1964. As Mrs. Bralys eye sight failed, she moved to Grace Manor Nursing home in Burlington, where she lived till her death in 1973. by Mary McCaffrey BREITLING STROBEL FAMILY F89 them out to be with Mr. Braly. The Braly family then lived in a 1 room shack next to a dugout south of the land bought. Lived there while their 4 room adobe house was being built by Spurgeon and Ida's dad Nathan Sharp. They raised hogs, chickens, cattle, farmed and lived off the land. Reva attended grade school and 1 Year of high school (taught by Mrs. Bready) at West Point Dist. #67. Stayed in Stratton during school term to finish remaining 3 years of high school. Mr. Braly was the main promoter for organizing a Sunday School in the area. West Point Dist. #67 was also used as the meeting place for the Upper Room Sunday School na-ed by Mr. Braly. Those closest neighbors attending were Merlin McNess's, Mrs. Vincent and Ruth, Joe Queen's, Adoth Hartwig's, Ray George's and Fritz Hartwig a batchler who learned to read from the Bible with the Bralys help. Those attending in later years were Garr Mason's, lra Young's, Pearl Kerl's, Lester Yonts', Roy Wilkinson's, Daniel Shermerhorn's and Dewey Jackson's. The land in this area is very fine sugar sand. Many times with the early model T or Phillip and Carolina Breitling with children, August, Pauline and Jacob. Phillip Breitling (from the German word for wide) wan one of Kit Carson County's early settlers who spent most of his life moving. Born in Beresoma, Bergan, S. Russia 16 March 1847 he was orphaned by the age of two. His parents, Matthias Breitling (b. 1801 Boblinger, Wuettemberg) and Doro- lJ t, theas Friedrich (b. 2 March 1805, Grienbach) were both deceased by 1850. He was raised by his oldest sister in Bessarabia. Settling in the community of Berson/Barsina, he was married to Carolina Strobel (b. 3 May 1849 Beresia, Bessarabia) on the 31 October 1868. Her parents were Martin Strobel, (b. 4 August 1812) while migrating in the woods of present day Poland and Barbara Hahn born 5 October 1814 in Fadersbach. In 1885 Braly adobe home, 1940, adults; Ida Braly, Dewey Jackson, Fritz Hartwig, Spurgeon Braly. Children; Betty, Mary, Paul, Virgene, and Anna Belle Jackson. conditions became so difficult in Bessarabia that the Breitling family contacted relatives living near Scotland, South Dakota. Arran- gements were made and the oldest son, Johannes, was sent to America to earn money for the rest of the family to come to America. �Phillip and Carolina immigrated on 18 BROWN - CULLER June 1889, through the port of New York on the ship, Munchen. Accompanied by 6 children and some of Carolinas younger brothers, FAMILY they traveled in steerage, compartment #3 with 3 pieces of luggage. "In the hold livestock was quartered at one end and people were at the other and sickness and death was common on this long trip, with buried at sea on most mornings." Upon arriving in New York they were out of funds. Some food was given them by fellow travelers. This was the only food they had during the long journey by train to South Dakota. After several months oftravel, they arrived in Scotland, South Dakota joining a brother of Caroline's who was already there. Upon arrival, Phillip returned to his trades ofstone cutter and cobbler. A few years passed with South Dakota not satisfying their expectations, so the family once again packed and moved to Colorado by covered wagon where relatives talked of abandoned homesteads available for farming. Denver also promised employment for the elder son. Johannes did find work in Denver but sadly he died there of diphtheria after drinking water from Cherry Creek. Arriving in the settlement area in 1893, Phillip hewed and laid the stones for the first Lutheran church in the German Lutheran settlement north ofthe present day Bethune. He also laid up a stone house for his family home that is still standing near the site of the former post office of Yale. His stonework can also be seen in several other stone buildings in the area. A drought in Kit Carson County and land for homesteading led them to move again in 1897 or 98 to Hazen, N.D. followed by another move to Nebraska in 1910 and a final move back to North Dakota in 1918. He died in March of 1920. His wife, Carolina maried twice more, outliving all three husbands, passing away on February 26, 1931. Phillip and Carolina had 13 children: Johannes 1869. Katherina Isaak 1871, Gotthilf 1874, Phillip 1876, Fredrich 1878-79, Christina Schlichenmayer 1881, Emanual 1884, Elizabeth 1887, Othilia 1889, Ardt 1890, Pauline Knell 1891, August 1893, Jacob 1895. by Robert and Linda Coles BROADSWORD FAMILY F90 George Washington (Pete) and Angeline Broadsword came from Smith County Kansas to Colorado in 1887. With them they brought two sons, John and Bill and a daughter Mary. They first lived about three or four miles east of Hale, Colo.; they lived there for several years and a third son, George, was born there. They got their mail and groceries at Jacqua, a little town just across the state line. Around 1907 they moved to Kit Carson County. Pete bought some land 14 1/z miles north of Burlington, but at this time they considered their address to be Goff, Colo. Pete's three older children John, Bill, and Mary homesteaded on land right around that area. George was too young at that time to homestead but several years later he home- F91 I -'Fr:!...i.-1 !i.*-i! tu William Kreoger standing outside his home. steaded some land further west, part of what now belongs to the Spring Valley Ranch. Pete had two brothers that also lived in Kit Carson County. Israel, a veteran of the Civil War that lived to be 105, lived northeast of Pete and his family, and Jake, who bought some land about six miles north of Burlington. Israel's family later moved to Idaho and Jake's family wound up in Oregon. Pete's wife Angeline died about 1913, but Pete lived until 1944 when he was 91. In about 1907 John was married. His wife's name was Lucy and they had four children, Mildred, Margaret, Dorothy, and Lloyd (Bud). The children were born on the land John homesteaded and later they all moved to a nearby farm where they resided until they moved to town in 1923. John and his family moved to Oregon during the 1930's. Bill was never married. He worked out on his own for a while, but came back to his father Pete's farm to help with the farming after George left home. Bill lived there for the remainder of his life. George fought in WWI, and after getting out of the army he came back and farmed with Pete for a while. Around 1935 he went to Denver to live and work as a carpenter. He came back to Kit Carson County in L942, when he was married to Julia Falk. They moved south of town, where he farmed until he retired and moved to town. He lived here in Burlington until his death in 1967. Mary homesteaded her own land before she married. She put up a shack on her land and slept there in order to prove up on her homestead claim. Her father Pete farmed and paid the taxes on the land until about 1923 when his son-in-law, Louis Kreoger, took over farming it. Louis broke out the remaining grass to make more farm ground to add to what he was already farming. Mary Ann Broadsword was married to Louis Kreoger on April 29, 1909. They farmed and raised a family north of Burlington. by Marilyn Kreoger Schlichenmayer UGene Brown and Marjorie (Marge) Culler Brown on their Wedding day. UGene Brown, a native of Colorado, was born fifteen miles north of Arriba, Colorado, in Lincoln County, His parents, Irvin Brown and Laura (Brue) Brown ventured out from Waterloo, Iowa to a homestead in Colorado. When Gene was seven years old, the family moved toAniba, Colorado where he attended twelve years of school. He furthered his education by studying Public Accounting through the LaSale Extension College. Jobs weren't too plentiful in Arriba in the thirties, but he took jobs of construction work and attendant at a gas station. In the spring of 1908, Charles and Edith (Swallom) Culler and family moved from Washta, Iowa to Warner, Alberta, Canada. They went with a group of lowa farmers who bought land in that area to be nmong the pioneers of "Sunny Southern Albert", After two years, they, along with some other families sold their land and moved to homestead country several miles east ofwhere they first located. They made their home in that area until they moved to Colorado in 1917. Marjorie (Marge) Culler was born in Alberta, Canada, coming with her parents to Arriba at the age of three. She lived on a farm eleven miles north of Arriba and attended Grand Meadows School in the country. The School was two miles from home and most of the bussing was by foot. On really cold or snowy days the transportation was by horse with cart or sled. There weren't any hot lunch programs in those days, but on stormy days the teacher, along with the help of our Mothers, would prepare hot soup. It sure was a treat from a cold sandwieh. On cold, snowy days our favorite game was Fox and Goose, only to come in and hang our coats and leggings by the big heater to dry before going home. At the age of eleven, Marge's family moved �into Arriba where she finished her schooling. After graduation she clerked at Earl's Cash Grocery Store. The hours were long and everything was packaged from prunes to bulk peanut butter. Saturday evening was a big night in town. Everyone came to do their shopping. It was not unusual for the store to remain open until ten-thrity or eleven o'clock BROWN, NED R. AND LOUISE PEIRCE F92 stove. When Ned was 16 he worked for Richard and Conover Hardware Co. of Kansas City and at 19 became a traveling salesman, his territory being Colorado and Kansas. Ned met Mary Louise Peirce in tainment in the thirties wasn't too expensive. Movies, rabbit drives, family and friends gathering for dinners and baseball gsmss were the highlights of entertainment. Kansas City, they were married December 30, 1910 and moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado. Two children were born there: Freder- Gene and Marge were married Feb. 2, 1936 in Arriba. Their new home was in Hugo, ,.rw Ned R. and Louise P. Brown when they moved to Burlington, 1916. where Gene was employed in the First National Bank, Iater joining in the business of Snell Grain Company where he was an accountant for Snell's elevators from Hugo to Stratton, when Snell sold out he worked for Clark Insurance Co. at the bank where he also was a director. He worked there until his retirement. Marge worked nineteen years in the Stratton Elementary School. She started as head cook when the hot-lunch program was introduced in the schools. It first began with the students going to the American Legion kitchen for lunch. Lunches were served to both the Elementary and High-School. Later :.4:)at)atu::,)':. ,',::;':::l:3:l::::,:, aa::..t,r,.;;.:4,::,, ' :'.:aa:,:::::::. a. ., a lunch room was provided at the grade school where all the students had meals. Marge later worked as Teacher's aide in the Elementary School. During the years in Stratton Gene & Marge have been active in school, community and chureh affairs. Gene was on the Dist. R-4 School Board for fifteen years, served one term on the town board, a charter member of the Stratton Rotary Club, and a member of the Burlington Masonic Lodge #77. They are both members of the Stratton United Methodist Church and have served as officers in different organizations in the church. Marge is a charter member of the Stratton Garden Club. in the Civil War and had his practice in Billings, Mo. until his death. Ned went to Kansas City, Mo. and began working in a hardware store, bedding down in the back room and cooking his meals on a pot bellied waiting for the customer to pick up their groceries. This was their night out to shop, visit and go to the ten-cent movies. Enter- Colorado where Gene was Deputy County Treasurer. The rent on their first home was fifteen dollars per month. Campaigning for a county office was quite different. To hustle votes, the campaigners didn't miss any of the pie socials or boxsuppers that were set up all over the county especially at the small rural school houses. They moved to Denver during the war yearc, '42 - '45, where Gene worked for Remington Arms as a Labor & Material checker. Later he worked as Senior Accountant for the State Highway Department. In July, 1945, the moved to Stratton, Colorado My father, Ned Ralph Brown, left his home in Billings, Mo. when he was twelve years old. His father, Eli Bedford Brown, was a doctor Ned R. Brown Hardware Store. 1916. The Brown's have two daughters; Margene, married to Richard Smith, and LuAnn, married to Jerry Lucas. They have seven grand-children and one great grand-child. Following retirement, the Browns' have enjoyed traveling and spending time with their daughters and their families. On Feb. 2, 1986, Marge & Gene celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary with family and friends. by Marge & UGene Brown The Frank Mann Store bought by Ned Brown, 1g16 ick Henry (December 7, I9l2) and Ruth Marion (September 13, 1915). Ned as a salesman used the train as his mode of travel. Ned having hardware in his blood, bought the Frank Mann Hardware store in Burlington and moved his family in 1916. The �age of 70 years young, she then made her home near her son, Fred. She died suddenly, like Ned, of a heart attack December 30, 1961. Ned and Louise had pleasant memories of their life in Burlington, and those memories are left with their daughter Betty, Fred having died February 16, 1984, and Ruth in August 1956. by Betty Louise Brown Chalfant Sutton BROWNWOOD, NICK AND EDITH F93 Main Street, Burlington, Colorado, 1916. store then became known as the N.B. Brown Hardware, Furniture, Implements and Undertaking. As the family got off the train and starCed down main street, my mother, born in Chicago-reared in Kaneas City, thought she had never seen guch a small or degolate place. She quickly learned to love the friendly people and the excitement of helping the town to $ow. In the year of 1918, my parents built a home (315 12th). This is the home where Betty Louise (June 3, 1921) was born. Duringthe followingyears, Ned was always active in the town's affairs. He dropped the implement dealership and when Frank Mann, his dear friend, died, Ned decided that undertaking was not for him so he sold this business to Orin Penny. Ned and Louise loved football and because they did they had an annual footbal Thanksgiving Banquet for the boys out for football. Louise always did all the cooking while the rest of the family readied the house for the banquet. Ned was instrumental in getting Highway 24 through Burlington and that was a big moment for Burlington. Ned also served as President of the Colorado Hardware Association. He served as Worshipful Mast€r of the Burlington Lodge of A.F. & A.M., was a Knights Templar and a member of the Shrine. TVice Ned was elected to the School Board of Coneolidat€d Dietrict No. 1 and was President of this group. Louise was busy during these years with her church, Methodist, and a federated club. Louise had a group of Camp Fire Girls who gave her much joy. Ned and Louise left Burlington in the spring of 1942. They made their home in Spokane, Washington. Ned was employed by the Spokane Army Air Force Depot and was in charge of the Nordon Bombsight. Ned passed away suddenly of a heart attack February 5, 1945 and was buried in Spokane, Washington. Louise worked for the Air Depot for several years and then became a housemother to 2000 boys at Stimeon Hall at Washington State Univereity in Pullman, Washington. While there Louise enrolled in classes to further her education. Louiee retired at the Nick Brownwood in 1934. Nick Brownwood was an early real egtate man. He married Edith Dulmer. Edith and Nick start€d the Brownwood store. The post office was called EUis and was fourteen miles north and one mile west of Vona, Colorado. The Brownwood School was near their store. In the dry years they all moved to California. Neil cnme back and married Amy Brindle and lived in the area for awhile. Edith Brownwood was Emma Dulmer Klasgen'e sister. Edith was born on Januar5r 28, 1881 and died on August 23, L976. Nick Brown- wood was born on January 2?, 1881 and died September 25, 1948. by Edith M. Eugley Rcmodeled store of Ned R. Brown. �boys were known as good students and often worked at mowing lawns, delivering papers and playing football. They all are University graduates. Two, Phil and Carl, graduated from Colorado University, James and Lee at Colorado State University. About then they were sometimee referred to as the "Bruner Bachelors". Mom did not like that term. James married Adele Malcourme of Ft. Collins, Colorado, December f7, 1937. Carl married Ruth Brown of Burlington on September 25, 1938. (See Brown-Pierce story). Phil married Marion Clark of Windsor, Colorado on October 9, 1938. Le married Jeanne Bradshaw of Burlington on July 11, 1943. (See the Bradshaw-McFarland story). Marion Bruner, Phil's wife, died May 12, 1984. Phil and Marion lived in Mission, Kansas as Phil wae office manager for the Foeter Lumber company yards. They moved to Colorado and retired to Westcreek where Phil resides. There are two children, Snm Bruner of Overland Park, Kansas, and The children of Nick and Edith Brovrnwood. L. to R.: Baby Edith, Neil, John, Myron, Walter, Tresa and Bernard. Barbara Van Waas of Westcreek, Colorado. Carl and Ruth lived in Montana for ten years and returned to Colorado in 1950 and made their home in Pueblo. There are three children, Philip of Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, where he is a teacher; Fredrick ofCasper, Wyoming and Mary Reiter of Springfield, Virginia. Ruth died August 17, 1956. Carl remanied Jennie Mary Penney Sept. 26, 1959. She has a son Kenneth Bryce Penney of Plano. Texas. Carl worked for the Social Security Administration in Montana and Colorado. James worked for the Soil Conser- Some Burlington ladies L to R: Mrs. C.D. Reed, (Marie); Bessie Bruner, Mrs, Louis Voght, Seletha Brown, Mrs. Hoskine, Mrs. Begsie Wilson, Mrs. George Danforth, Mrs. Louise Brown, Mrs. A.W. Winegar. end the Bruner Boys Philip Levi (Lee) Bruner and Bessie Lily FAMILY teachers. Coaches and their wives often spent the holidays playing chess with Dad or bridge skating, football practice, picking apricots, delivering papers and the smell of home- Sappy Creek not far from the church in Lyle. Dad Bruner worked for the Foster Lumber Company in Norton and the family moved to Selden, Kansas in 1914. Jnmes and Loren Lee were born in Selden. The family of Mom and Dad and the four Bruner boys spent their first night in Colorado in a tent near the water tower in Seibert, Colorado. They were on a trip to the moun- tains in the "Grant Six." A year later the The Bruner residence in Burlington, Colorado, a constant meeting place for students and number of years where Philip and Carl were when he died. Bessie "Mom" and her two sisters were reared in a "sod" house near the F94 The Bruner house in Burlington was just across the street form the school house. It was with Mom and Dad. Activities flood our memories. Digging caves, flying kites, ice store in Norton. The Bruner boys never knew him as Dad Bruner was just two years old BRUNER - WITIIAM Supply Company as Sales Manager and lived in Colorado Springs. They moved to Westcreek upon hie retirement. There are two sons, Richard of South Pasadena, California and James of Westcreek. Witham were married Nov. 20, 1904 in Lyle, Kangas. They lived in Norton, Kansas for a born. Grandfather Bruner owned the first Edith Dulmer Brownwood at her home, vation Service in Cortez, Kiowa, Longmont and Canon City. After service in the Air Force, Lee worked for many years for the Colorado Springs family moved to Stratton, Colorado and lived in a small house just next to the water tower there. Our neighbors were the O.K. Arringtons and their daughter, Thelma. We also played with the Spurling boys, often catching ground squirrels and lizzards near the Landsman Creek area west of town. We moved to Burlington in about 1919. Dad Bruner built the house which still stands just south of the old high school. The Bruner made bread. Before Lee retired he helped Dad and Mom to establish a retirement home at Westcreek where they entertained their many friends from Burlington. Dad Bruner died February 18, 1968, in Colorado Springs. Mom died June 29, 1971 in Colorado Springs. They are buried in the Crystal Valley Cemetery in Manitou Springs, Colorado. Dad Bruner loved to hunt and fish. I can remember hunting rabbit in the old Grant Six. Phil on the right fender and I on the left with our legs hooked over the headlight. Phil with a twelve gauge and I with the little 410, we hunted duck and prairie chicken every winter. Dad Bruner also liked to fight - that is he hated to turn down a fight. He finally gave it up because Mom always found out. Mom baked bread on the old Majestic Range, six loaves, two pans of rolls, a big pan of cinnamon rolls - the kind that were all gooey and caramelized on the bottom. You could smell them clear to Main Street. It was a �considerable treat when you could find a slice or two the next morning for toast. by Carl W. Bruner BRYAN, ROBERT S. F95 Robert S. Bryan, born Feb. 18, 1892, at Singer's Glen, Virginia and Zola R. Reade, born Jan. 25, 1895, at Lexington, Missouri were married Feb. 16, 1912 at Lakeview, Missouri. Robert, better known as Bob, and Zola moved to Kidder, Missouri where he was employed as a clerk in the general mercantile store. It was while living there that their Flagler was growing, new homes were built and others were remodeled. Bob and his grandsons went into business painting and wallpapering, a trade Bob had learned from his father in Missouri. Pauline re-married in 1946. She and her husband Daniel J. Radebaugh moved to a farm south of Flagler in the Second Central District. They presented her parents with three children: Barbara, Daniel Duane and June. Zola's health declined, she died in May 1958. Bob, now retired continues to be active in managing the farming interests of Mr. A.W. Augspurger of Carlock, Ill. Bob suffered a heart attack, had a pacemaker implant, and after several attacks a few years later, his health continued to $sm, so Bob moved his family to Limon, Colorado where he went to work for the Rock Island Railroad as a brakeman. Later, being promoted to a conductor, he was able to move his family again to Flagler where he rented the Gibson property. Zola's parents moved from the homestead to Flagler to make their home with Bob and Zola. Bob continued working on the railroad, his wife and parents rented rooms and boarded teachers. After the war, Bob quit the railroad and went to work for J.C. Straub Hardware and Lumber Co. The theater was in the upper story of the store and Bob ran it at night. Bob and Zola were very active in the organization of the First Baptist Church of Flagler, both being charter membere. Bob held positions as Trustee, Treasurer and Choir Director. Accepting a job as store manager for the Christopher (Chris) Buchanan took up a homestead in 1892 and settled on it, the legal description being Section 34, Township 5 %, Range 42. In January 1893 Chris was united in marriage to Nellie Myrtle Sleight in Sherman County, Kansas at the home of the bride. To nan) Brooks, Mary Estella (Buchanan) daughters and one son. Nellie Ann (Bucha- BUCHANAN, CIIRISTOPHER JARED F96 Christopher Jared Buchanan was born in Carlisle, Iowa, on May 20th 1870 and lived there with his parents, Jefferson and Mary Buchanan, until March, 1889, when they migrated west in a covered wagon and located in the northeast corner of Kit Carson County on April 10, 1889. Upon arriving in Kit Carson County they stayed with W.H. Hargis for two weeks, then Mr. Jefferson Buchanan filed on a homestead located in the northeast corner of the County, Section 2, Township 6, Range 42. They built a sod house and plastered it with native lime. Later they helped build a number of these sod houses in the community, using native lime for plastering. He had no trouble getting water, one of the Snodgress Food Co. in Pueblo, Bob moved hie family again. It was here he had a chance to own and operate his own store, so once again he moved back to Flagler. Bob and Zola opened Bryan's Red and White Store, Dec. L,L927. During the years Bob operated the store, he was very active in the civic affairs of Flagler. He gerved several years as Mayor, councilman and fireman. He wae also a member of the Masonic Lodge 127 AF & AM in Flagler. Their daughter, Pauline, manied Donald Winn in 1933. She and her husband presented the Bryan's with two grandsons: James (Jim) and Robert (Bobbie). Pauline and her husband helped her parents in the store for several years. Due to ill health, Bob sold the store to V, and Ola Thompson in the fall of 1941. During World War II, Bob worked at the Kaiser Ammunitions in Denver. When the war ended he returned to Flagler. He drove for C.M. Smith and was later hired by the Coop as bookkeeper. They bought a small herd of cattle and horses. They did not go in for cattle raising but did more farming. The year they arrived was about the last year of the range cattle. by Pauline Radebaugh the homestead for 2 years, helping out. There wasn't much of a crop because of a drought, and Bob moved his family to Flagler, where and the railroad needed men, as well as Uncle did. They saw no buffalo, but there were herds of antelope roo-ing the prairies, and sometime forty or fifty in one herd would pass by. this union was born five children, four family moved to Colorado. Arriving at the homestead in Colorado, it was Boon found out that the sod house would not accommodate two families. So a frame house was built. Bob and his family lived on World War I was in progress at the time did not have to haul water as so many others deteoriate. Bob passed away Feb. L5, L974. daughter Pauline was born. They received a letter from Zola's parents, who had homesteaded in Colorado, that they needed help to farm the place. So in 1914, the he went to work for W.H. Lavington in the grocery store. brothers of Chris worked with a well drilling outfit, so had a well drilled on the claim and Chris Buchanan in his grocery stnre,1922. (Cranmer) (Weiser) Snyder, Ralph Buchanan, Ella (Buchanan) Cranmer, and Ruth (Buchanan) McCormick. Mr. Buchanan was a leader in the Republican political circle in both the county and state for many years. In February, 1928, the family moved to Burlington at the corner ofwhat is now 1692 Martin Ave, where he resided until his death. He was engaged in business until the last few years before he passed away. It was because of his success on the farm and in the community and business that the citizens selected him by vote in 1920 to serve as County Commissioner for two terms, and then re-elected again in 1924, eight years in all. It was during this time as a county commissioner that in 1928 the county purchased the Kit Carson County Carousel from Elitch's in Denver. The county commissioners who approved the purchase at that time were Chris Buchanan, G.W. Huntley and I.D. Messinger, which met withwidespread disapproval over the purchase price of $1,250, a sum considered an extravagant expenditure in hard times. Buchanan and Huntley chose not to run for re-election in 1928 because of this sentiment. �It was at this time, about 1925 and 1926, often times they would stop and inquire the way to Burlington. On January 4, 1893 she was united in that he was engaged in the grocery store business for several years located at what is marriage to Christopher Jared Buchanan. They moved onto their homestead in Kit Carson County about 20 miles northeast of Burlington. This union was blessed with five now.1461 Senter, then sold out and then engaged in operating the "Fairmont" Crea-- ery Station. He operated this until, due to health reasons, he had to grve it up and sell out. children, four daughters and one son: daughters, Nellie Ann, Estella, Ella and Ruth and creamery that he beco-e an avid cribbage player as did a lot of other fellows. Whenever he had slack time, you would find a group of cribbage players enjoying themeelves. Often times when Myrtle would be at the creamery, she would be testing the crenm and the cribbage players would continue on for hours on end. Once again in the fall of 1929 his capability as an administrator caused the voting majority to invest their confidence in him as their representative to the State Legislature for two terms. He also served as an officer in different capacities in Burlington. son Ralph Buchanan. One daughter Ella preceded her in death in 1935. Her husband Chris passed away in July 1949. It was during the time that he ran the The more than 60 years of residence in this part of the country qualified her to speak as few can from more and varied experiences of the pioneer life. While Myrtle was notin any way interested in the political endeavors that her husband Chris was involved in as County Commissioner and State Representative, she did carry on in the businesses ofthe Grocery Store and the Cresmery when he was away on business. Myrtle was a member of the local First Christian Church and a member of the When a young boy Chris confessed his faith in Christ and affiliated with the Northern Baptist Church. For more than 27 years he was a member of the Order of the Odd Fellowship Local Order No. 152, having held offices in the local, district and the state. Christopher Jared (Chris) Buchanan passed away on July 24,1949 on Sunday at the age of 79 years at the Memorial Hospital in Burlington. Funeral Services for Chris were held at the Methodist Church with Rev. Lloyd M. Green pastor of the First Christian Church. Special music was furnished by Mrs. Mae Billington and Betty Rutter with Vada Neidig as accompanist. Burial being at the Beaver Valley Cemetery northeast of Burlington. Preceding Mr. Buchanan in death was one daughter Ella, as well as all of his brothers and sisters. He left to mourn his passing his wife, three daughters and one son and 22 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren. Chris really enjoyed his grandchildren, always having candy for them. A portion of this story was written by Chris in 1934. women's council, being an ardent worker in this auxiliary. She was an artist in piecing and quilting quilts. Perhaps she had made and Myrtle and Chris Buchanan good, especially after the cattle or wild horses had tramped around in it. The first well was hand dug and hauled water up with a windlass. Myrtle wentto school in Cheyenne County, Kansas, in a sod house built about four miles from where the home was. Since there was no school house at that time, and there was no church or Sunday School; folks lived too far away to permit such meetings. Later a sod school house was built and they then had Literary Society meetings. Dancing was the chief amusement, and the only means of conveyance was with tearn and wagon or horseback. They had to drive forty miles round trip to attend a dance, dance all night, get home at daylight, and work all the next day. There was no railroad through this country by Nola Faye (Brooks) Mangus BUCHANAN, MYRTLE NELLIE (SLEIGIIT) F97 Myrtle Nellie (Sleight) (the daughter of Henry and Lydia) Buchanan was born December 25, L874 near Wanatah, Indiana. At the age of eight years old she and the family moved to Richardson County, Nebraska. After four years in this community, she with her parents beco-e residents of Sherman County, Kansas. Her father served in the army for four years, and when they came west he took a pre-emption and a homestead adjoiningjust across the Colorado State Line. From the home they could look into four counties and two states, the counties being Cheyenne and Sherman County, Kansas, and Yuma and Kit Carson Counties in Colorado. They hauled water from the Republican River, seven miles away; as they had but two barrels, it was necessary to go to the river every other day. They used water out of the lagoons for washing, but it was never very at that time, and they did their trading at Jacqua, Kansas, about eight miles away. In Myrtle's words "I remember my father drove to Oberlin, Kansas, to prove up on his homesteads. How well do I remember too, the first night we went to our new home in Kansas: There was no house or dugoutto stay in, so we piled our boxes of bedding and household goods round us in a circle and then all slept in the one big bed on the prairie. Father hauled the lumber to build the house from Haigler, Neb." Mr. Sleight helped to kill a buffalo in Cheyenne County, Kansas, and itwas divided up among the neighbors and all enjoyed buffalo meat for awhile. They never saw any buffalo where they lived, but there was plenty of antelope, and one large heard passed their farm less than a quarter of a mile to the south ofthe home, There were coyotes, snakes, and the little pert prairie dogs. They had plenty of fleas too and what a time they had with them, for they seemed to be so thick in the grass and on the prairie. They were so hard to get rid of, but later when the country became more settled they just seemed to disappear. The old Burlington trail crossed the homestead in Western Kansas, and every few days they saw people driving along the trail, and finished more than 250 quilts, as well as doing quilting for others. You could go to he house most any time and she would be in the basement quilting. There was hardly ever a time that she did not have a quilt in the frames that she could go quilt on any time she had spare time. She also loved to knit; one of her specialties was knitting booties for all of the great grandchildren. The earthly pilgrimage of Myrtle came to a close on November 8, 1950 at the age of 75 years 11 months and 14 days. She was the last survivor of the Sleight family. Services were held at the Hendricks Mortuary in Bur- lington with the Rev. Lloyd M. Green, pastor of the First Christian Church, officiating. Music was furnished by Mrs. Reuben Rhoades. Mrs. Wade Davis and Jemes Winfrey, with Dorothy Colglazier the accompanist. Burial was in the Beaver Valley Ceme- tery, Northeast of Burlington. Most of this story was written by Myrtle in 1934. by Nola Faye (Brooks) Mangus BUCHANAN, NELLIE F98 The following account was written by Mrs. Nellie Buchanan about homesteading on the prairies of Western Kansas and Eastern Colorado and her experiences in living in the little town of Seibert, Kit Carson, Colorado, during the late 1800's, when Seibert was first founded. The Messinger family was well acquainted with Mrs. Nellie Buchanan; her daughter, Mrs. Zella Buchanan Hutchens, as well as Mrs. Hutchens'husband, Maj. Corra Hutchens: Nellie Buchanan, Seibert, Colorado I was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, in 1857, and grew to womanhood there. I was married while quite young, and in our early twenties my husband and I got the western fever, so we sold our little home, crated our furniture and took the train for the west.We did not plan where we were going to stop, nor just how far we would go. When we reached Kansas City the weather was getting colder �and it was snowing very hard, and we soon had the experience of a real blizzard. A few hours out of Kansas City our train got stuck in a snow drift; it took them twenty-four hours to get the train moving again. We traveled very slow and the car windows were covered with snow and ice so we could not see out. We were rather tired of such a tedious trip. It took us all day, all night and until eleven o'clock the next night to get to Atchison, Kansas. We decided to rest a bit so my husband and two babies and myself got a room in a hotel there, got a good hot bath and went to bed and slept until eleven o'clock the next day. Then we got a good breakfast and at noon took the train for farther west. The train traveled so slow and as the windows were covered with ice we could not see the country, so we at last reached a little town by the neme of Gaylord, Kansas, and we decided to stop and rest until the weather got better. The next morning when I went out on the hotel porch I was just thrilled, for the great prairie was one big blanket of pure white snow with here and there a little home like a dot on the whiteness; nothing in sight but the beautiful snow and the sky. Right there I knew I would never be contented until I had a home of our own in the wonderful WEST, so I urged my husband to take a homestead and build a sod houge and settle down. I had never seen a sod house, but had learned that theywere warm in winter and cool in summer, so I felt that was all that was necessary. My husband looked at me, and smiling said, "Nellie, you don't know what you are talking about." But a woman's job is to talk, so I finally induced him to buy a team of horses, a covered wagon, six cows and two dozen chickens, and we started west. The sun was shining bright, and the snow melting fast; we traveled two days and two nights, and the evening ofthe second day we saw a sod house on the prairie. We drove up to it and a man and woman came out. They asked us where we were from and where we were going. My husband told them we came from Indianapolis, and were going west to take a homestead. The man said "Man alive, go back to where you came from; go back now while you can, for in a year from now you won't have anything to go back with. Go back before you have to starve." My husband replied that any man in America thatwould work did not need to starve, so we bid them goodbye and drove on to the next water-hole where we made camp, about two and one-half miles from the sod house and the discouraged man. The next day we filled our bags with water and drove for miles and miles with not a thing in sight butland and sky, and camping atnight on the open prairie. On the evening of the third day we saw an object on the prairie; we thought it was another home, but when we drove up to it we found it was a echool house. We made our snmp there and just got through eating our supper when the wind began to blow the hardeet I had ever known; then the rain came down in torrents, so we made our beds in the school house. About three o'clock in the morning a bunch of coyotes came howling about the school house, and my husband got up and shot at them two or three times out of the windows. They went away and we went back to sleep, and did not wake until sunrise. Then we got up, ate our breakfast, and staded on another day's travel into the enchanted west. We drove for two days and about noon of the third day we saw another object on the far prairie, and when we got close to it we discovered it was a big covered wagon with big letters RBSTAURANT written on the side. There we ate our lunch, and learned that this was the first restaurant on the ground where Colby, Kansas, is now located. After driving for some days we came to two little towns built close together; one was called Voltaire. the other Sherman Center. Each town was striving for the County seat. Goodland was then platted as a townsite, and when the Rock Island Railroad was laid through this part of Kansas, Goodland was chosen as the railroad center, and the next election won it the place for the county seat. All the excitement made it so interesting to us that we decided to file a homestead south of Goodland, so we got a claim, built a sod house and I settled down to be a "homesteader" in every sense of the word. My husband worked atthe Rock Island shops in Goodland, and mytwo babies and I stayed on the ranch fifteen miles south of Goodland. We put barrels in our wagon, and I hauled water from the Smoky River ten miles south of us. I took care of the cattle - our six cows - and I learned to hitch and unhitch a team in record time. There was not a soul neat us, and not a house in sight. Nothing but the great broad prairies, the wide expanse of the blue sky, and the howling of the coyotes for music. I lived on this ranch for two years. I remember the first Fourth of July celebration in Goodland; the big excitement of the day was a chance to ride over the new rails that had just been laid. A car had been brought in from further down the line, and everyone that wanted to could get a free ride over the new railroad. My, that was so exciting. My husband was a lineman, and helped line the new Railroad from Chicago to Colorado Springs, and there were times when I would not see him for three to six months at a time. The railroad went on west, so they moved my husband to Burlington, the County Seat of Kit Carson County, Colorado. Most of our western towns gtew overnight, and the excitement is the biggest part of them for a number of years. Burlington had a hard struggle for some years, but it is quite a nice little city now, and one of which we are all proud. Later my husband was moved to Siebert, Colorado. Seibert wag not on the map until after the railroad was built. So my husband wrote to me, and told me to sell the ranch and come to Siebert to live. Although I was as much a homegteader as ever, I decided it best for myself and my two children to get nearer civilization, so we sold our ranch and moved to Siebert. But I certainly did not think much of the town, it was such a dry shabby little place. There was no water there; all water was hauled from the river four miles north of us, or from the well in the old town of Hoyt. Later the railroad built a section house, and dug a well, and then locked the pump on the well and gave instructions that no one but the Railroad employees was to get water from that well. However, the instructions were given to my husband, and not to me. So when a poor settler or one of his family came asking for drinking water or enough to make a cup of coffee, believe me, I did not turn them down. If the railroad was helping to build the country, what about the settlers who were brave enough to withstand the hardships of thirst, of starvation, of lonesomeness; I felt they had as much right to that good water as any of the railroad employees did. So I used to give away a pailful now and then, and then one day I learned that I had been reported. Not through malice, but by some one grateful for the kindness I had shown them, and they were merely relating this kindness. But the outcome was that the Supervisor came to my husband and told him that the key would be taken away after the pump was locked and we would have to use the hauled water. My husband regretted the affair, but told to him notify me too, as I used the key. When this man crme to my home and told me what he was intending to do, I remember I told him that ifhe were leaving orders the key, to take it with him, for as long as there was water there and people needed it I would give it to them. That I would be glad to haul water and share it with those around me just as they would do if I needed water. When I got through talking the Supervisor did not say anything, but he bid be goodbye and left the key with me. I really believe he saw what it meant to the people of that community to have a good drink of clear water once in a while; a drink of water that had not stood in a barrel in the hot sun. We had no more trouble after that. Of course, I was careful with the water, but the well never ran dry in spite of all the drinks I gave away. Everyone was poor, some poorer than others. My husband had a good job with the railroad, so we were more fortunate than a great many others who had to depend on their cattle and farms for a livelihood. I remember one poor family who had had a great deal of sickness, and on the day that the eldest little child died, another baby was born, and the poor mother had no clothes for the new baby and nothing decent to bury the other little child in. So a few of the neighbors got together and we sewed for the new baby and the mother and I made a pretty little dress for a burial dress for the little child. A neighbor man made a little casket, and we lined it nicely with solid white goods and trimmed it with a bit of lace and some white ribbon. I remember after we had the wee one all laid out it looked like a sweet doll, so we took it into the bedroom so the poor mother could see it, and I shall never forget how very grateful she was that her darling was to be given a decent burial. It was just such instances as this that made the neighborhood one big family, all ready to share each others joys or sorrows. We lived in cars on the siding until the section house was built, then we lived in Seibert for a number of years. My husband was transferred back to Goodland to the shops and again transferred to Burlington, where he worked as a Section foreman. We lived in the Montezuma Hotel until we found a house, and stayed there for a number of years, getting acquainted with a number ofthe pioneer settlers ofthat town, an acquaintance that has ripened into a life long friendship. We again were transferred to Seibert, and we decided to get a ranch and go into the cattle business. The children and I took care of the ranch while my husband did his work on the railroad. We lived here for some years, my husband died, and my children got married, so I moved to town and em now making my home with my daughter, Mrs. Zella Hutchens, the present Post Mis- �tress. Iam happy and contented, and enjoy recounting my experiences of the early days in this new country; I am glad that I was one of the pioneers that helped to develop the country; that I was privileged to do my bit towards making a bit brighter the lives of those around me. by clack Messinger BUOL FAMILY F99 John and Anna Buol came to the Burlington area from northeast Nebraska. They c4me, not in a covered wagon, but in a ModelT Ford, and were accompanied by a son, Kermit, who was nearly 3 years old at the time. John received much ridicule from his peers in Nebraska for leaving those lush, green, productive fields for a home in "the Great American Desert", but John had a vision and saw an opportunity which he made work successfully. Anna shed more than a few tears when she arrived on the scene, but the mystic enchantment of the plains with its beautiful sunsets, blue skies, and dry, healthful climate soon won her over, and she was happy to live here for the rest of her life. Her family, the Arduesers, soon followed her to Colorado, and settled on farms south of Bethune, helping to make her early life on the plains more endurable. John bought a farm a mile and a half north of Burlington from Mr. Ed Danforth. This farm is still in the Buol family and is operated by John's grandson, John A. Buol. Down through the years, the Buol cattle-feeding operation expanded from feeding a small pen of cattle a year to a 6,(XX) head feedlot today. To accommodate this expansion progtarn, in 1941, John built a country elevator. This elevator became quite a landmark, and was a check-point on many aviation maps. This elevator burned down in the early 80's. Two more sons were born to John and Anna. Martin in 1921 and Russell in 1926. In 1929, John and Anna built a new, modern home on the farmstead. When they tore down the old house, they found that the space between sheeting and laths was filled with dirt for insulation. The old highway, North 40, came a mile and a half north of Burlington, and turned east by our place. The turn wag sharp, and many speeding cars missed the turn, and tore out our fences. In Nov. of 1930, we had a bad blizzard about a week before Thanksgiving. The drifts on the highway were deep, and they didn't get the road opened until Thanksgiving Day. We walked to school during that time. During the famous blizzard in 1931 (the one of the Towner tragedy), two salesmen were travelling east on the highway. They got about a mile east of our corner and beco-e stalled. They started to walk back to town. One got as far back as our place, but the other collapsed about a quarter of a mile away. Our two hired men took scoop shovels for protection, and went out to find him. He was as stiff as a log when they brought him in and dragged him down the basement steps. Some men crme out from town to help them back to town, but the storm got so bad that nobody could go out, so we had a houseful for the duration. After the storm was over, they took the salesman to town, but we never heard whether the frozen one lived or not. All three boys went through the Burlington schools and continued their education at Colorado State University. They all served in the Armed Forces. Kermit was a navigator on a B-17 bomber that was flying in the European theater in World War II. He was shot down, and was a German Prisoner of War for 18 months. Martin was in the Army, and participated in the drive through Germany, and met the Russians on the Elbe. Russell was a communications officer in the Air Force, and followed that career for a number of years. Kermit married a Burlington native, Dorene Smith. They had three children; a son John and two daughters, Denise and Diana. Martin married Rogene Merwin, whogrewup in Burlington. They had a son, Terry, and a daughter, Shelley. Russell manied Elsie Jane Gross of Trinidad, and had three sons, Thomas, Donald, and David. John Buol Sr. died in 1970 and Anna in 1974. Russell died in May 1978 and his son, David, in 1987. The Buol families persevered on the plains. They saw many ups and downs. The minuses were dustbowl days, droughts, and blizzards, but the pluses of bumper crops, desirable living conditions, and a great environment in which to raise families far outn 'mber all of the uncomfortable aspects of living on these unpredictable plains. by Kermit J. Buol BURKART FAMILY Floo George Burkart Mr. and Mrs. George Burkart, Sr., of Walter, Russia, cnme to the U.S.A. on June 10, 1892. George and his wife were married August 19th and September 21, 1868, in Walter, Russia. They were among ten couples married the same day, as their church, not having a resident pastor, had a special pastor come at various times. It required great courage for George to dare thinking of coming to America. It required greater courage to undertake such a trip with a wife and two babies, George and Jake. They scraped up what they could sell and got what money they could, which was a pitiful amount for such a trip. Mrs. Burkart had to leave her dowry behind, a chest filled with the choicest linens, which were a gift from her father. It was difficult to leave parents, brothers, sisters, relatives, and friends. It would truly be "goodbye", to know she could never see those whom she loved again. The uppermost reason for them wanting to come to the New World was the age old instinct to own a home and land of their own, ingtead of being a laborer in another man's vineyard. Some had braved the dangers ofthe "New World" and now one could own a home of their own by just living on a place for a short while and "Improving up on a Homestead". It took stout hearts and willing hands to go to the New World and face the hardships. The Burkart family finally anived in New York City. A baby had becoming desperately ill of a fever while enroute, but recovered safely by the time they landed. Upon arival, for eome reaaon they were shut in a cell-like room. George was afraid they would be returned to the old country for some reason. He could not talk English, so he couldn't find out why they were being detained. On the ship, some fellows were there to try to get the emigrants to work for a certain railroad, but Mr. Burkart refused to sign anything so these men threatened they would see to it that they would be returned to the old country. However Mr. Burkart refused to sign up with them. After a couple of days a gentleman came along past their cell-like room evidently John Buol Farm. John on horee, Kermit right front. In the early 1920's. looking for someone. At least he returned with a guard who unlocked their door. The �gentleman angrily exclaimed, "Why have you shut up my people like this." They guessed that he was an nmbassador from Russia and had not been able to account for one family that had not arrived. Anyway he saw that the tickets were purchased and placed them on a train headed for their destination, Culbertson, Nebraska, where a cousin, Conrad Burkart lived. After the train left New York City, the Burkarts were afraid to go to sleep because they had no idea of the location of Culbertson, Nebraska. They were afraid that the train would pass the station. So George saw a Negro a few seats ahead and since he couldn't speak English he made sign language with the Negro to find out how long he should be aboard the train. The Negro shut his eyes and laid back on his seat, help up one finger, then he sat up and help up one finger repeating until he had three nights and two days. Then George went back to his seat to sleep through the night peacefully. by Mrs. George Burkart BURKART FAMILY Flot Upon reaching the homestead claim near Kirk, Colorado, a shelter had been laid up for them by Mr. Burkart's father who had taken a claim nearby. Walls of adobe were built by him. George had sent money to him to buy windows and a roof. The floor was adobe. Later the walls in the adobe were plastered with native lime taken from a pit near the river. Whenever house cleaning came along, Mrs. Burkart would take a solution of the native lime and water and use a rag to rub it all over the walls to make them a beautiful white. The floor was cleaned and made presentable by rubbing a real wet gunny sack over it and sprinkling fine sand over it. Next morning aftcr their arrival, young Mrs. Burkart went outside to view the prairie about her new home. All she saw was a big, tall brown grass waving and sighing like pine trees in the wind. How useful the cooked down butter would be to the family now. No doubt she dreamed how useful her dowry of fine bed linens could be to her now. Later a severe drought sent George hurrying on horseback south to the Arkansas valley for work. He wrote for his father to bring his stock and family to him. A second daughter Lena arrived while there. by Mrs. George Burkart George Burkart How happy they were to have reached the promised land of their dresms. Harvest was on, so George and his wife, Katie, assisted with the harvest, Katie softly singing her favorite hymn: Bless us and keep us Lord, we look up to Thee Give us your blessing at all times. However, underneath it all, from the time Katie had left her loved ones behind. she being only a young bride, suffered terrible homesickness which made her very ill at times. The Burkarts soon moved to Trenton, Nebraska, where George got work on the Burlington Railroad. The small amount of money was getting smaller. One day a freight train was derailed and a carload of butter in wooden tubs was in a bad state with the butter getting mushy and running out of the tubs. The railroad foreman told George he could take home all he could use as it would be wasted. So George and his wife took a great deal of it. Being very conservative and far sighted, Mrs. Burkart cooks the butter down until clear colored and like lard and stored it in containers as lard. It proved to a real gift from heaven as we find in their later story of homestead life. While in Trenton, Mrs. Burkart did washing and ironing to earn money. Then George and his brother, Jake Burkart, went to Akron, Colorado. a railroad center and land office to file on homestead claims five miles southeast of Kirk, Colorado. Then George borrowed his father's covered wagon and took his wife, who was expecting another child soon, and his two sons and headed west. Enroute a daughter Lydia was born in a farm home. When the baby was an hour old, the young mother and baby were placed in the covered wagon, and it moved on toward the homestead claim. Considered by grown children today, it seems inconceivable such a thing could have been endured with the new mother living to ever tell about it. BURKART F102 George Burkart The next spring, 1897, they had earned some money to start farming so they returned to their homestead near Kirk, where another daughter, Amelia was born. She was the adored baby of the family and no baby could have been loved more. George walked five miles from his homestead to the John Pugh ranch on the Republi- can River when he could get work there and be spared from home. He walked to work Sunday evening and returned the same way Saturday evening. His wages were 50 cents per day, George says today, "And we were well fixed. I could buy a sack of "Cowboy" floor for 75 cents and two pounds ofArbuckle coffee for 50 cents which filled our needs. Often times homesteaders didn't have any flour in the house and never knew where the next meal was coming from." "When I worked for Pugh I would note where a bunch of cattle had bedded down for the night and would pile a few chips together here and there and come back later for them when I had time. So that way we supplied our fuel." George remarks of Mrs. Pugh, "She was a good woman and cooked many good meals for me for which I am grateful." Prairie fires were calrmities to the homesteaders. They were started by the train going to Limon. Everyone went out to help. Pastures, crops and homes were burned, often people lost their lives. A large prairie fire started near Flagler in 1901 and burned to the Republican River. The fire burned to the edge of the Burkart house when the wind suddenly changed and the fire turned south to the River where it died out. The prairies were covered with good thick grass and large grasses three foot tall in the hills along the river. George tells how he was fighting fire one day when two men came by dragging a dead animal between two horses to put out the fire. Everything was done to fight these fires. Back firing was also used, whenever the need arose. Mr. Burkart, like other pioneers, helped build early schools. He helped build three in all, including the Clark School. One was rock up to the windows, with adobe or sod used for the others. The family suffered many hard times, but were never sorry to have come to the new world, despite their hardships and homesickness. Mr. and Mrs. Burkart finally built up a lovely home and helped build a church nearby. They often times helped their neigh- bors build homes also. Mr. Burkart joined some friends in organizing the Kirk State Bank of Kirk on January 7, L917. He beceme a director on the bank board and always felt proud of his achievement for the community. So it was a gala day of Mr. and Mrs. George Burkart when the day of their 50th Wedding Anniversary arrived on February 3, 1938, and found them happily and comfortably settled as citizens of their new world. They had gained what their hearts had desired, looking forward from their wedding day in the old world. Their's is happiness a hundredfold and their land and home are their own: they are not hired servants. Looking back on their lives they remarked on their 50th wedding day: though they had travelled together, they agreed that God had been good to them, to bring them to America when He did, that nowhere else could a man and a family start out without a penny and by sheer hard work and good management pay for a home. Mr, Burkart says: "Here in America we have security. We can feel assured, when we go to bed at night, that we won't be dragged out by the Secret Police. Of course this security costs money. That's why we pay county taxes, and I hope none of my children will ever complain about having to pay taxes. If they could just appreciate the differences between America and the old country as I do, I'm sure they would not." Mr. and Mrs. George Burkart celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary, on February 3, 1957. Mr. Burkart passed away in 1962; Mrs. Burkart in 1963. by Mrs. Sherman Corliss - lS57 BUTLER, WILLIAM AND AMANDA FloS In the fall of 1913, my parents, William and Amanda Butler, moved to a homestead north of Vona. My parents were born in north central Kansas. My father bought what was called a relinquishment. My parents had just bought a new 1913 Model T Ford. My father drove the car out to the farm, put it in a small shed, and went back to Kansas on the train. My parents and another couple who helped them move constructed one covered wagon, one wagon, and a hayrack. They had machinery and feed for the horses on the wagons. My younger sister and brother thought this was lot of fun, as sometimes they would ride with �the men in the wagons. This part was told to me as I stayed with an aunt to go to school. At night they slept in the covered wagon and they would co-p at a farm house so as to have water. They cooked on a two burner oil stove, and as a rule the weather was nice and the cooked outside, but one evening it rained, so they stayed in a hotel and put the horses in the livery barn. I came to Colorado BUTTERFIELD FAMILY F104 Melvin and Barbara Butterfield on the train all by myself on my seventh birthday. I thought I was plenty big to buy fruit and sandwiches and give the right change. The train got to Vona in the night. My father Witlard Milton Butterfield, was born in 1898 at Amherst, Colorado, the son of Ellen (Smith) and Edward Ulyssess (Edd) My parents, sister and brother, had driven to Vona, and had a room at the hotel. As the rado from Ohio in 1886. He was a farmer and rancher. My mother Lettie Mildred Bone, was born in 1898, at Corydon, Iowa, daughter of Alice (Rockwell) and Charles Bone, who came to Holyoke from Iowa in 1903-04. Lettie traces her lineage back 9 generations through her father on the maternal side of Stansbury's, to a Detmar Sternberg, who came to Baltimore, Maryland in 1658. Detmar was descended from William of Orange, and also back 7 generations to a Cromwell, who was related to Olvier Cromwell. Lettie and Willard married in 1920 in Holyoke, Colorado. Willard worked for his hotel had only one bed to a room, we all slept in the one bed until it was daylight and then we started for the homestead. My sister and brother were very excited as they said we were building a mud house. All of the neighbors came to work on that house. I still own the Homestead. and the house is occupied. In those days there were not many cars. My father took couples to Burlington to get married, and to prove up on their homesteads. If you were in your car and met people in a buggy or wagon, the man with the horse would get out ofhis wagon and hold on to the horseg'heads or the horses would run away. We lived in a one room frame house while the new house was being built. Then the little house was made into a garage. At that time a barn was built and also other buildings. We attended the Boger School. In those days as many €Nr fifty and sixty pupils would Butterfield. Edd Butterfield came to Colo- Dad Edd. It was born in L922, and Marvin Delet, was born in 1924, on the Butterfield farm south of Holyoke. ln 1924 they moved to a farm (owned by his Dad) located 16 miles south on Highway 51 and 3 miles east of Burlington, Colorado. They had 160 acres of farm and pasture ground. Dad bought a tenm of mules from his Dad for $300 and Mom's parents gave them a milk cow. There was a four room house of the farm. When Willard's mother, Ellen, died in1924, Willard's youngest brother Edward (Buzzie) Butterfield was 10 years old. He made his home with us until he married in 1934. Close neighbors wee the Henry Dragers, to the west, Vince Daniels, one mile north & one mile west: Fred Nortons, one mile north & one mile east; and the Lawrence Carlsons, one-half mile north. The children rode the bus nine miles to the Smoky Hill School. Willard drove the school bus for several years. The school was the center for activities and church services were held there. When Highway 24 was being built, Willard drove his team of mules and wagon to Burlington to work on the highway, hauling sand and dirt. Verna Ellen was born in 1927. She was such a tiny thing, four pounds. Kenneth Ervin was born in 1929 and Willard Junior, in 1932. They were born on the farm; Dad would go to town and get Dr. Remington who would deliver for $25. We always had lots of livestock on the farm. A good saddle horse was always saddled up and tied to a post ready to be used. In the summer time Dad and Marvin milked the cows and I would ride and bring in the horses. It was open range and they could roam as much as 15 to 20 miles from home. When Marvin was around 9 years old he would ride south to a sheep snmp and be going to school. Sunday School was held in many of the school houses. Our school was the main entertainment. Dances were held in homes, and baseball was a great entertainment in those days. In L923, my father became Postmast€r at Vona. We lived near Vona during the summer and then moved into town. My sister and I had worked for our room and board to go to high school. The years brought more schooling, teaching several terms of achool, and my marriage to Harold Summers. We went through the depression years, dirt storm years, with low prices for farm produce, and back to good crops and prices. Many people remember the rabbit drives and the grasshoppers that ate the little trees we eet out, and then the time came when there were no rabbits, and it seemed as if the deer, antelope, and coyotes had taken over. My husband was a lover of cattle and horses; of coutse, for many years he farmed with horses. We had Black Angus cattle. Our parents moved to California during the Second World War years, and they have all been gone many years. Also my sister passed away many years ago. My brother hag lived in California since 1937. Now a widow, I have been on geveral long tours east, west, north and south, and still think eastern Colorado is the best place to live. My two daughters do not live in my home town. Shirley Basinger and husband Virgil live in Gunnison, Colorado, where Shirley is in Banking. Jerry Weisshaar and husband Junior live in ldalia, Colorado, where Jerry is Postmaster. I have six grandchildren and six great grandchildren. One grandson, Dale Weisshaar, and his family live here in Stratton. by Fern (Butler) Summers The Willard Butterfield family, L. to R.; WiIIard, Lettie, Marvin, Verna, Melvin, George, and Junie (Willard Jr.) �bring home orphan lambs' Marvin and I shot rabbits and skunks to sell their hides and use the money to buy more shells. In the 30'e there were so many rabbits. The farmers ? & would hold rabbit drives and pay 10 or 12 l cents each. A place in town skinned them and the carcases were trucked to Denver for the mink farms. When we all went to town on Saturday. I would go right to the library and check out Zane Gray Bookg. Dad played the cornet in the city band when they had summer concerts in the city park. It was a treat to eat a loaf of bakery bread on the way home. Most of the time we kids stayed home and entertained ourselves by hitching up a wild horse and a tame horse to a wagon and let them go; or ride the wild horses. Kenneth and Junie would get up in the grainery and find eggs, throw them down, thinking they could pick them up later. Verna said they made mud pies with eggs, but Mom didn't know about that for years. One time Kenneth fell out of the hay loft and landed on a cow who bucked him off. The dust storms of the 30's were terrible. We would put up wet sheets over the windows but could never keep the dirt out. There were lots of bull snakes around, they'd get in the chicken house and eat the eggs. One time Mom gathered eggs and put her hand in the nest on a snake; she never did gather eggs after dark again. In the wintcr time during a blizzard, we would make ice cream in a covered gallon bucket and hang it on the clothes line; the wind would keep it stirred up until it was frozen. Four of us kids had February birthday's; we would take a freezet ofice cree- to school on the bus. The kids at school called Kenneth "George" because he was born on George Washington's birthday. by Barbara Butterfield BUTTERFIELD FAMILY F106 Melvin and Barbara Butterfield After completing the 10th grade at Smoky Hill School, I went to High School in Burlington for 2 years. Earl Sivey and I batched together at Shooks gn-p ground. After school I went out for football and track. I played right guard of the football teem that won state shnmpionship in 1940, coached by Curly Schlupp. I graduated from Burlington High School in1942 and served in the Navy L942-46. I manied Barbara Ann Magee, daughter of C.L. and Vera Magee of Burlington, in 1948. I wae elected County Clerk and Recorder 1950-59. We moved to Denver in 1959. I retired from ReaI Estate Sales in 1982. We have 3 children: (1) Kerry Lee, born 1949, married, 2 children, Jenny born 1972 and Paul, born 1975. They lived in Denver and Montrose, Colorado. In July of 1987 they moved to Woodinville, Washington. (2) Dea Ann, born 1952, married, has 3 boys, Thomas (1980), Scott (1982) and Eric (198 a). They live in Woodinville, Washington. (3) Lonny Jack, born 1955, married, 3 boys, Andrew (1982), Nathan (198a) and Jeremy (1986)' Jack is a fireman with Bancroft Fire Dept' His wife, Kathy, is a chemist at Coors. County Clerks Office in 1951 with Iva Gross seated on right, Melvin Buttcrfield and Mary Marnell. Mel was County Clerk of Kit Carson County. My brother, Marvin Delet Butterfield, graduated from B.H.S. in 1943; served in the Navy 1944-46. He married Dolores Ann Dunn, daughter of Al and Mattie Dunn of Burlington, in 1949. They moved to Denver in 1951; moved to LaSalle, Colorado in 1967. He died in 1971 at age 47. They had 3 children; (1) Bruce, born 1951, married, one son, Brett (1977). They live in Ft. Collins, Colorado. Dolores makes her home with them. (2) David, born 1955, married, has 2 girls, Jennifer (1981) and Dawn (1983), born in Oklahoma. (3) Tami Sue, born 1959, married, 2 children, Nickalos (1980) and Anneka Marie (1983). They live in Texas. Ellen Verna Butterfield was born 1927. She graduated from B.H.S. in 1949; married Glenn Franke, son of August Franke in 1952. They moved to Glenwood Springs, Colorado in 1956. Glenn will retire from Holy Cross Elec. in Feb. 1988. They have 3 children, (1) Jeffrey, born 1954, married, 2 children, Crystal (19?7) and Jason (1979). (2) Lesyle, born 1957, married, divorced, has twin girls, Linsey and Krysta (1983). Lesyle teaches school in Glenwood Springs. (3) Norman, born 1961, married, one son, Jarrid (1985). They also live in Glenwood Springs, Colorado. Kenneth Ervin Butterfield, born 1929, graduated from B.H.S. in 1947. Served in the Navy 1948-1952. Married Ruby Buchholz, daughter of Fred and Gertrude Buchholz of Bethune, Colorado, in 1952. They moved to Denver in 1953. "George" joined the Denver Fire Dept in 1955 and retired in 1980. They have a daughter, LaDonna Connie, born 1955, married, has 2 boys, Michael (1981) and Christopher (1984). They live in Denver. Willard Butterfield, Jr. born 1932. Graduated B.H.S. 1950. married Connie Lee Wilcox, daughter of Irene (Chalfant) and Kenneth Wilcox, in 1951. They moved to Denver in 1955, "Junie" works at the Federal Center, in Research Electronics. They have 2 children, (1) Kenetha Ann, born 1956, married, 2 children; Justin (1983) and Stefanie (1986). (2) James Michael, born 1958, married, one daughter, Sarah (1986). "Mike" works for the Castlewood Fire Dept. and lives in Denver. On August 30, 1979, all ofthe Butterfield children and their families were gathered at Willard and Lettie's home to celebrate their 59th Wedding Anniversary, when Willard had a fatal heart attack. Letie lived in her home until her failing health caused her to make her home with son Kenneth and wife Ruby. In December of 1987, she entered the Villa Manor Nursing Home at 7950 W. Mississippi Ave., Lakewood, Colorado, 80226. by Barbara Butterfield CALVERLEY FAMILY Fl06 In 1924 Raymond H. Calverley moved to Stratton with his wife, Ellora, and two daughters, Lois Jane and Lola May. For the next thirty-one years that he and Ellora lived in Stratton, he not only ran the First National Bank but was active in every aspect of the community. His many years on the Stratton Town Council enabled him to be a part of the development of the town itself, while at the same time being a member of the school board showed his concern for the education of children. As a charter member of the Stratton Rotary Club, he became a part of the many fine programs assigned for the social benefits of the town. Mr. and Mrs. Calverly were faithful supporters of the Congregational Church which eventually became the United Methodist Church of today. Ellora particularly worked energetically for the many activities of the church. In the early 1960's the Calverleys left Stratton, moving to Loveland, Colorado, for their retirement years. by Ellora Calverley � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Families of Kit Carson County Description An account of the resource Brief biographies of the founding families of Kit Carson County Colorado. Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Book Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Families- B Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 1988 Description An account of the resource A brief history of some of the founding families of Kit Carson County whose names begin with the letter "B." As told in the book The History of Kit Carson County. Type The nature or genre of the resource text Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Salmons, Janice Hasart, Marlyn Smith, Dorothy Language A language of the resource English Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. History of Kit Carson County Volume 1 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource text/pdf Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Curtis Media Subject The topic of the resource History Kit Carson County Biography Genealogy Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/</a>